Rear Admiral William A. Kirkland, Commandant, Mare Island Navy Yard, to Secretary of the Navy John D. Long
May5 1898
Dated Mare Island Calif 5
To Secy Navy WDC
Charleston Commissioned1 at eleven this morning
Capt H Glass2 Kirkland
Comdt
Source Note: C, DNA, AFNRC, M625, roll 320. Cable was handwritten on “THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY,” stationary. Document has a rectangular “BUREAU OF NAVIGATION,” stamp dated 8 May 1898. “Capt. H Glass” was handwritten addition in another hand.
Footnote 1: Charleston was one of the United States Navy’s earliest protected cruisers. It had been out of commission since 27 July 1896, berthed at San Francisco. The Navy refitted and manned Charleston in April 1898.
Footnote 2: Capt. Henry Glass was named commander of Charleston.
