the 100 skilled mechanics on board enabled her to effect a wide variety of repairs—including hull work, gun mounts, dynamos, steam pipes, main piston rods for smaller ships, and "iron castings in considerable quantity." In the fall, with her tour thus completed, Vulcan sailed north on 30 October and proceeded to Norfolk, Virginia. The success of Vulcan eventually led the Navy to build specialized repair ships, as well as destroyer and submarine tenders, to provide mobile repair facilities. They were used to great effect during World War II. After shifting to the League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia, in December 1898, Vulcan was decommissioned there on 12 January 1899 and sold on 3 July of the same year to her original owner. Renamed Chatham, the ship served the Merchants' and Miners' Transportation Co. until 1911 when her name disappeared from the shipping registers. References External links Photo gallery at navsource.org 1884 ships Unique rescue and salvage ships of the United States Navy Ships built in Philadelphia Spanish–American War auxiliary ships of the United States