Harry Phelps, 1861-1919.

Guide to the Harry Phelps Papers, 1877-1913

MS 289

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

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

Prepared by: David D'Onofrio
(Original Guide by Mary R. Catalfamo, 1994)

August 2008

Descriptive Summary

Provenance:

Purchase. Accession No. 93-69.

Size:

5 linear inches.

Access:

Access to the Harry Phelps Papers is unrestricted.

The Harry Phelps Papers 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:

Harry Phelps Papers, MS 289
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy

Biographical Chronology

1861	Born February 2 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Henry E. and Julia A. (Truesdale) Phelps.
1876	On September 15, is appointed to the United States Naval Academy from the State of New Jersey.
1880	In June, graduates fourth in his class from the United States Naval Academy.
	Is attached to the screw steamer U.S.S. Quinnebaug, which served in the European Station, primarily in the Mediterranean.
1882	On June 22, receives commission in the United States Navy as midshipman.
	In late summer, is attached to the schooner Palinurus of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey.
1883	On March 3, is promoted to Ensign (junior grade).
	On April 1, marries Mary E. Thompson.
1884	On June 26, is promoted to the rank of Ensign.
	Attached to U.S.S. Ranger, which was engaged in hydrographic work off Baja California, Central America, and in the north Pacific Ocean.
1888	Assigned to the Mathematics Department at the United States Naval Academy as an instructor beginning in the 1888-1889 academic year.
1889	Authors Practical Marine Surveying, published by J. Wiley and Sons.
1891	In early summer, is attached to the screw gunboat U.S.S. Yantic, which was serving in the South Atlantic Station.
1892	On June 19, receives promotion to the rank of Lieutenant (junior grade).
	Is attached to U.S.S. Bennington (PG-4), which served in the European Station celebrating the quatercentenary of Columbus’ discovery of America, including the delivery of a replica of Pinta to Cuba.
1893	On August 8, U.S.S. Bennington is redeployed to the Mediterranean until April 1894.
1894	Assigned to the Department of Mechanics and Applied Mathematics at the United States Naval Academy as an instructor beginning in the 1894-1895 academic year.
1896	On May 10, is promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
1897	In February, is attached to the second class battleship U.S.S. Texas, which was then serving in the North Atlantic Squadron.
1898	On May 21, U.S.S. Texas arrives off Cuba as part of the Flying Squadron.
	On June 16, U.S.S. Texas, accompanied by U.S.S. Marblehead, bombards the fort on Cayo del Tore in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
1900	On July 18, is transferred to the Office of Naval Intelligence.
1901	On December 2, is attached to U.S.S. Cincinnati (C-7), which was protecting Americans in Haiti, Santa Domingo and Panama, as well as offering relief to Martinique following the eruption of Mount Pelee.
1902	On June 8, receives promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
1903	In summer, is transferred to U.S.S. Helena (PG-9), which operated off the coast of China until its decommissioning in April 1905.
1905	On March 27, is transferred to the office of the Judge Advocate General in Washington, D.C.
1907	On July 1, is promoted to the rank of Commander.
1908	In March, is attached to U.S.S. Wisconsin (BB-9) to aid in the ship's fitting out at Puget Sound Navy Yard.
	In July, is detached from U.S.S. Wisconsin for medical treatment.
1909	On March 20, is granted command of U.S.S. Culgoa, which served as a supply ship off the east coast of the United States and in European waters.
1911	On March 4, receives promotion to the rank of Captain.
	On June 30, retires to Southport, North Carolina with the rank of Commodore.
1918	On April 18, is recalled to active duty, serving at the Norfolk Navy Yard, aboard U.S.S. Louisiana (BB-19), and as a member of a general court-martial.
1919	On December 23, dies from injuries sustained in an automobile accident, and is subsequently buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Selected Bibliography

Hamersly, Lewis R. The Records of Living Officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Philadelphia: L. R. Hamersly & Co., 1890.

Navy Department. Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Naval History Division. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1959-1981.

"Obituary," Army and Navy Journal. Washington, D.C.: Army and Navy Journal, Inc., January 3, 1920.

Who Was Who in America. Chicago: A.N. Marquis Company, 1962.

Scope and content Note

The Harry Phelps Papers, comprising five linear inches of documentation, spans Phelps' thirty-six year naval career, covering from 1877 to 1913. The papers, consisting primarily of letters written by Phelps to his mother, encompass Phelps' time as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy, his work with various hydrographic survey teams, and his time at the Judge Advocate General office in Washington, D.C.

The collection consists almost exclusively of hand-written letters, as well as several news clippings, demerit records, a portrait, and a receipt.

