The lead ship of her class of two pre-dreadnought battleships, USS Kearsarge BB-5 was laid down on 30 June 1896. Launched on 24 March 1898, she was commissioned into the US Navy on 20 February 1900.
Her early career saw Kearsarge act as the flagship for the the North Atlantic Squadron. In June 1903, she sailed for Europe, visiting Germany and the United Kingdom, returning in July.
The Great White Fleet
On 16 December 1907 she sailed with the Great White Fleet on a world tour, returning to the US on 22 February. The Great White Fleet was the popular nickname for the group of United States Navy battleships that completed a journey around the globe from December 16, 1907, to February 22, 1909, by order of President Theodore Roosevelt. It consisted of 16 battleships divided into two squadrons, along with various small escorts, and earned its moniker for the stark white paint on its hulls.
The fleet’s primary mission was to make friendly courtesy visits to numerous countries while displaying new U.S. naval power to the world; Roosevelt sought to demonstrate growing American military prowess and blue-water naval capabilities.
World War One
On her return from the Great White Fleet, Kearsarge was modernized from 4 September 1909 to 23 June 1915. The ship received cage masts, new water-tube boilers, and another four 5-inch guns. The 1-pounder guns were removed, as were sixteen of the 6-pounders.
During World War One, she acted primarily as a training ship on the Atlantic Coast.
Decommissioned in May 1920, Kearsarge was converted into a crane ship, and was given hull classification symbol IX-16 on 17 July 1920, but it was changed to AB-1 on 5 August. Her turrets, superstructure, and armor were removed, and were replaced by a large revolving crane with a lifting capacity of 250 tons (230 tonnes), as well as 10-foot (3.0 m) blisters, which improved her stability.
World War Two
On 6 November 1941, Kearsarge was renamed Crane Ship No. 1, allowing her name to be reused (originally for CV-12, which was later changed to Hornet and then for Kearsarge CV-33). She was sold for scrap on 9 August 1955.
4 × 13 in (330 mm)/35 caliber guns 4 × 8 in (203 mm)/35 caliber guns 14 × 5 in (127 mm)/40 caliber guns 20 × 6-pounders (57 mm or 2.2 in) 8 × 1-pounders (37 mm or 1.5 in) 4 × .30 in (7.6 mm) machine guns 4 × 18 in (457 mm) torpedo tubes
Armor
Belt: 5–16.5 in (127–419 mm) Barbettes: 12.5–15 in (318–381 mm) Turrets (primary): 15–17 in (381–432 mm) Turrets (secondary): 6–11 in (152–279 mm) Conning tower: 10 in (254 mm)
Under Construction
USS Kearsarge (BB-5) and Kentucky (BB-6) ready for launching at Newport News, Virginia, 24 March 1898USS Kearsarge (BB-5) and Kentucky (BB-6) ready for launching at Newport News, Virginia, 24 March 1898Kearsarge (BB-5) on 24 March 1898, Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VAKearsarge (BB-5) just prior to completionA view from the bridge of the Kentucky (BB-6) at the outfitting pier. USS Kearsarge (BB-5) is on the right
In Service
USS Kearsarge (BB-5) in 1899, while making 16.82 knots on trials off the U.S. East CoastUSS Kearsarge (BB-5) in drydock during her trials period, 18 September 1899USS Kearsarge (BB-5) underway during her shakedown periodUSS Kearsarge (BB-5) Starboard bow at wharf, 18 September 1899USS Kearsarge (BB-5) between 1898 and 1901USS Kearsarge (BB-5) seen in Kiel, Germany July 1903 passing the Kaiser’s yacht Hohenzollern.USS Kearsarge (BB-5) in 1903 leading the U.S. fleet past British battleships during a visit to EnglandUSS Kearsarge (BB-5) in 1903View of the forecastle of USS Kearsarge (BB-5), looking down between her main and secondary armament, circa 1904USS Kearsarge (BB-5) in drydock, about 1905USS Kearsarge (BB-5) being positioned in a drydock prior to pumping out the water, about 1905USS Kearsarge seen in the early 1900sUSS Kearsarge seen in the early 1900sUSS Kearsarge (BB-5) starboard view 1906USS Kearsarge seen in 1908 during the cruise of the Great White FleetUSS Kearsarge (BB-5) in drydock at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, 30 May 1908USS Kearsarge (BB-5) in Sydney Harbor, Australia, in late August 1908USS Kearsarge (BB-5) accompanied by small boats while underway between 1903 – 1909Receiving ship at the Philadelphia Navy Yard circa 1910. At right is USS Kearsarge (BB-5) which is having her new cage masts installedUSS Kearsarge (BB-5) anchored off New York City during the October 1912 naval reviewUSS Kearsarge (BB-5) October 1916 off BostonUSS Kearsarge (BB-5) at a naval review in the Hudson River on 27 December 1918USS Kearsarge (BB-5) in Middle West Chamber Gatun Locks, Going South 7 July 1919USS Kearsarge (BB-5) anchored off New York City during the late teens. Her secondary broadside guns have all been removedUSS Kearsarge (BB-5) in port and replacing damaged 13-inch guns
As U.S. Crane Ship No. 1 Kearsarge
