DOCSLIB.ORG

United States Navy and World War I: 1914–1922

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
United States Navy and World War I: 1914–1922 Cover: During World War I, convoys carried almost two million men to Europe. In this 1920 oil painting “A Fast Convoy” by Burnell Poole, the destroyer USS Allen (DD-66) is shown escorting USS Leviathan (SP-1326). Throughout the course of the war, Leviathan transported more than 98,000 troops. Naval History and Heritage Command 1 United States Navy and World War I: 1914–1922 Frank A. Blazich Jr., PhD Naval History and Heritage Command Introduction This document is intended to provide readers with a chronological progression of the activities of the United States Navy and its involvement with World War I as an outside observer, active participant, and victor engaged in the war’s lingering effects in the postwar period. The document is not a comprehensive timeline of every action, policy decision, or ship movement. What is provided is a glimpse into how the 20th century’s first global conflict influenced the Navy and its evolution throughout the conflict and the immediate aftermath. The source base is predominately composed of the published records of the Navy and the primary materials gathered under the supervision of Captain Dudley Knox in the Historical Section in the Office of Naval Records and Library. A thorough chronology remains to be written on the Navy’s actions in regard to World War I. The nationality of all vessels, unless otherwise listed, is the United States. All errors and omissions are solely those of the author. Table of Contents 1914..................................................................................................................................................1 1915..................................................................................................................................................3 1916................................................................................................................................................10 1917................................................................................................................................................15 1918................................................................................................................................................79 1919..............................................................................................................................................147 1920..............................................................................................................................................157 1921..............................................................................................................................................158 1922..............................................................................................................................................159 Endnotes .......................................................................................................................................160 2 1914 4 August President Woodrow Wilson issues a proclamation for a policy of neutrality in regard to the conflict in Europe.1 5 August Senate and House of Representatives pass House Joint Resolution 314 for the relief, protection, and transportation of American citizens in Europe away from the emerging conflict. The resolution authorized the armed forces to deliver gold abroad, empowering the president “to employ officers, employees, and vessels of the United States and use any supplies of the naval or military establishments, and to charter and employ any vessels that may be required with an appropriation not to exceed $2.5 million.”2 6 August At 10:20 p.m., the armored cruiser Tennessee (CA-10) sails from New York Harbor for Falmouth, England carrying $3 million in gold from private banking interests and $1.5 million in gold coin from a Congressional appropriation to provide financial relief to Americans caught up in the outbreak of World War I. Aboard Tennessee are a delegation of Army officers, additional Navy and Marine Corps officers, five bankers, representatives of the banking interests sending private funds, five representatives of the Treasury Department, a State Department diplomatic advisor, the national director of the American Red Cross and his secretary, and eight War Department clerks and a messenger. Under the auspices of the United States Relief Commission in Europe, the funds are intended to shore up the collapsed European credit system to enable the 125,000 Americans and their interests stranded abroad means to return home.3 7 August Armored cruiser North Carolina (CA-12) and collier Vulcan (AC-5) sail from the Boston Navy Yard and rendezvous off Cape Cod with the armored cruiser Tennessee (CA-10) bound for Falmouth, England.4 15 August U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire Henry Morgenthau wires Secretary of State William J. Bryan about receiving requests from U.S. interests in the Ottoman cities of Beirut and Smyrna (modern day Izmir) demanding U.S. warships be sent to protect American lives and property.5 1 U.S. Department of State, Foreign Relations of the United States, (FRUS) 1914, Supplement, The World War (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office [GPO], 1928), 547–51. 2 U.S. War Department, Report on Operations of United States Relief Commission in Europe (Washington, DC: GPO, 1914), 1–2. 3 War Department, Report on Operations, 1–2. 