M 1099 Roll
1
November
30th, 1822
A single tabular entry showing Constitution
in service in the Mediterranean. December
1st, 1823 Page 112 "…On Paper A, it is to be remarked,
that the frigate Constitution, sloop of war Ontario, and Schooner Nonsuch, are
in the Mediterranean, under the command of Captain Jacob Jones. No change in the amount of force, in that
sea, has been made within the year. It
has been found competent to all the purposes for which it is maintained. Our commerce there has been amply protected;
the officers and seamen have enjoyed good health, and no circumstance has
occurred worthy of particular notice.
While our relations with other powers continue friendly, any large
augmentation of that portion of our naval force will not be necessary. In the coming year, it is not proposed
materially to increase or diminish it.
The Cyane and Erie will, in a short time, relieve the Constitution and
Ontario, that they may return home, discharge their crews, whose term of
service will soon expire, refit, and resume their station…"
Pages 196-7 Officer Deaths Since 1 January 1823
[excerpts]
Captain John H. Dent - Charleston, SC - in
Sep Lieutenant Henry Gilliam - Thompson's Island,
GA - 27 Aug
December 1st,
1824
Page 109 "…Nothing worthy of particular
observation, has occurred with our squadron in the Mediterranean.
"It has been maintained to the extent which was proposed in the
report of last year, and has afforded the necessary protection to our commerce
there. The unfriendly relations,
however, which exist between Algiers and some of the governments of Europe, and
the effects not unlikely to be felt, upon our political and commercial
interests in that quarter, with other important considerations, have been
supposed to render it expedient to augment our force. With this view, the North Carolina has been
prepared, and will sail in a few days.
The squadron will then consist of the ship of the line, North Carolina,
frigate Constitution, corvette Cyane, the sloops of war Erie and Ontario, and
schooner Nonsuch; and will be under the command of Commodore Rodgers, who has
been, for several years past, the President of the Board of Naval
Commissioners, and whose high qualifications are so well known and justly
estimated [sic] by the nation…"
Page 130 Deaths in the United States Navy
since December 1823 [excerpts]:
Captain Samuel Evans - New Jersey - Jun 1824 Surgeon's Mate John D. Armstrong - Ireland -
Sep 1824
Page 131 Resignations since December 1823
[excerpts]:
Surgeon Charles Cotton - 1823 Surgeon Amos A. Evans - 1824
December 2d ,
1825
Page 93, 96-7 "…The frigate Brandywine, then on the
stocks at the Navy Yard in this place, has been launched and fitted out, and is
now a part of the Mediterranean squadron.
The schooner Nonsuch has been sold, because she was so far decayed that
it was not 'for the interest of the United States to repair her'…
"The Mediterranean squadron, at this time, consists of the North
Carolina 74, frigates Brandywine, and Constitution, and sloops Ontario, and
Erie, and is still under the command of Commodore Rodgers. A slight temporary alarm existed in the
course of the Summer, respecting its health, resulting from accidental causes,
but from communications recently received from Commodore Rodgers, appears to
have passed by, and it may be said that its general health during the year has
been, and that it now is, as good as is common with our squadron in that sea. Three only of our officers, and very few of
the men, have died, and no extensive sickness has prevailed among them.
"The general objects of the squadron have continued the same as in
former years, but additional importance has been given to its presence, in the
Eastern part of the Mediterranean, by the nature of the contest between Greece
and Turkey, and the inconvenience to our commerce, likely to result from
it. Some injuries must necessarily be
anticipated, and some have actually been felt, from the unauthorized abuse of
the flag of one of the contending parties to purposes of plunder. The presence of the whole squadron there for
a short period, and the continuance of a portion of it for a much longer time, have,
no doubt, prevented numerous trespasses upon our rights.
"The commanding officer has been directed to yield a suitable
protection to our commerce with Smyrna, and other places on the borders of that
sea, and will, with his usual correctness and energy, discharge the trust
confided to him. The squadron will
rendezvous at Mahon for the Winter, the Spanish Government having granted
permission to deposit, there, without charge, the stores necessary for its
use. No positive exertion of force has
been required to maintain our rights, nor has any incident, calling for
particular mention, occurred, in preserving the discipline and health of the
squadron. The whole is now in a state
which merits approbation…
""The schooner Porpoise will sail in a few days, to join the
squadron, and will carry orders for the frigate Brandywine to return to the
United States, with the view to prepare her for a cruize [sic] in the Pacific
to relieve the frigate United States, in the course of the coming Summer. It would, probably, be better not to lessen the
force now in the Mediterranean, but it cannot be avoided, unless such an
appropriation should be made, as to enable the Department to put another
frigate or ship of the line in commission…"
Page 131 List of Deaths in the Navy, since 1st
of January 1825 [excerpts]:
Captain Thomas Macdonough - Consumption - At
sea - 10 Nov 1825 Lieutenant Dulany Forrest - Yellow fever - At
sea - 1 Oct 1825
Page 134 List
of Resignations since 1st January 1825 [excerpts]:
Midshipman A. Barnhouse
December 2d, 1826
Page 6 "…The squadron in the
Mediterranean has remained under the command of Commodore Rodgers, and been
actively and usefully employed in cultivating the friendship of the Powers
bordering on that sea, and in affording protection to our commerce and interests…
"The presence of a respectable naval force in that quarter is
demanded by our growing commerce, and by the continued, and perhaps increasing,
dangers to which it is subjected by the present state of the contest between
Greece and Turkey. Several of the
vessels will return home in the course of the year, but their places will be
supplied by others. Private letters just
received prove that piracies of the worst kind are daily increasing, and that
our force cannot safely be diminished…"
Pages 104-5 List of Deaths in the Navy of the United
States, since 2d December 1825 [excerpts]:
Captain Robert T. Spence - Bilious fever -
Near Baltimore - 26 Sep 1826 Surgeon DeWitt Birch - Typhus - Mediterranean - 1 May 1826 Purser A. Y. Humphreys - Pulmonary disease -
Callao - 6 Feb 1826
Page 106 List of Resignations in the Navy of
the United States, since 2d Dec 1826 [excerpts]:
Lieutenant Zachariah W. Nixon -
21 Mar 1826
Surgeon Samuel D. Heap - 27
Dec 1825
Surgeon (Mate?) Charles B.
Jaudon - 4 May 1826
Chaplain John McCarty - 21
Apr 1826
December 1st,
1827
Page 199 "…Essential service has been
rendered to our commerce and our political relations by the squadron in the
Mediterranean, under the command of Commodore Rodgers. Although the war in the Archipelago
continues, with an increasing relaxation
of discipline and control over the vessels of one of the contending parties;
and difficulties have existed between one or more of the Barbary States and
some of the Powers of Europe; yet the presence and activity of our vessels of
war, under the skillful direction of the
Commander, have protected our numerous merchant vessels and our growing
commerce from serious interruption. The
force should not be diminished, and no change is designed by the Department,
except in the vessels. The squadron will
this year consist of the Delaware, Java, Lexington, Warren, and porpoise, and
will be commanded by Captain Crane…"
Pages 202-3 "It has been customary with the
Department, for two or three years past, to direct the attention of our
commanding officers abroad, to the propriety of adding something to the
agricultural, while they were protecting the commercial interest of the nation,
by procuring information respecting valuable
animals, seeds, and plants, and importing such as they could, conveniently,
without inattention to their more appropriate duties. Very few of them have returned without some
valuable importations of the kind. More
precise and detailed instructions have, under your directions, and in connexion
[sic] with the Treasury Department, been prepared, and will hereafter be given
to each officer who commands a vessel in commission…"
Pages 212-3 List of Deaths in the Navy of the United
States, since 2d December 1826 [excerpts]:
Lieutenant Hugh Dulany - Delaware Bay - 6 Jan
1827
Lieutenant Pardon M. Whipple -
Providence, RI - 11 May 1827
Surgeon Robert L. Thorn -
Fever - Portsmouth - 18 Aug 1827
Pages 214-5 Resignations in the Navy of the United
States, since 2d December 1826 [excerpt]:
Master Commandant Louis Alexis
- 17 Sep 1827
November 27th,
1828
Page 124 "…Both in enlisting and
discharging seamen, the usual difficulties have been found. The ordinary length of our cruises is three
years; but in consequence of the slow manner in which they are enlisted, it is
impractical to send a vessel, especially a large one, to sea, manned with those
who all have three years to serve. About
one-fourth of all our crews, when they leave the
"When seamen demand their discharge abroad, and their places are to
be supplied, foreigners of every nation are taken; and from the manner in which
our ordinary enlistments are made, many such are found among our crews at all times. They are distinct class of people from those
useful citizens who have sought protection under our institutions, and made our
country their home. Very few of them
have their interests located here, or are bound to us by one of all the ties
which connect man with his country. They
produce a large proportion of the offences and insubordination of which we have
to complain; and when their time expires abroad, seldom return: for their home
is not here. Instructions have been
given to avoid them in enlistments; and it is hoped that the time is not
distant when the legislative enactments will raise up an abundance of seamen,
acquainted with, and attached to the service, whose interests and hopes are
centered in our own country…"
Page 130 List of Deaths in the Navy of the
United States, since the 1st December, 1827 [excerpts]:
Master Commandant Benjamin W. Booth -
Charleston, SC - 7 Oct 1828 Purser John B. Timberlake - Port Mahon - 2
Apr 1828 Midshipman Henry K. Mower - Mediterranean -
Apr 1828
Page 131 List of Resignations in the Navy of
the United States, since 1st December 1828 [excerpt]:
Lieutenant Archibald R.
