USS Oregon, a 11,688-ton Indiana class battleship, was built at San Francisco, California. Commissioned in July 1896, at that time she was the only battleship serving on the U.S. Pacific seaboard. As the Spanish-American War approached, she was ordered to steam around South America to strengthen the forces available in the Atlantic. Upon arrival, Oregon served off Cuba, and had an important role in the Battle of Santiago on 3 July 1898.