Office of the Superintendent/Directives: Notices Issued by the Superintendent, 1908-1971: Finding Aid
Published in February 2022
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 56
- National Archives Identifier: 2990358
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Archives
- Title: Office of the Superintendent/Directives: Notices Issued by the Superintendent
- Dates: 1908-1971
- Size: 4.38 linear feet
- Container Summary: 10 manuscript boxes, 1 half-manuscript box
- Creator: United States Naval Academy. Superintendent
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: This entry consists of printed notices issued by the Superintendent for the information of the staff and the midshipmen.
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 notices issued by the Superintendent for the general information of academy personnel, the staff and the midshipmen.
The first series NOTICES ISSUED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT includes: announcements of meetings, club elections, and lectures, many of a social nature; instructions for submitting information for the staff directory; lists of names of midshipmen of the second and third conduct grades; daily schedules of steam launches plying the Severn River; Subjects covered by the notices include holidays; interior and external academy security; academy sailing and training vessels; memorials; changes to academy regulations; regulations regarding Naval Academy tour guides; the Naval Academy Officers' Club; Naval Academy Band programs; concerts, hops, and balls, and other entertainments such as Masqueraders' shows; annual prizes, medals, and awards; annual inter-battalion debate questions, speakers, and judges; June Week and graduation events and exercises; discussion of strategic problems, tactical wargaming, and exercises; athletic events; religious services; organ recitals; library resources; public utilities; telephone usage; policies for yard medical and emergency services; mail and supply deliveries; local railroad schedules and patronage of local railway companies; uniforms; lectures by academy staff and civilian visitors; the academy golf course; visits by official guests including the Secretary of the Navy, and the academy's Board of Visitors; quarantine; examinations; midshipman academic averages, semi-annual and annual examinations, and computation of final grade marks; charity and Navy Relief Society activities; sustenance logistics; voting in elections; midshipman clubs; administration of oaths for income taxes; World War I neutrality guidance; officer promotions; operational security and censorship; instructions and itineraries for the midshipmen's summer practice cruise; circular letters from the Bureau of Navigation pertaining to military education; public health notices and recommendations; charts of the "75th meridian mean time of local sunset" for Annapolis; meetings and subscriptions for the Naval Academy Auxiliary and Navy Relief Society, and other professional associations such as the U.S. Naval Institute; and changes to the Navy Athletic Association's bylaws. The notices occasionally include copies of presidential executive orders. Ephemera interfiled throughout the notices include: football schedules; schedules of other athletic events and entertainments; price lists for academy laundry services; a card containing transcripts of Navy "yells" and "cheers"; Naval Academy Chapel programs; and academy directories.
The second series NOTICES, addresses subjects including: quarantine restrictions; maintenance of buildings and grounds; access policies and identification cards; Army-Navy football games; athletic events and contests; midshipman financial accounts; midshipman liberty; civil defense training programs; work at the U.S. Naval Engineering Experimentation Station; public utilities; the Master Shore Station Development Board Program and other yard construction projects; the midshipman store, shops, and services; emergency procedures; records management; deaths, funerals and mourning periods; dedication of memorial portraits, and rooms in Bancroft Hall and elsewhere; holiday events and leave; chapel services and activities; prizes and awards; tobacco use; traffic, bicycle, and vehicle regulations; officer housing waitlists; gate closures; internal security and investigations; academic calendars and schedules; staff duty schedules; change of command ceremonies; officer instructors and civilian faculty rosters; promotion of academy faculty to professor emeritus status; visiting domestic government officials, and official foreign delegations, naval cadets and officers; professional training; textbooks; implementation of the academic electives program; plebe summer training regimen and events; flight training; uniforms; concerts, hops, and balls, parties, motion pictures, and other entertainments such as Masqueraders' shows; midshipman clubs, extra-curricular activities and events; academic accreditation; operation and management funding; television programs featuring Naval Academy buildings and grounds, and midshipman clubs and organizations; and meetings of professional groups, such as the Naval Academy Alumni Association; academy class reunions; the academy faculty forum; the Naval Academy budget board, academic board, and the Blue and Gold Program; and the Foreign Affairs Conference.
