Evening star., 1898-12-08
REMARKABLE VOYAGE
Report of the honadnock's Trip to Ma
Mia.
Ability, Courage, Zeal and Endurance
by Capt. WHITING.

LAG A<oNS department mas made public a
report from Capt. Whiting. who commanded
the Monadnock on the voyage from San
Francisco to Manila. In which the latter
after telling Of some Of the hardships en-
dured during the trip, pays a well-deserved
compliment to the energy and ability of
the officers and crew. which made possible
what was without doubt the most remark
able voyage ever made by an ironclad yes-
sci in an emergency.
Capt. Writings report, which reached the
Navy Department through Admiral Dewey.
is as follows:
L. Notwithstanding the fortuitous con
sequence to myself, attendant upon the
cruise of this vessel to the relief of the
Asiatic fleet at Manila, 1 should consider
myself derelict in my duty as commanding
officer. now that the war is over, if failed
to call the attention of yourself and the
department to the highly meritoriouS SER
vices rendered by this ships company of
officers and men under the most trying and
difficult circumstances.
z. The ability, courage, zeal and endur-
ance shown by them in crossing the Pa
enc ocean In a vessel of this type, practi-
cally raft, with only sixteen inches free
board In her overloaded condition, GER
tainly deserves some recognition. cruise
of over 1850 miles in the tropics, in exces-
sive temperatures, with what small deck
room there is in the ship packed with coal
SO that sleeping places and sleep were al
most unobtainable luxuries for the forty
days spent at sea-all hands upon a limited
amount of fresh water, struggling with ap-
purtenances and engines never designed
for such overloaded service, continually
breaking down and as continually being re-
paired-no war duty has been more oner-
Gus or more disheartening. Anticipating a
fight to the death with the enemy's heav-
lest force affoat, the voyage has been for
all a forlorn hope from the beginning rec
ognized as such by all who participated,
heartily joined in without fiinching, hap
PLY ending without an incident, yet only
needing disaster to emphasize what l write
-. | commend to the department for such
reward as may be deemed proper the exec
utive officer, Lieutenant Commander c. P.
Perkins, United States navy for merito-
rious services during the war. He has ably
and zeaiousy assisted in keeping the ship
IN the most advanced state Of readiness
for action from the very outset to the pres,
ent day. His ability, close attention to duty
and loyalty are beyond all praise
a. l commend also the chief engineer,
T. F. Bursdorf, United States navy. who
has stubbornly fought the inherent weak
ness of engines designed for harbor use and
successfully forced them through such a
prolonged voyage at sea.
D. commend also the surgeon j. NJ.
steele. United States navy, whose unremit-
ting care and attention has carried the
ships company through the trying ordeal
without a single fatality, though men were
continually falling from heat exhaustion.
spOnded most zealously to the unusual calls
made upon them, and the ships company
mas been enthusiastically ready and will
ing Tor whatever duty might be demanded
OF them. They volunteered by delega ton
to coal ship day and night at Guam al
though nearly prostrated by the heat and
confinement to which they We're subjected,
both there and while en- route. Too much
praise cannot be given the engineers force
below who have been necessarily occupied
at times day and night, under the most
arduous circumstances that can be imag
ined on board ship in the tropics, doing
their utmost to keep the machinery IN run
ming order.
- That 1 have succeeded in safely bring
Ing this monitor so far from her intended
field OF action in such a comparatively short
time. with the Nero for consort, is
wholly and entirely due to the most patri-
otto and energetic support Of this ships
company of officers and men. There is no
better ships company afioat. and all who
can show upon their records that they
took part in the cruise of the MOnadnOck
from San Francisco to Manila during the
war with Spain, deserve all the favors
that the Navy Department and a grateful
country can bestow upon them either now
in the future"
Secretary Longs Acknowledgement.
Secretary Long yesterday wrote the fol-
lowing letter directly to Captain Whiting:
Your letter No 1877. of October %, 1898.
from Mariveles, Philippine Islands, ad-
dressed to the commander-in-chief Of the
Asiatic squadron, approved and forwarded
by him to the department, reporting the
meritorious services rendered by the ships
company of officers and men of the L. S. s.
Monadnock, under your command, Is re-
ceived.
20 Your letter. citing in detail the serv-
ice of the officers and crew of the Mouad-
mock, and her long voyage across the
Pacific ocean, on board vessel constructed
more for harbor defense than for under
taking such a long cruise under most try
ing circumstances, Is most interesting. 1t
is, at the same time. exceedingly gratifying
to the department that, Notwithstanding its
hardships, the vessel was brought safely
to H. distant port.
The department fully realizes that the
cruise of the Monadnock was such as TO
call upon the patriotism, courage and aoil-
ity of all board. Fertility of resource,
zeal and endurance in times of emergency
are qualities worthy OF the highest COM
mendation, and 1t is evident that all those
qualities We're most conspicuousiy dis
played by the officers and men Of your
command, and merit the hearty thanks and
appreciation which the department extends
to you and to the officers and men on
board the Monadnock, particularly those
mentioned by you-Lieutenant Commander
c. 2. Perkins, L. S. N, executive officer;
Chief Engineer T. f. Burgdorff, U. S. N.
and Surgeon ]. M. Steele, L. S. N.
%. Your statement that the ships COM
pany had been enthusiastically ready and
willing for whatever duty might be de-
manded of them is only what the depart
ment expected of American seamen, and
1t is very pleasing to the department to
know that the confidence reposed in them
was not misplaced.
II. In conclusion, the department notices
that you modestly give the whole credit for
the successful termination of your cruise
of 1000 miles across the Pacific ocean to
the ships company of officers and men.
but the department is convinced that in
addition to their services it is indebted 20
you for your good Judgment, ability and
fine seamanship qualities most desirable
for commanding officer to possess.
70. You are directed to read this letter
to the ships company at general muster"