Other Memories
Served as a guardship at New York 1917-1919. Decommissioned 31 May 1919, stricken for disposal 24 July 1919, sold 3 January 1920. Used as a floating hotel and gambling casino; then chartered to the government in 1943 for use as a barracks at Elizabeth City, NC. Towed to Maryland for use as a floating restaurant and hotel in 1950, but sold in 1951. Planned refit for use as an oil exploration support ship cancelled; sold for scrapping; scrapping completed early 1952.
Classification: Amphitrite Class Monitor Laid down: 1874 Launched: June 7, 1883 Commissioned: April 23, 1895 Rig: One military mast Armament: Four 10 inch (254 mm) breechloading guns Two 4 inch (100 mm) rapid fire guns Two 6 pounder (57 mm) rapid fire guns Two 3 pounder (47 mm) rapid fire guns Two 37 mm Hotchkiss guns Seven one pounder gun One Colt revolving guns Contractor: Harlan and Hollingsworth, Wilmington, Delaware Length: 262 feet, 9 inches Beam: 55 feet, 10 inches Draft: 14 feet, 6 inches Displacement 3,990 tons Complement: 171 Officers and Enlisted Men under the command of Char;es J. Barclay Engine Type: Two engines generating 1,600 hp., 2 screws Speed: 10.5 knots Coal endurance 1800 nautical miles at 10 knots Normal coal supply: 250 tons Armor: Armor belt - 180 mm, iron. Conning Tower - 190 mm Chimneys and ventilators - 100 mm to height of .9 m Deck - 40 mm Turrets - 292 mm (fixed portion) and 190 mm (movable portion) Double bottom under boilers and engines.
Criteria The World War I Victory Medal was awarded for military service during the First World War. It was awarded for active service between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918; for service with the American... The World War I Victory Medal was awarded for military service during the First World War. It was awarded for active service between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918; for service with the American Expeditionary Forces in European Russia between November 12, 1918, and August 5, 1919; or for service with the American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia between November 23, 1918, and April 1, 1920. MoreHide
Description The United States of America declared war on the German Empire on April 6, 1917. The U.S. was an independent power and did not officially join the Allies. It closely cooperated with them militarily buThe United States of America declared war on the German Empire on April 6, 1917. The U.S. was an independent power and did not officially join the Allies. It closely cooperated with them militarily but acted alone in diplomacy. The U.S. made its major contributions in terms of supplies, raw material and money, starting in 1917. American soldiers under General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), arrived in large numbers on the Western Front in the summer of 1918. They played a major role until victory was achieved on November 11, 1918. Before entering the war, the U.S had remained neutral, though it had been an important supplier to Great Britain and the other Allied powers. During the war, the U.S mobilized over 4 million military personnel and suffered 110,000 deaths, including 43,000 due to the influenza pandemic. The war saw a dramatic expansion of the United States government in an effort to harness the war effort and a significant increase in the size of the U.S. military. After a slow start in mobilising the economy and labour force, by spring 1918 the nation was poised to play a role in the conflict. Under the leadership of President Woodrow Wilson, the war represented the climax of the Progressive Era as it sought to bring reform and democracy to the world, although there was substantial public opposition to United States entry into the war.
Although the United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, it did not initially declare war on the other Central Powers, a state of affairs that Woodrow Wilson described as an "embarrassing obstacle" in his State of the Union speech. Congress declared war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire on December 17, 1917, but never made declarations of war against the other Central Powers, Bulgaria, the Ottoman Empire or the various Co-belligerents allied with the central powers, thus the United States remained uninvolved in the military campaigns in central, eastern and southern Europe, the Middle East, the Caucasus, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
The United States as late as 1917 maintained only a small army, smaller than thirteen of the nations and empires already active in the war. After the passage of the Selective Service Act in 1917, it drafted 2.8 million men into military service. By the summer of 1918 about a million U.S. soldiers had arrived in France, about half of whom eventually saw front-line service; by the Armistice of November 11 approximately 10,000 fresh soldiers were arriving in France daily. In 1917 Congress gave U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans when they were drafted to participate in World War I, as part of the Jones Act. In the end Germany miscalculated the United States' influence on the outcome of the conflict, believing it would be many more months before U.S. troops would arrive and overestimating the effectiveness of U-boats in slowing the American buildup.
