Volume 4, Issue 6

A Newsletter for the Supporters of the NaYal Museum

n May 5, 1857, USS Dale departed Norfolk for the west coast of . In Ocommand of the 566 ton sloop of war was Cmdr. William McBiair, USN. He immediately began what he called "a daily chat" with his wife, Myers McBiair, the granddaughter of Norfolk merchant Moses Myers. This chat took the form of a serial letter, parts of which would be mailed at every opportunity throughout the two-year cruise of the Dale. His comments provide us with an intimate look at the U.S. Navy's fight against the international slave trade. By the time the Dale left Hampton Roads, the importation of slaves "from any foreign kingdom, place or country" The 24-gun sloop-of-war USS Dale. This ship operated out of Hampton Roads and served many had already been illegal for fifty years. tours on the Africa Station in the mid to late 19th century. It, however, took aboard more African · · · I I . I . . parrotts (over a hundred) than it did liberated slaves. (Naval Historical Center photograph of a After Inltla egis at! on In 1807 • 1903 R.G. Skerret wash drawing) Congress in 1819 authorized the President to dispatch ,,,, A ... Me-r~e sf''l-rlec-r~ows'' naval vessels to the coast of VV'e I ~Ie .1., """""'-, .1. 1 Africa to suppress the slave trade. The following ye~ a Dale in the 1857-1859 law was passed brandmg uss . ' traffickjng in slaves as by Joe Mosier piracy. Still, before 1839 the Navy's only American-flagged ships could be "England has treaties with all nations efforts were only sporadic, as an seized. As a result, American slavers except our own which authorizes her occasional single would be sent often resorted to the immunity of false to capture any except Americans. We from the Gulf Squadron to patrol in flags. have treaties with none & can only African waters. Even these efforts were The English had been far more capture those bearing our own flag. I hampered by the legal restriction that aggressive in their attempts to put down hope however to be so fortunate as to the slave trade. They were, however, come across one." The expectable Inside The Day Book • held back by America's refusal in the result was that slavers increasingly The Director's Column.•.•...... •. l years after the War of 1812 to allow began to use the American flag for Roosevelt is Coming to Town ...... 3 British inspection of U.S. merchant protection. Museum Opens Display on the vessels. By 1841, England had In 1842, the U.S. and Britain signed Africa Station...... 4 negotiated treaties with most European the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. Volunteer News and Notes ...... 9 countries regarding mutual rights of Among its provisions was one The Museum Sage...... tO search. Only the United States still stipulating that each nation would refused. As McBlair would write: Africa Station continued on page 6 Cumberland Speaks The Director's Column by Becky Poulliot ne of the advantages of our co­ on the Africa Station" is the museum's Hampton Roads. The Hampton Roads location with Nauticus is the temporary display, located adjacent to Naval Museum is the sole repository Oopportunity to coordinate "Henrietta Marie" on the third floor of for the ship's remains which were special exhibits and events together. Nauticus. "A Humanitarian Symbol" recovered in the 1980's. Like the On Sept. 26, the Hampton Roads Naval tells a story that is little known and "Henrietta Marie," the Cumberland Museum will provide an adjunct seldom researched. In 1808, the U.S. artifacts speak to the visitor through the display and educational program for the Constitution's ban on the importation simple items found on board. The national traveling exhibit, "A Slave of slaves into this country took effect. Ship Speaks: The Wreck of the In 1820, the extremely difficult task Henrietta Marie." The exhibition's of enforcing the policy fell name refers to a that sank the U.S. Navy. "A off the coast of Florida in 1700. With Humanitarian Symbol" its discovery in 1972 by well-known highlights the men and treasurer hunter Mel Fisher, the world their ships on station off was able to view the single most the coast of Africa, and important cache of artifacts relating to offers an interesting the transatlantic slave trade. "Henrietta story of lives saved and Marie" is on a national tour and will lost. be at Nauticus until Jan. 4, 1999. "A Humanitarian You may wonder how the Hampton Symbol" maintains a Roads Naval Museum could add to this direct tie into the ... story. Throughout this issue of The museum's permanent Part of the museum 's nationally known USS Day Book, you will see some of the gallery. Our very own 19th century Cumberland collection will on display for the stories, items,-and illustrationS-We-are Cumber-land sewed-as-flagsh-ip-of-t-he­ jil'st-Jime-a&-pal'~f the-muBBUm!-&-new-display presenting about the U.S. Navy's Africa Squadron prior to her on the U.S. Navy and the Africa Station. patrols off the coast of Africa. "A ignominious sinking in the James River excitement of the field of underwater Humanitarian Symbol: The U.S. Navy during the first day of the Battle of archaeology is in the discovery of time capsules such as these two shipwrecks. The museum plans to share the Cumberland story with 3,000 sixth graders during the fall months. The L o c "l H; 1 t o r y. W o r l J E "en t '· students will tour the "Henrietta Marie" About The Day Book HRNM Staff and "A Humanitarian Symbol," do a The Day Book is an authorized publication ofthe Hampton hands-on activity and then come to the Roads Naval Musewn (HRNM). Its contents do not necessarily Director Hampton Roads Naval Museum to reflect the official view ofthe U.S. Government, the Department Becky Poul/iot explore the Cumberland and Curator of Defense, the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps and do not underwater archaeology. imply endorsement thereo[ The HRNM is a museum dedicated Joe Judge to the study of 220 years of naval history in the Hampton Roads Education Specialist We continue to offer a great region. The museum is open daily from I 0 am. to 5 p.m. Bob Matteson luncheon lecture series. On Sept. 10, Admission is free. Exhibits Specialist learn about the dangers of collecting Marta Nelson The Day Boolts pwpose is to educate and infonn readers on history in war zones as Marine Corps historical topics and museum related events. It is written by the Museum Technician staff and volunteers of the museum. The newsletter takes its Ofelia Elbo Lt. Col. Dennis Mroczkowski talks name from a 19th century Norfolk newspaper. HRNMOIC about Somalia, Haiti, and Bosnia. Then Questions or comments can be directed to the Hampton Ensign Rod Hartsell on Oct. 13, do not miss the Navy's HRNM LPOifPU Admin. Roads Naval Museum editor. The Day Book can be reached at Birthday bash planned aboard USS Wasp (757) 322-2993, by fax at (757) 445-1867, e-mail at FCJ (SW) Mike Rosa [email protected], or write The Day Book, Hampton Editor ofThe Day Book (LHD-1) with President Teddy Roads Naval Musewn, One Waterside Drive, Suite 248, Norfolk, Gordon Calhoun Roosevelt. See page 3 for more on VA 23510-1607. The museum can be found on the World Wide Director, HRNHF President Roosevelt's arrival. Call me Maj.Gen.Dennis Murphy, Web at http://naval-station.norfolk.vauslnavy.html. The Day for information for both of these events Book is published bi-monthly with a circulation of I ,200. USMC(Ret) Contact the editor for a free subsaiption. and to make reservations at 757-322- 2992. JLlb..

