,pl~~~~~~~~ w~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ uu ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Alvin ~ 4 <4 4 i g,~~~~~~~~~~~ Al~~~~~~~~~~ >:zl iEI iitil l tih.ui iAild ii jltsljj i'men ijiii iiii"y RECElIVED IN EXCHANGiE _ FROM _ ichigan State Library Ef I O. r3 -YC t, 's,, Z, U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" 1898 N1~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~a 'C~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~............. I _ _ _ _ __ The Story of THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" IN 1898 Compiled from Available Records BY JOSEPH S. STRINGHAM ( a DETROIT 1929 ?2J'1-7/; 7/ 7 U,~~~~~~~~ C, 4,Z E THE CORNET HE colored flags shown on the cover of this book signify the ship's number in Admiral Sampson's fleet, namely No. 596, reading from the top of the mast downward. The uppermost flag, having two red squares and two white squares, is called the "CORNET," and when used in conjunction with the three signal flags below it, meant the word "number." Hoisted alone at foremast head, it was an order for all belonging to the ship to come on board at once regardless of length of leave. It also meant "ship under sailing orders and about to get under way." The "CORNET" iS obsolete and is no longer used by the United States Navy. In its place is used the letter "Z." /~' u,tb. fREWORD JN making acknowledgments and recording thanks for assistance received during the preparation of this book, I am glad to acknowledge the courtesy of Doubleday, Doran and Company for permission to reprint excerpts from Rear Admiral Albert Gleaves (editor), The Life of an American Sailor: Rear Admiral William Hemsley Emory, United States Navy, from His Letters and Memoirs. To The Detroit News I am indebted for the cuts facing pages 36, 38, 40, 42. My thanks are due to the C. M. Hayes Company, of Detroit, for cuts facing pages 16 and 28. To Shipmates M. Woolsey Campau and Consul-General Leo J. Keena, I am indebted for securing the notes from The Daily Gleaner of Kingston, Jamaica. I also take pleasure in acknowledging the cordial cooperation of the staff of the Burton Historical Collection of the Detroit Public Library, under whose supervision this book was prepared for the press. JOSEPH S. STRINGHAM Detroit, December, 1929 I" ILLUSTRATIONS U. S. S. "YOSEMITE............. Frontispiece Facing Page U. S. S. "YANTIC............................................... 12 "YOSEMITE" CREW ON PORT SPAR DECK.......................... 14 HELMSMEN.................................................... 16 WHALEBOAT AND CREW......................................... 18 GROUP OF SAILORS ON FORECASTLE............................... 18 INSIGNIA ON SPANISH CANNON CAPTURED AT GUANTANAMO BAY.,... 20 U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" IN ACTION-SAN JUAN, P. R................. 22 SPANISH SS. "ANTONIO LOPEZ" BEACHED AND RUINED.............. 24 EDWIN DENBY, GUNNER'S MATE, THIRD CLASS.................... 26 DIVISION HOMEWARD BOUND.................................... 28 CAPTURED SHARK........... 30 CONNING TOWER............................................... 32 SAWING-OFF FIVE-INCH GUN MUZZLE............................. 32 MORTIMER E. COOLEY, CHIEF ENGINEER.......................... 34 DENBY AND NEWBERRY, BOTH FORMER SECRETARIES OF THE NAVY.. 36 ENSIGN PARKER AND LIEUTENANT NEWBERRY..................... 38 REUNION AT STRINGHAM FARM (THIRTY YEARS LATER)............. 40 BUGLER HIGGS WITH CHIEF MASTER-AT-ARMS HAMMOND AND FIREMAN SCHULTE.............................................. 42 SAMPSON MEDAL; CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL........................ 44 STATE OF MICHIGAN MEDAL; CITY OF DETROIT MEDAL. 44 SILVER TROPHY SHIELD......................................... 46 W HEN President McKinley, in 1898, called for volunteers to serve in the Army and Navy of the United States during the Spanish-American War, the requirement estimated was greatly oversubscribed. This prompt response from the entire country proved the "justice of our cause," and enabled recruiting officers to make a careful choice of men. For several years, the State of Michigan had been maintaining a Naval Reserve with stations at Detroit, Saginaw, and Benton Harbor. The members of these groups were immediately given opportunity to enlist in the United States Navy for the period of the war. In addition to these, there were many enlistments from private life, men who had had no naval training, but who were able-bodied and anxious to serve their country. The enlisting in Detroit (about April 27) was done on board the old U. S. S. "Yantic," which lay in the Detroit River, docked at the foot of Bates Street. The Michigan naval unit, when completed for this service, numbered ten officers and two hundred and seventy men, including those from Saginaw and Benton Harbor. A complete list with ratings follows: Officers LIEUTENANT GILBERT WILKES LIEUTENANT (J. G.) CYRUS E. Watch and Division Officer LOTHROP LIEUTENANT (J. G.) TRUMAN H. Watch and Division Officer NEWBERRY ENSIGN FREDERIC L. EATON Watch and Division Officer Watch and Division Officer Page eleven THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Officers-(Continued) ENSIGN STRATHEARN HENDR1E ENSIGN FRANK B. GAYLORD Watch and Division Officer Watch and Division Officer ENSIGN FREDERICK D. STANDISH CHIEF ENGINEER MORTIMER E. Watch and Division Officer COOLEY ENSIGN WALTER R. PARKER PASSED ASST. SURGEON DELOS L. Watch and Division Officer PARKER Chief Petty Officers CHARLES FREDERICK HAMMOND ROBERT TURNER HOLLAND Chief Master-at-Arms Chief Yeoman HENRY BOURNE JOY HAROLD DYAR MCMILLAN Chief Boatswain's Mate Chief Yeoman HENRY CLAY PENNY, JR. WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON HUT-H RY PE, TON, JR. Chief Yeoman TON, JR. Chief Gunner's Mate CHARLES BRADY KING Chief Machinist JOHN STOUGHTON NEWBERRY Chief M THEODORE HENRY HINCHMAN Chief Quartermaster Machinist Chief Machinist ROBERT G. MCDONNELL ANDREW H. GREEN, JR. Chief Carpenter's Mate Chief Machinist BURT RUSSELL SHURLEY SYLVESTER PARK ATWOOD Apothecary Chief Machinist Petty Off BECK, ALBERT LEONARD Sailmaker's Mate BERRY, GEORGE PATRICK Machinist CAMPAU, MELANCTHON WOOLSEY Water Tender CLARK, WILLIAM ALBERT Quartermaster CROWELL, ISRAEL MANN Blacksmith Page twelve icers —st Class DAVIDSON, DOUGLASS Blacksmith DERRY, EDWARD JOHN Coppersmith DOANE, HARRY BEALS Boatswain's Mate DUFFIELD, DIVIE BETHUNE Boatswain's Mate GLEASON, WILLIAM Boilermaker CC THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" GODFREY, DAVID FARWELL Painter HORTON, BRYSON DEXTER Gunner's Mate KENNARD, HERBERT THOMAS Plumber LOzoN, GEORGE HENRY Water Tender SIBLEY, MARK MILLER Water Tender SMITH, RUSSELL COOK Machinist WITBECK, ERNEST STRONG Gunner's Mate Petty Officers-2nd Class BAKER, GEORGE BARR MERSHON, JOHN DOLBEER Yeoman Boatswain's Mate HARRIS, SAMUEL SMITH RUCH, FREDERICK CHARLES Gunner's Mate Gunner's Mate HECKER, FRANK CLARENCE RYAN, EDWARD JAMES Boatswain's Mate Machinist HODGES, BENJAMIN ROBERT SMITH, LEWIS Oiler Quartermaster LEWIS, JACOB FARRAND STEELE, JOHN Gunner's Mate Quartermaster MASSNICK, FREDERIC CARL SUTTON, WALTER ELMER Machinist Machinist Petty Officers-3rd Class BRODHEAD, RICHARD THORNTON NICHOLS, JOHN TAYLOR Coxswain Gunner's Mate BUHL, WILLIS EDWARD O'DAY, WARREN MILTON Coxswain Carpenter's Mate DENBY, EDWIN OWEN, SAMUEL FOSTER Gunner's Mate Master-at-Arms DWYER, JOSEPH LEE RATHBONE, CHARLES ALBERT Yeoman Coxswain FALES, BINGLEY RUSSELL RUSSELL, HENRY LUDLOW Quartermaster Coxswain JEWETT, EDWARD HUNTING STRATTON, WILLIAM BUCK Gunner's Mate Quartermaster JEWETT, HENRY MILFORD WEBBER, CHARLES H. Coxswain Coxswain Page thirteen THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Seamen BAGLEY, PAUL FREDERICK BALLARD, JAMES ARTHUR BEAMER, GEORGE HERBERT BEAUMONT, JOHN WESLEY BECKER, THEODORE AUGUST BERNART, EUGENE THEODORE BLAND, JOSEPH EDWARD BLOME, ALFRED ROBERT BOURBONNAIS, WILFRED O. BUCKLEY, HENRY BUCKLEY, JAMES P. CARPENTER, JOHN LEWIS CASE, MONT HAROLD CLARKIN, JOHN COFFIN, IRVING JOSEPH COLE, DARIUS CONNERY, WILLIAM SUTHERLAND COOK, PERCY TYLER DIACK, ARCHIBALD WARREN DUCHARME, ALFRED JOSEPH FOSTER, WILLIAM MAYNARD FROTHINGHAM, WILLIAM B. GILLET, GEORGE FRANCIS GILMOUR, ALLEN PEGRAM GOODBY, JAMES HENRY, JR. HENDRIE, GEORGE TROWBRIDGE HEYERMAN, CHARLES FREDERIC HINCHMAN, JAMES ALBERT HOWELL, CHARLES ARTHUR JUDSON, JOHN WESLEY KIRCHNER, RICHARD G. LOUD, HENRY KIMBALL LYSTER, HENRY LAURENCE MAIN, GEORGE ANDREW MAY, SAMUEL L. MORAN, WILLIAM A. MOSIER, OLIVER WILLIAM MUIR, ALEXANDER McGRAW MUNGER, WALTER ADDISON MURRIN, THOMAS PETER NALL, EDWIN BEARD O'CONNOR, MARR OWEN, GEORGE SALES POTTER, ARTHUR VIRALDO POTTINGER, JAMES HENRY RUSSEL, ALBERT WELLS SCHWAHN, VICTOR EMIL SIEBEL, HERBERT SPENCER SMITH, EDWARD PRICE SMITH, GEORGE HENRY STANDART, HENRY WINSLOW TOUSEY, MORRIS ROOSEVELT WARNER, EDWARD L. WHITNEY, GRANGER WHITNEY, JOHN PERKINS WIGHT, LOUIS DAVENPORT Firemen —st Class BELMAN, FRANK MOORE CONNORS, JOHN JOSEPH DUMAS, WILLIAM FOSTER, JOHN GLEESON, DENNIS GOULD, GEORGE FOLLANSBEE HOWE, WILLIAM HENRY LARROWAY, CLAUDE MILO MERRITT, JOSEPH FRANK Page fourteen MEYERS, JAMES QUIGLEY, EDWARD RYAN, CHARLES MATHEW RYAN, WILLIAM HENRY SCHULTE, RUDOLPH MYER SCRIBNER, HARRY DWIGHT STEELE, ALBERT LEWIS TAUSENDFREUND, GUSTAV WELCH, DAVID a~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ e:., OF~d< OF THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Ordinary Seaman AMMERMAN, JOHN CURTIS ANNEKE, EDWARD EMIL BAKER, JOHN EUGENE BALDWIN, LYMAN RUSSELL BOHNHOFF, PAUL ADOLPH BRUSH, HERBERT SHERMAN BURKE, GEORGE FRANKLIN CAMPAU, ALEXANDER MACOMB CHANDLER, GEORGE M. CHAPMAN, CHARLES WHITNEY DEMOREST, EZRA HUME DRAKE, JOHN WALTER FLINT, ALBERT WILKINSON Fox, WILLIAM BURTON GAGE, GEORGE SANBORN GOLDIE, WILLIAM PURDIE GUILLOTTE, GEORGE BROWN HARGREAVES, CHARLES ROBERT HODSON, HENRY HOLLAND-MORITZ, CHARLES IBERSHOFF, ADOLPH E. KEENA, IEO JOHN KING, EDWARD LEROY LEONARD, HENRY NEWELL LIMBACH, WALTER MARTIN LINN, ROBERT STANBERRY MCADAM, ARCHIBALD D. MACLEOD, EDWARD WILCOX MARYMONT, LOUIS ARTHUR MORRIS, GEORGE EUSTACE PATTERSON, GEORGE McK. PHELPS, ARTHUR RORISON, RICHARD B. SAGER, ALBERT SHIPMAN, ERNEST JOHN SNOW, MUIR BURTENSHAW STERLING, JAMES TUTTLE, JR. SYMONS, JAMES SHIRLEY TILTON, MCLANE, JR. WETZEL, ERNEST HENRY WILLIAMS, BURT LYMAN WURZER, LOUIS CHARLES HIGGS, HERBERT JOHN Bugler LEACH, PRESCOTT ARTHUR Bayman STILLWELL, STEPHEN SCOTT Shipwright WAGNER, CLARENCE R. Shipwright Firemen-2nd Class COTTER, STEPHEN MICHAEL MCCARTHY, JOHN WILLIAMS ECKERT, FRANK ARTHUR MCGLYNN, JOSEPH WILLIAM EWING, GEORGE ALEXANDER MYHRS, ALFRED C. HEWITT, JAMES ELMER O'DONOHUE, MARTIN JOHN JACKSON, GEORGE HENRY PETERS, JAMES JOHN JACKSON, HENRY WILLIAM ROGERS, CHARLES CROSWELL LANDON, BENJAMIN PELTON RUHL, ADOLPH YEMANS, CLINTON C. Page fifteen THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Landsmen BOTSFORD, CLAUDE EMIL BOYD, RAYMOND BOYLE, JOHN WATT BROWN, EARL VANDORN COWLES, CHARLES HEADLEY CREEN, JAMES EDWARD EBERTS, ALFRED ERNEST GAGE, WILLIAM HENRY GAINEY, GEORGE HENRY GEORGE, RANSOM GARDER GOLDSMITH, WILLIAM GEORGE GROESBECK, WILLIAM CHARLES HESS, HARRIS HOLMES, DAVID RIPLEY HUTCHINSON, LOOMIS IRVINE, JOHN CHANDLER JANKE, ALBERT FREDERICK KENNEDY, EDWARD HENRY KENNEDY, FRANK L. KESSLER, ALLAN HUYLER KING, JOHN EDWIN LEONARD, ORVICE RHINALDS MCGUIRE, BERNARD MAGURN, FREDERICK GEORGE MALONE, HENRY JOHN NEWCOMB, HOWARD R. OWEN, WILLIAM BINGHAM PAINE, RALPH FRAZER PARKER, BURTON D. PARTRIDGE, CHARLTON EDWARD PELL, JAMES BLAKELY PICKERING, CLARENCE H. QUINN, MICHAEL RESCHKE, FRANK ERNEST SCHIEB, JOHN PAUL SOUSIE, DANIEL STANLEY, ALBERT HENRY STEECKER, WILLIAM ALBERT SUTPHIN, ARTHUR E. WELZ, WALTER EDWARD WIDMAN, CHARLES HENRY WINTER, GEORGE CHARLES WOLF, FRED BERT, JR. STRINGHAM, JOSEPH S. Jack-o-Dust TILDEN, HENRY CONNOR Lamplighter Coal Passers ANDERSON, CHRIS BECKER, HENRY RICHARD BIRD, JOHN CHARLES BROMLEY, ELMER CRESSY, WILLIAM DAVID CUMMINGS, HARRY PAUL FOLJAN, AUGUST HENRY FORD, EDWARD WILSON JAHNKE, WILLIAM FREDERICK Page sixteen LEE, ROBERT WETMORE LOUNT, WILLIAM FRANK LUKE, GEORGE CHRISTOPHER MALASKE, GEORGE MILLER, ADAM WILLIAMS MILLS, CHARLES WILLIAMS RUSCO, JAMES SIMPSON, JOSEPH TAYLOR, FRANK LEONARD HelismenC N THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Messmen Branch GEORGE W. JONES JOHN R. MCDONALD Cabin Steward Ward Room Cook WILLIAM H. THOMAS CHARLES M. FAIRBANKS Cabin Cook Ship Cook, First Class EMANUEL OLIVER GEORGE FREDERICK RICH Ward Room Steward Ship Cook, Fourth Class CHARLES Tow (FAU Yoo) Laundryman Mess Attendants BONHEYO, JOHN ROBERT MCLAUGHLIN, GEORGE ENGEL, ERNEST R. MERRAULD, EDMOND GRIESHABER, JOSEPH, JR. TYRELL, ALBERT PARKER LEACH, ROBERT WHITESIDE, EDWIN OLIVER YOUNG, GEORGE ANDREW This contingent was in charge of Commander Gilbert Wilkes for the purpose of transportation, and entrained at Detroit at 8:45 A. M. on April 29. Many were the sad partings of the men from mothers and sisters, wives and sweethearts, for it was rumored that the war would last two years and we should probably be sent to Spain. Arriving at Norfolk Navy Yard, the crew was quartered on the old receiving ship U. S. S. "Franklin" for a few days, and on May 7, was transferred to the U. S. S. "Yosemite" at Newport News, Virginia. Ammunition and coal were taken on board at this time. The Ship The steel hull was 408 feet long over-all, with a displacement of about 5,000 tons. Formerly named the "El Sud" of the Morgan Line of steamers, after being purchased by the U. S. Government, she was prepared for war duty as a converted or unarmored cruiser. On the spar deck were mounted two five-inch guns forward and two aft, as well as six six-pounders on sponsons, three on each side in broadside. On the gun deck next Page seventeen THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" below were mounted six five-inch rapid-fire guns, in broadside. Her hull, deck guns, and all exposed surfaces were painted "fighting gray." With the arrival of the crew on board, the Navy Department furnished the following officers and marine detail: COMMANDER WILLIAM HEMSLEY EMORY Commanding LIEUTENANT NATHAN SARGENT Executive Officer LIEUTENANT JAMES T. SMITH Navigator ENSIGN JOHN BURNS Watch and Division Officer ENSIGN GEORGE PEABODY EUSTIS Captain's Clerk LIEUTENANT B. S. NEUMANN U. S. Marine Corps AUGUST MEHLMAN Assistant Engineer JOHN L. BUNCE Assistant Paymaster WILLIAM GRAY Pay Clerk Marine Corps CLARK, JETHRO K. GRAUG, GEORGE E. First Sergeant Corporal MURRAY, ALFRED H. LARSON, CHARLES C. Sergeant Corporal SCHWAB, ROBERT HAYS, WILLIAM E. Sergeant Bugler HILL, BENJAMIN F. Drummer Page eighteen N>... ' ' N j _ _ ~ X *' 3 /.. k 1~ ~ i3 D 'sii.:' '.. ~:"i ~ W boal ndg r, r*;,ir of Saglors.n or ra ': 1' '2 ' | 2 i 2 Mi ~/ S ffi | |0 3 0 0 i go~i~~~~ak g~ g g g.i g } ' 'k....:. ''...g k i ~il l ahn unl(la t::~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Privates BAIN, JOHN E. BEASLEY, JAMES E. BOWEN, JEREMIAH J. BURNS, DANIEL F. CHOICE, WILLIAM CROWLEY, JEREMIAH DARCY, JOSEPH B. EDWARDS, CHARLES ENGLISH, THOMAS H. HASKET, GEORGE HASTINGS, LALEN HOPKINS, VICTOR CURTIS JOYCE, JOHN PETER KELLY, TIMOTHY MASSY, WADE H. McCAULESS, WILLIAM J. MILLER, CHARLES MOODY, EDWARD T. MOORE, ALBERT S. MORRELL, BERNARD E. QUINN, THOMAS RUFFIN, REUBEN R. SHERMAN, FRANK W. SPRAGUE, WILLIAM R. THOMAS, ROBERT L. TURNER, CHARLES W. WARD, BERT WHITE, HENRY J. WHITE, WILLIAM This addition made a total of three hundred and twenty-five officers and men. Classification and assignment of the ship's company occurred immediately, the six general divisions being as follows: FIRST DIVISION for duty on spar deck, forward (forecastle) SECOND DIVISION, on spar deck, aft (quarter deck) THIRD DIVISION, on gun deck, forward FOURTH DIVISION, galleys and mess tables, amidships FIFTH DIVISION, on gun deck, aft SIXTH DIVISION, engineers, firemen, and coal passers, for duty in the hold, fireroom, and orlop deck. Special billets such as "ship's writer," "lamplighter," "bayman," "bugler," and "Jack-o-the-Dust," exempted these men from divisional watch duty. Each man was given a number of three numerals, the first of which indicated his division and the last, his watch, whether port (odd) or starboard (even). Hammocks, jumpers, and bePage nineteen THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" longings