Henry Minett
Encyclopedia
Henry Minett was a career officer of the United States Navy
who served during the Spanish-American War
. Prior to retirement in 1905, he achieved the rank of captain. He is best remembered as one of the first acting-Governor of American Samoa
. Minett Islet
in Alaska
is named for him.
and entered the United States Naval Academy
shortly after his 16th birthday, on June 8, 1872. He graduated as a midshipman
four years later, on June 20, 1876. In his early naval career, he was assigned first to the USS Swatara, sailing as part of the North Atlantic Squadron
. After being promoted to ensign
, he was reassigned to the USS Jamestown
from 1879 to 1881. The Jamestown served as the guard ship
for the port of Sitka, Alaska. Although he was only an ensign, a small islet in Sitka harbor, Minett Islet
, was named for him. On his return from Alaska, Minett was assigned to the training ship USS New Hampshire
in 1882. In the next several years, Minett also served on board the USS Hartford
and the USS Lackawanna
, before being assigned to the research-oriented Naval Torpedo Station at Newport, Rhode Island
and sailed with the USS Marblehead
for several years around Europe before returning to the United States in 1897. He served on board the USS Wabash
, a receiving ship in Boston Harbor
until 1898.
On May 23, 1886, Minett was promoted to Lieutenant, junior grade
. Shortly after, he was transferred to the receiving ship USS Minnesota
where he served until 1888. After that, he was briefly assigned to the USS Pensacola before a longer stint on board the USS Omaha
, sailing to Japan
. While in Japan, the Omaha assisted in putting out a large fire at Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama
. On his return to the United States, Minett served on board the USS Vermont
in New York Harbor
. He was promoted to lieutenant
on December 11, 1891 and sailed with the USS Marblehead
for several years around Europe before returning to the United States in 1897. He served on board the USS Wabash
, a receiving ship in Boston Harbor
until 1898.
. The Viking began her life as a private yacht
, but was armed and pressed into service for the war. In his first months in command, Minett and the Viking patrolled the waters near Sandy Hook, New Jersey
to prevent Spanish attacks on New York. On July 12, 1898, Minett and the Viking were transferred to Cuba to assist in the naval blockade. Minett's duties in Cuba included transporting passengers, orders, and supplies between the blockading ships. On August 16, 1898, four days after the conclusion of hostilities, Minett was ordered to take the Viking to Norfolk, Virginia
where she was decommissioned. Minett saw no combat during the war.
Following the war, Minett was reassigned first to the Yorktown, then to the Adams where he was promoted to lieutenant-commander, and subsequently made the executive officer
of the Concorde. On board the Concord, Minett was given a test of his command abilities. While sailing en route to a settlement at Unalaska, Alaska
, in the Aleutian Islands, Minett's commanding officer became seriously ill. Minett assumed command of the vessel and sailed her against orders to Seattle, Washington to get his commander treatment. Minett's arrival in Seattle on July 17, 1901 was reported in newspapers across the country and the Navy Department immediately launched an investigation into the violation of orders. After only five days, Minett's command judgement was upheld and he was cleared of charges.
Near the end of Colombia
's Thousand Days War
, in November 1901, the Concorde and the Iowa
were sent south to protect American interests. Colombian liberals had seized the town of Colón, Panama
and the Panama Railroad and appeared ready to take Panama City
. The Concorde arrived on November 23 and Lieutenant-Commander Minett was placed in command of a battalion
of 412 men from the two ships. To reclaim the railroad, Minett launched trains under guard from Panama City, each sporting two American flags. If the Colombian liberals fired on the trains, the Navy would consider this serious enough provocation to reply in force. In this way, the railroad was restored with no major conflicts. During the Concordes time in Panama, the train was also used to bring wounded Colombian soldiers back to Panama City where they could be treated by Navy doctors. Colón was surrendered to the US Navy on November 30 and the Navy pulled out its ships shortly after.
. A full military ceremony was held where Minett presented each of the tribal chiefs who had signed the deed with an engraved silver watch and chain. Minett also presented a letter from the president acknowledging his acceptance of the territory. Using Navy officers as a color guard
, Minett also formally presented the gift of an American flag to the members of the Fita Fita Guard, the local militia created by Governor Tilley
three years earlier.
