By Thomas Wildenberg Click here to read the wartime letters of
Asst. Engineer Joseph Mason Reeves Click here for the diary of
Fireman George W. Robinson Click here for Ordinary Seaman
Bertram Willard Edward's account of life aboard OREGON Click
here for William Reitzel's Manual for Operating the Oregon's
Triple Expansion Seam Engines Joseph Mason Reeves served aboard
the Battleship OREGON as an assistant engineer during the cruise
of the U.S.S. OREGON sround South America and was in charge of
her port engine during the Battle of Santiago. Joseph Mason
Reeves born on November 20, 1872. He was appointed as a naval
cadet from Illinois on September 8, 1890. On July 1, 1896, he
was appointed assistant engineer, being detailed the crew of the
Battleship OREGON two months later, on July 28, 1896. By the
time 1897 drew to a close and the curtain began to rise on the
Spanish American War, he was listed as having three years and
five months of sea duty, and three years and eight months of
shore duty under his belt. On