were ordered marked accordingly. The duties consisted in "call to quarters," "clean bright work," "wash and paint woodwork," "shellac decks," "scrub and wash clothes," "inspection of dunnage bags," "boat drill," "knotting and splicing," "collision drill," "ammunition drill," "anchor-chain drill," "fire drill," "coaling ship," etc. The pleasurable calls were for "mess," "sick bay," "shore leave," and "change watch." Page twenty InUsignia Hil SJMXaL( h ( unort (CaPtured at G~uantanamoi Bay i THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Personnel A LETTER dated August 3, 1898, from Professor Mortimer E. Cooley to Secretary James H. Wade of the University of Michigan, states that "out of a total complement of 325 officers and men, 46 or about 15 per cent are graduates or matriculates of the University. The list was carefully compiled by Seaman Percy Cook, Class of 1877, and shows thirty-five other universities and colleges represented, totalling 78 not including officers. Detroit high schools had 31, other high schools and different trades and professions numbered about 130." The U. S. S. "Yosemite" was assigned to Admiral Sampson's fleet and was given the number 596. The crew was mustered on the forecastle and listened to a short address and "Godspeed," by Governor Hazen S. Pingree, who made a special trip to Newport News for this purpose. On May 17, she weighed anchor and stood down the James River to Fortress Monroe (Hampton Roads); following this came target practice at sea, off Cape Henry and Cape Charles. On May 30, she sailed for Key West, Florida, thence to Havana, convoying U. S. S. "Armeria" carrying ammunition. On June 8, she began making passage to Santiago, convoying U. S. S. "Panther," carrying marines under Colonel Elliot, who was later Brigadier General, commanding U. S. Marine Corps. The blockade of Santiago harbor by Admiral Sampson's fleet is a matter of history and not necessarily a part of this record. The "Yosemite" was stationed there only a few days. Arriving opposite Guantanamo Bay on June 11, then only a notch in Page twenty-one THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" the coast line, the first marines were landed on Cuban soil. At this time, the "Yosemite's" whaleboat crew captured a small Spanish field gun, which was brought aboard and is now in the Naval Reserve Armory in Detroit. "Purisima Concepcion" We missed capturing this Spanish prize through some unexplained carelessness or bungling by the officers on watch. On June 16, we were approaching the harbor of Kingston, Jamaica (British), when we sighted a large Spanish merchantman coming out. Although it is stated that the lookout reported her to the deck officer three times, we did not hail her and she was allowed to pass unmolested. In extenuation, it is said that she was within the neutrality zone surrounding the British island. We learned later that she was a rich prize carrying troops and a half million in gold. After coaling ship at Kingston, Jamaica, we proceeded to Guantanamo Bay a second time, and after a few days on Santiago blockade, went to San Juan, Porto Rico, arriving opposite Morro Castle on June 24. The Sea Battle at San Juan, Porto Rico In 1898, the Island of Porto Rico belonged to Spain, with whom we were at war. The port of San Juan was ordered blockaded to prevent the exit or entrance of any ships. The "Yosemite" relieved the "Saint Paul" in this duty and continued it alone for twenty days. She began her patrol opposite Morro Castle, a fortress of the Havana harbor, on June 26, about ten miles off shore. Information had been received that a treasure ship named "Antonio Lopez" was on her way from Spain, carrying ammunition, firearms, gold, and other supplies for the enemy. On the morning of June 28 about five o'clock, the lookout in the crow's nest sighted a strange ship, steering for the San Juan harbor. Orders were issued immediately to "clear ship Page twenty-two U. S. S~. "Ysemit" in. Action —San Joan.~ P. Rt &: '1~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~: _ THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" for action" and the crew was called to "general quarters." The prospect of a battle gave the thrill for which we had been waiting. All hands were busy with deck preparations. Steam was turned on in the engines for the ammunition hoists, which were operated through the different hatchways; deck guns were unlimbered; the magazines opened; and all prisoners released. Our ship signaled to the approaching stranger to "heave to"; but received no answer. A shot across her bow, however, caused her to veer to starboard, with the possible intention of running our blockade and slipping into the harbor. The "Yosemite" pursued with "full speed ahead," firing fiveinch bow guns. A quotation from the official log-book reads: June 28th, 1898. 8:00 a.m. to meridian. Cloudy, with passing showers, gentle S.E. breezes. In action to 10:00, intermittent firing at Spanish steamer which ran ashore 612 miles West of Morro Castle to avoid capture. Under fire of three Spanish gunboats, ISABELLA II., CONCHA and PONCE DE LEON, with an occasional shot from Morro. At 10:00 gunboats withdrew to mouth of harbor and we continued circling off grounded steamer. At noon, six miles from Salinas Pt., nine miles from Morro Lt. Ammunition expended: 251 5" shell, 25 Shrapnel, 56 6-pdr. a. p. shell. (Signed) GILBERT WILKES, Lieutenant. Following is an account of this engagement, by the late Bingley Fales, quartermaster: That night it was stormy. About 4:30 a very severe rainstorm passed over us to the westward. The thought of an engagement at that early hour was not in our minds, when all of a sudden, the storm swept on to the westward leaving the form of a large ship standing out like a silhouette against the dark receding rain clouds. At that time we were ten miles north and two miles east of Morro, at the entrance to the harbor. The stranger must have been 13 or 14 miles west of Morro and was coming down the coast just as fast as her boilers would push her. Immediately the fun began. We put on all reserve speed and went Page twenty-three THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" dashing down our course at about 17 knots an hour to head her off. In order to accomplish this we had to run in under range of the fort. When the vessel was six miles from the mouth of the harbor we came within range (about four miles) and fired a shot across her bow. She kept right on, evidently, and a moment later we fired again in the same direction. Instead of coming to, she immediately headed for shore. We then opened fire on her with our bow guns, using them slowly as the range was great. After a few shots were let go, the fort brought its guns to bear upon us and began to drop cold steel around us. They had got our range finely, each shot seeming to come a little closer than the preceding one, when good fortune brought another storm down over the fort and completely shut us from their view, allowing us time to change our position and get out of their reach. As soon as the storm lifted, we again began to throw shell into the ship which now lay high on the beach. At this juncture two gunboats and a torpedo boat came out of the harbor to rescue the prize, which had been abandoned by all on board, just as soon as she touched bottom. One of these gunboats had at least one 9-inch gun and the balance five- or six-inch bores. She could throw her projectile farther than we could ours, so that the only thing to do was to close in. Our ship was maneuvered, and after them we went at full speed, giving first one ship and then another a broadside as we went. The boys worked like Trojans, serving the guns and hoisting ammunition from the magazines. The way our batteries poured out their rain of shells was something terrific. In spite of the guns of all three ships and the battery of the fort, we forced those three ships back to the mouth of the harbor. We then swung out to the north and westward, out of reach of the big fellows whom we could not hope to injure and who were playing upon us all the time. By this time it was 8:00 A. M. and all hands were sent below to breakfast. Thirty minutes later the men were again called to the guns and we went in to disable still further the ship on the beach. Just as soon as we opened fire the fort again opened, and our enemies from the harbor came out so that they could reach us with their big guns but we could not reach them. Again we made a sweep down upon them and scattered them. Two went back into the harbor and the third, the small torpedo boat, made a scud and ran behind the wreck. We could not withstand the fire of the fort so withdrew out of her range. From that time no further shots were exchanged. We lay around there for the next three weeks keeping on the alert Page twenty-four ~pqush SS.Antoni Lanjez I Beahdo ad Ruined THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" every minute of the long nights to guard against torpedo-boat attacks, but fearing nothing during the day. We do not know how many times we hit them, but are certain we hit them quite a good many times out of the shots we fired, about 250 in all. They fired perhaps 50 less. We could throw more steel than all of them together, and the awful rapidity and reasonable accuracy of our fire just struck consternation to their souls. We were not scratched. One gun was put out of commission by a shell exploding right in the muzzle of an over-heated barrel and another barrel was bulged near the muzzle, but no one was injured. Another member of the crew wrote as follows: Think of the "Yosemite," a merchant ship, manned by a green, non-professional crew, with three men-o'-war, a troopship and a very powerful fort for enemies, standing off the whole lotl To return to the troopship-she was run hard on the rocks. There she was after a run across the Atlantic, within gunfire of her port, wrecked for our breakfast. I saw one shrapnel burst on her poop, and three beauties hit her amidships. After one of these, up went the steam and hovered for a few seconds, to be drifted away. The minute she was hit, down went her boats, and one of our officers told me that he saw one lifted in the air while on its way to the shore. The most interesting thing was to see a puff of smoke, and in about 40 seconds to hear a deep boom and a gurgling, horrible noise, and to know one of the 9-inch shots was after you. Still another account by Henry Standart is as follows: All went well until the morning of the 28th. I had just come off watch on the taffrail lookout and was standing looking towards the shore about 5 o'clock, with the rain dripping off my oilskins, the result of a black cloud that had been pouring its contents upon us for fifteen or twenty minutes. This cloud passed over us and was running on out to sea, blacker than the ace of spades. All of a sudden, out of that black cloud, popped the head of a steamer heading for the shore. We were about nine miles out, and immediately started to head her off. All the steam that the boilers could turn out was utilized, and in less time than it takes to tell it the old "Yosemite" was steaming at about 18 knots towards the ship. The instant the steamer saw us she gave up the idea of entering the harbor and made for the shore with all rapidity. It then resulted in a good race. We fired a five-pound shot across her bow to bring her to, but she kept on her course. Another was fired and still no move. Page twenly-five THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Just at this stage of the game, four ships were sighted coming out of the harbor. Immediately, general quarters was sounded, the gun crews on watch turned their guns upon the flying vessel, the ship turned somewhat, and we let a broadside go at the enemy. She then ran hard aground on the coral reef lying along the shore, about two miles from us, and lay there with a bad list to port. We continued a rapid fire at her and exploded several shells on her deck and sent some into her hold. Just as we were abreast the stranded vessel, a puff of smoke came from the fort, which we thought was too far away to do any harm. When we saw that puff of smoke, many of us laughed at the idea of the shots coming anywhere near us. We laughed too soon, however, for in a few seconds that shell landed about a hundred yards to port of us and on our beam. This was too close for comfort, with such big guns back of us, so we pulled farther out to sea. At the same time, the gunboats which had been rapidly bearing down upon us opened fire, and the water around us was considerably disturbed by the falling shot and shell. We were not slow to respond, however, and before the shells struck the water our after five-inch gun and the one I was on sent answering missiles at the gunboats; then the forward, in fact, all the port battery, including the six-poundersthen at a 3,000-yards' range of our stranded vessel-poured shell into the poor craft. After passing the victim on the beach, we turned and gave the three gunboats and the torpedo boat our starboard broadside. sending six or eight shells from each gun. Almost immediately one of the gunboats stopped, and the man at our masthead said she had been hit twice. We then swung around again, and, using our after starboard five-inch guns on gun and spar decks, sent shells into the stranded boat again until the swinging of the ship prevented further use of that battery. We then held our guns off until we were well turned and ready for another onslaught, making this circle large enough to coax the enemy's ships out of range of the fort batteries. They mustered courage and came on toward the stranded ship, as if to protect her. We held off until they were well down the coast; then completing our circle at full speed, we came dashing at them, making another turn to bring our port battery into play. The first shells fired in this volley came from our bow guns and were directed at the gunboat which we thought we had hit before, and which now took a place in the enemy's rear line, or, rather, at the end of the line, whereas she had been first before. Two of these shells were said to have hit her. Something must have happened, Page twenty-six i& E DbGnrM te l ~EAU.r), Dea Gner 's Ate i a)We, Thirda. uas THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" for she turned and made a slow retreat into the harbor, listing somewhat to starboard. Following is a paragraph from one of Edwin Denby's letters: A blockade is a strange thing. All day long we lay off the Morro, cruising up and down, with doubled lookouts constantly scanning the horizon, our guns all provided with extra ammunition and ready for service at a moment's notice. Occasionally down from aloft would come the magic cry, "Sail Hol" and, after the bridge's "Whereaway?" and the stranger had been located, the bugle and drum would call us to quarters and away we would go after her at full speed, every pulse athrob, for we never knew but that she would prove to be our relief, or, better still, the enemy. Sometimes the chase would be a long one, and hope would run high. Then the stranger would break her flag-English, Danish, German, whatever it was-and hope would die. This, of course, would not content us, and as we drew near we would hail her with the stern challenge of the sea, a blank shot first and then, if unheeded, a solid shot across her bows. Only once did a vessel disregard the latter, and she now lies a riddled wreck on the sands of Porto Rico. When the chased vessel hove to, we would board her, and, finding her all right, send her rejoicing on her way. Generally she would dip her colors as she sped away. At night the chases were more exciting. It is one of the weirdest experiences I ever had to be waked up by the mad alarm, to rush to quarters, and to chase through the night after a dim light, with all the consequent uncertainty. Once at dusk we sighted a trim schooner, but, being distracted by another affair, we failed to pursue immediately, and when we turned our attention to her, she had disappeared in the gloom. We finally sped in the direction in which she had gone, and after a long time the outlines of the little ship showed dimly in the night. We ran close to her, and from our No. 12 six-pounder flashed a command to heave to. She wasted