Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Captain Daniel E. Hodgson, Revenue Cutter Service, to Commodore George Dewey, Commander, Asiatic Squadron

U.S. STEAMER McCulloch.          

Manila Bay,            

May 3 1rd, 1898.

SIR: -

     Regarding the part taken by this vessel in the naval action of Manila Bay, at Kavite, on Sunday morning, May 1st, 1898, I have the honor to submit the following report:

     Constituting the leading vessel of the reserve squadron the McCulloch was, when fire opened, advanced as closely as was advisable in rear of our engaged men-of-war, in fact, to a point where several shells struck close aboard and others passed overhead, and kept steaming slowly to and fro ready to render any aid in her power to respond at once to any signal from the Olympia. A 9-inch hawser was gotten up and run aft should assistance be necessary in case any of our ships grounded. At a later hour during the day just prior to the renewal of the attack by our Squadron, I intercepted the Br.1 mail steamer Esmeralda, in compliance with a signal from our flagship, communicated to her commander your orders in regard to his movements and thence proceeded to resume my former position of the morning, near the fleet where I remained until the surrender of the enemy. I desire to state in conclusion that I was ably seconded by the officers and crew of my command in every effort made to be in a state of readiness to carry out promptly any order which might have been signaled from your flagship.

Respectfully yours,         

(Signed)  Daniel E. Hodgson,

Captain R.C.S.,2 Comdg.        

Source Note: Cy, DNA, AFNRC, M625, roll 363. Addressed before open: “Commodore George Dewey, U.S. Navy,/Commanding U.S. Naval Force,/On Asiatic Station.”

Footnote 1: British.

Footnote 2: Revenue Cutter Service of the United States Treasury.

Related Content