USS New Orleans (later designated PG-34 then CL-22) was a United States Navy protected cruiser. She was laid down in 1895 as Amazonas for the Brazilian Navy by Armstrong, Mitchell and Company, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, launched on 4 December 1896, purchased by the U.S. Navy while building on 16 March 1898; and commissioned 18 March 1898 at Gravesend, England, with Lieutenant Commander Arthur P. Nazro in command.