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64-718: The monument is a 400-by-71-by-71-inch (10.2 m × 1.8 m × 1.8 m) granite obelisk presented to the Academy by the class of 1860. The sculptor is unknown. On the monument's base, facing the Naval Academy Chapel , is a plaque: Commander William Lewis Herndon 1818-1857 Naval Officer - Explorer - Merchant Captain In command of the Central America, home-bound with California gold seekers, Captain Herndon lost his life in

128-499: A battle lasting just six hours. The Asiatic Squadron sank or captured the entire Spanish Pacific Squadron under Admiral Patricio Montojo y Pasarón and silenced the shore batteries at Manila , with the loss of only one life on the American side from a heart attack. Didn't Admiral Dewey do wonderfully well? I got him the position out there in Asia last year, and I had to beg hard to do it; and

192-610: A dispatch boat, and was often used as the Presidential yacht. In 1885, Captain Dewey undertook another tour of sea service, and for three years was in command of USS  Pensacola , familiar to him in the New Orleans battles, now flagship of the European squadron. Returning to Washington in 1893, he resumed the life of a bureau officer, being attached to the lighthouse board. In 1896, he

256-401: A gallant effort to save ship and lives during a cyclone off Hatteras, September 12, 1857. "Forgetful of self, in his death he added a new glory to the annals of the sea" - Maury Maury is Matthew Fontaine Maury , Herndon's co-worker (from 1842 to 1846), brother-in-law, and cousin. To the right on the obelisk from the plaque, in raised block letters, is "HERNDON.". On the opposite side of

320-506: A military role model when he read a biography of Hannibal . Dewey entered the United States Naval Academy in 1854 at the age of 16. The conventional four-year course had just been introduced in 1851 and the cadet corps was quite small, averaging about one hundred Acting Midshipmen . Out of all that entered in his year, only fourteen stayed through the course. He stood fifth on the class roll at graduation. He graduated from

384-407: A newspaper reporter that: "Our next war will be with Germany." Dewey also angered some Protestants by marrying a Catholic and giving her the house that the nation had given him following the war. Dewey withdrew from the race in mid-May 1900 and endorsed William McKinley . In 1900, after his withdrawal from the presidential race, he was named president of the newly established General Board of

448-507: A potential war with Spain, which broke out in April 1898. Immediately after the beginning of the war, Dewey led an attack on Manila Bay , sinking or capturing the entire Spanish Pacific fleet while suffering only minor casualties. After the battle, his fleet assisted in the capture of Manila . Dewey's victory at Manila Bay was widely lauded in the United States, and he was promoted to Admiral of

512-684: The Philippine–American War started. In 1902, Dewey testified during the Lodge Committee's investigation into alleged American war crimes against Filipinos. There, Dewey seemingly reversed his previous positions, stating that "neither the Filipinos nor the Cubans are capable of self-government" and the Philippines would "lapse into anarchy" if the United States granted them full independence. Despite

576-523: The Academy on June 18, 1858. As a midshipman, Dewey first went to sea on a practice cruise aboard USS  Saratoga ; on this cruise he earned recognition as a cadet officer . As a result, he was assigned to one of the best ships of the old Navy—the steam frigate USS  Wabash . Wabash under Captain Samuel Barron was the new flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron . On July 22, 1858,

640-509: The Chinese waters of Mirs Bay . On April 27, 1898, he sailed from China aboard USS  Olympia with orders to attack the Spanish at Manila Bay . He stopped at the mouth of the bay late the night of April 30, and the following morning he gave the order to attack at first light, saying the now famous words "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley ." True to his word, Dewey defeated the Spanish in

704-731: The Confederacy. Its access to the sea was protected by Fort Fisher , at the mouth of the Cape Fear River . A joint Army-Navy attack in December failed (the First Battle of Fort Fisher , December 7–27, 1864). A second attack came in January (the Second Battle of Fort Fisher , January 13–15, 1865). Colorado was engaged, and Dewey played a key role in her success. Colorado , being a wooden ship,