Bogardus - 21 Oct 1828
Pages 156-7 Statement showing the present state and
condition of the
Constitution, Frigate 1st
Class - The frame generally is believed to be sound, but will require new planking
from the wales inclusive, to the rail.new ceiling in
the hold, and new birth deck and orlop decks,
beams and knees, spar deck new planked, galleries and head,
&c., caulking and coppering throughout.
December 1st,
1829
Page 223 [The statement just above is repeated
with regard to Constitution.]
December 6th,
1830
Page 218 [The statement above is
repeated.] "Time necessary to
effect the repair, 129 days, Cost, exclusive of stores, $128,081.05."
Page 224 "…The whole of the materials,
except the iron, have been procured for covering the Constitution; the roof
rafters are half framed, and the covering will be completed by the 5th
of December [sic]."
Page 227 List of Deaths in the Navy of the
Lieutenant Alexander M. Mull -
Lieutenant Cary H. Hansford -
Yellow fever - Pensacola - 3 Sep 1830
Purser Isaac Garretson - Purser Robert Pottenger - USS Hornet -
10 Sep 1830
December3d, 1831
Page 240 Data upon which the estimate for
repairs, &c., of vessels in the year 1832 is founded [excerpt]
VESSELS TO BE REPAIRED.
Constitution - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - -$98,000
Page 241 For the wear and tear of the
following vessels during the year [excerpt]:
Constitution - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - $10,000
Page 258 STATEMENT showing the number,
names, state, and condition of the vessels of war belonging to the
Constitution, frigate of the first class.-- The frame of this ship,
bottom plank, gun deck, ceiling between decks, and spar deck, knees and beams,
are sound; the outboard plank from the light water mark to rail ceiling in
hold, orlop, and birth decks, magazine platforms, plank on spar deck, &c.,
&c., are efficient, and require to be new; the head, knight heads, and
stem require repairs; the ship requires
caulking throughout, and to be new coppered.
Cost of materials and labor required, $97,998.10.
Page 263 Iron water tanks for a 1st
class frigate were to contain about 39,500 gallons, and were estimated to cost
about 0.43/gal.
Page 264 A general order of 15 Jun 1831
directed that people giving up their spirit
ration were to be paid at the rate of 6 cents per ration per day.
Page 265 A circular letter to all captains and
master commandant directed that "whenever [existing] laws allow a
discretion in the choice of punishments, the first resort, in the case of
offences by seamen, is recommended to be always had to pecuniary fines, badges
of disgrace, and other mild corrections, rather than to the humiliating
practice of whipping; and that never on the same day, by punishing, under an
officer's own authority, two offences at once, should the stripes, limited by
law, be exceeded in number, or be inflicted otherwise than in the presence and
under the sanction of the commanding officer…
"And that, in the case of offences by officers…a system more
remedial should be adopted, by sentencing to a reduction of rank and pay, or to
suspension from promotion, rather than to suspension from active service…"
Page 267 List of deaths in the Navy of the
Lieutenant Benjamin Tallmadge,
Jr. - Brain fever - Gibraltar - 20 Jun 1830
December 3d, 1832
Page 235 List of Deaths in the Navy of the
Captain Charles C. B. Thompson
- Hot Springs, VA - 2 Sep 1832
Lieutenant Alexander
Eskridge - Dropsy - Norfolk - 17 Mar 1832
Page 237 List of Resignations in the Navy of
the
Purser Thomas I [sic: J.]. Chew - 12 Mar 1832
Page 238 Statement showing the Number, Name,
and State, and Condition, of the Vessels of War, in ordinary at the Navy Yards…[excerpt]:
Constitution. The frame, bottom, plank, ceiling between
decks, spar deck, knees and beams, are sound; the outboard plank, from light
water mark to rail, ceiling in the hold, orlop and berth decks, magazine
platforms, plank on spar deck, bulwark, plank on stern galleries, channels, and
capstan, are defective, and will require to be new, and the ship new
coppered.
November 30th ,
1833
Pages 243-4 List of deaths in the navy of the Captain William Bainbridge - Dropsy -
Page 247 Statement showing the names,
distribution, and condition of the vessels of the navy in ordinary, 1st
of November, 1833 [excerpt]:
AT Constitution…………Frigate, undergoing a
thorough repair.
November 29th,
1834
Page 331 Statement showing the names,
distribution, and condition of vessels in ordinary, on the 1st
October, 1834 [excerpt].
AT Constitution………….Frigate, in good order.
Page 362 List of deaths in the Navy of the
Lieutenant Joseph Cross -
Consumption - Near Feb 1834 Sailmaker B. B. Burchsted - NY Navy Yard - 11
Dec 1833
Page 363 List of resignations in the Navy of
the
Lieutenant Philip A. Stockton -
14 Feb 1834
December 5, 1835
Page 330 "…The ship of the line
Page 378-9 List of deaths in the navy of the
Captain B.V. Hoffman - Captain Wolcott Chauncey - Lieutenant H. J. Auchmuty - Westchester Co.,
NY - 8 Oct 1835
December 3 , 1836
Page 442 "…the following vessels have been
employed in the Mediterranean: the frigates Constitution, United States, and
Potomac; the sloop of war John Adams, and the schooner Shark; the ship of the
line Delaware having been withdrawn from that squadron, and the frigate United
States added to it, within the present year.
"The frigate
Deccember 2, 1837
Page 715 "…The squadron in the
Mediterranean consists of the frigates Constitution and
"The frigate Constitution must be recalled in the early part of the
coming year, when an addition can be conveniently made to this squadron, and
the ship of the line
November 30, 1838
Page 543 "…The squadron employed in the
"Although some of the causes which originally dictated the policy
of employing a portion of our navy in the Mediterranean have, in a great
measure, ceased, still it is believed that, as a school of discipline under
experienced officers; as a means of exhibiting a portion of our naval force in
contact and comparison with that of the principal maritime States of Europe;
and for the purpose of affording countenance and protection to our commerce, a
perseverance in this policy will equally contribute to the good of the service
and the honor of the United States…" Page 584 G. - List of vessels in commission
of each squadron, their commanders
and stations [excerpt].
Constitution - Captain W. C. Bolton
- Mediterranean
Page 585 H. - A statement showing the names,
rates, distribution, and condition of the vessels in ordinary [excerpt].
AT
The Constitution, frigate, has received the slight repairs which
she required, and could be soon prepared for sea.
Page 610-1 O. - List of deaths in the navy, as
ascertained at the Department, since 1st of December, 1837
[excerpts].