2 Teddy Roosevelt Coming to Norfolk on October 13 ' 'What we care for most is the Governor of New York, and most character of the average man; for importantly to Hampton Roads, we believe that if the average of Assistant Secretary of the character in the individual citizen is Navy during the McKinley sufficiently high, if he possesses those Administration. He made three qualities which make him worthy of speeches in this area, one for the respect in his family life, and his work Jamestown Exposition and two outside ... there is literally no height of for the . He triumph unattainable in this vast is best known for being a huge experiment of government by, of and supporter of the U.S. Navy, an for a free people." This quote comes advocate for the preservation from President Theodore "Teddy" of the American wilderness, Roosevelt's speech at the opening of and a crusader against big the Jamestown Exposition of 1907 and business monopolies. is very representative of one of the most Mr. Foote currently lives on colorful and forceful personalities in Long Island, NY and has been American history. interpreting Roosevelt for As a part of"Fleet Week Hampton several years. He first started Roads," the Hampton Roads Naval portraying the President when someone recognized the likeness and asked him to be in a parade. He has since done extensive research on Roosevelt's public and private life. He has presented his interpretation of Roosevelt across the nation to several groups and historic sites including Mr . James Foote as President 's birthplace, Sagamore Hill Roosevelt (Roosevelt's home in NY), and for the commissioning ceremonies for the a question and answer session about Museum and the Hampton Roads aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt Roosevelt's life after the presentation. Council of the Navy League of the (CVN-71). Reservations are required. The cost is United States are proud to present a Mr. Foote's presentation will be $15. Call (757) 322-2992 to make person whose passion is to remember accompanied by a lunch. It will include reservations or for more information . ~ this great American. On Oct. 13, Mr. James Foote of Long Island, NY will THE HANDCLASP OF CENTURIES. present his first person interpretation of the 24"' President ofthe United States at 11 :30 a.m on board the warship USS Wasp (LHD-1). His presentation will include several Roosevelt speeches on the U.S. Navy, national destiny, and foreign relations. He will also recall the President's experiences in the 1st • U.S. Volunteer Cavalry during the Spanish-American War and his role as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Teddy Roosevelt held many positions of public office before becoming President. He was police commissioner for ,

