| The first California, a screw sloop, was launched 3 July
1867 as Minnetonka at Portsmouth Navy Yard; sponsored by Miss M. Bailey;
renamed California on 15 May 1869; and commissioned 12 December 1870,
Captain J. M. B. Clitz in command. |
| Clearing New York 13 March 1871, California beat her way
thorough the storm-ridden Straits of Magellan and sailed north to San Francisco,
where she arrived 30 July for the first of two Pacific cruises. As flagship
for Rear Admiral J. A. Winslow, commanding the Pacific Fleet, she steamed
from Mare Island Navy Yard 28 November 1871 for a cruise to Honolulu, Hawaii;
Valparaiso, Chile; and Panama, Colombia, putting back into San Francisco
13 November 1872. On California's second cruise, 30 December 1872
to 25 May 1873, she flew the flag of Rear Admiral A. M. Pennock, commanding
the North Pacific Station, and sailed to Honolulu to supervise the protection
of American interests in the then independent island group. California
was decommissioned at Mare Island 3 July 1873, and sold there in May
1875. |
Tonnage 2,354; Length, 313'6"; Beam 46'; Draft 17'2"; Speed 12
knots; Complement, 325; Armament, two 100-pdr rifle, eighteen 9" smooth bore,
one 60-pdr rifle, two 20-pdr rifles |
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