Volume 4, Issue 4 A Newsletter for the Supporters of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum The Adventures of the Other Merrimac by Bill Eley e ships of the Hampton Roads­ ased Flying Squadron were in 11arge part very respectable and majestic ships. For example, the battleship Massachusetts mounted powerful13-inch guns and the armored cruiser Brooklyn earned high praise for its design. The converted yacht Scorpion, the squadron's smallest ship, had a majestic feel to it since it once belonged to a millionaire tycoon. The - squadron has even been Iabe led The ugly mule of the "romantic" Flying Squadron, the coal collier USS Merrimac (consistently spelled "romantic" by some Naval historians. withoutthe"k''), is pictured here off the coast ofCuba during the Spanish-American War. To her left is 1 OOth Anniversary the Norfolk-built and based ballleship USSTexas. (Naval Historical Center photo ofan 1898 print) The Spanish American War 1898-1998 Museutn Opens New There was one exception, the squadron's coal collier USS Merrimac. There was nothing romantic about Exhibit on the Spanish­ Merrimac's outward appearance or design (this Merrimac is consistently spelled without a "k.") Coal colliers Atnerican War were the pack mules of the old Steel by Joe Judge Navy as they hauled much needed coal for warships underway. But, during the he Hampton Roads Naval temporary exhibit attempted since the Spanish-American War, this "mule" Museum celebrates the museum relocated to Nauticus in 1994. ship was the key player in the most Tcentennial of the Spanish­ The exhibit is called "Cuba Libre" gallant Naval raid of the war. Like American War with the opening of ("Free Cuba") to let visitors know that • Hampton Roads' more famous Civil "Cuba Libre: The Spanish-American the theme is the Atlantic campaign, and Merrimac continued on page 6 War in the Caribbean." The exhibit to remind them of the pre-eminent Inside The Day Book examines the war in the Caribbean, place of Cuba in the politics of the time. focusing on the actions of the American The exhibit begins with an The Director's Co1umn .............. 2 Navy in 1898 and the drive to liberate examination of the volatile situation in The Cienfuegos Expedition ....... .4 Cuba from the Spanish. The display Cuba in 1898, a bloody rebellion that Volunteer News & NQtes ........... lO features artwork, photographs, artifacts made Spain's colony front page news in The Museum Sage.................... ll and ship models and is the largest Cuba Libre continued on page 4 The Spanish-American W a1k The Director's Column by Becky Poulliot n May 11, the Hampton Roads joint exhibit allows visitors to literally Naval Museum opens the walk through the Spanish-American OSpanish-American War show War. Both institutions should profit "Cuba Libre: The Spanish-American by an increased exposure, visitation, War in the Caribbean," our museum's and certainly a more in-depth most ambitious temporary exhibit to date. presentation of a war whose The display showcases more than 50 consequences are still being felt. The items. Many artifacts have never been MacArthur Memorial is operated by viewed by the public such as Alexander the City of Norfolk and is open daily Stewart's oil painting of the battleship from 10a.m.to5p.m. Call(757)441- Maine and the ship's jack salvaged by a 2965 for more information. Admission Navy diver after the Maine exploded. to both exhibits is free. See the front page article for more On May 14, the museum hosts a information on this exhibit. special Media Day for Cuba Libre in Cuba Libre focuses on the the morning followed by a luncheon Caribbean theater of the war. Several presentation by the Living History blocks away on Norfolk's City Hall A venue, the MacArthur Memorial Associates. Go back to the February 15 luncheon is $8. Museum is showing "Pacific Empire: day in 1898 when the Maine exploded Another cooperative museum effort The United States in the Philippines," and talk to the journalist who wrote about comes to fruition on May 18, which describes the war events in the the disaster. The Living History International Museum Day, when our Pacific. These two displays do not result Associates is a company comprised of very frrst international intern arrives. Ms. from coincidence, but from long term historical interpreters whose first person Berangere Malvezy comes from planning, with each institution pooling accounts are expressive and authentic. Marseilles, France where she is enrolled resources and focusmg on 1ts respectiv_.,.e- .......