Timeline of Guantánamo Bay
Encyclopedia
Noteworthy Events of Guantánamo Bay.
In addition to two presidents, many other distinguished people have visited the Naval Base. At one time General John J. Pershing
was a visitor on board USS Utah. Charles A. Lindbergh was a visitor during his goodwill flight around the Americas in the "Spirit of St. Louis". Before and during the World War II years, visitors included members of Congress, Cabinet officers, ambassadors, Harry Hopkins
, Eleanor Roosevelt
, and others.
Other important visitors the base have included:
on two occasions subsequently
Several roads in the Industrial area named for Cuban national or local heroes:
Some roads at the Naval Air Station are named for noted admirals who were naval aviators: *Mitscher
, McCain
and Moffett
.
The following Naval Air Station roads are named for men who lost their lives in the fighting here in June 1898: Good, Taurman, Smith, Dumphy, McColgan, and Gibbs. Also roads are named for McCalla and Huntington, who were Navy and Marine commanders, respectively, in the U. S. capture of Guantánamo Bay.
1953-1964 Period
Timeline
- 30 April 1494 — Christopher ColumbusChristopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the...
, on his second voyage of exploration, sailed into Guantánamo Bay and remained overnight. He called the bay Puerto Grande.
- 18 July 1741 — Vice Admiral Edward VernonEdward VernonEdward Vernon was an English naval officer. Vernon was born in Westminster, England and went to Westminster School. He joined the Navy in 1700 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1702 and served on several different ships for the next five years...
, with 3,000 British troops under General Wentworth, arrived at Guantánamo Bay to begin an unsuccessful campaign against SantiagoSantiago de CubaSantiago de Cuba is the second largest city of Cuba and capital city of Santiago de Cuba Province in the south-eastern area of the island, some south-east of the Cuban capital of Havana....
.
- December 1760 — Boats from the frigates HMS TrentHMS Trent (1757)HMS Trent was a 28-gun Coventry-class sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy.-Construction:The Trent was one of five frigates of the class built of fir rather than oak...
and HMS BoreasHMS Boreas (1757)HMS Boreas was a 28-gun Coventry-class sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy. Built in 1757, she was one of five frigates of the class built of fir rather than oak...
cut-out the French privateers Vainquer and Mackau hiding in the bay. The French were also forced to burn another, the Guespe, to prevent her capture.
- 10 June 1898 — A battalionBattalionA 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 MarinesUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
landed at Fisherman's Point and made camp on McCalla Hill, the first U.S. troops ashore in CubaCubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
in the Spanish-American WarSpanish-American WarThe 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...
.
- 23 February 1903 — President Theodore RooseveltTheodore RooseveltTheodore "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...
signed original lease agreement with Cuba for Naval Base Guantánamo Bay. See Platt AmendmentPlatt AmendmentThe Platt Amendment of 1901 was a rider appended to the Army Appropriations Act presented to the U.S. Senate by Connecticut Republican Senator Orville H. Platt replacing the earlier Teller Amendment. Approved on May 22, 1903, it stipulated the conditions for the withdrawal of United States troops...
.
- 3 March 1903 — U.S. Congress appropriated $100,000 for "necessary expenditures incident to the occupation and utilization of the naval station at Guantánamo, Cuba..."
- 10 December 1903 — Cuba turned over the Naval Reservation to the United States.
- 27 April 1904 — An appropriation of $385,500 was made for an emergency repair installation at Guantánamo Bay, including a dry dockDry dockA drydock is a narrow basin or vessel that can be flooded to allow a load to be floated in, then drained to allow that load to come to rest on a dry platform...
to be built on South Toro Cay.
- 1906 (exact date unknown) — Work on dry dock on South Toro Cay was discontinued.
- 29 September 1906 — Roosevelt sent U.S. troops to Cuba to crush a revolt, thus bringing about the second U.S. occupation of Cuba, which lasted until 1909.
- 1908 (Spring) — Station ship USS MonongahelaUSS Monongahela (1862)USS Monongahela was a barkentine–rigged screw sloop-of-war that served in the Union Navy during the American Civil War. Her task was to participate in the Union blockade of the Confederate States of America...
burned.
- 10 March 1913 — LT John H. Towers (later Admiral and Chief of Bureau of AeronauticsAeronauticsAeronautics is the science involved with the study, design, and manufacturing of airflight-capable machines, or the techniques of operating aircraft and rocketry within the atmosphere...
) flew from Guantánamo Bay to Santiago in a Curtiss flying boatFlying boatA flying boat is a fixed-winged seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water. It differs from a float plane as it uses a purpose-designed fuselage which can float, granting the aircraft buoyancy. Flying boats may be stabilized by under-wing floats or by wing-like projections from the fuselage...
in 46 minutes.
