Toy Battleship Columbia by Hess of Germany *SOLD*

Toy Battleship Columbia by Hess of Germany

The name Columbia elevates this battleship toy to a touchstone of the Spanish American war and historic events.  The Germany company Hess produced this battleship for their market in gray, however this is a much more rare toy made for export to America.  The name harkend back to the Columbia in the Spanish American War and possibly a visit to the Kiel Canal opening in 1894.

In May 1898 the U.S.S. Columbia collided with a British merchant steamer. It was the first serious mishap to befall any vessel of the U.S. Navy after the outbreak of the war.

Columbia joined the North Atlantic Squadron, and from 30 July 1894 to 5 January 1895 cruised to protect American interests in the Caribbean. She participated in the intervention in Nicaragua from July to August 1894. She visited Europe in the summer of 1895 and represented the United States at the ceremonial opening of the Kiel Canal in June. Returning to the east coast in August, she operated in the western Atlantic until going in ordinary, in reserve at Philadelphia Navy Yard 13 May 1897.

Recommissioned 15 March 1898 for service in the Spanish–American War, Columbia patrolled along the Atlantic coast and in the West Indies until 26 August. She convoyed troops to Puerto Rico and aided in its occupation between July and 14 August. Columbia was decommissioned and placed in reserve at Philadelphia Navy Yard 31 March 1899.

Following recommissioning on 31 August 1902, Columbia served as receiving ship at New York and from 9 November 1903 as a part of the Atlantic Training Squadron. Once more out of commission at Philadelphia between 3 May 1907 and 22 June 1915, the cruiser then joined the Submarine Flotilla as flagship.

Our toy features a very desirable teal color and bright red turrets.  Paintwork is in excellent condition and the windup mechanism works perfectly.