USS Cushing (TB-1)
Encyclopedia
USS Cushing (Torpedo Boat #1/TB-1) was a torpedo boat
in the United States Navy
during the Spanish-American War
. She was named for William B. Cushing
.
Cushing was launched on 23 January 1890 by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, Rhode Island
; sponsored by Miss K. B. Herreshoff; and commissioned on 22 April 1890, Lieutenant
C. M. Winslow in command.
and equipped for experimental work to complete the development of torpedo outfits and to gather data for the service. On 8 September 1891, she reported to Newport, Rhode Island
for duty at the Naval Torpedo Station, and except for a brief period out of commission—from 11 November 1891-11 January 1892—Cushing continued her torpedo experiments in this area until 1893.
Cushing arrived at Hampton Roads
on 31 March 1893 for temporary duty with the Naval Review Fleet, and in April she escorted the British
cruiser
s and to New York
. Cushing returned to duty at Newport on 6 May, working with the Whitehead torpedo. Based on Key West
from 31 December 1897, Cushing reported to the North Atlantic Fleet's Blockading Force for picket patrol in the Florida Straits and courier duty for the Force. On 11 February 1898, while making a passage to Havana
, Cushing lost Ensign Joseph C. Breckinridge
overboard in heavy seas. For their heroic efforts to save him, Gunner's Mate Third Class John Everetts and Ship's Cook First Class Daniel Atkins
were awarded the Medal of Honor
.
Upon the declaration of war
between the U.S. and Spain
, Cushing was assigned to patrol the Cays, and on 7 August captured four small vessels and towed them to her anchorage at Piedras Cay. Four days later, armed boats from Cushing and captured and burned a 20 LT (20.3 t) schooner
. Returning north in August, 1898, Cushing resumed her operations at the Newport Torpedo Station from 14 September until decommissioned on 8 November 1898. From 1901-1911, she was attached to the Reserve Torpedo Flotilla at Norfolk, and was sunk on 24 September 1920 after use as a target.
Torpedo boat
A torpedo boat is a relatively small and fast naval vessel designed to carry torpedoes into battle. The first designs rammed enemy ships with explosive spar torpedoes, and later designs launched self-propelled Whitehead torpedoes. They were created to counter battleships and other large, slow and...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. She was named for William B. Cushing
William B. Cushing
William Barker Cushing was an officer in the United States Navy, best known for sinking the Confederate ironclad CSS Albemarle during a daring nighttime raid on October 27, 1864, a feat for which he received the Thanks of Congress.-Early life and career:Cushing was born in Delafield, Wisconsin,...
.
Cushing was launched on 23 January 1890 by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol is a town in and the historic county seat of Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 22,954 at the 2010 census. Bristol, a deepwater seaport, is named after Bristol, England....
; sponsored by Miss K. B. Herreshoff; and commissioned on 22 April 1890, Lieutenant
Lieutenant (naval)
LieutenantThe pronunciation of lieutenant is generally split between or , generally in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Commonwealth countries, and or , generally associated with the United States. See lieutenant. is a commissioned officer rank in many nations' navies...
C. M. Winslow in command.
Service history
The first torpedo boat built for the Navy, Cushing was attached to the Squadron of EvolutionSquadron of Evolution
The Squadron of Evolution " —sometimes referred to as the "White Squadron"— was a transitional unit in the United States Navy, during the late 19th century. Composed of the cruisers , , , USS Yorktown, and dispatch boat . Having both full rigged masts and steam engines, it was influential in the...
and equipped for experimental work to complete the development of torpedo outfits and to gather data for the service. On 8 September 1891, she reported to Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
for duty at the Naval Torpedo Station, and except for a brief period out of commission—from 11 November 1891-11 January 1892—Cushing continued her torpedo experiments in this area until 1893.
Cushing arrived at Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
on 31 March 1893 for temporary duty with the Naval Review Fleet, and in April she escorted the British
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
s and to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Cushing returned to duty at Newport on 6 May, working with the Whitehead torpedo. Based on Key West
Key West
Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida on the North American continent at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. Key West is home to the southernmost point in the Continental United States; the island is about from Cuba....
from 31 December 1897, Cushing reported to the North Atlantic Fleet's Blockading Force for picket patrol in the Florida Straits and courier duty for the Force. On 11 February 1898, while making a passage to Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cushing lost Ensign Joseph C. Breckinridge
Joseph Breckinridge
Joseph Cabell Breckinridge was an officer in the United States Navy in the Spanish-American War. He was the son of Joseph Cabell Breckinridge, Sr., a Major General in the United States Army, and a member of the prominent Breckinridge family.-Biography:Breckinridge was born in Fort Monroe, Virginia...
overboard in heavy seas. For their heroic efforts to save him, Gunner's Mate Third Class John Everetts and Ship's Cook First Class Daniel Atkins
Daniel Atkins
Daniel Atkins was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.-Biography:...
were awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
Upon the declaration of war
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
between the U.S. and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Cushing was assigned to patrol the Cays, and on 7 August captured four small vessels and towed them to her anchorage at Piedras Cay. Four days later, armed boats from Cushing and captured and burned a 20 LT (20.3 t) schooner
Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
. Returning north in August, 1898, Cushing resumed her operations at the Newport Torpedo Station from 14 September until decommissioned on 8 November 1898. From 1901-1911, she was attached to the Reserve Torpedo Flotilla at Norfolk, and was sunk on 24 September 1920 after use as a target.