Samuel Francis Du Pont Naval Papers, 1817-1859: Finding Aid
Published in August 2014
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6917
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: MS 2
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: Samuel Francis Du Pont Papers
- Dates: 1817-1859
- Size: 2.5 linear feet
- Container Summary: 19 volumes
- Creator: Du Pont, Samuel Francis, 1803-1865
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: Samuel Francis Du Pont, of the prominent Du Ponts of Delaware, was an Admiral in the United States Navy. The Du Pont Papers are the product of his U.S. Navy career from his time as a midshipman through his command of U.S.S. Minnesota, two years shy of the outbreak of the Civil War. The materials focus primarily on the day-to-day operations, and general organization of, the ships on which Du Pont was stationed or in command of.
Biography of Samuel Francis Du Pont
Samuel Francis Du Pont, of the prominent Du Ponts of Delaware, was born on September 27, 1803. In December of 1815, at the age of 12, Du Pont received an appointment as a midshipman in the United States Navy, first shipping out to the Mediterranean aboard U.S.S. Franklin and then U.S.S. Erie to begin his naval training. Upon completion of that first cruise, Du Pont returned to the Philadelphia Navy Yard before being deployed to the West Indies, and then, in 1826, to the South Atlantic aboard U.S.S. Congress. Du Pont spent most of the latter half of the 1820s back where his career had started, in the Mediterranean, before being transferred to the Gulf of Mexico in the mid-1830s, where he served aboard U.S. Ships Constellation, Warren, and Grampus, the latter two of which Du Pont commanded.
During the Mexican War, Du Pont, in command of U.S.S. Cyane, helped to drive Mexican naval forces out of the Gulf of California and played a role in the capture of San Diego, La Paz, San Blas, Guayamas, Mazatlan, and San Jose. Following the war, for most of the next decade, Du Pont was assigned to various shore duties, including tours on the lighthouse board, the Efficiency Board, at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and even an appointment as Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, which was never realized.
Shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War, Du Pont returned to sea duty as the commander of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. While in command of the Squadron, Du Pont's forces would play a role in the taking of Port Royal and Beaufort, South Carolina and Fort Pulaski, Georgia. Despite his effective blockade of the Confederacy's South Atlantic ports, Du Pont's reputation was tarnished by his inability to capture Charleston, South Carolina. In July 1863, Rear Admiral Du Pont was relieved of duty and served only sparingly until his death on June 23, 1865.
Description of Contents
The Samuel Francis Du Pont Naval Papers, comprising 2.5 linear feet of documentation, span from 1817 to 1859. The materials, which were produced or maintained by Du Pont, or by those under his command, are the product of his U.S. Navy career from his time as a midshipman through his command of U.S.S. Minnesota, two years shy of the outbreak of the Civil War. The materials focus primarily on the day-to-day operations, and general organization of, the ships on which Du Pont was stationed or in command of.
Included in the papers are cruise journals, logbooks, order books, a partial letterbook, and watch-, quarter-, and station-bills.
The Du Pont Papers are organized into four records series by duty station of origin. The materials in Series 1 are the product of Du Pont's service as a midshipman aboard U.S.S. Franklin (Ship-of-the-line), U.S.S. Erie (Sloop-of-war), U.S.S. Constitution (Frigate), U.S.S. Congress (Frigate : 1794-1834), and U.S.S. North Carolina (Ship-of-the-line). These materials are typical of the types of logbooks that prospective officers would have kept as part of their naval training. The volumes in Series 2 pertain solely to the internal organization of U.S.S. Ohio (Ship-of-the-line) while she was serving in the Mediterranean as Isaac Hull's flagship. Du Pont was serving aboard Ohio as a lieutenant at the time. The operations of U.S.S. Perry (Brig), U.S.S. Congress (Frigate : 1841-1862), and U.S.S. Cyane (Sloop-of-war), all of which Du Pont commanded, are the subject of Series 3. Prior to falling seriously ill, Du Pont was supposed to captain the Perry on a cruise to China. Following his recovery, Du Pont received command of U.S.S. Congress and, subsequently, U.S.S. Cyane, the latter of which Du Pont commanded on the West Coast during the Mexican War. The final series is the product of Du Pont's command of U.S.S. Minnesota (Frigate) while serving in Asian waters and the rivers of China.
The predominant document type in the collection is the journal, which functions in a manner similar to a ship's official logbook. The logbooks typically note the ship's location, course, weather conditions, state of the sails (furled or unfurled), and weather conditions. The Remarks sections also record personnel changes, vessels encountered, and actions taken by the ship. Much of the remaining documents pertain to the ships' duty stations and assignments.
