Sailors work along the rail of a U.S. Navy cruiser's boat deck, circa 1898-1910. Canvas-covered ship's boats hang from davits at left while a funnel and ventilator rise beyond, typical fittings of the 'Old Navy' era. This snapshot comes from a personal album kept by a crewman of USS Columbia (C-12), documenting everyday shipboard routine aboard one of the Navy's early protected cruisers. Project: 218602