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768-638: The Navy Department, which was the Navy's major policy‑making body. He remained in active naval service on the board until his death, and played a major role in championing the introduction of new technologies into the expanding U.S. Navy with his support of the development of naval aviation and the submarine. In 1866, Dewey was assigned to duty in the Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine , and there met

832-700: The Navy in 1903. Dewey explored a run for the 1900 Democratic presidential nomination, but he withdrew from the race and endorsed President William McKinley . He served on the General Board of the United States Navy , an important policy-making body, from 1900 until his death in 1917. Dewey was born in Montpelier, Vermont , on December 26, 1837, directly opposite the Vermont State House , to Julius Yemans Dewey and his first wife, Mary Perrin. Julius

896-469: The Philippines at the time. Dewey and Aguinaldo at first enjoyed a cordial relationship, and Dewey wrote that the Filipinos were "intelligent" and well "capable of self-government." In August after ground troops arrived, Dewey aided U.S. Army General Wesley Merritt in taking possession of Manila on August 13, 1898, during the 1898 Battle of Manila , the "mock Battle of Manila", while Aguinaldo's troops, surrounding Manila, were kept out. In February 1899,

960-548: The Secretary of the Navy asking that 50 Chinese sailors who had served with the Asiatic Squadron at Manila Bay be allowed to enter the United States. In Dewey's letter he noted that the Chinese had "rendered the most efficient services upon that occasion" and that they had "shown courage and energy in the face of an enemy." At that time an immigration law, the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act , prohibited Chinese laborers from landing in

1024-656: The U.S. warships lying in Hong Kong harbour. Upon arrival, he learned that the Maine had blown up in Havana Harbor. Dewey was skeptical that the country would go to war, writing, "I don't see what we have to gain in a war with Spain." However, he was confident of victory, writing, "I expect to capture the Spanish ships and reduce the defenses of Manila in one day." As the war clouds loomed, Dewey assembled his squadron at Hong Kong and made preparations. The cruiser USS  Baltimore

1088-533: The United States. Dewey had enlisted the Chinese sailors against the wishes of the Navy Department and, despite his very public entreatment that they be granted US citizenship, Congress refused to even take up the issue. On October 3, 1899, Dewey was presented a special sword by President McKinley in a ceremony at the Capitol building. The presentation of the sword was followed by a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. Congress, by unanimous vote, had authorized $ 10,000 to fund

1152-412: The academy, known as plebes or freshmen, are expected to work together to scale the monument, with the goal of replacing a plebe " dixie-cup hat " on top with an upperclassman combination cover . Prior to the climb, the monument is normally greased by upperclassmen with as much as 50 pounds of vegetable shortening , though some years have opted for no grease. This campus tradition marks the official end of

1216-577: The aid of a cargo net. Using such devices is now banned. The record was set in 1969 when Midshipman Larry Fanning made the climb in 1 minute and 30 seconds. However, the monument was not greased. Midshipman 4th Class Michael J. Maynard of the Class of 1975 scaled the monument in 20 minutes in 1972, believed to be the fastest time since the tradition of greasing the monument began. Before the 2010 Herndon Monument climb, Superintendent Vice Admiral Jeffrey Fowler publicly indicated dissatisfaction that year with

1280-636: The banks, and even occasionally by light artillery. In spring 1863, Union forces moved to take the Confederate fortress at Port Hudson, Louisiana , where at that time the Red River joined the Mississippi. Farragut attempted to pass the fortress with his fleet and cut it off upriver, thereby completing the Siege of Port Hudson . The attempt was made on March 14, 1863. In this action, Dewey saw fiercer fighting than he

1344-615: The barracks. Summarily, he entered the United States Naval Academy in 1854. He graduated from the academy in 1858 and was assigned as the executive lieutenant of the USS ; Mississippi at the beginning of the Civil War . He participated in the capture of New Orleans and the Siege of Port Hudson , helping the Union take control of the Mississippi River . By the end of the war, Dewey reached