4 Branden Little, “Evacuating Wartime Europe: U.S. Policy, Strategy, and Relief Operations for Overseas American Travelers, 1914–15,” Journal of Military History 79, no. 4 (October 2015): 944; Arthur S. Link, Wilson: The Struggle for Neutrality, 1914–1915 (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1960), 75; Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS), entry for North Carolina II (Armored Cruiser No. 12), https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/n/north-carolina-ii.html. 5 Department of State, FRUS, 1914, Supplement, 66–67. 1 16 August Armored cruiser Tennessee (CA-10) arrives in Falmouth, England, at 7:45 p.m. The following day, $400,000 in gold is sent to London, with $300,000 consigned to U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain Walter Hines Page with the other $100,000 provided to two U.S. Army officers for relief work.6 18–19 August Armored cruiser North Carolina (CA-12) sails from Falmouth, England, and arrives in Cherbourg, France, the following day carrying $200,000 in gold and additional American officials for the U.S. Relief Commission in Europe.7 20 August Armored cruiser Tennessee (CA-10) sails from Falmouth, England, for the Hook of Holland.8 21 August Lieutenant Commander Henry C. Mustin, Lieutenant Patrick N. L. Bellinger, and 1st Lieutenant Bernard L. Smith, USMC, travel to Paris, for a two-day tour of aircraft factories and aerodromes in the immediate area. This temporary assignment, the first use of naval aviators as observers in foreign lands, is a precedent for assignment of aviation assistances to naval attaches, which begins the same month when Lieutenant John H. Towers is sent to London.9 21 August Armored cruiser Tennessee (CA-10) arrives off the Hook of Holland at 4:40 p.m., three miles outside Dutch territorial waters, and is met by the Dutch cruiser Nord-Brabrant, which will accompany American officials and $200,000 in gold ashore to The Hague.10 29 August Armored cruiser North Carolina (CA-12) sails from Falmouth, England, destined for Turkish waters carrying $150,000 in gold relief funds for American-owned institutions and businesses cut off from usual channels of commerce and banking because of the war.11 16 November Turkish shore batteries fire on the launch carrying the commanding officer of armored cruiser Tennessee (CA-10) from his ship into the city of Smyrna. The commander and crew on the launch are uninjured, but the incident results in several diplomatic exchanges with American officials, who are thereafter instructed to obey Turkish orders relating to port entry.12 16 November An administrative reorganization at Pensacola, Florida, shifts overall command from the station ship to the headquarters ashore and the station is officially designated as Naval Aeronautic Station Pensacola.13 6 War Department, Relief Commission, 3; Little, “Evacuating Wartime Europe,” 946. 7 Ibid., 86. 8 Ibid., 4. 9 Roy A. Grossnick, United States Naval Aviation, 1910–1995, 4th ed. (Washington, DC: GPO, 1995), 15; Little, “Evacuating Wartime Europe,” 948–49. 10 War Department, Relief Commission, 4. 11 Department of State, FRUS, 1914, Supplement, 762; John A. DeNovo, American Interests and Policies in the Middle East, 1900–1939 (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1963), 91. 12 DeNovo, American Interests, 93; Department of State, FRUS, 1914, Supplement, 771–74, 779–80. 13 Grossnick, Naval Aviation, 15. 2 23 November The office of Director of Naval Aeronautics is established to designate the officer in charge of naval aviation, with Captain Mark L. Bristol, already serving in that capacity, being ordered to report to the Secretary of the Navy under the new title.14 23 November Director of Naval Aeronautics Captain Mark L. Bristol establishes requirements for special meteorological equipment to be installed at the ends of the speed course at Pensacola, Florida, to measure and record velocity and direction of winds, gusts, and squalls.15 1 December Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan dies at age 74 in Washington, D.C.16 26 December The U.S. government sends the British government a diplomatic protest against the British seizure and detention of U.S. cargoes on the high seas destined for neutral ports.17
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Saint Patrick's Day 5K
    IIN THIS ISSUE NAVY COLLEGE IN TPROGRAMHIS ISSUE SURVEY: 2019 TheVIRGINIA Navy College Program INTERNATIONAL(NCP)(NCP) announcedannounced aa new,new, moremore TATTefficientOO customer service This year’opinions theme. survey . .Courage July 24, & as part Commitmenof thet continuing– A salute to improvement womenprocess in the m forilitary Voluntary Vo l . 2 6 , No . 30 No rf o l k , VA | f l a g s h i p n e w s . c o m 07 . 2 6 . 1 8 – 0 8 . 01. 1 8 Vo l l .. 22 6 ,, NoNo .. 3030 No rfrf oll k ,, VA || ff ll a g s h ii p n e w s .. c o m 07 .. 22 66 .. 1 8 – 0 8 .. 01.. 1 8 Education. » See A6 » See A6 See A4 VOL.TRUMAN 27, No. 11 , Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com STRIKE03.21.19—03.27.19 GROUP RETURNS TO NORFOLK,SAINT RETURNS TO NORFOLK,PATRICK’S REMAINS READYDAY 5K R UN By MCSN Maria Llanos bring groups out to build ca- Navy Public Affairs Support Element East maraderie by doing some- thing outside the ordinary.” NORFOLK This year MWR incorpo- The Naval Station Nor- rated the Recovery Zone as folk Morale, Welfare, and the latest addition equipped Recreation (MWR) team with massage guns, lacrosse hosted its annual St. Pat- balls and exercise bands rick’s Day 5K Run March used to warm up before the 15. run and to recover after. Over 340 service mem- “The Recovery Zone is bers and their families gath- going to be an outreach to ered at the N-24 Gymna- show people what we offer,” sium, many wearing green said Antonio .S.