3 Museum Opens New Display on the Navy's Africa Station

he Hampton Roads Naval Museum will open a new Tdisplay on the U.S. Navy's Africa Station on Sept. 23. This display will accompany Nauticus, the National Maritime Center's new travelling exhibit "A Slave Ship Speaks: The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie" on the third floor. This display will discuss the Navy's role off the coast of Africa between 1820 and 1862. During this time period, the U.S. Government assigned the Navy the task of interdicting the slave trade. This display will include artifacts, models, and illustrations of the men and ships involved with this campaign. In addition to the anti-slave trade campaign, the Navy also assisted the American Colonization Society and other affiliated groups in establishing a colony of freed slaves in Africa. This colony eventually grew into the Republic of Liberia, which has the distinction of being the oldest free black country in Africa. The display will include an 1843 journal from the A June 2, 1860 Harper's Weekly engraving of the slave ship Wildfire which was seized by the Society which has been graciously steam USS Mohawk of/the coast ofCuba . loaned by the Hampton University Museum in Hampton, VA. Other artifacts that will be on display come from the museum's USS Cumberland collection. Many of these artifacts have never been on public display. The sloop-of-war Cumberland served as the flagship ofthe Squadron between 1856 and 1858 before she was· sunk by the ironclad CSS Virginia in 1862. Other Hampton Roads connections to the station include the locally built and based sloops USS • Jamestown, Yorktown, and Truxtun . Local courts were frequently asked to pass judgement on suspected slave ships. The display will show through Jan. 4, 1999. For more information, Shown here are various pain killing devices used aboard USS Cumberland Pictured are an ale bottle, a contact Gordon Calhoun at 322- /iniment oil (the 19th century version ofBen-Gay) bottle, and a tobacco pipe. (Photo by Gordon Calhoun) 2993. iLlb-

4 "A Humanitarian Symbol: The U.S. Navy on the Africa Station," a display about the Navy's role in suppressing the African slave trade will open for viewing on Sept. 23. It will accompany N auticus' " A Slave Ship Speaks: The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie" exhibit on the third floor. Call 322-2993 for information on the Africa Station display and 664- 1000 for more information on the Henrietta Marie exhibit.

