From which navy was the cruiser "Reina Mercedes" captured by the USA in 1898?
Cruiser A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundred years, and has had different meanings throughout this period. During the Age of Sail, the term "cruising" referred to certain kinds of missions – independent scouting, commerce protection, or raiding – fulfilled by a frigate or sloop, which were the "cruising warships" of a fleet. Modern cruisers are generally the largest ships in a fleet after aircraft carriers, and can usually perform several roles.
USS Active (1888) USS "Active" was a tug constructed in 1888 at San Francisco by the Union Iron Works. She was acquired by the United States Navy from John D. Spreckels Brothers Co. on 18 April 1898 "for auxiliary purposes incident to a state of war." Converted for naval service at her builder's yard, she was commissioned at the Mare Island Navy Yard on 6 July 1898, Ens. Thomas M. Shaw in command. She was the third US Navy ship to be named "Active".