The USS Callao (YFB-11) was a gunboat with a notable service history spanning from its construction in 1888 through its decommissioning in 1923. Built in Cavite, Philippines, by the Manila Ship Company, she was originally intended for Spanish colonial duties. The vessel featured a steel hull and was rigged with two masts, but it was unarmored. Launched and completed in 1888, Callao served in the Spanish Navy before being captured by the United States during the Spanish-American War. On 12 May 1898, while steaming toward Manila Bay, her Spanish crew was taken by surprise when the U.S. Navy's Asiatic Squadron under Commodore Dewey arrived and captured her alongside the cruiser Raleigh. Subsequently, the vessel was commissioned into U.S. Navy service on 17 July 1898, retaining Lieutenant B. Tappan as her commanding officer. During the Spanish-American War, Callao served as a tender to Dewey's flagship, the cruiser Olympia. She played a significant role in the Battle of Manila on 13 August 1898, providing effective gunfire support to American troops ashore on her left flank. Following the war, Callao operated primarily in the Philippines, patrolling to suppress smuggling, supporting Army scouting against insurgents, transporting troops, and engaging insurgent positions. She was decommissioned for repairs in 1901 but was recommissioned in December 1902. Her subsequent duties included carrying supplies within the Philippine Islands and, starting in 1903, participating in the China Station with the Yangtze Patrol. For over a decade, she helped protect American interests amidst political upheaval in China. Decommissioned at Hong Kong in 1916, she was laid up at Olongapo, Luzon. Renamed and reclassified as a patrol gunboat (hull number PG-37) in 1920, she later served as a ferryboat (YFB-11) from 1921 until her sale for scrap in Manila on 13 September 1923. Throughout her career, Callao demonstrated versatility and played a significant role in late 19th and early 20th-century American naval operations in Asia.

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