Don Juan de Austria

Former name retained.

(Gbt: dp. 1,015; 1. 215'6"; b. 32', dr. 12'6"; s. 12 k.;
cpl. 153; a. 2 4", 8 6-pdr. r.f., 2 1-pdr. r.f.)

Don Juan de Austria was built in 1887 at Cartagena Spain, for the Spanish Navy. Sunk 1 May l898 during the Battle of Manila Bay, she was raised from the bay under contract, overhauled and refitted at Hong Kong, and commissioned there 11 April 1900, Commander T. C. McLean in command.

From 5 June to 18 October 1900 Don Juan de Austria was anchored off Canton, China, to protect American interests. She sailed from Hong Kong 25 November and arrived at Cavite, P.I., 3 days later. She was employed in the Philippines in general duties in connection with taking possession of the newly acquired territory, supporting Army operations against the insurgent native forces, transporting troops and stores, blockading insurgent supply routes, and seizing and searching various towns to insure American control. Aside from a visit to Yokohama, Japan from 1 June to 27 July 1902, she continued her duty in the pacification of the islands until 19 April 1903.

After repairs at Yokohama, Japan from 27 April to 1 June 1903, Don Juan de Austria cruised along the Chinese coast for maneuvers with the fleet, an indication of intensified American interest in the Far East after the acquisition of Pacific island territories. She departed Hong Kong 16 December 1903 for the United States, sailing by way of Singapore, Ceylon, India, the Suez Canal, and Mediterranean ports to arrive at Portsmouth Navy Yard 21 April 1904. She was out of comission for repairs from 5 May 1904 to 10 December 1905.

Joining the Third Squadron, Atlantic Fleet Don Juan de Austria sailed from Norfolk 28 February 1906 to patrol off the Dominican Republic to protect American interests. She returned to Portsmouth Navy Yard 21 February 1907 and was placed out of commission there 7 March 1907. Loaned to the Michigan Naval Militia she sailed from Portsmouth 28 July by way of the St. Lawrence River to Detroit, serving there on training duty until American entry into World War I.

Don Juan de Austia was recommissioned 6 April 1917, and left Detroit 17 July for Newport, R.I., arriving 6 August. She patrolled inshore and at sea off New England's coast. She arrived at New York 7 August 1918 to escort two Army tugs and their barge tows to Bermuda, then returned to Newport 1 October and towed Charles Whittemore to Charleston S.C., before revisiting Bermuda to escort a group of American and French submarines to Newport, arriving 1 November. On 3 April 1919 Don Juan de Austria arrived at Boston to join the special escort for the transports returning members of the 26th Division, U.S. Army, from Europe. She was decommissioned at Portsmouth 18 June 1919. and sold 16 October 1919.