Captain John Rodgers - Captain Melancthon T. Woolsey - Captain J. Orde Creighton - Near Sing Sing,
NY - 13 Oct 1838 Lieutenant Edmund M. Russell - Master Charles W. Waldo -
November 30, 1839
Page 531 "…At the date of my last report,
the force in the Pacific, under Commodore Ballard, consisted of a ship of the
line, two sloops of war, and two schooners.
The ship of the line and one of the schooners have returned to the
United States; the other schooner is now on her way; the two sloops of war have
been ordered home; the period of their cruise having expired, and may be
expected early in the spring.
"To supply the place of the force thus withdrawn, a frigate of the
first class, under Commodore Claxton, who succeeds Commodore Ballard, sailed
from
"Commodore Claxton has been directed to employ one of his vessels
in cruising within the gulf of California, and along the northwest coast of
America; and, if circumstances will permit, to dispatch another to visit the
Sandwich and Friendly islands, with a view to afford countenance and protect to
vessels of the United States employed in the whale fisheries…"
Page 570 G.
List of vessels in commission of each squadron, their commanders and
stations, on the 1st of October, 1839 [excerpt].
Frigate - Constitution - Flagship - Captain
Daniel Turner - Commo. Alex.
Page
608 O. List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained by the
department, since the 1st of December 1838 [excerpts].
Captain Daniel T. Patterson - Surgeon Thomas J. Boyd -
Page 610-1 Q. List
of resignations in the navy since the 1st of December, 1839
[excerpts].
Lieutenant Grey Skipwith - 19 Dec 1838
Lieutenant Ezra T. Doughty - 18
Feb 1839
Passed Midshipman George W.
Randolph - 22 Jul 1839 Sailmaker N. C. L'Hommedieu - 25 Jan 1839
December 5, 1840.
Page 403 "…The squadron on the Pacific
station is composed of the frigate Constitution, the sloop of war
Page 446 I List of
deaths, as ascertained at the Department, eince the 1st of
December, 1839 {excerpts].
Lieutenant R. R. Pinkham - Pacific - 27 Oct
1839 Passed Midshipman Frederick A. Bacon - USS Sea
Gull - May 1839 Master Samuel C. Hixon - Boatswain John Ball -
Page 449 L
List of resignations in the navy since the 1st of
December, 1839 [excerpt].
Boatswain Robert Whitaker - 30 Jun 1840
December 4, 1841
Page 367-9 "…In the Pacific ocean, the frigate
Constitution, Captain Turner; the sloop of war St. Louis, Commander French
Forrest; the sloop of war Yorktown, Commander Aulick; the sloop of war Dale,
Commander Gauntt; and the schooner Shark, Lieutenant Bigelow; the whole under
the command of Commodore Alexander
Claxton. Commodore Claxton died at
Talcahuana in March last, to the great loss of the service, and the just regret
of the country. Upon that event, the
chief command of the squadron devolved on Captain Daniel Turner, who returned
to the
"Orders were given to Commodore Claxton to employ one of his
vessels in cruising in the gulf of California and along the northwest coast of
"In consequence of the civil disturbances in
"In further execution of the orders of the Department, the sloop of
war Yorktown, Commander Aulick, was despatched [sic] in May last to the
Sandwich and Friendly islands, with a view to render such assistance as might
be necessary to our whale-fishers and other citizens trading in that part of
the Pacific. No intelligence has been
received from her since she left Valparaiso.
"The conduct of this squadron, as well under the command of
Commodore Claxton as under that of Captain Turner, ahs been highly satisfactory
to the Department. No disorder nor
failure in duty has yet been reported to me calling for my censure or disapprobation. On the contrary, the strictest regard appears
to have been paid to the honor of the flag, and to the duties which it owed to
the country and its citizens. Captain
Turner very properly availed himself of an opportunity to show respect to a friendly
Power, by receiving on board the Constitution at Callao, and conveying to Rio,
the Brazilian charge d'affaires. For
this act of courtesy he received the thanks of the Imperial Government.
"I would respectfully solicit your attention, in a particular
manner, to the situation of American interests in the Pacific ocean. According to an estimate made by an
intelligent gentleman lately returned from the Pacific, there are at this time
not less than forty millions of dollars engaged in the whale-fisheries alone,
of which a greater part is American. I
have great confidence in the accuracy of this estimate; but, even if it be too
large, there will remain, after all reasonable deductions, an interest of vast
magnitude and importance. American
merchants have formed establishments in different parts of the coast, from
Chili to Columbia river -- some of them very extensive and important, and all
of them worthy the attention of Government.
In Upper California, there are already considerable settlements of
Americans, and others are daily resorting to that fertile and delightful
region. Such, however, is the unsettled
condition of that whole country, that they cannot be safe, either in their
persons or property, except under the protection of our naval power. This protection cannot be afforded in proper
degree, and with suitable promptness, by so small a squadron as we have usually
kept in that sea. To cruise along so
extensive a coast, calling at all necessary points, and at the same time to
visit those parts of the Pacific in which the presence of our ships is
necessary for the protection and assistance of our whale-fisheries, requires
twice the number of vessels now employed in that service. It is highly desirable, too, that the Gulf of
California should be fully explored; and this duty alone will give employment
for a long time to one or two vessels of the smallest class. For these reasons. I have caused estimates to
be prepared for a large increase of the Pacific squadron.
"I also respectfully submit to your consideration the propriety of
establishing, at some suitable point on our territory bordering that ocean, a
post to which our vessels may resort.
Many positions well adapted to this object may be found between the
mouth of the Columbia river and Guayaquil, which it is presumed may be
procured, if they be not to be found on our own territory. Our public vessels cruising in that ocean are
generally absent from the United States not less than four years; within which
time they necessarily require a variety of supplies which cannot now be
obtained without very great difficulty and expense. Any considerable repair is almost
impossible, with all the means which can be furnished by all the nations of the
coast. Such a post would also be of
incalculable value as a place of refuge and refreshment to our commercial
marine. I need not enlarge on the many
and great benefits which might be expected from the establishment of some
general rendezvous for all our vessels trading and cruising in this distant
sea..
"In addition to this, a naval depot at the Sandwich islands would
be of very great advantage. It is a
central point of the trade carried on ini the Pacific, and possesses many
peculiar recommendations of climate, and local conveniences, and
accommodations…"
Page 426 No. 12 List of deaths in the navy,
as ascertained at the Department, since the 1st December, 1840
[excerpt].
Captain Alexander Claxton - Pacific - 7 Mar
1841
December,
1842 [sic]
Page 535 "…The home squadron, authorized
by the act of the 1st day of August, 1841, has been put in
commission, and placed under the command of Commodore Stewart. It is composed of the frigates Independence
(the flag ship), now under the command of Captain Stringham; the frigate
Constitution, Captain Parker; the steam-frigate Missouri, Captain Newton; the
steam-frigate Mississippi, Captain Salter; the sloop Falmouth, Commander
McIntosh; the sloop Vandalia, Commander Ramsay; the brig Dolphin, Commander
Knight; and the schooner Grampus, Lieut. Van Brunt.
"The original design of this squadron was to cruise along our own
coast, with a view to extend the usual protection to our trade; but more
particularly to afford assistance to vessels in distress; to make accurate
soundings and observations along our shores, from which charts might be formed;
to afford vessels of different classes, always ready to take the place of those
returning from distant stations; and to perform any occasional service for
which vessels of war might be required.
Finding, however, that it was unnecessarily large for these purposes,
and that active employment could not be given to it, I determined to assign to
it the duties of the West Indies squadron, and to withdraw that squadron from
service. This has accordingly been done,
and the cruising ground of the home squadron now extends from the banks of
Newfoundland to the river Amazon, including the Caribbean sea and gulf of
Mexico. This service requires one or two
small vessels in addition to those originally assigned to the squadron, and
these I propose to add…"
Pages 634-5 General
return of the officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, of
the United States Marine Corps, for the month of Oct'r, 1842 [excerpt].
Frigate Constitution -------- 1 1st Lieutenant, 1 1st
Sergeant, 2 Sergeants, 3
Corporals, 1 Drummer, 38 Privates
Remarks: September 30, 1842, when this Guard
was 1 second lieutenant, 3 sergeants,
3 corporals, 1 drummer, and 32 privates;
since which
First Lieutenant Lang, joined,
and Second Lieutenant A. S. Taylor and 1
private transferred.
