USS Vicksburg (PG-11)

USS Vicksburg (PG-11)
History
United States
NameVicksburg
NamesakeVicksburg, Mississippi
BuilderBath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
Laid down17 January 1896
Launched5 December 1896
Acquired27 June 1897
Commissioned23 October 1897
Decommissioned24 May 1899
Recommissioned15 May 1900
Decommissioned15 July 1904
Recommissioned17 May 1909
Decommissioned18 June 1912
RecommissionedMay 1914
DecommissionedJune 1914
Recommissioned13 April 1917
Decommissioned16 October 1919
ReclassifiedPG-11, 17 July 1920
Stricken2 May 1921
FateTransferred to Coast Guard, 18 August 1922
NameAlexander Hamilton (WIX 272)
Commissioned18 August 1922
Decommissioned7 June 1930
In service7 June 1930
Out of service30 December 1944
RenamedBeta, between 1 July 1935 and 1 July 1936
Fate
General characteristics
TypeAnnapolis class gunboat
Displacement1,010 long tons (1,030 t)
Length204 ft 5 in (62.31 m)
Beam36 ft (11 m)
Draft12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)
Installed power1,118 ihp (834 kW)
Propulsion
  • 1 × triple expansion steam engine
  • 1 × screw
Speed
  • Under Steam: 13 kn (15 mph; 24 km/h)
  • Under Sail: 6.5 kn (7.5 mph; 12.0 km/h)
Complement143
Armament

USS Vicksburg was a United States Navy gunboat laid down in March 1896 at Bath, Maine, launched on 5 December 1896 from the Bath Iron Works yard,[1][2] and commissioned on 23 October 1897. The vessel was sponsored by Addie Trowbridge, and named after the town of Vicksburg, where her father was mayor at the time.[3]

Service history

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Spanish–American War, 1898–1899

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Vicksburg left Newport, Rhode Island on 16 January 1898, sailing for Saint Thomas in the Caribbean.[4] On 26 April, at the start of the Spanish–American War, she sailed south to join in the blockade of Cuba.[5] For the next three months, Vicksburg patrolled the Cuban coast near Havana, returning to Key West, Florida periodically for fuel and provisions. During her tour of duty in Cuban waters, she captured three blockade runners. In May, she took Oriente,[6] Fernandito,[7] and Bernardico[8] on the 5th, 7th, and 9th, respectively. The Oriente and Fernandito were small unarmed sailing ships bound from the Gulf of Campeche to Havana with cargoes of fish. Vicksburg took each to Key West where they were condemned by a prize court.[9][10] Her fourth and final capture came more than a month later on 24 June when she encountered Ampala, a 150 long tons (150 t) sailing vessel, bound from Havana to Trujillo.[11] Though Ampala carried no cargo save provisions for her passengers, Vicksburg took her to Key West where she, too, was duly condemned.[12][13] On 7 May, Vicksburg came under the fire of the Santa Clara Battery shore battery near Havana,[1] and again on 14 August.[14] By then, hostilities in Cuba were ending, and the need for blockading ships diminished.[15][16] Vicksburg departed Cuban waters on the 14th and, after a three-day stop at Key West,[17] continued north to Newport where she arrived on 23 August.[14][18] During the remaining months of 1898 and the first five months of 1899, she operated along the east coast and in the Caribbean.[19][20][21][22] On 24 May 1899, Vicksburg was placed out of commission at Boston.[2][23][24]

Asiatic Station, 1900–1904

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Almost a year later, on 15 May 1900, the gunboat was recommissioned at Newport, R.I.[25] After six months of operations in the Atlantic, Vicksburg stood out of Boston on 9 November for duty on the Asiatic Station.[26] She sailed via the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal and arrived at Cavite—on the island of Luzon in the Philippines—on 2 February 1901.[27] During the first of her three years in the Far East, Vicksburg joined other Navy units in supporting the Army's campaign in the Philippine–American War which followed Spain's ceding the islands to the U.S.[28] Vicksburg herself contributed significantly to the success of those operations when she assisted Army forces in capturing the Philippine president, Emilio Aguinaldo, at Palanan, Isabela in March 1901.[28][29] She also cooperated with the Army again in June during the occupation of Puerto Princesa and Cuyo, the two major cities on the island.[27]

