Shortly after the start of the Spanish–American War, Minett was given command of the newly commissioned
Sandy Hook, New Jersey to prevent Spanish attacks on New York.[10] 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 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.[11]
Minett saw no combat during the war.
Following the war, Minett was reassigned first to Yorktown, then to Adams where he was promoted 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.[12]
Near the end of
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 Concord's 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
American flag to the members of the Fita Fita Guard, the local militia created by Governor Tilley three years earlier.[13]
While Minett was acting as governor, the territory was visited by
Wilhelm Heinrich Solf, perhaps the first such visit from a governor's eastern counterpart. In this meeting, the two governors discussed maintaining friendly relations, but also restricting travel between the two territories. Some natives had been ignoring the partition and going on extended "visiting parties" between the zones. Both governors agreed to attempt to curb this practice.[14]
Minett's time as governor was also marked by the improving of roads in the territory and by hunger problems.
Retirement
After retirement, Minett remained at
Norfolk Naval Yard on the court-martial board of inquiry. By 1908, he was president of that board.[15]