no time in doing so, scared out of her little boots. She told us she had no idea we were anywhere near her until out of the black night came the flash and boom of our cannon. No wonder she thought it was Gabriel's trumpetl Alas, she was an Englishmanl As a result of this battle the crew received three months' extra pay, the only prize money given in this entire war, and the last, as the prize-money law was soon thereafter repealed. Congress authorized two medals to each sailor, one called the "Sampson Page twenty-seven THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Medal," for men who were in Admiral Sampson's fleet; the other, the "Congressional Medal," for service in the West Indies campaign, 1898. On June 29, the Spanish schooner "Joven Maria de Mayaguez" was intercepted and boarded. Abandoned by her crew after our first shot, she was found to contain a load of salt, also a cat, dog, pig, and fruit. Her sails were lowered and she was left adrift. Various other ships, mostly British, were intercepted and upon investigation were allowed to proceed on their way. On July 4 (Independence Day), field games for the crew were authorized and held on the forecastle, under the direction of officers of the watch. These contests excited keen interest, since the prizes offered were principally bottles of beer, cooled in the sea, because we had no refrigerating plant or ice storage. On July 15, the "Yosemite" was relieved of blockade duty by the U. S. S. "New Orleans," which delivered to us sixteen bags of mail. We proceeded to St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, coaled ship, and took on other supplies. Shore leave was granted and each sailor was given twenty dollars on his pay-roll account. Some extraordinary stories are told in regard to the actions of some of the sailors on leave, as they capered "high, wide, and handsome." It is stated that one man in his excess of enjoyment at being on land, bought a load of hay which happened to be on the street. Another enthusiast purchased a colored baby from its mother's arms and then hired the latter to carry the child around with him for the remainder of the day. The "Yosemite" was ordered to join Admiral Watson's fleet, then under orders to sail for Spain. She returned to Hampton Roads, July 22, thence to Newport News on July 28. Admiral Sampson's victory at Santiago caused Spain to sue for peace on July 26; the protocol was signed on August 10, and hostilities were suspended. Page twenty-eight Division liomeward round (" S:; z-i:;-':' -:.i THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" We arrived at League Island Navy Yard on August 20, and at 10:45 the ship's company was mustered on the forecastle and the following order was published: U. S. S. "Yosemite," Navy Yard, League Island, Pa. August 20, 1898. Hostilities having ceased between the United States and Spain, the officers and men of the Michigan naval brigade being aboard the "Yosemite" will by order of the Honorable, the Secretary of the Navy, leave this day for Detroit, Mich., to be discharged from the United States naval service on the 22nd instant. The commanding officer, in parting with the officers and men with great regret, desires to bear testimony to their coolness and enthusiasm under fire and also to their cheerful performance at all times of the most harassing duties under trying circumstances in a tropical climate. The commanding officer desires to take this opportunity to say good-bye to each officer and man, and to wish him a pleasant journey home and every success in life. W. H. EMORY, Commander U. S. N., Commanding. Comment is useless. Such an order from Captain Emory speaks more forcefully for the good conduct, discipline, and efficiency of the men from Michigan than can any words of lesser critics. The home-coming of these favored sons on Sunday, August 21, was a great event in Detroit. Cheering throngs lined the curbstones on West Fort Street from the old Michigan Central Railroad Depot to Woodward Avenue; and as the bronzed and bearded sailors, marching in their divisions, were recognized by relatives and friends, the enthusiasm was overwhelming. The parading sailors turned northward at the old Russell House, passed in front of the City Hall and the Soldiers' Monument, and were officially dismissed at the dock where was moored the U. S. S. "Yantic," whence they had started before the war. Page twenty-nine THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" A Detroit newspaper published the following: Detroit turns out this morning to strew your path with flowers and fill your ears with plaudits, because you represent prophecies fulfilled, expectations realized and pride justified. Old and young and rich and poor are here to welcome you, bands are playing and flags are flying because the confidence reposed in you was not misplaced. With all their worship of audacity and enterprise there is no quality before which Americans bow down in honest admiration as they do before clear grit. It doesn't matter so much whether the grit manifests itself in standing calmly to work under the fire of the enemy or in cheerfully accepting the substitution of hardtack and salt horse for the accustomed spring broilers and lobster a la Newberg. The grit that pulls a man out of bed four hours earlier than he is used to rising, sets him to polishing brasses, instead of his finger nails, and to scrubbing decks instead of smoking a matutinal cigarette; the grit which sets him to coaling ship with the same cheerful vigor with which he rushes the business of a director's meeting-in short the grit that made you bear the hard and disagreeable lot of common sailors, as much as the grit that made you bear yourselves at San Juan as befits men reared to the best traditions of the American Navy, is appreciated here at home by those who knew you before the war began, and who, better than others, can realize the sacrifices you made. There are men in the crowds along the sidewalks who used to call you the Champagne Preserves; but they're swinging their hats as though they meant it today. They're just as glad to see you as you are to be here. There may be women waving their handkerchiefs from the windows who used to turn up their noses at you because a certain social exclusiveness had shut out their husbands and sweethearts from your organization; but there is something suspiciously moist about their eyes as you come swinging up the street. WE're all glad to see you, and we especially rejoice because your ranks haven't been thinned by death and disease, as have those of some of the regiments that marched away to the war after you had gone. We all think a little more of ourselves today because of the things that you, who were our friends and our brothers, have done since the first of May. The flag means a little more to us, the Republic is a little closer to our hearts, a little more of a personal thing than it Page thirty d iup d Shark 0 ' -~~~~~~~~. THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" was, and we're a happier and better people for finding out that the classes which wealth and geography seemed to be creating in the nation disappear when the war tocsin sounds, and we all become Americans together. You have shown us that there's nothing too bad for you. Now we mean to show you that there's nothing too good for you. The official discharge papers are dated August 22, 1898, making a period of 116 days' service in the U. S. Navy. Twenty years later, twenty-six of these men served in the World War, in various capacities. Following is a list of the names: PAUL F. BAGLEY GEORGE BARR BAKER EUGENE T. BERNART R. THORNTON BRODHEAD A. MACOMB CAMPAU M. WOOLSEY CAMPAU CHARLES H. COWLES EDWIN DENBY GEORGE F. GILLETT ANDREW H. GREEN, JR. WILLIAM H. H. HUTTON, JR. HENRY B. JOY CHARLES B. KING RICHARD G. KIRCHNER J. FARRAND LEWIS HENRY L. LYSTER JOHN S. NEWBERRY TRUMAN H. NEWBERRY DR. WALTER R. PARKER HARRY C. PENNY ALBERT W. RUSSEL DR. BURT R. SHURLY MARK M. SIBLEY JAMES T. STERLING JOSEPH S. STRINGHAM GRANGER WHITNEY High Spots The dull routine duties on a man-o'-war were occasionally relieved by visits from "bum boats," when the ship happened to be in some of the Caribbean ports. The natives, both men and women, were allowed to come on board and display their wares on the port spar deck. They sold tobacco and cigarettes, trinkets, jewelry, ornaments, souvenirs, mango fruit, and cocoanuts. These articles were eagerly purchased by the sailors to send or bring home. On two occasions each member of the crew was allowed one bottle of beer for five cents. The distribution was carefully Page thirty-one THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" supervised by Chief Master-at-Arms Charles F. Hammond (Jimmy-Legs), and much bargaining and trading were carried on by some, in order to obtain more than one bottle. Two sharks were caught at sea by trolling with iron hooks forged on board and baited with salt pork. After landing these fish on deck, they were cut to pieces and some attempt made to cook them. The general verdict was that shark meat could not be called a delicacy and, in fact, was unpalatable. Sawing-off a Cannon During the battle off San Juan, the activity of the gun crews was amazing; the men seemed to have a mad desire to serve the guns with all possible speed. The witnesses of this engagement who were on the shore ramparts have said that the "Yosemite" seemed to be a perpetual blaze of discharging cannon. The five-inch gun on the spar deck, port quarter, was fired so rapidly that it did not have time to cool off between shots. This caused the end of the muzzle to swell and jammed a projectile on its way out, causing an armorpiercing shell to explode prematurely, after leaving the mouth, of the gun. In consequence, the gun was rendered useless until a regular "Yankee" trick was played on it, by sawing off about three feet of the swollen end. The work was done with hack saws and required teams of men working 'in relays for thirty-six hours. The object was to prevent the enemy from knowing that a gun in our battery had been crippled, and to make it possible to fire it any way, without regard to range. Trophies Thirty years after the war, the surviving members of the "Yosemite" crew, presented the Michigan Naval Reserves, with two silver shields beautifully mounted on mahogany backs. One shield contains the names and ratings of the Page thirty-two (~'onninrf Tourer: X ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ilii _ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ i,. I | _q[aw. eLS. i ' G E X lE_ _ i Sl gI: f:' ""ki~ iX.3il< D E::0:: 1Wn~n~~l;c~W, RS ~i - a X0 2,,...i _L_~~ __..W4' *W i~~, _ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~i ~ 1,-a Sdtu F"tvetnXeh, Cldl t::~Ed THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" officers and men on the "Yosemite" and is hung in the Armory of the Naval Reserves in Detroit. The other shield shows a bas-relief of the ship and is a competitive trophy, to be awarded annually to the division of the Michigan Reserves showing the highest general efficiency. Instigators of the Act The creation and existence of the Michigan Naval Reserve by an act of the Legislature was urged by many citizens, but bitterly opposed by some members representing the farm. districts. Prominent in this work were Mr. Cyrus E. Lothrop, Mr. Strathearn Hendrie, and Mr. Truman H. Newberry, who labored long in Lansing to sell the idea to the Legislature. These men argued that any state having a coast line should have naval training, but especially the State of Michigan, which has the longest shore line (1600 miles, plus) of any state in the Union. They won finally, by the passage of the act authorizing a Naval Reserve, and obtained a fraction of a mill tax for its maintenance. Statement Regarding Theodore Roosevelt's Interest in the Michigan State Naval Brigade and Its Assignment to the U. S. S. "Yosemite" By Truman H. Newberry In 1897, because of prior friendship, I was able to persuade Theodore Roosevelt, then Assistant Secretary of the Navy, to come to Detroit and make a personal inspection of the Michigan State Naval Brigade while on its annual cruise. This he did and expressed his satisfaction with the keen interest in naval training and the general intelligence of our organization. Immediately thereafter, I took him on the yacht "Truant" to inspect the Ohio Naval Militia at Sandusky. On this occasion Mr. Page thirty-three THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Cyrus I,othrop, Mr. Henry B. Joy, Mr. Strathearn Hendrie, and my brother were with us, and Mr. Roosevelt kept us all busy explaining the organization and development of what was later the nucleus of the crew of the "Yosemite." In this manner came his special interest in our organization; and when war was declared with Spain in 1898, he almost immediately called me on the long distance telephone (a very unusual and novel proceeding in those days) and asked if we could completely man a ship requiring a crew of about 267 men, all without ratings. He was told that we could, and then he said that he would assign the Michigan State Naval Brigade, as a unit, to the "Yosemite," and that we would all be taken into the U. S. Navy, with the officers and ratings we then had. This was done and our organization remained on the "Yosemite" as a unit for the period of the war. The main reason for taking T.R. on the "Truant" to Lake Erie was that he (by request of Lord Clowes) was then writing the history of the battle of Lake Erie (Perry's victory) for the history of the Royal Navy by Lord Clowes, and T.R. wanted to see the locality of that fight. Subsequent Records of a Few Members Mortimer E. Cooley Dean Mortimer E. Cooley was already great before he joined the "Yosemite," and the addition of his name to the list of officers certainly added lustre and distinction to our contingent. Graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy, he had resigned from the service and had become the Dean of the Engineering College of the University of Michigan, when the Spanish War occurred. Naturally, therefore, this Michigan crew was proud to have so distinguished a man as an officer and associate. Since the Spanish War he has received many other honors. The following poem was written for a reunion: Page thirty-four Modruner E, Cuooey, (h2/ E n/i neer THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" The Dean, a Sailor By Granger Whitney, Seaman The Dean one time was a sailor bold and sailed in the Caribbee; He'd shiver his main connecting rod, when the wind was on the lee. He sailed as chief from the foot of Brush on a Grand Trunk battleship With a crew of dry-land sailormen, who'd joined him on the trip. He stood in the seagoing engine's cab and merrily heaved the lead, He winked a wunk at the engineer and this is what he said, "Remember the 'Maine' and to hell with Spain and you need a little more draft "What I need is speed and a little more feed and a pipe and an awning aft." He stood on the deck of the "Franklin" ship, in the Norfolk Navy Yard, He lived on goose eggs, scouse and tea and said that life was hard. The crew had gone across the bay where the liberty men got tight, But they sailed away at the break of day on the tin-clad "Yosemite." The force in the engine-room got sore, when they found they had no bread. But the Chief said, "War is hell, my lads," and this he also said, "Remember the 'Maine' and to hell with Spain and this prehistoric craft, "What I need is speed and plenty of feed and a pipe and an awning aft." We were dobbing along in our old tin can in the trades of the Caribbee, When the man at the masthead hails the deck, "A ship in sight I see." "Now, where away," says Captain Bill. "Three pints abaft the beam." And the Captain told the Chief at once, to get up some more steam. The Chief says, "Bill, my shipmate bold, a fight at sea I dread; But if you fight, in this poor light, it's best you go ahead." But "Remember the 'Maine' and to hell with Spain and this prehistoric craft, "What I need is speed and something to read and a pipe and an awning aft." The Chief sat down in the engine-room with his hand upon the throttle, He whispers low to the piston rod, "I wish it was a bottle;" For the steam was low and the screw was slow and the tailshaft