USA > New York > New York in the Spanish-American war 1898 : part of the report of the Adjutant-General of the State for 1900, v. III pt 2 > Part 26
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The appendices show that up to this date only 521 of the naval militia had entered the navy. The second separate naval division of Rochester had not been recognized by the navy department, although a recruiting office had been opened at Buffalo. The men of this division had been mustering daily at their armory, but no orders were received from Washington, and at my request Cap- tain Bartlett succeeded in getting recognition for this organiza- tion, and 64 officers and men were allowed to enlist. Lieutenant Walbridge and his division accepted any duty on any ship or station.
On July 5th, I had the honor of receiving a commission as lieutenant-commander U. S. navy, and on July Sth, was ordered as assistant to chief, U. S. auxiliary naval force, in charge of the third district.
*The auxillary naval force, although an addition to the navy, was part of the regular service. The officers received the same commissions as other volunteers and the men were enlisted Into the United States navy.
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
The district extended from Newport, R. I., to Seabright, N. J., and included the following vessels:
New Hampshire, Lieut .- Comdr. J. W. Miller, commanding.
Nahant, Lieut. E. M. Harmon, commanding.
Jason, Lient. Gardiner T. Jones, (*) commanding.
Aileen, Lieut. W. R. Addicks* and Lieut. W. H. Stay-
ton, commanding.
Free Lance,
Lieut. T. C. Zerega, commanding.
Elfrida,
Lieut. (J. G.) M. A. Orlopp, commanding.
Enquirer, Lieut. W. H. Stayton, commanding.
Huntress, Lients. F. Parker (*) and W. R. Addicks, (*) commanding.
Restless, Lieut. A. H. Day, (*) commanding.
Kanawha,
Lieut. F. F. Fletcher, (*) commanding.
Sylvia, Lieut. W. G. Ford, commanding.
Viking, Cadet B. B. Wygant, (*) commanding.
The "Kanawha," "Sylvia" and "Viking" were almost immediately detached and sent to Cuba. The " New Hampshire " · became a school of instruction, and the cutters supplied by the state were useful in exercising boat crews for " distant service." Lieutenant R. P. Forshew rendered valuable service as executive officer of the " New Hampshire."
When I took command of the district all the above vessels, except the "New Hampshire" and the two monitors, were under repairs at the New York navy yard, but through the exertions of their officers five of them were on their stations by July 13th. The duty assigned was to protect the mine fields at Sandy Hook, the Narrows, and Throgg's Neck, and to patrol the entrance to New York harbor. The importance of this duty was self-evident, the vessels were scouts to announce the approach of the foreign foe, but more especially were they necessary for the guidance of domestic and deep-sea vessels through the intricate mine fields.
(*) Lieuts. Addicks and Jones belonged to the Massachusetts naval militia; Lieut. F. Parker and Lieut. Day, to the Connecticut militia; Lieut. Fletcher and Cadet Wygant to the regular navy ..
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NAVAL MILITIA.
The eommerce of the great port of New York needed proteetka at every moment, while the mines had to be maintained intact. ready for instant use. The officers assigned to these vessels required, in addition to seaman-like qualifications, an intimate knowledge of inland waters, as well as decision of character to properly enforce the harbor regulations, and to deal with the merchantmen. The captains of the patrol boats fulfilled these requisites, and performed their duty with a thoroughness which was highly commendable. Many of the officers in addition to theis cruises along shore during the previous years, while in the naval militia, had had ten days' experience from May 7th to May 17th. in the service, when the Governor ordered them to tugs patrolling the same mine fields.
About the end of July, the danger from an enemy's fleet having disappeared, the army removed most of the mines, and on July 30th, I proeceded from New York with the " Elfrida," " Free Lanee," "Aileen " and "Restless " for a cruise of instruction through Long Island sound; the " Huntress " joining the squadron on August 2d. It was a most valuable experience for all. Ta- squadron was kept at close distance most of the time, and the various commanders vied with one another in perfecting fles: evolutions. The target practice was fair, and the night attacks at Fisher's Island showed that the men were alert, and could be soon taught to appreciate war conditions. The vessels were hand .: 1 well, especially in going in and out of harbors at night. TL: squadron returned to New York on August 9th.
