The USS Minneapolis (C-13/CA-17) was a Columbia-class protected cruiser of the United States Navy, named after the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Laid down on December 16, 1891, by William Cramp & Sons in Philadelphia, she was launched on August 12, 1893, and commissioned on December 13, 1894, under the command of Captain George H. Wadleigh. The vessel’s design featured two funnels, differing from the originally intended three, possibly to resemble passenger liners. Constructed primarily for cruiser duties, Minneapolis was initially assigned to the North Atlantic Squadron, conducting maneuvers along the eastern coast of the United States and in the West Indies. In late 1895, she joined the European Squadron, arriving at Gibraltar in December, and participated in Mediterranean operations. Notably, she served as the flagship of Rear Admiral Thomas O. Selfridge Jr. during the Russian Czar Nicholas II’s coronation in 1896, visiting ports across northern Europe, Turkey, and Greece. She returned to Philadelphia in July 1897 and was placed in reserve. During the Spanish–American War, Minneapolis was part of the Northern Patrol Squadron along the U.S. Atlantic coast. She conducted scouting operations in the West Indies in April 1898, searching for Admiral Cervera's fleet, and returned to Santiago de Cuba in May. She was decommissioned in August 1898, then recommissioned in 1902 as a receiving ship before being decommissioned again in 1903. After participating in the Louisiana Purchase Celebration and scientific observation missions, she was involved in ceremonies at New London in 1906 and conducted training cruises for naval militia. Reactivated during World War I, Minneapolis departed Philadelphia in 1917, escorting transatlantic convoys and operating along the Atlantic coast. In 1919, she was assigned as the Pacific Station flagship, arriving in San Diego, before her decommissioning at Mare Island in 1921. She was sold later that year. Her mast remains on the northeastern shore of Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis, and her ship’s bell is in use at Minnetonka High School. The USS Minneapolis played a notable role in both peacetime operations and wartime escort duties, marking her significance in early U.S. naval history.

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