USS Bennington (PG-4)
The first USS Bennington (PG-4), also known as "Gunboat No. 4", was a gunboat of the United States Navy.She was launched 3 June 1890 by Delaware River Iron Works, Chester, Pennsylvania; sponsored by Miss Anne Aston; and commissioned 20 June 1891, Commander R. B. Bradford in command.
Bennington joined the Squadron of Evolution and left New York 19 November 1891 on the Squadron's cruise to Brazil. Transferred to the South Atlantic Squadron 5 May 1892, she cruised in South American waters until 19 July. She then visited Spain and Italy to participate in the celebrations marking the quadricentennial of the discovery of America. Bennington returned to Hampton Roads on 26 March 1893 with the replicas of Columbus' vessels in tow. Departing New York City 6 August 1893, the gun boat cruised in the Mediterranean until leaving Gibraltar 18 July 1894 for the Pacific Station. She arrived at Valparaiso, Chile, 3 April and Mare Island Navy Yard 30 April.
She cruised along the Pacific coasts of North and Central America and in Hawaii until leaving Mare Island 15 September 1898. She steamed, via Honolulu and Guam, to Manila, arriving 22 February 1899, and enroute took possession of Wake Island 17 January. Bennington cruised in the Philippines assisting the Army in putting down the insurrection until 3 January 1901. She returned to Mare Island 19 August and went out of commission 5 September 1901.
Recommissioned 2 March 1903 she cruised along the Pacific coasts of North and South America for the next two years. On the morning of 21 July 1905, while preparing to get underway in San Diego Bay, two boilers burst showering the vessel with live steam and scalding water. Sixty men were killed and 40 burned. This accident put an end to her usefulness; on 17 August Bennington arrived at Mare Island and was decommissioned 31 October. She was sold 14 November 1910.
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