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.
T u g s.
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 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
