USS Dolphin Incident - Vera Cruzm MEX Apr, 1914

[jim_mi]

Are there any members who have studied the incident involving the USS Dolphin at Tampico, Mexico in Apr, 1914? This was the incident where a small contingent of Dolphin's crew was detained at gunpoint by Mexican General Huerta's troops when they went ashore for fuel.

 

Apparently some sabre-rattling went on by both Mexico and the US, and (then) President Wilson ordered a punitive expedition that briefly occupied Vera Cruz a short time later. This expedition resulted in 17 US soldiers and sailors killed, with a loss to the Mexicans of over 300 dead.

 

I'm specifically looking for the names of the 9 sailors who went ashore and who were detained by Huerta's men.

 

The reason for this curiousity?

 

I recently found out that my grandfather had served on the Dolphin, and was aboard her at the time of the incident.

 

He used to joke that he'd "started a war with Mexico," and I wonder if it was true.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Jim

[jim_mi]

On 11/13/2011 at 11:17 PM, jim_mi said:

I'm resurrecting this old stub of a thread to see if any more information is out there.

Thanks

 

[jim_mi]

Bump

[j. t. thompson]

Eight blue jackets went ashore by whaleboat under the command of Assistant Paymaster Charles W. Copp.

Copp was an ensign. 

That's the only name I found.

Heck of a story, thanks for posting.