Page 636 No. 1.
This table shows the number of marines afloat on the 1st
November 1842 [excerpt], Frigate Constitution ----- 54 (Rate) - 1 1st
Lieutenant, 1 1st Sergeant, 2
Sergeants - 3 Corporals - 1 Drummer - 38
Privates - 46 (total)
Page 637 No. 2.
This table shows the supposed number of marines required for sea
service on the 1st of January 1843, allowing one private for each
gun the respective vessels carry [excerpt].
Frigate Constitution ----- 54 (Rate) - 1 1st
Lieutenant - 1 1st Sergeant, 2
Sergeants, 3 Corporals, 1 Drummer, 1 Fifer, 42 Privates
- 63 (total)
Page 648 No. 5.
List of vessels in commission, of each squadron, their commanders and
stations, on 1st October, 1842 [excerpt].
Frigate - Constitution - Captain F. A. Parker
- Commodore Charles Stewart - Home squadron
Page 649 No. 6.
List of deaths in the Navy, as ascertained at the Department since
the 1st of December, 1841 [excerpt]:
Commander Ralph Voorhees - Smyrna - 27 Jul
1842
November 25, 1843
Page 482 "…The Constitution frigate, at
Norfolk, and the sloop-of-war Yorktown, at New York, are undergoing repairs,
preparatory to sea service…"
Page 484 "…The Yorktown returned home on
the 2d of August, and the Dale on the 19th of October,
having on board the remains of Commodore A. Claxton, who died while in command
of the [Pacific] squadron…"
Page 527 F.
A statement of the names of the vessels in ordinary, or under repair,
at the several navy-yards, November 1, 1843 [excerpt].
At
Norfolk, Va. The frigate Constitution -- repairing.
Page 558 No. 12
List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at the department, since
December 1, 1842 [excerpts].
Captain Isaac Hull - Philadelphia - 13 Feb
1843 Commander William Boerum - Drowned, Lorango
River - 2 Nov 1842
Page 561 No. 14
List of dismissions from the navy since December 1, 1842
[excerpt].
Boatswain Ezra Chamberlain - 26 Jan 1843
Roll 2
November 25, 1844
Page 520 "…The following vessels have been
employed on special service: The frigate Constitution, Captain Percival, sailed
from New York on the 29th May last, on a cruise in the Indian
Ocean. The Honorable Henry A. Wise took
passage in this ship, and was landed at Rio de Janeiro on the 6th
August, when she proceeded on her cruise…"
Page 528 List of deaths in the navy, as
ascertained at the Department, since the 1st of December, 1843
[excerpts].
Captain Edward R. Shubrick - USS Columbia -
12 Mar 1844 Lieutenant John F. Mercer - New York - 10 Feb
1844
December 1, 1845
Page 646 "…The Constitution is on her
return from China, after having visited different ports and islands in the
Indian seas…"
Page 656 Doc. No. 2 List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at the department since December 1, 1844
[excerpt].
Midshipman Lucius M. Mason - USS Constitution
- 7 Jan 1845
Page 659 List of dismissions from the navy,
since December 1, 1844 [excerpt].
Passed Midshipman Robert A. Knapp - 17 May
1845
December 5, 1846
Page 378 "…The frigate Constitution,
Captain Percival, has returned to the United States, having made a voyage
around the world. The special duty
assigned to Captain Percival has been satisfactorily performed…"
Pages 388-9 List of deaths in the navy, as
ascertained at the department since December 1, 1845 [excerpts].
Captain Jesse D. Elliott - Philadelphia - 16
Dec 1845 Purser Thomas Breese - Cambridge, MA - 12 Oct
1846 Master Salvadore Catalona [sic] - Washington
- 4 Jan 1846 Master Marmaduke Dove - Washington - 3 Jul
1846
Page 392 List of dismissions from the navy,
since December 1, 1845 [excerpt].
Midshipman John E. Hopson - 9 Oct 1846
Page 467 F.
Statement of vessels belong to the navy, which were in ordinary on
the 1st November, 1845 [excerpt].
At
Charlestown, Massachusetts
Constitution, frigate.
December 6, 1847
Page 980-1 No. 1.
List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at t he department since
December 1, 1846 [excerpt]..
Surgeon John A. Kearney - Salmadina, Mexico -
26 Aug 1847 Carpenter John A. Dickason - Boston - 29 Sep
1847
Page 964 List of dismissions from the navy,
since December 1, 1846 [excerpt].
Sailmaker Isaac Whitney - 2 Nov 1847
Page 974 F.
Statement of vessels which were in ordinary on the 1st day of November, 1847 [excerpt].
At
Charlestown
Constitution…………………Frigate
December 4, 1848
Page 606 "…The steamer Allegheny,
Lieutenant Commanding W. W. Hunter, has been ordered from the Brazil station to
the Mediterranean, and the frigate Constitution, Captain Gwinn, has sailed for the
same station… In consequence of our
being compelled to discontinue the depot at Mahon, it became necessary to
supply the squadron with stores, by means of stores ships. The store ship Supply, Lieutenant Commanding
Lynch, was sent out with a full cargo of stores in the month of November,
1847, Having delivered them to the
several ships of the squadron from time to time, as they were required, she is
on her return home, and the Erie has been loaded and sent out to continue the
service. Commodore Read has made a
temporary arrangement for landing stores for the squadron in Spezzia. There are some objections to this place as a
depot on account of its position, and in the present very disturbed condition
of Europe it is uncertain whether the arrangement will be permanently
continued…"
Page 613 "…A necessary appendage to the
institution [the Naval School] is a vessel of the navy, fitted as a school of
practice in gunnery and navigation…"
Page 622 No. 1.
List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at the department, since
December 1, 1847 {excerpt]
Lieutenant John B. Dale - Near Beyrout, Syria
Page 625 No. 1.
List of dismissions in the navy since December 1, 1847 [excerpt].
Professor Ethan Estabrook -3 Aug 1848
Page 634 E.
Statement of vessels in commission on the 1st of November,
1848 [excerpt].
Frigates.
Constitution……………………………………………..Mediterranean
December 1, 1849
Pages 426-7 "…The squadron in the Mediterranean
sea, under the command of Commodore Morgan, consist of the flag-ship razee
Independence, Commander Blake, the frigate Cumberland, Captain Latimer, the
frigate Constitution, Captain Conover, the steamer Mississippi, Captain Long,
the sloop of war Jamestown, Commander Mercer, and the store ship Erie,
Lieutenant Commanding Porter. The
frigate St. Lawrence, Captain Paulding, has also joined this squadron.
"The force now employed in the Mediterranean is believed to be
larger and more efficient than at any previous period in our history, with the
exception, perhaps, of the years 1804 and 1805, during the Tripolitan war.
"The steamers Princeton, Commander Engle, and Allegheny, Lieutenant
Commanding Hunter, were ordered home from the Mediterranean, in consequence of
the reports of the necessity for extensive repairs. The Princeton was…broken up… By the death of Commodore Bolton [at
Gibraltar, 22 Feb], the late Captain Gwinn was left the senior officer in this
squadron… Information has reached the
department of the death of Captain Gwinn, which occurred at Palermo on the 4th
of September, 1849…
Page 448 No.
1. List of deaths in the navy, as
ascertained at the department, since December 1, 1848 [excerpt].