The notices dated 1908 to 1916 pertain almost exclusively to library books and operating hours. Interfiled throughout the post-1950 orders are commissioned officers' mess bulletins, and some ephemera including chapel cards, band and orchestra programs, and brochures published by the U.S. Naval Institute. Related correspondence occasionally accompanies some notices. Beginning in 1969, the sequence includes a few library notices. Notices between 1970 and 1971 are scattered.
Arrangement
The Notices Issued by the Superintendent are organized into the following two series:
- Series 1: NOTICES ISSUED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, 1909-1920
- Series 2: NOTICES, 1908-1971
Access and Use
Access
Unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
Unrestricted.
Other Finding Aid(s)
National Archives Catalog entry available electronically at: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2990358.
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
Copies of many of the earlier notices are duplicated and interspersed throughout entry 51: "Orders, Circulars, Memoranda, and other Issuances of the Superintendent, 1870-1928" (NAID: 2990338). For earlier and contemporary 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); entry 50: "Orders Issued by the Superintendent, 1890-1905" (NAID: 2990329); entry 52: "Printed Orders, Circulars, and Notices, 1900-1903" (NAID: 2990354); entry 53: "Orders, Memoranda, and Notices, 1905-1910" (NAID:2990355); and entry 55: "Miscellaneous Directive and Memoranda, 1908-1910" (NAID: 2990357). For earlier, contemporary, and later directives issued by the Superintendent see entry 54: "Orders Issued by the Superintendent, 1907-1979" (NAID: 2990356); For notices issued by other units of the Superintendent's office see entry 58: "Notices Issued by the Aide to the Superintendent, 1912-1914" (NAID: 3000020).
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: Notices Issued by the Superintendent, RG 405.2.2 Entry 56
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 October 2021. Finding aid written by Samuel Limneos in October 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 -- Moral and ethical aspects -- United States
- Midshipmen -- United States
- United States Naval Academy
- United States Naval Academy -- History – 20th century
- United States Naval Academy -- Students -- Discipline
- United States Naval Academy – Administration
- United States Naval Academy. Superintendent
Genre Terms
- Announcements
- Memorandums
- Orders (military records)
- Rules (instructional materials)
Contents List
Series 1: NOTICES ISSUED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, 1909-1920 Boxes 1-3
Series DescriptionThe first series NOTICES ISSUED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT includes notices and announcements regarding the staff directory, conduct grades, daily schedules, holidays, security, training vessels, memorials, academy regulations, the Naval Academy Officers' Club, the Naval Academy Band, dances, annual prizes, June Week (graduation), tactical wargaming, religious services, library resources, public utilities, telephone usage, medical policies, mail, local railroads, uniforms, lectures, the academy golf course, distinguished visitors, quarantine, examinations, midshipman academic averages, examinations, Navy Relief Society activities, logistics, voting in elections, midshipman clubs, World War I neutrality guidance, officer promotions, censorship, summer practice cruises, Bureau of Navigation communications, the Naval Academy Auxiliary and Navy Relief Society, the U.S. Naval Institute, and the Navy Athletic Association.
The notices occasionally include copies of presidential executive orders. Ephemera interfiled throughout the notices include: football schedules; schedules of other athletic events and entertainments; price lists for academy laundry services; a card containing transcripts of Navy "yells" and "cheers"; Naval Academy Chapel programs; and academy directories.
Series ArrangementArranged chronologically. Name and subject indices are in volumes 342 and 343. Chronological lists of contents are in each of the other volumes.