The next service performed by the naval militia. composing the auxiliary naval force, was the patrol work at Montauk Poiz :. On August 11th the " Aileen," Lieutenant W. H. Stayton com- manding, was sent to Fort Pond Bay to report to Passed Assistant Surgeon Macgruder, U. S. quarantine hospital service, and on August 14th I arrived there on the " Restless." " The proper cozs. tesies were exchanged with the army officials on shore. Subss. quently, on August 24th, the " Restless " was relieved by the " Elfrida." Relative to the duty performed at Montauk, I quote from the excellent report of Lieutenant Stayton submitted to me:
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
" The work was of various characters, as follows:
"1. Establishing Quarantine Grounds .- After consultation with Surgeon Macgruder, the quarantine grounds were selected and buoyed off just to the westward of Rocky Point. All incoming transports, numbering more than thirty, were met and conducted to their anchorage by the auxiliary vessels. The transport fleet was kept anchored in proper and convenient formation, the loaded transports nearer the harbor, and those unloaded, but still in quarantine, well to the westward. Instructions were given and all preparations made for conducting the transports to safe anchorages in the event of a blow.
" 2. Maintaining Quarantine Regulations .- Both by day and night the transports were prevented from communicating with other vessels or with the shore. This required active service, as many as thirty or forty vessels having been met and warned daily.
"3. Establishing and Maintaining Harbor Regulations .- After consultation with Surgeon Macgruder and the transportation department of the army, regulations upon this subject were estab- lished and enforced. There were but two wharves, one used for quarantine and the other for general purposes. All incoming vessels were stopped and directed to the proper wharf. They were required to anchor in proper formation at convenient points until the facilities for landing permitted the vessel to go to the wharf, due regard being paid to seeing that troops and perishable stores were first landed.
"4. Attending to the Landing of Troops .- The vessels were in constant attendance and rendered assistance when requested, and whenever the service could be performed without danger of infection.
"5. Carrying Stores to Transports .- Many trausports came in short of stores, provisions and medicines. We supplied them with Red Cross, army and stores received from individual contri- butions. We also met each incoming transport; ascertained the needs of those whose troops could not at once disembark, and to the best of our ability supplied them. The patrol vessels also
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NAVAL MILITIA.
performed all possible service for the Red Cross, purchasing. carrying and distributing stores necessary for the immediate relief of the sick.
"Various miscellaneous services were also performed, such as transporting siek officers; taking the convalescents out for air; carrying general officers to places they desired to visit officially: taking dispatches to and from men-of-war in quarantine. This latter item, while seemingly unimportant, resulted in getting the 'St. Paul' and 'Harvard' away from Fort Pond Bay sooner than they would otherwise have left. Telegrams could not be sent on board the vessels, and would have remained at the office for days. We took the telegrams, opened them, and delivered them by megaphone, saving many days charter price of the American liners.
"In conclusion, I have the honor to report the very valuable services of Surgeon J. C. MacEvitt, of the 'Jason,' who went ashore, and, during that vessel's stay, performed arduous and valuable service in charge of a ward in the hospital. Maj .- Gen. Young, U. S. A., requested me to specially mention Surgeon Mac- Evitt's services and requests your commendation thereof. Lieut. Jones was indefatigable in his efforts to relieve the sick, and was very successful. I trust you will commend him for his zeal, faith- fulness, and humanity. A better estimate can be made of the extent of the services of the patrol fleet at Fort Pond Bay, when it is mentioned that the vessels averaged more than eighteen bours per day under way."
In drawing your attention to the excellent service of Surgeon MacEvitt and Lieutenant Jones, mentioned by Lieutenant Stayton, I would state that Lieutenant Stayton's indefatigable work at Fort Pond Bay was worthy of the highest praise. He was ably assisted by Lieutenant M. A. Orlopp, commanding the "Elfrida." and subsequently by Lieutenant T. C. Zerega, who relieved Lien- tenant Orlopp.
About the end of August the auxiliary fleet was put out of commission, and the monitors returned to League Island. Prior
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
to this, however, the efficiency of the naval militia had been further tested, when, on July 16th, the cruiser . Buffalo" and the transport "Rainbow" were ordered to New York from Norfolk. No regular officers were at the time available. Lieut. W. H. Stayton was ordered to command the former vessel, and Lieut. E. N. Harmon the latter. Lieut. R. P. Forshew, Ensigns E. N. Walbridge, F. P. Hill, and S. L. Crossing joined the " Buffalo," and Ensign E. N. Robinson the " Rainbow." This was the first instance when vessels of large tonnage had been completely officered by the naval militia. The work was creditably per- formed; the vessels made quick passages to New York, and the officers were complimented on the manner in which the ships were handled.
