The Dewey Cannon is a public artifact of the
Spanish–American War, fought in 1898. This four-month conflict between the United States and
Spain, ignited by an explosion involving the armored cruiser
USS Maine, ended in a complete victory for the United States. In May 1898, U.S. naval forces entered what was then the Spanish colonial harbor of
Manila Bay and subdued its fortifications, including Corregidor Island. The Dewey Cannon was purloined, as a prize of war, soon after this change of possession. The bronze fieldpiece was being used as a defensive decoration for the home of the
Spanish colonial governor. As a gun that was at least 30 years old (and obsolete) at the time of its capture, it was useless to Dewey's men. American military forces swiftly refortified Corregidor as part of their drive to make the Philippine Islands into an
American colony.
Prize of war The trophy cannon was renamed in honor of U.S. Commodore
George Dewey, and was carried to the United States in November 1898. As a prize of war, it was displayed to curious crowds in the office of the
San Francisco Examiner throughout the winter of 1898–1899. The bronze fieldpiece was then handed over to the
National Monument Committee of New York, a philanthropic organization, for what was to be the focus of a national promotion and fundraising drive. The
Maine explosion had killed or fatally injured 266 U.S. sailors, and authorities sought to develop a suitable memorial to the dead through a
public-private partnership that would involve the active participation of both men and women. The federal government agreed to set aside a suitable space at
Arlington National Cemetery to serve as a final resting place for many of the men, and the National Monument Committee set to work to raise funds to build what would become the
USS Maine Mast Memorial. Three Oaks contributed $1,400, . The town was declared to have raised more money, per capita, than any other community in the U.S. The rural community also offered to set aside a square-block park space as a site for the artifact. Three Oaks was declared the winner of the nationwide competition, and President
William McKinley visited the community on October 17, 1899 to dedicate Dewey Cannon Park. Lead fundraiser
Helen Miller Gould, daughter of railroad magnate
Jay Gould, now took charge. The philanthropist had worked with her fellow New Yorkers on a
variety of private-sector efforts to help American Spanish–American War wounded and dead. She oversaw the official presentation of the trophy to the people of Three Oaks on June 28, 1900.
Today Today, the cannon continues to bear the
royal monogram of Queen
Isabella II of Spain (reigned 1833–1868). Next to the monogram, an incised inscription sets forth a brief history of the cannon's acquisition by U.S. forces. A nearby Michigan
historical marker continues the story. The cannon is Michigan Registered Site #S0239. The cannon, now mounted on a circular concrete base, is located in Dewey Cannon Park on Cherry Street in Three Oaks, Michigan. It is mounted so that its muzzle points westward, facing weekend visitors from nearby
Chicago. Its coordinates are . ==References==