    [Show full text]
  • Thon.Ppt.210129.007
    • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • THE STATE OF EUROPE IN DECEMBER OF 1916 IN A CONSTANT STATE OF FLUX, IN A CONSTANT STATE OF PERPETULANCE • Eastern front hammered in the Brusilov Offensive. • Allies able to push the Germans away from Verdun. • Americans funneling supplies to the Allies. • Italy has abandoned the Central Powers, joining the Allies. • Threat of American intervention leads to the suspension of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare. • Western Front has turned into a marginally defensive battle for the Germans. • U.S. advises Germans they will protect all American assets against Submarine Warfare. JAPAN’S OBLIGATIONS FULFILLED 23 AUGUST 1914 – 7 NOVEMBER 1914 • Japan was bound to aid Great Britain by a bilateral 1902 Treaty. • Immediately seized German holdings in the Pacific upon unanswered ultimatum. • After Germany was removed from the region, was withdrawn among the Allies. • Aided the Allies in the Siberian Expedition. The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere in 1941. (27 years German front lines as seen at Qingdao ahead of evacuation in 1914. later) • Generally advertised pro-German news. • Eventual ambitions included a further inland push into China. • Japan’s disposition appeared to be shaky towards the Allies. • Germany sought to capitalize on this early. THE BRUSILOV OFFENSIVE 4 JUNE 1916 – 20 SEPTEMBER 1916 • Planned by Russian GEN Aleksei Brusilov • Designed to alleviate pressure from the Western Front. • Aimed with intent at severely eroding the Eastern Front. • The greatest feat of arms for the Russians during World War I. Russian cavalry charging on the front lines during the Map showing the Eastern front and position of Brusilov’s forces in May offensive.
    [Show full text]
  • University of Southampton Research Repository Eprints Soton
    University of Southampton Research Repository ePrints Soton Copyright © and Moral Rights for this thesis are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder/s. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given e.g. AUTHOR (year of submission) "Full thesis title", University of Southampton, name of the University School or Department, PhD Thesis, pagination http://eprints.soton.ac.uk UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON THE PORTSMOUTH DOCKYARD WORKFORCE 1880-1914. A Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the degree of M.Phil. by FETER WILLIAM GALLIVER, B.A. (Oxon) M.A. (Lancaster) CXMrnsTTS nfTRDDUCTION Chapter Page Nurttoer 1. THE DOCKYARD WORKING ENVIRONMENT 1 2. THE DOCKYARD SHIPWRIGHTS, THE S.C.A. AND THE A.S.S. 4&2 3. THE PETITIONS OF 1911. WD? 4. THE ENGINEERS AND THE DOCKYARD UNREST OF 1913. 123 5. THE SAILMAKERS. 165 6. THEJUMXXIKERS. 176 7. THE DOCKYARD, LEISURE, SELF-HELP AND EDUCATION. 197 8. CONSERVATIVES, LIBERALS AND LABOUR: Z%5 DOCKYARDMEN AND POLITICS. 9. CONCLUSION - DOCKYARDMEW, THE MAKING OF THE 294 WORKING CLASS AND THE LABOUR ARISTOCRACY. BIBLIOGRAPHY UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON ABSTRACT FACULTY OF ARTS HISTORY Master of Philosophy THE PORTSMOUTH DOCKYARD WORKFORCE, 1880-1914.
