USS California First US Navy Ship to Enter Pearl Harbor Base

USS California (Armored Cruiser No. 6). Photographed circa 1908. NHHC Photograph Collection, NH 55011.

Naval History & Heritage Command
On 14 December 1911, the first U.S. Naval Ship, USS California, entered Pearl Harbor after it was made into a Naval base, breaking a red, white, and blue ribbon stretched across the new channel. Note, in September 1914, California was renamed San Diego. On 19 July 1918, during WWI, San Diego was torpedoed and sunk off Fire Island, New York by German submarine, U-156.

Aerial View of Pearl Harbor, circa 1918. NHHC Photograph Collection, NR&L Files, Places.

USS California (Armored Cruiser No. 6). In San Diego harbor, California, circa 1910-1914.
Photographed by the Arcade View Company. Courtesy of Captain Don Fink, 1983. NHHC Photograph Collection, NH 94938.

USS California (Armored Cruiser No. 6). Underway in San Pablo Bay, California, 1909.
Collection of Rear Admiral Ammen Farenholt, USN(MC). NHHC Photograph Collection, NH 55009.