USS Atlanta | 1891

Photograph of USS Atlanta in 1891. USS Atlanta was a protected cruiser of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1886 as part of the "New Navy" modernization program. Built with a steel hull and equipped with both sail and steam propulsion, she was one of the first steel warships constructed for the U.S. fleet, marking a shift from wooden-hulled ships. Atlanta featured a protective armored deck and carried a main battery of breech-loading guns, making her a formidable vessel for her time. She served primarily in the North Atlantic Squadron, conducting training and patrol missions. Despite her innovative design, rapid naval advancements soon rendered her obsolete, and she was decommissioned in 1912. Atlanta played a crucial role in the transition to modern naval power, helping to establish the U.S. as a rising maritime force.