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impression best described by the term knightly.
Few warriors of that caliber ever existed outside
the pages of fiction, but Semmes lived the part
in the best John Paul Jones’ tradition. Captain-
ing Sumter and Alabama, he left a record that
reads like a saga of valor and daring actions. Like
Jones, he refused to be defeated by adversity.
Deprived of Sumter at Gibraltar, he wrote, “I
could sweep the whole Mediterranean in from 15
to 20 days if I had the means of locomotion.”
Eventually he acquired the means, and his raiding
cruiser Alabama struck the North harder blows
than any other Confederate vessel.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
SIGNIFICANT DATES
2 Mar. 1899
24 Jul. 1905
6 Apr. 1909
23 Dec. 1910
1 Jul. 1914
Fort destroyed and possession
of outer bay taken at Guan-
tanamo, Cuba, by U.S. ships.
George F. Dewey appointed
first and only Admiral of the
Navy.
Navy brings body of John Paul
Jones to United States.
North Pole reached by Com-
mander Peary; first U.S. flag
raised there.
LT T. G. Ellyson, the Navy’s
first aviator, ordered to flight
training. He was qualified on 12
April 1911.
Prohibition proclaimed for
Navy.
The Spanish-American War in 1898 was
caused by a long series of incidents arising
partially from unsettled conditions in Caribbean
countries possessed by Spain. As evidenced from
the first, the war would be primarily naval
and would be decided in favor of the nation
that established sea control. The naval strength
of the two countries was about equal on
paper. However, Spain’s ships were poorly
equipped, its personnel lacked training, and its
officers displayed incredibly incompetent
leadership.
Perhaps the outstanding exploit of the
Spanish-American War was Commodore George
Dewey’s seizure of Manila Bay. Knowing Dewey’s
fleet was somewhere in the vicinity of the bay,
the Spanish were ready to receive him. However,
the unsuspecting Spanish were taken by surprise
by the American’s audacity to steam past their
forts to attack during the night (fig. 2-12).
While laying his plans, Dewey tried to figure
out what Farragut would have done when so
confronted, for Farragut had been the inspiration
of his life. Farragut’s influence on this great leader
is borne out in Dewey’s statement, “Valuable as
the training of Annapolis was, it was poor
schooling beside that of serving under Farragut
in time of war.” Dewey’s dramatic decision to
force Manila Bay was inspired by his admiration
for Farragut.
Dewey’s unexpected blow was half the victory.
“We shall enter Manila Bay tonight,” Dewey
informed his subordinates, “and you will follow
the motions and movements of the flagship, which
will lead.”
At 0540 the Spanish were within a 2 1/2-mile
range. Dewey, standing on the bridge of the
Olympia, quietly gave the commanding officer of
his flagship the order to “fire when you are ready,
Gridley.” By noon, every enemy ship was sunk,
burned, or abandoned. In that one morning,
Dewey eliminated the Spanish navy’s strength in
the Pacific without the loss of one American life.
Even though the enemy defense was weak,
Dewey’s attack was nonetheless a significant
victory.
Dewey stressed preparedness. Before leaving
the United States, he had obtained all the infor-
mation available on the Spanish fleet. He secured
charts and other data about the Philippines and
made a detailed study of international law. Before
the battle, he discussed with his officers every
detail of tactics and strategy. Every ship captain
knew each detail of how and when to act. “It was
the ceaseless routine of hard work and prepara-
tion in time of peace,” wrote Dewey, “that won
Manila and Santiago.”
2-14
15 Jun. 1898
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