USS Charleston ( C - 2 ) The second USS " Charleston " ( C - 2 ) was a United States Navy protected cruiser — the first US protected cruiser to be built . Lacking experience in building steel cruiser s , the design was commissioned from the British company W . Armstrong , Mitchell and Co . of Newcastle , the construction to be by an American shipyard . She was launched on 19 July 1888 by Union Iron Works , San Francisco , California , sponsored by Mrs . A . S . Smith , and commissioned on 26 December 1889 , Captain George C . Remey in command . Service history . Pacific , 1890 – 1896 . " Charleston " cleared Mare Island Navy Yard on 10 April 1890 to join the Pacific Squadron as flagship , cruising in the eastern Pacific . She carried the remains of King David Kalakaua of Hawaii to Honolulu after his death in San Francisco , and between 8 May and 4 June 1891 , took part in the search for the Chilean steamer " Itata " which had fled San Diego in violation of the American neutrality laws , enforced strictly during the 1891 Chilean Civil War . Between 19 August and 31 December 1891 , " Charleston " cruised in the Far East as flagship of the Asiatic Squadron , rejoining the Pacific Squadron in 1892 until 7 October , when she departed for the east coast , calling at a number of South American ports en route . " Charleston " arrived in Hampton Roads on 23 February 1893 . From here she sailed with other American and foreign ships to the International Naval Review conducted at New York City on 26 April 1893 as part of the Columbian Exposition . Taking the review was President Grover Cleveland in despatch vessel " Dolphin " . In the summer of 1893 , " Charleston " turned south to join the strong force patrolling the east coast of South America to protect American interests and shipping from disturbance during the Brazilian Revolution . After a leisurely cruise from Montevideo , Uruguay , she arrived in San Francisco on 8 July 1894 to prepare for a return to the Asiatic Station . She cruised in the Far East until 6 June 1896 , when she steamed from Yokohama for San Francisco where she was placed out of commission on 27 July 1896 . Spanish - American War , 1898 – 1899 . Upon the outbreak of the Spanish - American War , " Charleston " was quickly made ready for service , and was recommissioned on 5 May 1898 , Captain Henry Glass , Commanding . Sixteen days later , she sailed for Honolulu , where she was joined by three chartered steamers transporting troops , including " City of Peking " . " Charleston " was sent to raise the American flag over Guam , then a Spanish possession . At daybreak on 20 June , the little convoy arrived off the north end of Guam . " Charleston " investigated the harbor at Agana , then proceeded to Apra Harbor . Leaving the transports safely anchored outside , " Charleston " sailed boldly into the harbor , firing a challenge at Fort Santa Cruz . Almost at once , a boatload of Spanish authorities came out to apologize for having no gunpowder with which to return the supposed salute . They were astounded to learn that a state of war existed , and that the American ships had come to take the island . The next day the surrender was received by a landing party sent ashore from " Charleston " . With the Spanish governor and the island ' s garrison of 69 as prisoners in one of the transports , " Charleston " then sailed to join Admiral George Dewey ' s fleet in Manila Bay . She arrived Manila on 30 June 1898 to reinforce the victors of the previous month ' s great naval battle in their close blockade of the Bay . " Charleston " joined in the final bombardment of 13 August , which brought about the surrender of the city of Manila . She remained in the Philippines through 1898 and 1899 , bombarding insurgent positions to aid Army forces advancing ashore , and taking part in the naval expedition that captured Subic Bay in September 1899 . Loss by wrecking , November 1899 . " Charleston " grounded on an uncharted reef near Camiguin Island north of Luzon on 2 November 1899 . Wrecked beyond salvage , she was abandoned by all her crew , who made camp on a nearby island , later moving on to Camiguin while the ship ' s sailing launch was sent for help . On 12 November , gunboat arrived to rescue the shipwrecked men .