- 10 December 1913 — The Naval Station was officially opened at its present location, the main activities having been moved from South Toro Cay.
- 1924 (Winter) — First concentration of AtlanticU.S. Atlantic FleetThe United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
and Pacific Fleets in CaribbeanCaribbeanThe Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
.
- 7 August 1928 — Naval Station damaged by hurricane, whose center passed 50 miles to the south.
- 1938 (late in year) — Hepburn Board visited Station and made recommendations for expansion.
- 20 February 1939 — President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Guantánamo Bay in USS HoustonUSS Houston (CA-30)USS Houston , nicknamed the "Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast", was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy...
.
- 1 July 1939 — Station started receiving water from pumping station at Yateras River via new pipeline.
- 4 December 1940 — President Roosevelt visited Guantánamo Bay in USS TuscaloosaUSS Tuscaloosa (CA-37)USS Tuscaloosa was a United States Navy New Orleans-class heavy cruiser.She was laid down on 3 September 1931 at Camden, New Jersey, by the New York Shipbuilding Co., launched on 15 November 1933, sponsored by Mrs. Thomas Lee McCann, the wife of Lieutenant Thomas L...
.
- 12 July 1940 — Contract signed with Frederick Snare Corporation to begin a vast construction program for build-up of the Station.
- 1 April 1941 — Naval Operating Base, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, established.
- 25 February 1948 — President Harry S. TrumanHarry S. TrumanHarry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
visited Base.
- 18 June 1952 — Title of Naval Operating Base changed to Naval Base.
- 8 June 1993 — US detention of HIV-positive refugees at Guantánamo Bay declared unconstitutional.
In addition to two presidents, many other distinguished people have visited the Naval Base. At one time General John J. Pershing
John J. Pershing
John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing, GCB , was a general officer in the United States Army who led the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I...
was a visitor on board USS Utah. Charles A. Lindbergh was a visitor during his goodwill flight around the Americas in the "Spirit of St. Louis". Before and during the World War II years, visitors included members of Congress, Cabinet officers, ambassadors, Harry Hopkins
Harry Hopkins
Harry Lloyd Hopkins was one of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's closest advisers. He was one of the architects of the New Deal, especially the relief programs of the Works Progress Administration , which he directed and built into the largest employer in the country...
, Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
, and others.
Other important visitors the base have included:
- U. S. Ambassador Robert ButlerRobert Butler (diplomat)Robert Butler was the United States Ambassador to Australia and Cuba .-Reference:*http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/2818758?searchTerm=Robert%20Butler&searchLimits=...
(from Havana), 21–22 December 1950 - Admiral and Mrs. Forrest P. Sherman, 31 December 1950-1 January 1951
- Vice Admiral R. V. Symonds-Tayler, RN, 8–15 January 1951
- Carlos HeviaCarlos HeviaCarlos Hevia y Reyes-Gavilan was the President of Cuba, serving for less than three days. During the third week of 1934, Hevia was President from 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 15, until 1:20 a.m. on Thursday, January 18. Cuban junta leader Fulgencio Batista had obtained the resignation of Hevia's...
, former President of Cuba and Cuban Minister without portfolio (graduate of U. S. Naval Academy, class of 1920) 19 October 1951 - U. S. Ambassador and Mrs. Howard Travers (from Haiti), 4 December 1951
on two occasions subsequently
- Peruvian Minister of Marine Roque A. Saldias, 20–22 May 1952
- Cuban Minister of National Defense Nicolas Perez Hernandez 17 June 1952
- U. S. Ambassador and Mrs. Willard L. BeaulacWillard L. BeaulacWillard Leon Beaulac was a United States Diplomat. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay, Colombia, Cuba, Chile and Argentina.-Biography:Ambassador Beaulac was born Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and was a graduate of Georgetown University ....
(from Havana) 19–20 June 1952 - The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral W. M. Fechteler, 18 December 1952.
Landmarks
- Hospital Cay — So named when a British man-of-war used it for isolation and treatment of yellow fever victims in 1854 (although legend has name dating back to Admiral Vernon in 1741).
- Deer Point — Named for deer which were once numerous on the Base, and still exist in small numbers.
- Evans Point — Named for Rear Admiral Robley Dunglison EvansRobley Dunglison EvansRobley Dunglison Evans was born in Floyd County, Virginia served in the United States Navy from the American Civil War to the Spanish-American War, attaining the rank of rear admiral...
, who started the fleet on its cruise around the world in 1908.
- Radio Point — Marked by soaring towers of radio transmitters.
- Paola Point — Named about 1916 for Paola Copeland, daughter of LT David Copeland, CEC, who was stationed here.
