Back when...
1912 - USS Maryland investigates coal fields in Alaska
Sylvia Sexton | courtesy of Resurrection Bay Historical Society
In July 1912 the USS Maryland, an armored cruiser, visited Seward to investigate the coal fields of Alaska as possible sources of fuel for the Pacific Fleet. Local guide E. E. Chamberlain guided a party to the Matanuska coal fields. While in town the Maryland’s crew was entertained with dances, played the local baseball team, put on boxing matches, competed in trap shooting and the Marine contingent gave drill performances. The Maryland was back in 1913 to investigate the Kachemak coal field. The Maryland was commissioned in 1905. It was renamed the Frederick in 1916, because a new battleship was going to be named the USS Maryland. It was decommissioned in 1922. This photograph was taken by local photographer Sylvia Sexton. (Send your “Back when...” photo to the LOG for publication, editor@TheSewardPhoenixLOG.com.)