The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-10-20
RESOLUTE DIDN'T FIGHT
That's Why Admiral Samp'
son Omitted Her From
the Official Map.

Rear Admiral Sampson, who was re
Gently placed in charge of the Charles
town Navy Yard, was informed on We'd
nesday that the New Jersey Naval Re
servess Battalion of the West. who served
on board the auxiliary cruiser Resolute,
had charged that he refused to recognize
the presence of the R~esoIute at the battle
of Santiago Bay. and had thus prevented
them from securing their share of the
prize money. Admiral Sampson then ex-
planned why, when the official map of the
battle Of Santiago was made out under
his direction, the Resolute was left off the
map.
The Resolute was the vessel on which
the member OF the Naval Reserves from
this State served, and these OF course
are much interested in the disposition of
the prize money. In giving his reasons
for leaving the Resolute of the map Ad-
miral Sampson said
II thought the Resolute was not enti-
tied for fighting credit when she was not
a fighting vessel. She did not fire a shot
because she mad no heavy guns. The
greatest service she performed was In
serving as a temporary refuge for about
GOO prisoners that were taken and after
ward placed on board some Of the war
ships.
AS a matter of fact the Resolute had
been ordered by me to Guantanamo Bay
to summon the battleship Massachusetts
to aid US. The Resolute started IN this
GRAND, but seeing a large Austrian war
ship. and mistaking 1t for a Spanish
vessel, returned TO tell me of her pres
ence. 1t was a very natural mistake. as
the Austrian and Spanish coIors are some
what alike. and it was an exciting mo-
ment. OF course, l was not startled by
the Resolute's announcement. and the
Austrian vessel was there with my con-
sent.
Taking everything into consideration,
! decided that she should not go on The
map, the chief reason being as | said, that
she was not a fighting vessel.
The official map of the battle Of San
tiago was made by the Board of Navi-
CATION upon my recommendation, and I
left the Resolute out Of It on what I
consider just grounds.
Il "a a talk with Commander Eaton
of the Resolute, and he understands he
the Resolute unentitled to be on the bat
lie map L IOtu fiu Il he VI any VI us
men felt ~aggrieved they should apply to
the Court of Claims at Washington. set
ting forth their position. This court may
not agree with me. While l do not con-
slider the Resolute a fighting vessel, they
may do so. I have no knowledge of any
presentation of the Reso1ute's side of the
case by Mr.. Eaton to the court, though
he may have done so. This question and
all others involving prize money will be
settled in due time.
AS a matter Of fact. none of the Off
GERS or men who took part in the battle
of Santiago have received any prize
money. This matter also rests with the
Court of Claims, and 1t will pass upon
each case upon its merits. It is more
than a year now since the battle, but
little has been done. I doubt If we get
any prize money for a year. perhaps more.
I do not say this in a spirit of criticism.
but simply as a fact. The courts have
many things to consider before the n
can be apportioned.
II expect to leave Boston in. a few days
for Trenton. I have spent many years of
my life in that State, and my presence in
Trenton will be explained by the presen-
tation of a sword to me by the State.
Some weeks ago I Informally signihed my
pleasure in the prospect Of receiving this
gift. The sword Is already fashioned, and
only my presence is required. The date
set for the event is October Is, and | shall
surely be there to accept the very hand
some sword