pit was foul, While the lights went flickering up and down to the dynamos' spit and growl. He shifted his quid and swore an oath and gravely shook his head, And shiver my blooming cylinder heads, but this is what he said, "Remember the 'Maine' and to hell with Spain and this prehistoric craft, "What I need is speed and plenty of feed and a pipe and an awning aft." Page thirty-five THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" He thumbed the gauges and spat on the guides that were hot as the hobs of hell, The bearings groaned and the pumps they moaned and chattered down in the well. The shells were shrieking overhead and the shrapnel screamed abeam, The man on the bridge was calling down, "And how are you off for steamP" And then he said: "Just shake her up and run full speed ahead." The Chief yelled up the speaking tube and this is what he said, "Remember the 'Maine' and to hell with Spain and this prehistoric craft, You've plenty of speed but I need more feed and a pipe and an awning aft." Our good old scow was wallowing 'round with her scuppers running red, While the crew stood bravely to their task in a cruel rain of lead. The captain shook his hoary head, strong men were seen to faint, For one of Morro Castle's shots had hit a keg of paint. The Chief stood bravely at his post and said, "This ain't no lark," And to his gallant force below, he made this trite remark, "Remember the 'Maine' and to hell with Spain and this prehistoric craft, What I need is speed and a class to lead and a pipe and an awning aft." Then Captain Bill upon the bridge said, "Sailors, cease your fire. I see the shattered Spanish fleet in terror now retire. The memory of this well-won day, your country'll ever bless, Laurels crown your noble brow; now bosum pipe to mess." He telephoned the gallant Chief, he'd better go to bed, The Chief then sent a message back, and this is what it said, "Remember the 'Maine' and to hell with Spain and this prehistoric craft, What I need is speed and plenty of feed and a pipe and an awning aft." The war-scarred battle ship sailed away, to the islands of the Dane, Where the war-scarred veterans drowned their cares on rum and cold champagne. The Dean went wandering ashore, at his ease on this Danish Isle, "Yo Ho and a bottle of rum," says he, his face was wreathed in a smile. "Now, this is the life for a sailor man, on a tropical Indian day; And I sit at my ease and do as I please, it's this that I'll freely say, 'Remember the "Maine" and to hell with Spain and this prehistoric craft, What I need is booze and a place to snooze and a pipe and an awning aft.'" Now the Dean's ashore and will cruise no more In the trades of the Caribbee. His name and fame are spreading wide, They stretch from sea to sea. He will anchor down in a harbor snug Page thirty-six Samprcsionl Medal Denby and Newberry, Baoh Farmer Secretaries of h Navy z> THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" In peace and deep content; He will swing his 'ammick and take his rest From a life so nobly spent. And we who call him Chief will come And talk of our good old craft, Where he lives at his ease 'neath the shade of his trees, With his pipe and his awning aft. Edwin Denby Of all the members of this crew, none was more beloved than Edwin Denby (dear old Ned), whose rating was gunner's mate, 3rd class. Of giant physical proportions, with a football record as center-rush at the University of Michigan, he was also great in brain and heart. He lent himself energetically to the work on the forecastle, and his charming personality and kindly interest in his associates endeared him to all. After the Spanish-American War, Denby was elected to Congress from Detroit. During the World War, he enlisted as a private in the Marine Corps, U. S. Navy, and rose to the rank of major, being retired as a lieutenant colonel. Under President Harding, he was Secretary of the Navy and the duties of this Cabinet office were not unfamiliar to him by reason of his experience in the two previous wars. He represented Mrs. Willis E. Buhl and Mrs. Irving J. Coffin, both widows of shipmates, in giving flags to the Michigan Naval Battalion. He was a thirty-third degree Mason and laid the cornerstone of the new Masonic Temple in Detroit, using the same trowel for spreading the mortar and wearing the same Masonic apron, which George Washington used and wore when laying the corner-stone for the National Capitol in Washington. The passing of this great and kindly man, on February 8, 1929, was mourned by the nation as well as the community. Our world is certainly a better place because he has lived in it. Page thirty-seven THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Truman H. Newberry Truman H. Newberry, at the beginning of the Spanish War, held the rank in the Reserves, of lieutenant, junior grade, and was commissioned in the U. S. Navy with the same rank. After the war he was made Secretary of the Navy under President Roosevelt; and while holding this office, he caused to be prepared from the records the official log-book of the U. S. S. "Yosemite" and published it in book form. During the World War, he was Commander of the 3rd Naval District and was later elected to the United States Senate. He presented the Michigan Naval Reserves with new colors on the same evening that Ned Denby (also a former Secretary of the Navy) presented the new camp flag. Henry B. Joy Henry B. Joy resigned his first lieutenantcy in the Michigan Naval Reserve, to go as chief boatswain's mate. He was one of the original promoters of the organization; and served in various grades during nine continuous years-the last three as navigator of the "Yantic." After the Spanish-American War he organized the Packard Motor Car Company, and under his direction the famous Liberty Motor was created. He later served as captain and lieutenant colonel in the U. S. Army, Aviation Section, during the World War. He, under Colonel Chalmers G. Hall, U. S. A., organized the four motor-mechanic regiments of the U. S. Army. W. H. H. Hutton, M. D. This history would be incomplete without a reference to W. H. H. Hutton, chief master-at-arms. A thoroughly military man on both land and sea, he was highly efficient in his official duties. He gave an endowment to the Gilbert Wilkes Page thirty-eight Est n Parker ard Lieltenanl Neuiberry THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Camp, which furnished the nucleus of our present funds. During the World War, he was commissioned a colonel in the Air Service. He has been untiring in his efforts to keep the "Yosemite" organization together. J. Walter Drake J. Walter Drake, lawyer, entered the service of the U. S. Navy without previous training, but the call for volunteers found him ready to "do his bit." He had a rating of ordinary seaman. After the war he returned to the practice of law, and later engaged in the manufacture of automobiles, becoming president of the Hupp Motor Car Company of Detroit. During the administrations of Presidents Harding and Coolidge, he was Assistant Secretary of Commerce under Mr. Hoover, who later became President of the United States. Mr. Drake presented the Michigan Naval Reserves with a silver trophy cup to be awarded annually to the division showing superiority in aviation. Walter R. Parker, M. D. Walter R. Parker was the recruiting officer on the U. S. S. "Yantic" at the beginning of hostilities, and all new men had to pass his examination. His rating in the Navy was that of ensign, watch and division officer, with particular attention to "signaling." It is peculiar that he should have been assigned to this class of work where sight and light and color are so important, because in his practice he has specialized in the treatment of the eye and has occupied the chair of ophthalmology at the University of Michigan for many years. He presented the Michigan Naval D eserves with a silver trophy cup, for superiority in signaling and communication. During the World War he was a colonel on the Surgeon General's Staff, Medical Corps, U. S. Army. Page thirty-nine THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Fred L. Eaton Hailing from Saginaw, he was at one time a midshipman at the U. S. Naval Academy. At the outbreak of the SpanishAmerican War, he was a lawyer and also the Commander of the Michigan Naval Reserves at Saginaw and Bay City. He brought his contingent to Detroit, where they were joined to the other Michigan Naval Reserves, which formed the crew of the U. S. S. "Yosemite." By the sailors on the gun deck he was nicknamed "Bear-a-Hand-Eaton." He had the rank of lieutenant, junior grade, in the U. S. Navy. After the war, he returned to the practice of law, and made a distinguished record as prosecuting attorney. Richard Thornton Brodhead Richard Thornton Brodhead, coxswain, has certainly "stuck to the ship." Coming from a sea-going family, he was a member of the Michigan Naval Reserves before the Spanish War. He was transferred to the "Yosemite" with the others and had a rating of coxswain, 3rd class. After the war he was put in charge of the Michigan Naval Reserves, with the rank of lieutenant commander. During thirty-odd years, he has had command of the U. S. S. "Yantic," the "Don Juan de Austria" (one of the ships captured by Admiral Dewey in Manila Bay) and the U. S. S. "Dubuque." During the World War he served on the U. S. S. "Iowa" and the "Aeolus." Although his commission is in the reserve and not in the regular Navy, he is on active service and has the same rank, pay, and allowances as if he were in the regular establishment. Officially, he is designated as an aide to the Commander of the Ninth Naval District. He is also the head of the Michigan Naval force, but draws no pay from the State. Page forty Reunion at Srinqa Farm (30 Yars Later Reunion at Slringlhna Farm (30 Years Later) 00 THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Burt R. Shurley, M. D. Perhaps no man on board was more useful to his fellowmen than Dr. Burt R. Shurley. In his capacity as ship's apothecary, he ministered to all, whether it was for a sore toe or a stomach ache. The rank and file appealed to him directly without answering sick call, and he endeared himself to them by his quick remedial service. Dr. Shurley was commissioned a colonel in the World War, and headed Medical Unit No. 36, which gave such wonderful service in France. He was recommended for the Distinguished Service Medal. He is a member of the Detroit Board of Education. George Barr Baker George Barr Baker, rating, yeoman, 2nd class; assignment, ship's writer. In this capacity he was clerk to the Captain and Executive Officer, preparing orders for publication and keeping all records of the crew and ship's movements and activities. This assignment was, indeed, a fortunate choice and a case where the man suited the job. By experience and training, George B. Baker was a newspaperman and writer, and since the war has continued this work uninterruptedly. He accompanied President-elect Hoover on his tour of the South American countries, and was known as "publicity king" when Mr. Hoover became President of the United States. Albert Henry Stanley Before and after the Spanish-American War, Albert Henry Stanley, landsman, was employed by the Detroit United Railway, and thereby gained his knowledge and experience in city transportation. He later became managing director of the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey. His activities and success in the field of transportation attracted attention abroad. He reorganized the Underground System of the Grand Omnibus Company of London, England, and in recognition therefor, was knighted by King George V, becoming Page forty-one THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Sir Albert Stanley, Bart. During the World War he was President of the Board of Trade, London, rendering valuable services under the Hon. Lloyd George. He was again honored by the Crown and created Lord Ashfield. Leo J. Keena Leo J. Keena, rating, ordinary seaman, after the SpanishAmerican War entered the American Consular Service. He was first sent to Chihuahua, Mexico, during an uprising in that section. His next station was Florence, Italy, then Buenos Aires, Argentina, thence to Valparaiso, Chile. After the World War, he acted in an advisory capacity in Washington, D. C., making valuable suggestions regarding the foreign trade with the Latin nations. In Zurich, Switzerland, he improved the visa system and in Warsaw, Poland, became Consul-General. After two years' service in Liverpool, he was made Consul-General of the West Indies in Havana, Cuba. On November 2, 1929, he was appointed American ConsulGeneral in Paris, France. Herbert J. Higgs, M. D. Herbert J. Higgs, bugler, was the pride of our ship and the envy of others. He became a doctor and a practicing physician in the City of Detroit. For many years he has blown taps over the graves of departed shipmates, and has given the marching tempo for the command on Decoration Day and other public occasions. In 1898, the bugle notes of the U. S. Navy informed the other nations of the world, that we were ready to defend our flag and our rights in any just cause for war. The World War twenty years later proved it. Many others have gained fame and fortune since this war; and it has been said that no ship ever had a crew from which later came as many distinguished officers, statesmen, public servants, professional men, industrial giants, and millionaires, as the U. S. S. "Yosemite." Page forty-two Bugker tigys with Ch hief Masl-at-Amrs H!a ond and Fireman Schulte ~~~~O z~~~~~~~ THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Finale The survivors of this famous crew have named their camp after Mr. Gilbert Wilkes (a graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy), who was the commanding officer of the Detroit Reserves when war was declared against Spain. Time has shown the metal of which these men were made and the record of their loyalty and devotion to our flag. It is not given to all men to bear arms for the nation's defense, but every man may cherish his country's flag with a devoted love and may support its laws with a willing obedience. His service to his country becomes possible only when the individual man, strong in the integrity of his purpose, develops his own highest manhood under the secure shield of civil, intellectual, and religious liberty. The eagerness of the men in seeking enlistment, to which should be added their lighthearted endurance of unaccustomed hardships, is testimony of their good quality and sturdy American fortitude. The survivors are banded together by the closest tie which can exist among men, namely, companionship in arms, especially on a man-o'-war. The membership of "Camp No. 17" can never grow any larger; on the contrary, the number will steadily decrease as the years roll by. It has, therefore, been resolved by unanimous vote, that when the number is reduced by death to ten men, the funds remaining in the treasury, which are now in the hands of a trust company, shall be used for the erection of a suitable tablet in some public building, to commemorate the record of this gallant crew. The U. S. S. "Yosemite" was lost in a typhoon, off the Island of Guam, Pacific Ocean, November 13 to 16, 1900. The "Yosemite" room in the War Veterans Building, corner of Hastings Street and Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, contains relics and photographs of this expedition. Page forty-three THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Librarian's Note The compilator of this record (Mr. Joseph S. Stringham) was also a member of the "Yosemite" crew, but he has modestly made no mention of himself. His title on the ship, "Jack-o-the-Dust," is from an old nautical term of unknown origin and needs some explanation. He was attached to the Paymaster's Department, and had charge of the food, small stores, and supplies, which were furnished to the ship's company, and for this service received five dollars per month extra. Since the Spanish-American War, he has been a member of the Board of Education, a commissioner of the Public Library, and Research Engineer for the City of Detroit. He was a captain in the Ordnance Department of the U. S. Army during the World War. Medals Four medals were awarded the members of the