""'='ty '"'"and'-"''"'" usn-- "'" -m;p Rn«

5 Africa Station continued from page 1 (Sierra ~ '"- · "maintain in service, on the coast of \,Free.t,qwn Africa, a sufficient and adequate squadron, or naval force of vessels, of t.._ Liberia Ni~ia ..... ' ·~ I / suitable numbers and descriptions, to Monrovilil-. ~V....; ""'l,_J __/ carry in all not less than eighty guns, ' -- · Accra '-1; to enforce separately and respectively, ...... 1 Af9-~ ( ( ~ the laws, rights and obligations, of each of the two countries, for the ~ I \ suppression of the slave trade." The ''( ) Congo \ following year Commodore Matthew C. Perry led four ships to equatorial I waters as the first contingent of the U.S. Kissembo~ / I Navy's Africa Squadron. For the fifteen Loando'l Angola \· ", years prior to the Dale's cruise, the Squadron's size remained largely at Benguel( that level. In addition to fighting the slave trade, the Squadron was given \~J responsibility for aiding the Liberian settlements of freed American blacks, • St. Helena \ supporting U.S. trade, surveying the \ coast and cultivating good relations with native peoples. The Squadron's \.,, r cruising grounds were divided into northern and southern divisions: the , \~ape Colo;) former along the Bight of Benin, the latter south of the Equator along the mouth of the Congo River. Capetow~ The frrst stop on Dale's cruise was Vincent. This small settlement served He spoke to the captains oftwo Royal the island of reached after a as a coaling base for Royal Navy Navy steamers who reported capturing voyage of three weeks. Capt. McBlair steamers, and thus as post office for the two slavers in the past few days. waited there another twenty days for American Squadron. At Porto Grande, Although he encountered several ships the English mail steamer from the ship took on her compliment of from other countries, McBlair found only Gibraltar. The steamer still had not eighteen Kroumen. These African a single American whaler commanded shown when the sloop-of-war USS St. natives served as boatmen and by "an impudent Yankee." Running short Louis arrived with orders sending the translators for U.S. Navy ships. Known of fresh food, the Dale left station to Dale on to the Africa Squadron's base for their swimming ability and sobriety, reprovision at Sao Paulo de Loando, two at Porto Pria in the Islands. the Kroumen were given nicknames by days sail to the south of the Congo. Ten days after leaving Madeira, the crew. Their leader was called John McBlair was disappointed in his initial McBlair celebrated his 50th birthday Adams as he had gained freedom after lack of success. He felt his sailing ship by commuting the punishment of a three years of in Brazil by stood no chance on its own. "Our seaman sentenced to confinement and stowing away on the frigate USS John squadron is a farce. With a small steamer, by giving up chewing tobacco, "a vile Adams. Others in this group were I would have ere this been in the Congo and pernicious habit" (although Seabreeze, Two Forty, Wash Woman, & without doubt have made many prizes "segars" he considered "a very and Tom Bigbee. but with sails I can do nothing. Sails were gentlemanly luxury & I do indulge in It was not until Aug. 15 that never made to contend with currents & it.") Deeply religious, McBlair spent Commodore Thomas H. Conover calms. Indeed so soon as my flag was much of his free time reading the Bible arrived in his flagship USS seen off the coast, it was announced by and scholarly commentaries on the Cumberland. He ordered Dale to sail the runners far & wide & before I reach any Bible. The arrival of the Dale at Porto next day to patrol off the mouth of the place where I may hear of a slaver my Pria on June 27 was undoubtedly a Congo River. A month later, the sloop departure is announced & my approach heartening sight to the crew of the anchored at her destination, underscoring anticipated & I fmd nothing apparently schooner USS Dolphin, the ship she the immense distances ships ofthe Africa but legal trade." He was determined to was ordered to relieve. _Squadron were required to travel. After go so far as to work jointly with the One of the frrst orders of business a side trip to Loango Bay for wood and British to end this frustration. He later for Capt. McBlair was a cruise to Porto water, McBiair returned to the Congo to wrote his wife of his efforts after Grande on the nearby island of St. begin searching in earnest. Africa Station continued on page 7 6 Africa Station continued from page 6 returning to the Congo from Loando. packed in each other's laps when the