| abstract | - USS Galena, was a wooden steamer built at the Norfolk Navy Yard in 1879 and commissioned there August 26, 1880, with Commander James O'Kane in command. Galena was the second ship of the United States Navy to bear that name. Galena departed Hampton Roads December 19, 1880 and reached Gibraltar January 12, 1881. She cruised between the ports of France, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, along the coast of Africa and to the Canary, Cape Verde and Madeira Islands. On April 7, 1881 she arrived at Chios, in the Aegean Sea and remained until April 15 helping to relieve the distress caused by a severe earthquake. Her surgeon went ashore to treat the injured; her crew furnished work parties to help clear the rubble; and her steam launch moved relief supplies. Another mission began June 10, 1882 when she reached Alexandria, Egypt, to embark American citizens and personnel of the American Consulate for protection aboard during a rebellion. An Italian ship was chartered as a haven for about 135 refugees until June 27 when Admiral James W. Nicholson arrived in USS Lancaster to relieve Galena. Galena departed Alexandria July 11, 1882 for operations along the eastern seaboard of South America out of Rio de Janeiro. From October 19, 1882 to January 31, 1883 she was the flagship of Rear Admiral Peirce Crosby, commanding American Naval Forces in the South Atlantic. She arrived at New York City September 10, 1883 to serve in the North Atlantic along the eastern seaboard and throughout the Caribbean to the shores of Aspinwall, Colombia (now Colón, Panama). This included station duty at Key West (May 1, – August 16, 1884) to prevent illegal filibustering expeditions from the United States to Cuba.
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