crew for this war service. The "Sampson Medal," issued by our Government, is marked "U. S. Naval Campaign, West Indies, 1898," and on the reverse side are the words, "San Juan, P. R., June 28," which was the date of our engagement described in the text. The "Congressional Medal" is marked "United States Navy for Service," and on the reverse side, West Indies Campaign, 1898." The "State Medal" is marked from "The People of the State of Michigan," and on the reverse side, "War with Spain and Philippine Campaign, 1898-1900." The "City of Detroit Medal" was authorized "For Service in the Spanish-American War." Page forty-four State If lAtchiaqlwl Medal City q Det r~eroit Medal, T R INSS~~~~~~~~~~Y THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" "Yosemite" Reunion, 1928 J. S. STRINGHAM, Jack-o-the-Dust Tune-Old English Sea Song "Blow Ye Winds in the Morning." It's thirty years ago my boys That we were on the sea, We left the lakes and took a chance A Spaniard for to see. Chorus: Blow ye winds in the morning, Blow ye winds, Hi-o Clear away your running gear, And blow, boys, blow. We washed our clothes, And scrubbed the decks And did the bright work too, We carried stores and pulled the oars, A jolly whaleboat crew. The treasure ship refused to stop We fired across her bow; We beached her on a sandy shore, Where she is resting now. The Spanish fleet came out to fight And battle for their gold, But seamanship and rapid fire Against their ships soon told. And now we're headed home, my boys And bound for Yankee land, If ever I go to sea again, I hope I may be damned. But if we're in another war, The boatswain sounds the bell, You know the rest, we'll do our'best And give 'em merry hell Chorus: So, blow ye winds in the morning, Blow ye winds, Hi-o Clear away your running gear And blow, boys, blow. The Spanish fleet were in their port And guarded by the shore, The shots from "Morro" all fell short, Which made the Spaniards sore. Page forty-five THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" ADDENDA The Life of an American Sailor Rear Admiral William Hemsley Emory, United States Navy, from His Letters and Memoirs Edited by Rear Admiral Albert Gleaves, U. S. N., LL. D. Chapters xviIi and xlx: "War with Spain" The war with Spain was too short for every one in the Navy to get into it, and unless an officer of command rank was fortunate enough to be afloat when war was declared the chances were not many for obtaining a desirable command. Captain Emory was one of the fortunate ones, and in April, 1898, was ordered to command the Yosemite, which was intended for assignment in the Northern Patrol Squadron, under Rear Admiral J. A. Howell operating on the New England coast. This patrol had been established in deference to the urgent demands of the New England States for protection against a supposed dash on the coast by Spanish warships. So great was the apprehension that in some places it amounted almost to a panic. Many people sent away their valuables, and others who owned seaside homes abandoned them for the summer. A prominent banker in Boston shortly after the war, said that one day a friend came into his office and excitedly exclaimed, "Our deal is off until after the bombardment." "What bombardment?" asked Mr. Sears. "Why, the bombardment of Boston. The Spanish Fleet will be here in a few days." When the news was received of the sailing of Cervera's Squadron accompanied by destroyers the excitement was augmented, and it was not until it was definitely ascertained that Cervera's destination was the West Indies that the Department entirely disregarded the New England macedonian cries, and ordered the Northern Patrol Squadron, and Commodore Schley's Flying Squadron which was patrolling south of the Delaware Capes, to the Cuban blockade which was then established on the north coast from Havana eastward to Cardenas. This blockade from Cardenas to Sagua la Grande was placed under command of Howell; Schley joined Sampson off Santiago after coaling at Key West. Page forty-six .................... THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Immediately preceding the declaration of war with Spain, the North Atlantic Fleet was under the command of Rear Admiral Montgomery Sicard, an officer of unusual accomplishments and distinguished service. Unfortunately his failing health compelled him to relinquish the command shortly after the destruction of the Maine, and he was succeeded by Captain William T. Sampson, at the time commanding the battleship Iowa. Sampson's reputation was exceptionally high, and as a scientist he probably had no equal in the service. His selection for the chief command and his simultaneous promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral was received with satisfaction in the Fleet. On the 22nd of April, 1897, at 8.00 A.M., Sampson hoisted the flag of a Rear Admiral in the New York, then lying off Sand Key Light House at Key West. In the hurried preparation for war the Navy Department found it necessary to purchase an auxiliary fleet to assist in naval operations. One of the most important purchases of ships was that of the four Morgan liners El Norte, El Sud, El Sol, El Rio, renamed the Yankee, Yosemite, Prairie, and Dixie. They were about sixty-five hundred tons' displacement, three hundred and ninety-one feet long, forty-eight foot beam, and drew about twenty-one feet of water. They carried over thirteen hundred tons of coal and had a maintained sea speed of sixteen knots. The Yosemite (El Sud) was commissioned on May 2nd at the Newport News Shipbuilding Company. The regular Navy officers detailed to her besides the Captain were Lieutenant Nathan Sargent, Emory's brilliant executive in the Petrel, and whose orders to the Yosemite had been requested by Emory, Lieutenant James T. Smith, navigator, and a marine officer. The other officers and all the crew except forty marines were originally members of the Michigan State Naval Brigade, and were commissioned and enlisted in the regular Navy on board the Receiving Ship Franklin about the 28th of April. Emory reported that of the three hundred persons comprising the ship's company there were only about six habituated to a sea-faring life. In addition to the three officers of the regular Navy, there were Ensigns Burnes and George Eustis, Lieutenant Gilbert Wilkes and Chief Engineer M. E. Cooley, the last two graduates of the Naval Academy who had resigned from the Navy some years before, and the following officers of the Reserve: Lieutenants Truman Newberry and Lothrop, Ensigns Hendrie, Parker, Eaton, Standish, Gaylord, and Assistant Engineer Mehlman. Emory says: "Physically and mentally it would be difficult to collect two hundred and sixty-seven men together, that being the number composing the Brigade, who would make a better showing." Page forty-seven THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Senator Newberry in a letter to the Editor says: "The crew of the Yosemite was composed of about sixty-seven per cent of University graduates, including the senior class in mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan, which, under the direction of Chief Engineer M. E. Cooley, a former naval officer, took charge of the engine room. The firemen were professionals. During this particular cruise, the Yosemite steamed about fifteen thousand miles without a mishap of any kind. Captain Emory was constantly on duty, and it was due to his high record as a naval officer, and to his keenness for active service that this ship saw more of all phases of the Spanish War in the Atlantic than any other vessel of which I have any record, having served on the Havana, Santiago, and Porto Rico blockades. We convoyed the first Marines and landed them, and were not in the United States waters from the time we left Key West until we returned to Hampton Roads, just before the Armistice." There was some difficulty experienced at first in breaking in the recruits, many of whom came from luxurious homes, to the roughness of sea life. The men did not get the viewpoint of the naval officers, and on the other hand the naval officers "naturally had some difficulty in comprehending the spirit that actuated members of the Naval Militia," writes Senator Newberry, "but I am glad to recall that with the able assistance of Nathan Sargent, Captain Emory trained and produced a crew in which he took great pride." The Yosemite did not get away from the dockyard until the 17th, and then dropped down to the anchorage at Old Point, Emory taking her down at night and without a pilot. I quote from Captain Emory's letters to his wife, which show his impatience to join the Fleet and his satisfaction in getting to sea. "HAMPTON ROADS, May 27, 1898. "My vessel could be most useful for her fighting qualities as well as for her coal endurance. Bicknell tells me that we are just the vessel wanted. May the Great God send us south as it kills my spirit to remain north. If I can get with Schley, I know he will let me lead into the harbour where Cervera's Fleet is. We should strike quickly and strike hard and damn the mines or defences." "May 28, 1898. "I have never thought Cervera's Squadron would remain long enough to be entrapped, and will be surprised if it turns out to be true. If so it will be fortunate." Page forty-eight THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" "May 29, 1898. "Logan1 commands the Armeria and is going south to join Schley or Sampson laden with ammunition. He has asked for a convoy. I think we will go but I have no intimation." "AT SEA, May 30, 1898. "Received following telegram from Secretary Long: 'Convoy Armeria to Key West. Department desires you to start as soon as practicable.' To this I replied: 'Will start as soon as Armeria is sighted. Am ready now.' Have telegraphed to Commandant Norfolk that I am awaiting Armeria and will start as soon as she arrives. I am crazy with delight." "KEY WEST, June 4, 1898. "Anchored at 7:30 P.M. yesterday. When Logan reached the Roads he found me waiting, and we have had a fine run down the coast. I did not hoist Senior Officer's Pennant, nor did I make but one signal and that was yesterday. "The current was very strong against us, although I was hugging the coast to get out of the strength of the Gulf Stream. At 9:00 A.M. yesterday was on the bridge in my bare feet, taking coffee, when made out with the German glasses Willie Eustis gave me, a man-of-war which to all appearances was one of the Spanish Fleet, and looked rather like the Viscaya or Oquendo. Signalled Logan to proceed with all speed to Key West, and that I would investigate the stranger which I soon overhauled. When within three miles, discovered that the vessel was not an armoured cruiser but a much smaller ship. We manoeuvred around each other. She proved to be the Marietta from San Francisco for Key West, and like the Oregon she had made her landfall at Jupiter Inlet. When the Marietta left San Francisco, the Yosemite was not in service, hence the failure to recognize us. "It might have been a fatal collision!" Of this incident Senator Newberry writes: "The Yosemite's first real experience came while off Miami, Florida, proceeding to Key West, convoying the ex-lighthouse tender Armeria, with munitions for the Fleet. At daylight smoke was sighted to the eastward. We went to general quarters and then ensued what was always jokingly referred to as the 'Battle of Fowey Rock.' The approaching steamer was headed directly for the Yosemite, and was not recognizable by any one on board; being painted black and not showing any colours, it was assumed to be an enemy. The Armeria was ordered to proceed, and the Yosemite and,The late Rear Admiral L. C. Logan, U. S. N. He married Elizabeth Porter, daughter of Admiral David D. Porter. Page forty-nine THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" the unknown black steamer manoeuvred out of range of each other for some time, and just as the Yosemite was prepared to commence firing, an old Marine Sergeant recognized the ship as the U. S. S. Marietta, which had come from the Pacific Coast in company with the Oregon which had preceded her by a few hours. We thereupon hauled down our battle flags and our signal number, which meant nothing to the Marietta, as we were to her a strange vessel, painted in war colours; and it required considerable signalling to bring her within hailing distance." "U. S. S. Yosemite, OFF KEY WEST, June 5, 1898. "Captain Taylor signalled us to investigate several steamers just sighted. They proved to be the Montgomery, flying the broad pennant of Commodore J. C. Watson, and two torpedo boats. Saluted the Commodore, then followed in his wake up the main ship channel to Key West. "Reported to Commodore Remey, commanding the Naval Base. He asked when I would be ready for sea. I replied that I had steam up in all boilers, any amount of coal, and could leave at once. "There was a conference between Commodore Remey and Commodore Watson, in which I was invited to join regarding the advisability of seeking a fast Spanish cruiser that had been seen cruising about the adjacent waters. Naturally the discussion was a long one. Watson, who commands the blockade off Havana, urging my being sent. Remey saying that he would do so if he could gain any definite details as to where the said Spanish cruiser would be, or of her haunts. I was asked what I would like to do. I replied, nothing better than the opportunity to lay myself alongside of any Spanish vessel. After consulting for some time it was determined that it would be searching for a needle in a haystack, and that if the Department could spare the Yosemite, she was wanted for more certain service, after which I could go in search of the Terror of the Seas. The Department was telegraphed asking permission to keep the Yosemite, as she would be of great service. "This morning I was gratified by receiving my orders to sail Tuesday A. M., to go outside the reef and report to Taylor who commands the Indiana battleship. He will command a powerful force of vessels. We then go about thirty miles from here to a rendezvous, where we are to meet the transports with Shafter's Army Corps. I do not know our destination, but think it is Guantanamo or Cumberland Harbour, a port about forty miles to the eastward of Santiago de Cuba, on the southeastern end of the island. When once the Army is landed we go after the Spanish cruiser, or join Sampson and Schley at Santiago. Of course I do not know where we are going. Page fifty THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" "Captain Taylor, who has been assigned as senior officer, to convoy the fleet of thirty-six Army transports for the capture of Santiago, came aboard and we had a long consultation. I helped him in preparing the details and got on shore in the afternoon. When I arrived there I received additional orders to cruise off Havana and capture or destroy the auxiliary cruisers of which there are two like ourselves and about the same battery and personnel. The names of these two Spanish cruisers are the Montera and the Aviles. If the Lord is good He will give me this chance, for I will give either one of them the best whipping or get it myself, that the world ever heard of. I am to remain only two days off Havana and then to go to the rendezvous at Tortugas on the 9th, and then to Santiago with the convoys. Taylor has given me the best position after himself, the position next the Cuban coast." "AT SEA OFF THE CUBAN COAST, June 7, 1898. "Coaled all night and got underway at 10 o'clock. After passing the reef saluted the Indiana, and then headed for Havana, sighting land at half past two o'clock, and at three o'clock were about five miles from Morro Castle, and the lighthouse and batteries all in plain view. Then headed for senior ship which proved to be the Amphritrite, Captain Barclay commanding. Although the sea was smooth and a moderate breeze blowing, the Amphritrite was rolling her free-board under, while at the same time the Yosemite had no motion. "On leaving Key West my orders from Commodore Remey were to remain forty-eight hours off Havana, and then to leave in time to arrive at the rendezvous designated off the Island of Dry Tortugas, where the Fleet was to assemble on the 9th of June, to convoy the army corps from Tampa to its destination." "AT