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Before he makes a judgment, President Roosevelt requests Assistant Secretary of the Navy Newberry have the Newport Conference submit their recommendations and plans regarding the battleships Utah, Florida, North Dakota, and Delaware.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-15
President Roosevelt discusses the considerations for and against the promotion of Lieutenant Walker with Assistant Secretary of the Navy Newberry. Roosevelt concludes that Walker is professionally qualified for promotion, if he gets his drinking under control. In a postscript, Roosevelt asks Newberry to bring a report on the recently concluded Newport Naval Conference and outlines his thoughts on the construction of the battleships Florida and Utah.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-10
President Roosevelt has had his attention called to the annual report of Rear Admiral W. L. Capps, Constructor of the Navy, in which Capps made comments concerning criticisms by Commander Albert L. Key about the design of the North Dakota. Roosevelt tells Secretary of the Navy Newberry that this is the “most flagrant possible violation of my directions as to avoiding public recrimination between officers,” and says that if Capps has any explanation for this, he would like to hear it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-29
Commander Key submits a report to Secretary of the Navy Metcalf presenting comments and suggestions related to the construction of the Battleship USS North Dakota. He strongly criticizes the use of 5″ armor to protect the guns, as it will likely be torn apart during an actual battle against a corresponding class of ship. Key also says that if it is not possible to protect torpedo defense guns, then the ships will be defenseless at night. He makes several suggestions for removing portions of the armor that he considers not necessary in favor of having some other more heavily defended positions, as well as commenting more generally on the size and design of the ship, including engine placement, gun sizes, and armor belts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-09
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
Stereographic image of the U.S. Dreadnaught North Dakota. Sailors can be seen lining the edges of its deck.
Duane G. Jundt Theodore Roosevelt Collection
1910-1917