The Naval Militia was set up to train sailors and keep former sailors up to date on their skills. An 1896 Chicago Tribune article said that the officers were usually US Naval Academy graduates and that Lt. Cmdr. Stedman was in command.
Five ships at one time or another were in the Illinois Naval Militia, one a captured Spanish ship from the Battle of Manila Bay.
USS NASHVILLE (PG-7) Gunboat launched in 1895 and fought in the Spanish-American War. In 1909, the ship was sent to the Great Lakes, unarmed, through Canadian canals. It caused an incident between Canada and the U.S. when it was rearmed in Chicago, in violation of the Rush-Bagot Treaty of 1817. Served in World War I.
USS DUBUQUE (PG-17) Commissioned in 1905 as a patrol combatant ship. Operated off Cuba and back to the US Navy in 1914. During World War I served on the east coast and Caribbean. In World War II trained merchant marine crew gunners in the Chesapeake Bay.
USS ISLA DE LUZON Formerly of the Spanish Navy, a second-class protected cruiser. Built in Britain for Spain. Scuttled after the Battle of Manila Bay , raised and taken into the U.S. Navy.
USS SOMERS (TB-22) Torpedo boat, purchased by US Navy in 1898 for Spanish-American War.
USRC PATROL Revenue Cutter built in Jerseyville, Illinois and launched in 1899.
The Ships of the Mighty Illinois Naval Militia. --Cooter
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