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U. S. STEAMER McCULLOCH,
Manila Bay, May 3, 1898.
SIR: Regarding the part taken by this vessel in the naval action
of Manila Bay at Cavite, on Sunday morning, May 1, 1898, between
the American and Spanish forces, I have the honor to submit the
following report:
Constituting
the leading vessel of the reserve squadron the McCulloch
was, when fire opened, advanced as closely as was advisable in
rear of our engaged men of war, in fact, to a point where several
shells struck close aboard and others passed overhead, and kept
steaming slowly to and fro, ready to render any aid in her power,
or respond at once to any signal from the Olympia. A 9-inch
hawser was gotten up and run aft, should assistance be necessary
in case any of our ships grounded. At a later hour during the
day, just prior to the renewal of the attack by our squadron,
I intercepted the British mail steamer Esmeralda, in compliance
with a signal from the flagship, communicated to her commander
your orders in regard to his movements, and then proceeded to
resume my former position of the morning, near the fleet, where
I remained until the surrender of the enemy. I desire to state
in conclusion that I was ably seconded by the officers and crew
of my command in every effort made to be in a state of readiness
to carry out promptly any orders which might have been signaled
from your flagship.
Respectfully,
yours,
D. B. HODGSDON
Captain, R. C. S., Commanding
Commodore GEORGE DEWEY, U. S. N.,
Commanding U. S. Naval Force on Asiatic Station
Continue
to Report of U.S. Consul at ManilaSource: Appendix to the Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, Annual Reports of the Navy Department for the Year 1898. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1898.
23 July 1999