While Minett was acting as governor, the territory was visited by German Samoa
Governor Wilhelm Heinrich Solf, perhaps the first such visit from a governor's eastern counterpart. In this meeting, the two governors discussed maintaining friendly relations, but also restricting travel between the two territories. Some natives had been ignoring the partition and going on extended "visiting parties" between the zones. Both governors agreed to attempt to curb this practice.
Minett's time as governor was also marked by the improving of roads in the territory and by hunger problems.
In 1880, an islet was named in his honor: Minett Islet
. Minett was serving at Sitka Sound
aboard the USS Jamestown
when the islet was named.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
who served during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. Prior to retirement in 1905, he achieved the rank of captain. He is best remembered as one of the first acting-Governor of American Samoa
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
. Minett Islet
Minett Islet
Minett Islet is a small islet in Jamestown Bay, Sitka Sound in Alaska. It is named for United States Navy officer and Governor of American Samoa Henry Minett....
in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
is named for him.
Early career
Henry Minett was born in Louisville, KentuckyLouisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
and entered the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
shortly after his 16th birthday, on June 8, 1872. He graduated as a midshipman
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
four years later, on June 20, 1876. In his early naval career, he was assigned first to the USS Swatara, sailing as part of the North Atlantic Squadron
North Atlantic Squadron
The North Atlantic Squadron was a section of the United States Navy operating in the North Atlantic. It was renamed as the North Atlantic Fleet in 1902. In 1905 the European and South Atlantic Squadrons were abolished and absorbed into the North Atlantic Fleet. On Jan...
. After being promoted to ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
, he was reassigned to the USS Jamestown
USS Jamestown (1844)
The first USS Jamestown was a sloop in the United States Navy during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.Jamestown was launched in 1844 by the Gosport Navy Yard, Virginia; and commissioned there on 12 December, with Commander Robert B...
from 1879 to 1881. The Jamestown served as the guard ship
Guard ship
A guard ship is a warship stationed at some port or harbour to act as a guard, and in former times in the Royal Navy to receive the men impressed for service...
for the port of Sitka, Alaska. Although he was only an ensign, a small islet in Sitka harbor, Minett Islet
Minett Islet
Minett Islet is a small islet in Jamestown Bay, Sitka Sound in Alaska. It is named for United States Navy officer and Governor of American Samoa Henry Minett....
, was named for him. On his return from Alaska, Minett was assigned to the training ship USS New Hampshire
USS New Hampshire (1864)
USS New Hampshire was a heavy ship originally designed to be the 74-gun ship of the line Alabama, but she remained on the stocks for nearly 40 years, well into the age of steam, before being renamed and launched as a storeship and depot ship during the American Civil War...
in 1882. In the next several years, Minett also served on board the USS Hartford
USS Hartford (1858)
USS Hartford, a sloop-of-war, was the first ship of the United States Navy named for Hartford, the capital of Connecticut.Hartford was launched 22 November 1858 at the Boston Navy Yard; sponsored by Miss Carrie Downes, Miss Lizzie Stringham, and Lieutenant G. J. H...
and the USS Lackawanna
USS Lackawanna (1862)
The first USS Lackawanna was a screw sloop-of-war in the Union Navy during the American Civil War.Lackawanna was launched by the New York Navy Yard on 9 August 1862; sponsored by Ms. Imogen Page Cooper; and commissioned on 8 January 1863, Captain John B. Marchand in command...
, before being assigned to the research-oriented Naval Torpedo Station at Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
and sailed with the USS Marblehead
USS Marblehead (C-11)
The second USS Marblehead was an unarmored cruiser in the United States Navy which served in the Spanish-American War and World War I....
for several years around Europe before returning to the United States in 1897. He served on board the USS Wabash
USS Wabash (1855)
USS Wabash was a steam screw frigate of the United States Navy that served during the American Civil War. She was based on the same plans as . Post-war she continued to serve her country in European operations and eventually served as a barracks ship in Boston, Massachusetts, and was sold in...
, a receiving ship in Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor is a natural harbor and estuary of Massachusetts Bay, and is located adjacent to the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It is home to the Port of Boston, a major shipping facility in the northeast.-History:...
until 1898.