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1408-660: The beginning of the American Civil War , Dewey was executive lieutenant on USS  Mississippi , a steam paddle frigate assigned to the Union West Gulf Blockading Squadron . At the beginning of 1862, Mississippi was attached to David Farragut 's fleet for the capture of New Orleans . On the night of April 24–25, 1862, Farragut led his ships up the Mississippi River past the Confederate defenses at Fort St. Philip and Fort Jackson . Mississippi

1472-461: The chapel is copper and the cupola is 193 feet (59 m) above the main altar area. In 1995, the Chapel was featured on a U.S. Postal Service postage stamp , honoring the Academy's 150th anniversary. In 2009, nearly seventy years after the 1940 renovation and expansion, the chapel underwent an extensive restoration that included the repair of decades-long deterioration. The restoration uncovered

1536-479: The clear difference between his testimony and his earlier statements, Dewey stated that his testimony reflected the opinions he always held. Dewey was promoted to rear admiral in May 1898, and full admiral the following year. Returning to the United States on September 27, 1899, Dewey received a hero's welcome. New York City's September 1899 welcome-home celebration for Dewey was a two-day parade. When Boston paid tribute, he

1600-554: The company of women. In 1893, he was escorting two women aboard a warship when he unexpectedly ran into his son. Thinking on his feet, Dewey introduced his son as his younger brother. On November 9, 1899, after his triumphal return from the Far East, Dewey was married for the second time to Mildred McLean Hazen (1850–1931), widow of General William Babcock Hazen , in the rectory of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. Since Hazen

1664-658: The crypt beneath the Brigade Chapel, inside a sarcophagus made of 21 short tons (19 t) of black and white Italian marble with bronze fittings. In the deck around the crypt are inscribed the names of his ships: Bonhomme Richard , Alliance , Serapis , Ariel , Alfred , Providence , and Ranger . 38°58′53.57″N 76°29′10.64″W  /  38.9815472°N 76.4862889°W  / 38.9815472; -76.4862889 George Dewey Spanish–American War Philippine–American War George Dewey (December 26, 1837 – January 16, 1917)

1728-421: The dome's 20 feet (6.1 m)-diameter oculus (round skylight ), situated 121 feet (37 m) above the chapel floor, which had been plastered over for decades because of its deteriorating condition. The cost of the project was nearly $ 2.5 million, of which $ 925,000 was donated by the Class of 1969 to cover the cost of replacing the hardwood floors and refinishing the pews . The remaining $ 2.3 million came from

1792-542: The famous frigate USS  Constitution , which was berthed at Annapolis as a training ship. Some tranquil years followed the end of Dewey's cruise on Colorado . For two years, from 1868 to 1870, he was an instructor at the Naval Academy. The next year he did special surveying work on the steam sloop USS  Narragansett . He was then briefly assigned to the Naval Torpedo Station at Newport, Rhode Island. It

1856-608: The flagship of the European Squadron . The admiral in command of the ship and squadron was Louis M. Goldsborough , and one of Dewey's companions was John Crittenden Watson —the same man, who, as rear admiral, relieved Admiral Dewey of his duties at Manila, when he wished to return to the United States in the summer of 1899. Lieutenant Commander Dewey was in charge of the vessels at the Naval Academy in Annapolis from November 6, 1867, through August 1, 1870. This duty included commanding

1920-413: The forts. This included CSS  Manassas , a small ironclad. Manassas tried to ram Mississippi , but Dewey safely maneuvered Mississippi to evade. Manassas then attacked Brooklyn and Hartford in the next division, and then turned back upriver. Farragut signaled Mississippi to run Manassas down. Dewey steered Mississippi into a ramming attack. Manassas dodged, but ran aground and

1984-652: The gift shortly after the Battle of Manila Bay. The elaborately decorated sword was custom-made by Tiffany & Co. Its hilt and fittings were made of 22 carat gold. The sword is now on display, along with uniforms and medals belonging to Admiral Dewey, at the National Museum of the United States Navy at the Washington Navy Yard . Many suggested Dewey run for President on the Democratic ticket in 1900. His candidacy

