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Tests with the new torpedo invented by Lieutenant-Commander Cleland Davis show that it could be very dangerous. President Roosevelt instructs Secretary of the Navy Metcalf to begin designing new ships so that they are adequately protected from attack by the new weapon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-08
President Roosevelt finds Rear Admiral Cowles’s message interesting and important. While unable to express his opinion on the subject, Roosevelt believes it will revolutionize naval warfare. He wants Cowles to discuss it with Captain Cameron McRae Winslow in connection with plans for new battleships.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-25
President Roosevelt congratulates Captain Gleaves on his successful trip and finds it interesting that Germany was friendlier than England. He apologizes for being unable to stop and visit Newport, Rhode Island, although the president was interested in what Gleaves wrote about mines and torpedoes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-10
President Roosevelt is always pleased to hear from Leslie M. Shaw, and finds what the Japanese Vice Admiral says to be important. Roosevelt will have the navy look in to the matter again, but cannot do anything further: for one, the Admiral has not accepted any of the torpedoes, but also Roosevelt does not wish to “upset” naval personnel by continuously appealing to them on behalf of others.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-03
William Sowden Sims wrote a paper about future naval tactics for an entire fleet of ships and shares his conclusions with Theodore Roosevelt, as well as enclosing the paper. Sims believes many modifications will be needed for future naval actions, listing them for Roosevelt, whom he thinks they will interest.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-05
James F. J. Archibald reports to President Roosevelt on the submarine defense of the Pacific Coast and the Hawaiian Islands. Archibald believes America to be “so far behind” other nations in this area of marine warfare—particularly Great Britain, France, and Japan. Upon visiting principal cities and harbors, he finds the Pacific Coast and Hawaiian Islands in a “deplorably defenseless position” and notes that the people living in these areas feel vulnerable because of the large extent of “oriental labor and immigration.” Whereas guns and mines are not ideal defense weapons because of the foggy weather, Archibald feels the Pacific Coast is prime territory for the use of submarines due to the large harbors, climates, and topography of the region. Archibald details the number of submarines and personnel he believes to be needed at each of four geographic locations–the Puget Sound, the mouth of the Columbia River, the San Francisco Bay, and the San Diego Bay–as well as the costs of these fortifications, and he emphasizes that his opinions are shared by military officers and civilian experts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-02
Ambassador Griscom has researched the Japanese law and customs in reference to foreigners living in Japan. The only important restriction on foreigners living in Japan is that they are denied the “right to own land in fee simple.” Foreigners are well treated and as far as Griscom is aware, there has not been a case where a foreigner has been denied justice in the Japanese Courts. While there is some amount of anti-foreign sentiment, the Japanese Government is quick to suppress such feelings when it is within their power to do so.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-29
The Office of Naval Intelligence reports on developments along the Sha River in China and the bombardment of vessels at Port Arthur by Japanese forces.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-16
President Roosevelt thanks Albert Gleaves for his recent letters and enclosure, and hopes he will see him before he goes west. He is happy for the information about torpedoes and for the “rather uncomfortable matter” regarding double hoists. He sends his wishes to Gleaves’s wife.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-10
President Roosevelt asks the American Ambassador to Germany, Charlemagne Tower, to assist the bearer of the letter, Naval Commander Albert Gleaves, in his mission to inspect torpedo factories throughout Europe. Roosevelt also mentions the need for discretion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05-01
President Roosevelt believes Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte should follow the letter from the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance regarding the torpedo station matter, but thinks that if possible it would be good to delay taking action until after the election. Roosevelt is pleased that Bonaparte will be able to attend the upcoming naval review, and remarks on his plans surrounding it. He additionally addresses a matter regarding half-holidays and pay, and clarifies his intention regarding the matter. Roosevelt does not intend for the holidays to increase pay, but did not feel that it was right that “men who work with the head, from clerks to bank presidents, should have a holiday as a matter of course while the wage-worker does not have it.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-03
President Roosevelt asks Minister Rockhill to take care of his daughter Alice Roosevelt if she visits Beijing on her way to the Philippines. He waits for details on how the Japanese destroyed the Russian warships.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-31
President Roosevelt asks Minister Griscom to take care of his daughter Alice Roosevelt during her visit to Tokyo, Japan, on her way to the Philippines. He waits for details on how the Japanese destroyed the Russian warships.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-31
President Roosevelt instructs Secretary of War Taft to have John P. Story, Chief of Artillery, submit a report to the General Staff regarding the separation of coast and field artillery, the best way to accomplish this task, and related goals including training, drills, and examination for officers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-13
President Roosevelt instructs Secretary of the Navy Long to look into a new torpedo.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-19
Albert Gleaves responds to President Roosevelt’s request for a letter with information concerning torpedoes, and a letter from former Naval Constructor Joseph J. Woodward regarding open turrets. Woodward’s letter recommends changes in the construction of new battleships, and updates to existing ships, to eliminate open turrets. Gleaves updates Roosevelt on the number of torpedoes in the United States arsenal, as well as the number currently contracted to be built, and compares the contracts and inventory of France, Japan, and Germany.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-08
Commander William Sowden Sims sends President Roosevelt a memorandum on torpedoes and the use of torpedo defense nets. Sims refers to his previous report regarding torpedo defense, and that a gunnery officer’s board had considered the report and recommended a trial of torpedo nets from England on one ship, as the British production and use of torpedo nets was more effective and efficient than other options. Sims notes to Roosevelt that the German navy has a much greater proportion of torpedo boats and destroyers per battleship than the American navy, so torpedo defense nets are less of a concern to them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-04
Ambassador Hermann Speck von Sternburg sends President Roosevelt several thoughts he had following their talk about the usefulness of torpedo nets and their use by the German Navy. Speck lists five points that have contributed to the German Navy not adopting the torpedo net. He and his wife, Lillian May Speck von Sternburg, arrived in Cuba and are looking forward to their tour of the island. They thank Roosevelt for his efforts to arrange things to make their time there interesting and enjoyable.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-25
The Navy Department Bureau of Ordnance reports on the availability of 18 and 21 inch torpedoes and submerged torpedo tubes. The Navy has plans to acquire more torpedoes, but the needed torpedo tubes will take longer to manufacture.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-29
United States Ambassador to Germany Tower confirms that Naval Commander Albert Gleaves and Lieutenant Commander Frederick Trubee Davison visited Kiel to study the construction of torpedoes and mines. They were shown great courtesy and freedom to conduct their study.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-10