- Stephen Crane Hill — Named for author of "The Red Badge of CourageThe Red Badge of CourageThe Red Badge of Courage is a war novel by American author Stephen Crane . Taking place during the American Civil War, the story is about a young private of the Union Army, Henry Fleming, who flees from the field of battle. Overcome with shame, he longs for a wound—a "red badge of courage"—to...
", and other stories, who covered the 1898 fighting at Guantánamo Bay as a newspaper correspondent.
- McCalla Hill — Named for Rear Admiral B. H. McCalla, who as Captain of USS MarbleheadUSS 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....
, commanded U. S. forces in the capture of Guantánamo Bay in 1898. Crest of hill is marked by an old Spanish cannon, with a bronze tablet commemorative of Marine and Naval personnel killed in the fighting: Marines Dumphy, Good, Smith, McColgan, Taurman, and Acting Assistant Surgeon Gibbs, USN.
- "Droopy" Gun — Gun from USS MonongahelaUSS Monongahela (1862)USS Monongahela was a barkentine–rigged screw sloop-of-war that served in the Union Navy during the American Civil War. Her task was to participate in the Union blockade of the Confederate States of America...
, warped by fire which burned vessel in 1908, located on tip of Deer Point.
- CPO Club — Built in 1916 as Enlisted Men's Recreation Building, huge frame structure overlooks Fleet Landing and much of the Base.
- Old Officer's Club — Built about 1912 at end of Evans Point, now Quarters 610.
- Quarters "X" — Built on Evans Point as quarters for Rifle Range Officer in 1906, now a 4-unit apartment house.
- North Toro Cemetery — Established 1906, last bodies removed 1944, and cemetery abandoned.
- Drydock on South Toro Cay — Started in 1904, discontinued in 1906, contours still visible.
- Million-gallon Reservoir — Uncompleted concrete reservoir, most of it below the surface of the ground, at the top of Commandant's Hill, North Toro Cay.
- All-America Cable Station — Only private enterprise on the Naval Base, buildings stand on cliffs above Fisherman's Point.
- Fort McCalla — South of Cable Station, built by Army in 1906.
- Fort Conde — On Conde Bluff, west of Hicacal Beach, built by Army in 1907.
- Marine Monument — Marks spot, near Naval Air Station, pistol range, where two Marines, Privates Dumphy and McColgan, were killed on 11 June 1898 by Spanish forces.
- Phillips Park — Race track, where horses once trotted, now a recreation area with ball field, stands, picnic shelters, tables, and benches. Named for RADM W. K. Phillips, a former Base Commander.
- Paul Jones Hill — Highest hill on the Base, 494 feet, once had a "Mountain House" on the top for recreation use of officers and families.
- Light House — Located near tip of Windward Point, marks starting point of metes and bounds description of area comprising the Base. Light no longer in use.
Beaches
- Kittery Beach — Near northeast boundary of Base, named for the supply ship which for many years brought provisions to the Station.
- Windmill Beach — Recently developed as principal recreation for Base residents. Derivation of name is unknown since no record has been found of any windmill ever having been located there.
- Hidden Beach
- Cable Beach
- Hicacal Beach
- Girl Scout Beach
- Glass Beach — Previously used as a dump site. Glass fragments can still be found on the beach.
Roads
Most of the roads on the Base have functional or numerical names which require no explanation (e.g., Deer Point Road, Kittery Beach Road, First Street). Other roads include:- Sherman Avenue — The only avenue on the Base, named for Admiral Forrest P. Sherman, U. S. Navy, Chief of Naval OperationsChief of Naval OperationsThe Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
, 1949-51.
Several roads in the Industrial area named for Cuban national or local heroes:
- Céspedes — First Revolutionary President of short-lived Republic in 1868.
- Martí — Spiritual leader of the Cuban independence movement.
- Gómez — Commander-in-Chief of Cuban Armed Forces in the War of Liberation.
- Maceo (Antonio) — Noted field general.
- García — Field General ("Message to Garcia").
- Pérez — Field general.
- Enrique Thomas — Colonel who assisted Marines in driving Spanish from area.
- Emilio Giró — Colonel and first Mayor of Guantánamo City under the Republic.
Some roads at the Naval Air Station are named for noted admirals who were naval aviators: *Mitscher
Marc Mitscher
Admiral Marc Andrew "Pete" Mitscher was an admiral in the United States Navy who served as commander of the Fast Carrier Task Force in the Pacific in the latter half of World War II.-Early life and career:...
, McCain
John S. McCain, Sr.
John Sidney "Slew" McCain Sr. was a U.S. Navy admiral. He held several command assignments during the Pacific campaign of World War II....
and Moffett
William A. Moffett
William Adger Moffett was an American admiral notable as the architect of naval aviation in the United States Navy.-Biography:...
.