Volume 343: Notices Issued by the Superintendent, 1909 February 12-1910 May 23
Among various notices, includes the program of Shakespearean plays performed by the Ben Greet Company at the academy on May 31, 1909; the March 16, 1910 "Regulations Governing the First Class Club of the U.S. Naval Academy," a midshipman club; an April 21, 1910 notice regarding a Fredrick W. Taylor, the Philadelphia-based entrepreneurial engineer and inventor, known as the father of scientific management and the "Taylorism" system of industrial management, lecture before students of the School of Marine Engineering, U.S. Naval Academy on the subject of "Management as an Art."
Volume 344: Notices Issued by the Superintendent, 1912 October 1-1913 December 31
Includes a notice addressing the October 18, 1912 visiting lecture of prestigious Spanish historian Don Rafael Altamira; a March 11, 1913 matinee exhibition of the Paul Rainey Moving Pictures of African Animals in the Mahan Hall auditorium; an October 27, 1913 "Regulations Regarding Naval Academy Guides," detailing instructions for public tour guides of the academy's buildings and grounds.; and a December 14, 1913 program for the Naval Academy Chapel's "Second Public Recital," containing hymnody and instrumental arrangements.
Volume 548: Notices Issued by the Superintendent, 1916 February 16-1917 January 25
Includes a March 20, 1916 notice pertaining to a special Dahlgren Hall showing of the silent film "The Hero of Submarine D-2" [released March 13, 1916] produced and presented by the Vitagraph Company; an April 28, 1916 order pertaining to a demonstration of transcontinental long-distance telephoning and wireless telephoning.
Volume 549: Notices Issued by the Superintendent, 1917 February 1-1918 April 1
Includes a March 15, 1917 notice pertaining to the organization of a local Navy League Chapter; and an August 10, 1917 notice containing a chief cable censor's circular pertaining to the operational security implications of radiograms.
Volume 550: Notices Issued by the Superintendent, 1918 April 2-1919 April 26
Includes a May 28th, 1918 order relative to the convening of six-week Class of Reserve Assistant Paymasters at the Naval Academy; a November 29, 1918 memorandum relating ALNAV 127's removal of official censorship of men and officers on vessels and stations in the United States and Great Britain.
Volume 551: Notices Issued by the Superintendent, 1919 April 30-December 25
Includes a May 16, 1919 notice pertaining to former German submarine U-117's visit to the academy as part of a series of port visits to sell Victory War Bonds; and a December 4, 1919 letter from Brigadier General Douglas MacArthur, Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy, congratulating the Navy on its recent victory at the Army-Navy football game.
Volume 552: Notices Issued by the Superintendent, 1920 January 1-December 30
Includes an August 31, 1920 notice transcribing a telegram from the Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy congratulating the Naval Academy's 8-oared crew victory at the 1920 Antwerp Summer Olympics; and a September 23, 1920 notice containing the Annapolis Mayor's congratulations.
Series 2: NOTICES, 1908-1971 Boxes 4-11
Series DescriptionThe second series NOTICES, addresses subjects including quarantine restrictions, maintenance of buildings, access policies, Army-Navy football games, athletic events, midshipman financial accounts, midshipman liberty, civil defense training; the U.S. Naval Engineering Experimentation Station, public utilities, the Master Shore Station Development Board Program, construction projects, the midshipman store, emergency procedures, records management, deaths and funerals, memorial dedications, holidays, chapel services, prizes and awards, tobacco use, traffic regulations, officer housing waitlists, internal security, academic calendars, duty schedules, changes of command; instructor rosters, faculty promotions, emeritus status, visiting domestic government officials, official foreign delegations, professional training, textbooks, the academic electives program, plebe summer training, flight training, uniforms, concerts, dances, motion pictures, Masqueraders' shows, midshipmen clubs, extra-curricular activities, academic accreditation, operation funding, television programs featuring the Naval Academy, the Naval Academy Alumni Association, class reunions, the academy faculty forum; the Naval Academy budget board, academic board, and the Blue and Gold Program, and the Foreign Affairs Conference.
Series ArrangementArranged chronologically.