The United States Navy sent a battleship group to Scapa Flow to join with the British Grand Fleet, destroyers to Queenstown, Ireland and submarines to help guard convoys. Several regiments of Marines were also dispatched to France. The British and French wanted U.S. units used to reinforce their troops already on the battle lines and not to waste scarce shipping on bringing over supplies. The U.S. rejected the first proposition and accepted the second. General John J. Pershing, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) commander, refused to break up U.S. units to serve as mere reinforcements for British Empire and French units. As an exception, he did allow African-American combat regiments to fight in French divisions. The Harlem Hellfighters fought as part of the French 16th Division, earning a unit Croix de Guerre for their actions at Château-Thierry, Belleau Wood, and Séchault.
Impact of US forces on the war
On the battlefields of France in spring 1918, the war-weary Allied armies enthusiastically welcomed the fresh American troops. They arrived at the rate of 10,000 a day, at a time when the Germans were unable to replace their losses. After British Empire, French and Portuguese forces had defeated and turned back the powerful final German offensive (Spring Offensive of March to July, 1918), the Americans played a role in the Allied final offensive (Hundred Days Offensive of August to November). However, many American commanders used the same flawed tactics which the British, French, Germans and others had abandoned early in the war, and so many American offensives were not particularly effective. Pershing continued to commit troops to these full- frontal attacks, resulting in high casualties against experienced veteran German and Austrian-Hungarian units. Nevertheless, the infusion of new and fresh U.S. troops greatly strengthened the Allies' strategic position and boosted morale. The Allies achieved victory over Germany on November 11, 1918 after German morale had collapsed both at home and on the battlefield.... More
Other Memories
Summary of the Log of the USS Holland 1 Jan 1900 to 13 June 1900 Navy Yard, Washington DC 25 June 1900 to 16 Oct 1900 Torpedo Station, Newport Rhode Island 22 Oct 1900 to 8 Jan 1901 United States Naval Academy, Annapolis MD 10 Jan 1901 to 22 Jan 1901 Navy Yard, Norfolk VA 23 Jan 1901 to 10 June 1901 United States Naval Academy, Annapolis MD 15 June 1901 to 2 Oct 1901 Torpedo Station, Newport Rhode Island 3 Oct 1901 to 24 Oct 1901 Navy Yard, New York 5 Nov 1901 to 14 July 1902 United States Naval Academy, Annapolis MD 18 July 1902 to 31 July 1902 Navy Yard, New York 1 August 1902 to 3 April 1903 Navy Yard, League Island PA 3 April 1903 to 4 August 1903 United States Naval Academy, Annapolis MD 4 August 1903 to 8 August 1903 Baltimore Shipbuilding & Drydock Co, Baltimore 8 August 1903 to 6 Sept 1904 United States Naval Academy, Annapolis MD 6 Sept 1904 to 10 Sept 1904 Baltimore Shipbuilding & Drydock Co, Baltimore 10 Sept 1904 to 18 July 1905 United States Naval Academy, Annapolis MD 20 July 1905 to 1915 Navy Yard, Norfolk VA Excerpts from the Log of the USS Holland 25 Sept 1900 "Got within torpedo range of USS Kearsage during night attack." 11 Oct 1900 Acting Gunner O. Hill, Lieut. H. H. Caldwell reported for duty. 12 Oct 1900 "Lieut H.H. Caldwell today placed this boat in commission." 11 Feb 1901 W. Reader GM 1st class rated Chief Gunner dated from 1-1-1901 20 Feb 1901 Chief Mate B. Bowie reported for duty 22 April 1901 B. Bowie Mach 1st class rated to CM to date from 14th, Callahan GM 3rd rated to GM 2nd class. 13 May 1901 A. Gumpert GM 3rd class reported for duty. 30 July 1902 "R.K. Holland, Elect 2cl, in starting battery blower, aspark from starting rheostat caused an explosion of gas, given off by storage battery. The explosion and flames injured Holland, burning his face and body and cutting his head by coming in ontact with lower edge of conning tower." "The flames also set fire to some waste stowed in the boat, source of the boards covering the battery were thrown up and buckled. Otherwise no damage was done." 25 Nov 1902 "Lieut Arthur McArthur Jr assumes command of USSTB Holland" 17 Jan 1903 W. Reader CGM transferred to USRS Minneapolis for general detail 18 Jan 1903 R.O. Williams (Elect 2cl) received acting appointment as Elect 1cl and made part of regular crew 7 May 1903 Lieut. Arthur MacArthur Jr detached from Holland and ordered to New Suffolk, Long Island. Holland put under command of Gunner O. Hill, USN 9 August 1904 "Fitted new canvas cover for battery deck and patched rubber cover." 29 Oct 1904 R.O. Williams Chief-Electrician transferred to Gunnery school at Navy Yard, Washington, DC. 1 Nov 1904 E. Swanson, Acting Gunner relived Owen Hill Ensign, USN. 16 Nov 1904 Owen Hill Ensign detached from command of USS Holland and ordered to USS Wisconsin 30 March 1905 "Painted parts of inside of boat with white paint." 