Office of the Superintendent/Directives: Orders, Circulars, Memoranda, and other Issuances of the Superintendent, 1870-1928: Finding Aid
Published in June 2021
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6922
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: RG 405.2.2 Entry 51
- National Archives Identifier: 2990338
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Archives
- Title: Office of the Superintendent/Directives: Orders, Circulars, Memoranda, and other Issuances of the Superintendent
- Dates: 1870-1928
- Size: 7.09 linear feet
- Container Summary: 17 manuscript boxes
- Creator: United States Naval Academy. Superintendent
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: This entry contains orders, circulars, notices, and other memorandums and lists issued by the Superintendent of the Academy. The records are printed or otherwise duplicated directives of the Superintendent. These directives relate to information on personnel and administration of the Academy.
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.
Description of Contents
This entry consists of printed, or otherwise duplicated, generally by mimeograph, directives of the Superintendent of the academy. The volumes have been formed by tipping the individual directives into an adhesive or gummed stub binder. Included are a few carbon copies of memoranda, circulars, notices, bulletins, and letters, most of which are addressed to heads of departments.
Arrangement
The Office of the Superintendent/Directives: Orders, Circulars, Memoranda, and other Issuances of the Superintendent are organized into the following two series:
- Series 1: DIRECTORIES OF OFFICERS, ORDERS, NOTICES, PROGRAMS, DETAIL FOR SUMMER DUTY, MEMORANDA, AND OTHER ISSUANCES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, 1870-1970
- Series 2: ORDERS, CIRCULARS, NOTICES, AND OTHER MEMORANDA AND LISTS ISSUED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, 1894-1928
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.
Other Finding Aid(s)
National Archives Catalog entry available electronically at: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2990338.
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
Related Archival Material
The orders do not appear to be duplicated in the orders in Entry 50. For earlier orders, see entry 45: "Orders of Superintendent Cornelius K. Stribling, 1850-1852" (NAID: 2990281); entry 46: "Orders of the Superintendent, 1851-1865" (NAID: 2990283); entry 47: "Orders for the Suspension of Acting Midshipmen, 1856-1862" (NAID: 2990285); entry 48: "Press Copies of Orders Issued by the Superintendent, 1865-1874, 1886-1888" (NAID: 2990289); entry 49: "Orders of the Superintendent, 1874-1886" (NAID: 2990325); and entry 50: "Orders Issued by the Superintendent, 1890-1905" (NAID: 2990329). Other orders, circulars, notices, memoranda, and directives issued by succeeding superintendents may be found in entries 52-58.
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
Office of the Superintendent/Directives: Orders, Circulars, Memoranda, and other Issuances of the Superintendent, RG 405.2.2 Entry 51
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 June 2021. Finding aid written by Samuel Limneos in June 2021. 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
- Midshipmen -- Conduct of life -- 19th century
- Midshipmen -- Moral and ethical aspects -- United States
- Midshipmen -- United States
- Naval education -- United States
- United States Naval Academy
- United States Naval Academy -- Administration
- United States Naval Academy -- Buildings and grounds
- United States Naval Academy -- Curricula
- United States Naval Academy -- Faculty
- United States Naval Academy -- History -- 19th century
- United States Naval Academy. Superintendent
Genre Terms
- Announcements
- Circular letters
- Correspondence
- Memorandums
- Orders (military records)
- Programs (documents)
- Rules (instructional materials)
Contents List
Series 1: DIRECTORIES OF OFFICERS, ORDERS, NOTICES, PROGRAMS, DETAIL FOR SUMMER DUTY, MEMORANDA, AND OTHER ISSUANCES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, 1870-1910
Series DescriptionThe first series, DIRECTORIES OF OFFICERS, ORDERS, NOTICES, PROGRAMS, DETAIL FOR SUMMER DUTY, MEMORANDA, AND OTHER ISSUANCES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, consists of copies of the Superintendent's issuances and directives maintained by the academy librarian. From 1871 to 1879 the orders pertain almost exclusively to regulations governing use of the Naval Academy Library. Included is a blank copy of a form midshipmen were required to fill out to receive library privileges, and some overdue book return notices. Orders from 1879 to 1910 relate to various subjects including: enforcement of rules pertaining to the Academy buildings and grounds; memorial tablets and chapel windows; public utilities; restrictions to prevent the spread of disease; patronage of local rail and steam boat companies; June Week exercises, drills, and ceremonies; holidays; hops and balls; details of officers and midshipmen for summer practice cruises and cruise itineraries; schedules of special events; class routines and schedules; quarters assignments; chapel services; the academy's Young Men's' Christian Association; regulations for infantry target practice and military courtesies; disciplinary infractions, including hazing; uniforms; various academic and athletic awards and prizes; deaths and funerals of naval personnel and government officials; and competitive examinations for academy faculty vacancies. Programs for graduation, the Naval Academy Band, and the Naval Academy Athletic Association can be found throughout the volumes, as well as ephemera related to the Army-Navy football game, including programs, schedules, tickets, and song leaflets. The officer and faculty directories are interfiled throughout the volume in no apparent chronological scheme.
Series ArrangementArranged chronologically. Orders and Directories are typically arranged from front to back, or back to front, in separate sequences.
Volume 1: Directories of Officers, Orders, Notices, Programs, Detail for Summer Duty, Memoranda, and other issuances of the Superintendent, 1870 October 10-1901 September 26
Items of note include: orders relating to the assassination of President William McKinley in September, 1901; lists of the officers and enlisted men of the Spanish Navy, captured during the Spanish American War and quartered at the academy in July, 1898; a program of songs for the 1900 dinner of graduates.
Volume 2: Directories of Officers, Orders, Notices, Programs, Detail for Summer Duty, Memoranda, and other issuances of the Superintendent, 1901 September 26-1903 December 26
Orders are arranged from back to front of the volume. Directories October 1901 – December 1903 are arranged from front to back of the volume.
Volume 4: Directories of Officers, Orders, Notices, Programs, Detail for Summer Duty, Memoranda, and other issuances of the Superintendent, 1906 January 1-1910 October 1
Contains notices for the installation of memorial tablets for alumni killed in the Spanish American War in the academy chapel; Also contains various ephemera including blank forms, tickets, invitations, and Christmas and Thanksgiving Day menus.
Series 2: ORDERS, CIRCULARS, NOTICES, AND OTHER MEMORANDA AND LISTS ISSUED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, 1894-1928
Series DescriptionThe second series, ORDERS, CIRCULARS, NOTICES, AND OTHER MEMORANDA AND LISTS ISSUED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT consists of directives related to personnel and administration of the academy and include such announcements as: quarantine orders for various diseases including smallpox, diphtheria, scarlet fever, and whooping cough; revisions to academy regulations; lectures by visiting naval officers and foreign visitors and dignitaries; library bulletins describing new periodicals, articles, and books added to the collection; schedules of special events; class routines and schedules; military etiquette, customs and courtesies; deaths and funerals of naval personnel and midshipmen; rules for athletic and other prize competitions; details of officers and midshipmen for summer practice cruises; practice cruise itineraries; plans for the Board of Visitors to visit the academy; appointment of brigade officers; the arrangement of students by divisional organization; midshipman misconduct and prescribed punishments; appointments, resignations and dismissals of midshipmen; various class lists; directories of personnel attached to the academy; and information found in Bureau of Navigation Orders and all-Navy orders.
Series ArrangementArranged chronologically. A typewritten list of subjects, arranged chronologically, is at the end of volume 339. A name and subject index is located in the rear of volume 511.