In 1902, the warship moved north and, for the remaining two years of her tour, cruised the waters off the coasts of China, Japan, and Korea.[30] She spent the entire first quarter of 1904 at Chemulpo, Korea, protecting American interests during the initial stages of the Russo-Japanese War.[30] On 9 June 1904, Vicksburg took leave of Asia when she stood out of Yokohama, Japan, and shaped a course for home.[30] She reached Bremerton, Washington, on 29 June but later moved south to the Mare Island Navy Yard near San Francisco, California.[30] There, she was placed out of commission, in reserve, on 15 July 1904.[30][31]

Central America, 1909–1912

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Vicksburg, U.S.N. 24 November 1909

After almost five years of inactivity, Vicksburg was placed back in commission at Mare Island on 17 May 1909.[32] The gunboat departed San Francisco on 16 June and headed south to the coast of Mexico and the Isthmus of Panama.[33][34] During the next four years, she cruised the western coast of Central America in an effort to support American diplomatic moves to maintain peace in the revolution-prone nations in the area.[35][36][37][38] For that purpose, she made calls at ports in Mexico,[39] Honduras,[40] El Salvador,[41] Guatemala,[41] and Panama.[42] Conditions in Nicaragua were especially volatile during those years, and Vicksburg returned to Corinto and other Nicaraguan ports time and time again.[43][44]

During the early summer of 1912, she began operating primarily along the California coast.[45] In late August, she cruised south for an extended courtesy visit to Guaymas, Mexico.[46] While there, Vicksburg was sent to assist the steam freighter Pleiades, which had reported running aground on the coast of lower California on August 16.[47] Vicksburg sustained a hull puncture from a broken propeller while en route to provide aid,[48][49] and the cruiser Cleveland was sent to escort Vicksburg back to the Mare Island Naval Shipyard.[50] The damage was found to not be as severe as initially thought, and Vicksburg was instead led back to Guaymas,[49] where she briefly remained for repairs before returning to duty on 2 September.[51] The gunboat later returned to the U.S. at San Diego on 3 November.[45]

Training ship, 1912–1917

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Following repairs at the Mare Island and the Puget Sound Navy Yards, she began duty with the Washington Naval Militia on 18 June.[52] That service occupied her almost completely until the U.S. entered World War I in the spring of 1917.[45][53][54][55] The only exception came in May–June 1914, when she was placed back in full commission for a brief cruise to Mexico.[53] Upon her return to Puget Sound, she reverted to reserve status and resumed training duty with the Washington Naval Militia.[53]

World War I, 1917–1921

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Schooner Alexander Agassiz alongside USS Vicksburg in March 1918

On 6 April 1917, the U.S. associated herself with the Allied Powers in World War I by declaring war on the German Empire.[56][57] A week later, on 13 April, Vicksburg was placed back in full commission at Puget Sound.[55] The gunboat patrolled the western coasts of the United States and Mexico through the end of the war.[58] That German influence was particularly strong in Mexico during the war is evidenced by the fact that Germany started reasonably serious negotiations to persuade Mexico to enter the war on the side of the Central Powers.[59] The infamous Zimmermann Telegram—which offered Mexico the opportunity to recoup her losses in the American Southwest—contributed greatly to the United States' decision to go to war against Germany.[60][61] Thus, the Navy had to flex its muscles convincingly to dissuade Mexico from assisting the Central Powers. Vicksburg and the other ships which patrolled the Mexican coasts helped provide the influence necessary to keep that nation out of the enemy camp.[62][63]

As a result of her mildly pro-German attitude, Mexico became a center for German activity in the western hemisphere, particularly after the U.S. entered the war. Incidents involving German nationals occurred frequently. One such incident provided Vicksburg with the single concrete reward for her vigilance. On 17 March 1918, she anchored off the harbor at Viejo Bay, Mexico, in response to information that a ship carrying German nationals would attempt to leave the port. At 12:25, she sighted the schooner Alexander Agassiz standing out to sea under the American flag and immediately got underway to intercept her. The schooner tried to make a dash for it, but a shot across her bow forced the Alexander Agassiz to heave to and submit to a search.

