Henry Minett (May 30, 1857 – December 20, 1952) was a career officer of the United States Navy who served during the Spanish–American War. Prior to retirement in 1905, he achieved the rank of captain. He is best remembered as one of the early acting Governors of American Samoa. Minett Islet in Alaska is named for him. Early career Henry Minett was born in Louisville, Kentucky and entered the United States Naval Academy shortly after his 16th birthday, on June 8, 1872. He graduated as a midshipman four years later, on June 20, 1876. In his early naval career, he was assigned first to , sailing as part of the North Atlantic Squadron. After being promoted to ensign, he was reassigned to from 1879 to 1881. The Jamestown served as the guard ship for the port of Sitka, Alaska. Although he was only an ensign, a small islet in Sitka harbor, Minett Islet, was named for him. On his return from Alaska, Minett was assigned to the training ship in 1882. In the next several years, Minett also served on board and , before being assigned to the research-oriented Naval Torpedo Station at Newport, Rhode Island and sailed with for several years around Europe before returning to the United States in 1897. He served on board , a receiving ship in Boston Harbor until 1898. On May 23, 1886, Minett was promoted to Lieutenant, junior grade. Shortly after, he was transferred to the receiving ship where he served until 1888. After that, he was briefly assigned to before a longer stint on board , sailing to Japan. While in Japan, Omaha assisted in putting out a large fire at Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama. On his return to the United States, Minett served on board in New York Harbor. He was promoted to lieutenant on December 11, 1891. Spanish–American War to the Thousand Days War Shortly after the start of the Spanish–American War, Minett was given command of the newly commissioned . Viking began her life as a private yacht, but was armed and pressed into service for the war. In his first months in command, Minett and Viking patrolled the waters near Sandy Hook, New Jersey to prevent Spanish attacks on New York. On July 12, 1898, Minett and Viking were transferred to Cuba to assist in the naval blockade. Minett's duties in Cuba included transporting passengers, orders, and supplies between the