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Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt informs Bowman Hendry McCalla that he signed the orders for McCalla to take command of the USS Marblehead. He will read McCalla’s comments on the bill once received.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-09-10
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt asks Lieutenant Gleaves to arrive in Oyster Bay, Long Island by June 1st, and informs Gleaves of how to find his house. Roosevelt would like to breakfast with the officers before they head to Newport where he is to give a speech at the Naval War College the following day.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-05-28
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt assures Clarence Fairfax Cary he favors Commander Leary.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-05-28
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt apologizes to H. Sulzbacher that he cannot interfere in the matter. Commanders of vessels would be overrun if they allowed visitors during or before the Exposition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-04-22
James Morris Morgan is asking Theodore Roosevelt a genealogy-related question about his late uncle, James Dunwody Bulloch, as he has already exhausted all other sources that might’ve known the answer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-05
Charles King wishes he could still address his letter to Theodore Roosevelt as “Mr. President.” His son, Rufus King, whom Roosevelt appointed in 1903, has “made good” and is now a “tip top officer” who is marrying in October.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-12
Captain Cameron McRae Winslow never believed that Theodore Roosevelt had taken action regarding his “difficulty” with Admiral Conway H. Arnold. He believes the difficulty stems from unfit men being promoted to the rank. He does not think men who are “addicted to the intemperate use of alcohol” should be promoted to high military ranks. He hopes his “difficulty” with Arnold results in a more careful selection of officers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-11
Albert L. Key argues that President Roosevelt has been more successful in placing younger officers in higher positions in the Army than he believes, and thinks that he could have the same success in the Navy. Key argues that many of the problems in the Navy right now, both practically and administratively, could be solved by placing younger and more efficient officers in higher-graded positions and promoting based on merit, rather than age. Key also briefly comments on the controversy concerning the placement of armor belts on battleships, disagreeing with Admiral Robley D. Evans’s position that it would be a mistake to raise the armor belts of ships.
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
Albert L. Key writes President Roosevelt about Lieutenant Commander Frank K. Hill, who has been actively directing attention to the armor belt question. A group of naval officers are conspiring to have him detached from his post and sent away from Washington. Key speaks to Hill’s quality and good standing and asks Roosevelt to step in to prevent him from being sent away.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-06
Rear Admiral Vogelgesang, who has recently been removed from his post on the presidential yacht Mayflower by the Board of Investigation, updates President Roosevelt on his current posting and expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as part of Roosevelt’s household. He asks Roosevelt to thank Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt for the flowers she sent his wife during their time of uncertainty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-05
Albert L. Key cites different recommendations President Roosevelt and his administration have made over the years regarding organization of the Navy and Navy Department. In spite of the recommendations, Congress and the naval committees have not acted on them. Rather, they seem more concerned with appropriations. Key asks Roosevelt to push the issue of new legislation in a special message to Congress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-01-25
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
Assistant Secretary of State Wilson sends three memoranda to Acting Secretary of State Robert Bacon. In the first, Wilson gives a brief curriculum vitae of Japanese diplomat Admiral Gonnohyōe Yamamoto, indicating he is considered an “elder statesman” in Japan and likely to be the next prime minister. In the second memorandum, Wilson describes Japanese public opinion and press coverage of the immigration situation in the United States, particularly in San Francisco. The third memorandum describes complaints sent by the Chambers of Commerce of Japan to the “principal” Chambers of Commerce of the United States regarding the treatment of Japanese immigrants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-06
Masayoshi Matsukata, former Prime Minister of Japan, thanks President Roosevelt for the kind letter of condolence following the death of his son. Matsukata’s grief is partly alleviated by the knowledge that his son died among friends. Matsukata further expresses gratitude for the kindness shown to his son by Admiral Sands and the officers of the Naval Academy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-27
Colorized stereograph showing the starboard side of the USS Washington. An American flag is seen flying on the bow of the ship. Text on the reverse of the stereograph details the various capabilities and armaments of the Washington.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “”In this set of Stereoscopic Views the publishers have not only given the public up-to-date views of the great battleships, but also the great cruisers and the different types of ships in the American Navy that compose the mighty fleet now in existence.
The Washington is called the ‘race horse’ of the United States Navy, and has made a speed of 23 knots an hour and has turned some nautical stunts in making time. She is now in the second division of the first squadron of the armored cruiser fleet on the Pacific Coast under the command of Captain A. M. Knight. She carries a larger crew and more guns than any other cruiser excepting the twin ship Tennessee.”
Colorized stereograph celebrating the appointment of Admiral Evans as Commander-in-Chief of the Great White Fleet. Evans is dressed in his officer’s uniform on the front of the stereograph with a draped American flag and a variety of flowers surrounding him. On the reverse of the stereograph is information about Evans’ life and his naval service.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “Admiral Robley D. Evans: Admiral Evans is commander-in-chief of the American fleet; was born in Virginia, fought on the Union side during the Civil War, commanded the Iowa at Santiago, is now Rear-Admiral of the greatest fleet ever assembled by the United States, and will make the longest cruise of any fleet in the history of the world. Admiral Evans is known the world over as “Fighting Bob,” the pride of the American Navy, and the idol of the American sailor. He has a long and interesting history, full of stirring events from the day he graduated from Annapolis up to the present time. He was in the Indian battles of the far West, and had the luck to be present and took an active part in all of the many naval affairs since the Civil War. In August, 1908, he will be made either Vice-Admiral or placed on the retired list.”
Colorized stereograph taken from the bridge of the USS Minnesota at the Jamestown Exposition. The USS Kentucky and the USS Connecticut can be seen in the distance. On the left of the image, a sailor in his dress blue uniform is kneeling, looking through a spyglass. On the reverse of the stereograph is information about the officers of each of the three ships.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “The Bridge of the Minnesota. The Minnesota is the flagship of Rear-Admiral Charles L. [sic] Thomas.
This magnificent view was taken at the Jamestown Exposition from the bridge of the Minnesota by the kind permission of the Captain, and shows the battleship Kentucky, Captain Walter C. Knowles [sic] of the second squadron, and Admiral Evans of the Connecticut in the rear.”
Colorized stereograph of the USS Maine docked in port. Text on the reverse of the stereograph notes Giles B. Harber as the commander of the vessel and lists various features of the battleship.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “Captain Giles Harber, Commander; 12,500 tons displacement; 18 knots an hour; carries 20 guns over 4-ince; has broadside battery of 4-inch guns; two 12-inch guns in each turret. Its place in the fleet is in the third division of the second squadron. Although the Maine is comparatively new, she is not classed with the Georgia or Connecticut. These are two battleships of later build with three to four thousand tons greater displacement and carrying one-third more guns.”
Colorized stereograph showing the USS Missouri and the USS Alabama at Hampton Roads. Text on the reverse of the stereograph lists the captains and various features of each ship.
As printed on the reverse of the stereograph, “This magnificent view of the Missouri and Alabama was made at Hampton Roads in the summer of 1907. The Missouri is commanded by G. A. Merriam, and is in the third division of the second squadron. The Missouri is in the same class and has the same displacement as the Maine and Ohio, being 12,500 tons and 18 knots an hour speed.
The Alabama, Captain T. E. W. Veeder. This battleship is in the fourth division under Rear-Admiral Sperry, has a displacement of 11,552 tons and a speed of 17 knots. It is in the fourth class and carries 18 guns over four inches and two 12-inch guns in her turrets.”