USS Galena , was a wooden steamer built at the Norfolk Navy Yard in 1879 and commissioned there August 26 , 1880 , with Commander James O'Kane in command . '' Galena '' was the second ship of the United States Navy to bear that name . '' Galena '' departed Hampton Roads December 19 , 1880 and reached Gibraltar January 12 , 1881 . She cruised between the ports of France , Spain , Portugal , Turkey , Greece , along the coast of Africa and to the Canary , Cape Verde and Madeira Islands . On April 7 , 1881 she arrived at Chios , in the Aegean Sea and remained until April 15 helping to relieve the distress caused by a severe earthquake . Her surgeon went ashore to treat the injured ; her crew furnished work parties to help clear the rubble ; and her steam launch moved relief supplies . Another mission began June 10 , 1882 when she reached Alexandria , Egypt , to embark American citizens and personnel of the American Consulate for protection aboard during a rebellion . An Italian ship was chartered as a haven for about 135 refugees until June 27 when Admiral James W. Nicholson arrived in to relieve '' Galena ''
severe earthquake
1881 Chios earthquake
USS Galena (1880)