Office of the Superintendent/Correspondence: Press Copies of Letters Sent by the Superintendent to Congress, 1888-1901: Finding Aid

History of the Office of the Superintendent

The plan of the Naval School at Fort Severn, Annapolis, Maryland, approved by the Navy Department August 28, 1846, provided that a Superintendent of the school be appointed by the Secretary of the Navy from a list of officers of a rank not higher than commander. The Superintendent was to have responsibility for the general management of the institution, including overseeing the course of study, professors, and other personnel connected with the Academy. He could appoint and remove all persons employed at the Academy except those for whose appointment or discharge special provision was made by the laws or regulations of the Navy or the Academy. He had general charge of the buildings, grounds, and ships belonging to the Academy. The Superintendent also formulated the code of rules and regulations for the internal government of the school to be submitted to the Secretary of the Navy for approval. After 1867, officers were assigned by the Navy Department to the Academy to serve as assistants or aides to the Superintendent. The Office of the Superintendent as described in the 1846 plan remained relatively unchanged throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Officers of ranks higher than commander, however, have served in the position.

This entry begins during the Superintendence of Commander William T. Sampson (1886-1890). Sampson's Administration was marked by a revival in Naval Academy athletics, severe persecution of hazing offenses, the introduction of the "aptitude for the service" grade designed to measure a cadet's potential as a Naval Officer, and the establishment of modern studies in electricity and metallurgy. Regarding the latter, Sampson strongly emphasized the general technical aspects of the Academy's curriculum, particularly work in machine shops, and established the tradition of inviting distinguished scientists to lecture. Near the end of his tour, Sampson influenced Congress to reestablish a plan for the specialized instruction course for engineers. The effort resulted in a system, effective in 1889, wherein first classmen divided into line and engineer sections, with distinct curricula prescribed to each. The series extends through the administrations of superintendents Captain Robert L. Phythian (1890-1894), Captain Philip H. Cooper (1894-1898), Rear Admiral Fredrick V. McNair (1898-1900), and Commander Richard Wainwright (1900-1902).

Description of Contents

This series contains press copies of letters sent to Congress. The letters relate mainly to the appointment and success or failure of naval-cadets (the contemporary title of midshipmen), vacancies to be filled, and rules for admission. The volume contains letters sent to private individuals and includes two letters dated April, 1901.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically. There is a name index in the volume.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

Generally, materials produced by Federal agencies are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. Any non-government publications held herein may still be subject to copyright. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Many of the letters in this series are illegible.

Other Finding Aid(s)

National Archives Catalog entry available electronically at: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2990011.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Custodial History

RG 405 Records of the United States Naval Academy is the property of the National Archives and Records Administration. The materials are housed at the United States Naval Academy, William W. Jeffries Memorial Archives, an affiliated archive, as per a Memorandum of Agreement between the National Archives and Records Administration and the United States Naval Academy.

Related Materials

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Office of the Superintendent/Correspondence: Press Copies of Letters Sent by the Superintendent to Congress, RG 405.2.1 Entry 20

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the historical note:

Sweetman, Jack. The U.S. Naval Academy: An Illustrated History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute Press, 1979.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Samuel Limneos in April 2019. Finding aid written by Samuel Limneos in April 2019. Historical Sketch and Scope and Content Note adapted in part from Inventory of Records Group 405 by Geraldine N. Phillips and Aloha South, 1975.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Cooper, Philip Henry, 1844-1912
• McNair, Frederick Vallette, 1839-1900
• Naval education -- United States
• Phythian, Robert Lees, 1835-1917
• Sampson, William Thomas, 1840-1902
• United States Naval Academy
• United States Naval Academy -- History -- 19th century
• United States Naval Academy -- History -- 20th century
• United States Naval Academy -- Students
• United States Naval Academy. Superintendent
• United States. Congress
• Wainwright, Richard, 1849-1926

Genre Terms

• Correspondence