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.
Portrait of Joseph Francis Scott, uploaded by user William Bjornstad on FindAGrave
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.
USS Nashville. Halftone reproduction of a photograph, published in Deeds of Valor, Volume II, page 361, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907. The image shows crew members who participated in the cable cutting operation at Cienfuegos, Cuba, on 11 May 1898. They are posed in one of the ship’s launches, after the ship had been repainted in peacetime colors following the end of the Spanish-American War. The Medal of Honor was liberally awarded to those who took part in this operation. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
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.
Halftone reproduction of an artwork, published in Deeds of Valor, Volume II, page 358, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907. It depicts boats from USS Nashville (Gunboat # 7) and USS Marblehead (Cruiser # 11) cutting underwater telegraph cables off Cienfuegos, Cuba, while under intense Spanish gunfire. Their ships are shown in the background, returning fire, with Nashville on the right and Marblehead at left. The Medal of Honor was liberally awarded to those who participated in this operation. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph
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.
Veterans’ Graves Registration card for Joseph Francis Scott (CHC Collections)
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
“…this war has ruined my business. Those I owe will have to wait untilI can get the money out of the business” From G. H. Marshall April 9, 1917
November 11, Veteran’s Day, was founded after the end of WWI in 1918 and is one of two days where our nation remembers veterans of war, the other being Memorial Day, observed in May. Like all wars, WWI brought on changes in individual lives and businesses of every conceivable sort. The records of the Ellis & Melledge Real Estate and Insurance Co. reminds us of the tenor of the times – both in correspondence with the firm about housing: rentals and maintenance and selling or buying properties, and from the circulars on savings, reducing consumption, an increase in insurance rates, and hiring returning soldiers sent out from various state and government agencies.
As the quote above illustrates, some of the correspondence brings the consequences of the War in daily life down to a human scale. Here are some more examples:
“My Dear Mr. Ellis,
I have decided to give up my room in Prescott Hall, beginning Sept. 1st. I know that the time is short, but as I have been put on active service sooner than I expected there is nothing else to do…It is with regret that I must give up my room, but since the Army is not likely to take a rest for some time, I have no reason to believe that I shall have use for my apartment any longer…” (August 20, 1917 from James B. Munn, 2nd Lieut. U. S. R.)
Prescott Hall at 472-474 Broadway as photographed by Christopher Hail on August 16, 1987
This next letter refers to Samuel Chew (1871-1919) a Harvard graduate and lawyer in Philadelphia, who, working with Ellis & Melledge, was a large investor in Cambridge property, particularly on Church Street.
“Dear Sir: –
…Mr. Chew is with the American Field Ambulance in Paris, and will not return for several months. In the mean time you may continue the management of his church Street property…” (March 1, 1917)
The letter below was from Cecil K. Drinker, a professor at the Harvard Medical school from 1917-1932, who was living on Hurlburt St. in Cambridge:
“Dear Mr. Ellis:
Duties brought upon me through the war necessitate absence on my part from Cambridge after July first of this year. This has been a sudden development and renders it impossible that I should go forward with rental of the garage as we had planned…” (May 16, 1917)
6-8 Hurlburt St as photographed by Christopher Hail on January 13, 1985
Navy Commander W. L. Littlefield wrote Ellis & Melledge in 1917:
“Dear Sir:…Officers in attendance at the [Naval]War College here, are being ordered to sea daily and my turn will come any day now so you can readily understand that I am anxious to get this matter straightened out before I go to sea.” (March 17, 1917)
Commander Littlefield’s home was at #10 Mellen St.
10 Mellen St via Google Street View (November 2020)
Five months later, in August, Littlefield writes: “…due to the war conditions I would appreciate as prompt a reply as practicable, as I do not know where I will be tomorrow….”
INSURANCE
Costs went up for everything, including insurance. This letter from the New England Insurance Exchange (November 17, 1917) announces a 10% rise in rates:
TO ALL AGENTS
We are handing you, herewith, promulgation of a general advance in rates of 10%, effective on November 19, and which you have, no doubt, been long expecting….the insurance business is no different from any other, and conditions which demand a general increase in prices, affecting all lines of business, because of the increased cost of doing business, and the increased expense in the way of taxes to maintain the defense of our Country, produce the same results with the business of insurance.
Three weeks after the U. S. entered the war (April 26, 1917) insurance companies responded with ominous warnings about threats you could face in your own home. For instance, bombardment, as seen in this letter from Gilmour, Rothery Co.:
“Dear Sir:
YOUR CLIENTS ARE NOT INSURED If their property is destroyed or damaged by fire, originating from foreign enemies, military power, civil commotion, riots, etc. BECAUSE …Fire insurance policies do not cover damage by explosions or bombardment. There is far more reason to secure protection from these dangers now than here is to insure against fire in times of peace…” (April 26, 1917)
Or this newspaper advertisement:
Cambridge Chronicle March 17, 1917
Other businesses also took advantage of war time fears. The advert below implies that enemy troops may even be at your own gate!
