USS Philadelphia ( C - 4 ) The fourth USS " Philadelphia " ( C - 4 ) , also known as " Cruiser No . 4 " , was a cruiser of the United States Navy . She was laid down 22 March 1888 by William Cramp and Sons , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , launched 7 September 1889 , sponsored by Miss Minnie Wanamaker , daughter of merchant and philanthropist John Wanamaker ; and commissioned 28 July 1890 , Capt . Robert Forbes Bradford in command . Service history . Atlantic Squadron , 1890 – 1893 . While fitting out at the New York Navy Yard , " Philadelphia " was designated on 18 August as flagship of Rear Admiral Bancroft Gherardi , commanding the North Atlantic Squadron . The squadron departed New York on 19 January 1891 to cruise the West Indies for the protection of American interests until May . It was during this time Fred J . Buenzle had served aboard the " Philadelphia " , as noted in " Bluejacket ; An Autobiography " , a part of the " Classics of Naval Literature " series . Then to the northern waters as far as Halifax , Nova Scotia . Early the following year , the flagship called at Montevideo , Uruguay , 6 – 18 February , after which she resumed cruising in the West Indies . " Philadelphia " continued operations with the Atlantic Squadron along the eastern seaboard of the United States and in the West Indies until 1 March 1893 . She was then assigned to the Naval Review Fleet as flagship of Rear Admiral Bancroft Gherardi . Charged with conducting the International Rendezvous and Review , with a fleet of twelve American ships , he received the visiting foreign ships as they commenced arrival in Hampton Roads on 8 April . The fleet steamed to New York 24 April , where it joined additional foreign visitors to form a combined fleet of 35 men - of - war . President Grover Cleveland reviewed the Fleet 27 April , after which appropriately festive ceremonies took place , initiating a parade through the streets of New York . The Naval Review Fleet disbanded 31 May and " Philadelphia " departed New York 30 June 1893 , bound for the Pacific Squadron via Rio de Janeiro , Brazil , and Callao , Peru . Pacific Station , 1893 – 1902 . " Philadelphia " arrived San Francisco 22 August 1893 . As the flagship of the Commander - in - Chief , Pacific Station , she cruised with the squadron , engaging in drills and maneuvers , and visiting various ports on the west coast of the United States , Mexico , and South America , and in the Hawaiian Islands . She arrived at the Mare Island Navy Yard 14 October 1897 and decommissioned there 18 December . " Philadelphia " recommissioned 9 July 1898 and became the flagship of Rear Admiral J . N . Miller , Commander - in - Chief of the Pacific Station . She steamed from San Francisco 2 July to participate in the ceremonies attending the assumption of sovereignty by the United States over the Hawaiian Islands . Flagship " Philadelphia " arrived Honolulu 3 August , and nine days hence her officers and those of the steam sloop , with a force under arms from the two warships , represented the US Navy at the ceremonies transferring the Hawaiian Islands to the United States . In March 1899 , with Commander - in - Chief Rear Admiral Albert Kautz embarked , " Philadelphia " steamed to the Samoan Islands for duty in connection with the settlement of civil difficulties by the Samoan Commissioners of the United States , Great Britain , and Germany . A landing party from " Philadelphia " went ashore in the vicinity of Vaiele 1 April to act in concert with a British landing party . The combined force , ambushed by adherents of Chief Mataafa , sustained seven killed and seven wounded , including two American officers , Lieutenant Philip Lansdale and Ensign John R . Monaghan , and two sailor s killed , including Seaman Norman Edsall , and five bluejackets wounded . " Philadelphia " remained in the Samoan Islands until 21 May 1899 , when she steamed for the west coast via Honolulu . " Philadelphia " served as flagship of the Pacific Station until 6 February 1900 , when Rear Admiral Kautz transferred his flag to . The cruiser continued Pacific operations until 1902 , conducting training cruises , drills , target practice , and port visits . Returning from a six - month cruise off the Panamanian coast , " Philadelphia " arrived San Francisco 17 July 1902 . Needing extensive repairs , she was ordered to the Puget Sound Navy Yard for decommissioning . Arriving Bremerton , Washington 23 August , she decommissioned at Puget Sound 22 September 1902 . Receiving ship , 1904 – 1926 . " Philadelphia " was housed over and became a receiving ship at Puget Sound Navy Yard 12 May 1904 . She continued this service until 4 November 1912 , when she became a prison ship . Resuming service as a receiving ship 10 January 1916 , she so remained until struck from the Navy List 24 November 1926 . Cruiser " Philadelphia " was sold at public auction at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in 1927 to Louis Rotherberg .