Online Library of Selected Images
Ships of the Spanish-American War

Members of the Naval War Board

In March 1898, Secretary of the Navy John D. Long established a Naval War Board to provide him with operational and strategic advice. The Board's composition varied during the war period, consisting initially of Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt, Rear Admiral Arent S. Crowninshield, Captain Albert S. Barker and Commander Richardson Clover.
Soon after the fighting began, all but Crowninshield left to take active combat positions. For the remainder of the conflict, the Board's membership included Rear Admiral Montgomery Sicard, the former commander of the North Atlantic Squadron, Rear Admiral Crowninshield and historian and strategic theorist Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan.

This page features the officer members of the Naval War Board.

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Photo #: NH 51738 Rear Admiral Arent S. Crowninshield, USN (1843-1908) Photograph taken circa 1897, when he was Chief of the Bureau of Navigation. During the Spanish-American War, he served on the Naval War Board. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 62,013 bytes; 633 x 780 pixels
Photo #: NH 91733 Rear Admiral Arent S. Crowninshield, USN At his desk in Washington, DC, while serving as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, circa 1897. Donation of the U.S. Army Military History Institute, Carlisle Barracks, PA, 1979. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 51,558 bytes; 600 x 780 pixels
Photo #: NH 56826 Captain Albert S. Barker, USN (1845-1916) Halftone photograph, taken circa 1898, and printed in a contemporary publication. He served on the Naval War Board in March-April 1898, and commanded USS Newark during the rest of the Spanish-American War. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 56,067 bytes; 490 x 780 pixels
Photo #: NH 51660 Commander Richardson Clover, USN (1846-1919) Photograph taken circa 1898. As the Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence, he served on the Naval War Board in March-April 1898, and commanded USS Bancroft during the rest of the Spanish-American War. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 45,149 bytes; 590 x 780 pixels
Photo #: NH 45388 Commodore Montgomery Sicard, USN (1836-1900) Photograph taken circa the 1890s. As a Rear Admiral, he commanded the North Atlantic Squadron until April 1898 and served as Chairman of the Naval War Board during the rest of the Spanish-American War. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 35,083 bytes; 590 x 680 pixels
Photo #: NH 48058 Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan, USN Engraving after a sketch by Gribayeitoff, 1894, while he commanded USS Chicago. Mahan retired in 1896, but his reputation as a historian and strategist led to further official employment, including service on the Naval War Board during the Spanish-American War. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 72,392 bytes; 580 x 780 pixels
Photo #: NH 48056-KN (Color) Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan, USN (1840-1914) Portrait in oils by an unidentified artist. Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC. Navy Art Accession #: 65-350-FS U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 52,467 bytes; 533 x 780 pixels

For higher resolution images see: Obtaining Photographic Reproductions

To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.