While the New York signal stations were not officially under the charge of the commanding officer of the third district, of the auxiliary naval force, their headquarters were on board the "New Hampshire," and Captain Bartlett was also chief of that service. Through his courtesy, I had ample opportunities of judging how its duties were performed. Lieut. H. L. Satterlee (formerly cap. tain on the Governor's staff) and Lieuts. F. B. Anderson and E. C. Weeks, and Assistant Paymaster W. L. Sawyer, were on the staff of Captain Bartlett at Washington, while Lieut. Alexander Duane and Ensign W. H. Gunning were stationed at New York. Capt. Bartlett repeatedly informed me that these officers performed most intelligent and loyal duty. The outlying stations at Mon- tauk, Quogue and Fire Island were in charge of petty officers, who were left greatly to their own discretion at remote points, and fulfilled the requirements of the positions to the satisfaction of the navy department.
All the duties mentioned under this caption, namely, on board monitors, converted yachts, and in the coast signal service. were those to which the state had trained its naval militia, under sug- gestions from Washington.
III. The Cruise of the U. S. S. "Yankee."-It should be remembered that, during April, current opinion. as expressed
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NAVAL MILITLA.
in many newspapers, still maintained that the "Maine" had been blown up by an interior explosion, and that the modern battleship was an intricate piece of mechanism, which might prove most disastrous to its crew in time of action. Conse- quently, the navy found it extremely difficult to obtain recruits, and called upon the naval militia to man sea-going vessels. New York volunteered for the " Yankee," and this merchant vessel was converted into a man-of-war and placed on her station in eleven days after her erew was mustered into the navy. The " Yankee " was the first of her type to be ready for sea; her crew was mustered into the navy twelve days before any national guard organization entered the army from this state. She was the first vessel manned by naval militiamen to be under fire; the last ship to leave action at the Santiago battle of June 6th, and the naval force of New York was in an engagement before any other volunteer organization of the United States.
The thanks of New York are due to Commander W. H. Brown- son, U. S. N., for his qualities as a fair and just commanding officer, and for the opportunity he gave the " Yankee's " men to show their excellent gunnery, which won the applause of Samp. son's fleet. Their previous training had been confined to coast defense exercise. but they soon mastered ship technicalities, and left the navy, on September 2d. with an unexcelled record, amid the plaudits of their fellow-citizens. The report of Commander Duncan is appended and gives the details of the " Yankee's " cruise.
IV. The Lessons to be Derived From the War .- 1. The general line of policy pursued by this state during the past should not be changed. The personnel of the naval militia is well fitted to defend the immediate coast of the state. If it be desired to perfect the officers and men for deep-sea duty, the general govern- ment must provide suitable tools, in the way of modern ships. This has been recommended by me in many annual reports.
2. If the general government provides these ships, it would naturally expect a high standard of excellence both in officers and men. This standard can be obtained by the enactment of a
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
national naval reserve law. All naval militiamen who pass the examinations should belong to the naval reserve.
3. There would thus exist two forces, progressing together towards the perfection set by the navy; that of the state, suf- ficient in the future, as in the past, to protect its own harbors; that of the government, to form in time of war its auxiliary naval force. The former to be an organization. The latter a collec- tion of individuals, professionally developed from the state force and from the merchant marine.
4. The national naval reserve should have its own ranks and ratings, and they should be distinct from those of the navy. No one should be entitled to enter the navy as an officer in time of war unless he has served in the naval reserve. All officers and men of the naval militias, who served in the late war, should be eligible for the reserve; their ranks and ratings to be determined by a standard government examination.
5. The general government should standardize the naval militia of the various states, by refusing to give arms or equip- ments unless a certain minimum of excellence was reached. The scope of examinations for entrance to the naval reserve should be published, and a certain proportion of the naval militiamen of each state should have passed it before any aid was supplied by Congress. A special examination should be given to men wishing to join the signal service.
Some of our best officers were not able to enter the navy, although experts in the branch which the navy department had encouraged. The country thus lost the services of many of our most enthusiastic and intelligent rank and file, for the reason that they could not pass the strict requirements of an ensign's or lieutenant's examination.
