Displacement: 16,000 Normal, Full Load 17,650 Length at the water line: 456'4" Beam. 76'10" Draft: 24'6" (mean) Speed: 18 kts. Complement: 42 Officers, 838 Enlisted. Armament as built 1907: See notes below. Armour, (Krupp): 9" Belt (amidships), 4" Belt (ends), 3" Deck (slopes), 7" Lower deck side, 10" Barbettes, 12" Turrets, 7" Battery, 2" Casemates, 6" Small Turrets, 9" Conning Tower, 5" Director Station (near Conning Tower). Machinery: 2 sets of Newport News vertical 4 cylinder triple expansion engines. 2 screws (outward turning). Boilers: 12 Babcock. Designed H. P. 16,500 at 18 kts. Coal: normal 900 tons maximum 2420 tons Class: Kansas

The second Minnesota was laid down by the Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Va., 27 October 1903; launched 8 April 1905; sponsored by Miss Rose Marie Schaller; and commissioned 9 March 1907, Capt. John Hubbard in command. Following her shakedown off the New England coast, Minnesota was assigned to duty in connection with the Jamestown Exposition, Jamestown, Va., 22 April to 3 September 1907.

A view of the Minnesota's bridge showing her forward 12-inch main gun. She has letters that spell her name on her bridge. These were lighted letters and at night during public events she would turn them on showing her name to all who could see. This photo is not identified but clearly can be seen her original fore-mast, which is not the cage style of her later years. This with the fact that the letters appear on her bridge dates this to the time of the Great White Fleet days of 1908-1909. On her decks can been seen several civilian visitors among who is at least one lady standing on the left side with a man in a derby hat and walking cane or umbrella.

According to an article in the 18 July 1907 edition of The Washington Post the Minnesota was at Hampton Roads. It was reported that there were many desertions and 100 desertions from the Minnesota alone. The article reads: Norfolk, VA 17 July 1907. "There are wholesale desertions from warships at Hampton Roads is indicated by the statement that in the past few weeks 100 deserters have been listed and advertised from the battleship Minnesota alone. The local police yesterday were notified of 15 desertions. The lists are coming in daily. It was stated at the Navy Department last night that there was no official information there regarding wholesale desertions from the Minnesota. Captain Hubbard, of the Minnesota, was at the Navy Department yesterday, but made no report on the subject. The department has several times investigated reports regarding desertions at that port, but, according to the department, without finding the situation very serious."

On 16 December 1907 she departed Hampton Roads as one of the 16 battleships sent by President Theodore Roosevelt on a voyage around the world. In 1907, President Teddy Roosevelt, for reasons of national prestige and to test the ability of the American Navy to respond to potential crises in the Pacific, decided to dispatch the battleships of the Atlantic Fleet on what became an around-the-world cruise. The voyage, regarded by President Roosevelt as a dramatic gesture to the Japanese-who had only recently emerged on the world stage as a power to be reckoned with-proved to be a signal success, with the ships performing so well as to confound the doom-sayers who had predicted a fiasco. This force, the largest concentration of American naval power sent to the Pacific to that time, was known as the Great White Fleet, due to the soon-to-be-discarded practice of painting American warships White hulls and Spar colored upper structures. Commanded by Rear Admiral Robley Evans, the last Civil War veteran on active naval duty, the fleet of battleships, along with a torpedo flotilla and some auxiliaries, sailed from Hampton Roads in December 1907, arriving in San Franciso the next May after travelling around South America.

The fleet arrived in San Francisco on May 6, 1908 from Magdalena Bay, Mexico for a huge celebration hosted by the City of San Francisco. As each ship passed Fort Point it fired a 21-gun salute, which was answered with a salute from land. Crowds flocked to San Francisco to see the fleet and on May 8th 1908 "The Great Naval Parade" was held in San Francisco. Standing on the decks of the Minnesota was a junior officer by the name of Raymond Spruance and another fellow junior officer serving on the USS Kansas was William Halsey both Spruance and Halsey were to play major roles in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

An undated photo of a burial at sea from the after quarter deck of the Minnesota. Note the line of Battleships behind the Minnesota. They are painted in the "Spar and White" colors that the fleet was painted during the cruise of the Great White Fleet, so this may date the photo sometime during 1908-09.

