ADMIRAL FARAGUT AND US FLEET MEMORIAL DAY

By Lorraine Ure

It is amazing how our little island of Menorca so often features prominently in important aspects of world history! Not everyone realises that the world-famous US Sixth Fleet was established in Port Mahon, and the fleet remained stationed here for about 40 years in the early 19th century. (They are now famously headquartered in Naples, Italy). One of the ships is still afloat today, USS CONSTITUTION. Nick-named “Old Ironsides”, she was built in 1794, and can be visited in the Boston National Historic Park.

But back to Admirals…David Glasgow Farragut was born in 1801 in Tennessee, but his father had been born in Menorca, no less. He left the island as a young man to fight in the US Revolutionary War. His son, David Farragut, was very active during the American Civil War, and was awarded the rank of Admiral, the first ever. His famous comment at the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864 was: “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead”! (The torpedos referred to at the time were a type of floating land mine).

Whilst the Americans were stationed in Menorca, they set up a number of shore facilities to support their fleet, including a naval hospital under the direction of Dr Jonathan M.Foltz (since disappeared), a factory for making uniforms, on the Isla del Rey, and an Officers Training School on the Isla Plana, since demolished.

The United States Navy League Madrid Chapter recently held a modest day of events to honour their illustrious Admiral. firstly at the Monument to Farragut by the St Nicholas Castle in Ciudadela in the presence of the new Mayor, Snra Juana Pons, the Commander of the Naval Base, CF Federico Perez Dueñas, Sr Joe Mondejar of the USNL Madrid and others, myself included. We then proceeded to the Naval Base in Mahon for refreshments, prior to a visit of dedication and wreath laying at the Anglo American Cemetery on the north short of the port of Mahon. Next year there are plans afoot for a much larger and more inclusive event around Memorial Day.

Evening of Music Aeroclub 2 September

Our choir normally performs two concerts a year - one in the summer, the other at Christmas time. However, this year it’s been decided to have a further ‘Evening of Music’ at the Aero Club on Saturday 2nd September 8.30 for 9pm. There will be a pay on the door charge of €5 all of which will be given to a chosen charity. If you would like to enjoy an evening of several of the choir’s favourite songs do please join us for a fun evening, with one or two surprises!

Our Christmas concert practices will begin after the September performance, for which detailed information on a start date will appear in a forthcoming edition of Roqueta.

We meet twice a week at the Aero Club - 4pm on Tuesdays and 10.30am on Fridays and the Friday rehearsal is usually followed by a members’ catch-up over late morning coffee. If you would like more information about coming along to any of our practices with a view to joining a happy band of like minded individuals who love to sing, please let me know.

Elaine Martin Secretary Mob: 0044 7855 325894

Email: elaine.martin2265@gmail.com