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2048-522: The government. The two stained-glass windows facing the altar are symbolic. One is of Sir Galahad holding his sheathed sword, portraying the ideals of the naval service. The other signifies the Commission Invisible , a beacon each new officer must follow: Christ is pointing him toward the flag. Four other windows are memorials to LCDR Theodorus B.M. Mason and Admirals David Dixon Porter , David Farragut , and William T. Sampson . Several of

2112-530: The grade of commander . This residence in Washington as a bureau officer of high rank gave him an extensive acquaintance, and he became one of the most popular men in the capital. He was a member of the Metropolitan Club , the leading social club of Washington. In 1882, this leave of absence in Washington came to an end when he was sent to the Asiatic station in command of USS  Juniata , where he studied

2176-461: The grounds of the United States Navy's service academy . Protestant and Catholic services are held there. The Brigade Chapel is a focal point of the Academy and the city of Annapolis. The chapel is an important feature which led to the Academy being designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Traditionally, new third-class midshipmen become "Youngsters" when they sight the chapel dome upon returning from their summer cruise. The Brigade Chapel

2240-459: The many classes that have gone before them. The Herndon Monument climb serves as a useful event in reinforcing teamwork, organization and leadership." 38°58′56″N 76°29′09″W  /  38.9823°N 76.4859°W  / 38.9823; -76.4859 Naval Academy Chapel The United States Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis , Maryland , is one of nine designated chapel spaces on

2304-467: The obelisk, also in raised letters, is "September 12, 1857.". Central America ′s ship's bell — discovered in her wreck in 1988 and donated to the Naval Academy as a gift in August 2021 — was positioned next to the monument and was dedicated in a ceremony on May 23, 2022. The monument is the site of the annual Herndon Monument Climb, known colloquially as the "plebes-no-more" ceremony. First-year students at

2368-469: The plebe year. It is a Naval Academy tradition that the midshipman who replaces the dixie cup hat will be given the Superintendent's combination cover or shoulder boards. Legend says that he or she will be the first of his or her class to make Flag Rank, although in reality, this has not yet occurred. The academy began recording times in 1959. In 1962 Midshipman 4th Class Ed Linz scaled the monument with

2432-685: The rank of lieutenant commander . After the Civil War, Dewey undertook a variety of assignments, serving on multiple ships (including the USS  Constitution ) and as an instructor at the Naval Academy. He also served on the United States Lighthouse Board and the Board of Inspection and Survey . He was promoted to commodore in 1896 and assigned to the Asiatic Squadron the following year. After that appointment, he began preparations for

2496-662: The reason I gave was that we might have to send him to Manila. And we sent him — and he went! In the early stages of the Spanish-American War in the Philippines, Dewey and the Americans were aided by the Filipino nationalists led by Emilio Aguinaldo who had fought previously the Philippine Revolution and were attacking the Spanish by land after Dewey had defeated the Spanish at sea. There were no U.S. Army ground troops in

2560-494: The risk of injury associated with the climbing tradition. Vice Adm. Fowler ordered the Brigade of Midshipmen not to slather the monument with lard "to improve the safety of the event". However, his successor, Vice Admiral Michael Miller, reinstated the tradition in 2011, citing that "[c]onducting the ceremonial climb in the same manner as so many previous classes helps to instill spirit and camaraderie among plebes and better links them to

2624-639: The ship left Hampton Roads for Europe. Wabash reached her first port of call, Gibraltar, on August 17, 1858. She cruised in the Mediterranean , and the cadet officers visited the cities of the Old World accessible to them, often taking trips inland. Dewey was assigned to keep the ship's log . Wabash returned to the New York Navy Yard on December 16, 1859, and decommissioned there on December 20, 1859. Dewey served on two short-term cruises in 1860. At

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2688-400: The situation with care and acquired information of immense importance ten years later. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1884, and he was ordered home and given command of USS  Dolphin —one of the first four ships of the original "white squadron" , steam-powered ships with steel hulls which formed the basis of the modern United States Navy. Dolphin was officially classed as

2752-414: The stained-glass windows in the Chapel were designed by Frederick Wilson . The Brigade Chapel boasts a 268-rank organ controlled by one of the largest drawknob consoles in the world (522 drawknobs). The basement level of the chapel houses the crypt of John Paul Jones and St. Andrew's Chapel which is used for smaller services. On January 26, 1913, the remains of John Paul Jones were interred in

