The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-08
WELL-DESERVED PRAISE
SECRETARY LONGS TRIBUTE TO THE
CREW OF THE MONADNOCK.
Captain Writings Account of the
7,0OO-MiIe Cruise of Monitor
ON Tropical Waters.

WASHINGTON, Dec. THE Navy De-
partment has just made public report
from Captain Whiting, who commanded the
Monadnock on the voyage from San Fran
cisco to Manila, in which the latter, after
telling of some of the hardships endured
during the trip, pays a well-deserved COM
pliment to the energy and ability of the Of
ticers and crew which made possible what
was without doubt the most remarkable
voyage ever made by an ironclad vessel in
an emergency. Captain Writings report.
which reached the Navy Department
through Admiral Dewey, is as follows;
"Marivelas, p. l.. Oct. 20.
Notwithstanding the fortuitous con-
sequence to myself. attendant on the cruise
of this vessel TO tae relief of the Aslatlc
fleet at Manila l should consider myself
derelict in my duty as commanding ofhcer,
now that the war is over. If failed TO CAL
the attention of yourself and the Depart
ment to the highly meritorious services
rendered by this ships company of officers
and men under the most trying ana oI-
ficult circumstances.
THE ability, courage, zeal and endurance
shown by them in crossing the PACING
ocean in a vessel Of this type, practcally
raft with only sixteen inches freeooard IN
her overloaded condition, certainly deserves
some recognition. A cruise or over tOVO
miles in the tropics, in excessive tempera-
lures, with what small deck room there is
in the ship packed with coal SO that sleep
ing places and sleep were almost unoDtaln-
able Injuries for the forty days spent az
sea-all hands upon a limited amount or
fresh water, struggling with appurtenances
and engines never designed for such over
loaded service, continually breaking down
and as continually being repaired-no war
duty has been more onerous or more ols-
heartening- Anticipating a hgnt 20 tne
death with the enemy S heaVlest Iorce
afioat, the voyage has been for all Tor
lorn hope from the beginning. recognized as
such by all who participated nearby r;iI
Joined in without iinching. happily endlng
without an incident, yet only needlnS ulsds-
ter to emphasize what l write.
Il commend to the department TOT such
reward as may be deemed proper the exec
utive officer, Lieutenant Commander =.
Perkins, United States navy for meFltqprIl ..
Gus service during the war IeIin me me ne ebiD
i'm the most advanced state of readiness lot
action from the very outset to the preseIls
day. His ability, close attention to duly anu
loyalty are beyond all praise. ~ N
II commend also the chief engineer, -. r.
Burgdorff United States navy, VINO VINO mas az
stubbornly fought the inherent weakness OF
engines designed for harbor use and success
fully forced them through such a prolohseo
voyage at sea. - CO.
United States navy, whose unremittlng care
and attention has carried the snip coiAl-
pany through the trying ordeal without
falling from heat exhaustion.
"All the officers of the ship have responses
most zealously to the unusual calis Haue
upon them and the ships company has been
enthusiastically ready and willing for Wnat-
ever duty might be demanded OF lneL. 15ey
volunteered by delegation to coal snip Gay
and night at Guam, although nearly pros
trated by the heat and confinement to Wncn
they were subjected botn there ana s %IIe
the engineers force below, VINO nave pSeil
necessarily occupied at times day ana hlght,
under the most arduouss @ 1 ian tTo o'
doing their utmost to keep the machinery IN
running order. 1,.,.,o,
this monitor so far from her intended neId
of action in such a comparatively snort
time with the Nero for a consort Is wholly
and entirely due to the most patriotic anc
energetic support of this ships company or
officers and men. There is no better snip .
company afoat, and all who can show upon
their records that they took part IN Inc
cruise of the Monadnock from San francis
co to Manila during the war with Spain de-
serve all the favors that the Navy Depart
ment and a grateful country can bestow
uDon them either now or in the future
''W H WHITING, Captain, Y. D N.
Secretary Long yesterday wrote a letter
to Captain Whiting, in which he says:
at is exceedingly gratifying to the depart
ment that Notwithstanding It's hardshlps,
the vessel was brought safely to dlstant
port. The department fully realizes tnat
the cruise of the Monadnock was sueh as 10 10
call upon the patriotism, courage and AFFINITY
of all on board. Fertility of resource, zeaI
and endurance in times of emergency, are
ton and it is evident that all those quail
ties were most conspicuously displayed by
the officers and men or your command anu
merit the hearty thanks and appreciation
which the department extends to you and
to the officers and men on board the Mo
nadnock, particularly those mentioned by
you-IIieutenant Commander c. P. Perkins
u. 8. N. executive officer; Chief Engineer
L. F. Burgdorff, U. 8 N, and Surgeon ).
M. Steele, u. S. N.
Your statement that the ships company
had been enthusiastically ready and willing
for whatever duty might be demanded OF OF
them Is only what the department expected
Of American seamen. and it is very pleasing
to the department to know that the confl-
dence reposed in them was not misplaced.
In conclusion, the department notices that
you modestly give the whole credit for the
successful termination of your cruise OF
seven thousand miles across the Pacific
ocean to the ships company of Officers and
men, but the department is convinced that,
in addition to their services, 1t is indebted
to you for your good Judgment ability and
fine seam anship, qualities most desirable Tor
a &C commanding officer to possess.
you are directed to read this letter to the
ships company at general muster"