The Harry Phelps Papers are arranged alphabetically by document type into a single series with no subdivisions. The bulk of the collection consists of letters written by Phelps to his mother, although several letters are addressed to either Phelps' father or a woman (possibly Phelps' sister) referred to as Hattie. The letters touch upon nearly every phase of Phelps' naval career, with heavy concentrations from his days as a student at the United States Naval Academy, time spent doing survey work for the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey and aboard U.S.S. Ranger off the west coast of North and Central America, and from his duties at the office of the Judge Advocate General in Washington, D.C. Smaller concentrations of letters are the product of Phelps' service in the waters of the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia aboard several U.S. ships, including Quinnebaug, Cincinnati, Bennington, Helena, Culgoa, Yantic, Texas, and Wisconsin. Noticeably absent from the collection are any letters from Phelps' service during the Spanish American War of 1898, or from his recall to active duty in 1918. In addition to discussing Phelps' daily routines and specific incidents, the letters also make frequent mention of life on the home front and of the persistent sluggishness of mail service. The remainder of the collection consists of several demerit records from Phelps' time as a student, news clippings (primarily focusing on the survey work of U.S.S. Ranger), and several miscellaneous communications.

Research interests served by the Harry Phelps Papers include midshipman life at the United States Naval Academy, naval survey work, the history and duties of the U.S.S. Ranger, and the nature of diplomatic work carried out on the European Station.

Related Collections

Additional material pertaining to Phelps' career, in the form of orders, examinations, reports, ships logs, photographs, and additional correspondence, constitutes the Harry Phelps Papers (Call Number PC.1479) at the North Carolina State Archives.

Ships and Shipyard Scenes, California, 1887 [microfilm: selected photographs from Harry Phelps papers] at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, excerpted from the Harry Phelps Papers at the North Carolina State Archives, consists of samples of photographs taken by Phelps while serving aboard U.S.S. Ranger.