Approximately 14,000 sailors made up the crews of the ships of the Great White Fleet. During the voyage, 300 sailors deserted their ships. More sailors deserted in California than anywhere else. More than 200 of the deserting sailors stayed behind to marry local girls and so the postcard that claims that "California Captured the Atlantic Fleet in 1908" has some merit. In San Francisco Evans, in reality too ill to have even sailed with the fleet, turned over command, first to Rear Admiral Charles Thomas for a week, then to Rear Admiral Charles Sperry. On July 7, 1908 the fleet was reassembled under the command of Rear Admiral Charles Sperry and bid farewell to San Francisco and departed for Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii and then to New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, China, and, most notably, Japan before returning to the US in February 1909 via Ceylon, the Suez Canal, and the Mediterranean. The cruise began eight days before Christmas of 1907, and ended on Washington's Birthday, 22 February 1909. During the course of the voyage, the ships called at ports along both coasts of South America; on the west coast of the United States; at Hawaii; in the Philippines; Japan; China; and in Ceylon. During October of 1908 Minnesota was anchored in Manila Bay, Philippines.

The Minnesota was in the Third Division as Flagship with Captain Hubbard still in command. The Third Division was under the command of Rear Admiral Charles Thomas. The other three Battleships in the Third Division were the USS Maine, USS Missouri and the USS Ohio. On the return leg of the cruise she was shifted into the First Division Along with the Connecticut (Flagship), Kansas and Vermont. The First Division was commanded by Rear Admiral Charles Sperry.

Returning from her world cruise in 1909, Minnesota resumed operations with the Atlantic Fleet. At this time she underwent some refitting and her original foremast was replaced with the newer cage style foremast as well as her superstructure was modified. Also she was completely repainted from the Great White Fleet colors of Spar and White to the standard Navy Grey paint. During 1910 she had her aftmast replaced with the cage style. During the next 3 years she operated primarily along the east coast, with one brief deployment to the English Channel.

On 31 October 1911 Secretary of the Navy Meyer reviewed 102 Naval vessels in New York harbor, which was the largest assemblage of United States warships reviewed at that time. The crowd assembled to look at the great warships numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Each ship was decked out with all the trimmings and each sailor was dressed in his whites making quite a sight to the onlookers. The Minnesota was one of the 17 battleships there that day along with the cruisers Washington and North Carolina.

In 1912, her employment schedule began to involve her more in inter-American affairs. During the first half of that year she cruised in Cuban waters and was stationed at Guantanamo Bay, 7 to 22 June, to support actions aimed at establishing order during the Cuban insurrection.

The following spring and summer 1913 she cruised in Mexican waters. Life was somewhat mundane during her Mexican duty as recorded by her logs. On 11 June 1913 Minnesota was anchored in a Mexican harbor with the USS Idaho. During the day the Idaho left the harbor for sub-caliber target practice. The boats of the Minnesota under oar and sail were inspected by the Division Commander. Red Cross relief steamer Mexicano sailed with American refugees for Tempico and Galveston. Thursday the 12th of June the Minnesota held general quarters drill and the mail left via the French steamer Respangne and Ward-Line steamer Esperania. On Friday the crew preformed routine maintenance and painting and the mail was received. Saturday the ship and her crew was inspected by her Commanding Officer. Later in the day a recreation party landed at Sacrifacio Island. The crew of the Minnesota was invited to a smoker on board the German cruiser Bremen, which was enjoyed very much by party from the Minnesota. On Sunday the 15 of June, the German cruiser Bremen left the harbor for Trinidad. More sailing and swimming parties from the Minnesota landed at Verile and Sacrifacio Islands. Monday the 16th, routine maintenance and painting was again the duty of the day. Minnesota sent her mail via Hamburg-American steamer. The next day on the 17th of June 1913 brought continuous rain from midnight throughout the day. The most exciting thing that happened all week long was a small fire on board when the lead from the wireless aerial burned out. Fire quarters was sounded and the ships crew put out the fire quickly.