Captain John Gwinn - Palermo - 4 Sep 1849
Roll 3
November 30, 1850
Page 194 "…The frigate Constitution,
Captain Conover, also of this squadron [sic: Mediterranean], has been ordered
home, and may be expected daily…"
Page 202 "…The senior passed midshipmen
now in the service are older than were Perry, Decatur, and Macdonough when they
achieved their victories, with so much renown to the country; the senior
lieutenants, past the age when military duty is required of the citizen in the
militia; and the commanders and captains, proportionally older…"
Pages 206-8 "…The attachment to the Naval Academy
of a practice ship, for the purpose of practical instruction in seamanship and
gunnery, in short cruises, under the direction of the superintendent…is
regarded as an improvement of great value…"
"… The deficiency of the articles of war for the government of the
navy has been so repeatedly brought to the attention of Congress in the reports
of my predecessors, that I could content myself on this head by a general
reference to them, but for the alteration made in these articles by a clause in
the appropriations act of the last session [i.e., the termination of
flogging]. As the department construes
that act, the punishment of whipping for any crime or offence, whether by the
judgment of a court-martial or the summary command of the chief officer of a
ship, is totally abolished. Deferring
entirely to this decision of the legislature, I deem it my duty to remind them
that the act in question has imposed on them the duty of revising the whole
system of offences and punishments in the navy without delay. Both officers and seamen should be early
informed, not only what is the rule of their conduct, but what penalty will be
incurred in case of its violation. The
punishment of whipping entered so largely into the code heretofore existing
since the foundation of the navy, that its abolition has left in the hands of
authority but few other sanctions than those of death and imprisonment; and its
simple prohibition, without any other change of the system, leaves the offender
still exposed to the extreme penalty of human law, to which stripes were in
many instances only a milder alternative…
"It is manifest, therefore, that, in all such cases, involving the
sentences of courts-martial, the recent legislation has in no degree abated the
severity of the naval code. But it was
probably the infliction of this punishment in a summary way, by the order of a commander of a ship, in which
there have, doubtless, at times, been abuses, which were the principal mischief
intended to be remedied. The alternative
in that case, and which now exists, is confinement in irons. Aside from any comparison in the degrees of
degradation of these two modes of punishment, it cannot fail to be observed
that the latter disables and weakens the ships' company by the amount of every
man confined, and would have few terrors for hardened offenders on the trying
occasions of a battle or a storm. It
must also be recollected that, existing at discretion, it is liable to the same
abuse with its alternative already mentioned, although not so effectual for the
enforcement of discipline. In view of
the difficulties which surround the subject, I availed myself of the presence
of a board of highly intelligent and experienced officers, assembled at the
seat of government for another purpose, to ask their opinion on several
questions connected with this change of discipline, and will probably be able
to communicate it within a few days. And
I respectfully suggest that a committee of Congress shall take the testimony on
oath of respectable and experienced seamen, as well as officers, in reference
to the discretionary punishments to be imposed by officers in command of single
ships…."
Page 220 B.
List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at the department, since
December 1, 1849 [excerpts].
Captain Daniel Turner - Philadelphia - 4 Feb
1850 Captain Jacob Jones - Philadelphia - 3 Aug
1850 Surgeon Waters Smith - New York Naval
Hospital - 19 Sep 1950 Chaplain Addison Searle - USS Cumberland - 2
Aug 1850
Page 221 List of resignations in the navy
since December 1, 1849 [excerpt].
Lieutenant Gough W. Grant - 15
Jul 1850
Page 222 List of dismissions in the navy
since December 1, 1849 [excerpt].
Purser D. McF. Thornton - 13 Jun 1850
November 29, 1851
Pages 11-2 "…But the most natural defect in our
naval code is that occasioned by the failure to provide any punishment, by way
of substitute, when corporal chastisement was abolished. To supply, in some degree, this deficiency, I
presented and recommended, at the last session of Congress, a substitute
proposed by a board of officers to whom the subject had been referred. In the present state of the law, there is no
power to inflict any punishment, except confinement in irons, or without,
unless by the sentence of a court-martial.
Such court must consist of not less than five, nor more than thirteen
commissioned officers, and be ordered by the President of the United States,
Secretary of the Navy, or commander of a fleet or squadron, "acting out of
the United States." It is manifest,
therefore, that there can be no other punishment, during a cruise, whether long
or short, except in vessels within the immediate reach of the commander of the
squadron; and on then, if there be at least five commissioned officers superior
to all legal exception, who can be detailed on a court. It being known that two vessels rarely cruise
together, but that single ships are detached on distant service, and are often
separated from the flag-ships, and from home for many months, it is apparent
that the delay of justice, the accused being, meanwhile, in confinement, is a
serious grievance to him. But when it is
remembered that the ends of punishment on ship-board are not merely for the
sake of example and reformation, but to secure a faithful and specific
execution of the contract of enlistment with the government, at the very time
when duty is required, and to protect the rights of the dutiful, the honest,
the peaceful, and orderly, any punishment, to be effectual, must be speedy and
certain. Confinement is ordinarily a
means of securing the accused from escape, and of preventing a repetition of
positive wrong: but to obstinate, indolent, or vicious men, some of whom will,
perhaps, be found in every ship's company, notwithstanding any precautions of
enlistment, it is not a sufficient remedy to enforce the performance of
positive duties. In civil life, no
provision is made by law for the specific fulfilment [sic] of contracts or
duties, except in a few equitable cases where the time of performance is not
material. The only remedy for failure,
in all others, is by indemnification in money, to be awarded by courts of
justice, held at periods regulated by the convenience of the community. In military affairs, or sea or on land, it is
far otherwise. Time, as well as alacrity
in performance, are of the very essence of the contract, and upon them may
depend the safety of the ship and her company from disaster at sea, as well as
the honor of her flag.
"Again, theft, unlawful violence, and other wrongs, must be kept
under wholesome restraints by the terror of punishment, at sea as well as on
shore. But a public ship carrying no
superfluous men, the service cannot, without injury, spare from daily duty
those who commit offenses during the time necessary for their
punishment, to say nothing of weakening the ship's company by this process, and
the imposition upon good men of double duty, and the menial service of waiting
on offenders while thus imprisoned. The
consequences of the change have been thus far detrimental to the service, and
it is apprehended will become more serious unless speedily remedied.
"When vessels arrive in port after a cruise, it is found impossible
to keep the men on board until a proper muster, exercise at quarters, and
inspection have taken place, which are the means adopted to ascertain whether
officers have done their duty in keeping their ships and crews in effective
condition. And independently of numerous
cases of delinquencies overlooked, or disposed of by discharge, honorable or
dishonorable, there have been nearly one hundred trials of enlisted men by
court-martial since the passage of the law in question.
"These details are exhibited, not to contravene the policy of the
legislature, but to demonstrate that the experiment of the abrogation of
whipping cannot be effectually tried until Congress shall prescribe some
substitute. Whether this shall be
by the adoption of the system
recommended by the board of officers above referred to, providing that courts-martial
may be ordered by each officer in command of a ship, and summarily held to
determine guilt, and then graduating punishments as therein stated, as well as
holding out rewards, or by some other more appropriate method, is referred to
the determination of Congress…" Page 13 "…the sloop-of-war Preble has
been attached to the academy as a practice ship, for instruction in practical
seamanship…"
Page 19 A.
List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at the department, since
December 1, 1850 [excerpts].
Captain
Alex. Wadsworth - Washington - 5 Apr 1851
Lieutenant Charles C. Barton -
Philadelphia - 28 Aug 1851
Page
21 List of resignations in
the navy since December 1, 1850 [excerpt].
Passed Assistant Surgeon Richard McSherry -
17 Apr 1851
Page 22 List of dismissions in the navy
since December 1, 1850 [excerpt].
Boatswain Ezra Chamberlain - 22 Mar 1851
Page 84
FRIGATES [excerpt]
Constitution, in ordinary -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -New York
December 4, 1852
Page 293 "…The African squadron is under
the command of Commodore Lavallette, whose flag-ship is the sloop-of-war
Germantown, Commander Nicholas. Besides
this vessel, it is composed of the sloops-of-war John Adams, Commander Barron,
and Dale, Commander Lardner, and the brigs Bainbridge, Lieutenant Manning, and
Perry, Lieutenant Page.
"Commodore Lavallette having nearly completed the period of his
cruise, will return to the United States in the Germantown as soon as he can be
relieved by Commodore Mayo, who will sail in the month of December, in the
frigate Constitution, with Commander Rudd in command. The Dale will be replaced by the Marion,
Commander Howard, which is now ready to sail.