Others, who were the first to volunteer, received commissions far below their deserts. The case of Lieutenant S. D. Greene was especially noticeable. He graduated with the highest honors at the naval academy, and had served in the naval inilitia of the state since it was organized. Not withstanding this record he
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NAVAL MILITIA.
was given a commission as junior lieutenant on board the " Yan. kee;" the reasons assigned by the department being that the complement of that ship permitted no higher rank, and that cer- tain members of his class were only junior lieutenants. Many non-graduates, who held lower positions in several different states, and who subsequently entered the navy, were given higher grades. The inference from the department's ruling would naturally be that it is a detriment to graduate as a " star " at the naval academy, and to promptly offer one's services to the country. Such examples of injustice can under a proper system be avoided in the future.
6. The experience of the war has shown that certain minor changes should be made, such as the following: Uniform of enlisted men should be that of the navy, as far as material is con- cerned, and similar in design to the regulars, with the addition of a suitable state and organization distinguishing mark, which can be removed, if necessary, in time of war. The uniform should be purchased from the navy, thereby saving a large expense to the state. Paymasters should be bonded, and their duties should be the same as those in the regular service. The physical exami- nation should be that of the navy.
7. Although superficially not germane to this report, I have considered it my duty to dwell upon the subject of federal and state relationship, as the question will undoubtedly be brought up in official quarters at Washington. The attempt may be made to centralize all military and naval power at the capital, and to minimize the service which the volunteers have rendered the country. Certain members of the naval militia are in favor of this proposition, but others who have also seen duty in the navy still believe most firmly that the nine years of effort spent in building up the state naval forces have been productive of excellent results.even when tested by service and a war, for which the whole country was but partially prepared. They feel positive that the quick, patriotic response of the naval militia to every call made upon it. that the sentiment developed for the navy by those who had long interested themselves in marine study, far
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
outweighed any technical shortcomings which were quickly obliterated after a few weeks' service afloat.
I, therefore, respectfully suggest that the state of New York continue its generous support to the naval militia, and that it urge upon Congress the immediate organization of a national naval reserve on the plan outlined above, not to take the place of the present state force, but to supplement it. There will thus still exist local organizations as schools for naval education; con- tinuing the coast defense training until the individual members can graduate into a national corps. Such a process of evolution accords more with the spirit of our institutions rather than that revolutionary one which centers all power in the general govern- ment; for the government works slowly, and at a distance, in times of peace, and does not always feel the pulse of the people who must naturally be relied upon to furnish volunteers in time of war.
In addition to the persons previously mentioned in this report. thanks are due to the Red Cross Society and to the Naval Reserve Association for hospital stores and supplies and to the Sons of the Revolution for colors presented.
Passed Assistant Surgeon J. S. King and Assistant Paymaster A. R. Pardington were most faithful and zealous in the perform- ance of the duties of their departments.
Mention should also be made of those officers who volunteered and who were not accepted by the navy, although they were well fitted for coast defense duty. Actuated by the highest motives of patriotism and without official reward, they performed many days of unostentatious service at a time when certain civilians, mani- festly unfit for government positions, were clamoring for high military place and reward. The officers of the naval militia of this state, with one exception, stood by their men and received junior commissions, or not, as their country 'saw fit to bestow. The lesson thus set should not be forgotten.
Respectfully, J. W. MILLER,
Captain. N. J ..
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WAR SERVICE OF NAVAL MILITIA.
The war service includes the following:
1. NAHANT. April 3d to April 22d, 1898.
9 officers and 49 men volunteered and made up the detail called for by the navy department and proceeded to Leagne Island navy yard, Philadelphia, and brought the U. S. monitor " Nahant " to the navy yard, New York, under command of Lieutenant C. S. Richman, U. S. N.
2. NAHANT. April 23d to April 29th, 1898.
S officers and 55 men volunteered and made up the detail for duty on board the " Nahant " prior to enlistment in the U. S. navy of a regular complement.
3. JASON. April 3d to April 9th, 1898.
3 officers proceeded to League Island navy yard in connec- tion with the preparation of the monitor "Jason " for service.
4. COAST SIGNAL SERVICE. April 22d to May 9th, 1898.
4 officers and 6 men were detached from their organizations and ordered for special duty in this service.
5. WILLET'S POINT. April 29th, 189S.
12 petty officers and men volunteered and were detailed to guard the mine fields at Willet's Point.
