You will advise the Chilean foreign office that this Government sincerely
appreciates the courtesies extended.
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Long to Mr.
Hay.
Navy Department,
Washington, March 23,
1901.
Sir: The Department transmits herewith for
the information of the State Department a copy of a report from the
commanding officer of the U. S. S. Philadelphia in regard to the exhumation at Valparaiso,
Chile, of the remains of the late Lieut. Selim E. Woodworth, United
States Navy, and their subsequent burial at sea.
[Page 34]
The Department invites particular attention to the eighth paragraph
of the report, and would be gratified if it should meet with the
view of the State Department to communicate to the Chilean
Government its appreciation of the courtesies rendered by Chilean
officials in connection with this matter.
Very respectfully,
[Subinclosure.]
Captain Mead to
Commander in Chief.
U.
S. S. Philadelphia, At
Sea, February 18,
1901.
Sir: I have the honor to report that in
obedience to Navy Department’s order to the commander in chief,
United States naval force, Pacific Station, directing that when a
vessel of his command visits Valparaiso the remains of the late
Lieut. Selim E. Woodworth, United States Navy, be exhumed and
buried, I have this day buried, at sea, in position indicated by
latitude and longitude given above, and about 15 miles off the coast
of Chile, the remains of the late Selim E. Woodworth, United States
Navy.
On arrival at Valparaiso it was learned, through the United States
consul, that a law of the country prohibited the exhumation of a
body before the expiration of one year from the date of burial. As
Lieutenant Woodworth died only about six months previous, there
might be some difficulty in obtaining the necessary authority.
Application was, however, at once made to the intendente of
Valparaiso and by him referred to the minister of interior of
Santiago, who immediately granted my request for the removal of the
remains.
Lieut. G. H. Burrage, United States Navy, attached to this vessel,
was placed in charge to make all arrangements for the disinterment
and embarkation of the body, having as an assistant Dr. McCullough,
United States Navy. These officials engaged the same undertaker who
officiated at the original burial, and were thus assured as to the
correct location of the body, which had been placed in the
Protestant cemetery in a numbered cemented niche, as is the custom
in Chile.
On the morning of February 18, 1901, Lieutenant Burrage and Dr.
McCullough witnessed and attended the removal and embarkation of the
body. A municipal regulation required the casket to be inclosed in a
zinc-lined case before removal from the cemetery, and this was
attended to by the undertakers.
When the body was placed in the boat our flag was half-masted, in
which mark of respect we were joined by the Chilean squadron of five
vessels at anchor in the bay.
After the reception of the body on board, this vessel proceeded to
sea, and at 2.45 p. m. the remains of the late Lieut. Selim E.
Woodworth were committed to the deep with the burial service of the
Episcopal church, read by Chaplain Boorom, United States Navy, all
hands being called, and the ceremonies observed as prescribed in the
United States Navy Regulations. The body was left in the original
casket, this being inclosed in the zinc-lined case, and all sunk by
a heavy weight lashed securely.
In concluding I wish to call special attention to the courtesy of the
Chilean officials in connection with this matter. It was necessary
to waive the law governing disinterment, yet I everywhere met with
the most cordial and friendly assistance, and experienced no
difficulty in obtaining the necessary permit, which I herewith
inclose, as it may be of interest to the family of the late
Lieutenant Woodworth.
Very respectfully,
W. W. Mead,
Captain, United States Navy,
Commanding.