Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Secretary of the Navy John D. Long to Captain Charles E. Clark

May 24, 1898

Oregon, Jupiter Inlet Florida

If ship is in good condition and ready for service go to Key West otherwise to Hampton Roads. The Department congratulates you upon your safe arrival which has been announced to the President.1

                                                Long

Source Note: CS, DNA, AFNRC, M625, roll 230. The text starting from “The Department” is handwritten, presumably by Long.

Footnote 1: Oregon reached the east coast of Florida the evening of 24 May. Clark landed a party at Jupiter Inlet to make contact with the Navy Department. His telegram to Secretary Long read: “Have coal enough to reach Dry Tortugas or Hampton-Roads. Boat landed through surf await orders.” After receiving Long’s reply, Oregon, which was in excellent condition, steamed for Key West to join the fleet. Charles E. Clark, My Fifty Years in the Navy (Boston: Little Brown & Co., 1917), 276-77; and Clark to Long, 24 May 1898, DNA, AFNRC, M625, roll 230.

Related Content