Notices, 1908 May 25-1927 December 23 (Scattered)
Includes an August 7, 1923 notice containing an ALNAV message pertaining to former President Harding's funeral; a similar February 4, 1924 notice pertaining to former President Wilson's death; and a October 14, 1926 notice pertaining to Queen Marie of Romania's visit.
Notices, 1951 January 5-June 21
Includes an March 21, 1951 notice outlining visit of the French Cruiser Jeanne d'Arc, and a March 22, 1951 notice pertaining to the visit of Vincent Auriol, President of the French Republic; and an April 25, 1951 notice detailing the visit of Sardar Shah Mahmud Khan, the Prime Minister of Afghanistan.
Notices, 1952 July 1-December 19
Includes an July 28, 1952 notice pertaining to the visit of 80 Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) officer candidates from their Recruit Training Commander Center at Bainbridge, Maryland to the Naval Academy; an August 12, 1952 notice pertaining to the visit of Faisal II, King of Iraq to the academy on August 18, 1952.
Notices, 1953 July 3-December 10
Includes an October 2, 1953 notice pertaining to the visit of Lieutenant General Chiang, son of General Chiang Kai-Shek, Chinese Nationalist Army; an October 23, 1953 order detailing the official visit of the King and Queen of Greece; also includes two chapel cards for academic year 1952-1953.
Notices, 1954 January 4-June 28
Includes an October 22, 1954 notice pertaining to Jack Engeman's photograph activities on the yard to produce his 1956 book "Annapolis: The Life of a Midshipman, a picture story;" an October 25, 1954 notice pertaining to the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother's visit to the academy on November 8, 1954; also a December 6, 1954 notice including a copy of a subject address on "Personal Leadership," given by Admiral Robert B. Careny, Chief of Naval Operations before officers of the Navy Department.
Notices, 1955 July 11-December 30
Includes a December 30, 1955 notice enclosing a typescript copy of background speech material entitled "Leadership as Practiced and Taught at the U.S. Naval Academy," addressing topics such as knowledge, industry, obedience, self-discipline, competitiveness, pride, honor, loyalty, and authority, intended as reference material for the Superintendent and other Naval Academy spokesmen for subject addresses.
Notices, 1957 January 15-June 28
Includes a January 29, 1957 notice pertaining to the visit of Saud Al-Saud, King of Saudi Arabia to the academy on February 2, 1957; also the District Public Works Officer's Annual Program Submission of Special Projects for academy buildings and grounds.
Notices, 1958 October 1-December 31
Includes a October 9, 1958 notice pertaining to implementing the policy recommendations of President Eisenhower's appointed Committee on Employment of the Physically Handicapped; also an October 27, 1958 notice and instructions pertaining to the visit of Prince Constantine of Greece to the academy on January 7, 1959.
Notices, 1959 January 2-March 31
Includes a January 6, 1959 notice pertaining to the dedication of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium scheduled for September 26, 1959; a February 5, 1959 order pertaining to the presentation of Charles R. Patterson's painting of the USS Constellation by Mrs. Louis M. Nulton; a March 9, 1959 notice pertaining to implementation of the academy's new academic reorganization plan; and a March 25, 1959 notice pertaining to the visit of King Hussein I of Jordan to the academy on March 28, 1959.
Notices, 1960 January 26-1963 June 18 (Scattered)
Consists of notices pertaining to an academy extracurricular activities committee, and Alumni Weekend, 1960; traffic policies and regulation changes in 1961; 1962 elective course enrollments; and 1963 personnel management and modernization committee proceedings and notices.
Notices, 1965 June
Includes a June 8, 1965 notice pertaining to the June 17-19 visit of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant to Annapolis; a June 10, 1965 notice pertaining to the Naval Academy's implementation of President Lyndon B. Johnson's March 25, 1965 statement to his Cabinet calling for "equal treatment, equal respect, equal service and equal support for all American citizens, regardless of race, or sex, or region, or religion."