The following Naval Air Station roads are named for men who lost their lives in the fighting here in June 1898: Good, Taurman, Smith, Dumphy, McColgan, and Gibbs. Also roads are named for McCalla and Huntington, who were Navy and Marine commanders, respectively, in the U. S. capture of Guantánamo Bay.
- Moss Road and Thorne Road are named for former commanding officers of the Naval Air Station.
- Rowan Road — Named for LT Rowan, USA, immortalized by Elbert HubbardElbert HubbardElbert Green Hubbard was an American writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher. Raised in Hudson, Illinois, he met early success as a traveling salesman with the Larkin soap company. Today Hubbard is mostly known as the founder of the Roycroft artisan community in East Aurora, New York, an...
in his "Message to Garcia".
- Potter Road — Named for David Potter, former Paymaster General.
- Welles Road — Named for Gideon WellesGideon WellesGideon Welles was the United States Secretary of the Navy from 1861 to 1869. His buildup of the Navy to successfully execute blockades of Southern ports was a key component of Northern victory of the Civil War...
, third Paymaster General and later Secretary of the Navy.
- Soule, Johnson, Rogers, Ackerman and Tozer Roads are named for former Commandants of the Naval Station.
- Marshll Road, Peddicord Road and Rickman Circle are named for victims of fire at Wharf Tare on 9 June 1951.
- Diamond Road — Named for a famous Marine sergeant major.
- The following roads in the Naval Hospital area are named for Navy medical officers: Gendreau, Melhorn, Gearing, Crossland, and Stuart.
- Ladislao Guerra Road — Named for the late Mayor of Guantánamo, Dr. Ladislao L. Guerra Sanchez, a friend of the Base, who died 7 December 1952.
1953-1964 Period
- Cooper Field — Baseball field at the Fleet Recreation Center named for former Naval Base Commandet Rear Admiral W. G. Cooper September 1955 to October 1956. Dedication date unknown.
- W. T. Sampson School — Dedicated on October 25, 1956. Named after Admiral William T. SampsonWilliam T. SampsonWilliam Thomas Sampson was a United States Navy rear admiral known for his victory in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish-American War.-Biography:...
, USN, Spanish-American War naval hero who headed the U. S. Fleet which operated in the water surrounding Cuba.
- Morin Center — Dedicated September 27, 1961. Named after William H. MorinWilliam H. MorinWilliam Henry Morin was a boatswain's mate second class serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.-Biography:...
, Boatswains Mate Second Class, U. S. Navy, a Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient. Received the Medal of Honor while serving aboard USS Marblehead on July 27, 1898, disabled 27 contact mines in Guantánamo Bay. Built as a community center with restaurant facilities.
- Marblehead Hall — Dedicated in September 1962. Named after USS Marblehead which participated in the various battles at Guantánamo Bay during the Spanish-American WarSpanish-American WarThe 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...
1898. Houses 16 bowling lanes, snack bar, gymnasium, lockers. Located near Cooper Field.
- Denich Hill — Dedicated on June 26, 1963. Named for George J. Denich, Jr., EON3, USNR who was killed while driving a bulldozer in the construction of base fortifications on April 10, 1963. A monument is located at the foot of the hill located in the southeastern section of the base. Dedication ceremonies were attended by the Denich family.
- Bulkeley Hill — Land area overlooking the Northeast Gate. Named after Rear Admiral John D. BulkeleyJohn D. BulkeleyJohn Duncan Bulkeley was a Vice Admiral in United States Navy and was one of the most decorated naval officers. Bulkeley received the Medal of Honor for actions in the Pacific Theater during World War II...
, Commander, Naval Base, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, during the water crisisWater crisisWater crisis is a general term used to describe a situation where the available water within a region is less than the region's demand. The term has been used to describe the availability of potable water in a variety of regions by the United Nations and other world organizations...
in February 1964, who stood watch on this hill in battle greens, wearing his "Big Iron", a .357 Colt magnum pistol, 12 to 18 hours a day, for several weeks. Marines who served with the Admiral named the hill in his honor.
See also
- Cuba-United States relationsCuba-United States relationsCuba and the United States of America have had an interest in one another since well before either of their independence movements. Plans for purchase of Cuba from the Spanish Empire were put forward at various times by United States...
- History of CubaHistory of CubaThe known history of Cuba, the largest of the Caribbean islands, predates Christopher Columbus' sighting of the island during his first voyage of discovery on 27 October 1492...
- Timeline of Cuban historyTimeline of Cuban history-Pre-colonial Cuba:* 5300 BC or earlier. Initial colonization of the Antilles by archaic hunter gatherers.-15th century:*1492 October 28 Christopher Columbus lands in east Cuba.*1494 Columbus returns to Cuba and sails along the south coast.-16th century:...