On May 23, 1886, Minett was promoted to Lieutenant, junior grade
Lieutenant, Junior Grade
Lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, United States Merchant Marine USMM, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, with the pay grade...
. Shortly after, he was transferred to the receiving ship USS Minnesota
USS Minnesota (1855)
USS Minnesota was a wooden steam frigate in the United States Navy. Launched in 1855 and commissioned eighteen months later, the ship served in east Asia for two years before being decommissioned...
where he served until 1888. After that, he was briefly assigned to the USS Pensacola before a longer stint on board the USS Omaha
USS Omaha (1869)
The first USS Omaha was laid down in 1867 by the Philadelphia Navy Yard as Astoria; launched 10 June 1869; she was renamed Omaha on 10 August 1869; and commissioned 12 September 1872, Captain John C...
, sailing to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. While in Japan, the Omaha assisted in putting out a large fire at Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama
Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama
is one of the 18 wards of the city of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 2010, Hodogaya Ward had an estimated population of 205,887 and a density of 9,400 persons per km². The total area was 21.91 km².-Geography:...
. On his return to the United States, Minett served on board the USS Vermont
USS Vermont (1848)
USS Vermont was originally intended to be a ship of the line for the U.S. Navy when laid down in 1818, but was not commissioned until 1862, when she was too outdated to be used as anything but a stores and receiving ship....
in New York Harbor
New York Harbor
New York Harbor refers to the waterways of the estuary near the mouth of the Hudson River that empty into New York Bay. It is one of the largest natural harbors in the world. Although the U.S. Board of Geographic Names does not use the term, New York Harbor has important historical, governmental,...
. He was promoted to lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
on December 11, 1891 and sailed with the USS Marblehead
USS Marblehead (C-11)
The second USS Marblehead was an unarmored cruiser in the United States Navy which served in the Spanish-American War and World War I....
for several years around Europe before returning to the United States in 1897. He served on board the USS Wabash
USS Wabash (1855)
USS Wabash was a steam screw frigate of the United States Navy that served during the American Civil War. She was based on the same plans as . Post-war she continued to serve her country in European operations and eventually served as a barracks ship in Boston, Massachusetts, and was sold in...
, a receiving ship in Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor is a natural harbor and estuary of Massachusetts Bay, and is located adjacent to the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It is home to the Port of Boston, a major shipping facility in the northeast.-History:...
until 1898.
Spanish–American War to the Thousand Days War
Shortly after the start of the Spanish–American war, Minett was given command of the newly-commissioned USS VikingUSS Viking (1898)
The first USS Viking was an iron-hulled, steam yacht built in 1883 at Chester, Pennsylvania, by John Roach & Sons and was acquired by the United States Navy on 22 April 1898 from Mr. Horace A. Hutchins for service in the Spanish-American War. Converted for naval service at New York, she was placed...
. The Viking began her life as a private yacht
Yacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...
, but was armed and pressed into service for the war. In his first months in command, Minett and the Viking patrolled the waters near Sandy Hook, New Jersey
Sandy Hook, New Jersey
Sandy Hook is a barrier spit, approximately 6.0 miles in length and varying between 0.10 and 1 miles wide in Middletown Township in Monmouth County, along the Atlantic Ocean coast of eastern New Jersey in the United States. The barrier spit encloses the southern entrance of Lower New York Bay...
to prevent Spanish attacks on New York. On July 12, 1898, Minett and the Viking were transferred to Cuba to assist in the naval blockade. Minett's duties in Cuba included transporting passengers, orders, and supplies between the blockading ships. On August 16, 1898, four days after the conclusion of hostilities, Minett was ordered to take the Viking to Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
where she was decommissioned. Minett saw no combat during the war.
Following the war, Minett was reassigned first to the Yorktown, then to the Adams where he was promoted to lieutenant-commander, and subsequently made the executive officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
of the Concorde. On board the Concord, Minett was given a test of his command abilities. While sailing en route to a settlement at Unalaska, Alaska
Unalaska, Alaska
Unalaska is a city in the Aleutians West Census Area of the Unorganized Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska. Unalaska is located on Unalaska Island and neighboring Amaknak Island in the Aleutian Islands off of mainland Alaska....
