blockading ships. On August 16, 1898, four days after the conclusion of hostilities, Minett was ordered to take Viking to Norfolk, Virginia where she was decommissioned. Minett saw no combat during the war. Following the war, Minett was reassigned first to Yorktown, then to Adams where he was promoted to lieutenant commander, and subsequently made the executive officer of Concord. On board Concord, Minett was given a test of his command abilities. While sailing en route to a settlement at Unalaska, Alaska, in the Aleutian Islands, Minett's commanding officer became seriously ill. Minett assumed command of the vessel and sailed her against orders to Seattle, Washington to get his commander treatment. Minett's arrival in Seattle on July 17, 1901 was reported in newspapers across the country and the Navy Department immediately launched an investigation into the violation of orders. After only five days, Minett's command judgement was upheld and he was cleared of charges. Near the end of Colombia's Thousand Days War, in November 1901, Concord and were sent south to protect American interests. Colombian liberals had seized the town of Colón, Panama and the Panama Railroad and appeared ready to take Panama City. Concord arrived on November 23 and Lieutenant-Commander Minett was placed in command of a battalion of 412 men from the two ships. To reclaim the railroad, Minett launched trains under guard from Panama City, each sporting two American flags. If the Colombian liberals fired on the trains, the Navy would consider this serious enough provocation to reply in force. In this way, the railroad was restored with no major conflicts. During Concords time in Panama, the train was also used to bring wounded Colombian soldiers back to Panama City where they could be treated by Navy doctors. Colón was surrendered to the US Navy on November 30 and the Navy pulled out its ships shortly after. American Samoa On January 16, 1903, Minett was acting-governor when the formal reply to the deed of secession arrived from President Theodore Roosevelt. A full military ceremony was held where Minett presented each of the tribal chiefs who had signed the deed with an engraved silver watch and chain. Minett also presented a letter from the president acknowledging his acceptance of the territory. Using Navy officers as a color guard, Minett also formally presented the gift of an American flag to the members of the Fita Fita Guard, the local