The Mexican War Midshipmen's Monument at the intersection of Stribling Walk and Chapel Walk, center campus of the US Naval Academy, is in memory of two passed midshipmen (H. A. Clemson, J. R. Hynson) who lost their lives when the brigSomers sank in 1846, one midshipman (J. W. Pillsbury) who drowned near 'Vera Cruz' in 1846, and another midshipman (T. B. Shubrick) who lost his life in the siege of Veracruz in 1847.[1]
The monument is made of marble and measures 218 by 78 by 78 inches (5.5 m × 2.0 m × 2.0 m). Often shortened to the Mexican Monument, it is also known as the Clemson Monument, and is by an unknown designer.[A] It was an 1848 gift by the Academy's Brigade of Midshipmen.[1]
Description
"A marble obelisk with a bronze wreath on each side is mounted on top of a square marble base adorned with four marble cannon tubes positioned vertically at each corner. Surrounding the base are four cannons, one pointed from each corner."[1]
The surrounding horizontal cannons are Spanish 12-poundersmooth-borebronze guns captured in 1847 by the US Navy from the Mexicans in California.[2]
Inscriptions
One name is on each side of the obelisk: CLEMSON·SHUBRICK·PILLSBURY·HYNSON. Each name is surmounted by a leaf wreath.
To passed Midshipmen H. A. CLEMSON. and J. R. HYNSON. lost with U.S. Brig. Somers off Vera Cruz Dec. 8th, 1846 This monument is Erected by passed and other Midshipmen of the U.S. Navy as a tribute of respect 1848
To Midshipmen J. W. PILLBURY. and T. B. SHUBRICK. the former drowned off Vera Cruz July 24th, 1846 the latter killed at the Naval Battery near Vera Cruz March 25th, 1847 while in charge of their duties This monument is Erected by passed and other Midshipmen as a tribute of respect 1848
On the monument's base's sides below Hynson and Shubrick are stylized fouled anchors.[2]
Notes
^The Smithsonian American Art Museum attributes the monument to John W. Stephenson. Stephenson, a modern sculptor, is shown as born in 1929, some eighty one years after the monument was unveiled.[1]
