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A number of trusts are on a large “grab” ship with J. Pierpont Morgan at the front. Morgan looks through binoculars and says, “Saved,” when he sees Attorney General Philander C. Knox in a small vessel filled with cotton. Knox tips his hat to the ship. Meanwhile, a man labeled “the common people” peers out of the lower deck and says, “Help.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12
President Roosevelt shakes hands with Admiral Robert E. Peary on board of the ship Roosevelt at Oyster Bay just before Peary left for the North Pole.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-12
A man labeled “Cuba” beats a drum labeled “Civil Disturbance” looking out on the water to a ship labeled “T. R.” with a word bubble that says, “De-lighted.”
The White House scrapbooks, from which this cartoon was copied, are amazing historical artifacts, and not only for what they contain — clippings of cartoons, editorial commentary, and news columns from journals across the United States during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency — but for the fact that they existed at all, and have survived. The pasted materials were from newspapers delivered directly to the White House, subscription or complimentary copies, some with mailing labels to the attention of “Pres Theodore Roosevelt” himself or “Executive Mansion, Wash DC.”
More than the bibliographical and documentarian relevance to such artifacts is the significance, not merely that these clips were touched and read by the president, but proof that Roosevelt actually kept in touch with current opinion and contrasting viewpoints.
President Roosevelt holds his big stick as he watched a blindfolded Benjamin B. Odell stand on the gangplank. Timothy L. Woodruff puts up his hand and says, “Give him time!”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-23
President Roosevelt holds the “Ship of State” boat’s wheel as William McKinley looks on.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-11
President-Elect Taft tells President Roosevelt that he did not approve including money to buy two ships in the appropriation bill, and was surprised to find that provision in the bill. Taft approved the resolution passed by the Senate, which directed that everything being carried to Panama should be transported in American bottoms. The later form of the provision was passed during Taft’s absence, and he assumed that Congress intended to buy the two ships. Taft believes that Senator Henry Cabot Lodge’s recollection of the matter may be better than his own.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-24
Secretary of War Taft thinks it unwise to build new ships for the Panama Canal Company. He lists several potential alternatives for President Roosevelt, including a new contract with the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. While future action requires discussion, Taft is certain about terminating the current contract with Pacific Mail and not contracting the construction of any vessels.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-10
Congressman Robert Bradley Hawley would like the torpedo boat flotilla and one additional ship to be in Galveston for George Washington’s birthday, February 22. Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt hopes that Secretary of the Navy Long will consider this request as Hawley is a “a clean, straight, able Republican.”
Massachusetts Historical Society
1898-01-03
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt agrees with Congressman Hawley that one vessel of the fleet should be in Galveston when the torpedo boat flotilla is there.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1897-12-11
Theodore Roosevelt stands on the top deck and a crowd of people gather on the lower deck as the ship arrives in Mombasa harbor. Roosevelt left for his African safari on March 23, 1909, and returned in June 1910.
1910
The crew of the SS Roosevelt, which sailed on an expedition to the North Pole from 1908 to 1909. The edges of the postcard are decorated with illustrations of Arctic scenes. The description on the back of the postcard explains that Captain Bob Bartlett is the man standing on the far right, below the “X”.
1909
President Roosevelt shakes hands with Commander Peary before Peary sets sail from Oyster Bay, New York, for his Arctic expedition in July 1908. The edges of the postcard are decorated with illustrations of Arctic scenes. The description printed on the back of the postcard says Peary successfully completed his “dash for the pole” on April 8, 1909. Frederick A. Cook announced on September 1, 1909, that he had reached the North Pole on April 21, 1908.
1909
A crowd of people on the deck of the SS Roosevelt. A drawing of the ship itself is inset in the top left corner. The description printed on the back of the card tells of Peary’s exploration of the Arctic Ocean and “dash” for the North Pole, which involved “repeated efforts by daring men and the sacrifice of hundreds of lives in the cause of science.”
1909
The SS Roosevelt as it left Oyster Bay, New York, for Commander Peary’s Arctic expedition. The edges of the postcard are decorated with illustrations of Arctic scenes. The description printed on the back of the postcard describes the ship landing at North Star Bay in Greenland after sailing through “thick fogs and heavy ice drifts.”
1909
The SS Roosevelt is stuck in ice. The edges of the postcard are decorated with illustrations of Arctic scenes. The description on the back of the postcard describes the ship as “but an eggshell in [the icebergs’] grasp.” The men on Commander Peary’s arctic expedition had to be willing to sacrifice their lives for the “great work” of the exploration.
1909
Commander Peary leans on the deck of the SS Roosevelt. Peary is wearing a fur trimmed coat, gloves, and pants. The edges of the postcard are decorated with illustrations of Arctic scenes. The back of the postcard features a description of the photograph, explaining that Peary has just left Upernavik in Greenland and is looking into the “land of the unknown.” Peary was an arctic explorer and claimed he and his expedition crew were the first to reach the geographic North Pole on April 8, 1909. This claim is still controversial.
1909
Postcard features a black and white photograph of Theodore Roosevelt with Captain Hans Ruser, commander of the Kaiserin Auguste Victoria (as identified on verso). The men stand near the ship’s telegraph with two unidentified men in the background.
1910-06
Postcard featuring a color image of the Mayflower, with Theodore Roosevelt on board, and other ships in Hampton Roads harbor, February 22, 1909.
1909-11-10
Postcard with a color image of the USS Theodore Roosevelt operating as an excursion ship.
1912
Color postcard of the steamship Roosevelt, built for Robert E. Peary’s 1905 and 1908 Arctic explorations. The ship was named for Theodore Roosevelt, who had been very supportive of Peary’s expeditions.
1907-1914