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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Commander Frederick M. Symonds to Secretary of the Navy John D. Long

U. S. S. MARIETTA, 3d Rate,       

Callao, Peru,        

March 31, 1898.

Sir: 

I respectfully acknowledge the receipt, this day, of the Department’s cipher despatch, dated the 29th instant.1

In compliance therewith I have made necessary contract for coal for the OREGON, and have 750 tons in lighters for her now, which will be placed alongside the moment she arrives.

This vessel leaves to-night for Valparaiso, Chili.

     Respectfully,

F. M. Symonds,

Commander, U. S. N.,

Commanding, and

Senior Officer Present.

Source Note: TLS, DNA, AFNRC, M625, roll 319. Addressed below close: “The Secretary of the Navy, Navy Department,/Washington, D.C.” Docketed: “U. S. S. MARIETTA,/Callao, Peru,/March 31, 1898./Symonds, F.M./Commander U.S. Navy/Commanding/Acknowledge notf cable,/reporting coal contract/made + reporting departure.” Stamp: Document features a rectangular stamp separated into two boxes. The larger box on the left contains: “BUREAU OF NAVIGATION/REC’D APR 2 1898/NAVY DEPARTMENT,” and on the right the box contains: “WITH.” The number “115923” is handwritten below.

Footnote 1: In the 29 March, dispatch, Long ordered Symonds to minimize the time Oregon spent at dock by acting as an advanced purchasing agent at its west coast ports on its journey around South America. Report of the Bureau of Navigation, 1898, 48.