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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Iris (Torpedo Boat Tender)
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USS Iris (Collier) (1903 - 1909)
USS Iris (Distilling Ship) (1898 - 1903)

1910-International Radio Call Sign:
Nan - Have - Unit
NHU
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
Philippines Campaign Medal - China Relief Expedition Medal - Mexican Service Medal


Screw Steamer:
  • Built in 1885 at A. Leslie & C0., Newcastle, England
  • Purchased by the US Navy, 25 May 1898, from Miami Steamship Co.
  • Commissioned USS Iris, 1 August 1898, at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA., as a distilling ship, LT. Arthur B. Connor in command
  • Decommissioned, 18 December 1903, at Mare Island Navy Yard
  • Placed in service in 1904 as a Collier for the Asiatic Squadron
  • Recommissioned, 15 October 1909, as a Torpedo Boat Tender for the Pacific Torpedo Fleet
  • Decommissioned, 2 May 1916, at Mare Island
  • Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown
  • Transferred, 3 May 1917, to the United States Shipping Board (USSB)
  • Final Disposition, broken up by General Metals & Supply Co
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,923 t.
    Length 321'
    Beam 39'
    Draft 24'
    Speed 10 kts.
    Complement 124
    Armament none
    Propulsion coal fired boiler, steam turbine, single screw

    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Source
    USS Iris
    Iris
    09029511
    168k
    Namesake
    Iris - In Greek Mythology the personification and goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the gods
    Iris Carrying the Water of the River Styx to Olympus for the Gods to Swear By, Guy Head, c. 1793. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
    Tommy Trampp
    Iris 73k Post card image of USS Iris at anchor, circa 1909, location unknown.
    US Navy photo courtesy Shipscribe web site.
    Mike Green
    Iris 49k USS Iris at anchor, date and location unknown. Photo by Muller, from "Jane's Fighting Ships 1914." Robert Hurst
    Iris 100k USS Iris at anchor in San Diego Bay, circa 1910-1916. Photographed by Lee Passmore, 'Post Card Artist' 25th & M Streets, San Diego. The original is printed on post card ('Vedox') stock. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.
    US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 105724.
    Robert Hurst
    Iris 86k USS Iris at anchor in San Diego Bay, while serving as tender to the Pacific Fleet Torpedo Squadron, circa 1909-1912. USS Rowan (Torpedo Boat # 8) is alongside. Photographed by Daniel, printed on postcard ('AZO') stock. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007
    US Naval Historical Center Photo # NH 104449.
    Robert Hurst
    Iris 114k USS Iris at anchor in San Diego Bay, circa 1910, while serving as torpedo vessel tender for the Pacific Fleet. USS Davis (Torpedo Boat # 12) and USS Fox (Torpedo Boat # 13) are alongside. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson.
    US Naval Historical Center Photo # NH 53268.
    Robert Hurst
    Iris 109k USS Iris at anchor, location unknown, with four submarines alongside, circa 1913-1916. An armored cruiser is in the left distance. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1968.
    US Naval Historical Center Photo # NH 65153.
    Robert Hurst
    Iris 80k USS Iris anchored off Guaymas, Mexico, 26 December 1915. photographed by Hopkins. Collection of Thomas P. Naughton, 1973.
    US Naval Historical Center Photo # NH 99201.
    Robert Hurst
    Iris 54k USS Iris moored to a buoy off Navy Yard Mare Island, 2 October 1916, after being decommissioned for the last time.US Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 2766-10-16, 10/2/1916 cropped Darryl Baker
    SS Iris (USSB)
    Iris 119k Montage of views of SS Iris, her crew and training activities, during or shortly after World War I, while she was employed as a merchant marine training ship. Man marked by an arrow in the upper right view is named Nelson.US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 102996 Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2005 Robert Hurst
    Iris 102k Cropped view of SS Iris from the montage. Iris was active as a training ship from mid-1918 to early 1920 when she was replaced by a larger vessel, SS Hollywood.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo # NH 102996, courtesy Shipscribe.com.
    Robert Hurst

    USS Iris
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
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    Last Updated 31 March 2023