Container List

Box	Folder
1	1	Correspondence, 1877
		From US Naval Academy. Descriptions of Academy life and activities, such as drills, plebe/upper class relations, and hazing. Specific incidents include a fire aboard U.S.S. Dale (April 1).
	2	Correspondence, January-March 1878
		From US Naval Academy. Descriptions of Academy life, including studies, dances, lab classes (February 5), writing exercises and football (February 25 and March 10), as well as a mutiny aboard a British bark (March 10), and the burial of victims from the iron sloop-rigged steamer U.S.S. Huron (March 31).
	3	Correspondence, April-December 1878
		From US Naval Academy. Accounts of Phelps’ academic performance, inter class relations, training aboard U.S.S. Dale, a collision between U.S. ships Dale and Phlox during training (October 13), and attendance at a Christmas costume ball (December 26).
	4	Correspondence, January-June 1879
		From US Naval Academy and U.S.S. Constellation. Descriptions of Academy life, including classes and examinations, gunnery practice (March 30), signal drills (May 21), and summer cruises aboard the U.S.S. Constellation (June 13-27), as well as extracurricular activities such as the semi-annual ball (January 14), and a singing society (May 11).
	5	Correspondence, July-December 1879
		From U.S.S. Constellation and US Naval Academy. Descriptions of the summer cruise aboard U.S.S. Constellation (July-August), first-class liberties and general recreation, Superintendent Rear Admiral George Balch (October 7), and another mutiny aboard a bark (October 19).
	6	Correspondence, January-March 1880
		From US Naval Academy. Descriptions of Academy life, including examinations, class standing, the effects of dating on academics (January 20), and attempts to secure orders to the European Station (March 16).
	7	Correspondence, May-December 1880
		From US Naval Academy, U.S. ships Illinois and Quinnebaug. Includes descriptions of shipboard life and events, and trips to London and Paris (September 28), Turkey (November 11), and Egypt (December 29).
	8	Correspondence, January-March 1881
		From U.S.S. Quinnebaug. Descriptions of shipboard entertainment, receptions and recreations on shore, and a trip into the Alps (February 15).
	9	Correspondence, April-December 1881
		From U.S.S. Quinnebaug. Descriptions of daily activities, studying for exams, rowdy Spanish Easter celebrations (April 16), reactions to the assassination of President James A. Garfield (September 21), battles with rheumatism (October 21 and 26), and duties as assistant navigator (November 3).
	10	Correspondence, 1882
		From U.S.S. Quinnebaug, US Naval Academy, and Coast Survey Schooner Palinurus. Descriptions of opinions on Tripoli, midshipmen being ordered to the Smithsonian Institution for instruction (January 28), preparations for Academy examinations and graduation (June 8), and coast survey duties (July-October), including signal work and observations.
	11	Correspondence, 1884
		From U.S. ships Bache and Ranger. Descriptions of survey work off the Florida Keys (February-March) and Nicaragua (November-December), including soundings and onshore observations.
	12	Correspondence, January-June 1885
		From U.S.S. Ranger. Descriptions of survey duty in/around Costa Rica, Guatemala and El Salvador, including six week shore duty (January 11-February 22), as well as local resistance to Justo Rufino Barrios' attempts to unite Central America (March 21).
	13	Correspondence, July-December 1885
		From U.S.S. Ranger. Description of duties and enjoyment of post as Assistant Navigator, Ranger aground off San Diego (December 6).
	14	Correspondence, January-June 1886
		From U.S.S. Ranger. Descriptions of survey work, including soundings, topographical observations, and astronomical and magnetic observations, as well as of Christmas celebrations with his wife and daughter, and a capsized launch resulting in the loss of a crew member (January 10).
	15	Correspondence, July-December 1886
		From U.S.S. Ranger. Descriptions of survey work, repairs, and entertainment, including receptions and balls while anchored in Vallejo, California and the formation of a dramatic club at the Navy Yard (August 29). Included is a playbill dated October 9.
	16	Correspondence, January-June 1887
		From U.S.S. Ranger. Continued descriptions of survey of lower California and construction of signals, as well as personal issues, such as having wisdom teeth pulled (January 31), and declining an invitation to teach at the US Naval Academy (June 13).
	17	Correspondence, July-December 1887
		From Vallejo, California and U.S.S. Ranger. Description of the San Diego real estate market (July 17), new camera equipment (October 7), and a fire near Phelps' Vallejo residence (October 30).
	18	Correspondence, 1888
		From U.S.S. Ranger. Descriptions of coal shortages (January 26), Phelps’ daughter’s battle with typhoid (February 2, April 19), and recreation on Cerros Island (May 17).
	19	Correspondence, 1890-1891
		From US Naval Academy and U.S.S. Yantic. Descriptions of teaching as "too confining" (January 12, 1891), and heavy seas encountered aboard Yantic en route to Cape Verde (November 19, 1891).
	20	Correspondence, 1892
		From U.S. ships Yantic and Bennington. Descriptions of Monte Video and Buenos Aires, the decrepit state and sale of U.S.S. Tallapoosa (February 19), drill and target practice, and visits to Spanish and Italian ports in celebration of the quatercentenary of the discovery of America.
	21	Correspondence, 1893
		From U.S.S. Bennington. Descriptions of duties, including towing two caravels from Spain to Cuba (February 6 and April 13), preparations for Naval Review (April 13), torpedo instruction in Connecticut (July 26), and visits to Genoa, Italy and Alhambra Palace, Granada (December 5).
	22	Correspondence, 1899
		From U.S.S. Texas. Descriptions of various duties aboard Texas, including preparations to retrieve bodies from the wreck of U.S.S. Maine (December 10).
	23	Correspondence, 1902
		From U.S.S. Cincinnati. Descriptions of volcanic destruction at St. Pierre, St. Vincent and Martinique (June 9), revolutions in Barcelona, Venezuela (September 27), and the nuisance of being attached to a squadron (November 30).
	24	Correspondence, 1903
		From U.S.S. Cincinnati. Descriptions of visits to Sicily, Naples and Genoa, and preparations to receive the President of France.
	25	Correspondence, 1904
		From U.S.S. Helena. Descriptions of the Chinese winter (January 31) and harshness of summer, as well as a riot, in Canton (August 22).
	26	Correspondence, 1905
		From Washington, DC. Description of work load at Judge Advocate General's office.
	27	Correspondence, 1906
		From Washington, D.C. Descriptions of the Judge Advocate General's work load, as well as the Army and Navy Reception at the White House (February 18).
	28	Correspondence, 1907
		From Washington, D.C. Description of work load, and Phelps' relief at not being appointed Judge Advocate General (November 20).
	29	Correspondence, 1908
		From Washington, D.C. and U.S.S. Wisconsin. Description of transfer to and duties aboard U.S.S. Wisconsin (March 2), including organization of the crew (March 23), cleaning and coaling, disruptions due to receptions (June 21), and Phelps' detachment for medical treatment (July 21).
	30	Correspondence, 1910
		From U.S.S. Culgoa. Description of difficulty with targets and maneuverability off Cuba (March 19), and being sent to Boston Navy Yard to create work for the yard (May 25).
	31	Correspondence, 1911
		From U.S.S. Culgoa and Southport, North Carolina. Description of retirement to North Carolina.
	32	Correspondence, 1913
		From Montgomery, Alabama and Southport, North Carolina. Descriptions of wintering in Alabama (January 15), house repairs, and daily routine.
	33	Demerit Records, 1877-1878
	34	Miscellaneous, 1885, 1903 and undated
		Includes a receipt, a request for steamship passage, and a portrait of an unidentified woman.
	35	News Clippings, ca. 1900 and undated
		Newspaper clippings chronicling the survey work of U.S.S. Ranger and an obituary for Captain Frank M. Faircloth.

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