In 1914, she twice returned to Mexican waters (26 January to 7 August and 11 October to 19 December) as that country continued in the throes of political turmoil. In 1915, she resumed east coast operations, with occasional cruises to the Caribbean area, which she continued until November 1916 when she became flagship, Reserve Force, Atlantic Fleet.

On 6 April 1917, as the United States entered World War I, Minnesota rejoined the active fleet at Tangier Sound, Chesapeake Bay, and was assigned to Division 4, Battleship Force as flagship. The 4th Division was made up of the Minnesota, South Carolina and the Michigan. During World War I she was assigned as a gunnery and engineering training ship, cruising off the middle Atlantic seaboard until 29 September 1918. On the 30th of September, 20 miles from Fenwick Island Shoal Lightship (38 d. 11'N, 74 d. 41'W.) Minnesota struck a mine, apparently laid by the German submarine U-117. Suffering serious damage to the starboard side, but with no loss of life, she managed to reach Philadelphia where she underwent 5 months of repairs. During this time of repairs at the Philadelphia Navy Yard she had her 7-inch 45 cal. Broadside Batteries removed.

Captain Jehu Valentine Chase was the commanding officer of USS Minnesota when she was mined in September 1918, Chase was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his splendid seamanship and leadership in bringing his ship safely to port without loss of life. Admiral Chase was Commander in Chief, United States Fleet, from 17 September 1930 to 15 September 1931, and Chairman of the General Board from April 1932 until his retirement in February 1933. Jehu Valentine Chase was born in Pattersonville, Louisiana, 10 January 1869, and graduated from the Naval Academy 6 June 1890. He died at Coronado, Calif., 24 May 1937. USS Chase (DE-158) was named in his honor. Admiral Chase was buried with full military honors in Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery.  His wife, Mary Taylor Chase (1873-1950) is buried with him.

On 11 March 1919, she put back to sea as a unit of the Cruiser and Transport Force. In a report of ship locations of the Cruiser and Transport Force the Minnesota was at Hampton Roads and sailed for Brest, France on 1 April, 1919. Other battleships at Hampton Roads with the Minnesota on 1 April were the Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas and the Vermont. She was assigned to that force until 23 July, she completed three round trips to Brest, France, to return over 3,000 veterans to the United States.

The Minnesota was now commanded by Captain Raymond D. Hasbrouck who had commanded the troopship USS Covington when she was Torpedoed and sunk on 1-2 July 1918. Primarily employed thereafter as a training ship, Minnesota conducted two midshipmen summer cruises (1920 and 1921) under the command of Captain C. L. P. Stone. On September 24, 1921 Captain Stone was relieved of duty as the last skipper of the Minnesota and was given command of the battleship USS Connecticut. The Minnesota was decommissioned three months later on December 1, 1921, now obsolete in the eyes of the Navy Department she was struck from the Naval Register the same day. She lingered on in storage until finally arriving at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on January 23, 1924 where she was dismantled and sold for scrap.

An undated photo of the Minnesota's Engineering Division taken on the after turret.

Port side view of the Minnesota.

The Muster of the USS Minnesota

These are men who served the mast on board the USS Minnesota. If you know of someone or have a family member who served this ship please contact me and I will add a profile of that man.

James A. Hurd

James Hurd was from Italy, Texas and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Hurd. James entered the Navy in April of 1917 and took his basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station. He was assigned to duty on the Minnesota which was then in Cuban waters. He made at least one trip to France during WWI and at wars end was still in the Navy.

Pvt 1cl William R. Rawlings, USMC

William Raymond Rawlings was born on July 9, 1898 in Granite City, IL to John H. and Minnie Belle (DeClare) Rawlings.  As young William developed into a young man war clouds over Europe were also developing. William, who was working as a shipping clerk applied and was accepted into the United States Marine Corps at Chicago, IL and then reported to Paris Island, SC for service during the duration of the war on July 17, 1917.

Private Rawlings was promoted to Private First Class on December 22, 1918 and on January 10, 1919 was advanced temporary warrant and then on March 24, 1919 in a letter from the Major General Commandant was reduced back to Private. The reason was his rank of Corporal was a temporary appointment during the war.

