The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-10-10


ton outlining a program of ships to
be purchased and converted into NEIL
Of-war for use in the struggle for lib
erty with Great Britain, thus taking
the first steps toward providing the
natiOn-which-was-sO -to-bs with an
offensive and defensive force on the
high seas. 1t was on October %, 1858,
that Theodore Roosevelt was born and
he, as much, if not more, than any
other man was responsible for the
moderniZation of our navy and its
eventual growth into the greatest in
the world.
AS assistant secretary of the navy,
Roosevelt set himself diligently to the
task of repairing our navy, improving
its craftsmanship and in every way
fitting it for the sea war which he
saw was inevitable with Spain be-
cause Of that country's oppression of
Cuba. On Saturday, February %,
1898, he happened to be acting secre-
tary of the. navy and as such sent
cablegraIn which was destined to make
history. 1t was addressed to Admiral
George Dewey which read as follows:
'DEWEY-Hongkong the
squadron, except the Monocacy, to
Hongkong. Keep full of coal. In the
event of declaration of war. Spain,
your duty will be to see that the
Spanish squadron does not leave the
Asiatic coast and then offensive opera
tons in the Philippine Islands. Keep
Olympia until further orders
ROOSEVELT"
President Mckinley did not want
war with Spain and Secretary Long of
the Navy department was even more
opposed to break with that country.
Roosevelt's cablegram was considered
so rash by his superiors that it is said
he was never again allowed the
chance to be acting secretary of the
navy. However, his orders to Dewey
we're not recalled and the accuracy
of his foresight was proved two
months later when war was declared,
and Dewey, fully prepared, slipped
out Of Hongkong and smashed the
Spanish fleet at Manila bay. On that
May morning the United States be-
came q nation of worldwide impOr-
lance and began its career as one of
the great naval powers of the earth.
Its prestige as such further increased
when Theodore Roosevelt became
President and in that position stead
tasty advanced sound naval policy
for the United States and made pos
sible the building of the Panama ca
nal,
Roosevelt's part in the development
of our navy is but little known to
most Americans, as compared to 9th
er more spectacular events in his
strenuous career. SO Navy day is
day for recalling his services in that
respect and for honoring him for
them just as it is a day for recalling
the deeds of other .men who made
our navy"-John Paul Jones, Oliver
Hazard Perry, David Farragut and
George Dewey. 1t is also day for
recalling the names of others who are
comparatively unknown, but whose
deeds are an inseparable part Of our
naval tradition.
High up in such a. list is the name
Of John Barry, the Father of the
American Navy" Barry was an Irish
man who had come to'this country in
his youth and who, at the outbreak of
the Revolution, was wealthy ship
master of Philadelphia. Late in Octo-
Der, 1775, when the Continental con-
gress authorized the purchase of two
ships and their conversion into men,
of-war, Barry sailed his merchant
man, Black Prince, into the harbor on
that day and sold her to congress.
This vessel was renamed the Alfred
and later became the flagship of the
American fleet.
Later when more ships were added
to the patriot navy, Barry was COM
missiOned captain and placed in
command of the brig Lexington. His
first achievement in battle was the
capture of the British tender. Edward,
on April IL, 1776. In reality this was
small prize, for the Lexington was
a much larger ship than the Edward.
but the victory lives in history because
the Edward was the first ship ever
captured by q commissioned officer of
the American navy.
Barry's greatest exploit occurred in
17%' he was In command ,f The