[NAVAL]. TIBBITTS, Howard Clinton, photographer (1863–1938). U.S.S. Chicago photograph. Circa 1898. Original sepia tone photo taken while being docked at Mare Island by Tibbitts during his time as photographer for the Southern Pacific Railroad. The U.S.S. Chicago was one of the U.S. Navy’s first four steel–hulled ships and the largest of the original three authorized by Congress for the “New Navy” commissioned in 1889. In 1898, the ship was recommissioned with sails and its rigging removed. In 1923, the ship was decommissioned, serving for a total of 34 years as a protected cruiser. Mounted on original heavy cardstock and pencil titled in lower margin; professionally hinged and matted.