Remembering Ensign Darwin Merritt

This year our Memorial Day column remembers Ensign Darwin Merritt, the Red Oak boy who lost his life in what remains one of the most controversial incidents in our nation’s military history.

Merritt’s last letter home was received only days before his death. The following is, in part, what he wrote:

We joined the fleet consisting of the flag ship New York and the next day we sailed for the Dry Tortugas, 60 miles almost due west of Key West. Last night on my watch, we were at anchor when the torpedo boat, Dupont, brought a telegram to the admiral and about an hour later our ship was ready to pick up anchor and start. We started about 11:15 pm, and sighted Cuba about 5 o’clock this morning. I do not know yet what was the import of the telegram—probably a cable cut or riots.

We are about halfway cleared for action and all the belts are filled with ammunition, so that we are prepared for anything that comes our way.

I saw a black fish, a species of whale, this morning that was about 25 feet long, and any number of flying fish.

While we were in Key West a New York Journal correspondent told us the reason for an occasional riot. It seems those concerned are volunteers, mostly with big business houses in Havana. The business men are afraid of autonomy because of taxes, they fear independence and desire annexation.

Another version of the riots is that they are instigated by Cuban sympathizers who try to get the Spanish embroiled, thus forcing the United States to declare war with Spain.

Since beginning this letter we have arrived in Havana, coming into the harbor under the guns of Castle Moro. We saluted the fort by hoisting the Spanish flag and firing 21 guns. The fort returned the salute. We then saluted the Spanish Admiral with 19 guns.

Everything seems quiet. The harbor is a very pretty one and completely sheltered from the weather. There seems a good chance of our remaining on board during our entire stay. This is not a very pleasant prospect, as we may be here for six months.

At 9:40 pm on February 15th, 1898, the Maine was torn apart by a massive explosion. Nearly 260 men, including Darwin Merritt, were killed. Less than 100 survived. Various causes were explored and, although there was little evidence, Spain was blamed and war was declared.

The remains of Darwin Merritt were entombed on the Maine for thirteen years.

This coming August, 111 years after his death and 98 years to the month after nearly 7,000 people attended one of the most impressive funerals this county has seen, the Montgomery History Center will host a special program on the life of Ensign Merritt. The visual presentation will explore Merritt’s early life and training, his decision to go with the Maine rather than the New York, the night of his death, investigations into the cause of the explosion, the recovery of his remains, and the strange events surrounding his class ring.