"The steamer Vixen will be added to this command, for such rapid
communication with the coast and the trading points on the rivers as the duties
assigned to the squadron constantly require. "The
service on this station is arduous, and attended with many incidents to render
it far from being acceptable to those employed upon it. Constant vigilance and frequent intercourse
with a barbarous people on the coast, are the least of its discomforts. To these are added exposure to disease and
the irksome seclusion of a long voyage, which finds but small relief in visits
to a shore without attraction, and always dangerous to the stranger. The health of our ships on that station, I am
happy to report, has in general been well guarded by the useful sanitary
discipline which the experience of the service has, of late years, been able to
suggest and enforce, and we have now no longer to complain of such ravage by
the maladies of the climate as overtook those who were in times past consigned
to this service. "The time has come,
perhaps, when it may be properly commended to the notice of Congress to inquire
into the necessity of further continuing the regular employment of a squadron
on this coast. The slave trade may be
said to be now driven into a comparatively narrow space on the southern portion
of the coast, and confined to North and South Guinea; whilst the measures
recently adopted in Brazil, encourage the hope that this infamous traffic will
soon be abandoned altogether. A few
small vessels added to the Brazilian squadron, and directed to cruise in the
track of the slave ships, may be found effectual to suppress the last efforts
of that forbidden commerce, against which the abhorrence of all Christian
nations is awakened…"
Page 312-4 "…In obedience to a sentiment which
is prevalent throughout the country, and which is naturally suggested by those
impulses that distinctively characterize the opinions and habits of our people,
Congress has been recently led to the consideration of the ordinary mode of
punishment, which it had heretofore been supposed was necessary to the
preservation of the discipline of the navy.
The result of this consideration has been the passage of a law for the
entire abolition of corporal punishment on board our ships, both public and
private. This punishment, which for a
long time has been practiced in the navy and commercial marine, not only
without question as to its efficacy in maintaining the proper observance of
duty on ship-board, but which, indeed, had become so incorporated in the sober
conviction of both officers and men, as an indispensable necessity of the
service, that it had grown to be the most unquestioned usage and
generally-received incident of naval discipline, many judicious persons
believed might be dispensed with, not only most acceptably to the feelings of
the nation, but also without disadvantage to the service. The adoption of this opinion by Congress, in
the passage of the act of September, 1850, which forbade the accustomed penalty
without providing a substitute for it, has afforded the navy the opportunity to
make the experiment. I very sincerely
regret to say, that the records of this department, as well as the almost
entire concurrence of facts and opinions brought to my notice from authentic
sources, and vouched by intelligent and experienced observers, all tend to
indicate a most unsatisfactory result.
The omission of Congress to provide for a punishment of what may be
called minor offences against discipline and good order on shipboard, may
perhaps account, in part, for the failure; but the fact of the most serious
detriment to the efficiency of our service is so unhappily forced upon my
attention, as the effect of the recent change, that it becomes the gravest of
my duties at this time to lay the subject once more before Congress, and to ask
its attention to the consideration of such a corrective to the present
condition of the service as I am confident it must find to be indispensable to
the proper government of the navy.
"We have evidence furnished by this department, in the history of
almost every cruise, of acts of insubordination that not only impair the
usefulness of our ships, but which tend, also, to the gradual development of
habits among the seamen that threaten to lead to extensive and uncontrollable
mutinies. The multiplication of
courts-martial, and all the consequences of an increase of disorder and crime,
are among the least of the apparent and evils of the new system. The demoralization of both men and officers
is a yet more observable consequence.
The absence or prohibition of the usual punishments known to seamen, has
led to t he invention of new penalties of the most revolting kind, in the
application of which, full scope has been given, and the strongest provocations
administered to that exhibition of temper and passion, which, however natural
it may be to men of hasty and excitable natures, is seldom indulged without
leading to cruelties that must disgrace those who practice them, and, what is
more to be feared, raise a sentiment in the public mind hostile to the navy
itself. The seaman, believing himself
exempt from the speedy penalty of disobedience or neglect of duty, and looking
with indifference to the remote and uncertain proceeding of a court-martial
upon his delinquency, grows habitually contumacious to his superiors, and
infuses the same sentiment into his comrades; and in the very fact of the
diffusion of this spirit of insubordination, finds grounds to hope for immunity
from punishment, naturally enough believing that what has grown to be common
and frequent, will also come to be more lightly considered when he is summoned
to a trial at the end of his cruise. It
may excite some surprise in the statement of what I learn to be true, that the
most frequent complaints against the abolition of corporal punishment are made,
in great part, by the seamen themselves.
The difficulties arising out of its abrogation, and the absence of any
substitute for it, now constitute the most prominent obstacles to the ready
supply of our squadrons with seamen.
This department is familiar with complaints from the recruiting
stations, of the difficulty of enlisting the better class of seamen. Of that large number of men who have
heretofore constituted the pride of our navy, by their good seamanship and
highly respectable personal deportment -- composing, I rejoice to say, the
great body of the mariners who have sustained the honor and glory of our flag
in its most perilous as well as in its most useful career -- of these men, it
is a fact which invites the deepest concern of Congress, we are daily deprived,
by their refusal to enter again into the service, until, as they ask, they
shall have some assurance that a better system of discipline may be
restored. They reasonably complain that,
whilst the worst portions of the crew are placed under arrest, and are exempt,
in consequence, from the severe duties of the deck, they find their toil
increased by the constantly recurring exigencies which compel them, for weeks
and months during a cruise, to perform the extra work which the reduction of
the force of the ship inevitably throws upon them. So oppressively is this evil felt, that I
have reason to believe, if the best seamen, who have heretofore been accustomed
to man our ships, could find an occasion to express their wishes to Congress, a
majority of the whole number would be seen to prefer a restoration of that form
of punishment which has been forbidden, rather than be subject to the
severities imposed upon them by the present condition of disorder in naval
discipline…"
Page
328 A. List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at the department, since December 1, 1851 [excerpts].
Surgeon Daniel C. McLeod - Pensacola naval
hospital - 1 Sep 1852 Surgeon Jonathan Cowdery - Norfolk - 21 Nov
1852 Boatswain John Featherston - Pensacola NY -
30 Oct 1852
December 5, 1853
Pages 298-9 "…The African squadron, Commodore
Mayo, consists of his flagship the Constitution, Commander Rudd; the sloop
Marion, Commander Purviance; and the brig Perry, Lieutenant R. L. Page. The Dale, Commander Whittle, sailed from
Boston, to join this squadron, on the 17th October…
"The opinion has heretofore been frequently expressed, that there
is no necessity for a squadron of so many guns on the coast of Africa; and that
notice should be given to Great Britain, under the terms of the treaty in
regard to the suppression of the slave trade, so as to be relieved from its
obligations. The commerce on that coast
has, of late years, increased so greatly, and American ships trading in that
region have multiplied so much, that I am satisfied that the squadron is
needed, and is very effective in protecting our citizens, as well as
suppressing the slave trade…"
Page 303 "…The practice ship attached to
the academy should be a steamer…"
Pages 316-8 "…The abolition of punishment by
flogging, without legalizing some substitute therefore [sic], has already
occupied the attention of Congress and the country, and severely tested the
forbearance and ingenuity of officers, and the character of our seamen. This subject has engaged my earnest and
anxious inquiry, and I have no hesitation in expressing an opinion against its
restoration. Having recently visited
many of the ships in commission, conversed with the veteran sailors, and listened
to the narratives of officers who have had the command of large crews since the
law of 1850, my decided conviction, concurred in, too, by many officers who
originally opposed its abolition, is, that its restoration would create
discontent and desertion, and prove positively prejudicial to the efficiency of
that branch of the public service. But, at the same time, I cannot too
seriously urge the policy of legalizing some substitute therefore [sic].
"It is said that the confinement of the disorderly and refractory
seamen is but little punishment to them, but rather burdensome and
oppressive to the faithful, whose increased labors make them the
sufferers, and create a reluctance on the part of good sailors to remain in the
service. This suggestion merits
consideration. I propose a remedy, by
which the punishment of the indolent and deserter will increase the pay
of the faithful, and thereby tend to promote his contentment instead of murmurs.