officers visited a few little huts on "On the 20th we sailed from St. Paul de taken." the beach and found quite a large Loando. I being anxious to get my The capture of the Windward by the number of the Congo tribe assembled, expedition up the Congo provided I could British despite flying the U.S. flag the King amongst them. Today His have the aid of an English steamer; reinforced McBlair' s sense of Majesty came on board to pay me a consequently I kept the land in sight as frustration. "The inefficiency of sailing visit. He was dressed in a grass the probable means of meeting with one vessels on this coast has been so fully smoking cape, an English Lieutenant's and about noon of the 21st was fortunate represented to the Department that I frock coat, a shirt & his loins girded in doing so. Dispatched a boat (after think their attention must be drawn to like the rest of them with a cloth, only making my arrangements with the it. We are mere scarecrows and the it had a number of tails hanging down commander HBM Steamer Myrmidon) only ones benefited are the English and I believe the more tails & the longer under the command ofLt. Walker with a who induce those bearing the they are denotes the greater dignity. He detail consisting of Lt. Cummings, Dr. American flag to believe that the Dale had no trousers or shoes but silver rings Dean and fifteen men, the next day I is near at hand & that they will detain around his ankles & wrists. He was a stood for the mouth of the Congo and them until she makes her appearances. very respectable looking Negro very anchored fmding the Cumberland there. As the illegal traders are guilty of much like many you meet with in Sent a boat to her but did not visit her the piracy by our laws, they are very Virginia. I invited him into the cabin. weather being unpleasant. She sailed willing to throw overboard their flag Gave him cigar & whisky, a bundle of early next morning. On the 23rd we were & papers and become prizes to the the former & a bottle of the latter to all expectancy & every sail coming out English under the head of 'no papers carry with him. I made a little trade of the Congo was hailed as a prize. Sail after sail shot through its mouth wafted swiftly away in the strength ofthe current. At length the steamer was discovered with the Dale's boat in tow. It was a death blow to all hope. Shortly the arrival of our boat alongside confirmed our suspicions, but two American vessels were in the Congo, the papers of both correct but one a very suspicious craft. I perhaps may see more of her." The two American craft McBiair wrote of were the bark William G. Lewis and the Windward. The former he seized after a thorough examination of her papers showed serious discrepancies. He dispatched her to Norfolk with a prize crew headed by his executive officer, Lt. Joel S. Kennard. The latter managed to get away despite McBiair's suspicions, but was later taken by the British. In a letter dated Dec. 29, 1857 from St. Helena, he explained to his wife: "The One of the few known pictures of McBlair is this formal portrait at the in Windward which I sent an expedition 1860. McBlair is the American officer in the middle. To his right is Capt. Franklin Buchannan who would take command ofthe ironclad CSSVirginia a year later. Sitting in front ofBuchannan after and which through want of is the first ever Japanese ambassador to the United States. (U.S. Navy photo) judgment in my boarding officer got or colors'. I have made a report upon for a fetish made of vegetable ivory and clear of us and which I afterwards the subject to Commodore Conover, we parted company." pursued with so much vigor amongst which he has thought proper to found The Dale returned to Sao Paulo de the Keys of the Congo but without a report upon to our Government and Loando for provisions in mid­ success managed to get two hundred also to address a letter to the [English] November 1857. The ship then turned miles from the coast with a cargo of of this station." south to patrol the coast below that city six hundred slaves & was captured by Capt. McBlair was also occupied before leaving for Saint Helena to an English steamer & brought here [St. with the diplomatic outreach portion of celebrate Christmas liberty. At St. Helena] for condemnation. One his duties. He visited often with civil and Helena, McBlair visited Longwood, the hundred and fifty of her slaves died on native leaders along the coast. On Nov. former residence of Napoleon during the passage. They were actually 7, he wrote his wife: "Yesterday some of Africa Station continued on page 8

