Imagine you are standing before a towering monument right here in Union Square. This is the Dewey Monument. It stands as a tribute to Admiral George Dewey. He was a hero of the Spanish-American War.
The Dewey Monument commemorates Dewey’s victory at the Battle of Manila Bay. This victory took place in the Philippines on May 1, 1898. The monument also honors the sailors of the United States Navy.
President William McKinley broke ground for this monument on May 23, 1901. Sadly, McKinley was assassinated six months later. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt succeeded him. Roosevelt officially dedicated the Dewey Monument on May 14, 1903.
The Dewey Monument features a statue of Nike. Nike is the ancient Greek Goddess of Victory. Robert Ingersoll Aitken sculpted the 9-foot statue. Legend says that Alma de Bretteville Spreckels was the model for Aitken. However, a 1902 article mentions Clara Petzold as the model. She later became a noted photographer.
Nike holds a trident in her left hand. The trident represents Admiral Dewey. In her right hand, she holds a wreath. This wreath represents President McKinley.
Newton Tharp designed the base and column of the Dewey Monument. The budget for this part of the monument was $45,000. The column is over 5 ft in diameter. It stands over 85 ft tall. Individual blocks weighing 40,000 lb make up the column. Timbers over 100 ft long were shipped from Oregon. These timbers supported the block and tackle system used to construct the monument.
The Dewey Monument’s column stands on a square base. Inscriptions appear on each side of the base. One inscription lists the American squadron at Manila Bay. It included the Olympia, Baltimore, Raleigh, Boston, Concord, Petrel, and McColloch. Another inscription quotes Secretary of the Navy John D. Long. He told Commodore George Dewey on April 24, 1898 to proceed to the Philippine Islands. Dewey’s task was to capture or destroy the Spanish fleet.
Another inscription describes Dewey’s squadron entering Manila Bay on the night of April 30, 1898. Despite the danger of submerged explosives, they reached Manila at dawn on May 1, 1898. They attacked and destroyed the Spanish fleet of ten warships. They reduced the forts and held the city. They held it until troops arrived from America.
The final inscription states that citizens of San Francisco erected the Dewey Monument. It commemorates the American Navy’s victory under Commodore George Dewey at Manila Bay on May 1, 1898. It also notes President William McKinley breaking ground for the monument on May 23, 1901.
The Dewey Monument serves as a reminder of a significant moment in American history. It showcases artistry and engineering. Take a moment to appreciate the Dewey Monument’s history. Remember the individuals it honors.