Commodore Arent S. Crowninshield, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, to Rear Admiral Henry Erben, Commander, Auxiliary Naval Force
[Washington, DC] May 11, 1898.
S i r,
You are informed that the commanding officers of the various monitors have been directed to report to you by telegraph for duty under the Coast Defense System,1 as soon as their respective vessels have reached the station assigned them, and are in all respects ready for service.
Of these vessels, the CATSKILL at Gloucester; the LEHIGH, at Boston; and the NAHANT, at New York are now ready. The MONTAUK is assigned to Portland, Maine; the NANTUCKET to Port Royal, S.C.; the PASSAIC to New Orleans, La., the JASON, to New York; and the WYANODOTTE to Bath, Maine. It is probable that the CANOSICUS will be assigned to Hampton Roads,2 and the MAHOPAC and MANHATTAN to Fisher’s Island.3
The permanent stations assigned to these vessels should not be changed by the officer in charge of the Coast Defense System without authority from the Department.
Very respectfully,
A.S. Crowninshield
Chief of Bureau.
Source Note: TCyS, DNA, AFNRC, M625, roll 130. Addressed below close: “Officer in charge of/the Coast Defense System,/39 Whitehall Street, New York.” Document reference number: “110017.”
Footnote 1: By Coast Defense System, Crowninshield was referring to the system of coastal forts, mines, and auxiliary naval vessels protecting the coastal cities of the United States.
Footnote 2: Hampton Roads is located in Virginia.
Footnote 3: Fisher’s Island is located in New York.
