Mr. Wharton to Mr.
Thomas.
Department
of State,
Washington, August 26,
1890.
No. 50.]
Sir: I inclose for your information copy of the
order issued by the Acting Secretary of the Navy on the 18th instant in
reference to the salute to the Swedish flag fired on the occasion of the
embarkation on the U. S. S. Baltimore at New York, on
the 23d instant, of the remains of Captain Ericsson.
The cruiser sailed on the same day, with orders to disembark the remains, as
requested by the Government of Sweden, at Gothenburg, where she is expected
to arrive about the 12th proximo.
The Department desires you to be present at Gothenburg on her arrival.
William F. Wharton,
Acting Secretary.
[Page 708]
[Inclosure in No. 50.]
Mr. Soley to the
commandant of the navy-yard, New
York
Navy
Department,
Washington, August 18,
1890.
Sir: Upon the occasion of the embarkation of
the remains of Captain Ericsson it is the desire of the President to
give solemn expression to the cordial and fraternal feeling that unites
us with a kindred people, the parent source of a large body of our most
valued citizens, of whom the late inventor, a Scandinavian by birth and
an American by adoption, was the most illustrious example. In
recognition of this feeling and of the debt we owe to Sweden for the
gift of Ericsson, whose genius rendered us the highest service in a
moment of grave peril and anxiety, it is directed that, at this other
moment, when we give back his body to his native country, the flag of
Sweden shall be saluted by the squadron.
The Department therefore issues the following instructions:
The colors of the squadron will be at half-mast during the
embarkation.
Minute guns will be fired from the monitor Nantucket during the passage of the body from the shore to the
Baltimore.
As the Baltimore gets under way and passes the
vessels of the squadron, each vessel will masthead her colors, display
the Swedish ensign, and fire a national salute of twenty-one guns.
The Baltimore will immediately proceed to sea.
By command of the President.
J. Russell Soley,
Acting Secretary of the
Navy.