Arrangement
The Samuel Francis Du Pont Naval Papers are organized into the following four series:
- Series 1: Files as a Midshipman, 1817-1827
- Series 2: Files as a Lieutenant aboard U.S.S. Ohio, 1838-1839
- Series 3: Files as Commanding Officer of U.S.S. Perry, U.S.S. Congress, and U.S.S. Cyane, 1843-1848
- Series 4: Files as Commanding Officer of U.S.S. Minnesota, 1843-1859 (bulk 1857-1859)
Access and Use
Access
Access is restricted to microfilm.
Copyright and Permission
The Samuel Francis Du Pont Naval Papers are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Provenance and Acquisition
Gifts of Mrs Samuel F. Du Pont in January 1872, February 1872, March 1873, and April 1873. Accession Nos. 13804, 13810, 13810 1/2, 13811, 13812, 13816, 13817, 13818, 13819, 13820, 13821, 13821A, 13822, 13824, 13826, 13827, 13835, 15151, 15225.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
The bulk of Samuel F. Du Pont's personal papers can be found at the Manuscripts and Archives Department of the Hagley Museum and Library.
Materials Cataloged Separately
The Watch-, Quarter-, and Station-bill of U.S.S. United States, 1818, which was also donated by Mrs. Samuel F. Du Pont, is cataloged as MS 66.
Processing and Other Information
Journal of the U.S.S. Franklin and the U.S.S. Erie, 1817-1819 was formerly cataloged as MS 3.
Journal of the U.S.S. Erie and U.S.S. Constitution, 1819-1821 was formerly cataloged as MS 4.
Journal of the U.S.S. Congress and the U.S.S. North Carolina, 1822-1827 was formerly cataloged as MS 25.
Watch-, Quarter-, and Station-Bill of the U.S.S. Ohio, 1838 was formerly cataloged as MS 21.
Quarter-Bill of the Fourth Division of the U.S.S. Ohio, 1839 was formerly cataloged as MS 69.
Station-Bill and Liberty List of the U.S.S. Ohio, 1839 was formerly cataloged as MS 68.
Watch-Bill and Liberty List of the Fourth Division of the U.S.S. Ohio, 1839 was formerly cataloged as MS 67.
Journal of the U.S.S. Perry, 1843-1844 was formerly cataloged as MS 48.
Abstract Journal of the U.S.S. Congress and the U.S.S. Cyane, 1843-1848 was formerly cataloged as MS 49.
Journal of a cruise in the U.S. Frigate Congress, 1845-1846 was formerly cataloged as MS 26.
Journal of a cruise of the U.S. Frigate Congress and the U.S. Ship Cyane, 1845-1848 was formerly cataloged as MS 27.
Journal of a cruise of the U.S. Ship Cyane, 1846-1847, 1848 was formerly cataloged as MS 28.
Journal of a cruise of the U.S. Ship Cyane, 1847-1848 was formerly cataloged as MS 29.
Standing Orders U.S. Ship Cyane, 1846-1848 was formerly cataloged as MS 50.
Log of United States Frigate Minnesota, 1857-1858 was formerly cataloged as MS 12.
Log of United States Frigate Minnesota, 1858-1859 was formerly cataloged as MS 11.
Abstract journal of the U.S. Steam Frigate Minnesota, 1857-1859 was formerly cataloged as MS 13.
General orders for the U.S. Steam Frigate Minnesota, 1857 was formerly cataloged as MS 14.
U.S. Navy General Orders and Circulars, 1843-1857 was formerly cataloged as MS 39.
Preferred Citation
Samuel Francis Du Pont Naval Papers, MS 2
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Processing Information
This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in August 2014. Two item level scope notes written by Jennifer A. Bryan in 2004. Remainder of finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in August 2014.
Subject Headings
These materials have been indexed in the Naval Academy Library online catalog using the following terms. Those seeking related materials should search under these terms.
Name and Subject Terms
- Congress (Frigate : 1794-1834)
- Congress (Frigate : 1841-1862)
- Constitution (Frigate)
- Cyane (Sloop-of-war)
- Du Pont, Samuel Francis, 1803-1865
- Erie (Sloop-of-War)
- Franklin (Ship-of-the-Line)
- Mexican War, 1846-1848
- Minnesota (Frigate)
- Navy-yards and naval stations -- United States
- North Carolina (Ship-of-the-line)
- Ohio (Ship-of-the-line)
- Perry (Brig)
- Stewart, Charles, 1778-1869
- United States. Navy -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
- United States. Navy -- Order-books
- United States. Navy -- Regulations
- United States. Navy -- Supplies and stores
- United States. Navy. East India Squadron
- United States. Navy. Home Squadron.
