Knight W. Wheeler Diaries, 1907-1915

Knight W. Wheeler, of Remsenberg, Long Island, New York, enlisted in the United States Navy in March 1907.

Following his enlistment, Wheeler served aboard U.S.S. Hopkins (Destroyer: DD-6) from 1907 to 1910, possibly as a member of the ship's engineering department. During this time period, the Hopkins was assigned to the Second Torpedo Flotilla, engaging in target practice and shadowing the Great White Fleet. In June 1910, Wheeler transferred from the Hopkins to U.S.S. West Virginia (Armored Cruiser No.5). On February 20, 1911, he was transferred again to U.S.S. Albatross (Steamer), a vessel assigned to the Bureau of Fisheries, U.S. Department of Commerce. During Wheeler's tour of duty, Albatross made two scientific voyages, to Lower California (Mexico) and Alaska.

On April 18, 1913, Wheeler was detached from the Albatross and ordered to duty at Naval Station, Portland, Oregon. Wheeler's last known assignment was a two year tour of duty (1913-1915) at the Recruiting Office, Eugene, Oregon.

The Knight W. Wheeler Diaries, comprising four linear inches of documentation in three volumes and accompanying enclosures, span from March 12, 1907 until June 1, 1915. The diaries are composed of first-hand accounts and related enclosures of Wheeler's service aboard U.S. Ships Hopkins, West Virginia, and Albatross, and at the Naval Recruiting Office in Eugene, Oregon.

In addition to Wheeler's hand-written entries, the three diaries also include news clippings, post cards, event programs, and photographs.

The first diary, entitled "Log," is entirely the product of Wheeler's service aboard U.S.S. Hopkins, from March 12, 1907 until October 14, 1908. Throughout most of this period, the Hopkins, along with the rest of the Second Torpedo Flotilla, was shadowing the Great White Fleet. Included in the diary are descriptions of various American and South American ports of call, target practice, and numerous details pertaining to the ship's engineering and engine performance. Beginning from the back cover of the diary is a 17 leaf section detailing gun accidents in the U.S. Navy, Naval coaling stations, annual naval maintenance costs, Maori and Australian natives, and Wheeler's August 1908 leave in Yosemite.

The second diary, entitled "Second Log," is the product of Wheeler's service aboard the U.S. Ships Hopkins, West Virginia and Albatross, from October 15, 1908 to April 15, 1911. Much like the corresponding entries in his previous volume, the entries from Wheeler's time aboard Hopkins focus on mechanical issues and target practice, as well as the conditions of other vessels in the Torpedo Flotilla. The majority of the entries from the West Virginia come in the form of pre-printed postcards entitled "Daily Log of the U.S.S. West Virginia. Entries from the Albatross, which was serving for the Bureau of Fisheries, U.S. Department of Commerce, deal not only with ports of call and mechanical issues, but also discussion of specimens retrieved by dredging and from shore expeditions.

The third diary, entitled "Log No. 3," is the product of Wheeler's service aboard U.S.S. Albatross, engaged at that time in a halibut survey off the Alaskan coast, and ashore at the Portland Naval Station and the Naval Recruiting Office at Eugene, Oregon, from April 16, 1911 to June 1, 1915. Entries from this period focus on ports of call, scientific specimens brought aboard, and Alaskan geography and society. Following his transfer to Oregon, Wheeler's diary is dominated by news clippings on various current events. Following the clippings of August 1914, the diary also includes notes on the U. S. Navy, such as listings of the ships and their fleets, shore installations, and divisions of the Navy.

Research interests served by the Wheeler Diaries include the study of early destroyers (especially safety and mechanical issues), U.S. Naval interactions with Central America and the islands of the South Pacific, and early twentieth century scientific exploration.

Detached materials, such as news clippings, postcards, and photographs, have been removed from the volumes and re-housed in chronological order according to their corresponding diary entries, and filed after their respective volume.