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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Commodore Arent S. Crowninshield, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, to Commodore Francis M. Bunce, Commandant, Brooklyn Navy Yard

March 28, 1898.

S i r:

     The following names have been assigned to the vessels recently purchased by the Government,1 and now fitting out at the yard under your command:

Y a c h t s.

ALICIA

HORNET2

ALMY

EAGLE3

HERMIONE

HAWK4

COLUMBIA

WASP5

 

    

T u g s.

E.F. LUCKENBACK

TECUMSEH6

W.A. LUCKENBACK

UNCAS7

WINTHROP

OSCEOLA8

P.H. WISE

SIOUX9

EL TORO

ALGONQUIN10

    

German Torpedo Boat. SOMMERS11

The Hydrographic Office has been directed to send hydrographic outfits for them to the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The Department directs that as soon as they are in all respects ready for sea, order the Commanding Officers to proceed with them to Key West, Florida and report to the Commander-in-Chief12 of the North Atlantic Station, for duty in the Squadron under his command.

Very respectfully,

A.S. Crowninshield

Chief of Bureau.

Source Note: CyS, DNA, AFNRC, M625, roll 227. Addressed below close: “Commandant,/Navy Yard,/Brooklyn N.Y.”

Footnote 1: With war looming, the Navy Department initiated an expansion, which included the purchase of yachts and tug boats as auxiliary vessels. See:ournal of Secretary of the Navy JJohn D. Long, 8 March 1898.

Footnote 2: Hornet, Lt. James M. Helm, commanding.

Footnote 3: Eagle, Lt. Cmdr. William H.H. Southerland, commanding.

Footnote 4: Hawk, Lt. John Hood, commanding.

Footnote 5: Wasp, Lt. Aaron Ward, commanding.

Footnote 6: Tecumseh, Lt. George R. Evans, commanding.

Footnote 7: Uncas, Lt. Frederick R. Brainard, commanding.

Footnote 8: Osceola, Lt. John L. Purcell, commanding.

Footnote 9: Sioux, Ens. Walter R. Gherardi, commanding.

Footnote 10: Algonquin, Ens. Walter S. Crosley, commanding.

Footnote 11: The correct spelling is Somers

Footnote 12: Commo. William T. Sampson, Commander, North Atlantic Fleet

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