[henkster]

I visited the Olympia about 20 years ago. They had Dewey’s footprints marked on the bridge where he gave the “You may fire when ready” order.

It would be a shame to sink her. She is the last example of her kind of ship; a late “ironclad” with no sail, yet before the age of the dreadnought. To my knowledge, there are no other post-sail pre-dreadnought ships still afloat.

[GonzoGOP]

To my knowledge, there are no other post-sail pre-dreadnought ships still afloat.

Mikasa, Aurora and Huascar are afloat and in good shape. Mikasa and Aurora are slightly younger than Olympia. Huascar is closer to ironclad than predreadnaught. She has simple pole masts, but they were backups to the engine and were never used in combat.

Mikasa

Huascar

Aurora

[omega4179]

Mikasa is the last pre-dreadnought Battleship, USS Texas is the last dreadnought battleship, and Olympia is the last cruiser from that era. I think the USS Salem in Quincy, MA is the last big gun cruiser anywhere.