- United States. Navy. Mediterranean Squadron
- United States. Navy. South Atlantic Squadron
Genre Terms
- Journals (accounts)
- Letter books
- Manuscripts
- Orders (military records)
- Ships' logs
Contents List
Series 1: Files as a Midshipman, 1817-1827 Boxes 1-3
Series DescriptionJournals maintained by Samuel Du Pont while serving as a midshipman in the United States Navy. The journals, functioning similarly to official logbooks, are the product of Du Pont's cruises aboard U.S.S. Franklin (Ship-of-the-line), U.S.S. Erie (Sloop-of-war), U.S.S. Constitution (Frigate), U.S.S. Congress (Frigate), and U.S.S. North Carolina (Ship-of-the-line).
The journals, which were kept by Du Pont as part of his naval training, often bear the signature of the ship's commanding officer.
Series ArrangementArranged chronologically.
Journal kept on board the U.S. Ship Franklin, 1817 November 24-1818 November 17 leaves 1-95
About half of the volume covers the first cruise of the Franklin (Ship-of-the-line) from the United States to England and then to the Mediterranean. The Franklin was the flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron and cruised on that station until March 1820. Du Pont served aboard the Franklin with Midshipman Franklin Buchanan, whose journals of the cruise are part of the Special Collections & Archives Department's MS 001.
Journal kept on board the U.S. Ship Erie, 1818 November 18-1819 October 1 leaves 95-172
On 18 November 1818, Commodore Charles Stewart ordered Du Pont to join the Erie (Sloop-of-war), one of the vessels of the Mediterranean Squadron.
Du Pont recorded that on 10 July 1819 all hands were mustered and a general order of the commodore was read. On 22 July 1819, the appointment of Lieutenant Robert F. Stockton as commander of the ship was read to the assembled crew. He replaced Master Commandant Henry E. Ballard, who had taken command of the ship in November of the previous year. Commanding officers were supposed to examine the midshipmen's work, and Stockton's signature appears in numerous places, indicating that he reviewed Du Pont's entries. Ballard’s signature does not appear, suggesting that he was not as attentive to this duty.
Journal Kept on board of the United States Ship Erie, 1819 October 2-1820 January 20 leaves 1-39
Approximately half of the volume details the cruise of the U.S.S. Erie (Sloop-of-war) with the Mediterranean Squadron and its return to New York via the West Indies.
The Erie left the Mediterranean Squadron at Gibraltar on 28 November 1819, carrying as passengers Captain Thomas McDonough, Master Commandant Henry E. Ballard, Master Commandant Joseph J. Nicholson, Lieutenant John Gallagher, and Lieutenant Benjamin Page, Jr. The ship arrived at New York on 20 January 1820.
Journal Kept on board U.S. Frigate Constitution, 1821 May 12-October 22 leaves 39-81
The second half of the journal relates to the cruise of the U.S.S. Constitution (Frigate) from Boston to the Mediterranean to serve on station as the Mediterranean Squadron's flagship.
Du Pont noted that on 17 March 1821 he received orders from the Secretary of the Navy to join the Constitution. The ship sailed from Boston on 12 May 1821, carrying Commodore Jacob Jones to his post as commander of the Mediterranean Squadron. Among the ports of call were Gibraltar, Port Mahon, Genoa, and Leghorn [Livorno]. Among the events Du Pont recorded are the firing of two twenty-four gun salutes, one at noon and one at sunset, on the Fourth of July, the arrival of a Dutch squadron at Leghorn on the 26 August, and the Dutch Admiral's visit aboard the Constitution on 3 September.
Journal kept on board U.S. Frigate Congress, 1822 October 31-1823 December 21 leaves 1-66
The journal was kept while the Congress (Frigate), under the command of James Biddle, was engaged in anti-piracy operations in the West Indies. During the latter half of 1823, the Congress carried the U.S. Ministers to Spain and the Argentine Republic. Included in the volume is a list of officers of the U.S.S. Congress.
Series 2: Files as a Lieutenant aboard U.S.S. Ohio, 1838-1839 Boxes 4-7
Series DescriptionDocumentation of the organizational structure aboard U.S.S. Ohio (Ship-of-the-line) while she was serving as Commodore Isaac Hull's flagship in the Mediterranean. During her Mediterranean cruise, Samuel Du Pont was attached to U.S.S. Ohio as a Lieutenant.
