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Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt updates Secretary of the Navy Long on several issues. He agrees with Long about the Bureau of Yards and Docks.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-06
Theodore Roosevelt asks George Bird Grinnell if he has written Caspar Whitney and asks Grinnell what he plans on doing about the musk ox article. He also wishes to hurry the admission of Captain Brownson of the Navy Department into the Boone and Crockett Club.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-08-23
In a memorandum requested by President Roosevelt, Secretary of War Taft outlines the reasons for the reversal of the Joint Board of the Army and Navy’s 1903 unanimous decision to construct a defensive naval base at Subic Bay in the Philippines. The decision was reversed in 1907 due in part to the emerging strength of Japan and the cooling of relations with Japan, and to the indefensibility of the area by land.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-14
Secretary of the Navy Metcalf writes President Roosevelt about several matters. First, he addresses reports about the water line of the armor belts on existing battleships and responds to suggestions that the belts should be raised. Citing reports by Admiral Robley D. Evans, who is sailing to the Pacific with the Atlantic Fleet, Metcalf does not recommend this. In fact, he believes lowered would be better. Metcalf also informs Roosevelt of plans to modify turret ammunition hoists. Finally, Metcalf says he does not support a plan to appoint a line officer Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-07
Secretary of the Navy Metcalf informs Senator Hale of the Committee on Naval Affairs about the circumstances leading to the approval of the plans for the battleships Delaware and North Dakota. Metcalf explains that the designs received consideration from many different sources, including the board on construction, the special board on designs, and the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation. Metcalf was subsequently notified that there was some concern regarding the armor belt on these ships, but consulted with several sources and determined that the armor plating on the ships as designed seemed to be sufficient. He also invites Hale to examine some plans for a new type of ship that is to be used for scouting purposes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-09
President Roosevelt informs Secretary of the Navy Metcalf that Captain John Elliott Pillsbury will be appointed Chief of the Bureau of Navigation. Roosevelt believes that Admiral Willard H. Brownson’s resignation over a disagreement regarding an order that was issued before he came to the bureau was improper, and that naval officers should not resign or be disloyal over matters of personal opinion. The way that the controversy has been dealt with has hurt naval training and the public opinion of the Navy among civilians.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-02
U.S. Navy Surgeon General Rixey writes to President Roosevelt to remind him of the promise Roosevelt made to call both Rixey and Admiral Willard H. Brownson for a meeting on the topic of the hosital ship Relief. Rixey encloses the letter he sent to Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf about placing doctor Charles F. Stokes in command of the vessel.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-19
Secretary of the Navy Metcalf updates President Roosevelt on the coal supply of the fleet traveling to the Pacific. The Navy Department has been unable to find coal at reasonable prices from American ships, and so has organized coal from foreign ships following regulations set in 1904. Metcalf has supplied opinions from Attorney General Bonaparte, and will proceed with this plan unless Roosevelt provides instructions to the contrary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-18
Senator Bourne provides updates and encloses letters and clippings concerning William B. Hibbs, Senator Winthrop Murray Crane, and Bela Tokaji. Bourne apologizes for any trouble resulting from him misunderstanding Rear Admiral W. L. Capps’s visit.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-12
Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry informs President Roosevelt that he forwarded the papers to the Navy General Board. He details a list of the available battleships and cruisers and their stations. Newberry also includes a list of ships under construction. In all, sixteen battleships of the Atlantic Fleet, the USS Indiana, and possibly the USS Iowa can be sent to the Pacific.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-08
Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry updates President Roosevelt on naval matters. Newberry is glad Roosevelt approves of his plans for educating midshipmen, and believes it is a good idea to enlist them at a younger age. Newberry has conferred with Admirals Robley D. Evans and Willard H. Brownson regarding itineraries for the Great White Fleet’s trip to the Pacific, and will send the specifics of three proposed itineraries soon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-01
Senator Lodge informs President Roosevelt of a request he received from Boston Mayor John Francis Fitzgerald to send naval ships to Boston for an “old home week.” Lodge says Fitzgerald only made the request to bolster his own popularity. Chief of the Bureau of Navigation Willard H. Brownson denied the request passed along by Lodge, but now Fitzgerald is hounding Lodge, so he requests Roosevelt to send him a formal denial to show to Fitzgerald.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-19
Senator Lodge thanks President Roosevelt for his previous letter and agrees that it is wise to run exercises with the Pacific Fleet. Lodge believes that more immigration inspectors are needed to investigate and prosecute violations of contract labor law. He hopes they can be hired under the civil service, but agents who are willing and able to prosecute fraud must be able to do “first rate detective work.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-13
Charles J. Bonaparte requested President Roosevelt speak with Admiral Willard H. Brownson about a negative Congressional report regarding Brownson and his administration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-26
The logo for the 2006 annual meeting of the Theodore Roosevelt Association appears on the front cover of this issue while the back cover features a photograph of President Theodore Roosevelt onboard the presidential yacht Mayflower with three naval officers and the Secretary of the Navy.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
2006
Photograph showing President Roosevelt meeting with Navy officers on the Mayflower.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1908-01-21
The Senate Committee on Naval Affairs interviews a number of naval officers on some alleged defects in the construction of several battleships now being built. Chief among these concerns are the questions of the placement of the armor belt, the positions of the guns, and the design of the hoists to provide the turrets with ammunition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-21
President Roosevelt reports to his son Kermit Roosevelt that “life at Oyster Bay is as wonderful as it is pleasant.” He describes how the neighborhood entertained the officers of the Mayflower in a variety of ways. Archibald Roosevelt spends most of his time boating with his dog Skip. Roosevelt is again busy with work, which includes writing speeches and making arrangements for the Atlantic Fleet. He hopes Kermit is enjoying himself.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-27
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt and several associates will be visiting Hampton Roads to review the fleet. They will be housed on the USS Fern, currently under the command of Captain Cowles. Roosevelt is looking forward to seeing the “squadron of iron clads maneuvering, and at gun practice.”
1897-08-25
Secretary of the Navy William H. Moody has been injured and it is recommended that he abstain from work for a few days.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-01-13