While serving with the U.S. Asiatic Fleet, Shanghai, China, c. 1912-1914
Naval History and Heritage Command NH 84452. History.navy
An item reported that the American transport USS Rainbow (1) visited Menado on 20 February 1907, Ambon on 23 February 1907 and Ternate on 26 February 1907.(2)
Notes
1. Launched at James Laing, Sunderland, England in 1890 as the merchant ship Norse King, acquired by the US Navy on 29 June 1898, commissioned on 2 December 1901 after conversion in to a distilling ship at the New York Navy Yard, served as flagship of the Philippine Squadron, decommissioned on 24 December 1914, decommissioned on 29 January 1916, served temporarily as receiving ship and in 1918 converted into a submarine tender, reclassified as AS-7 on 17 July 1920, decommissioned on 11 July 1925, stricken on 26 June 1928 and sold to be broken up on 13 September 1928. Crew numbered 55 men. Armament consisted of 6-6pd guns and 6-1pd guns.
2. The Dutch newspaper Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 10 April 1907 reported her arrival on the 26th leaving the next day towards the Philippines. On board of her was rear admiral Dayton. The Dutch newspaper Rotterdamsch nieuwsblad dated 13 April 1907 referred to the Soerabijasch Handelsblad dated 3 March reported the arrival of the American battleship Rainbow at at Ambon on the 25th February commanded by a rear admiral who exchanged visits with the Hr.Ms. De Ruyter. The American crew consisted of all nationalities like Japanese, Chinese, Malaysians, Filipinos and Americans. There were complaints about the behaviour of the American sailors during their shore leave when they refused to pay the Chinese merchants for the alcohol. There were also disputes between American and Dutch sailors but at the other hand were Dutch sailors also not very popular among the population of Ambon also due to bad behaviour. American and Dutch sailors (of the protected cruiser Hr.Ms. Zeeland) were responsible for 1.000 Dutch guilders of damage during the Chinese lantern ceremonies (tengteng) and just paying 200 guilders. The reason for the American visit at Ambon was unknown.
Source
Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1906-1907.
