3-086-349 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Spanish-American War: Admiral Sampson, 1898. 'Sketched from Life in his Cabin on Board the [US warship] "New York," off Havana, by our Special Artist, Mr. H. C. Seppings Wright. "As soon as we got close enough, we were invited on board, in response to a hail and description of who we were. The high sea rendered our getting there somewhat difficult; but once on board we were introduced to the officers, such charming fellows, all keen as mustard and eager for the fight. Admiral Sampson sent for me, and kindly allowed me to make a small pencil sketch of him in his cabin - that portion of it set apart for writing, as seen by the ordinary office-desk in the background. Replying to my request to be allowed to take a trip with him or some other ship, he politely refused, stating that the orders of the War Department were peremptory on the subject of correspondents - indeed, absolutely prohibiting their presence on vessels of the fleet, the only exception being made in favour of three representatives of the Associated Press of America. This seems quite fair, as the applications have been so numerous that he could have filled every ship with them".' From "Illustrated London News", 1898.