Dennis W. Mullan and Apia: Supporting the Fellow Man During Adversity

Dennis Walbach Mullan, my paternal 2nd great grandfather, served in the United States Navy for 41 years, including his Naval Academy time, and retired with the rank of Commander.  Originating from Annapolis, Maryland in 1843, he would retire in 1901, live the rest of his life, and be buried there in 1928.  Like any life seems, the road was not straight but full of trial, tribulation, and success. 

Dennis’s brother John worked hard for the family and earned Dennis his appointment to the USNA.  He entered there in 1860.[1]  When the Civil War broke out, he transferred along with the entire academy to Newport, RI.[2]  In 1863, he was detached from the academy for active service.  He served on the USS Monongahela in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, fought with Admiral Farragut at the Battle of Mobile Bay, then transferred to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and fought at the battles of Fort Fisher.[3]

After the war, he held several service positions including command of the USS Nipsic, USS Mohican, and USS Marion.[4]  However, it was on the Nipsic that Dennis witnessed his greatest success and suffered his greatest trial.  In January of 1889, Apia suffered a city-wide fire.  Dennis and his crew responded to assist the Samoans in putting out the blaze.  They earned a Tribute of Respect (which I have a copy of in my family records) from the Samoan government and the respect of the people, which would come in handy in the next few months.[5]  In March of 1889, Apia bore witness to a cyclone of massive destruction.  Seven military ships: three U.S.; three German, and one British, and six merchantmen suffered through the storm, with only one, the British HMS Calliope, surviving in sailing order.[6]  The USS Nipsic Dennis ran aground to prevent her from sinking, saving the lives of crew, but also taking two lives from the crew of schooner Lily.[7]  As the only U.S. ship to survive the storm, the Nipsic would eventually be refloated, repaired, and returned to service.  However, it was the rapport earned earlier that year which proved a more lasting success.  The Samoans, at great risk, took it upon themselves to rescue the lives of survivors.  They formed human chains in some cases, others swam with lines out to stricken ships, or crewed boats to pick up survivors.  They could have stood by and watched, but like the crews of the ships responding to the fire, they jumped in to save their fellow man.[8]

After commanding several ships, Dennis served as a lighthouse inspector before taking command of the Pensacola Naval Yard.  He served as its commander and retired at the rank of Commander in 1901.  Dennis started his career at war, a time not often known for its humanity and respect for life.  Towards the end of his career, his actions respecting and protecting life earned him that same respect from strangers caught in a power struggle between imperial powers.  Not just the Samoans, but men of every nation in the contest, put aside their differences to support each other. 

Though not a story from the Nipsic, the men on the USS Trenton showed this kind of support best.  As the HMS Calliope approached her during its escape, the men on the Trenton cheered their ship onwards.  The men of the Trenton were in the masts, having climbed up into them to create a human sail with opened coats to help control the vessel as it was without a rudder or operational boilers.  As the Calliope approached and passed within hands reach of the Trenton, the men on the ship cheered their counterparts’ success in escaping the harbor to safety.  The act of these men would impact the British survivors years later, with many having recorded the events for posterity.[9]   This is an example witnessed, possibly not observed but learned of, by Dennis and others present. 

These acts show the true worth of man, that we can put aside our differences for the benefit of others, even when at risk ourselves. 

[1] Ancestry, “Dennis Walbach Mullan,” Ancestry Corporate, last modified unknown, https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/151811894/person/342222902479/facts

[2] Ancestry, “Dennis Walbach Mullan,” https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/151811894/person/342222902479/facts; Geni, “Commander Dennis W. Mullan,” Geni.com, last modified March 6, 2015, https://www.geni.com/people/Commander-Dennis-W-Mullan/6000000024386677790

[3] Find a Grave, “CDR Dennis Walbach Mullan,” Find a Grave, last modified August 15, 2020, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/214442843/dennis-walbach-mullan      

[4] Geni, “Commander Dennis W. Mullan,” https://www.geni.com/people/Commander-Dennis-W-Mullan/6000000024386677790

[5] Ancestry, “Dennis Walbach Mullan,” https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/151811894/person/342222902479/facts

[6] Naval History and Heritage Command, “Typhoons and Hurricanes: The Storm at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889,” The Navy Department Library, last modified May 26, 2020, https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/t/typhoons-and-hurricanes-the-storm-at-apia-samoa-15-16-march-1889.html

[7] Graham Hague, “Preliminaries to the Hurricane at Samoa” GrahamHague.com, last modified 2016/2017, http://www.grahamhague.com/apiahurricane.shtml

[8] Naval History and Heritage Command, “Typhoons and Hurricanes: The Storm at Apia, Samoa, 15-16 March 1889,” The Navy Department Library, last modified May 26, 2020, https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/t/typhoons-and-hurricanes-the-storm-at-apia-samoa-15-16-march-1889.html

[9] Graham Hague, “Preliminaries to the Hurricane at Samoa,” http://www.grahamhague.com/apiahurricane.shtml