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Rear Admiral Davis submits a report to Secretary of the Navy Metcalf about his actions at Jamaica, providing relief following an earthquake there. In particular, Davis notes the actions taken by his sailors, and Jamaica Governor James Alexander Swettenham’s request for them to withdraw.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-21
U.S. Navy Chaplain Gleeson reports to Rear Admiral Davis on the state of Kingston, Jamaica, following the earthquake. According to Gleeson, many of the dead were still lying in the streets and the hospital was overcrowded, with an insufficient number of doctors to attend to the wounded. Gleeson visited Winchester Park, which the Jesuit priests had opened up to the public, where a makeshift hospital had been built. Gleeson notes that there is not an immediate danger of famine, but many are concerned about the possibility of an epidemic resulting from the number of dead bodies still lying in the streets.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-20
Lieutenant Commander Preston informs Captain Pendleton that work has been stopped on the Hamburg-American Steamer Princessen Victoria Luise and the wreck abandoned. The Prinz Waldemar is being discharged and it is expected that she will be saved.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-19
Lieutenant Gilmer of the USS Missouri provides a detailed description of the United States naval response to the January 14, 1907, earthquake in Kingston, Jamaica. Gilmer explains that the Navy landed in Kingston on January 17, setting up a hospital, landing forces, and providing aid. Gilmer describes the destruction of the city both from the earthquake and the subsequent looting and the various dead victims he sees and living victims he interacts with. After the governor of Jamaica asked the Navy to leave the island, Gilmer interacts with many who request that the Navy stay and insist they are badly needed. The Navy withdraws on January 19, back to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-19
Lieutenant-Commander Hoff, of the USS Missouri, expands upon his report from the previous day on the aid provided by the United States Navy following the earthquake in Kingston, Jamaica. Upon arrival, food and supplies were administered by Paymaster Barron P. DuBois. Hospitals and medical care were assessed by military personnel. Under the command of Midshipmen Douglas Legate Howard, the archives from the U.S. Embassy were protected and removed. Howard’s team went on to assist in removing unsafe and damaged buildings. Another patrol aided local authorities in preventing looting. Supplies were distributed to destitute Americans on the island. Considering the situation, the hospitals were properly functioning and the water supply was untainted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-18
Theodore Roosevelt makes plans with his sister before his departure on the Hamburg-American Line to Africa. Roosevelt asks his sister to make lunch plans with Florence Bayard Lockwood La Farge, and thanks her for the flowers she sent.
1909-03
Harry White told Theodore Roosevelt that Germany, through the Hamburg-American Line, encouraged Denmark not to sell Saint Thomas to the United States. Roosevelt is not concerned about his own presidential nomination but he is concerned about the “yellow streak” in the American people. Strong leadership could have ended this streak but leadership has been poor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-04-03
President Roosevelt thanks Carl Ethan Akeley for the letter and model of the elephant’s head that Akeley sent him. Roosevelt will also gladly accept the table that Akeley offered Roosevelt, and asks if Akeley would send it care of Emil Boas of the Hamburg-American Line. Roosevelt looks forward to hearing about Akeley’s plans for his own trip, and he will certainly try to get the elephants that Akeley mentioned if they are there and he is able to do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-28
George H. Burr reintroduces himself to Theodore Roosevelt, having previously met on the cross-Atlantic trip on the Kaiserin Auguste Victoria in 1910, and remarks that he will shortly be visited by Captain Hans Ruser of the Hamburg America Line, who commanded the ship they traveled on. As Ruser is a great fan of Roosevelt’s, Burr wonders if it would be possible to bring him to Sagamore Hill for a brief visit. Ruser has recently gotten news that he will be captain of a newly constructed ship.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-26
William Loeb recommends that N. C. Palmer’s offer of condensed coffee by accepted and that the coffee be forwarded at once to the Hamburgh-American Steamship Company.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-03-01
Emil L. Boas, agent of the Hamburg-American Line, acknowledges receipt of two cases belonging to President Roosevelt which were sent by William Loeb. The cases will be shipped to Hoboken on March 22 where Roosevelt may inspect them at noon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-24
Emil L. Boas promises to take care of President Roosevelt’s cases containing firearms and ammunition and will ensure that they are placed in Roosevelt’s cabin aboard the Hamburg.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-20
Emil L. Boas asks William Loeb about pre-departure matters relating to President Roosevelt’s safari. Boas suggests places on-board to safely store Roosevelt’s guns and ammunition and also inquires what time Roosevelt will be arriving at the docks.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-19
Emil L. Boas, an agent of the Hamburg-American Line, informs William Loeb, President Roosevelt’s secretary, that the steamship Hamburg will sail on March 23 at 11 A.M.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-17
Emil L. Boas informs William Loeb that the Captain’s quarters on the mail steamship Admiral have been reserved for President Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s son and other gentlemen accompanying them have rooms reserved on the Promenade Deck.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-26
Emil L. Boas, an agent of the Hamburg-American Line, inquires whether the discounted fare for President Roosevelt’s upcoming trip from New York to Naples and Mombasa is satisfactory. Boas has arranged to charge Roosevelt’s party the lowest fare for the entire trip through New York to Mombasa rather than the regular rates for their accommodations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-11
Emil L. Boas, an agent of the Hamburg-American Line, says the company would like to make President Roosevelt and Kermit Roosvelt’s trip to Africa complimentary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-09
Edgar Alexander Mearns will be traveling on the same boat as Theodore and Kermit Roosevelt. He also has brandy, whiskey, and champagne set aside for medical use. The tools for collecting specimens will be furnished by the United States National Museum. Mearns may also have diabetes, but he defends his health and ability to make the Africa trip. Mearns also encloses a letter from Peter Holt, a scout at Yellowstone Park. Mearns killed a mountain lion for Holt once.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-22
Julius P. Meyer sends Rudolph Forster a journal article featuring the Windhuk, the Hamburg-American Line steamship that will most likely take President Roosevelt from Naples, Italy, to Mombasa, Kenya, on his upcoming African safari.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-11
Emil L. Boas has received a cable from Hamburg and reports the schedules of the steamers Windhuk, Hamburg, and Kronprinz to William Loeb for President Roosevelt’s upcoming African safari.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-23