SEA, June 8, 1898. "About 3:30 A. M., just before daylight, made our secret lights to an approaching vessel. The signal was made by the Ardois lanterns. The vessel proved to be the Panther, Commander Reiter, commanding, having on board eight hundred and fifty marines commanded by Colonel Huntington. "Captain McCauley is the Quartermaster of this regiment. Captain Reiter had orders for me to convoy his ship to Admiral Sampson at Santiago de Cuba. We started at once. "On the voyage there were several incidents. Off Port Baracoa sighted a boat under sail standing for the ship. Thinking she might have important information communicated with her. The boat contained five men. As the leader of the party had no credentials or letters patent to show his authority, I was not certain whether he belonged to the insurgents as he claimed, or whether he was a Spanish spy. The crowd being so filthy I put them back in their boat and started on. Page fifty-one THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" "About 9 P. m. when in the Old Bahama Channel sighted a steamer and forced her to lay to. Went to general quarters for battle on sighting this vessel, as there was nothing in her appearance by which we could distinguish whether she was a warship or a merchantman. Ranged alongside the steamer and as the Captain refused to answer my hail, thought we had captured a valuable prize; boarded her and found her to be the steamer Franklin flying Norwegian colours, bound from Vera Cruz to Nuevitas, Cuba, laden with Mexican merchandise. Nuevitas not being a blockaded port, permitted her to stand on. "About 10 P. M., a few minutes after the battery had been secured, and the watch below turned in, sighted a couple of search-lights about the middle of the Bahama Channel. As the search-lights and general character indicated the vessels to be torpedo boats or men-of-war, sounded alarm and went to general quarters for battle. Speeded the ship to sixteen knots and put the Yosemite between the supposed enemy and our convoy the Panther. The vessels proved to be one of our torpedo boats, and several fast converted steam yachts. They showed their numbers just in time to escape being fired on by the secondary battery of this ship which would have sunk them all in a few moments." "AT SEA, June 10, 1898. "About 5:30 A. M. sighted our fleet blockading off Santiago, and at 7 A. M. lay to off the Flagship New York with the convoy, awaiting instruction. "About 9:30 A. M. went close to the Flagship and was directed by the Admiral to convoy the Panther to Guantanamo, and assist in landing the marines in that harbour, and to keep close in to the coast, and to fire on any blockhouse that I might discover. We did not see any blockhouses, but on the crest of a hill about three hundred feet high saw a battery of three modern guns with a Spanish flag hoisted at the flagstaff. Fired about four broadsides with the port batteries. Several shots struck the battery. The battery did not return our fire. We could not delay to finish its destruction, as our convoy was drawing ahead, so steamed for Guantanamo, where we arrived at 1:30 the same day." "The Yosemite boats landed the first American troops that arrived in Cuba, at Fisherman's Point, after shelling the few scattered Spanish soldiers who had mounted two field guns at the Point. These guns were taken to the Yosemite and are now in the possession of the State of Michigan, at Detroit." (Senator Newberry.) "AT SEA, June 10, 1898. "Guantanamo was occupied several days ago by our naval force. Little, if any, opposition was met with. This is all the more peculiar as the harbour, Page fifty-two THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" although more contracted, is next in importance as a strategic base, to Santiago. It is only forty-two miles from Santiago, and this permits the vessels of the blockading fleet to coal quickly, and return to their stations on the blockade, whereas in the most favourable weather, coaling at sea is very difficult and the vessels liable to serious injury. The importance of this harbour cannot be overestimated, either from a strategic or diplomatic point of view. It gives us a foothold in Cuba, which used as a base will soon end in the absorption of the entire Island by our military and naval forces. "At three o'clock the disembarkation of the marines commenced and was effected by the boats of the Yosemite, Marblehead, Panther and Dolphin. "Before landing all of the buildings of Guantanamo were burned in order to avoid danger of yellow fever and to lessen the number of insects which the Spaniards do not dislike so much as do the Anglo-Saxon. "Of course the eight hundred and fifty marines under Colonel Huntington would be inadequate as a force to hold this position, were they not protected by the guns of the naval vessels which are anchored to command all of the approaches to the encampment. "About three miles above Guantanamo is the Port of Caymanera, where there is a railway connecting with Sta Catalina del Guaso and a military road direct to Santiago. This place is defended by a fort, a Spanish gunboat and about three thousand troops. The place would have been occupied several days ago, upon the first arrival of our vessels, were it not that the insurgents report all the navigable waters leading from our anchorage to Caymanera heavily mined. To ascertain this fact, steam launches were sent out at nightfall to examine the approaches to Caymanera. The steam launch from this ship was commanded by Lieutenant Newberry; Mr. Eustis volunteered and was permitted to go with the party. They returned at 6 A. M. this morning after having conducted an investigation to a position under the guns of the fort, and report that they have carefully dragged the river and fail to find any submarine mines. Whether they are there or not, Caymanera must be taken, as it is the key to Santiago de Cuba, where Cervera's Fleet is bottled. As our Fleet cannot now enter Santiago since the Merrimac was sunk, the capture of Santiago must be enforced by the army, which will have to land at Caymanera and march overland." "June 11, 1898. "I have requested that the Yosemite may be permitted to effect a reduc. tion of the defences of Caymanera, and hope that permission to do so may be given. The channel is narrow and the waters just permit the Yosemite to pass up. I hope it can be done without grounding. Page fifty-three THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" "Very hot weather which is tempered by the sea breeze. "The boats of this ship were engaged all morning in landing Quartermaster and commissary stores for the regiment of marines ashore. At 10 o'clock went aboard the Marblehead to see the senior officer present, Commander McCalla. Found the Marblehead coaling alongside of the collier Abarenda, commanded by acting Lieutenant Commander Buford. Buford graduated at the naval school a year before I did, but resigned from the service about fifteen years ago to try his hand at ranching. All of the officers of his collier are graduates of the naval school who resigned, and who have returned to the service for the war. They were all glad to get afloat under any circumstances, but regret extremely that they cannot show their patriotism aboard of a man-of-war instead of aboard a collier. On the port side of the Marblehead the Vixen, a converted yacht used as a dispatch vessel, was also coaling. The Vixen is commanded by Lieutenant Sharpe, a nephew of General Grant. "The Yosemite sailed from Guantanamo at 2 P. M. and joined the Fleet the same day. "At four o'clock was signalled by the Admiral in the Flagship New York to repair on board. Met with a cordial greeting from Admiral Sampson, Captain Chadwick, commanding the New York and also Chief of Staff, and Lieutenant Staunton, the Flag Lieutenant. Had an interesting conversation of half an hour, the topic being the qualities and efficiency of the Yosemite. I then was obliged to leave and go aboard ship, and put the Yosemite in her station for the night, which was between the Flagship and the New Orleans. When night set in steamed to within three or four miles of Morro Castle, and kept that station during the night." "SANTIAGO BLOCKADE, June 12, 1898. "At daylight steamed about six miles from Morro Castle, keeping relative position. "About 9 A. M. the Yankee, Commander Brownson, was sighted. She had been to Kingston with dispatches from the Admiral concerning the bombardment June 6, and the occupation of Guantanamo. "At 9:30 A. M.went near the Flagship, and received orders to cruise in the waters adjacent to the Island of Jamaica to capture a Spanish merchant steamer, Purissima Concepcion. This merchant steamer I was informed would leave Kingston, Jamaica,on Monday, June 13, bound for Cienguegos. Brownson of the Yankee was ordered to look for her off the Cuban coast." "AT SEA, June 13, 1898. "Arrived Sunday night off Point Negril on the southwest coast of Jamaica, keeping close to the Point at night, and out of sight in the daytime." Page fifty-four THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" "AT SEA, June 14, 1898. "The Yosemite is now steaming slowly on a direct line between the light on Point Negril and Cape Cruz, Cuba, as it is believed that the Purissima Concepcion will head direct to the nearest point of the coast of Cuba, which is Cape Cruz. The cruise in search of the Concepcion will be continued until Wednesday afternoon, when will go to Kingston for information and dispatches. The stop at Jamaica will of necessity be only twentyfour hours as the neutrality laws only give a belligerent twenty-four hours to stay in port unless vital repairs are necessary. Even this short stay is welcomed by all hands as it will allow the opportunity of buying at cheap rates many necessities that were overlooked before sailing from Hampton Roads." "AT SEA, June 15, 1898. "Cruised on a line drawn between Cape Cruz and Point Negril until midnight of the 15th when stood for Kingston, blowing fresh and weather so thick as not to be able to distinguish objects. Entered Kingston harbour and anchored at 11 A. M., and ascertained from the United States Consul that the Purissima Concepcion had sailed at four this A. M. "Even if we could have left at once it would have been of no avail, as the start of seven hours gained by the Purissima Concepcion was too great for her to be overtaken. Upon calling to the Consul's attention that he had informed me through Captain Brownson that the P. C. would leave not later than Monday the 13th, he replied that the vessel's detention beyond Monday was due to him. The Consul, learning on June 10th that the P. C. had applied for a change of registry, which would have permitted her to fly English colours, fought the matter out in the courts and gained his case. Although he gained his case he delayed the sailing of the P. C. from Monday morning until Thursday morning. There is one satisfaction about the matter, and that is that my judgment that the P. C. would make directly for Cape Cruz was correct. Her cargo is valued at $200,000. "During the twenty-four hours' stay at Kingston, received numerous dispatches from the Secretary of the Navy for Admiral Sampson, and also one from the Secretary informing me that there were no further orders, and that the army had sailed on June 16th from the Tortugas. There being nothing to detain the vessel further, sailed from Kingston on Friday, June 17th. "Started to the westward and rounded Point Negril, the western end of Jamaica, about midnight the same day. The next morning took a look into Montego Bay. Did not anchor, but started for the Cuban coast. I-I. M. S. Talbot, cruiser of fifty-six hundred tons displacement, was anchored at Montego Bay. Sighted Cape Cruz the same afternoon, started down the coast keeping about five miles from the same. Page fifty-five THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" "At 10 A. M. ran under the stern of the Flagship, and went on board; delivered in person the Department's dispatches to the Admiral. Passed two interesting and pleasant hours with the Admiral and his Flag Lieutenant and Assistant Chief of Staff. The Admiral asked me when I would be ready to go to Porto Rico; told him that I was ready to go at once. He directed me to go to Guantanamo, and take aboard the six hundred tons of coal that I needed, and then to proceed to join the blockade off San Juan, Porto Rico. The Admiral gave me his oral instructions while Lieutenant Marsh, the Flag Secretary under the direction of Lieutenant Staunton, made out all the necessary papers for my information concerning San Juan. "Carried to the Admiral, who is an old personal friend of mine, two rolls of Devonshire butter and a basket of Alligator pears, and pomegranates, which he seemed to appreciate very much. Left the Squadron at 1 P. M. and arrived at Guantanamo at 4 P. M. and made fast alongside the Abarenda." "While here the Yosemite assisted in clearing the river from mines and participated in a night attack by launches, which resulted in the sinking of the Spanish Gunboat Sandoval by her own crew. We observed from the harbour the passage of the transports toward Santiago with the Army." (Newberry.) "AT SEA, June 16, 1898. "The newspaper accounts have undoubtedly given full details of the attack upon the battalion of marines we landed at this place about a week ago, an attack upon them which was repeated three successive nights. The marines landed and encamped in aposition chosen by Commander McCalla,2 who, being the senior officer, had power to direct. Colonel Huntington was told that he need not expect any annoyance from the enemy as they had deserted the peninsula upon which the encampment was made. The tents of the nine hundred men were pitched on the side of a hill at the foot of which was a valley with a road and in a hill opposite less than one thousand yards distant and commanding the encampment. "The night attacks were not made by a force as large as that of the marines, but were made by bushwhackers who could crawl through the thick chaparral like so many snakes. They were armed with the improved Mauser rifle and used smokeless powder, so that in the daytime their position could not be seen as there was no smoke. At night their position could be determined only by the flash of their rifles, but in the nighttime they 'Afterwards Rear Admiral. He commanded American Naval Brigade during the Boxer troubles and was wounded at Tientsin. Page fifty-six THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" dug rifle pits with their machetes. They did not fear pursuit as it is difficult for any one but a native to negotiate the chaparral at night. To their scanty garments they added palm leaves which made it difficult to discern them, even in the daytime. "With a full supply of ammunition, the Spanish force composed of regulars and irregulars made it very uncomfortable for the marines for three nights, attacking them on all sides except that occupied by the vessels. On the fourth day it was decided to make a counter-attack. "This was delivered by the marines at the encampment of the Spanish force about six miles distant. The Spaniards were surrounded on three sides and their force, composed of six companies, was entirely routed with the loss of a large number killed and wounded. Since this engagement the Spaniards appear to have left the peninsula, at least in the vicinity of the encampment. "During our absence the battleship Texas and the Marblehead made an attack on the fort situated about three miles from here, and in a few minutes silenced it. There was no reply worthy of mention. In making this attack the propellers of both ships brought to the surface a torpedo of French construction of 1896-a contact torpedo containing a charge of fifty-four kilos of gun cotton. These torpedoes are of the most approved type but failed to function as they had been submerged since April, and the marine growth which is so great in these waters completely prevented the action of the levers which would have discharged the torpedo. Since that date, however, about five days ago, the ships have let Caymanera and the forts alone. They have since the attack been sweeping the channel for mines, and have already secured seven of the twelve supposed to have been planted in April last. "The Cuban