The Cambridge Historical Commission Blog
Featuring the history of Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge Open Archives registration is now live! This annual event offers the rare chance to go behind the scenes with a number of unique archives and collecting repositories right here in Cambridge. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required: click below to view participating repositories and sign up for individual tours taking place June 5-9.
Open Archives 2023 info and registration
Have you ever wondered how Cambridge came to adopt its current form of government? Look no further! In episode 1 of a new series from Cambridge Civic Journal, documentarians John Pitkin, Gregorio Leon, and Robert Winters examine how our city and government evolved from 1846 to the latest Charter reform in 1940. Click below to watch the first episode.
It’s time for Preservation Awards!
Each year, the Cambridge Historical Commission honors projects and individuals that have made outstanding contributions to protect the city’s historic character and built environment. The 2022-23 Preservation Awards will recognize both buildings and notable individuals for projects completed between January and December 2022.
This year, we’re returning to our roots with an in-person reception hosted by awardee, The Foundry. If you can’t make it to the event in person, join us online! The awards ceremony takes place Thursday, May 25th at 6:00pm and will include an engaging presentation showcasing each project, along with an introduction of project principals. This event is free and open to the public.
To register for the in-person event, call our office at 617.349.4683 or email us at histcomm[at]cambridgema.gov. To view the program online via Zoom, click here. We hope to see you there! 🏟️
Today marks the anniversary of a little-known military operation that took place 125 years ago at Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. One Marine involved was Cantabridgian Joseph F. Scott. Joseph Francis Scott was born in Boston on June 4, 1866, and moved with his family to Cambridge in the early 1870s. Scott enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Boston on August 11, 1888, and was assigned to the gunboat USS Nashville on August 21, 1897.
By April 1898, Spanish forces were blockading Cuba. The US had only a few ships stationed nearby, including the USS Nashville. To stay in communication, Spanish forces used telegraph cables running from Cuba back to Spain through their possessions in the Caribbean and Key West. To isolate Spanish forces, the US decided to cut off this communication line—literally. First came the north shore cable cut, which severed communication from Cuba to Key West. Next was the more difficult task of cutting lines at the south side of the island near Cienfuegos. Around 6:45am on May 11, crews from the Nashville and USS Marblehead undertook the mission and rowed toward the shore in open boats. Although the crews hoped to slip in undetected, several seamen were armed and aided by a Hotchkiss naval gun to suppress fire, if needed.
Unfortunately, the group was spotted by a Spanish cavalryman. The US forces worked quickly to find the cable under 30-40 feet of water and coral reef. After some difficulty with a grappling hook, the 2″ cable, weighing about 6 lbs per foot, was heaved upwards. The mission was to cut a section of around 150’—no easy feat! When cutting the first cable, US forces were well offshore and a safe distance from Spanish fire. When cutting the next cable, a third previously unknown cable was found. By this time, the seas were pitching, and the boats are drifting closer to the Spanish position. At one point, Lieutenant Cameron McRae Winslow reported that the boats were within pistol range of Spanish forces. Despite heavy fire, the seamen attempted to cut the third cable. This harrowing event resulted in many injuries and a small number of fatalities on the American side. The fire was so intense the US forces pulled back, having successfully cut two of the communication cables. The entire operation lasted around three hours.
On July 7, 1899, Scott was awarded the Medal of Honor for his efforts at Cienfuegos, which noted that under “…the heavy fire of the enemy, Scott displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.” Scott was eventually promoted to Corporal and honorably discharged on May 7, 1901 and returned to Cambridge. Corporal Scott went on to work in the Boston Naval Yards as a ship fitter and maintained an active presence as an advocate for the veteran community. He died on February 28, 1941 at the home he shared with his wife Helena and their son Raymond at 3 Leonard Avenue in North Cambridge. Scott was buried in Cambridge Cemetery.
Special thanks to Timothy Brosnan Sr., Junior Vice Commander, and Joyce Burchsted, Adjutant, of AMVETS Baker Xiarhos Post 333 for bringing our attention to Corporal Scott and his heroic deeds, and for their efforts to preserve veteran history and memorials. Click below to watch Episode 49 of “Dennis This Week” featuring an interview with Brosnan and Burchsted.
Sources
Cambridge Public Library’s Historic Cambridge Newspaper Collection
Entry for Corporal Joseph Frances Scott, USMC (deceased) in Marine Corps History Division, Marine Corps University. https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/Information-for-Units/Medal-of-Honor-Recipients-By-Unit/Corporal-Joseph-F-Scott/.
Episode 49 of “Dennis This Week” featuring an interview with Timothy Brosnan Sr. and Joyce Burchsted of AMVETS Baker Xiarhos Post 333 (August 30, 2019). https://reflect-dennis.cablecast.tv/vod/1079-DTW-49-08302019-v1/vod.mp4.