Cutter Hudson Rescues Torpedo Boat Winslow by Dean Ellis

In 1898, when America declared war on Spain, the Revenue Cutter Service - a precursor agency of the modern Coast Guard - was placed under the Navy Department. The cutter Hudson, a tug that had during peacetime been stationed in New York Harbor, was one of eight vessels charged with helping blockade Cuban harbors. During a reconnaissance mission near Cardenas, Cuba, Hudson and two Navy vessels came under heavy fire. A torpedo boat, Winslow took the heaviest shelling and requested help from Hudson. Unfavorable winds made getting a towline to Winslow difficult, and 30 minutes passed before cutter successfully passed a line between the two vessels, with shells all the while striking the torpedo boat and passing overhead and near Hudson. Just before the towline was secured and Winslow was pulled to safety, a bursting shell killed an officer and three men on board the Navy warship. For their distinguished service, all of Hudson's officers and crew were awarded medals from Congress. (Permission to reprint this work must be obtained from the artist. For information, contact Mary Ann Bader at [email protected].)