Christmas Cove in Lincoln County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

In Grateful Memory of Ensign Richard Rundlett Wells

USN 1896-1918

Photographed By Steve Stoessel, October 5, 2018

1. In Grateful Memory of Ensign Richard Rundlett Wells Marker

Inscription. Who was born and grew to young manhood at Christmas Cove. Bred in the tradition of the sea, he was swift to volunteer when his country entered the Great War. He won a commission for meritorious service and gave his life in heroic performance of his duty as an officer of the USS Ticonderoga when she was sunk in action with German submarine U-152, in mid-Atlantic – September 30, 1918. His example will speak to coming generations.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, World I • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 1918.

Location. 43° 50.73′ N, 69° 33.131′ W. Marker is in Christmas Cove, Maine, in Lincoln County. Memorial is on Maine Route 129, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: South Bristol ME 04568, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. John Cogswell and Family (approx. 2.4 miles away); Oil House (approx. 2.4 miles away); Ralph Blaisdell and Family (approx. 2.4 miles away); Bell House (approx. 2.4 miles away); Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (approx. 2.4 miles away); Boothbay Maine Civil War Monument (approx. 4.6 miles away); R.H.T. Taylor Store in 1882 (approx. 12.2 miles away); Downtown Stores c. 1892 (approx. 12.2 miles away).

Regarding In Grateful Memory of Ensign Richard Rundlett Wells.

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USS Ticonderoga was a former German cargo seized by US Customs in 1917 and pressed into service by the US Navy. Ticonderoga cleared New York on Sept. 22, 1918 to join a convoy bound for Europe. During the night of the 29th and 30th, the transport developed engine trouble and dropped behind the convoy. At 05:20 the following morning, she sighted the German submarine U-152 running on the surface; and she cleared for action. For the next two hours, her gun crews fought the enemy in a losing battle. Almost every man on board Ticonderoga, including her captain, suffered wounds. At 07:45, Ticonderoga slipped beneath the sea. Of the 237 sailors and soldiers embarked, only 24 survived. Lieutenant Commander James Jonas Madison received the Medal of Honor for his actions on Ticonderoga.

Richard Wells was a junior at the University of Maine when he volunteered for the Navy in 1917. He was in command of the forward gun of the Ticonderoga during the action. The gun had been put out of service early in the engagement. He was struggling to get the gun back into commission when the ship sunk.

Also see . . .
1. USS Ticonderoga (Wikipedia). (Submitted on November 29, 2018, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)
2. Richard Wells at the University of Maine. (Submitted on November 29, 2018, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)

100th Anniversary image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Steve Stoessel, October 5, 2018

2. 100th Anniversary

Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2018, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on November 29, 2018, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 7, 2018, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.