Period image of the USS Chicago built in New York in 1885. Titled within the plate it also has the blind stamp of J. S. Johnston with the words View & Marine Photo. Numerous personnel are seen on deck while some climb the rigging. This rigging was removed in 1898 giving a helpful clue as to the date. Nearly 130 years ago, the first in a line of new all-steel ships for the US Navy was commissioned, with three more either under construction or fitting out at a Pennsylvania shipyard or at the New York Navy Yard. It was a long, difficult process which began 132 years ago. These four ships were the first four steel ships approved by Congress. There were a lot of hurdles and delays that had to be overcome to produce what later became known as the "ABCD Ships" . The A, B, C, and D came from the names of the four ships: USS Atlanta, USS Boston, USS Chicago, and USS Dolphin. These ships also became the central elements of what would come to be called the "Squadron of Evolution" as new ships of an experimental nature were added. As with all endeavors into new territory, there are lots of questions to be answered before beginning, and many new things to learn along the journey.

Weight (Lbs): 0.25
Height (In.): 7
Width (In.): 9
Depth (In.): 0.1
Size: 241.5 x 4.0 x 4.0"
Maker: J. S. Johnston
Material: Paper
Date: C. 1890
Provenance: N/A
Condition: Excellent., extremely minor losses in card backer.
History: Photographer John S. Johnston of New York City. He was evidently born in England or Ireland in the late 1830s, and was active in the New York City area in the late 1880s and 1890s. He died in 1899. He was known for his cityscapes of New York City in addition to his yacht photographs. Johnston's work now appears in the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Library of Congress, the Museum of the City of New York, as well as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the California Museum of Photography, the California Historical Society, Yale University Art Gallery, the National Museum of American History, the Hallmark Photographic Collection, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, the Library Company of Philadelphia, the Rainier Bank Corporation, and the Seattle Art Museum. Johnston was also an active canoeist. Forest and Stream magazine wrote under "Canoeing News Notes" shortly after his death: "The late J. H. Johnston, the yacht photographer, of New York, was one of the old-time disciples of MacGregor; taking up canoeing as a boy in England when the sport was still a novelty." He appears in the 1890 New York City directory: "Johnston John S. photographs, 508 W. 158th" We reportedly worked in partnership with C. Miller at one time. Some of his work was published in the late 1890s in Outing Magazine and in the weekly Forest & Stream magazine. On the back of many of his stereoviews and other images of New York City was printed "J.S. Johnston, American Photographs and Marine Views, 494 W. 166th St. & 783 Broadway, New York."