Battleships

An American bald eagle carries a scarecrow that looks like Uncle Sam, with battleships for hat, hands, and feet, across the Pacific Ocean toward “Japan,” where crows wearing military uniforms stand on the shore. The sun is rising in the background.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Displaying more than a little cynicism, Puck magazine and its cartoonist J. S. Pughe portrayed the upcoming departure of the Great White Fleet from San Francisco in December 1908, a few months hence. A few months earlier, President Roosevelt’s secretary William Loeb confirmed rumors and announced the purpose of the circumnavigational cruise on August 23.

The Roman god Mars, eating a battleship, is seated a table with Uncle Sam and Marianne (symbol of France) and the rulers of European and Asian countries at the “Dreadnought Club,” each awaiting their meals of munitions and armaments being brought to the table by a heavily burdened waitress labeled “Peace.” Caption: Peace — “Waiting on a crowd like this is no job for a woman.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1911-05-31

A young boy jumps with joy as a battleship is blown up. His father is reminding him that the explosive display is his gift for being a good boy. “Fourth of July number” is written in the lower-left corner. Caption: Multi-Millionaire — There, Reginald! Didn’t papa say if you were a good boy he’d blow up an old battleship for you? That battleship cost papa twenty thousand dollars!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1911-06-28

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt thanks Edwin Brockholst Livingston for his offer but regrets that he will be unable to accept. Roosevelt also provides the criteria for the ships he is seeking to acquire.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1898-03-26

At the direction of Admiral von Tirpitz, Lieutenant Commander Rebeur-Paschwitz encloses sketches of Germany’s recently built battleships for President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-14

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs his daughter Alice that Edith’s sciatica is improving and he is reading to and romping with the children. During his visit to the Lodges, Nannie Cabot Lodge had an attack of the grippe. The Maine disaster has kept him very busy.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1898-02-20

Francis H. Delano, commander of the Dixie, explains to Secretary of the Navy Moody the sequence of events that took place November 2-9, 1903, in Colon, Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-10

Translation of telegrams sent between Admiral Henry Glass and William H. Moody. Glass writes on behalf of the Government of Panama, requesting that General Reyes receive admittance on board the United States man of war through the American Consul-General upon his arrival at Colon, Panama. Moody approves the request.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-13

The White House sends orders to the USS Nashville, the USS Atlanta, and the USS Boston concerning the Panamanian Revolution.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-03

Oscar S. Straus assures President Roosevelt that he will send data regarding Jewish soldiers in the Spanish-American War and the number of lost lives on the “Maine.” Straus mentions Roosevelt’s reinstatement of William A. Miller as assistant foreman in the United States Government Printing Office, calling attention to his recent speech in Chicago, Illinois.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-22

Charles Edgar Clark expresses his concerns over the weaknesses of the United States Navy in the Atlantic and West Indies. He believes that any large force sent by Germany would have the advantage since the majority of the United States fleet is currently in the Pacific. Admiral Taylor is also recommended as a good officer for large commands.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-05

W. W. Kimball reviews the history and theory behind torpedo-boats. He compares past and present scenarios using statistics and a review of fleet freeing methods of organization. Kimball concludes by submitting his own memorandum on torpedo-boat organization and service.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-14

In a letter to the editor, T. A. Brassey argues that the British Navy should not focus on producing Dreadnaught-class battleships. He cites the recent sinking of large ships, especially during the Russo-Japanese war, to show that even heavily-armored ships are vulnerable to submarine mines and torpedoes. Furthermore, the costly large battleships are vulnerable to accidents at sea, and the more expensive guns on a ship the greater the financial loss when it sinks. Finally, Brassey argues that having more, smaller ships will allow for the great training and promotion of young captains.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-28

Lieutenant Francis J. Haeseler thanks Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt for persuading Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long to replace the USS Texas’ old system. They installed the new system, and Haeseler thinks that the guns will fire within ninety seconds instead of over two minutes if some changes are made. The officers and crew feel that the Texas is in “excellent fighting condition.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-04-17

Captain Mahan emphasizes to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt that he writes only to suggest thoughts or give information–not to influence action. He calls Roosevelt’s attention to two related factors: a previous article he wrote suggesting that the threat to Hawaii is from Asia, rather than Europe, and a situation in South America which saw the United States worried about not having a battleship in the Pacific Ocean. He suggests that a similar situation could now occur if the Japanese have two battleships while the United States has only one. Mahan feels that it is important that the United States begin to prepare its fleets in order to avert potential conflict, saying “preparedness deters the foe,” and helps maintain peace without actually having to fight.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-06

Senator Chandler agrees with Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt on acquiring the guns for the United States’ commercial ships and torpedo boats and that deciding on a general policy about the Navy’s size before building any additional large ships would be wise. Chandler wants to find some way to force Andrew Carnegie and the Bethlehem Iron Company to make plate armor on mutually agreed-upon terms. Roosevelt does not need to say anymore about the “infernal gunboat,” as hopefully it served as a good lesson. He sends a letter from Howell to be read only by Roosevelt and Secretary of the Navy John D. Long. Chandler asks when a warship is going to Havana, Cuba.

Comments and Context

The “infernal gunboat” is a reference to an administrative issue with the USS Newport.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Rear Admiral Evans has not bothered the Department of the Navy knowing what Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt has in mind for him. He reports that conditions are not good and warns Roosevelt to prevent Spain from sending ships to Cuba and to send American vessels as quickly as possible. Evans does not think highly of a certain admiral or chief of staff. He instructs Roosevelt to keep the letter confidential.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1898-03-11