Army at this place includes about four hundred men of all hues and colours. There is no question of their intense patriotism and great bravery. They will be of great assistance to our troops, not only from their knowledge of the topography, but in showing our own soldiers how to adapt themselves to the fighting conditions of this country. The Cuban encampment is on the shore, just below that of the marines. "Fremont,3 commanding the torpedo boat Porter, came alongside last night and told me that about three-fourths of our Army had landed in the Bay of Altares. This is the Bay protected by the fort which the Yosemite shelled about ten days ago. The Army met with no opposition." Emory sailed from Guantanamo on the 23rd of June to join Sigsbee in the blockade of Porto Rico. 3Afterwards Rear Admiral John C. Fremont, Jr. Page fifty-seven THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" On June 25th he sighted the St. Paul off the harbour of San Juan, and in obedience to signal from Captain Sigsbee he went on board. Sigsbee informed him that the St. Paul had arrived off San Juan on the 22nd of June, and about noon the same day he had been attacked by the Spanish destroyer Terror. Emory writes to his wife: "OFF SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, July 1, 1898. "The Terror is a vessel of about four hundred tons displacement, and the same one that was in South American waters when the battleship Oregon was making her cruise around the Horn, and was the cause of much anxiety to our Government. Before leaving Santiago Admiral Sampson informed me that the Terror was at San Juan, but that she must not be counted as adding anything to the Spanish aggressive force, as it was reported her boilers and machinery were in such bad condition that she had dismounted her battery. This false information had been purposely circulated as the Terror attacked the St. Paul with apparently undiminished speed and with her fourteen pdr. Maxim-Nordenfeldt guns in full play. Fortunately the St. Paul had excellent gunners on board. They did that day about the best shooting I have ever heard of. The Terror was speeding about twenty-five knots an hour towards the St. Paul, bows on and presented only a spot on the ocean, yet at six thousand yards (about three miles) the Terror was struck by three five-inch shells, one of her three smokestacks being carried away and otherwise apparently much damaged. From the information since obtained, it appears that three men were killed, and the plates above the water line ruptured. "Captain Sigsbee informed me that he would remain three days with me before coaling up, at which time he hoped that more vessels would join the blockade. "As a most agreeable incident connected with my visit to the St. Paul, I met there my old friend, S. Nicholson Kane, with whom so many pleasant memories are connected. He graduated number one of my class in 1866, and during the summer of that year commanded the yacht America, aboard which his intimate friends served as officers, myself being one of the number. An even more pleasant recollection is that he was the best man at our wedding ten years later. "On Sunday, June 26th, the English steamer Ravendale was boarded by the St. Paul, after which Captain Sigsbee signalled to the Yosemite to come within hail, and megaphoned me several messages." Page fifty-eight THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" "U. S. S. Yosemite "PORTO RICO BLOCKADE, July 1, 1898. "Captain Sigsbee having changed his plans, the St. Paul sailed north about 1 P. M., June 26th, and the Yosemite continued the blockade alone, although there should have been at least a half dozen ships. On Monday overhauled a small sailing vessel under the guns of the shore batteries. They did not open on us. The master of the ship seemed to be a deserving man with his little all, which was probably the savings of a lifetime represented by his cargo, a few tons of bad wine, besides which he behaved courageously in not lowering his Spanish flag. Let him go with directions to give my compliments to the Governor and Commanding General, and to say to them that I would call later." The next day Emory had an engagement with the Isabel II and two gunboats which came out of the harbour of San Juan to the rescue of the Antonio Lopez, a blockade runner which the Yosemite had driven on the beach to the westward of the Morro. Lieutenant Truman Newberry was the officer of the deck in the morning watch when a ship was sighted to the northward and westward at daylight coming out of the mist and rain about four thousand yards distant. The Yosemite at the time was slowly circling about five miles to the northward and westward of the Morro Castle. General quarters was at once sounded, and the Yosemite headed for the stranger at full speed, and as soon as she got within easy range opened fire with her five-inch guns. The steamer headed in shore which was about three miles distant, but the Yosemite headed closer in to cut her off, seeing which the steamer deliberately beached herself about six miles from the Morro. The Yosemite worked her way in as close as the reefs permitted, and was pouring in a heavy fire of shell and shrapnel, when she turned to engage a Spanish cruiser, which proved to be the Isabel II, and also two gunboats which approached at full speed to drive her off. During this time the Yosemite was under fire from the Morro and the water batteries, and although their projectiles went over and close to the Yosemite none struck the ship. The Yosemite headed for the Spanish vessels and drove them back under the guns of the Castle. In the meantime a torpedo boat came out, and under a heavy fire from the Yosemite succeeded in getting under the lee of the beached steamer upon which the Yosemite reopened fire, and continued until she was set on fire by the bursting shell. Page fifty-nine THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Emory termed this fight an "outpost affair," but nevertheless the action was distinctly creditable to the Yosemite, inasmuch as she successfully fought a superior force, and maintained the blockade unbroken. The steamer proved to be the Antonio Lopez, an armed transport of about five thousand tons. The usual battery of vessels of her class was six 5.5 inch Honotoria guns, and although for some reason she did not use her guns in this encounter, they were plainly visible to the people in the Yosemite. The Spanish vessels taking part in the fight were the Isabella II, Ponce de Leon, General Concha, and the Criola. The cruiser Isabella II was eleven hundred and fifty tons displacement and according to the official records in the Navy Department her main battery consisted of four 4.7 inch Honotoria guns, but Emory claimed she carried two pivot guns of 8 inch or 9.2 inch calibre. The other vessels were small gunboats of three hundred to five hundred tons armoured with rapid fire guns, except the General Concha, five hundred and twenty-five tons which carried three 4.7 inch guns. The total complement of the Spanish ships was five hundred and ninety-one, about twice that of the Yosemite. Of this engagement Senator Newberry says:4 "We sighted the Spanish mail steamer Antonio Lopez approaching along the shore from the westward, about five miles from the harbour entrance. We opened fire and drove her ashore, and were immediately attacked by the Spanish destroyer and two small Spanish gun boats, which came out of the harbour under cover of some very accurate firing by the Honotoria guns, I think, served by German gunners, and mounted on the Morro. This engagement lasted about four hours. The Spanish gun boats retired into the harbour and the Yosemite returned to her station; meanwhile the passengers and crew of the Lopez had escaped ashore and a Spanish field battery took up a position to repel any efforts we might make to board the Lopez; and were therefore, enabled to unload most of her cargo, as she was also protected by the guns of Morro Castle. "It might be interesting to note that with the exception of the years 1918 and 1919, the crew of the Yosemite have held an annual reunion at or near Detroit on the anniversary of their fight off San Juan on June 28, 1898, for which fight the officers and crew were awarded bounty money for overcoming a superior force, which amounted to about four months' pay for each officer and man. 4 Letter to the Editor Page sixty THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" "This, I believe, was the only bounty money awarded in the war with Spain, and as the law has been repealed, probably the last bounty that will ever be given to our Naval service." Emory to the Commander-in-Chief: "AT SEA, BLOCKADING, July 3, 1898. "1. The following vessels beached, destroyed or warned since Sunday, June 26th, since which time the Yosemite has been the only vessel blockading this port. "2. Tuesday, June 28th, Spanish steamer between four and five thousand tons displacement, name unknown, beached and apparently bilged in the same position as run on shore and deserted. "3. On Wednesday, June 29th, overhauled Spanish three-masted schooner Joven Maria, about fifty tons displacement, laden with salt, brought to near reefs. Old and unseaworthy-scuttled. "4. Sunday, July 3rd, overhauled English steamer Gayo Blanco, of London to Jamaica, but apparently entering San Juan. Warned, and warning entered on her register. "5. Sunday, July 3rd, overhauled with difficulty English steamer H. M. Pollock of London. Had sailed from Arecibo, a port a short distance to the westward of this place, cleared for Port Medio Mundo on eastern end of Island. Overhauled the vessel carefully and found her partially loaded with a cargo of sugar. Have no doubt from the efforts of the vessel that she intended to go in to San Juan. Warned the master, and entered the warning in log. When the Pollock was last seen she was hull down to the eastward of San Juan Harbor." "ON THE BLOCKADE, July 4, 1898. "1. About 5:30 this morning, Morro Castle bearing about southeast mag. seven miles, discovered smoke on the horizon close to the shore and bearing about east by south. Steamed at full speed for the strange vessel, but before bringing her within range of our guns she changed course from about east to due south and entered the port under the protection of the heavy guns of the New Sunk Battery. Approached as near as our exposed boilers would permit, and made out the vessel to be a large steamer of the French Line, showing French colours and unquestionably a French mail steamer. "2. I feel confident of our overhauling the steamer if she comes out of port in the daytime. Should she come out at night, however, she may get to sea without being overhauled as the weather at night is squally and vision greatly obscured. Page sixty-one THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" "3. At this date 11 A. M., Monday, July 4th, the Yosemite is the only vessel of the Fleet blockading this port." "On July 4th Captain Emory steamed directly for the Morro, stopped at a distance of about two miles, hoisted the battle flags and fired the national salute, to which no attention was paid by the Spanish fort. We afterward learned from the San Juan newspapers of that date that 'An American warship steamed in at noon to-day and fired a national salute in honour of the naval victory at Santiago,' which, by the way, we did not know anything about until we were relieved by the New Orleans many days later."5 "AT SEA, July 5, 1898. "1. This morning about six saw a steamer come out of the harbour of San Juan and steam to the westward. Steamed to a position sufficiently far to the westward to be out of range of the batteries and also to overtake the cruiser with the long range guns in case she should come out and fire at the Yosemite before she could hoist the boarding boat. "2. The steamer stopped her engines and remained about an hour within the range of the guns of Morro, evidently hoping that she would be boarded there. Finding that the Yosemite paid no attention to her in that position, she steamed various courses to lead the Yosemite under the Spanish guns, but failing to do so finally stood to us and was boarded about 8 A. M. this day. "3. She proved to be the French steamer Olinde Rodriques, a vessel of the Trans-Atlantique Line, from St. Thomas for San Juan, Hayti, and Mexican ports and the same vessel that evaded the Yosemite yesterday and ran in to San Juan. The master of the Olinde Rodriques averred that he knew nothing of the blockade of the port of San Juan and that neither the French Consul at St. Thomas nor at San Juan were aware that a blockade was established. These statements are regarded by me as untruthful as the master of the Olinde Rodriques changed his course eight points to get under the protection of the sunken battery of San Juan yesterday, and to-day wasted nearly two hours of time in attempting to make the Yosemite board him within range of Morro. "4. The Olinde Rodriques was duly warned and the warning entered in writing." "SAN JUAN BLOCKADE, July 8, 1898. "From the moment that we lost sight of the St. Paul, now twelve days ago, we have laid our eyes on nothing more friendly than the Spanish ensign, or more inviting than Morro Castle. 'Letter from Senator Truman Newberry to Editor. Page sixty-two THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" "Although I consider the Spanish naval force in Puerto Rico superior to the Yosemite, I consider that if they should come out to sea sufficiently to be beyond the range of their shore batteries, that the Yosemite can, if properly handled, defeat them by doing it in detail. That is by drawing the Terror and torpedo boat sufficiently far off to destroy them before the cruiser and gunboat can get up sufficiently near to engage, and then steam with full speed for the cruiser and gunboat with the possible chance of their destruction or capture before they can return under the protection of the guns of the fortifications. "It appears to me that we should take this place at once, and I think that we have a sufficient number of vessels to spare from Santiago to do the business. The fort is well defended with a number of high power guns, but a fleet could rapidly pass these and the torpedoes with but little loss. "The large Spanish steamer that the Yosemite drove on the beach on Tuesday, June 28th, is now bilged and a wreck, in the same position that she went ashore. We are cruising constantly hoping to capture a valuable prize and to overtake her sufficiently off shore to secure her intact. So far all vessels overhauled at sea or off soundings have been vessels carrying neutral flags. "For several nights past it has been quite stormy. At times when the weather clears the light on Morro Castle, which is one of the first order, is flashed at intervals. This indicates that something is expected. Whether a Spanish transport, a merchantman, a man-of-war or Camara's Fleet, we do not know. Sufficient time has elapsed, now over two weeks, since the arrival of the St. Paul at this port for Camara's Fleet or reinforcements of some kind to be at this place." "ON THE BLOCKADE, July 15, 1898. "When I last gave any attention to my log was last Friday, just a week ago to-day. Since that time the weather has been rugged and wet, and the ship has been subjected in every way to the vexations of a blockade where one ship has been required to do the work of three or four. Boarding vessels that appear in the offing has ceased to be an excitement. But we have the momentary expectation of a reinforcement of one or more vessels, or what is more probable the arrival of several Spanish men-of-war, as Madrid has had three weeks' notice of the blockade of San Juan by one vessel. Our doubts were dispelled yesterday afternoon about 4 P. M., by the arrival of the cruiser New Orleans commanded by my friend Captain Folger. "When the New Orleans was sighted, and before she was identified except as a powerful man-of-war, it was impossible for any one aboard theYosemite to divine whether she was a friend or a foe. I don't know what others' feelPage sizty-three THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" ings were, but I know what mine were. Perhaps it would be better to stop here, but as I may be mistaken I think it better to say that the only unkind feeling