Posts Tagged ‘U.S. Navy’

A front-page headline in the San Diego Union screamed the news: “AMERICAN GUNBOAT TAKES HUN RAIDER OFF MEXICAN COAST.”  Less than a year after America’s entry into World War I, San Diegans were riveted by reports of a captured German raider ship “set to create havoc with Pacific coast shipping.”

Three U. S. Navy gunboats had taken their prize fifteen miles off the coast of Mazatlan on March 19, 1918.  Heavily armed and reportedly flying the flag of the Kaiser’s Imperial Navy. . .

Read the complete story of The German Raider.

The German “raider” Alexander Agassiz

Eyeing the murky, dirt-bottom lily pond in front of the wood lath Botanical Building, the Navy suggested using the 195 x 43 foot basin for swimming and boating lessons.  Balboa Park’s governing Board of Park Commissioners–eager to please their military guests–hastened to comply. . .

The story of the Navy Swimming Pool in Balboa Park.

The lily pond in Balboa Park