Included in the series are quarter bills, station bills, watch bills, and liberty/shore leave lists.
Series ArrangementArranged chronologically; thereunder alphabetically by document title.
Series 3: Files as Commanding Officer of U.S.S. Perry, U.S.S. Congress, and U.S.S. Cyane, 1843-1848 Boxes 8-14
Series DescriptionDocumentation of the cruises and internal organization of the U.S.S. Perry (Brig), U.S.S. Congress (Frigate), and U.S.S. Cyane (Sloop-of-war) while the vessels were under the command of Samuel Francis Du Pont. With the exception of the materials regarding the Perry, which were produced as part of an abortive cruise to Hong Kong, most of the materials in the series are the product of operations leading up to and during the Mexican War.
Included in the series are journals, orders, and a partial letterbook.
Series ArrangementArranged in rough chronological order by command post.
Journal of the U.S.S. Perry, 1843 October 13-1844 January 30 1 volume (118 leaves)
The journal is the product of a cruise of the newly commissioned U.S.S. Perry, under the command of Samuel Francis Du Pont, from the Gosport (Norfolk) Navy Yard to Rio de Janeiro, which was intended to be the first leg of a cruise to Hong Kong prior to Samuel Du Pont falling ill. Beginning from the back of the volume are the Perry's watch, quarter, and station bills, as well as standing orders and other instructions. The volume also includes a table of weights of stores, spars, and armaments aboard U.S.S. Perry.
Letters concerning the U.S. brig Perry, 1843 October 5-1844 January 19 leaves 87-94
Letters sent by Samuel F. Du Pont while in command of U.S.S. Perry. The letters pertain to such matters as requests for navigational aids, the ship's purser, installation of a bilge cock, damage to the ship's carronades, lack of uniformity of equipment, and arduous weather during the passage to Rio de Janeiro.
Abstract Journal of the U.S. Frigate Congress, 1845 September 16-1846 July 17 leaves 1-19
The journal is a product of the Congress's cruise as Commodore Robert Stockton's flagship during the early months of, and months leading up to, the Mexican War. The journal notes the Congress's departure from Gosport Naval Yard and passages from Norfolk to Rio de Janeiro, from Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso, from Valparaiso to Callao, from Callao to Honolulu, and from Honolulu to Monterey, California.
Abstract Journal of the U.S. Ship Cyane, 1846 July 24-1848 August 7 leaves 20-86
The journal is a product of the U.S.S. Cyane's service in the Mexican War, under Samuel Du Pont's command. The volume notes the capture of San Diego, the capture of Mazatlan, the capture of Mexican vessels, and blockading activities along the Californian and Mexican coasts.
Journal of a cruise in the U.S. Frigate Congress, 1845 September 16-1846 July 23 1 volume (137 leaves)
The journal, representing a clean copy of the ship's log, is a product of the Congress's cruise as Commodore Robert Stockton's flagship during the early months, and months leading up to, the Mexican War. The volume notes weather conditions, course, condition of the sails, and personnel matters during the Congress's cruise to Rio de Janeiro, Callao, Honolulu, and Monterey.
Journal of a cruise of the U.S. Frigate Congress, 1845 April 30-1846 May 23 leaves 1-35
The journal pertains to the U.S.S. Congress's time in ordinary at the Norfolk Navy Yard and her cruise in the Pacific Ocean, spanning the period April 30-December 5, 1845, with the proper journal entries beginning on October 31, 1845 and two additional entries spanning May 22-23, 1846. The Congress, under the command of Samuel F. Du Pont, served as Commodore Robert Stockton's flagship during a cruise to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii). The volume also includes specifications of, and notes on draughts of water by the Congress, as well recipes for various stains and compounds.
Journal of a cruise of the U.S. Ship Cyane, 1846 July 24-1847 August 22, 1848 May 31 1 volume (145 leaves)
The journal spans the period of July 24, 1846-August 22, 1847. In addition to noting such information as weather and ship's course, the volume serves as an account of the Cyane's Mexican War operations, including the capture of San Diego, the attacks and blockades along the Californian and Mexican coasts, the capture of Mexican vessels, and a journey to Hawaii. Enclosed within the volume is a Monthly Return of officers and crew on board U.S. Ship Cyane, dated May 31, 1848.