Vicksburg's boarding party made some interesting discoveries. The schooner carried 14 people, of whom five were German and six were Mexican. Two others were women, one of whom was purportedly the vessel's owner. The remaining passenger was an American, probably the informant upon whose advice the capture was made since he is listed in Vicksburg's war diary as "...one American spy..." The motorized sailing vessel also carried some small arms and a quantity of ammunition as well as a "German flag". The people were taken on board Vicksburg, and the five Germans were put in irons.

Vicksburg justified the capture on the fact that the schooner carried enemy nationals and that she possessed no proper ship's papers. In a three-hour discussion held that afternoon with the Captain of the Port, the British Vice Consul, and commanding officers of other American ships in the area, Vicksburg's commanding officer supported his action further with the fact that the passengers were seen to throw articles overboard just before the boarding party arrived and with the suggestion that the Alexander Agassiz had been fitted out as a raider. That shaky proposition was later repudiated by an American prize court which ordered that restitution be made to the owner of the schooner. It now seems likely that the five Germans were simply making a desperate attempt to return home.

Later that month, Vicksburg delivered her prize to San Diego and the prisoners to Los Angeles. She then resumed her patrols off California and remained so occupied through the remaining months of the war. The gunboat continued her active service for almost a year after hostilities stopped in November 1918. On 16 October 1919, she was finally decommissioned for the last time at Puget Sound; and, four days later, she was transferred to the Washington State Nautical School. Vicksburg served as a training ship with the school until 1921. During this period, she received the designation PG-11 on 17 July 1920, when the Navy adopted the alphanumeric system of hull designations.

Coast Guard, 1921–1944

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On 2 May 1921, Vicksburg was transferred once more—this time to the Coast Guard—and her name was struck from the Navy List. She was renamed Alexander Hamilton on 18 August 1922 and served as a training ship at the Coast Guard Academy until 1930. The Coast Guard decommissioned her on 7 June 1930, stripped her, and towed her to the depot at Curtis Bay, Maryland, where she was permanently assigned as station ship. Sometime between 1 July 1935 and 1 July 1936, she was renamed Beta and, by 1 July 1940, she had been reassigned to New London, Connecticut, as a station ship.

In 1942, she was towed back to Curtis Bay where she served as a training platform for machinist's mates and water tenders. That duty lasted until 30 December 1944, when she was finally placed out of service completely. On 28 March 1946, the hulk was turned over to the War Shipping Administration for final disposition. Presumably, she was scrapped.

Vicksburg was one of a very few American ships to see active service in the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II.

