Stewart Allan Manahan, 1887-1972.
Stewart Allan Manahan, 1887-1972.

Guide to the Stewart Allan Manahan Papers, 1906-1964

MS 352

A collection in the
Special Collections & Archives Department,
Nimitz Library

Naval Academy Seal

United States Naval Academy
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, MD 21402-5029

Prepared by: David D'Onofrio
(Original Guide by Mary R. Catalfamo)

February 2010

Descriptive Summary

Provenance:
The Stewart Allan Manahan Papers were donated to the Special Collections & Archives Department by Ms. Alice Grinnell. Accession Nos. 99-119 and 00-21.
Size:
6.5 linear inches.
Access:
Access to the Stewart Allan Manahan Papers is unrestricted.
Copyright:
The Stewart Allan Manahan are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.
Permission:
It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information
Preferred Citation:
Stewart Allan Manahan Papers, MS 352
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy

Biographical Chronology

1887 Born March 1 in Chicago, Illinois to Frank J. and Julia May Pinkney Manahan.
1905 Enters the United States Naval Academy, having been appointed from Ohio.
1909 On June 4, graduates from the United States Naval Academy.
In July, reports aboard U.S.S. Nebraska (Battleship: BB-14).
1911 In June, is transferred to U.S.S. Celtic (Store Ship: AF-2).
On June 5, is commissioned as an Ensign.
1912 In April, is detached from U.S.S. Celtic.
On July 30, reports aboard U.S.S. Flusser (Destroyer: DD-20).
On October 28, is transferred to U.S.S. Baltimore (Cruiser: C-3).
On November 12, is transferred to U.S.S. Tonopah (Monitor: BM-8) after Baltimore is placed out of commission due to a hull leak. Tonopah was serving as a submarine tender at the time.
1913 On November 14, receives command of U.S.S. Severn (Bark), which was serving as a submarine tender for the 1st Submarine Division.
1914 On June 5, is promoted to Lieutenant, Junior Grade.
1915 In the fall, is detached from U.S.S. Severn.
On October 23, assumes duty as District Radio Officer (later District Communication Officer) for the 6th Naval District in Charleston, South Carolina. Also serves additional duty as District Intelligence Officer.
1917 In April, is promoted to Lieutenant.
On October 24, reports for duty aboard U.S.S. Arkansas (Battleship: BB-33) as Aide to Rear Admiral T.S. Rogers and Division Radio Officer for Battleship Division 7.
On November 13, transfers to U.S.S. Connecticut (Battleship: BB-18)
1918 On February 15, assumes duties as Aide to Rear Admiral J.H. Glennon following Glennon's relief of Rear Admiral Rogers.
On April 10, reports for duty as Executive Officer of U.S.S. Lenape (Troop transport: ID-2700).
On August 21, is detached from U.S.S. Lenape for destroyer duty in European waters.
On October 3, reports aboard U.S.S. Drayton (Destroyer: DD-23).
On December 9, is detached from U.S.S. Drayton.
1919 On February 4, reports aboard U.S.S. New York (Battleship: BB-34) for duty as Division Radio Officer for Battleship Division 6.
On June 30, is detached from U.S.S. New York.
On July 1, reports aboard U.S.S. New Mexico (Battleship: BB-40), flagship of the Pacific Fleet, for duty on the staff of Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, Admiral Hugh Rodman.
1921 On May 10, is detached from the staff of Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, Admiral Hugh Rodman and returns home to await orders.
On June 20, reports to Chief of Bureau of Engineering.
On June 25, assigned as Officer-in-Charge of the Ship Section of the Bureau of Engineering, Radio Division.
On July 1, is promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
1923 On October 5, is detached from the Bureau of Engineering and ordered to Istanbul to join U.S.S. Denebola (Destroyer tender: AD-12) as Repair Officer.
On November 20, receives command of U.S.S. Parrott (Destroyer: DD-218).
1924 On June 2, accompanies Admiral Philip Andrews to the King's Levee at St. James Palace as part of additional duty.
In May, Destroyer Division 39, including U.S.S. Parrott, is ordered to return to the United States.
1925 In June, U.S.S. Parrott joins the Asiatic Fleet.
On August 31, is detached from command of U.S.S. Parrott, and is transferred to Manila, Philippines for duty as Asiatic Communication Officer.
1927 In October, is detached from the Communication Office in Manila and reports to the Puget Sound Navy Yard.
1928 On January 27, is assigned to the Bureau of Engineering.
1929 On August 31, receives command of U.S.S. Humphreys (Destroyer: DD-236).
1930 In December, is detached from U.S.S. Humphreys.
On December 15, reports to the Bureau of Engineering.
1931 On May 1, is promoted to Commander.
1934 On February 10, is assigned to U.S.S. Marblehead (Light cruiser: CL-12).
1936 In June, is detached from U.S.S. Marblehead.
On July 1, is appointed a member of the naval mission to Brazil.
1938 On June 23, is promoted to Captain.
On December 10, receives command of U.S.S. Memphis (Light cruiser: CL-13).
1940 On July 12, is appointed Marine Superintendent of the Panama Canal Zone.
1945 On April 3, receives temporary promotion to Commodore.
In October, receives the Legion of Merit.
1946 On August 31, is relieved as Marine Superintendent of the Panama Canal.
On November 1, retires with the rank of Commodore.
1972 On January 3, dies and is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Scope and Content Note