As a Private he reported for sea duty on board the battleship USS Minnesota on October 24, 1917 and he would remain on her until April 23, 1918. During his service Pvt. Rawlings held Excellent marks in Military Efficiency, Obedience and Sobriety.

Among the many papers that survive today preserved by his son, William R. Rawlings, Jr. is a document dated June 12, 1918 where private Rawlings signed in receipt of 1 rubber poncho from the Quartermaster Department.

After his sea duty aboard the USS Minnesota, Pvt. Rawlings was retained in the Marine Corps but it is not known for sure where he served. He remained in the Marine Corps until he was discharged on September 10, 1919 where he was paid $131.55 upon his discharge from the Marine Corps.

On November 9, 1920 William Rawlings received from the Headquarters of the Marine Corps, a Good Conduct Medal, No. 30508 and a certificate signed by Captain E. H. Jenkins Aide-de-Camp, USMC, for his service in the Marine Corps from July 17, 1917 – September 10, 1919.

William returned to his home in Illinois for a short time and then in 1921 married. He married Helen Clark who was from New Jersey. William now worked as an auto mechanic and did work for the Lynch Brothers Auto in Boston, MA for a time. William continued to work as an auto mechanic for the rest of his life. As early as 1929 William and Helen moved to Belmont, MA where they started a family. Robert the eldest son was born about 1922 and later another son named William R. Rawlings, Jr. was born sometime after 1930. William Rawlings, Sr. was active in the local Belmont, A.F. & A. M. Lodge from at least 1929 – 1934. The Rawlings family lived in rented homes and during the time they lived in Belmont lived in at least 4 different addresses during the 1930’s before finally settling in the home at 124 Pine Street in Belmont, MA.

William Had hearing loss from his service in the Marine Corps and did wear a hearing aid during the 1950’s as this is known from the family and also from documents from the Veterans Administration.

On May 14, 1959 in Belmont William R. Rawlings, Sr. passed away in his sleep of heart failure.  His wife and two sons survived him. William’s funeral was held by the Rev. Dr. D. Joseph Imier of the Belmont Methodist Church and then was buried in the Lawnside Cemetery in Woodstown, NJ.

Pvt. Rawlings, WWI	Rawlings in Dress USMC Uniform	A small metal button with a hand colored photo of Pvt. Rawlings

Photos and information of Pvt. Rawlings provided by William R. Rawlings, Jr.

Emmett C. Matthews, USNR

The grandfather of Steve Matthews of Savannah, Georgia was aboard the Minnesota struck a mine on September 30, 1918. His name was Emmett C. Matthews and among his effects that was left to his grandson, was a small picture of the ship undergoing repairs enclosed with a record of some of the details. The discription on the photo is very brief and the paper is deteriorating. It reads as follows;

"U.S.S. Minnesota on September 30th, 1918. Torpedoed off of Delaware Capes, Longitude 39 West, Latitude 73' 30" North. Hit on starboard bow, tearing a forty foot hole from armor plate to keel, and from beam 10 in compartment A to beam 50 in compatrment B. Made port of Philadelphia in 14 hours under own power. 1200 men and 100 Officers in crew. No lives lost but several injured and overcome by gas."

Emmett C. Matthews, born about 1898 was from Owensboro, Kentucky and it is not known what his rating was in the navy but later in his life he was a Steam Fitter. Shortly after leaving the navy Emmett was married about 1920. His wife's first name was Ethyln and was 2 years younger than Emmett and was from Kentucky. In April of 1930 Emmett and Ethlyn Matthews lived in Cincinnati, Ohio where he worked as a barber. At the time they lived in a rented house where the rent was $30 per month. The family in April of 1930 consisted of Emmett and Ethyln with eldest son Emmett, jr., born about 1922; a second son named Milton born about 1925 and a third son named Raymond born about the end of 1929. All three of the boys were born in Ohio.

Emmett and his wife live most all of thier life in the Cincinnati, Ohio area and on October 31, 1985 at the age of 87 Emmett Matthews passed away in the University Hospital in Cincinnati.

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This page was created on 5 January, 2004 and last modified on: Wed, Aug 6, 2008

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