April 30th to May 4th, 1898. 19 petty officers and men volunteered and were detailed to Willett's Point for duty in connection with patrol work on board tugs stationed in that locality.
6. NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1S officers and men were ordered on duty in connection with headquarters' work.
7. HARBOR PATROL. May 7th to May 17th, 1898.
17 officers and 112 men volunteered and were ordered to patrol duty in New York harbor and Willett's Point, guard- ing the mine fields.
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
DISTRIBUTION OF NAVAL MILITIA.
At the close of the war the officers and men of the naval militia had been distributed as follows:
Officers. Men.
Officers. Men.
A beranda
2
Minnesota
Aileen
2
28
Montauk
1
Alexander
9
Nahant
7
97
Ansiliary naval force, N. Y . .
1
New Hampshire
3
62
Buffalo (temp. duty), 4 officers
Cirsar
2
Resolute
1
Celtie and New York
1
Restless
23
Coast signal service, N. Y
2
27
Rainbow (temp. duty), 2 officers.
1
Enquirer
1
31
2
1
Elfrida
1
19
Sylph 1
2
30
Franklin
11
Saturn
3
Glacier
9
Sterling and New York
1
. .
Huntress
2
23
Vermont
2
2
Hannibal
1
Vicksburg
I
Iris and New York
1
Vixen
1
Jason
6
85
Yankee
8
270
Kanawha
1
25
Hospital
t-
Katahdin
I
Wounded
1
Leonidas
1
. .
Died
1
Michigan (? officers from Yankee)
. . ....
Total.
51
ECO
REPORT OF OPERATIONS OF THE U. S. S. " YANKEE."
HEADQUARTERS FIRST NAVAL BATTALION, NEW YORK, Foot East Twenty-eighth Street,
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U. S. S. " NEW HAMPSHIRE," NEW YORK, September 22d, 1898.
Captain J. W. MILLER,
Commanding Naral Militia, New York.
SIR :-
I beg to submit my report of the work performed by the detail, from the first naval battalion of New York on the U. S. S. " Yan- kee."
I received orders on April 23d, to send a detail of officers and men to the navy yard. New York, who were willing to volunteer for duiy on the " Yankee," and on April 26th, sent the detail as ordered. The men all enlisted, and the officers passed their
Auxiliary naval force, Wash.
2
New York (see Celtic and Iris and Sterling)
....
..
Coast signal service, Wash
2
St. Paul
Stranger
Free Lance.
2
17
Sylvia
1
Harvard
1
Topeka
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examinations and were duly commissioned, having been granted leaves of absence by the commander-in-chief, New York state.
The crew of the " Yankee," with the exception of the coz :- manding officer, executive officer and navigator, was entirely com- posed of men furnished by the first naval battalion of New York.
The only casualties occurring were the death of Landsman T. C. Le Valley from appendicitis at Key West, Fla., after an operation had been performed by the surgeons of the hospital. and the wounding of Landsman S. P. Kennedy in an engagement with a Spanish gunboat at Cienfuegos, June 17th. The latter was transferred to the hospital ship " Solace," and has recovered. When the ship's company were paid off at Philadelphia, Septem- ber 2d, 1898, there was no one on the sick list, and the battalion marched across to the "New Hampshire" with 100 per cent. present, which of itself shows the care and attention that was paid to the health and comfort of the men by the regular officers in charge of the ship.
I inclose abstract of the log of the "Yankee." We joined the ship May 6th; left the yard May 9th; proceeded to sea May 11th, and from that time on were continuously on duty on the northern patrol until May 29th, when she sailed from New York for Cuba, and from that date until the ship arrived in New York, August 28th, we were actively engaged in Cuban waters.
I am glad to report that during the whole cruise there were no serious infractions of regulations, and nothing but very light pun- ishments were found necessary by the commanding officer of the " Yankee." When the men first went aboard the "Yankee " they were absolutely unaccustomed to sea life and to looking after themselves in the messes or elsewhere, and the exigencies of the service were such that they were sent on a ship hurried's and incompletely fitted out, and the day after leaving the navy yard the ship went to sea on patrol duty, which kept the ship constantly at sea, and gave no chance for the usual shaking down. All this made it very hard on the crew, and it took longer for them to get in shape. As to handling the battery, that was picked up at once, and the men were always ready and keen at
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