"The sailor on shore is reckless and wasteful; afloat he is
remarkably avaricious, and daily counts over the balances due him, and
estimates his reckonings of pleasures at the end of his cruise by the amounts
he hopes to realize.
"If the good sailor does the work of the indifferent, punish the
laggard by a forfeiture of pay -- not to the government, but to
the faithful sailor -- and he will do the additional labor with
additional good will, and without a murmur.
"If the deserter leaves his shipmates overtasked with
increased burdens by his desertion, change the present regulation -- let the
deserter's pay be forfeited to the faithful portion of the crew, and
not, as now, to the government.
"Instead of investing the commander of the ship with this
responsibility, in cases involving either the forfeiture of pay or a discharge
from the service, let a commission of a certain number of the officers of the
ship be detailed and constituted a court, whose decisions shall be subject to
the approving power pf the commanding officer.
This would be very simple -- would break the force of captious caviling
at the single judgment of the commander, and would obviate the necessity,
expense, delay, and demoralizing influence of frequent courts-martial for minor
offences upon the arrival of every ship in port. In very aggravated cases, this minor court
could recommend a more solemn court-martial, composed, as at present, of a
higher class of officers.
"Let this minor court on every ship, with the approving, reversing,
or mitigating power of the officer in command, have plenary power to confine
offenders, with a reduction of rations, with or without pay. Empower the commander, upon the
recommendation of this commission, to discharge offenders, with
forfeiture of pay. Let the fund accruing
from the forfeited pay of the imprisoned, the discharged, and the deserters,
constitute a merit fund -- not to be distributed until the termination
of the cruise, and then to be distributed according to the judgment of this
commission, based upon the conduct of the crew, to those who have been by them
adjudged on the homeward-bound passage to have been meritorious and faithful,
and loyal to their flag. The fund thus
accruing from various sources, at the end of a long cruise would constitute a
prize sufficient to stimulate the crew to win a share by fidelity to the
end. And the forfeiture of pay, with
confinement and reduction of rations, would diminish offences.
"The establishment of this tribunal on each ship-of-war on a cruise
would tend much to secure obedience from the crew to those who command, and thus,
instead of flogging and other degrading punishments, substitute close
confinement, forfeiture of pay, reduction of rations, denial of liberty and
shore privileges. This would punish the
offending. Let the 'honorable
discharge,' temporary leave of absence pay, the distribution of the merit fund,
liberty and shore privileges, be the reward of the meritorious and true…"
Page 322 A.
List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at the department, since 1st
December, 1852 [excerpt].
Captain Charles W. Morgan - Washington NY - 5
Jan 1853 Page 403 Excerpt from an enclosed letter from
the Superintendent of the Naval Academy, dated 14 June 1853:
"1. The 'practice ship,' as
at present fitted, cannot accommodate more than fifty students, with the necessary
officers and men. There will be this
year about fifty students embarked on board; next year there will be about
sixty; and in all succeeding years I suppose the number will be about
seventy-five -- this is a greater number than can be accommodated on board the
'Preble.' As it is thus apparent that a
larger ship will be necessary for the practical instruction of the students in
seamanship, &c., I would respectfully suggest the propriety of a
frigate-built ship being built of provided for a 'practice ship,' and that this
ship should have auxiliary steam power.
In a ship of this kind the students could be instructed, during their
cruises, both in seamanship, navigation, gunnery, and the management of
steamships. I consider this a matter of
great importance, as every year steam is more and more applied to sea-going
vessels, and particularly to men-of-war…"
December 4, 1854
Pages 386-7 "…The African Squadron, Commodore
Isaac Mayo, consists of his flagship, the frigate Constitution, Commander J.
Rudd; the sloops-of-war Marion, Commander H. Y. Purviance, and Dale, Commander
Wm. C. Whittle. The brig Perry,
Lieutenant R. L. Page, after having been on the station two years, arrived at
Norfolk on the 15th of July.
The Constitution and the Marion will be relieved early in the ensuing
year, at which time they will have been two years on that station.
"The vessels of this squadron have been actively, and in many
instances successfully, engaged in checking the slave trade, and some of them
have been regularly cruising on the coasts most frequented by slavers. The officers in command have also had it in
their power to render assistance to merchant vessels in distress, and to our
growing commerce, exposed to many dangers of the African coast…"
Pages 394-5 "…I am very far from recommending the
restoration of punishment by flogging.
In my opinion, the experience of the Nay, at least, justifies its
abrogation… And yet [all] concur in the
necessity of prescribing and legalizing some substitute; accompanied, however,
with a plan of reward as well as punishment; punishment prompt, sure,
in order to restrain the offender and deter the inconsiderate; reward
equally sure and generous, to encourage fidelity and prompt
respectability. It is not the severity
but the certainty and promptness of punishment which promotes
discipline. The sailor who now commits
an offence aboard ship remote from home and he flag-ship, knows that he cannot
be tried possibly for months, until the vessel arrives in port or falls
in with the Commodore of the squadron.
"I consider it all-important that the commander of any vessel
should be authorized by law to order a summary court-martial for the trial of
the petty officers and those below them; that they should have the power to
punish by dishonorable discharge in any port; by confinement on reduced
rations and without pay, with extra labor and denial of shore privilege. When the seaman knows that these punishments
can be promptly inflicted by the officers in command of the ship, he has much
to deter him from disobedience.
"But, in order successfully to invite diligent and enterprising
men, they must know that their integrity will be commended, and their
faithfulness remembered. An honorable
discharge, leave-of-absence pay, shore-privilege, and the confidence of the
officers, will animate and encourage them.
I hope I may be excused for repeating…'Whenever a ship-of-war now
returns from her three years' cruise, the officers are detached, and granted a
leave of absence for three months, with leave-of-absence pay, but the seamen
are peremptorily discharged -- disconnected from the service. If they have been meritorious, I propose that
on their return they be granted an "honorable discharge," (to be
considered a leave of absence on pay,) if within a certain time they choose to
re-enlist in the service. This would
possess a two-fold virtue -- of fair and generous treatment at parting, an
invitation to continue a member of a family caring for them during a temporary
absence'…"
Page 401 "…I shall avail myself of the
first opportunity when the service will permit, to substitute a steamer for the
sloop now used as practice ship…"
Page 405 A.
List of deaths in he navy, as ascertained at the department since
December 1, 1853 [excerpts].
Captain Thomas W. Wyman - Florence, Italy -
24 Feb 1854 Surgeon Bailey Washington - Washington - 4
Aug 1854 Surgeon William Turk - Newark, NJ - 20 Nov
1854
Page 406 List of resignations in the navy
since December 1, 1853 [excerpt].
Surgeon Charles Guillou - 16
Sep 1854
December 3, 1855
Pages 5-6 "…Commodore Isaac Mayo, who
recently commanded this [African] squadron, returned with his flag-ship, the
Constitution, to the United States on the 2d of June, entering the
port of Portsmouth, N.H. When within
three or four hundred miles of Portsmouth, he received intelligence which
induced him to alter his course and proceed to Havana for the purpose of
volunteering his services and that of his ship to Commodore McCauley if
required. The appearance of the Constitution
there was opportune and impressive….
"The vessels of this squadron have been regularly cruising within
the limits of their station, affording relief, whenever opportunity offered, to
merchant vessels, and also taking care of the interests of Americans in that
portion of the world. The Department has
recent advices that the slave trade south of the equator is entirely broken
up…"
Pages 15-6 "…Encouraging evidence has reached
the Department, from both officers and crew, of the high appreciation of the
'honorable discharges' authorized by an act of the last Congress… Although at the present date the demand for
seamen is so great in the merchant marine that enlistments are not as numerous
as desired, yet it is a remarkable fact, for the six months preceding the
passage of this act there were but 896 men enlisted, and for the six months
immediately after its passage there were 2,816 men…"
Pages 25-6 A.
List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at the Department, since
December 1, 1854 [excerpts].
Captain Henry E. Ballard - Near Annapolis -
23 May 1855 Lieutenant William C. Chaplin - Chelsea
hospital - 30 Apr 1855
Page 29 List of dismissions in the navy
since December 1, 1855 {excerpt].
