The Dewey Medal-- Part 2: About the Zafiro and Nanshan and the Medal

The colliers USS Nanshan and USS Zafiro were part of Dewey's squadron and supported the Manila Bay operation but are not listed  in Navy regulations having  their crew members eligible for the Dewey Medal.  This is because these ships were not actively involved in the battle and at the time they were civilian-manned vessels purchased to support the Navy ships.

The Nanshan was commanded by Navy Lieutenant Benjamin W. Hodges, but  technically remained a merchant ship so se could resupply at neutral ports  which simplified the squadron's logistics.  The Zafiro was commanded by Ensign Henry A.  Pearson, USN, and, like the Nanshan, was technically a merchant ship at the time of the battle.

Both ships were later commissioned into the U.S. Navy.

--Cooter

USS Zafiro-- Part 2: Much Confusion

213 feet, 8.5 inches length

31 feet, 9.5 inch beam

Armament in 1900:  two X 37mm revolving cannons. 

When bought, the only U.S. Navy man on board was its commander, am Ensign Henry A. Pearson, USN.  The crew evidently was its civilian crew.  Despite orders to the contrary, Dewey did not commission her, so technically she was still a commercial vessel and able to enter neutral ports without any difficulty of bein a belligerent vessel.  This made resupplying the American ships much easier.

Her status in the U.S. Navy is further complicated because no deck logs were kept until 1900.  Finally, after the Spanish-American War, there were no Americans on board until Ensign L.A. Gotten assumed command in May 1900.

--DaCootDazed