The first USS Georgia (BB-15) was a United States Navy Virginia-class battleship.
She was launched by the Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, 11 October 1904, sponsored by Miss Stella Tate, and commissioned at Boston Navy Yard 24 September 1906, Captain R. G. Davenport in command.
After Georgia was fitted out and completed a short shakedown cruise, she joined the U.S. Atlantic Fleet as flagship of 2nd Division, Squadron 1. Georgia departed Hampton Roads 26 March 1907 for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where she participated in gunnery practice with the fleet. After returning briefly to Boston Navy Yard for repairs, Georgia joined with other ships of the Atlantic Fleet in ceremonies opening the Jamestown Exposition. President Theodore Roosevelt and dignitaries present reviewed the fleet 10 June 1907, and 11 June was proclaimed "Georgia Day" at the exposition in special ceremonies aboard Georgia.
Georgia next sailed with the fleet for target practice in Cape Cod Bay, arriving 15 June. During these drills, 15 July, a powder charge ignited prematurely in her aft 8 inch turret, killing 10 officers and men and injuring 11. Condolences for the loss from this tragic accident were received from all over the world.
The powerful battleship then participated in the tercentenary of the landing of the first English Colonists 16 August to 21 August 1907, after which she rejoined the fleet for battle maneuvers before mooring at League Island, New York, 24 September, for overhaul.
