Cllj Volume 4, Issue 5 July-August 1998 I A Newsletter for the Supporters of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum I "A Fitting Tribute to America's Soldiers and Sailors'' Hampton Roads' Spanish-American War Victory Parade by Becky Poulliot orfolk's bid for a naval ship to instill patriotism, increase N tourism and prime the local economy predates the battleship Wisconsin by almost a century. On May 29, 1899 thousands on both sides of the Elizabeth River witnessed a massive parade of ships honoring the arrival of the newest addition to the 1 OOth Anniversary The Spanish-American War 1898-1998 fleet, the Reina Mercedes. Reina's story-and how she came to Hampton Roads-has all the makings of a suspense novel, with happenstance and The Virginian-Pilot produced and published this drawing ofthe Spanish unprotected cruiser Reina Mercedes in 1899. Captured and successfully salvaged in late 1898 by the U.S. Navy, the cruiser politics determining the final outcome. was an obsolete ship and had lillie combat value, even to the Spanish. Her arrival in Hampton The Reina Mercedes began her Roads, however, sparked a large parade to celebrate America 's decisive victory over the Spanish. career in 1887 as a Spanish unprotected (May 6, 1899 drawing from theVirginian-PiloV cruiser. Named for the recently under steam or sail. She and two sister insurrectionists. With the outbreak of deceased Queen Mercedes and rigged ships, Alfonso XII and Reina Cristina, the war the Spanish fleet needed every as a schooner, Reina like its early were designed by the Spanish Brigadier vessel, no matter how dilapidated. American counterparts (i.e. the of Naval Engineers, with Reina being Statistically, the steel-hulled Reina American "ABC" cruisers) could move built at the Cartagena shipyard. The Mercedes displaced 3,090 tons, ran • ship was obsolete by the time her service under steam propulsion power and was Inside The Day Book began. As early as 1890, a Royal Decree outfitted with 22 guns of various found her "unfit for modem warfare." caliber. Her crew numbered 300. The Director's Column................ 2 Prior to the outbreak of the Spanish­ May, 1898 found her steaming into Spanish POW's at the Hospital...3 American War, the Reina Mercedes Santiago Harbor with Admiral Cervera, The Museum's Newest Exhibit. ... 4 served as the Santiago guard ship and not as a combat ship per se, but as a Volunteer News & Notes ............ tO patrolled Cuban and Puerto Rican coasts block ship should the U.S. Navy make The Museum Sage...................... ll to prevent smuggling of weapons to the Victory parade continued on page 6 No lazy Days of Summer at the HRNM The Director's Column by Becky Poulliot e have been busy providing and preparing for an array of W:programs. First, a recap of the 5th Annual Docent Cookout that occurred on June 11 . It was great! Thanks to all who came and most certainly hope you had a wonderful time. Special thanks to Ray Cabanos, manager of the Galley Restaurant, who catered the event. I would also like to thank Marta Nelson and FCl Mike Rosa for setting up the decorations, and Ofelia Elbo for serving as M.C. for the door prizes. Lt. Col. Charles Jones presented the first Dunderfunk of the summer by Retired FBI Special Agent Robert Hunter speaks about the Walker Spy Ring on July recalling a veteran group's visit to the /6, /998. Ca/1322-2992 to make reservations. island of Iwo Jima 50 years after the engineering officer and as public affairs guided tour of its exhibit on the infamous battle. His moving presentation officer for both Atlantic and Pacific Philippine theater of the war and the was given before an audience that Fleet Marine Forces. He is currently a subsequent Filipino insurrection. On included original participants in the professional artist. July 16, retired FBI Special Agent 1945 battle. Our next Dunderfunk will July 9 is the quarterly docent Robert Hunter will speak about the be on August 27 when Col. E-d - meetin . We continuelhe Spanis - Walkerspyrm-g-atPier26at 11:30a.m. Condra (Ret.) discusses combat art American War theme with a meeting Special Agent Hunter worked on and its residual impact on American at I 0 a.m. at the MacArthur Memorial. several counterintelligence cases, culture. Col. Condra has served as an After the meeting, we will receive a including the Walker case, and will provide a backstage look at one of the most infamous espionage rings in American history. To make ~b:NAVAi*MuSEUM reservations for this talk or for the L o c 11 I H; 1 tory. Wo r I J E "en t 1. Dunderfunk, please call (757) 322- About The Day Book HRNM Staff 2992. Bob Matteson, our educator, is The Day Book is an authorized publication