Sailmaker B. Burchsted - 7 May 1855
Page 70 "…The board…inspected the
practice ship Preble, now ready to receive the second and fourth classes…for
the…summer cruise… …the Preble has not
the capacity to accommodate them properly.
The number next year may be greater, and a ship adapted in all respects
for the service should be provided. She
should be fully rigged and fitted with auxiliary steam-power…"
Page 130 "…To the list of the vessels of
which the cost of repairs would equal that of building a new ship, may be now
added the 'Constitution,' shown by a recent survey to be in a very decayed and
unseaworthy condition. If it is thought
proper to rebuild that ship, an additional appropriation will be
necessary…" -- John Lenthall.
Roll 4
December 1, 1856
Page 415 "…'The Constitution frigate, with
a complement of 475 men officers and men, during a cruise of two years and five
months on that station (African) terminating in June 1855, lost but one man by
disease; thirty-six went sent home as invalids…'"
Page 426 A. -- List of deaths in the navy,
as ascertained at the department, since December 1, 1855 [excerpts].
Captain Charles Morris - Washington - 14 Dec
1855 Captain Isaac McKeever - Norfolk NY - 1 Apr
1856
Lieutenant Charles W. Aby - USS
Saratoga - 16 Oct 1856
December 3, 1857
Page 588 A.
List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at the department, since
December 1, 1856 {excerpts].
Captain Foxhall A. Parker - Philadelphia - 23
Nov 1857 Lieutenant Henry Darcantel - Philadelphia - 9
Mar 1857 Lieutenant Isaac G. Strain - Aspinwall, New
Granada - 14 May 1857
December 6,1858
NOTHING
December 2, 1859
Page 1155 A.
List of deaths ion the navy, as ascertained at the department, since
December 1, 1858 [excerpt].
Commander Gabriel G. Williamson - Warrington,
FL - 16 Oct 1859
Page 1160 "…We would urge strongly, as many
reports made previously to this one have done, the importance of having the
practice-ship here whenever not cruising with the acting midshipmen. This would enable those of the first year to
accustom themselves to going aloft, and also permit the teachers of seamanship
to impress on all the leading of rigging and other things of like character, in
a way that with books and models alone is almost impossible…"
Page 1224 "…The appended list will show what
vessels have been repaired, and have had work executed on them during the
fiscal year ending June, 1859:
AT
KITTERY, MAINE.
Frigates Constitution, Santee…"
Roll 5
December 1, 1860
Pages 3-4 "…Of he sailing frigates, the
United States is not worth repairing; the Constitution has been thoroughly
repaired, and would last many years at the Naval Academy, where she is now
stationed; the Sabine and Santee are comparatively new, and can be used as
frigates; the remaining six, as they shall require repairs, should be converted
into sloops-of-war, and finally into store ships, and as such would be useful
for stores and for protection in various foreign ports…"
Page 7 "…The measure adopted a year
ago of placing the fourth class on board the sloop-of-war Plymouth, attached to
the academy, has proved entirely successful.
I have caused the frigate Constitution to be substituted for the
Plymouth, and to be anchored in the harbor of Annapolis for the accommodation
of the fourth class. The historic
recollections associated with this ship will exert a salutary influence on the
minds of youth devoting themselves to the naval service. It accommodates all the sections of the
fourth class with study and recitation rooms, and the officers and acting
midshipmen and the crew of the ship with sleeping and mess apartments…"
Page 23 A. List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at the
department, since December 1, 1859 [excerpts].
Captain Horace B. Sawyer - Washington - 14
Feb 1860 Captain David Geisinger - Philadelphia - 5
Mar 1860 Lieutenant Andrew F. V. Gray - Near Havana -
15 Mar 1860
July 4, 1861
Page 93 "…The Naval School and public
property at Annapolis attracted the attention of the disloyal and disaffected
about the period when the conspiracy culminated. Some demonstrations were made towards seizing
the property, and also the frigate Constitution, which had been placed at
Annapolis, in connexion with the school, for the benefit of the youths who were
being educated for the public service.
Prompt measures rescued the frigate and government property from
desecration and plunder, and the young men, under the superintendence and
guidance of Captain Blake, contributed, in no small degree, to the result. As it was impossible, in the then existing
condition of affairs in Annapolis and in Maryland, to continue the school at
that point, and as the valuable public property was in jeopardy, it became
necessary to remove the institution elsewhere…"
December 2, 1861
Page 158 A.
List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at the department, since
December 1, 1860 [excerpts].
Captain William M. Armstrong - Norfolk - 1
Jul 1861 Lieutenant William C. B. S. Porter - USS Levant
- Sep/Oct 1860
Lieutenant Colville Terrett -
USS Levant - Sep/Oct 1860
Pages 160-1 List of resignations in the navy since
December 1, 1860 [excerpts].
Commander Charles H. McBlair -
22 Apr 1861 Lieutenant
Alexander F. Warley - 24 Dec 1860
Lieutenant Thomas P. Pelot -
11 Jan 1861 Lieutenant C. Manigault Morris - 29 Jan 1861 Lieutenant Bushrod W. Hunter - 23 Apr 1861 Lieutenant John N. Maffitt - 2 May 1861
Pages 165-9 List of dismissions in the navy since
December 1, 1860 [excerpts].
Captain Isaac Mayo - 18 May 1861
Commander Richard L. Page - 18
Apr 1861 Lieutenant
Robert B. Pegram - 17 Apr 1861
Carpenter Henry G. Thomas -
27 Jul 1861
December 1, 1862
Page 39 "…By the law of December 21,
1861…the President was authorized to select any officer from the grades of
captain or commander and assign him to the command of a squadron, with the rank
and title of 'flag-officer,' and the officer thus assigned was to have command
in full as if he were the senior officer of the squadron.
"The officers of our blockading squadrons and of the Mississippi
flotilla were recognized as flag-officers until the passage of the act of the
16th of July establishing the grade of rear admiral, when they
received that appointment…"
Page 532 A.
List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at the department, since
December 1, 1861 [excerpts].
Rear Admiral George C. Read - Philadelphia -
22 Aug 1862 Rear Admiral Eli A. F. Lavallette -
Philadelphia - 18 Nov 1862 Captain John Percival - Dorchester, MA - 17
Sep 1862
Page 538 "…The introduction of a
school-ship is, in the judgment of the board, a decided improvement upon the
original plan of the academy. In it the
acting midshipmen receive their first impressions of the service for which they
are to be educated, and the board is of the opinion that better care can be taken
of the members of the fourth class on board of the school-ship than on shore,
and that there is ample evidence to show that as good progress in studies can
be made on board as on shore. In the
belief that the number of students in the academy will be considerably
increased, the board recommends that a large ship, or one with greater
accommodation than the Constitution, be employed…"
Roll 6
December 7, 1863
Page XXVII "…The total number of midshipmen on
the 12th of November was four hundred and sixty-three. Of these, two hundred and eight, highest in
academic rank, are quartered on shore in buildings rented for the purpose. The residue are on board the school-ships
Santee and Constitution, the junior class being on the latter ship…"
Page 589 A.
List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at the department, since
December 1, 1862 [excerpts].
Commander George W. Rodgers - Off Charleston
- 18 Aug 1863
Lieutenant Commander John E.
Hart - Below Port Hudson, LA - 11 Jun
1863
Roll 7
December 5, 1864
Page XXXVI "…Congress having by the act approved
May 21, 1864, directed that 'the United States Naval Academy shall be returned
to, and established at, the Naval Academy grounds in Annapolis, in the State of
Maryland, before the commencement of the academic year eighteen hundred and
sixty-five,' it will be necessary that preparations should be commenced for
putting the buildings and grounds in order a early in the ensuing spring as the
War Department can leave them…"
Roll 8
December 4, 1865
Page XXII "…The number of midshipmen at the
Naval Academy is four hundred and fifty-one…Of those who annually present
themselves under the present system, one-fifth fail to pass a satisfactory
physical or mental examination. Nearly
thirty-three per cent. [sic] fail the first year, and finally only about
twenty-five per cent. [sic] of those who enter the academy graduate…" |
The Captain's Clerk |