2816-402: The woman who became his first wife: Susan "Susie" Boardman Goodwin (1844–1872), daughter of New Hampshire's war governor , Ichabod Goodwin , a Republican who fitted out troops for the war at his own expense. The Deweys were married on October 24, 1867, and had one son, George. Susie died on December 28, 1872, five days after giving birth. The longtime widower cut a dashing figure and enjoyed

2880-624: Was Admiral of the Navy , the only person in United States history to have attained that rank. He is best known for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish–American War , with the loss of only a single crewman on the American side. Dewey was born in Montpelier, Vermont . At age 15, Dewey's father enrolled him at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont . Two years later Norwich expelled him for drunkenness and herding sheep into

2944-528: Was Thomas E. Dewey , Governor of New York and two time Republican Party presidential nominee. Dewey attended school in the nearby town of Johnson . When he was fifteen years old he went to the American Literary Scientific and Military Academy. The school, better known as Norwich University , had been founded by Alden Partridge and aimed at giving cadets a well-rounded military education. Dewey attended for two years (1852–1854). Dewey found

3008-656: Was a physician who received his degree from The University of Vermont . He was among the founders of the National Life Insurance Company in 1848, a member of the Episcopal Church , and was among the founders of the Christ Episcopal Church in Montpelier. George was baptized and attended Sunday school there. George had two older brothers and a younger sister. Dewey's third cousin twice removed

3072-571: Was a Roman Catholic and Dewey was not, they were not permitted to have their wedding inside a Catholic church. The marriage was criticized by some anti-Catholic voices , as was Dewey's transfer to his wife of the $ 50,000 Washington mansion given to him by the American public through a fund-raising campaign. In later life, Dewey wore stylish clothes and a handlebar mustache, which was his trademark. His inherited wealth allowed him to live in comfort. He often went horseback riding with President Theodore Roosevelt in Washington's Rock Creek Park , and he

3136-403: Was abandoned. She was set on fire by a boat from Mississippi , and then shelled. Farragut's fleet then continued upriver and forced the surrender of the city. This was the first battle in which Dewey distinguished himself. For the remainder of 1862, Farragut's ships (including Mississippi ) patrolled the lower river. This was dangerous, as the ships were fired on by Confederate sharpshooters on

3200-399: Was designed by Ernest Flagg . The cornerstone was laid in 1904 by Admiral George Dewey and the dedication of the Chapel was on May 28, 1908. In 1940, the Chapel underwent remodeling which doubled the seating capacity to 2,500, to accommodate a larger brigade of midshipmen. From 1853 to 1972, chapel attendance was compulsory. After remodeling, the chapel formed a large cross. The dome over

3264-505: Was dispatched to Hong Kong via the Republic of Hawaii . Dewey purchased the merchant colliers Nanshan and Zafiro , retaining their crews. The warships were repainted from white to gray. Upon the outbreak of war between the United States and Spain, the United Kingdom declared its neutrality and Dewey was ordered by Wilsone Black to leave British waters. The Asiatic Squadron moved to

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3328-513: Was during this assignment that his wife died just after the birth of his son. In 1873, Dewey was given command of Narragansett and spent nearly four years on her, engaged in the Pacific Coast Survey. This entitled him to a period of rest ashore; and he was ordered to Washington , and made lighthouse inspector in 1880, and then secretary of the lighthouse board , a service in which he took great interest. Meanwhile, he had been promoted to

3392-444: Was ever to see again. Mississippi ran aground and was the target of concentrated enemy fire for half an hour, until she had to be abandoned. Dewey was among the last to leave the wreck. Dewey was highly complimented by his immediate superiors and by Farragut himself, who appointed him executive officer of USS  Agawam , a small gunboat the admiral used frequently for dispatches and his personal reconnoitering. This little vessel

