Short History of the USS Kathadin

The USS KATAHDIN was built by the Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine.

This experimental, harbor-defense ram was a departure from traditional ship design. She was built to ride low in the water with her bow awash while under way – a feature now seen on modern submarines.

Her hull embodied several other new technical features, which were later used on many ships. These included double hull construction and flood tanks.

The former provided additional protection from being damaged or holed by shot while in combat and the latter allowed her to ballast herself down to present an even lower profile.

She was launched at Bath on 4 February 1893 and was sponsored by Miss Una Soley, daughter of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

The KATAHDIN was the subject of a protracted contract dispute between the Navy and Bath Iron Works over design and construction that delayed her final acceptance.

The dispute was finally resolved in Bath's favor. The KATAHDIN was finally accepted and placed into commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on 20 February 1897, CDR Richard P. Leary in command.