I had was that I should be left here alone for three weeks with a vessel inferior in force to the Spanish vessels in the port I am blockading, these Spanish vessels being a cruiser with heavier guns than the Yosemite, a Spanish gunboat, the well known torpedo boat catcher the Terror, and a torpedo boat of the first class. "Gave Captain Folger a written detail of everything that has occurred during the time that the Yosemite has been off San Juan. Received from him orders attaching the Yosemite to the Eastern Squadron organized to attack the coast of Spain; to proceed immediately to St. Thomas, fill up with coal and provisions for four months and await orders. These orders were signed by Commodore Watson, commanding the Eastern Squadron." "ST. THOMAS, D. W. I., July 16, 1898. "I am now writing Saturday morning, July 16th, at St. Thomas, where the Yosemite is anchored. It being impossible to coal and provision ship in the time permitted by the neutrality laws for the vessel to stay in porttwenty-four hours-I have been obliged to have recourse to diplomatic usage in order to have a longer stay. Only in this case I told the truth, and that is that the last ten days my coal bunkers have been on fire from spontaneous combustion, and before coaling it is necessary to take precautions in the way of repairs that our experience may not be repeated. "I have asked permission of the Governor to remain three days, and I believe that this will be granted. I am not certain that I will be able to avail myself of all this time because I see by the papers that the Eastern Squadron has been preparing for over three weeks for their present cruise, the destination of which now appears to be Manila or some place in the East Indies. "As everything is going with a great rush I must stop. I know of no details but my surmise is that the Squadron will proceed with speed to overtake Camara's Squadron wherever found. This naturally delights all hands as it presents an opportunity of being engaged in what may be one of the most successful expeditions of this war." "AT SEA, July 21, 1898. "My last log was finished when heading down the northern coast of Puerto Rico through the Virgin Passage. Arrived at St. Thomas in the afternoon and there found three telegrams from Admiral Sampson; two were dated June 27th and one July 7th. They were all of the same purport. They directed the Yosemite to fill up with coal and provisions and to return at once to Santiago de Cuba. Seeing these two telegrams filled me with great Page sixty-four THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" chagrin, for had it been possible for us to have any knowledge of their existence, the Yosemite would have arrived off Santiago in time to have taken part in that glorious day, the 3rd of July, when Cervera's Fleet was defeated. The Yosemite has the speed, and it is my belief that with our powerful quick firing battery that she would have had one of the Spanish belted cruisers as her prize. "Had the New Orleans not arrived I should not have left the blockade until July 25th, and in fact would have stayed longer than that date were I not aware that that was the hurricane season, and that it would not be safe to keep the ship at sea any longer without having a sufficient supply of coal. "On the second day of our stay at St. Thomas, and while expecting orders to join the Eastern Squadron at Mole St. Nicholas, and from there to sail for Manila via Suez Canal, a telegram came from the Secretary of the Navy directing the Yosemite to tow the American schooner Ida C. Southard, then at anchor at St. Thomas, to Playa del Este if the Danish Government would permit. The Governor objected as the schooner had a cargo of coal taken aboard at St. Thomas in violation of the neutrality laws. This was quite within the Danish Government's rights, so I did not interfere in the matter. It was quite in concert with every one's feelings as had we been obliged to tow the schooner to Playa del Este we might have missed being a component part of the Eastern Squadron. "At ten o'clock on the night of July 17th a telegram was received from Commodore Watson, the Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Squadron, dated Playa del Este same day, directing the Yosemite to proceed immediately to Hampton Roads. In obedience thereto the Yosemite sailed next day and is now en route, this being written on Thursday about 11 A. M., July 21st. We have come so far at a speed averaging thirteen and a half knots, and expect to arrive at Hampton Roads, Virginia, before dark tomorrow afternoon. "The Yosemite is ready to sail at once for the East Indies upon her arrival if so ordered, but if she remains some days waiting for the battleships to dock there can be much done to increase her efficiency. Thus ends the cruise with Admiral Sampson's West Indies Fleet. The next log will commence with the cruise of the Eastern Squadron." The war ended on the 12th of August, and the Eastern Squadron was of course demobilised. Page sixty-five THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" The Yosemite's war service was ended. Later she was sent to Guam as a Station Ship, and while there went down in a typhoon. Her sister ship, the Yankee, was wrecked in Buzzard Bay. The other two, Prairie and Dixie, are still in service. The Yosemite was alone off San Juan for three weeks, and there was not a little criticism that an unarmoured auxiliary with unprotected boilers should have been kept unsupported and exposed for such a long time to superior force. The answer is partially at least, the lack of ships to reinforce her, and the unbounded confidence of the Commander-in-Chief in Emory's courage, determination and ability to maintain the blockade against the heavy odds opposed to him. Senator Newberry was with Emory in the Yosemite, and saw him day and night during the trying weeks of the blockade, and he saw him in the supreme test of battle. He says: "It gives me real pleasure to record my own appreciation of Admiral Emory's efficiency as a naval officer, his remarkable energy, and constant watchfulness over his crew and his ship, and his everlasting efforts to procure orders that would bring his ship into any and every area where fighting might be expected. "My most vivid recollection of Admiral Emory was his constant pride and respect for the naval service, and respect for its best traditions. In appearance he was an ideal naval officer, and extremely punctilious in all matters of etiquette; and was what might well be described as a smart officer who took pride in the properly strict discipline of his crew, in their manly conduct, and in maintaining the ship and every part thereof in a condition of absolute cleanliness and preparedness for battle, and every other emergency incident to naval service. The first unusual experience which brought out the best of Captain Emory's character, pertained to the respect and welfare of his crew. The Yosemite was anchored off Old Point Comfort very early in May, 1898; some of the crew, who had as civilians been guests at the Hotel Chamberlain, were refused service and ordered out of the hotel by the manager. When Captain Emory heard of it he directed the enlisted men to proceed to the cafe, where he followed them and insisted that they should be served with whatever they ordered; and by this act impressed his crew with the honour they had in wearing the uniform of Page sixty-six THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" the United States, and impressed upon the Management the fact that the United States uniform must be given every privilege that is extended by public places to civilians. Naturally every officer and member of the crew admired and respected their commanding officer for this simple, but very thoughtful act, and I for one have never forgotten it, although I was not present at the time...." Rear Admiral William H. Emory died on July 14, 1917, in the seventy-first year of his age. He had served in the United States Navy for nearly fifty years, with honor to himself and credit to his country.-J. S. S. Page sixty-seven THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" Excerpts from THE DAILY GLEANER of Kingston, Jamaica THE WAR Tuesday, May 31, 1898 The "Purisima Concepci6n" Montego Bay, Saturday-The Spanish steamer "Purisima Concepcion" left for Kingston early this morning to arrive there before dark. Captain Hunter of the "Governor Blake" is on board, coasting to keep the vessel within the three mile limit.-By telegraph. The "Purisima Concepcion" arrived here on Saturday evening and came to an anchorage off above the Royal Mail Wharf. Thursday, June 2, 1898 The Spanish Merchantman The presence in the harbour of the Spanish steamer "Purisima Concepci6n" is not without import. We understand she is consigned to Messrs. Lascelles, De Mercado & Co. and is here to load a cargo of general provisions. She is bound for Cuba and the provisions are intended for the Spanish forces. Saturday, June 11, 1898 The "Purisima Concepci6n" The "Purisima Concepcion" has cleared, we are informed, for Manzanilla and it is expected she will leave Kingston within the next few days. Monday, June 13, 1898 To Change Their Register Application has been made to the Government to have the register of the Spanish steamers "Purisima Concepci6n" and "Benito Estrangu" changed to British. Both applications were being considered on Saturday. The "Purisima Concepci6n" was up to Saturday afternoon, lying at Messrs. Lascelles, De Mercado & Co.'s wharf loading for a port in Cuba. The "Benito Estrangu" is also here to load supplies for Cuba. Page sixty-eight THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" In the afternoon we were informed that the application for the British register to the "Purisima Concepci6n" had been granted. The loading of the ship was carried on up to Saturday night and it is reported that she will sail either to-day or to-morrow. Her destination being said to be Matanzas. Yesterday the "Purisima Concepci6n" was still lying at Messrs. Lascelles, De Mercado & Co.'s wharf with the Spanish flag flying at her stern. The "Benito Estrangu" yesterday morning drew alongside Messrs. Kerr & Co.'s wharf, where, it is said, she will take cargo. Wednesday, June 15, 1898 The "Purisima Concepci6n" is still lying in Kingston harbour uncleared and with register unchanged. Friday, June 17, 1898 The "Purisima Concepci6n" The Spanish steamer "Purisima Concepci6n," Captain Guiterez, which had been taking cargo at Messrs. Lascelles, De Mercado & Co.'s wharf for some time for the Spanish forces in Cuba, slipped out of this port quietly at about two o'clock yesterday morning, having been cleared at dark on Wednesday evening by the Custom's officer on board, for Manzanilla. She took away 7,200 packages of food stuffs. The departure of the vessel came as a surprise to many yesterday when she was not seen alongside the wharf and speculation was rife as to whether she would succeed in passing the American warships and enter the port of Manzanilla in safety or not. Yesterday morning a reporter of this paper was informed (of course by an American!) that the vessel had cleared from this port direct to Key WestI It is said that if she succeeds in getting to her destination or in running the blockade, she will return to this port for another cargo. After leaving Port Royal the vessel took the south channel-a very lucky thing for her-for had she come east she would certainly have been seen by the U. S. S. "Yosemite" which arrived here some hours after. Arrival of a U. S. Warship The United States cruiser of war "Yosemite" (recently the "El Sud" of the Southern Pacific Line of Steamers) Capt. Emory, over 4,200 tons displacement and mounting 16 guns, came into this port yesterday morning from Key West where she left 14 days ago, last Santiago de Cuba, with her colour-dark gray-on, in want of provisions and supplies. The vessel Page sixty-nine THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" arrived at Port Royal about 9 o'clock and exchanged salutes with the garrison and H. M. S. "Urgent" after which she steamed up the harbour and anchored. We understand that Messrs. Lascelles De Mercado & Co., have the provisioning of her. Shortly after anchoring one of the officers accompanied by the Pilot came off in one of the ship's boats and waited on Consul Dent who went back with them to the boat. The Consul was in conference with the Captain all the forenoon. It appears that the "Yosemite" left the American fleet at Santiago six days ago and since then has been cruising around. Probably it was in consequence of the communications Consul Dent sent to his Government with respect to the movements of the "Purisima Concepci6n" that the "Yosemite" found herself in these seas, just about the time when the "Purisima Concepci6n" went out. The "Purisima Concepci6n," as is stated in another paragraph, left Kingston at 2 o'clock yesterday morning, and Port Royal at 5, taking primarily a southerly course, and soon after steering westward. The "Yosemite" happened to be coming to Kingston from the eastward and consequently saw nothing of her quarry. The sailors of the warship, who were questioned as to whether they had seen the "Purisima" were quite confident that she would be captured inasmuch as there was another auxiliary cruiser, the "Prairie," awaiting the "Concepci6n" on the westerly course. Questioned as to what they had seen, the sailors said that everything was quiet at Santiago when they left. Sampson and Schley were both there; but there was no bombarding, the policy adopted by the Commanders evidently being to starve the city into subjection. The same boats that have been there since the commencement of the blockade were still there, some 12 or 14 in number. There were six Spanish ships inside the harbour. Mr. Dent paid his official visit to the vessel in the afternoon and was saluted with seven guns. We understand that the American auxiliary cruiser "Yosemite" will take coal (under the neutrality provisions) at the Atlas wharf. Saturday, June 18, 1898 The "Yosemite" The United States auxiliary cruiser "Yosemite" was in the stream at anchor yesterday morning repairing her machinery. On Thursday an officer Page seventy THE U. S. S. "YOSEMITE" from the Port Royal dock examined the machinery of the vessel, a report having been made that something had gone wrong in the engine room. His report was to the effect that repairs were needed, and so the vessel had to remain over the 24 hours. Among the crew of the "Yosemite" are some well-to-do men of the United States. The captain's secretary, George P. Eustace, a native of Detroit, Mich., is a millionaire, and is one of those who volunteered their services in the Navy. The Master-at-Arms, Hammond by name, is said to be one of the largest dealers in pork in Detroit, and is also a volunteer. Among the ordinary seamen there are about six youngsters, sons of well-to-do parents of the States. The vessel is manned partly by naval reserves of Detroit and volunteers. She was formerly owned by Mr. Morgan and was engaged in the cotton trade between New Orleans and New York. The "Yosemite" left Kingston harbour yesterday afternoon. During the morning she had taken a small quantity of rice, which had been conveyed to her in one of her own ship-boats from shore. She took no coal. As she passed Port Royal on her way out the Garrison saluted her, as on her arrival on Thursday morning the Garrison had omitted to salute her. Monday, June 20, 1898 The "Purisima Concepci6n" Consul Dent when seen by a Gleaner representative, as to whether he could confirm the rumour that the "Purisima Concepci6n" had arrived safely at Cuba, replied he had heard the rumour, but disbelieved it. The fact that sufficient time had not elapsed since the sailing of the "Concepci6n" in which news could be received from Manzanillo refuted the story, to his mind. The Consul seemed happy over the matter, remarking with a laugh that if the "Concepci6n" got to Cuba safely, it would not be his fault. Page seventy-one ~1 r). cl ",-A K'A Vlr 'I~k wn K -~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN DATE DUE v i i a~ E s 19 132 1 _ 22 V:4;i) N. 1" '.' ioa A,. AlRoVq'_ J., l Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 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