Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): Alabama (Battleship : BB-60), Collisions at sea--Accidents--Investigation, Converse, George Albert, 1844-1909, Courts-martial and courts of inquiry, Evans, Robley D. (Robley Dunglison), 1846-1912, Illinois (Battleship), Kearsarge (Battleship), Louisiana--New Orleans, Ocean travel, Panama, United States. Navy, Visits of state
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Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte informs President Roosevelt that he has received the Newport collision report from the Court of Enquiry, which found that officer error caused the collision. Court martial is recommended for the captain and a lieutenant of the Alabama and reprimand recommended for the officer on deck of the Kearsarge; the crew of the Illinois has been cleared of blame. Bonaparte is startled to learn that the Kearsarge had been in the care of a young midshipman though the boat was in a thick fog; this and other questions will spur his further inquiry into the accident. Bonaparte also notifies Roosevelt that, on his way to Panama, Roosevelt’s presence has been requested in New Orleans, and he discusses the logistics of such a trip if Roosevelt chooses to make it.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1906-08-14
Creator(s)
Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921
Recipient
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
2
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt. [August 14, 1906]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o53821. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921. Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt. [14 Aug. 1906]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 19, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o53821.
APA:
Bonaparte, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1851-1921., [1906, August 14]. Letter from Charles J. Bonaparte to Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o53821.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 19, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