, in the Aleutian Islands, Minett's commanding officer became seriously ill. Minett assumed command of the vessel and sailed her against orders to Seattle, Washington to get his commander treatment. Minett's arrival in Seattle on July 17, 1901 was reported in newspapers across the country and the Navy Department immediately launched an investigation into the violation of orders. After only five days, Minett's command judgement was upheld and he was cleared of charges.
Near the end of Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
's Thousand Days War
Thousand Days War
The Thousand Days' War , was a civil armed conflict in the newly created Republic of Colombia, between the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party and its radical factions. In 1899 the ruling conservatives were accused of maintaining power through fraudulent elections...
, in November 1901, the Concorde and the Iowa
USS Iowa (BB-4)
| The second half of the 19th century saw radical changes in shipbuilding design. Wood-built sailing ships with cannons were replaced by steam-powered warships armored with steel...
were sent south to protect American interests. Colombian liberals had seized the town of Colón, Panama
Colón, Panama
Colón is a sea port on the Caribbean Sea coast of Panama. The city lies near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. It is capital of Panama's Colón Province and has traditionally been known as Panama's second city....
and the Panama Railroad and appeared ready to take Panama City
Panama City
Panama is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a population of 880,691, with a total metro population of 1,272,672, and it is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of the same name. The city is the political and administrative center of the...
. The Concorde arrived on November 23 and Lieutenant-Commander Minett was placed in command of a battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
of 412 men from the two ships. To reclaim the railroad, Minett launched trains under guard from Panama City, each sporting two American flags. If the Colombian liberals fired on the trains, the Navy would consider this serious enough provocation to reply in force. In this way, the railroad was restored with no major conflicts. During the Concordes time in Panama, the train was also used to bring wounded Colombian soldiers back to Panama City where they could be treated by Navy doctors. Colón was surrendered to the US Navy on November 30 and the Navy pulled out its ships shortly after.
American Samoa
On January 16, 1903, Minett was acting-Governor when the formal reply to the deed of secession arrived from President Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
. A full military ceremony was held where Minett presented each of the tribal chiefs who had signed the deed with an engraved silver watch and chain. Minett also presented a letter from the president acknowledging his acceptance of the territory. Using Navy officers as a color guard
Color guard
In the military of the United States and other militaries, the color guard carries the National Color and other flags appropriate to its position in the chain of command. Typically these include a unit flag and a departmental flag...
, Minett also formally presented the gift of an American flag to the members of the Fita Fita Guard, the local militia created by Governor Tilley
Benjamin Franklin Tilley
Benjamin Franklin Tilley , often known as B. F. Tilley, was a career officer in the United States Navy who served from the end of the American Civil War through the Spanish–American War...
three years earlier.
While Minett was acting as governor, the territory was visited by German Samoa
German Samoa
German Samoa was a German protectorate from 1900 to 1914, consisting of the islands of Upolu, Savai'i, Apolima and Manono, now wholly within the independent state Samoa, formerly Western Samoa...
Governor Wilhelm Heinrich Solf, perhaps the first such visit from a governor's eastern counterpart. In this meeting, the two governors discussed maintaining friendly relations, but also restricting travel between the two territories. Some natives had been ignoring the partition and going on extended "visiting parties" between the zones. Both governors agreed to attempt to curb this practice.
Minett's time as governor was also marked by the improving of roads in the territory and by hunger problems.
Retirement
After retirement, Minett remained at Norfolk Naval Yard on the court-martial board of inquiry. By 1908, he was president of that board.In 1880, an islet was named in his honor: Minett Islet
Minett Islet
Minett Islet is a small islet in Jamestown Bay, Sitka Sound in Alaska. It is named for United States Navy officer and Governor of American Samoa Henry Minett....
. Minett was serving at Sitka Sound
Sitka Sound
Sitka Sound is a body of water near the city of Sitka, Alaska. It is bordered by Baranof Island to the south and the northeast, by Kruzof Island to the northwest and by the Pacific Ocean to the southwest...
aboard the USS Jamestown
USS Jamestown (1844)
The first USS Jamestown was a sloop in the United States Navy during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.Jamestown was launched in 1844 by the Gosport Navy Yard, Virginia; and commissioned there on 12 December, with Commander Robert B...
when the islet was named.