Office of the Commandant/General Records: Norman von Heldreich Farquhar Letterbook, 1859-1886: Finding Aid

History of the Office of the Commandant of Midshipmen

Although not specifically provided for in the original plan for the Naval School at Fort Severn, the Office of the Commandant actually dates from the opening days of the school when Lieutenant James H. Ward served as executive officer and instructor in gunnery and steam. Under the provisions of the reorganization plan of 1850, an experienced lieutenant or commander, known as the commandant of midshipmen, served as executive officer to the Superintendent and instructor in naval tactics and practical seamanship. Between 1882 and 1902, regulations referred to the executive officer as the commandant of cadets. The office of the commandant also included responsibility for insuring the "preservation of discipline" and "general security" at the Academy. The Navy Department detailed line officer assistants to the commandant as the responsibilities of the office increased with the growth of the school. The commandant also typically commanded the annual summer practice cruises and maintained the trip’s records under the instruction of the superintendent. For most years from 1851 to 1909, the commandant served as commander of the cruise.

Description of Contents

This entry consists primarily of personal and official correspondence, and orders dating between 1859 and 1886. The correspondence pertains primarily to courts of inquiry, and medical and examination boards at the academy; naval armaments; reporting midshipmen and other officers for misconduct and other offenses; Farquhar’s sea and shore duty; and matters relating to enlisted men. Orders relate to Farquhar’s various sea and shore billets during the period.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically. There is a loose, typed alphabetical subject index located in the front of 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.

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

Official correspondence of and orders published by the commandant of midshipmen, including Farquhar, for the period 1861-1863, 1884-1890, and 1902-1905 are found in entry 147: “Press Copies of Letters Sent, 1861-1905” (NAID: 3108798); Letters, memoranda, and other correspondence sent by the commandant for the period proceeding this entry are found in entry 148: “Letters Sent, Endorsements, and Memoranda, 1906-1911” (NAID: 3117465); entry 149: “Letters Sent to the Superintendent Relating to Midshipmen’s Deficiencies in Conduct, 1905-1906” (NAID: 3118891); entry 150: “Memoranda Sent to Academy Officers and Heads of Departments, 1911-1912” (NAID: 3121144); and entry 151: “Memoranda Sent to the Officer in Charge Relating to Midshipmen Deprived of Privileges, 1912-1914” (NAID: 3123921). Correspondence pertaining to Farquhar’s 1875-1877 tour as the academy’s officer-in-charge of buildings and grounds may be found in entry 181: “Press Copies of Letters Sent by the Officer in Charge of Buildings and Grounds, 1875-1911” (NAID: 3164804).

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Office of the Commandant/General Records: Norman von Heldreich Farquhar Letterbook, RG 405.3.1 Entry 147a

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Samuel Limneos in August 2022. Finding aid written by Samuel Limneos in August 2022. 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

• Farquhar, Norman Von Heidreich, 1840-1907
• Naval education -- United States
• United States Naval Academy
• United States Naval Academy -- History -- 20th century
• United States Naval Academy. Commandant of Midshipmen

Genre Terms

• Correspondence
• Orders (military records)