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A few months before the United States entered World War I, the German Government sent a “commercial” submarine almost insolently to Baltimore in spite of enemy vigilance, with a cargo of dyestuffs in short supply here, just to show how easily it could avoid capture or sinking. Their war subs were sinking the enemy cargo ships faster than they could be replaced. A tremendous demand was placed on U.S. ship building.
About the same time, a German freighter chased by the enemy anchored in Charleston Harbor right in view of the waterfront and it was interned. It was secretly sabotaged (boilers ruined and sea valves opened) by its own crew to prevent it from being used by the United States, suspected by the Germans that we were about to enter the War against them.
I attended the trial of the crew in Federal Court which convicted them of obstructing the Harbor. President Wilson had exerted every effort to keep our country out of the conflict, but the arrogant declaration of the German Kaiser of his intention of unlimited submarine activity, followed by the sinking of the English passenger ships with Americans aboard, moved President Wilson to declare War. On April 6, 1917, America entered the War against Germany. Not since 1898 had the country had a real war and it was most dismally unprepared, with a pittance of an army and navy.
I sensed the impending conflict. I felt even though a family man with three small children, I should have an active part in it using my engineering talents. I tried to get a transfer to the Engineer Corps of the Army: failing in this, then, to the Civil Engineering Corps of the Navy. “My duties were too important to the Government where I was,” so said the Commissioner.
Unknown to me until much later, I learned that I was a Veteran of World War I when I received an official notice from the Department of Commerce, undated, as follows:
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
This is to certify that F. P. Dillon honorably served from April 11, 1917 to June 30, 1919; that pursuant to Executive Order dated April 11, 1917, certain vessels and personnel transferred to the service and jurisdiction of the War and/or Navy Departments until June 30, 1919. During this period stated, Mr. Dillion served under the direction of the Army and/or Navy having authority over the vessels and personnel transferred as above, having reported to duty, pursuant to the Act of August 29, 1916. This Officer was awarded the Victory Medal in recognition of his status as a Veteran. This certificate is issued to persons in evidence of their status in the matter. (Signed) G. R. Putnam, Commissioner of Lighthouses.
This excerpt is taken from “Lighthouse Engineer—Sixth District: 1911 to 1917” in The Making of a Lighthouse Engineer, the unpublished memoirs of Commodore Frederick P. Dillon.
This story appeared in the
Sep/Oct 2022 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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