7

/ Africa Station continuedfrom page 7 "How happy I shall be to get away from the his imprisonment by the British. The widow of one of the late emperor's cares of office. I do believe sailors as a class guards gave McBiair a brass shaving mug that had belonged to Napoleon. have fewer ideas ofmorality than any other body The ship's crew celebrated New Year's Day by putting on a "matinee" for the of men. You cannot indulge without being local gentry. The requirements of imposed upon. " -An exhausted McBlair hospitality had taxed McBiair's larder, "My Virginia hams have been scattered comments about his crew to his wife, April1859 as specimens of our private curing." Many of his religious books ended up governor who after some delay said would have a successful agricultural in the Governor's library. In return, that his judges told him the case was economy would be if slavery were to McBiair now shared his cabin with a still not ready for trial. McBiair then be introduced. The Bight of Benin terrier pup named Bony. sent a letter threatening that if the men cruise was largely uneventful, featuring Another part of a captain's duty in were not released to him, the Dale mostly visits to colonial authorities the Africa Squadron was protection of would take them by force. A trial was ashore. The ship departed the coast for American citizens. After departing St. quickly held the next day and the Porto Pria about Dec. 15. Helena on Jan. 4, 1858, McBiair American sailors found not guilty. McBiair' s output of letters declined directed his ship to Benguela. During The Dale departed Benguela on Feb. during the late portion of the cruise. a previous stop there in early December 4, making an uneventful pass through Weariness and impatience began to he had received a petition from two the southern division on the way to show through. Of one of his officers, imprisoned American sailors. Patrick Monrovia and the Canary Islands. She Lt. E. Lloyd Winder, McBiair wrote: Kelly, Jeremiah Sullivan and Manuel returned to the Squadron's home base "Winder is amiable and very attentive Ackmore from the New Bedford in the Cape Verde Islands on June 27, to his duties but not very bright, not whaler Osceola had been arrested in 1858. There, Commodore Conover the man for an executive officer." The captain also found fault with his personal servants with one exception: "Adolphe, my colored servant is an exceptional, honest boy, the only one of my party who has not been robbing me I think. I have discharged both cook and steward." McBlair had felt lucky early in the cruise to have good relations with his officers and men. By the end he was writing; "How happy I shall be to get away from the cares of office. I do believe sailors as a class have fewer ideas of morality than any other body of men. You cannot indulge without being imposed upon." From early January 1859 on the An engraving of the inside of a I 9th century slave ship. Most American slave traders were from and made a tremendous amount of money "selling flesh" as anti-slavery activists Dale remained mostly at Porto Pria. A called it. One of the many problems the U.S. Navy faced was that many slave merchants were not few side trips were made to Porto American and therefore did not fall under American jurisdiction. (HRNM photo of a engraving Grande to pick up the Squadron's mail. from the journal of Andrew Foote) McBiair sailed to to drop late March 1857 after a fight at Little ordered a cruise of the northern division off the Kroumen in late January. Fish Bay. Their trial had been delayed from the Liberian colony of Cape Mostly the crew waited for orders or ever since, and Kelly had died of illness Palmas south to Accra, Quittah, their relieving ship. Finally, liberation in the prison bospital. McBiair had Whydah and the Badagry. Contrary came about April 15, 1859. The Dale inquired about their case and had been winds kept Dale from reaching Liberia departed for the United States carrying told that evidence still needed to be sent until Sept. 14. McBiair described a an excited crew, more than one to Benguela from Little Fish Bay. dinner ashore with several freed hundred parrots and at least two dogs. When McBiair checked at that place, American slaves who were now leaders On May 20, Virginia McBiair received he was told that all evidence had been of Liberian society. He was disturbed the best communication of all, a forwarded to Benguela. On Feb. 2, to hear a former Virginia slave telegram announcing her husband's the captain called on the Portuguese proclaim that the only way the colony arrival in New York. ~

8 Volunteer Fleet Week Hampton Roads 1 998 News & Notes Highlight Schedule Friday October 9 II a.m. and 2 p.m.-Portsmouth Next Docent Meeting Naval Hospital Dungeon tours. r"'flle quarterly docent meeting will be USS Ashland open for tours at .l on Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. at the Virginia I p.m.-Fleet Chili Cookoff at Naval Nauticus through Oct. I2. Zoological Park located on Granby Street Air Station Oceana. in Norfolk. Attendees will be a given a 6 p.m.-Opening Ceremony at live animal presentation by our very own Norfolk's Town Point Park. Tuesday October 13 Ralph Preston. Please call Bob at 322- Ceremony to include a performance 2986 to tell him if you plan to attend or by the Navy Steel Band. 11:30 a.m.-Jim Foote's frrst person not. Also call if you need a ride, interpretation of President Teddy directions, or further information about Roosevelt on board USS Wasp. See the meeting. page 3 for more information.

