USS Bennington Monument facts for kids
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The USS Bennington Monument is a tall stone pillar, called an obelisk. It stands about 60-foot (18 m) high. You can find it in the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma, San Diego, California.
This monument is a special way to remember the brave sailors of the USS Bennington (PG-4). The Bennington was a United States Navy gunboat. A terrible accident happened on board in 1905.
What Happened to the USS Bennington?
On July 21, 1905, a boiler on the USS Bennington exploded. This happened while the ship was in San Diego Bay. The explosion was very powerful. It filled the ship with hot steam and boiling water.
This sad event caused many injuries and deaths. Sixty-six men lost their lives. This included one officer and 65 other sailors. Another 46 sailors were badly burned. At that time, it was the worst accident for the U.S. Navy during peacetime.
Remembering the Sailors
The sailors who died were buried at Fort Rosecrans. Some families later chose to move their loved ones' bodies. They took them home for burial closer to their families.
Three years after the accident, the monument was finished. It was officially dedicated on January 7, 1908. This tall granite pillar stands as a lasting tribute. It helps us remember the sailors of the USS Bennington.
