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Offered together are two original late-19th-century photographs documenting the historic USS Monterey, Monitor No. 6—later designated BM-6—inside the newly completed Government Dry Dock at Port Orchard, Washington, now Dry Dock No. 1 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton.
These photographs record the first use and official test of the new dry dock on April 22, 1896. USS Monterey was the first naval vessel admitted to the facility. Contemporary reports described the enormous new dock as the largest then completed in the United States and one of the major dry docks of the world.
The first photograph presents a remarkable direct stern view of Monterey. The ship’s name can be discerned across the rounded transom beneath her military mast and fighting tops.
The second photograph provides a broadside and stern-quarter view showing Monterey’s twin funnels, extensive deck awnings, large United States ensign, sailors aboard ship, exposed dry-dock timbers and shoring, and spectators gathered along the dock walls. The large industrial building and tall chimney provide an exceptionally clear view of the early Port Orchard naval station.
USS Monterey was the sole vessel of the Monterey class, an armored coast-defense monitor built by Union Iron Works in San Francisco and commissioned in 1893. The 4,084-ton warship carried two 12-inch guns and two 10-inch guns. Two years after these photographs were made, Monterey undertook an extraordinary trans-Pacific voyage to reinforce American forces in the Philippines following Commodore George Dewey’s victory at Manila Bay.
Multiple photographs documenting Monterey in this same dry dock are preserved in the Seattle Public Library’s Lu Jacobson Collection, providing strong institutional confirmation of the ship, location and historic event represented here. No library provenance is claimed for the physical prints offered in this listing.
Each photograph measures approximately 5 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches. Please refer to the ruler photographs for scale.
The two original photographs are being sold together as one historic group. The ruler and magnets shown in the photographs are not included.
An important pair for collectors of early United States Navy photography, naval monitors, Spanish-American War-era warships, Puget Sound history, Bremerton history, Washington State photography, shipyard history and maritime engineering.Apparently original period photographic prints in good antique condition for approximately 130 years of age.
Both photographs retain strong contrast and considerable architectural and naval detail. Expected age-related condition includes mild waviness and curling, edge and corner wear, small edge chips and short tears, light creasing, scattered surface marks and some reflective silvering or gloss variation. The upper edges show several small areas of wear or loss.
There is no major loss affecting the principal images of USS Monterey. Please examine all enlarged photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
Type: Photograph
Unit of Sale: Lot
Number of Photographs: 2
Subject: USS Monterey
Ship Classification: United States Navy Monitor
Hull Number: Monitor No. 6 / BM-6
Event: First Use of Puget Sound Government Dry Dock
Date of Creation: 1896
Specific Date: April 22, 1896
Location: Port Orchard / Bremerton, Washington
Facility: Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Dry Dock No. 1
Original/Reprint: Original
Photo Format: Period Photographic Prints
Color: Sepia / Black and White
Approximate Size: 5 1/4 x 4 1/4 Inches Each
Theme: United States Navy
Secondary Theme: Maritime and Industrial History
Era: 1800s
Antique: Yes
Framing: Unframed
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Photographer: Unidentified
