Olympia (Cruiser)

The U.S.S Olympia, the flagship of the Asiatic Squadron during the Spanish-American War. The Olympia was commissioned on February 5, 1895 and sailed from Mare Island to take its position as flagship of the Asiatic Squadron on August 25, 1895, under the command of Captain John J. Read. In 1895-1897, the Olympia visited ports in China, Japan, and the Philippines, spending the winter of 1897 in Hong Kong Harbor. On Jan. 3, George Dewey, the new Squadron commander arrived onboard of the Olympia. When War was declared on April 25, 1898, the Olympia and the rest of the Asiatic Squadron sailed to Mirs Bay and then to Philippines. On May 1, 1898, it led the Squadron at the Battle of Manila Bay, and then took part in the blockade and capture of Manila. The Olympia remained in active service until 1922, serving in World War I and bringing back to the United States the remains of the American Unknown Soldier. In 1957, the Olympia was transferred to the Cruiser Olympia Association, and in Jan. 1996, to the Independence Seaport Museum.