Kearsarge (BB-5) at Philadelphia Navy Yard during her conversion to U.S. Crane Ship No. 1, 13 January 1921US Crane Ship No. 1 testing the 250 ton crane 27 October 1922USS Idaho (BB-42) being re-gunned at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, by Crane Ship No. 1 Kearsarge circa the later 1920sCrane Ship No. 1 Kearsarge is forth from left and and three piers away is USS Florida (BB-30) 1925Crane Ship No. 1 Kearsarge at South Boston Oct. 1925US Crane Ship No. 1 in dry dock at South Boston, Massachusetts, while undergoing repairs on 3 October 1925U.S. Crane Ship No. 1 alongside the North Approach Wall of the Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal, in 1926US Crane Ship No.1 passing through the Gaillard Cut, while transiting the Panama Canal during the 1920s or 1930sUS Crane Ship No. 1 AB-1 seen at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in 1936U.S. Crane Ship No. 1 in Puget Sound, 1937Kearsarge (AB-1), aerial photograph by Naval Aviation Base, Coco Solo, and released 8 July 1938Kearsarge (AB-1) is moored next to the Alabama (BB-60) for lifting the 16 inch gun barrels into placeU.S. Crane Ship (AB-1) at sea, May 1944Kearsarge (AB-1) is seen in the background during a noon time bond rally at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in 1945US Crane Ship No. 1 is seen at Pier 8 of Boston Naval Shipyard in August 1948US Crane Ship No.1US Crane Ship No.1 in Navy Yard drydockUS Crane Ship No.1US Crane Ship No.1 in Navy Yard drydockU.S. Crane Ship No. 1 is seen at Pier 8 of Boston Naval Shipyard in August 1948Crane Ship No. 1 lifting a 120 ton crane from South Boston in November, 1948The raised trawler Lynn is seen alongside U.S. Crane Ship No. 1 5 September 1952
The Richmond Vale Railway Museum is located just outside of Kurri Kurri New South Wales. Run by volunteers, it is set in the old Pelaw Main colliery and aims to preserve local railway history. Unfortunately a bushfire went through the area in early 2018, destroying a large section of track and many old wagons that were in storage. The volunteers have restored some of the track, so the trains are running again, but not out to the old colliery. You do however get to ride in a steam train.
Bushfire Damaged Carriages
The entry fee allows access to the grounds, manager’s residence and the steam train ride. The old colliery buildings and processing plant are fenced off for safety reasons, but you can still take photos as the view through the fence is good. Unfortunately, when we visited the old manager’s residence was locked, so we couldn’t look through the interior. However, it was worth a look around the outside of this impressive looking building.
Manager’s Residence
On the grounds, you will find a nicely preserved old steam train and the steam train ride. The train runs regularly, so don’t worry if you miss it. The ride is not very long but enjoyable.
Steam Train Ride at the Museum
Richmond Vale Railway Museum Steam Train Ride
Steam Train at Richmond Vale Railway Museum
There is a small playground, where children can climb over a small train engine. Nearby a miniature train provides rides for visitors.
Old Coal Wagons
Old Mine Processing Plant
To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.
Located in Denman a small town in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, the Denman and District Heritage Village has an extensive and unique exhibition made up of objects and artefacts. Donated primarily by local Jeff Wolfgang, the exhibits are housed in a beautiful, new building that opened in November 2023.
Run by a staff of volunteers, the museum is bright and spacious with lots of room around the displays. Unlike many local museums, this one is not over-crowded with exhibits getting in each others way. It was easy to move around and view all of the items on display.
With its location in a farming district, it’s not surprising that there is a lot of farm equipment, from the first Caterpillar dozer to old cheese making presses and butter churns. A significant portion of the items on display are cars. For a small museum, it’s an impressive collection and worth the visit in itself.
Obviously passionate about the museum, the volunteer staff were great to talk to, with stories about the displays and their history.
Farm Equipment
1929 2 Ton Caterpillar1929 2 Ton Caterpillar1911 International Auto WagonCheese PressButter ChurnsTorpedo WasherHorse Buggy
Cars
1906 Darracq 7hp
1906 Darracq 7hpFront view of the 1906 Darracq 7hp1906 Darracq 7hpEngine of the 1906 Darracq 7hp
1910 Brush Penny Car
1910 Brush Penny CarFront view of the 1910 Brush Penny Car1910 Brush Penny CarRadiator and name plate 1910 Brush Penny CarLight and horn 1910 Brush Penny Car
1927 Whippet
1927 WhippetFront view of the1927 Whippet1927 WhippetFront seat 1927 Whippet
Buick
Buick
1938 Standard
1938 StandardFront view of the 1938 Standard1938 Standard
1934 Austin 7
Front right view of the 1934 Austin 71934 Austin 71934 Austin 7
1958 Gogomobil
Front view of the 1958 Gogomobil1958 Gogomobil1958 Gogomobil
1900 Locomobile Steam Car
Locomobile 1908 Steam Car1900 Locomobile Steam CarA 1900 Locomobile Steam Car1900 Locomobile Steam Car1900 Locomobile Steam Car
1913 Sunbeam
Front view1913 Sunbeam1913 SunbeamFront seats of the 1913 Sunbeam1913 Sunbeam1913 SunbeamBack seats of the 1913 Sunbeam1913 Sunbeam Front Seats1913 Sunbeam Front Seats
