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A memorandum prepared for President Roosevelt by Rear Admiral Converse detailing injuries to battleships in the Russo-Japanese War.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-27
George Albert Converse, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, issues a memorandum responding to a prior memorandum by Commander Cameron McRae Winslow. While Converse agrees with the conclusions Winslow makes, he takes issue with several comments concerning the design of warships and alleging that line officers who would actually be captaining the ships had not been consulted in their design. Converse defends the method of designing ships upon the recommendations of the General Board, and does not believe it is necessary for Congress to intervene in the process, as the greater amount of time required for the process would exacerbate the danger of beginning construction on ships that are immediately outdated.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-19
Rear Admiral Converse issues a special report defending a previous report he had written about the construction of battleships against recent criticisms. Converse maintains that recent reports criticizing his report on the construction of gun turrets, and drafts of battleships misrepresent the actual situation, and are fundamentally flawed. Accompanying his report are several exhibits highlighting the portions of the criticism that Converse specifically rebuts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-03
George Albert Converse advises Theodore Roosevelt by telegram that the revolutionary leaders were overwhelmed by the landing parties. The sugar plantations are fine for the time being.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-18
Acting Secretary of the Navy Converse informs President Roosevelt which ships are en route. Additionally, Acting Secretary of State Robert Bacon and Secretary of War William H. Taft have dispatched USS Dixie to Cienfuegos, Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-16
Acting Secretary of the Navy Converse forwards a copy of a cablegram to President Roosevelt. Rear Admiral Goodrich has wired from Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-17
In accordance with President Roosevelt’s instructions, Admiral Converse responds to comments made by Commander William Sowden Sims about a report by Converse. Converse believes that the information he presented in his reports was as accurate as it could be, and therefore feels that Sims has insulted him and impugned his integrity.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-03
Acting Secretary George Albert Converse explains to President Roosevelt that Japanese Naval Academy student Asahi Kitagaki’s admission is not impacted by the Naval Appropriation Bill of 1906. Kitagaki was admitted under a joint resolution from 1868, and though he resigned he was never a midshipman of the United States Navy, so the law that prohibits a midshipman’s readmission to the Academy also does not apply to him.Thus, Kitagaki’s withdrawal can be viewed as a temporary one, so he can continue at the Academy at Roosevelt’s discretion and without violating the 1906 Bill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-06
Admiral George Albert Converse reports to President Roosevelt the decision of the Navy General Board on the subject of big guns. While the General Board finds most compelling the arguments written by Captain A. T. Mahan, it also notes several advances in weaponry that mitigate Mahan’s recommendations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-16
Admiral Converse telegrams from Cienfuegos that warship Dixie is headed to Monte Cristi. Converse notes armistice had been broken by lawless bands. He has sufficient men for now, with the warship Cleveland sending replacements.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-21
Commander John C. Colwell of the USS Denver confirms by telegram that hostilities have ceased and peace negotiations are progressing between the Cuban government and the revolutionaries.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-18
President Roosevelt is notified by telegram that revolutionary forces in Cienfuegos are burning sugar plantations and that Constancia will be next. The USS Dixie has sailed and should be in Cienfuegos tomorrow morning.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-17
President Roosevelt is informed by telegram that the USS Marietta had landed at Constancia. Acting Secretary George Albert Converse advises Roosevelt that the authorities admit that they cannot restore order and the situation is growing worse. Meanwhile, the revolutionaries are demanding ammunition from the company. The USS Dixie has landed in Havana as well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-16
Acting Secretary of the Navy Converse sends President Roosevelt two translated telegrams that arrived on September 14, 1906. Commander John C. Colwell of the USS Denver received a guarantee from revolutionary forces to cease fighting for three days. Negotiations for peace have begun. Commander William F. Fullam of the USS Marietta reports that revolutionary forces are raiding sugar estates and stealing property from American citizens. He will land tomorrow in Constancia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-15
Acting Secretary of the Navy Converse sends President Roosevelt a translated copy of a telegram from Commanding Officer John C. Colwell of the USS Denver at Havana, Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-14
Rear Admiral Converse transmits a message from the commanding officer of the Denver. The message states that a battalion landed in Havana with three rapid fire guns. Denver is moored in the central position, and asylum will be ready for those who request it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-14
This memo presents the instructions George Albert Converse, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation of the U.S. Navy, has issued to all vessels in Cuban waters. The ships are not to take part in any troubles in Cuba except to protect American interests and will not land except in case of necessity or if ordered by Edwin V. Morgan, the American Minister in Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-12
George Albert Converse lets William Loeb know that President Roosevelt wants a full report on the Russian naval battle in Manila.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-06
Acting Secretary of the Navy Converse forwards a copy of a telegram to President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-17
George Albert Converse, rear admiral and Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, had not discussed armor in an earlier report as he was focused on armaments. He has completed a memorandum and is submitting it. It discusses armor distribution in the Navy’s fleet, comparing the New Hampshire with Russia’s Czarevitch and with Japanese designs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-15