Letter books of the U.S.S. Saratoga, U.S.S. New Ironsides, and Pacific fleet 1858-1870

ArchivalResource

Letter books of the U.S.S. Saratoga, U.S.S. New Ironsides, and Pacific fleet, 1858-1870

Letter books of the U.S.S. Saratoga, U.S.S. New Ironsides, and Pacific fleet 1858-1870

http://archives.nypl.org/mss/3049

This collection consists of 15 volumes of letter books and indexes kept by Thomas Turner, Commander, Commodore, and Rear Admiral of the United States Navy on board the U.S.S. Saratoga, the U.S.S. New Ironsides, and various ships in the Pacific fleet. The Saratoga letter book dates from June 18, 1858 to June 22, 1860, and includes correspondence while cruising the West Indies and coast of Mexico relating to guano on Navassa Island, affairs at Tampico, relations with British and French, protection of Americans at Vera Cruz, blockade of the Mississippi River, and capture of two armed ships near Vera Cruz. The New Ironsides letter book dates from August 19, 1862 to July 6, 1863, with letters dated at Philadelphia, Newport News, and off Charleston relating to New Ironsides, her serviceability, defects in design and equipment, orders of senior officers at Newport News and of blockading squadron off Charleston, actions of H.M.S. Petrel, report on attack against Charleston, and efficiency of the ship in battle. The remaining letter books relate to the Pacific fleet, dating from August 6, 1868 to July 27, 1870, and include official correspondence on relief work after the 1868 Peru earthquake; report on defects of the Navy due to the administration of Gideon Welles; politics in Hawaii; controversy with Admiral Farragut; U. S. relations with Mexico, Central and South America; and General Orders of Admirals T. T. Craven, T. Turner, and of the Navy Department

1.46 linear feet (15 volumes)

New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division