Cambridge Chronicle March 17, 1917
SHORTAGES & SAVINGS
Shortages affected everything, but fuel was uppermost of mind. National and local government agencies sent flyers to businessmen about how to aid in preventing fuel shortages, as seen in this excerpt from the New England Fuel Administration flyer. (Reducing elevator service would not automatically come to mind these days):
“To Tenants of Apartment Houses November 19, 1917
“A serious shortage of coal threatens New England and it is important that every possible pound of coal should be saved. If each New England consumer will reduce his consumption twenty per cent, the total saving will be over nine million tons and we will get through the winter without serious factory shutdowns and without suffering…We offer the following suggestions:
Do not ask to have suites heated higher than you actually need; suggests 65 to 70 degrees
Do not waste hot water
Prompt attention to turning off burners of gas ranges will save considerable accost
Reduce elevator service where practicable
Shut off heat in all unoccupied rooms where there is no danger of freezing pipes
Pull down window shades at dusk. A drawn shade keeps in the heat nearly as well as a double window
Bank your fires as early as is expedient“
Of course, the newspapers all did their patriotic duty to encourage fuel reduction as well. These two articles were printed in the Cambridge Chronicle on the same date: January 12, 1918
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE WAR
This advertisement is a grim encouragement, reminding people to buy Liberty Bonds. Liberty Bonds were a way of individuals “loaning” to the government to pay for the war. The loan would be repaid with interest after a designated number of years. These bonds became a symbol of fulfilling one’s patriotic duty.
Cambridge Chronicle April 13, 1918
The excerpt below is from a flyer sent out by the Treasury Dept., National War Savings Committee to enlist businessmen in helping raise money for the war effort through Thrift Stamps:
TO THE BUSINESS MEN OF MASSACHUSETTS
The importance of a general distribution among wage-earners and others of United States Government Thrift Cards and Thrift Stamps cannot be overestimated. With these cards and stamps widely distributed throughout the State a great savings movement will have begun.
I AM ACCORDINGLY REQUESTING YOU AND EACH AND EVERY OTHER EMPLOYER WHO CAN POSSIBLE DO SO TO GIVE A THRIFT CARD WITH A THRIFT STAMP AFFIXED (cost 25 cents) TO EACH EMPLOYEE.
…the Thrift Stamp bears no interest and is intended to be bought stamp by stamp by people who save in small amounts. When sixteen of these stamps are accumulated, amounting to four dollars face value, they may be exchanged for a War Savings Stamp by adding the necessary few cents to meet the price of the War Savings Stamp at that time. The War Savings Stamps are promises of the United States of America to pay five dollars June 1, 1923. …It will help bring to everyone’s attention the necessity of economizing in the expenditure of money, materials, and unnecessary labor so as to help keep up supplies for the Army and Navy.” (From Robert F. Herrick, State Director of the National War Savings Committee December 18, 1917)
Cambridge Tribune October 26, 1918
Of course, small- time businessmen also did their part:
Cambridge Sentinel June 30, 1917
AFTER THE WAR
After the war life, citizens had to adjust back to what used to be considered “normal.” But with demobilization, new issues arose:
“Dear Mr. Ellis:
The Fortunes of War or of Peace are bringing us back to Cambridge from Washington and we find ourselves in the peculiar position of hunting for a place to live with our own house rented.Are there any possibilities of small furnished apartments? Now that the soldiers and sailors are demobilizing I should think there would be attendant vacating of apartments.” (From Rachel Perry [Mrs. Ralph Barton] Perry November 27, 1918) [138 Irving St.]
138 Irving St with Francis Ave in foreground, no date. Photograph gift of William B. King
The housing situation was a jumble, but, perhaps more importantly, so was the employment situation. A circular from the U. S. Department of Labor on February 5, 1919 warned:
“War contracts are nearly all completed, necessitating the closing of a considerable number of shops. In many cases the people employed on these war contracts must find employment in entirely different directions. Discharged soldiers in continually increasing numbers are seeking replacement in industry.”
In Cambridge, a local Bureau for Returning Soldiers and Sailors was organized under the chairman Walter F. Earle, president of the Harvard Trust Co. And on January 25, 1919 the Harvard Square Business Men’s Association sent this to its membership:
“Dear Sir:
Your attention is earnestly called to the efforts now being made to provide work for the returning soldiers and sailors. These men have been representing you on the battle-fields of France and they have just returned after winning the greatest and most righteous war of all time. Now they desire employment – – not charity, but an opportunity to reenter [sic] business life and once more fill their places as good citizens. Can you help to provide employment for these men?”
