Oregon (Battleship)

Creation Date

1897-09-10

Creator(s)

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to A. T. Mahan

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt agrees with Captain Mahan about both Hawaii and foreign policy generally. Roosevelt worries about Japan, and feels that the United States should increase its military presence in the Pacific Ocean. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge has spoken with President William McKinley on this topic and “pressed his views upon him with all his strength.” Roosevelt additionally mentions his worries about the international situation in the West Indies. He believes the United States should increase its presence and make sure that no strong European power is allowed to gain a foothold there. The institutional resistance to the build-up of the Navy annoys Roosevelt. He comments to Mahan, however, that Secretary of the Navy John Davis Long agrees with the two of them about Hawaii, and that he hopes for positive action on that front.

Collection

Creation Date

1897-05-03

Creator(s)

Letter from Truman Handy Newberry to Eugene Hale

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Newberry explains in detail to Senator Hale of Maine how expenditures for current repairs to the U.S.S. Oregon and Massachusetts, as well as planned naval maneuvers in August and September, violate neither “the letter or the spirit of the existing law.” Newberry will call Secretary of the Navy Victor Howard Metcalf’s attention to Hale’s concerns on his return.

Collection

Newberry, Truman Handy, 1864-1945

Creation Date

1907-07-30

Creator(s)

Letter from Eugene Hale to Truman Handy Newberry

Senator Hale asks Acting Secretary of the Navy Newberry if there is any truth to reports that some ships are being extensively repaired in preparation for a mission to the Pacific Ocean, since existing appropriations cannot support such expenses. Hale is opposed to sending the fleet to the Pacific as a matter of policy, but specifically opposes such a move on the ground of the law against spending more than has been appropriated.

Collection

Duane G. Jundt Theodore Roosevelt Collection

Creation Date

1907-07-27

Creator(s)

Hale, Eugene, 1836-1918

Battleship Oregon

Colorized stereograph of the USS Oregon. Several soldiers, many wearing white uniforms, can be seen on the deck of the ship, and an American flag is raised at the back of the ship. Text on the reverse of the stereograph details the history of the Oregon as a battleship in the Spanish-American War, as well as various features of the ship and the armaments on board.

Collection

Creation Date

Unknown

Creator(s)

Continental Art Co.

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Stoney

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt shares with Stoney that he just returned from a three-day visit with a squadron of iron-clad ships. He wishes every “Doubting Thomas” could see them; then, there would be no difficulty in building an adequate navy. Stoney’s current station is interesting, and Roosevelt asks to be kept informed.

Collection

Creation Date

1897-09-10

Creator(s)

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William McKinley

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt apprises President McKinley of what ships are available to send to Hawaii, given Japan’s dispatch of their protected cruiser, Naniwa. He discusses each ship’s strengths, weaknesses, and firepower.

Collection

Creation Date

1897-04-22

Creator(s)

Telegram from Charles Hial Darling to Theodore Roosevelt

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Darling reports the location of Admiral Yates Stirling and a number of warships, south of Shanghai. Press statements about “Chauncey” are believed to be misleading and untrue.

Collection

Darling, Charles Hial, 1859-1944

Creation Date

1904-08-23

Creator(s)

Story of the Panama Canal. Part one

Compilation film revealing the story of Panama Canal construction, which Theodore Roosevelt considered one of his most valuable contributions to foreign affairs. This portion of the film details the need for building the canal, and the early attempts to do so, and includes many still images and maps, in addition to the film clips.

Collection

Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound

Creation Date

1927

Creator(s)

Roosevelt Film Library

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William S. Cowles

Governor Roosevelt believes that the proposed canal should be fortified. If it is not, the canal would be another weak point to watch over during a conflict. If the canal had existed during the Spanish-American War, American forces would have needed to defend the canal to prevent the Spanish fleet from crossing into the Pacific Ocean and causing problems in a new theater. Roosevelt also favors an American canal as he does not want to see European powers gain new interests in the Americas.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1900-02-26

Creator(s)

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William S. Cowles

Governor Roosevelt encloses a document from an Oyster Bay, New York, neighbor who has questions regarding what circumstances would allow his discharge. Roosevelt is confused over Secretary of State Hay’s and President McKinley’s views on the canal treaty. If such a canal as they suggest existed during the Spanish-American War there would have been a great deal of anxiety over the Spanish fleet using the canal to attack the Pacific coast or Admiral Dewey in the Philippines. Roosevelt wants a canal held and fortified by the United States.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1900-02-16

Creator(s)

Statement of Captain Clark

Captain Clark provides his account of the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.

Collection

Creation Date

1902-02-03

Creator(s)

Statement of Captain Clark

Captain Clark provides his account of the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. This draft contains handwritten edits suggested by President Roosevelt.

Collection

Creation Date

1902-02-03

Creator(s)

Letter from Charles E. Clark to Theodore Roosevelt

Rear Admiral Clark returns his corrected statement regarding the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. Clark mentions Ted Roosevelt’s improved condition.

Collection

Creation Date

1902-02-09

Creator(s)

Letter from Charles E. Clark to Theodore Roosevelt

Captain Clark returns the statement, with his notes, regarding the Battle of Santiago de Cuba and hopes that the correct opinion prevails. He offers further information regarding USS Oregon, which Clark commanded during the battle.

Collection

Creation Date

1902-02-06

Creator(s)

Letter from Richard Yates to Theodore Roosevelt

Illinois has great interest in Captain Clark as he was stationed as lighthouse inspector in Chicago, Illinois, and many members of the Illinois naval militia served under Clark on the USS Oregon during the Spanish-American War. Governor Yates recommends that Captain Clark be promoted to rear admiral due to his long service and exciting exploits during the war.

Collection