USS Columbia (C-12)

USS Columbia (C-12)

The fourth USS Columbia (C-12/CA-16) was an unarmored protected cruiser in the United States Navy during the Spanish-American War and World War I. She was the lead ship of her class of two cruisers; her sister ship was Minneapolis (C-13). The class was originally designed with three funnels; variations at the yard resulted in Columbia being built with four and Minneapolis with two.

Columbia was launched 26 July 1892 by William Cramp & Sons Ship & Engine Building Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; sponsored by Miss H. Morton; and commissioned 23 April 1894, Captain George Watson Sumner in command.