The USS Cushing TB-1 was the first Cushing and the first torpedo boat to be built for the US Navy. Torpedo boats were the PT Boats of the late 19th century. Their mission was the same as their later descendants. To attack and (hopefully) sink an enemy's ships with torpedoes.

Cushing was launched January 23, 1890 by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, Bristol, Rhode Island. She was sponsored by Miss K. B. Herreshoff; and commissioned April 22, 1890, with Lt. C. M. Winslow as the first Commanding Officer.

Cushing was attached to the Squadron of Evolution after she entered service. She was equipped for experimental work for the development of torpedo outfits, and to gather data for the service. Cushing next reported to the Naval Torpedo Station at Newport, RI September 8, 1891, and remained there, conducting her experiments until 1893.

Cushing arrived at Hampton Roads on March 31, 1893 for temporary duty with the Naval Review Fleet and in April escorted the HMS Blake and HMS Caravels to New York. Cushing returned to Newport on May 6, working with the Whitehead torpedo.

The ship was transferred to Key West on December 31, 1897 for assignment to the North Atlantic Fleet's Blockade Force. She was assigned to picket patrol in the Florida Straits and courier duty for the Force. On February 11, 1898, while in transit to Havana, Cuba, Cushing lost Ens. J. C. Breckinridge overboard due to heavy seas. For their heroic efforts to save him, Gunner's Mate 1st Class John Everetts and Ship's Cook 1st Class D. Atkins were awarded the Medal of Honor. To see pictures of Petty Officer Edwards' and Petty Officer Atkins tombstones, please go to the TB-1 photo page. To read their Medal of Honor citations, click here.

Cushing's also acted as one of the supply boats for the battleship USS Maine while it was in Havana, Cuba's harbor. Before Maine was destroyed by an explosion, Cushing made several runs from Florida with mail and various supplies.

After war was declared against Spain in 1898, Cushing patrolled the Cays. On August 7, she captured 4 small vessels and towed them to Piedras Cay. Four days later, armed boats from Cushing and USS Gwin captured and burned a 20 ton schooner. After the war, in August of 1898, Cushing returned to the Newport Torpedo Station for the rest of her active career.

Cushing was decommissioned on November 8, 1898. From 1901 to 1911, she was attached to the Reserve Torpedo Flotilla at Norfolk, Virginia. She was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on April 8, 1912, and was sunk as a target on September 24, 1920

Ship's Statistics

Cost: $82,750

Displacement: 105 Tons Standard

Dimensions: 138' 9" x 15' 1" x 4" 10"

Armament: 3-6 pound guns; 3-18" torpedo tubes

Complement: 22

Machinery: 1720 HP; 2-vertical quadruple-expansion engines

Speed: 22.5 knots

Statistics from

The Philadelphia Inquirer---June 12, 1898

The American Steel Navy--1st EditionUS Naval Institute Press

and Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships Vol.2, 1969 reprint

Text excerpts from "USS Cushing Memories"

Edited by Mark and Debra Eyman-Whitehead

and Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships Vol.2, 1969 reprint "Memories" is a collection of stories, both sea and true, (and we all know the difference) that every sailor has. Naturally, we are looking for stories that are related to your service on any of the Cushings, but we would be delighted to take anything that you would like to send.

We have just completed work on the 3rd edition of "Memories". So, if you have any Cushing-related stories that you would like to have included in the 4th Edition, please contact me at the below address.

Mark Whitehead
P.O. Box 384
Manchester, WA , 98353

This page launched April 1997
This page © 1997-2006 Mark and Debra Eyman-Whitehead