31 March 1905 "Crew at work painting inside of boat with lead - colors, black - shellac and red shellac." 1 April 1905 "Gave battery deck a coat of red shellac." 29 April 1905 "A. Wm Keane, M Mate 1st class given five days Bread & Water for having whiskey in his possession" 6 May 1905 "E.R. Rhinelander GM 2nd cl placed in irons to await action of Commanding officer" 9 May 1905 "A.E. Simpson, Gunner's mate 3rd class given 5 days bread and water for being absent from ship without proper authority" 3 June 1905 E.R. Rhinelander, Gunners Mate 2nd class restored to duty 24 July 1905 Board of Inspection from Equipment Department recommends removing the battery from boat and setting up on dock 1 August 1905 "Yard people began pumping out battery cells and removing plates in the cells" 10 August 1905 "Plates all out of battery and yard men started taking out the empty cells" 13 April 1907 Hauled out on marine railway. Workmen prepared boat to be skidded off railway - heavy marine growth but otherwise hull in good condition 17 April 1907 Skidded from railway - working on engine - machy jacked by hand 30 June 1907 "All machinery jacked over by hand. Crew inspected at quarters on Torpedo Station"
Other Memories
Report of Lieutenant Caldwell, Commanding the 'Holland.' Naval Torpedo Station, Newport R.I. September 27, 1900 Sir, 1. I have the honour to submit the following report of the operations of the 'Holland' to date. 2. The 'Holland' arrived at this station on June 24, 1900, in charge of Mr. Frank Cable and the crew of experts provided by the Holland Company in accordance with paragraph 3 of the contract under which the boat was purchased. I was assigned to duty with the boat, and by July 7 Acting Gunner Owen Hill and five petty officers and seamen gunners had been selected from the numerous volunteers. 3. Shortly after the arrival of the boat two bars of the armature of the main motor burned out at different times, necessitating sending for an electrician from the builders in Philadelphia each time to put in new bars and rewind the bindings. This was due to moisture on the armature making short circuit between bars. No further trouble has been had from this, and care has been taken to run the motor for a few minutes every day to warm it up, and prevent the gathering of moisture. The 'Holland' was accidentally sunk at her moorings about two years ago, and after that much trouble was had from the same cause, but none from about eighteen months ago to this time. This armature is not removable from the boat as it should be, and it is very difficult to get the proper tension for rewinding the bindings in the contracted space it now occupies. 4. July 7 to 17 was spent by the naval crew learning the mechanism of the boat under the instruction of the 'Holland' experts. On the 17th, 19th, and 20th made surface runs, using both gas engine and motor, and shifting from one to the other. On July 28 a submerged run was made, the boat handled by the 'Holland' experts. 5. On July 31 the boat was hauled out on the ways at Crowley's shipyard, cleaned, and painted. Outside manholes were taken off midship and after ballast tanks, and considerable rusting was found in them, especially the after one, in which a large quantity of cork had been placed to reduce its volume for water. These tanks are not accessible for cleaning because the frames are close together, and have solid bulkheads across, with only small holes in them. In new constructions all ballast tanks should be made accessible for cleaning in every part by manholes with plates inside the boat. 6. On August 6, 7, 11 and 15 made submerged runs, gradually working in the naval crew and leaving out the 'Holland' experts. Also exercised putting torpedo into boat and firing it. 7. On August 17 a cast-iron disk of the friction clutch connecting the gas engine to the motor broke. A new one was received from the makers on Philadelphia and put in on the 28th. It was strengthened by shrinking on a wrought-iron band, and no further trouble is expected with this clutch. 8. At about this time much difficulty was experienced in the supply of gasoline to the gas engine, much water being carried over with it. It was the practice of Mr. Cable to admit salt water to the gasoline tank to assist in getting the boat into diving trim. The gasoline was pumped to the engine through a float that was designed to rise and fall with the gasoline and remain in it, but it is supposed that it became leaky or sank far enough to take some water with the gasoline. The defect has been remedied by ceasing to put water in the gasoline tank, and I have never found it necessary to do so, the supply of gasoline being well kept up. An auxiliary feed pipe has been fitted, sticking down into the tank from the top, and this can be used in case it ever becomes necessary to use water in the tank. This tank has only one manhole, opening into the boat, and I am told that it is almost impossible with repeated washing to get the gasoline fumes out of the tank so that a man can go in it with safety. It seems to me very necessary that there be two manholes in the tanks in the new boats in order to get a good current of air through it when it is opened for inspection and cleaning." 