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Captain Cowles will not face a court-martial for the Missouri–Illinois collision even though the court of inquiry criticized Cowles. The decision goes against recent precedent that an officer should face a court-martial even if the court of inquiry recommends no further action. There is growing dissatisfaction among naval officers regarding the decision.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-02
Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on the battleship collision case. Though the Court of Enquiry recommends a trial by court martial for the captain and deck officer of the Alabama, Bonaparte doubts that he will be convicted, and his doubts are shared by Rear Admirals Robley D. Evans and George Albert Converse and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Truman Handy Newberry. Bonaparte asks that Roosevelt inform him if he would like any further notice before the court martial occurs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-06
Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt on several matters. The Court of Enquiry’s findings exculpate Admiral Robley D. Evans, though Admiral George Albert Converse hints that Evans’s rapid signals may have contributed to the collision. Bonaparte will scrutinize the matter carefully. He encloses a report from the commander of the Portsmouth, and though the New Jersey militiamen performed no “great feat,” he suggests sending praise anyway because naval officers are “decidedly ‘sniffy'” toward them. Bonaparte has received many favorable letters about anarchism, but the occasional unfavorable ones amuse him and he has enclosed one such letter. He feels that the Navy faces an uphill battle meeting its needs due to the clashing views of those on the deciding committees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-19
Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte assures President Roosevelt that, upon his return, he will look carefully into the collision and Admiral Evans’ possible role in it. Bonaparte relays that Lieutenant Commander William Sowden Sims has asked to be relieved from service on the Personnel Board because of a conflict with an important target practice in October, a reason Bonaparte finds legitimate. He expresses pleasure at reading Roosevelt’s remarks about the Navy that were published yesterday.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-21
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-14
Secretary of the Navy Moody returns clippings concerning the court of inquiry in the collision involving the USS Illinois and the USS Missouri. He provides the contents of a telegram sent to members of the court.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-04
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-11
A rumor within naval circles indicates that a message was sent from a “high authority in Washington to a member of the court on the Missouri–Illinois collision.” Secretary of the Navy Moody denied any knowledge and approved the court’s recommendation that no further proceedings be taken. Opinion remains divided on the responsibility for the accident.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-02