USS Chester (CL-1)
USS "Chester" (CS-1/CL-1) of the United States Navy was the first scout cruiser (CS) built for the Navy. In 1920, she was reclassified as a light cruiser (CL). She was launched on 26 June 1907, by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, sponsored by Miss D. W. Sproul, and commissioned on 25 April 1908, Commander H. B. Wilson in command. She was named in honor of Chester, Pennsylvania. In July 1928, long since decommissioned, her name was changed to USS "York", in honor of York, Pennsylvania. Pre-World War I. Up to 1914. In the period prior  to World War I, "Chester" operations included training activities off the East Coast and in the Caribbean, participation in the Fleet Reviews of February 1909, October 1912, and May 1915, and many duties of a diplomatic nature. She carried a Congressional committee on a tour of North Africa in 1909, and the next year, joined in a special South American cruise commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first autonomous government of Buenos Aires, Argentina. As American interests in the Caribbean were threatened by internal political changes in several nations, "Chester" patrolled off Mexico, Santo Domingo, and Haiti, and transported a  Marine occupation force in 1911. Later that year, she carried men and stores to the steam patrol yacht , station ship at the then-Austrian port of Trieste, returning to Boston with the American consul at Tripoli. In April, 1912, "Chester", and her sister the "Salem" were ordered by the United States Navy to escort the Cunard liner back to New York City, after she had picked up the survivors from the sinking of the . After a period in reserve from 15 December 1911 – 5 November 1913, "Chester" returned to duty in the Gulf of Mexico guarding American citizens and property  during the revolution in Mexico. 1914. In early 1914, "Chester" played a significant role in the United States occupation of Veracruz. [...] had held the "Chester" at her top speed of twenty-one knots since leaving Tampico, ignoring the protests of her anguished engines. Nearing port, Moffett established radio contact with the "Prairie". Fletcher warned him that the harbor lights were out, which would make navigating the eighty-six-foot-wide passage between the breakwaters into the inner harbor a hazardous undertaking. When Moffett asked for instructions, however, Fletcher left the matter to his discretion; if he wished, he could wait  outside the breakwater until dawn. Moffett chose to run straight in, bringing the "Chester" through the narrow opening in a breath-taking display of seamanship and nerve. He dropped anchor at the Sanitary Warf at 00:05 hrs. From the "Prairie", Fletcher signaled "Well done". The Chester transported refugees to Cuba, performed various diplomatic missions, and carried mail and stores to the squadron off Veracruz until 19 June 1914. She returned to Boston for overhaul and another period in reserve, from 12 December 1914 – 4 April 1915. After 1914. Late 1915 and early 1916 found "Chester" in the Mediterranean to aid  in relief work in the Middle East, and off the Liberian coast to protect American interests and show American support for the government there threatened by insurrection. "Chester" returned for duty as receiving ship at Boston, where she was out of commission in reserve from 10 May 1916 – 24 March 1917. World War I. When recommissioned, "Chester" operated on protective patrol off the East Coast until 23 August, when she sailed for Gibraltar, and duty escorting convoys on their passage between Gibraltar and Plymouth, England. On 5 September 1918, the cruiser sighted an enemy submarine on her starboard bow. In  attempting to ram the enemy, "Chester" passed directly over the submarine as she dived, damaging her own port paravane. Depth charges were hurled at the submarine's presumed position, but no further contact was made. At war's end, "Chester" carried several Allied armistice commissions on inspection tours of German ports, then carried troops to the Army units operating in northern Russia. On her homeward bound voyage, on which she cleared Brest, France on 26 April 1919, she carried Army veterans to New York, which she reached 7 May. 11 days later, she arrived at Boston Navy Yard for overhaul , and was decommissioned there on 10 June 1921. In 1927, she was towed to Philadelphia Navy Yard, and on 10 July 1928, her name was changed to "York". She was sold for scrap on 13 May 1930. External links. She is also featured in the game World of Warships as the second US Navy Cruiser in the nation's ship tree