9. On August 30 and 31, September 5, 6, 8, and 11, practiced with submerged runs, the naval crew doing all the work. 10. The naval crew is now sufficiently well trained to dispense with the services of the 'Holland' experts, but there is still much for us to learn about the boat. She is in excellent condition, and has had no breakdown since the friction clutch. There have been many minor accidents, but, I think, fewer than on the ordinary torpedo boat. I would urge that she be kept going, for I doubt seriously if she would maintain her efficiency without a crew to keep her delicate mechanism in order. 11. The enlisted men in such a boat must be of the highest intelligence, steady of nerve, quick of resource, and implicitly obedient. The present crew fulfils these requirements. The officer in the turret cannot see what his men are doing and must be able to thoroughly rely on them, as the safety of the boat depends on the individual action of any one. It seems only fair that these men should receive extra compensation. 12. All the mechanism should be tested every day if possible. The main motor especially should be run every day. All gasoline connections should be examined every day. Each cell of the storage battery should be tested once a month for E.M.F. and gravity of acid, and acid should be added whenever necessary. The pump should be put on every ballast tank every day, and the Kingston valves worked at least twice a week. The boat should be ventilated as much as possible, but great care should be taken to protect the motors from moisture. 13. In concluding this report, I desire to call your attention to the ability, patience, and courtesy shown by Mr. Cable and his assistants in instructing the naval crew in the handling of the 'Holland'. Very respectfully H. H. CALDWELL, Lieutenant U.S.N. Inspector of Ordnance in Charge Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, R.I.
Chain of Command
The American squadron was thus officered: Acting Rear Admiral George Dewey, Commander-in-Chief. Commander B.P. Lamberter, Chief-of-Staff. Lieutenant L.M. Brumby, Flag Lieutenant. Ensign H.H. Caldwell, Secretary.
Other Memories
The Olympia being short of officers for the battery, ,, H. H. Caldwell, Flag Secretary, volunteered for,and was assigned to a sub-division of the 5-Inch battery Ensign H. H. Caldwell, secretary to the commander in chief, volunteered for fighting duty was assigned to the command of a subdivision of the 5-in&h battery
Criteria The Philippine Congressional Medal was a decoration of the United States Army which was established by the United States Congress on July 9, 1906. The decoration recognized those soldiers who had enli... The Philippine Congressional Medal was a decoration of the United States Army which was established by the United States Congress on July 9, 1906. The decoration recognized those soldiers who had enlisted in the United States Army for the purpose of the Philippine-American War. MoreHide
Description The Philippine–American War (Spanish: Guerra Filipino-Estadounidense, Filipino: Digmaang Pilipino-Amerikano) (1899–1902) was an armed conflict between the First Philippine Republic (Spanish: RepúblicaThe Philippine–American War (Spanish: Guerra Filipino-Estadounidense, Filipino: Digmaang Pilipino-Amerikano) (1899–1902) was an armed conflict between the First Philippine Republic (Spanish: República Filipina) and the United States.
The conflict arose when First Philippine Republic objected to the terms of the Treaty of Paris under which the United States took possession of the Philippines from Spain ending the Spanish–American War. The war was a continuation of the Philippine struggle for independence that began in 1896 with the Philippine Revolution.
Fighting erupted between United States and the Philippine Republic forces on February 4, 1899, and quickly escalated into the 1899 Second Battle of Manila. On June 2, 1899, the First Philippine Republic officially declared war against the United States. The war officially ended on July 2, 1902, with a victory for the United States. However, some Philippine groups led by veterans of the Katipunan continued to battle the American forces. Among those leaders was General Macario Sacay, a veteran Katipunan member who assumed the presidency of the proclaimed "Tagalog Republic", formed in 1902 after the capture of President Emilio Aguinaldo. Other groups, including the Moro people and Pulahanes people, continued hostilities in remote areas and islands until their final defeat a decade later at the Battle of Bud Bagsak on June 15, 1913.