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ a b Benham, Edith Wallace; Hall, Anne Martin (1913). Ships of the United States Navy and Their Sponsors, 1797-1913. Norwood, MA, USA: Plimpton Press. p. 187. ISBN 9781498046435.
  2. ^ a b "USS Vicksburg 1897-1899 Log Books". Naval-History.net. 4 May 2022. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  3. ^ "LAUNCHED AT BATH - Uncle Sam's Two New Gunboats, Vicksburg and Newport". The Wichita Eagle. 6 December 1896. p. 2. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Training Ship's Winter Cruise". The Times. 17 January 1898. p. 1. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  5. ^ "WAR A STERN REALITY - North Atlantic Squadron Ordered to Blockade Havana". Turner County Herald. 28 April 1898. p. 7. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  6. ^ "TWO LITTLE PRIZES YESTERDAY". Daily Press (Virginia). 7 May 1898. p. 4. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  7. ^ "TWO MORE PRIZES". Vermont Phoenix. 13 May 1898. p. 5. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  8. ^ "PRIZES CAPTURED. List of Spanish Vessels Taken Into Custody by the American Fleet". The Topeka State Journal. 26 May 1898. p. 4. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  9. ^ "SEIZED A NORWEGIAN STEAMER. Vessel Believed to Have Landed Cattle in Cuba". The Morning News. 11 May 1898. p. 5. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  10. ^ "THE WORLD AT LARGE. Summary of the Daily News". The Kinsley Graphic. 13 May 1898. p. 2. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  11. ^ "TRIED TO RUN THE BLOCKADE - Capture of a Vessel That Left Havana". The San Francisco Call. 26 June 1898. p. 3. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  12. ^ "ANOTHER PRIZE". The Arizona Republican. 26 June 1898. p. 8. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  13. ^ "INTO QUARANTINE. The Vicksburg's Prize is Sent to the Tortugas". The Topeka State Journal. 27 June 1898. p. 8. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Lieut. J.C. Cresap. Among the Crew of the Vicksburg. - Clipping From the Newport News of August 23". The Ohio Democrat. 15 September 1898. p. 3. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  15. ^ "BLOCKADE UP. Armor Clad Vessels Ordered Home". Portland Daily Press. 13 August 1898. p. 1. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  16. ^ "THE WAR IS OVER. The Peace Protocol Signed - All Naval and Military Commanders to Suspend Hostilities - The Blockade Raised". The Ardmoreite. 14 August 1898. p. 1. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  17. ^ "Movements of Warships". The Evening Journal. 16 August 1898. p. 5. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  18. ^ "THE VICKSBURG AT NEWPORT. She Will Be Refitted and Her Crew Will Get Some Sleep". The Times. p. 1. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  19. ^ "AN OVATION AT NEWPORT. The Ships' Officers and Crews Will Be Entertained Tomorrow". The Times. 16 September 1898. p. 3. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  20. ^ "THE BROOKLYN TO BE DOCKED. Fifteen Thousand People Visit the Cruiser at Newport". The Times. 21 September 1898. p. 1. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  21. ^ "FROM THE BARBADOES - Ensign Barnes Writes of the Colonial Britisher". The Wichita Daily Eagle. 27 December 1898. p. 2. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  22. ^ "PITH OF THE NEWS - Digest of the News from All Parts of the World". The Brookings Register. 16 March 1899. p. 6. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  23. ^ "Vicksburg Out of Commission". The Penn's Grove Record. 26 May 1899. p. 1. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  24. ^ "Movements of Naval Vessels". The Washington Evening Star. 26 May 1899. p. 12. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  25. ^ "Movements of Naval Vessels". The Washington Evening Star. 18 May 1900. p. 1. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  26. ^ "A WEEK'S RECORD - All News of the Past Seven Days Condensed". The Watertown Republican. 14 November 1900. p. 6. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  27. ^ a b "USS Vicksburg 1900-1902 Log Books". Naval-History.net. 2 May 2022. Archived from the original on 29 April 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  28. ^ a b MacArthur, Arthur (1901). Annual Report of Major General Arthur MacArthur, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding, Division of the Philippines, Military Governor in the Philippine Islands: Volume 1. pp. 60–75.
