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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Commander Theodore F. Jewell to Secretary of the Navy John D. Long

U. S. S. “MINNEAPOLIS”,

Portsmouth, N.H.,

May 1st, 1898.

Sir:-

     1.   I have to report the arrival of this ship here at 2:P.M., to-day.

     2.   I left Eastport on the 28th, instant, and anchored that night in Machias Bay. An easterly gale was blowing and I could not communicate with Machias port with our own boats, but, on the 29th, a fishing schooner came from the town and brought me the latest newspapers and telegrams.

     3. I left MachiasBay on the afternoon of the 29th, the gale having somewhat abated. I intended to touch at Bar Harbor but when off that point a thick fog prevailed and I proceeded to Rockland, which port was reached in the early morning of the 30th. I there communicated with the Mayor.1

     4. Leaving Rockland in the forenoon of the 30th, I proceeded to Portland, where the ship was anchored for the night, and where the Mayor2 of the town was communicated with.

     5. I left Portland this morning and came to this port after swinging ship for compass deviations,3 this being the first day of good weather we have had since we left Hampton-Roads.

     6. The newspapers have reported the movements of the ship very faithfully and, I have no doubt, the cruise so far has fulfilled the intentions of the Department.4

     7. Should no other orders be received in the mean time, the ship will leave for Boston tomorrow afternoon.

Very respectfully,

Theo. F. Jewell

Captain,

 U.S.N.,Commanding.

Source Note: TCyS, DNA, AFNRC, M625, roll 130. Addressed below close: “Secretary of the Navy,/Navy Department,/Washington, D.C./(Bureau of Navigation.)” Document reference: “#124.” Docketed: “U.S.S. MINNEAPOLIS”,/Portsmouth, N.H.,/May 1st, 1898./Jewell, Theo. F./Captain, U.S.N.,/Commanding./Reports movement of the vessel.” There is a “BUREAU OF NAVIGATION” stamp at the top of the document. It is dated “MAY 8” along one side and a reference no.: “107475” in the center.

Footnote 1: Mayor A. W. Butler.

Footnote 2: Mayor Charles H. Randall.

Footnote 3: “Swinging a ship’s compass” is a method to adjust for compass deviation by moving a ship into open water and then turning the bow to each compass point in order to compare the compass headings with the true bearings. A Naval Encyclopedia (Philadelphia: L. R. Hammerly & Co., 1881), 798.   

Footnote 4: Both Minneapolis and Columbia were ordered to patrol the New England Coast in a highly conspicuous manner by Secretary of the Navy John D. Long on 23 April. See: Long to Sands, 23 April 1898. 

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