The USS Philadelphia (Philadelphia IV), a cruiser, was laid down 22 March 1888 by Wm. Cramp and Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; launched 7 September 1889; sponsored by Miss Minnie Wanamaker, daughter of merchant and philanthropist John Wanamaker; and commissioned 28 July 1890, Capt. B. F. Bradford in command. While fitting out at the New York Navy Yard, Philadelphia was designated on 18 August as flagship of Rear Admiral Bancroft Gherardi, commanding the North Atlantic Squadron.
Philadelphia - C 4: dp. 4,324: 1. 335'; b. 48'6", dr. 19'2"; s. 19 k., cpl. 384; a. 12 6", 4 6-pdrs., 4 3-pdrs., 2 1-pdrs., 3 37mm.
Cruiser Philadelphia arrived San Francisco 22 August 1893. As the flaghip of the Commander-in-ehief, Pacific Station, she cruised with the squadron, engaging in drills and maneuvers, and visiting various ports on the west coast of the United States. She was struck from the Navy List 24 November 1926. Cruiser Philadelphia was sold at public auction at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in 1927 to Louis Rotherberg
