The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Manila Bay - Jan. 21st, 2003

http://www.homeofheroes.com/wallofhonor/spanish_am/03_manila.html ^

[Darksheare]

Also found this link to info about her.
http://www.oz.net/~markhow/pre-dred/imt.htm

[SAMWolf]

1898- that was the Spanish American War.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks, I didn't know that, In Portland, Oregon all we have is the ship's bell and the mast from the USS Oregon.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for those great links.

[Darksheare]

Yeah.
I walked away from the 'puter and went "D'oh!"
I need some coffee.

[Darksheare]

I just spent a bit of time going in circles on those links.
Here's the main site.
http://www.spanamwar.com/war.html

[Darksheare]

Here's a pic of a ship that one of my old history textbooks erroneously identified as the Maine.

Here's Maine from Starboard:

[JAWs]

Manila Bay Medal of Honor Recipient

ITRICH, FRANZ ANTON

Rank and organization: Chief Carpenter's Mate, U.S. Navy. Born: 26 November 1853, Gross Katz, Germany. Accredited to: California. G.O. No.: 13, 5 December 1900. Citation: On board the U.S.S. Petrel, Manila, Philippine Islands, 1 May 1898. Serving in the presence of the enemy, Itrich displayed heroism during the action.

[SAMWolf]

Thank you, JAWS.

[JAWs]

Obvious pun about this battle...

Dewey beat `em and how!

[SAMWolf]

Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk!

[GailA]

Today's graphic

[SAMWolf]

A most appropriate graphic for today, GailA.

Thank you for taking the time to find and post it.

[Darksheare]

Found this quote about the Spanish unprotected cruiser Reina Mercedes that for some strange reason reminded me of Monty Python's 'black knight':
"On the June 6, 1898 bombardment of Santiago, the REINA MERCEDES received thirty-five hits, though protected by the hills near the harbor entrance. Two of the shells started fires, including a particularly bad fire in the forward paint locker. While directing the fire fighting actions, Commander Emilio Acosta y Eyermann was hit by a shell which took off his right leg at the hip and his right hand, horribly mutilating him. He said "This is nothing.....Viva Espana!" before he died."

[SAMWolf]

"It's only a flesh wound"

[Darksheare]

I'm wondering where I'm going to find a killer rabbit now...

U.S.S. Charleston's doings. Ordered to capture Guam.
"CHARLESTON's next stop on her trip across the vast Pacific was less friendly, but sadly comical. She had been ordered to capture Guam from Spain. The invasion required little effort since Spain had neglected to inform her outpost on the small island that the U.S. and Spain were at war. Charleston captured the island without any bloodshed."

Spain to Guam,"Terribly sorry chap, forgot to tell you."

[SAMWolf]

Spain had neglected to inform her outpost on the small island that the U.S. and Spain were at war.Oops!

[Darksheare]

There's other little things there.
Like landing parties from the U.S.S. Petrel setting fire to Spanish ships that were already hulks. Brought to mind, for some reason, Vikings.
Another party sent to disable the shore guns came back with the breechplugs.
"Okay crew, what did you bring back from shore leave?"
"We got BREECHPLUGS!"

I can just see the look on the defender's faces at Guam..
"Hi, we're here to capture you guys."
"Huh?"

[SAMWolf]

LOL! You're having a good time with all this.

"Hi Guam, we're here to have an argument"

"No you're not"....

[Darksheare]

Hey, it made for some interesting reading.
'Course, had to run the circular gamut of links for some of it.
Found some links were dead.
But generally, it was informative.
Like Guam not being told they were at war...

Oh, and a ship classed as a REVNUE CUTTER owned by The Department of Treasury capturing a Spanish vessel.
"Hi, we're from the Treasury Department, we're here to repo your vessel.."