USS Dakota

The USS Dakota was a US Navy battleship that served during the Great War. It served mainly in the Pacific Ocean, where it took part in the conquest of the Sandwich Islands. It saw heavy action against both British and Japanese vessels in that theater and was badly damaged in the Battle of the Three Navies.

After that battle, the Dakota was transferred to the South Atlantic, where it saw action against British and Argentinian vessels. In 1917 the Dakota took part in a massive Central Powers fleet that included American, Brazilian, and Chilean ships. It cut the supply lines between Britain and Argentina, forcing Britain to surrender. It received news of Britain's surrender minutes before engaging an Entente fleet of British and Argentine ships that was roughly the same size.

The Dakota returned to New York City to take part in the victory celebration after the end of the Great War. Following the war, it was retired.

Sam Carsten served aboard the Dakota.