Journal of a cruise of the U.S. Ship Cyane, 1847 August 23-1848 August 7 1 volume (113 leaves)
In addition to noting such information as weather and ship's course, the volume serves as an account of the Cyane's Mexican War operations, including a journey from Honolulu to Monterey, war activities along the Californian and Mexican coasts, the capture of the town of Mazatlan, and a journey to Valparaiso. At the end of the volume is a list of dimensions of the spars and masts of the U.S.S. Cyane.
Standing Orders U.S. Ship Cyane, 1846-1848 1 volume (19 leaves)
Orders regarding the general organization and operation of the ship, the roles of various officers, training, the landing of sailors and marines, the handling of sails, and discipline in the Pacific Fleet during the Mexican War. The orders were given by William Shubrick and by the Cyane's commanding officer, Samuel Du Pont. The orders are held in a burlap folder.
Series 4: Files as Commanding Officer of U.S.S. Minnesota, 1843-1859 (bulk 1857-1859) Boxes 15-19
Series DescriptionDocumentation of the cruises and internal organization of the U.S.S. Minnesota (Frigate) while under the command of Samuel Francis Du Pont. The materials are primarily the product of the Minnesota's cruise to China and the Far East, during which time she transported William B. Reed, U.S. Minister to China, for the negotiation of the Treaty of Tianjin, although the documents do not directly address the negotiations.
Included in the series are logbooks, journals, and orders.
The final volume in the series consists of orders largely addressed to Philadelphia Navy Yard Commandant Captain Charles Stewart and Norfolk Navy Yard Commandants J. Wilkinson, John D. Sloat, and Samuel Livingston Breese. The volume was possibly kept by Du Pont while in command of the Minnesota. Captain Charles Stewart, who is the recipient of many of the orders, was a mentor of Du Pont's.
Series ArrangementArranged by document type.
Log of United States Frigate Minnesota, 1857 May 21-1858 May 24 1 volume (187 leaves)
The logbook is the product of a cruise during which the Minnesota was tasked with transporting U.S. Minister to China William B. Reed to and from China for the negotiation of the Treaty of Tianjin. The volume notes the Minnesota's operations off Philadelphia and Norfolk, its transit to China, the performance of soundings in the Gaspar Straits, and operations in the China Sea, Hong Kong Harbor, off Macau, in Manila Bay, the Yellow Sea, and the Gulf of Pe-tche-lee (Bohai Sea), as well as in the Pei-ho (Hai) and Yangtze Rivers. Included at the front of the volume are printed directions for keeping the log.
Log of United States Frigate Minnesota, 1858 May 25-1859 May 26 1 volume (188 leaves)
The logbook is the product of a cruise during which the Minnesota was tasked with transporting U.S. Minister to China William B. Reed to and from China for the negotiation of the Treaty of Tianjin. The volume notes the Minnesota's operations in the Pei-ho (Hai), Yangtze, and W'oosung (Wusong) Rivers, and at Nagasaki, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Penang, Point de Galle, Bombay (Mumbai), Muscat (Oman), and Table Bay as a part of the East India Squadron. Included at the front of the volume are printed directions for keeping the log.
Abstract journal of the U.S. Steam Frigate Minnesota, 1857 May 21-1859 May 15 1 volume (15 leaves)
The journal is the product of a cruise during which the Minnesota was tasked with transporting U.S. Minister to China William B. Reed to and from China for the negotiation of the Treaty of Tianjin. The log notes the ship's position by latitude and longitude, weather conditions, and vessels encountered. Included at the front of the volume are handwritten directions for keeping the log and a list of officers of the Minnesota, dated July 1857.
General orders for the U.S. Steam Frigate Minnesota, 1857 July 6 1 volume (15 leaves)
The General Orders of the U.S. Steam Frigate Minnesota were issued by the ship's commanding officer, Samuel F. Du Pont. The orders pertain to the conduct of the ship's officers and crew, the duties and responsibilities of specific officers, the duties of the ship's engineers, the prohibition of merchants aboard ship, and a fire in one of the ship's store rooms.
U.S. Navy General Orders and Circulars, 1843 August 23-1857 November 24 1 volume (47 leaves)
The order book consists of U.S. Navy orders and circulars addressed to several Navy officers. Among the addressees are Philadelphia Navy Yard Commandant Captain Charles Stewart and Norfolk Navy Yard Commandants J. Wilkinson, John D. Sloat, and Samuel Livingston Breese. The orders pertain to such topics as ship alterations, salutes fired by Navy Yards, steamer running lights, supply inventories, provisioning of ships, uniforms, and the handling of ordnance equipment. A notation on the inside front cover reads "U.S.S. Minnesota, 1857," indicating that the volume may have been kept by Samuel F. Du Pont, while in command of that vessel.