ofthe Hampton already working on a speaker line-up for Roads Naval Museum (HRNM). Its contents do not necessarily Director reflect the official view ofthe U.S. Government, the Department Becky Poul/iot the 1999luncheon series. Please call him of Defense, the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps and do not Curator at (757) 322-2986 if you have any imply endorsement thereof The HRNM is a museum dedicated Joe Judge suggestions. Also, we are planning a Education Specialist to the study of 220 years of naval history in the Hampton Roads docent training course for 1999 as well, region. The museum is open daily from I 0 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bob Malleson Admission is free. Exhibits Specialist so be on the lookout for any prospects. The Day Boo/is purpose is to educate and inform readers on Marla Nelson I hope to see you· at some of the historical topics and museum related events. It is written by the Museum Technician Ofelia Elbo above events and if you have not staff and volunteers of the museum. The newsletter takes its viewed the museum's Spanish­ name from a 19th century Norfolk newspaper. HRNMOIC • Questions or comments can be directed to the Hampton Ensign Rod Hartsell American War exhibit, please do so. We Roads Naval Museum editor. The Day Book can be reached at HRNM LPOffPU Admin. have received some great press coverage FC I (SW) Mike Rosa (757) 322-2993, by fax at (757) 445-1867, e-mail at for the exhibit and it is being received Editor ojThe Day Book [email protected], or write The Day Book, Hampton very well. Hope you have a great Roads Naval Museum, One Waterside Drive, Suite 248, Norfolk, Gordon Calhoun VA23510-1607. The museum can be found on the World Wide Director, HRNHF summer! Web at http://naval-station.norfolk.va.us/navy.html . The Day Maj.Gen.Dennis Murphy, Book is published bi-monthly with a circulation of I ,200. USMC (Ret) 2 Tending to Friend and Foe Alike The Naval Hospital in the Spanish-American War by Gordon Calhoun e Navy achieved its greatest ictory of the Spanish-American War on July 3, when elements of the combined American squadrons engaged the Spanish squadron off the coast of Santiago, Cuba. The battle was fairly one-sided as the American ships 1 li picked off and destroyed each of the I six Spanish ships. When the dust settled, the Spanish suffered over 600 casualties, while the Americans had suffered only a handful. The Spanish sailors and officers who survived the American shells promptly jumped ship and tried to swim to shore. Instead of relief from their misery, the surviving Spaniards found themselves under attack by hungry sharks and angry Cuban insurgents who fired on them from shore. Pictured here is the Ambulance Ship Solace Formerly the passenger ship Creole, Newport News 1 OOth Anniversary Shipbuilding converted her into the Navy's first official hospital ship. The ship help the Navy 's The Spanish-American War Medical Corps save more lives by allowing patients to be tended to immediately in a clean environment. In late July 1898, the ship brought 57 wounded Americans and 47 wounded Spanish 1898-1998 sailors from Cuba to the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA . (1899 Naval Historical Center American warships picked up as photograph) many of the Spanish survivors as they wounded servicemen out of the frrst two months of the war and quickly could. Among the survivors was Adm. Caribbean as quickly as possible to brought to the Norfolk Naval Hospital Cervera, the Spanish squadron's avoid yellow fever infections. The (now called the Portsmouth Naval commanding officer, his son who was department purchased Creole in April Hospital) for long-term care. The serving as his aide, and Cervera's chief­ 1898 from a New York shipping hospital ship returned to Cuba just in time of-staff, Capt. Concas. The Spanish company. Soon after her purchase, the to tend to sailors wounded in the Battle captain was badly wounded and Navy brought her down to Newport of Santiago. Wounded American sailors immediately transferred to the Solace, News Shipbuilding to convert her into a from the armored cruiser Brooklyn and technically called the Ambulance Ship hospital ship. The shipyard outfitted the additional Marines wounded around Solace, for recovery. vessel with an operating room, a steam Guantanamo were brought on board, as Solace was the Navy' s first official disinfecting apparatus, an ice machine, a well as all wounded Spanish sailors. hospital ship. Technically speaking, laundry room, and other necessary Fifty-three Spanish sailors in all were she was the first U.S. Naval vessel to medical equipment. After 21 days of received, among them Capt.