  29. ^ "AGUINALDO CAPTURED. The Fleet Filipino Leader now In the Hands of Americans". The Daily Ardmoreite. 28 March 1901. p. 1. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  30. ^ a b c d e "USS Vicksburg 1902-1904 Log Books". Naval-History.net. 2 May 2022. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  31. ^ "KOREA COMES IN FROM THE COAST". The Honolulu Advertiser. 19 July 1904. p. 7. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  32. ^ "USS Vicksburg 1909-1910 Log Books". Naval-History.net. 8 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  33. ^ "Naval Movements". The Evening Star. 17 June 1909. p. 3. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  34. ^ "The Chautaugua - Starts Around the Horn". The Paducah Evening Sun. 17 June 1909. p. 4. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  35. ^ "GUNS TRAINED ON THE CITY - American Warship in Control at Corinto". The Madison Daily Leader. 6 December 1909. p. 1. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  36. ^ "GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT AMERICANS IN NICARAGUA - Gunboat Vicksburg Ordered to Scene of Trouble". Coeur d'Alene Evening Press. 16 July 1910. p. 1. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  37. ^ "VICKSBURG RUSHED SOUTH TO FIND OUT CAUSE". Tonopah Daily Bonanza. 20 June 1911. p. 1. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  38. ^ "DISPATCH BATTLESHIP. Administration Takes Steps to Protect American Citizens in Mexico". The Fergus County Democrat. 23 April 1912. p. 6. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  39. ^ "Gunboat Goes for Olivares". The Washington Star. 5 January 1910. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  40. ^ "RECRUITS TO BE SOUGHT IN NORTH - Navy Is 600 Below Its Normal Enlisted Strength in Time of Peace". The San Francisco Call. 21 June 1911. p. 11. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  41. ^ a b "SHAP AT OWN RISK TO NICARAGUA PORTS. Government Stands Squarely on Marcy Doctrine". New-York Tribune. 23 October 1909. p. 2. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  42. ^ "DISPATCH BATTLESHIP. Administration Takes Steps to Protect American Citizens in Mexico". The Fergus County Democrat. 23 April 1912. p. 6. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  43. ^ "WARSHIPS MAKE READY - Closing in on Both Coasts of Nicaragua". The Washington Star. 23 November 1909. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  44. ^ "CENTRAL AMERICA CALMED AT LAST - Cruiser Albany Returns from Corinto with Record of Heroism of Men". The San Francisco Call. 19 July 1909. p. 1. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  45. ^ a b c "USS Vicksburg 1911-1912 Log Books". Naval-History.net. 20 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  46. ^ "AMERICAN GUNBOAT IS ORDERED TO GUAYMAS". El Paso Herald. 23 August 1912. p. 1. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  47. ^ "PLEIADES ASHORE; AID ON WAY TO HER". El Paso Herald. 16 August 1912. p. 2. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  48. ^ "U.S. GUNBOAT IS BADLY DAMAGED - VICKSBURG PUTS IN AT MAGDALENA BAY WITH HOLE STOVE IN HULL FROM A BROKEN PROPELLER". The Santa Fe New Mexican. 26 August 1912. p. 8. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  49. ^ a b "VICKSBURG NOT DAMAGED. Gunboat Has Arrived Safely at Guyamas, Mexico". Washington Evening Star. 29 August 1912. p. 2. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  50. ^ "GUNBOAT VICKSBURG PUNCTURES HER HULL - Cruiser Cleveland Will Tow Her to Mare Island Navy Yard for Repairs". The Hawaiian Gazette. 27 August 1912. p. 1. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  51. ^ "Gunboat Vicksburg Sails for Corinto". The Washington Times. 2 September 1912. p. 8. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  52. ^ "OREGON FOR MILITIA". The Tacoma Times. 27 December 1915. p. 3. Archived from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  53. ^ a b c "USS Vicksburg 1913-1914 Log Books". Naval-History.net. 18 June 2022. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  54. ^ "USS Vicksburg 1915-1916 Log Books". Naval-History.net. 18 June 2022. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  55. ^ a b "USS Vicksburg 1917-1918 Log Books". Naval-History.net. 18 June 2022. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  56. ^ "CONGRESS AFFIRMS STATE OF WAR AS EXISTING WITH GERMAN EMPIRE". The Rock Island Argus. 6 April 1917. p. 1. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  57. ^ "AMERICA NOW IN WORLD WAR". Waxahachie Daily Light. 6 April 1917. p. 1. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  58. ^ "USS Vicksburg 1919 Log Books". Naval-History.net. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  59. ^ Ackerman, Carl (17 September 1917). "GERMANY: The Next Republic?". Evening Public Ledger. p. 18. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  60. ^ * Andrew, Christopher (1996). For The President's Eyes Only. Harper Collins. p. 42. ISBN 0-00-638071-9.
  61. ^ "Washington Exposes Plot" (PDF). The Associated Press. Washington. 28 February 1917. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  62. ^ "Mexican Neutrality". The Barre Daily Times. 23 April 1917. p. 3. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  63. ^ "FLORIDA COAST INCLUDED IN U-BOAT ZONE - Florida Infantry Has Been Ordered Into Federal Service". The Pensacola Journal. 13 April 1917. p. 1. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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