The war and occupation by the U.S. would change the cultural landscape of the islands, as people dealt with an estimated 34,000 to 220,000 Philippine casualties (with more civilians dying from disease and hunger brought about by war), disestablishment of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines (as a "state Church" – as previously in Spain), and the introduction of the English language in the islands as the primary language of government, education, business, industrial and increasingly in future decades among families and educated individuals.
Under the 1902 "Philippine Organic Act", passed by the United States Congress, Filipinos were initially given very limited self-government, including the right to vote for some elected officials such as an elected Philippine Assembly, but it was not until 14 years later with the 1916 Philippine Autonomy Act, (or "Jones Act") passed by the United States Congress, during the administration of Democratic 28th President, Woodrow Wilson, that the U.S. officially promised eventual independence, along with more Philippine control in the meantime over the Philippines. The 1934 Philippine Independence Act created in the following year the Commonwealth of the Philippines, a limited form of independence, and established a process ending in Philippine independence (originally scheduled for 1944, but interrupted and delayed by World War II). Finally in 1946, following World War II and the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines, the United States granted independence through the Treaty of Manila concluded between the two governments and nations.... More
Criteria The Dewey Medal was a military decoration of the United States Navy which was established by the United States Congress on June 3, 1898. The medal recognizes the leadership of Admiral of the Navy Geor... The Dewey Medal was a military decoration of the United States Navy which was established by the United States Congress on June 3, 1898. The medal recognizes the leadership of Admiral of the Navy George Dewey, during the Spanish-American War, and the sailors and marines under his command. MoreHide
Criteria The Spanish Campaign Medal was awarded for military service in, or on the high seas en route to, any of the following countries during the dates indicated: Cuba (May 11 to July 17, 1898), Puerto Rico ... The Spanish Campaign Medal was awarded for military service in, or on the high seas en route to, any of the following countries during the dates indicated: Cuba (May 11 to July 17, 1898), Puerto Rico (July 24 to August 13, 1898) or Philippine Islands (June 30 to 16 August 16, 1898). MoreHide
Criteria The Spanish War Service Medal commemorates certain service during the Spanish-American War. It was awarded for military service of not less than ninety days between April 20, 1898, and April 11, 1899,... The Spanish War Service Medal commemorates certain service during the Spanish-American War. It was awarded for military service of not less than ninety days between April 20, 1898, and April 11, 1899, to servicemen who were not eligible for the Spanish Campaign Medal. The Spanish War Service Medal was originally intended for members of the National Guard mobilized during the Spanish-American War but who were not eligible for the Spanish Campaign Medal. MoreHide
Served as a guardship at New York 1917-1919. Decommissioned 31 May 1919, stricken for disposal 24 July 1919, sold 3 January 1920. Used as a floating hotel and gambling casino; then chartered to the government in 1943 for use as a barracks at Elizabeth City, NC. Towed to Maryland for use as a floating restaurant and hotel in 1950, but sold in 1951. Planned refit for use as an oil exploration support ship cancelled; sold for scrapping; scrapping completed early 1952.
Classification: Amphitrite Class Monitor
Laid down: 1874
Launched: June 7, 1883
Commissioned: April 23, 1895
Rig: One military mast
Armament: Four 10 inch (254 mm) breechloading guns
Two 4 inch (100 mm) rapid fire guns
Two 6 pounder (57 mm) rapid fire guns
Two 3 pounder (47 mm) rapid fire guns
Two 37 mm Hotchkiss guns
Seven one pounder gun
One Colt revolving guns
Contractor: Harlan and Hollingsworth, Wilmington, Delaware
Length: 262 feet, 9 inches
Beam: 55 feet, 10 inches
Draft: 14 feet, 6 inches
Displacement 3,990 tons
Complement: 171 Officers and Enlisted Men
under the command of Char;es J. Barclay
Engine Type: Two engines generating 1,600 hp., 2 screws
Speed: 10.5 knots
Coal endurance 1800 nautical miles at 10 knots
Normal coal supply: 250 tons
Armor: Armor belt - 180 mm, iron.
Conning Tower - 190 mm
Chimneys and ventilators - 100 mm to height of .9 m
Deck - 40 mm
Turrets - 292 mm (fixed portion) and 190 mm (movable portion)
Double bottom under boilers and engines.