-o-c-n't miss out. a or reservatwns at m o 1ce management curriculum at the strengths. Staff members have 322-2992. The event is being held at Lycee Technique Prive Jeanne collaborated on posters and guides 11:30 a.m. at the Norfolk Naval Perrimond. She will work directly with advertising both displays. This unusual Station's Pier 26. Cost for the me on several projects including docent work. I may be calling on volunteers to assist Berangere in learning about our regional naval history. Berangere's internship lasts until June 26, so please Lora/ History. World Events. stop in and say hello. About The Day Book HRNM Staff Also say hello to the museum's newest Leading Petty Officer I st Class The Day Book is an authorized publication ofthe Hampton Fire Control Technician (Surface Roads Naval Museum (HRNM). Its contents do not necessarily Director reflect the official view of the U.S. Government, the Department Becky Poulliot Warfare) Mike Rosa. FCl Rosa is a of Defense, the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps and do not Curator fifteen year veteran of the Navy and a imply endorsement thereof. The HRNM is a museum dedicated Joe Judge native of New Jersey. His previous Education Specialist to the study of 220 years of naval history in the Hampton Roads assignments have included serving region. The museum is open Mondays from 9 am. to 4 p.m. Bob Malleson and Tuesday through Sunday from I 0 am. to 5 p.m. Admission Exhibits Specialist aboard the destroyers USS Stump (DD- is free. Marta Nelson 978) and Preble (DDG-46), the cruiser The Day Book!s purpose is to educate and inform readers on Museum Technician Joseph Daniels (CG-27), as well as Ofelia Elba historical topics and museum related events. It is written by the serving as an instructor at Dam Neck staff and volunteers of the museum. The newsletter takes its HRNMOJC name from a I 9th century Norfolk newspaper. Ensign Rod Hartsell Fleet Training Center. Questions or comments can be directed to the Hampton HRNM LPOITPU Admin. As the exhibit "The Sailor's Best Roads Naval Museum editor. The Day Book can be reached at FCI (SW) Mike Rosa Friend: Animals in the U.S. Navy" closes, Editor ofThe Day Book (757) 322-2993, by fax at (757) 445-1867, e-mail at I want to say a special thank you to all of [email protected], or write The Day Book, Hampton Gordon Calhoun Roads Naval Museum, One Waterside Drive, Suite 248, Norfolk, Director, HRNHF the contributors who donated to the joint VA23510-1607. The museum can be found on the World Wide Maj.Gen.Dennis Murphy, HRNM/Norfolk SPCA "Vittles for USMC(Ret) Web at http://naval-station.norfolk.va.uslnavy.html. The Day Critters." Book is published bi-monthly with a circulation of I ,200. 2 The Cable Cutting Expedition The Norfolk-based gunboat USSNashville participates in a gallant attempt to cut Spain's communications from Cuba by Janet Beauvais n May 11, 1898, the United States Navy initiated a cable Ocutting expedition off of Cienfuegos, Cuba. The cruiser USS Marblehead (C-11) and the Hampton Roads-built and-based gunboat USS Nashville (PG-7) were the two lead boats of the exercise. Their purpose was to destroy the lines of communication between the Spanish forces in Cuba and u Spain. Long distance communications in 1898 ran through a series of 1 OOth Anniversary The Spanish-American War 1898-1998 underwater cables, and American military planners had decided early on A boat ofsome ofthe surviving Navy and Marine members ofthe Cienfuegos cable cutting expedition pose fora photograph in front ofUSSNashville (PG-7) shortly after war ended. The Marine sharpshooter that they had to be cut. in the middle of the boat is holding a 6mm Navy Lee rifle. The rifle was not a very successful weapon The one set of cables that ran of and procurement halted soon after the war. (Naval Historical Center photograph) Cienfuegos had two purposes, the frrst Ironworks in Boston, she was equipped gunboat was built for service in the being that it connected this small town with nine five-inch guns and six six-inch coastal regions of the world (namely the in the south central part of Cuba to guns. Her partner in this mission was rivers of China) and was the perfect ship Havana. The second purpose was the the Nashville. Nashville was built by for this type of mission. connection from Cuba back to Spain. Newport News Shipbuilding in 1896 and The plan for this raid was to use the Marblehead was a small unarmored, commissioned and based at the Norfolk warships' two sail boats and two steam steel hulled, cruiser. This ship was used Navy Yard in 1897. The steel hull patrol launches to sail close to shore, grapple mainly during peace time efforts gunboat was the frrst warship ever built the cables, and then cut them using overseas. Built at the City Point by Newport News. The shallow drafted hacksaws. Marblehead and Nashville would provide cover fire.