Sixth Grade Program Wednesday October 14

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum 5 p.m.-Concert at Portside with the .l and Nauticus are planning an U.S. Navy Steel Band. educational program for Norfolk sixth graders. Our part of the program will 6:30 p.m.-Concert at Town Point Thursday October 15 center around the USS Cumberland Park with Hal Ketchum and Patty exhibit and underwater archaelogy. The Loveless. 7:30 p.m.-Navy Birthday Concert at three part on-site instruction will include Chrysler Hall with the Atlantic Fleet a teacher guided tour of the "Henrietta Saturday October 10 Band. Marie," a science experiment, and a HRNM hands-on less. We need docents For more information on any of these to come forward to participate in this Hampton Phoebus Days runs through events, call (757) 322-2797 or 322- program. Like the third grade program, Oct. II . 2853. docents will need extra training for their presentations. This program will start on by Mike Taylor on Oct. 5 and 9. You lasting about one hour. Each docent also Oct. 19. Training for this will be given need to be present for both sessions, each needs to attend a practice session with Mike which will be scheduled during the course. See or call Bob at 322-2986 if you are interested.

Africa Station Display

ven though the Africa Squadron Edisplay will be on the third floor, you may get questions from visitors about it. Once the display opens in late September, Gordon will take interested docents upstairs for a walk through.

Next Dundetfunk

• r"'flle next meeting of the Dunderfunk .l Society will be Thursday, Oct. 29 at 12:30 p.m. The speaker will be HRNM and Chrysler Museum docent Joe Moiser. He will talk about the letters Museum docent Preston Turpin explains the ways of the sea to a group ofthird graders (Photo by of Capt. William Henry McBlair which Bob Matteson) he has been working on. ~

9 he 9(useum Saoe

trade was based largely on a strong emotional belief which did not have widespread domestic support.

4) Interdicting the slave trade did nothing to enhance the national security of the United States. J Attention All History Grad 5) A lack of cooperation with Students other countries who had similar e have focused this issue of goals (in this case the British) The Day Book on the Africa made the campaign more WSquadron and the Africa difficult. Station. This is a part of U.S. Naval history that is scarcely talked about. The If we remove all references to campaign against the slave trade and the slaves, one might think we are presence of American warships in Africa talking about 20th century The immortal Capt. Matthew Perry, first commodore of the Africa Squadron. The Sage believes he and his fellow lasted over 40 years. Yet many naval peacekeeping operations, as these commodore's actions have many lessons for today 's historians either tend to mumble their are the exact same charges critics military operations. way through the Africa Squadron or are have leveled at foreign and military wisdom it can bring to things you are unnecessarily negative. policy makers. The 1988 mission to doing today. The Africa Station provides Some articles are simply cheap shots S0malia, for example, was done largely plenty of wisdom for the type of at the Navy. The worst of the lot is out of a reaction that we had an military operations we find ourselves this example: "Slave traders took an obligation to alleviate the suffering of involved with increasing numbers. & average of 40,000 slaves from Africa starving people, and not for national Two New Ship Models to each year for 420 years. The security reasons. magnitude of these numbers places in Like the Somalia operation, many Show Off perspective the lack of commitment of 19"' century policy makers wanted to The Sage woold I ike to present two the United States Government and the pull the plug on the Africa Squadron lnew ship models on display in the Navy Department to suppress the soon after it started. Unlike Somalia, museum's gallery: the steam gunboat African slave trade and ultimately bring the Africa Squadron made great strides USS Cayuga and the boat USS it to an end," wrote one writer (a retired towards achieving its goals towards the Winslow (TB-5). Naval officer the Sage might add) in a end of the campaign. It showed that if military history magazine. Never mind some of the problems listed above were USS Cayuga the as an organization solved, an "emotionally based" military Cayuga was one of the "90-day had only existed for 26 years when the operation could succeed. " constructed at the beginning U.S. Government ordered them to Africa. The fact of the matter is that more of the . While she When we get beyond these comments, study needs to be done on the Africa served with the West Gulf Blockade a few important points and observations Station. The station was not an overnight Squadron, the model is a good float to the top. The squadron has been sensation that was born one day and died representative of a highly successful criticized, today and in the 19"' century, the next. For as long as American ships class of light, steam powered warships for the following reasons: were there, all we have are some bits, that could frequently be seen attached pieces, and overgenerali:zations. As a to the Hampton Roads-based North I) It lacked a defmed mission (were ships public service to graduate students in Atlantic Blockade Squadron. there to stop the slave trade or promote history struggling to decide what to do Aroostook, Unadilla, Chocura, • American commercial interests?) their thesis on, The Sage would like to Chippewa, Seneca, and Penobscot suggest this topic. Start with William were six that serve on this station. Of 2) It lacked the resources to do the job Parker Howard's classic Recollections of these six, Aroostook was probably the properly (no station supply ships until a Naval Officer. Howard served aboard most relevant to our area as she was the 1850's.) the locally based sloop USS Yorktown assigned to the Navy's James River while in Africa. Squadron in early 1862. She 3) The policy of interdicting the slave History's most valuable asset is the Sage continued on page 11