    [Show full text]
  • The Referendum on Separation for Scotland
    House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee The Referendum on Separation for Scotland Written evidence Only those submissions written specifically for the Committee and accepted by the Committee as evidence for the inquiry into the referendum on separation for Scotland are included. List of written evidence Page 1 Professor Bernard Ryan, Law School, University of Kent 1 2 Francis Tusa, Editor, Defence Analysis 8 3 Professor Jo Shaw, University of Edinburgh 14 4 Dr Phillips O’Brien, Scottish Centre for War Studies, University of Glasgow 21 5 Electoral Commission 24 6 Rt Hon Michael Moore MP, Secretary of State for Scotland 28 7 Ministry of Defence 29 8 Brian Buchan, Chief Executive, Scottish Engineering 46 9 Babcock 47 Written evidence from Professor Bernard Ryan, Law School, University of Kent Introduction If Scotland were to become independent, its relationship with the United Kingdom would have to be defined in the fields of nationality law and immigration law and policy. This note offers a summary of the relationship between the Irish state1 and the United Kingdom in those fields, and some thoughts on possible implications for Scottish independence. 1. Nationality Law 1.1 The Irish case A new nationality The nationality law of a new state must necessarily provide for two matters: an initial population of nationals on the date of independence, and the acquisition and loss of nationality on an ongoing basis. In the case of the Irish state, the initial population was defined by Article 3 of the Irish Free State Constitution of 1922. Article 3 conferred Irish Free State citizenship upon a person if they were domiciled in the “area of the jurisdiction of the Irish Free State” on the date the state was founded (6 December 1922), provided (a) they had been resident in that area for the previous seven years, or (b) they or one of their parents had been born in “Ireland”.2 A full framework of nationality law, covering all aspects of acquisition and loss of nationality, was not then adopted until the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1935.
    [Show full text]
  • LANGLEY, LEX and SARA by Scot Macdonald ‘It Is the Navy's Mission to Protect Our Coasts, Our Seaborne Commerce, and Far-Flung Possessions
    ANCHORED IN SAN DIEGO harbor January 1933, U.S. Navy’s first the recent past. At right is USS Constitution. “Old Ironsides” was aircraft carrier, USS Langley, provides a startlinq contrast against then on her last major voyage, a tour of important U.S. seaports. Evolution of Aircraft Carriers LANGLEY, LEX AND SARA By Scot MacDonald ‘It is the Navy's mission to protect our coasts, our seaborne commerce, and far-flung possessions. Once war is forced upon us we must take the offensive to win it. The Navy is the first line of offense, and Naval Aviation as an advance guard of this line must deliver the brunt of the attack. Naval Aviation cannot take the offensive from shore; it must go to sea on the back of the fleet. I do not believe aircraft on shore can ward off a bombing attack launched, perhaps, from carriers by night from an unknown point for an unknown objective. On the other hand, a fleet with adequate aviation of its own can drive the carriers back out of effective range. Both for offense and defense the fleet and Naval Aviation are one and inseparable.’ —R.Adm. William A. Moffett, USN, October 1925, in the U.S. Naval Institute Proccedings NE DAY," said Capt. Thomas T. Jason. Although some conservative Returning to America, he immedi- O Craven, who had relieved Capt. seniors frowned on the plan, in time ately studied the problems of strength- Noble E. Irwin as Director of Naval and with the Secretary of the ening the Navy’s complement of pilots Aviation in May 1919, "one day, when Navy’s approval, we persuaded Con- and support personnel, obtaining "ap- someone suggested that shoveling coal gressional committees of the wisdom paratus suitable for their use,” and was becoming unpopular, we proceeded of converting one ship, the Jupiter, developing tactics.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix Exhibit a AM Volume Capacity Ratio Through Year 2050
    Jersey City Master Plan / Circulation Element Appendix Exhibit A AM Volume Capacity Ratio Through Year 2050 W e s tt N e w Y o r k To w n e n hh i L ty N gg n u J o 3 uu C n e oo g N r J r e r B 3 S oo E C O BB N D A R nn Y oo tt gg nn ii N ll J 49 r 5 r SE CO A N A DA RY hh tt rr oo NN T L y n d h u r s tt T o w n s h ii p W N & E S Y M N N IG L A T S F E o W r - m E e K I r l P y N o r tt h B e r g e n T o w n s h ii p N B R e U r T g . e .J n N L , i 5 n 9 e I- Y N R N J or 4 A the 95 D as N t Co O rr C ido E r S Li ne T N E M S e c a u c u s To w n N IG L A T S E U n ii o n C ii tt y W - E W e e h a w k e n T o w n s h ii p K I No P rt N he R as t U Co T rr .
