Celebrate a piece of naval history with our exclusive Cruiser Olympia Patch.
Did you know it was customary, especially during Cruiser Olympia’s time, to provide officers with stationary for correspondence? The logo showcased above was from the 1890s, and would have been embossed on letterhead. Because of the ship’s prestige as a capital ship of the U.S. Navy, the artwork was more elaborately designed than others.
Source: Rendering based on a period letterhead of Cruiser Olympia stationary, c.1890s.
Original Image: Gift courtesy of Max Kaiserman
Cruiser Olympia (C-6) is the oldest remaining steel ship afloat, built during a transformative time in American culture, science, and technology. Rising to fame as Commodore (later Admiral) George Dewey’s flagship during the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898, the ship served in various capacities during her time in service, including as a training vessel and providing humanitarian relief in the Adriatic. Her last act of service, before being decommissioned, was to bring home the American Unknown Soldier from World War I from Le Havre, France, to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.