10 Sage continued on page 10 participated in the Battle of Hampton Roads and in several engagements designed to support the Peninsula Campaign, including the Battle of Drewey's Bluff. Officially, Cayuga and her sister ships were designated screw gunboats and were named after Indian tribes or rivers in New England. They all displaced 691 tons, drew 11 feet of water, and had a maximum of I 0 knots. Armament varied to whatever was available. They usually had at least of two 24-pounder smoothbores, one 20-pounder smoothbore, and one 11- inch Dahlgren. The Navy latter refitted Cayuga with an extra set of two 24- pounders as an experiment to see if the small ship could handle the additional The "90-day" steam gunboat USS Cayuga (HRNM photo) armament. three 18-inch Whitehead torpedo tubes. torpedo boat flotillas. Battleships and The "90-day gunboat" program Winslow was most famous for cruisers were lined with small rapid fire received as much, if not more, public participating in a raid, along with the and various automatic guns to make attention in the North as construction Hampton Roads-based USS sure that torpedo boats kept their of the first three ironclads. There was Wilmington and revenue cutter USRS distance. A whole new class of warship a pressing need at the time of the Hudson, on Cardenas, during the was even invented to fight off torpedo bombardment of Ft. Sumter for shallow Spanish-American War. She was boats: the torpedo boat . draft blockade ships. While the almost sunk during the battle. When you see the model of Winslow Government was being a little The thinking behind and design of on exhibit, notice that it is painted a ------77~ambitious when it called for the ships this warship was heavily- influenced by dark green olive color. Since a torpedo to be built in 90 days, several of them a naval doctrine of costal defense and boat's greatest chance for a successful were turned out in under I 00. commerce raiders. The Navy's outlook target came at night, it needed to be The Navy awarded all contracts for for building in the late 1890's called given some type of camouflage. this program to civilian shipyards as it for over 150 torpedo boats, including American torpedo boats ofthe 1890's felt the Government-owned yards had more important things to work on. Twenty-three in all were completed within the first six months of the war, and they all provided valuable blockade and fort suppression duties. The model's builder is not known, but it was latter refurbished by the late Tom Tragle. Mr. Tragle also built the museum's model of USS Monitor and the sub-chaser SC 136.

USS Winslow (TB-5) The second model is the 1897 torpedo boat USS Winslow built by Model of USS Winslow built by museum docent Bob Comet. (HRNM photo by Gordon Calhoun) museum docent Bob Comet . 15 for Hampton Roads, to defend the hold a unique position in U.S. Naval • Constructed by the Columbian Iron nation's harbors from enemy fleets. · history as they were the only ships Works in , MD, Winslow was This plan was never fulfilled, as the painted this color scheme. In addition, commissioned and based at the Norfolk Navy started to concentrate more and these ships did not have a peace time Naval Shipyard. She was 160 feet in more on a true blue water fleet. color scheme like their larger cousins. length, displaced 142 tons, and a top Despite the difficulty of pulling off The model is currently on display speed of25 knots. She was armed with a successful torpedo attack, the world in the museum's Spanish-American three one-pounder rapid fire rifles and navies were frightened of each other's War exhibit.~

II