    [Show full text]
  • World War I Context Follow up in 1915, Europe Was Embroiled in U.S
    1915: World War I Context Follow Up In 1915, Europe was embroiled in U.S. newspapers aroused outrage war, but U.S. public sentiment op- against Germany for ruthlessly kill- posed involvement. President ing defenceless Americans. The U.S. Woodrow Wilson said they would was being drawn into the war. In “remain neutral in fact as well as in June 1916, Congress increased the name.”23 size of the army. In September, Con- gress allocated $7 billion for national Pretext Incident defense, “the largest sum appropri- On May 7, 1915, a German subma- ated to that time.”30 rine (U-boat) sank the Lusitania, a In January 1917, the British British passenger ship killing 1,198, said they had intercepted a German including 128 Americans.24 message to Mexico seeking an alli- The public was not told that ance with Germany and offering to passengers were, in effect, a ‘human help Mexico recover land ceded to shield’ protecting six million rounds the U.S. On April 2, Wilson told of U.S. ammunition bound for Brit- Congress: “The world must be safe ain.25 To Germany, the ship was a for democracy.” Four days later the threat. To Britain, it was bait for lur- U.S. declared war on Germany.31 ing an attack. Why? A week before the attack, Real Reasons British Admiralty leader, Winston The maneuvre which brings Influential British military, political Churchill wrote to the Board of an ally into the field is as and business interests wanted U.S. Trade’s president saying it is “most serviceable as that which help in their war with Germany.
    [Show full text]
  • Subasta Publica
    SUBASTA PUBLICA 20 DICIEMBRE 2017 REALICE SUS PUJAS www.iberphil.com @ [email protected] indicando el número de lote y su puja 915 480 799 Fax: 915 416 070 SISTEMA DE PUJA ONLINE DISPONIBLE A las 16:00h en el Hotel Meliá Castilla, calle Capitán Haya, 43 de Madrid EXPOSICION DE LOTES: 18 y 19 de Diciembre y el día 20 hasta momentos antes de comenzar la subasta, en nuestras instalaciones en la calle Francisco Gervás, 14 en el horario habitual de atención al cliente. SIMBOLOS UTILIZADOS: ** Nuevo con goma original y sin fijasellos * Nuevo con goma original y con fijasellos (*) Nuevo sin goma Usado Carta, envuelta o frontal Sobre fragmento CONSERVACION LUJO: Máxima calidad de conservación en todos los aspectos, extremadamente superior a la media. MAGNIFICO: Gran calidad de conservación en todos los aspectos, conservación muy superior a la media. BONITO: Bien conservado en todos los aspectos, conservación superior a la media. La numeración utilizada es la correspondiente al catálogo Edifil. Los lotes que no disponen de fotografía no figuran destacados, pudiéndose consultar en nuestra página web www.iberphil.com. CONDICIONES DE VENTA 1- Todas las ventas se considerarán al contado y en Euros, IVA incluído y some- el precio de adjudicación sino que se compararán con las órdenes recibidas de venta de aquellos lotes que a su criterio resulte más oportuno. tido al régimen especial de bienes usados. Según obliga la legislación comuni- anteriormente y con las de la sala, pongamos como ejemplo que la más alta 11- Las descripciones del presente catálogo han sido meticulosamente realiza- taria el impuesto del IVA no podrá ser desglosado, las ventas se considerarán fuera de 1600€, de este modo el precio de adjudicación será de 1700€.