The Stewart Allan Manahan Papers, comprising 6.5 linear inches of documentation, span from 1906 until 1964. The papers focus on the various tours of duty of Manahan's U.S. Navy career, with an emphasis on his tour as Marine Superintendent of the Panama Canal.

The Manahan Papers consist primarily of two scrapbooks and a reunion book, as well as a photograph and a reunion dinner menu. The scrapbooks are composed of photographs, postcards, invitations, visiting cards, telegrams, official naval memoranda, press clippings, event tickets, event programs, and itineraries.

The Manahan Papers are arranged alphabetically by document type into a single series with no subdivisions. The bulk of the papers consist of two scrapbooks produced throughout the course of Manahan's career. The first scrapbook focuses on Manahan's career from 1909 until 1925, and contains materials pertaining to his various duty stations, including photographs of the ships and crews with which he served. The scrapbook also includes a section spanning from 1933 to 1940 that focuses on Manahan's relationship with, and the death of, Admiral Hugh Rodman. The second scrapbook focuses primarily on Manahan's service as Marine Superintendent of the Panama Canal from 1940 to 1946, including many of the communications, such as holiday greetings, sent by Manahan to those under his command. The volume also contains a section dating back as far as 1906, consisting of complimentary passes for the Panama Railroad Company. Located throughout the scrapbooks, especially the first volume, are extensive annotations by Manahan regarding his activities and experiences.

The remainder of the collection consists of three additional items, two of which pertain to reunions of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1909. One item, a reunion book entitled Fiftieth Anniversary: United States Naval Academy Class of 1909, includes press clippings and other minor ephemera elaborating on specific class members and other reunion activities dating as late as 1964. The other reunion item is a menu from the class's 1929 reunion dinner. Also included in the collection is a single, loose photograph.

Research areas served by the Manahan papers include Manahan's personal history, and that of the administration of the Panama Canal during and after World War II.

Container List

Box Folder  
1 1 Photograph, undated

Group photograph featuring Peruvian Ambassador Adolpho Arias and his wife.
2 Reunion Materials - Class Dinner Menu, May 31, 1929

Menu for the United States Naval Academy Class of 1909 20th Reunion Dinner.
3 Reunion Materials - Fiftieth Anniversary: United States Naval Academy Class of 1909, 1959-1964

Reunion book including press clippings and ephemera dating through 1964.
Box Folder
2[OS] 1 Scrapbook, 1909-1925 and 1933-1940

Includes materials pertaining to ships' crews and sports teams, dances, recreational activities, Armistice Day, the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Constantinople (Istanbul), and Admiral Hugh Rodman.
2 Scrapbook, 1906-1915 and 1940-1946

Includes materials pertaining to Manahan's appointment and service as Marine Superintendent of the Panama Canal Zone, Manahan's Legion of Merit, and notable transits through the Panama Canal.