The crew are all Asians possibly Filipinos . The Burnside was originally the Spanish steamship RITA. She became the property of the United States government by virtue of her capture by the navy in the Philippines Islands in 1898. Some time after her capture, she was remodeled for use in laying deep sea cable. *Subjects (LCTGM): Ships--Washington (State); Sailors--Washington (State) *Subjects (LCSH): Burnside (Ship); United States. Army--Transport service; Portraits, Group--Washington (State)