3456-452: Was frequently under fire by concealed sharpshooters and temporary batteries. In July of that year a small engagement at Donaldsonville, Louisiana , resulted in the death of Captain Abner Read , of USS New London , and the severe wounding of his executive officer. Dewey was present, and was so conspicuous for gallantry that he was recommended for promotion on the strength of it. Meanwhile, he

3520-536: Was given temporary command of the frigate. In the latter part of 1864, after some service in the James River under Commander McComb, Lieutenant Dewey was made executive officer of the first-rate wooden man-of-war USS  Colorado , in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron under command of Commodore Henry Knox Thatcher . By late 1864, Wilmington, North Carolina , was the only port left to

3584-405: Was greeted at City Hall by 280 singers from the Handel and Haydn Society who sang the anthem "See the Conquering Hero Comes" from Handel's Judas Maccabaeus . By act of Congress , he was promoted to the special rank of Admiral of the Navy in 1903, with his date of rank retroactive to 1899. A special military decoration , the Battle of Manila Bay Medal (commonly called the Dewey Medal ),

3648-482: Was not permitted, but Dewey was promoted to lieutenant commander . After the end of the Civil War, then Lieutenant Commander Dewey remained in active service, and was sent to the European station as executive officer of USS  Kearsarge —the famous ship that had sunk the Confederate privateer Alabama . Dewey's next tour of duty was in 1867 and 1868 as executive officer of USS  Colorado —the same vessel in which he had won his honors at Fort Fisher, and now

3712-444: Was one of only four Americans in history (the other three being Admiral William T. Sampson , Admiral Richard E. Byrd , and General John J. Pershing ) who were entitled to wear a US government-issued medal with their own image on it. Such was his high regard by the public that "Dewey" was the 19th most popular boys' name in 1898, jumping from 111th the year prior. Shortly after the Battle of Manila Bay, on May 31, 1898, Dewey wrote to

3776-410: Was placed in the line outside the monitors and other armored vessels but got a full share of conflict. Toward the end of the second engagement, when matters were moving the right way, Admiral Porter signaled Thatcher to close in and silence a certain part of the works. As Colorado had already received considerable damage, her officers remonstrated. But Dewey, who had now acquired marked tactical ability,

3840-447: Was plagued by public relations missteps. He was quoted as saying the job of president would be easy since the chief executive was merely following orders in executing the laws enacted by Congress and that he would "execute the laws of Congress as faithfully as I have always executed the orders of my superiors." He admitted to never having voted in a presidential election. He drew yet more criticism when he offhandedly, but prophetically, told

3904-480: Was promoted to commodore and transferred to the Board of Inspection and Survey . In 1896, Dewey applied for a sea posting as commander of the Asiatic Squadron. Although Dewey was a long shot for the position, his friend Theodore Roosevelt arranged for President William McKinley to select Dewey over a more senior officer. The Commodore hoisted his pennant on board USS  Olympia at Nagasaki in January 1898, and departed for Hong Kong in February to inspect

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3968-527: Was quick to see the advantage to be gained by the move and the work was taken in fifteen minutes. The New York Times , commenting upon this part of the action, spoke of it as "the most beautiful duel of the war". When Admiral Porter came to congratulate Commodore Thatcher, the latter said generously: "You must thank Lieutenant Dewey, sir. It was his move." Nevertheless, Thatcher was promoted to rear admiral . He tried to take Dewey with him as his fleet captain when he went to supersede Farragut at Mobile Bay . This

4032-453: Was struck in honor of Dewey's victory at Manila Bay. It was awarded to every American officer, sailor, and Marine present at the battle. The medals were designed by Daniel Chester French , sculptor of the Lincoln Memorial , and produced by Tiffany & Co. of New York. Each medal was engraved with the recipient's name, rank, and ship. Since his own image appeared on the obverse of the medal, out of modesty, Dewey wore his medal reversed. Dewey

4096-416: Was the third in Farragut's first division, with Dewey at the helm. The first division (all big ships) kept near the west bank where the current was weaker and the water deeper; but this brought them right under the muzzles of the guns of Fort St. Philip. Dewey steered Mississippi through shallow water where he expected to run aground any moment. There was a squadron of Confederate gunboats waiting above

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