Rear Admiral Montgomery Sicard, President, Naval War Board, to Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, Commander, North Atlantic Fleet
Navy Department,
OFFICE OF NAVAL WAR BOARD,
Washington, D. C., July 14th 1898
Sir:-
The following light vessels have recently been designated to be turned over to your command, for employment on the blockade.1
Name. Class. Draft. Present location.
Governor Russell Ferryboat 9. Boston, fitting out.
East Boston " " 9. " " " "
Stranger Yacht 10 or 11 Norfolk
Siren " " " " "
Viking " 9 At sea; bound, Key West.
Apache Tug 9.6in. Probably arrived, Key W.
Sylvia Yacht 9 At Navy Yard, N.Y. being strengthened for proper battery.
Frolic " 10 or 11 At sea, bound, Key West.
Besides above, there are several small vessels of about the same draft, now completing for the Auxiliary Defense Fleet.2 Are any of them necessary for use in your fleet ? If so, I think they might be obtained.
Very respectfully,
MSicard
Source Note: TDS, DNA, RG 313, Entry 47. Addressed below close: “Commander-in-Chief/U.S.Naval Force,/North Atlantic Station.” Document is on “NAVAL WAR BOARD” stationery.
Footnote 1: The North Atlantic Fleet was at the time blockading Cuba and wanted light draft vessels so that they could get closer inshore to enforce the blockade.
Footnote 2: For more information, see: Assistant Secretary of the Navy Charles H. Allen to Commo. Arent S. Crowninshield, 4 June 1898.
