The USS Caesar (AC-16) was a collier built in England in 1896 by Ropner & Sons at Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham. Originally launched as Kingtor for J Holman & Sons, she measured 310 feet in length, with a beam of 44 feet and a depth of 20.5 feet. Her tonnage was 2,738 gross register tons (GRT) and 1,828 net register tons (NRT), with a displacement of approximately 5,920 long tons (6,010 tonnes). She was powered by a three-cylinder triple-expansion steam engine rated at 241 nominal horsepower, achieving a speed of about 10 knots. Kingtor's initial purpose was to serve as a cargo vessel, primarily transporting coal. Her service history took a significant turn when, on 21 April 1898, the U.S. purchased her following the declaration of war on Spain. She was fitted out at the New York Navy Yard and commissioned as USS Caesar on 13 May 1898, with Lt Cdr AB Speyers as her first commander. During the Spanish–American War, she supplied coal to the North Atlantic Squadron operating in the Caribbean, notably blockading Cuba and Puerto Rico. Caesar's service extended beyond the war, including voyages to the Far East via the Suez Canal, carrying cargo and supplies during the Philippine–American War and aiding in establishing U.S. bases in the Philippines. Notably, between 1905 and 1906, she participated in towing the floating dry dock USS Dewey from the U.S. to the Philippines—a major maritime towing achievement. She was also involved in scientific expeditions, including transporting equipment for a 1905 solar eclipse expedition. By 1914, Caesar was equipped with wireless telegraphy, with the call sign NCY. She served in the Mediterranean, carrying refugees and relief supplies, and transported cargo and passengers for the Asiatic Fleet during World War I. After extensive overhauls and operations along the U.S. East Coast, she was decommissioned in 1922. Subsequently, she was sold to a Canadian company, renamed Mogul, and registered in Victoria, British Columbia. She was eventually sold for scrap in 1935 and broken up in Yokohama, Japan. Her maritime significance lies in her service during multiple conflicts, her role in logistical support and towing operations, and her long-standing service life spanning nearly four decades.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.