Mr. Wharton to Mr.
Thomas.
Department
of State,
Washington, August 5,
1890.
No. 49.]Sir: In connection with previous correspondence
upon the subject, I herewith transmit, for your information, a copy of a
letter from the Acting Secretary of the Navy of the 2d instant, in regard to
the transportation of the remains of the late Capt. John Ericsson, to his
native country, on board the U. S. S. Baltimore, from
New York, the 23d instant, and the ceremonies incident thereto.
The Department has forwarded to Mr. Grip, the minister of the King of Sweden
and Norway at this capital, the letter (copy herewith inclosed) of the Navy
Department, inviting him to be present on that date, accompanied by the
members of his legation and such consular officers of Sweden in this country
as he may designate.
I am, etc.,
William F. Wharton,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure in No. 49.]
Mr. Soley to Mr.
Blaine.
Navy
Department,
Washington, August 2, 1890.
(Received August 4.)
Sir: I have the honor to apprise you, in
connection with previous correspondence, of the intention of this
Department to send the remains of the late Capt. John Ericsson to
Sweden, his native country, on board the U. S. S. Baltimore, from New York. Arrangements for the final
transportation of the body are now being made, and I inclose, for
transmission to the minister of Sweden at this capital, an invitation to
be present at the final ceremonies, which will take place on the 23d
instant.
The Department will be gratified if you will forward this invitation to
Mr. Grip. I have also to ask that you will notify the United States
minister at Stockholm of the intended departure of the Baltimore.
I have, etc.,
J. Russell Soley,
Acting Secretary of the
Navy.
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Soley to Rear
Admiral Braine.
Navy
Department,
Washington, August 2,
1890.
Sir: The Department has fixed the afternoon of
Saturday, the 23d of August, as the time for the embarkation of the
remains of the late Capt. John Ericsson for transportation to his native
country on board the U. S. S. Baltimore.
The Department has assumed this duty in response to an intimation
conveyed by the minister of foreign affairs of Sweden and Norway,
through the United States minister at Stockholm, to the Department of
State, that it would be regarded by the Government and people of Sweden
with peculiar satisfaction.
[Page 707]
Apart from the desire thus expressed, it is in the highest degree
appropriate that the United States, through its Navy, should pay this
final tribute to the memory of the great Swedish inventor. As the most
famous representative of the Scandinavian race in America, his name
stands for that of a kindred people, who have given to this country a
large and highly valued element among its adopted citizens. An officer
of the Swedish army in early life, Ericsson closed his career with the
illustrious distinction of being among the foremost of American
mechanics. Of the innumerable applications of mechanical art that are
the fruit of his genius, many so long ago passed into general use that
they have ceased to be associated popularly with his name; but his
achievements in the field of naval science will remain forever a
monument to his memory. To the U. S. Navy he gave the first monitor, and
in it he gave to all the navies of the world the germ of the modern
battle ship.
For these reasons it is the Department’s desire to surround the
embarkation with every circumstance that can invest it with dignity and
solemnity. All the vessels of war that may be available will be
assembled at New York, and will be directed to unite with you in paying
to the deceased the honors befitting his rank and his distinguished
name. The details will be regulated by you in consultation with the
representatives of Captain Ericsson and the officers of the associations
desiring to take part in the ceremony. The anchorage ground near the
Statue of Liberty is designated as the place where the Baltimore will receive the remains, and the other vessels of
war will be anchored in her vicinity. The marines from the ships and the
station will form the guard of honor to escort the body from its present
resting place to the Battery. It will there be embarked on board the Nina and conveyed to the Baltimore under the escort of all the available steam launches
and pulling boats of the squadron, formed in double column, the steam
launches preceding the Nina.
The Department has extended to the minister of Sweden and Norway at this
capital an invitation to be present, which will include the members of
his legation and such officers of the consular service of Sweden in this
country as he may designate. Letters have also been sent to the
executors of the deceased and to Rear Admiral John L. Worden, U. S.
Navy, the veteran captain of the Monitor,
inviting them to take part in the ceremonies and to accompany the
remains to the Baltimore. It is the intention of
the Secretary of the Navy to be present. By the publication of this
letter the Department invites all associations composed of the friends,
companions, or former countrymen of Captain Ericsson to take part in the
procession to the Battery, and to report to you through their
representatives for instruction as to their position in the line and
other details of the ceremony.
The flag officers who may be in New York will be directed to coöperate
with and assist you in carrying out this programme, the details of which
you are authorized to modify as circumstances may require. Very
respectfully,
J. Russell Soley,
Acting Secretary of the
Navy.
