You Ask... Portsmouth Patch Answers

For several years, Portsmouth area residents have strolled through Prescott Park, stopped at the Ensign Hovey water fountain that pays tribute to this city Navy veteran and have often asked, "Who is Ensign Hovey?"

In this week's You Ask... Portsmouth Patch Answers, a reader named "Bonnie" asked this very question:

My family and I have gone to Prescott Park for years to enjoy the outdoor concerts and the waterfront. Every time we pass the Ensign Hovey water fountain, my kids ask me who is Ensign Hovey and I have no idea. Can you tell us more about him?

Great question, Bonnie. You are right. The water fountain doesn't contain that much information about this man, but fortunately Portsmouth Patch was able to find the answer.

During a Memorial Day ceremony held last year, Richard Brooks, Adjutant of the Frank E. Booma American Legion Post 6 in Portsmouth, explained that Navy Ensign Charles Emerson Hovey was a Portsmouth native who died in the Philippines on Sept. 24, 1911, after a detachment he led from the USS Pampanga was ambushed by the outlaw Moros.

Every Memorial Day weekend, the American Legion Post 6 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars 168 holds a burial at sea ceremony in Prescott Park to remember the sailors and soldiers who were lost at sea. Members of these groups also place a red carnation in the Ensign Hovey water fountain to honor those veterans.

If you have a question about Portsmouth that you like to get answered, send it to portsmouth-nh.patch.com or post a comment below and our team will dig up an answer. Be sure to check back each Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. for the next You Ask... Portsmouth Patch Answers column to get the answer.