Battleships | - Theodore Roosevelt Center

Appendix to Memorandum for The President on “Battleships in the Russo-Japanese War”

Contrary to the opinions of some observers, the course of battles in the Russo-Japanese War has not shown battleships to be obsolete. While battleships can be vulnerable to torpedo boats, this is already known, and the effectiveness of torpedo boats in the course of the war is likely to be less than was initially anticipated. Nevertheless, both types of vessels are important in the makeup of a navy. A substantial quotation from an article by Captain A. T. Mahan outlines the principles that must be considered when thinking about what sorts of ships a navy consists of.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-27

Letter from George Albert Converse to William Loeb

Following the verbal instructions of President Roosevelt, Rear Admiral George Albert Converse, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, submits a memorandum on the subject of battleships in the Russo-Japanese War. Converse informs William Loeb that he is including two appendices with the memorandum, which explain certain subjects in more detail.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-27

Letter from Charles Hial Darling to Theodore Roosevelt

Acting Secretary of the Navy Darling informs President Roosevelt that the USS Missouri needs to undergo its final trial and some repairs before it will rejoin its battle squadron overseas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-10

Letter from Arthur Paul Nicholas Cassini to Theodore Roosevelt

Count Cassini extends condolences regarding the accident on board the USS Missouri.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-04-14

Letter from Anna Roosevelt Cowles to Theodore Roosevelt

Anna Roosevelt Cowles has read the documents about the collision of the battleships Illinois and Missouri, and she finds Rear Admiral Albert Smith Barker’s statement to be logical. She encourages President Roosevelt to “inquire following the ordinary course as to publishing.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-20

Report from Albert Smith Barker on the collision of the battleships Illinois and Missouri

Rear Admiral Barker describes the circumstances of a collision between two ships, the Illinois and the Missouri. He confirms the findings of the Court of Inquiry that the causes and responsibility are as described by members of the crew and that no further action is needed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-11

Telegram from Henry Glass to William H. Moody

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

Letter from Francis H. Delano to William H. Moody

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

Telegram from Unknown to USS Nashville

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

Letter from Oscar S. Straus to Theodore Roosevelt

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

Letter from Charles Edgar Clark to Theodore Roosevelt

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

Torpedo flotilla organization

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

Shipbuilding for the Navy

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

Letter from Francis J. Haeseler to Theodore Roosevelt

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

Letter from Robley D. Evans to Theodore Roosevelt

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

Letter from William E. Chandler to Theodore Roosevelt

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

Letter from Alfred Thayer Mahan to Theodore Roosevelt

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