    [Show full text]
  • Places to Visit Empire State Building
    Places to visit Empire State Building – 103 story landmark with observation Statue of Liberty – American iconic in New York Harbour Central Park – Children’s attractions in the park Metropolitan Museum of Art – World class art collection Museum of Modern Art – World class sculpture, art & design Rockefeller Center – Iconic Midtown business complex National September 11 Memorial & Museum Grand Central Terminal – Architectural landmark & transit hub High Line – Park built into old elevated rail line Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum – Modern art museum with notable design Ellis Island – Museum, history, monument Chinatown – Dim sun food, walking, shopping, history, culture Radio City Music Hall – Legendary theatre, hone of the Rockettes Brooklyn Bridge – Landmark 19th century bridge Coney Island – Amusement park, beach Madison Square Garden – Iconic venue for sports, concerts & more Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum – Flight museum on an aircraft carrier The Cloisters – Medieval air in the a rebuilt monastery New York Harbour – Harbour, sailing, oysters, rivers & whales Little Italy – Walking, history, art Lincoln Center for the Performing arts – Premier New York City arts complex Time Square – Bright lights & Broadway shows Bryant Park – 4 acre urban oasis Staten Island Ferry – Beer, history, rivers, harbours & walking Yankee Stadium – Newest home of the baseball’s Yankees St Patrick’s Cathedral – Iconic church with storied history Whitney Museum of American Art – Museum with 20th & 21st century art Carnegie Hall – World-renowned classical music
    [Show full text]
  • Inventory and Analysis of Archaeological Site Occurrence on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf
    OCS Study BOEM 2012-008 Inventory and Analysis of Archaeological Site Occurrence on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Gulf of Mexico OCS Region OCS Study BOEM 2012-008 Inventory and Analysis of Archaeological Site Occurrence on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf Author TRC Environmental Corporation Prepared under BOEM Contract M08PD00024 by TRC Environmental Corporation 4155 Shackleford Road Suite 225 Norcross, Georgia 30093 Published by U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management New Orleans Gulf of Mexico OCS Region May 2012 DISCLAIMER This report was prepared under contract between the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and TRC Environmental Corporation. This report has been technically reviewed by BOEM, and it has been approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of BOEM, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endoresements or recommendation for use. It is, however, exempt from review and compliance with BOEM editorial standards. REPORT AVAILABILITY This report is available only in compact disc format from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, at a charge of $15.00, by referencing OCS Study BOEM 2012-008. The report may be downloaded from the BOEM website through the Environmental Studies Program Information System (ESPIS). You will be able to obtain this report also from the National Technical Information Service in the near future. Here are the addresses. You may also inspect copies at selected Federal Depository Libraries. U.S. Department of the Interior U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix I War of 1812 Chronology
    THE WAR OF 1812 MAGAZINE ISSUE 26 December 2016 Appendix I War of 1812 Chronology Compiled by Ralph Eshelman and Donald Hickey Introduction This War of 1812 Chronology includes all the major events related to the conflict beginning with the 1797 Jay Treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation between the United Kingdom and the United States of America and ending with the United States, Weas and Kickapoos signing of a peace treaty at Fort Harrison, Indiana, June 4, 1816. While the chronology includes items such as treaties, embargos and political events, the focus is on military engagements, both land and sea. It is believed this chronology is the most holistic inventory of War of 1812 military engagements ever assembled into a chronological listing. Don Hickey, in his War of 1812 Chronology, comments that chronologies are marred by errors partly because they draw on faulty sources and because secondary and even primary sources are not always dependable.1 For example, opposing commanders might give different dates for a military action, and occasionally the same commander might even present conflicting data. Jerry Roberts in his book on the British raid on Essex, Connecticut, points out that in a copy of Captain Coot’s report in the Admiralty and Secretariat Papers the date given for the raid is off by one day.2 Similarly, during the bombardment of Fort McHenry a British bomb vessel's log entry date is off by one day.3 Hickey points out that reports compiled by officers at sea or in remote parts of the theaters of war seem to be especially prone to ambiguity and error.
    [Show full text]
  • Primary Source and Background Documents D
    Note: Original spelling is retained for this document and all that follow. Appendix 1: Primary source and background documents Document No. 1: Germany's Declaration of War with Russia, August 1, 1914 Presented by the German Ambassador to St. Petersburg The Imperial German Government have used every effort since the beginning of the crisis to bring about a peaceful settlement. In compliance with a wish expressed to him by His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, the German Emperor had undertaken, in concert with Great Britain, the part of mediator between the Cabinets of Vienna and St. Petersburg; but Russia, without waiting for any result, proceeded to a general mobilisation of her forces both on land and sea. In consequence of this threatening step, which was not justified by any military proceedings on the part of Germany, the German Empire was faced by a grave and imminent danger. If the German Government had failed to guard against this peril, they would have compromised the safety and the very existence of Germany. The German Government were, therefore, obliged to make representations to the Government of His Majesty the Emperor of All the Russias and to insist upon a cessation of the aforesaid military acts. Russia having refused to comply with this demand, and having shown by this refusal that her action was directed against Germany, I have the honour, on the instructions of my Government, to inform your Excellency as follows: His Majesty the Emperor, my august Sovereign, in the name of the German Empire, accepts the challenge, and considers himself at war with Russia.
    [Show full text]