* * * *
Cambridge Tribune November 16, 1918
Cambridge Tribune November 16, 1918
End note: Because Ellis & Melledge dealt mostly with properties in Mid and West Cambridge, the correspondence does not reflect the all the concerns of those living in Cambridge, particularly east of Central Square.
Today’s post was written by CHC volunteer Kathleen Fox
We are happy to announce that we have recently processed and updated finding aids from several collections in our holdings. Scroll down for descriptions and sample images from the following collections: Patsy Baudoin Collection of Cambridge Prints and Photographs, Edwin Freeman Bowker Collection, Honors and Awards Collection, Alan McClennen Senior Collection, Cambridge Militia Records, City of Cambridge Veterans’ Graves Registration Cards Inventory, and William Lawrence Galvin Collection.
Patsy Baudoin Collection of Cambridge Prints and Photographs
This collection, sometimes known as an artificial collection, consists of photographs, drawings, and prints of historical houses and locations in Cambridge. Also included are several page clippings from various books including the Historic Guide to Cambridge, Ever New England, and other area guides to historic houses.
One (1) pencil sketch: Johnston Gate, Harvard Yard by W. Harry Smith (Artist)
Most of the houses depicted in the prints were built pre-Revolutionary War, from 1660-1763, and have a long history of famous residents, including Margaret Fuller, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and John White Webster. Additionally, many of the houses are listed as National Historic Landmarks including the seven houses that make up “Tory Row” on Brattle Street.
Longfellow in his study ca. 1870-1880. Photographer unknown.
Click here to view the finding aid for this collection.
Edwin Freeman Bowker Collection
This collection is composed of five boxes and two flat files containing Edwin F. Bowker’s professional correspondence as a civil engineer and surveyor. Included are surveyor’s notes and records, draft sketches, manual calculations, notes on markers, drawings, plans, transcripts regarding property boundaries from deeds, and correspondence from mid-1886 through 1919.
Documents related to property at Hasting and Monson Streets, 1920
Click here to view the finding aid for this collection.
Honors and Awards Collection
This collection contains certificates honoring the Cambridge Historical Commission and various Cambridge businesses and organizations for their service to the built environment of this community.
Plaque and pencil sketch for the City of Cambridge Ruth L. Barron Award for Outstanding Community Service, 2014.
Click here to view the finding aid for this collection.
Alan McClennen Senior Collection
Included in this collection are maps, development studies, town reports, and traffic studies for the City of Cambridge with the bulk of the materials dating from the 1950s to the 1970s. Alan McClennen served as the Planning Director for the City of Cambridge from 1958 until 1968. Researchers interested in viewing the Alan McClennen Senior Collection will be engaged by topics on community development in the City of Cambridge during the mid-twentieth century. We would like to give a special thanks to volunteer Steve Kaiser, for to his contribution to the spreadsheet and box list for this collection.
Booklet for Alewife Brook Park created by AD Little/Cambridge Corporation, 1968
Memo on Railroad Grade Separations by the Cambridge Planning Board, 5 December 1950
Click here to view the finding aid for this collection.
Cambridge Militia Records
This collection contains nine record books detailing militia records for the City of Cambridge for the years 1846-1886. Each book contains lists of names recording those enrolled in the Cambridge Militia. At times these lists are accompanied by marginal notes.
Militia roll: 1877 (“Ward Two Book”)
Cambridge Militia Ledger: 1846-1859
Click here to view the finding aid for this collection.
City of Cambridge Veterans’ Graves Registration Cards Inventory
This collection contains veterans’ graves registration cards, filed in alphabetical order, for graves in various cemeteries in Cambridge. A majority of the graves are registered at Mount Auburn Cemetery and Cambridge Cemetery, but also include others, such as the North Cambridge Catholic Cemetery and Belmont Town Cemetery.
Click here to view the finding aid for this collection.
William Lawrence Galvin Collection
The collection contains print and photographic materials of William L. Galvin’s professional records and architectural drawings. This collection consists of correspondence, writing, articles, government records, photographs and drawings that depict Galvin’s professional career. The core of the collection consists of drawings for over 1,000 architectural projects, of which about 530 projects in Cambridge have been cataloged.
Proposed Dormitory – Social and Recreational Center, Lesley College, undated
Over a 50-year career, 1927-1979, Galvin made a significant impact on the landscape of Cambridge through his numerous projects and constant support for progressive land use to fit a modernizing Cambridge community. This collection provides valuable insight into Galvin’s personality and professional work that has left a lasting mark on the landscape of the City of Cambridge.
Drawing of Shea Cleaning Plant and Showroom, undated
Click here to view the finding aid for this collection.
To view the above collections, please make an appointment with our archivist, Emily, at egonzalez@cambridgema.gov. Our research hours are: Monday: 4:00-7:00 pm | Tuesday: 2:00-4:00 pm | Wednesday – Thursday: 10-12 and 2-4 pm.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to process collections and make them available for research!
