Thomas W. and Robert H. Wyman Naval Papers, 1817-1855: Finding Aid
Published in September 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 5
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: Thomas W. and Robert H. Wyman Naval Papers
- Dates: 1817-1855
- Size: 2.3 linear feet
- Container Summary: 14 volumes
- Collector: Wyman, Robert Harris, 1822-1882
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: Thomas Wyman was a Captain in the United States Navy. Robert H. Wyman, son of Thomas W., was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. The Thomas W. and Robert H. Wyman Naval Papers are the product of the United States Navy careers of both men, with an emphasis on the duty stations and commands of the elder Wyman.
Biographical Chronology of Thomas W. Wyman
- 1810
- On December 17, is commissioned a Midshipman in the United States Navy from Massachusetts.
- 1816
- On April 27, is commissioned a Lieutenant.
- Serving aboard U.S.S. Congress (Frigate).
- 1821
- Serving aboard U.S.S. Washington (Ship-of-the-line).
- 1822
- Serving at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
- 1824
- Attached to U.S.S. Constitution (Frigate) of the Mediterranean Squadron.
- 1828
- On leave of absence.
- 1830
- Serving aboard U.S.S. Java (Frigate).
- 1832
- Serving at the Boston Navy Yard.
- 1834
- Attached to U.S.S. Delaware (Ship-of-the-line).
- 1837
- On February 9, is commissioned a Commander.
- Commanding the receiving ship at Boston.
- 1838
- Commanding U.S.S. John Adams (Frigate).
- 1841
- Serving at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
- 1842
- On November 2, is commissioned a Captain.
- 1844
- Awaiting orders.
- 1845
- On special duty.
- Commanding U.S.S. Columbus (Ship-of-the-line).
- 1848
- In March, is detached from U.S.S. Columbus, then waiting orders.
- 1850
- Commanding Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
- 1853
- Receives orders to assume command of U.S.S. Vermont (Ship-of-the-line).
- 1854
- On leave of absence.
- On February 24, dies in Florence, Italy.
Biographical Chronology of Robert H. Wyman
- 1822
- On July 22, is born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Captain Thomas W. and Sarah Wyman.
- 1837
- On March 11, is appointed a Midshipman in the United States Navy.
- In March, is attached to U.S.S. Independence (Ship-of-the-line), followed by service aboard U.S.S. Fairfield (Sloop-of-war), U.S.S. John Adams (Frigate), and U.S.S. Concord (Sloop-of-war).
- 1840
- In June, is granted a leave of absence.
- In September, is attached to U.S.S. Levant (Sloop-of-war) of the West India Squadron.
- In November, is transferred to the Brazil Squadron, with service aboard U.S.S. Concord, U.S.S. Delaware (Ship-of-the-line), and U.S.S. Potomac (Frigate).
- 1842
- In August, is assigned to the Naval School in Philadelphia.
- 1843
- On June 29, attains the rank of Passed Midshipman.
- In July, is attached to U.S.S. Onkahye (Schooner) of the East India Squadron.
- In August, is transferred to U.S.S. Perry (Brig), followed by service aboard U.S.S. Brandywine (Frigate) of the East India Squadron.
- 1845
- In October, is granted a leave of absence.
- In November, is assigned to the Boston Navy Yard.
- 1846
- In March, is attached to the Home Squadron, with service aboard U.S.S. Princeton (Screw sloop-of-war) and U.S.S. Porpoise (Brig).
- 1847
- In June, is granted a leave of absence.
- In July, is attached to the Naval Rendezvous at Boston.
- In September, is transferred to U.S.S. Albany (Sloop-of-war) of the Home Squadron.
- On September 27, marries Emily Madeline Dallas.
- 1848
- In January, is granted sick leave.
- In February, is attached to the Naval Observatory in Washington, DC.
- In June, is assigned to the receiving ship U.S.S. Franklin (Ship-of-the-line) at Boston.
- 1850
- In June, waiting orders.
- On July 16, is promoted to Lieutenant.
- In September, is attached to U.S.S. St. Mary's (Sloop-of-war) of the Pacific and East India Squadrons.
- 1852
- In December, is granted a leave of absence.
- 1853
- In February, is assigned to the Naval Observatory, Washington, DC.
- 1854
- In October, is attached to the training ship U.S.S. Preble (Sloop-of-war) at Annapolis.
- 1856
- In October, waiting orders.
- In November, attached to the Pacific Squadron aboard U.S.S. St. Mary's (Sloop-of-war) and U.S.S. Independence (Ship-of-the-line).
- 1859
- In January, is attached to the New York Navy Yard.
- In April, is transferred to the training ships U.S.S. Preble (Sloop-of-war) and U.S.S. Plymouth (Sloop-of-war) at Annapolis.
- 1860
- In September, is assigned to U.S.S. Richmond (Steam sloop-of-war) of the Mediterranean Squadron.
- 1861
- In July, assumes command of U.S.S. Yankee (Tugboat) of the Potomac Flotilla.
- In October, assumes temporary command of U.S.S. Pawnee (Screw sloop-of-war) of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
- In November, is granted sick leave.
- In December, receives command of the Potomac Flotilla.
- 1862
- In July, assumes command of U.S.S. Sonoma (Gunboat) of the James River Flotilla.
- On July 16, is promoted to Commander.
- In September, receives command of U.S.S. Wachusett (Screw sloop) of the Potomac Flotilla.
- In November, is assigned to special duty in Washington, DC.
- 1863
- In April, assumes command of U.S.S. Santiago de Cuba (Brig).
- In August, is assigned to special duty at the Navy Department.
- 1865
- In May, is attached to the European Squadron as commanding officer of the flagship U.S.S. Colorado (Steam screw frigate) and U.S.S. Ticonderoga (Screw sloop-of-war).
- 1866
- On July 25, is promoted to Captain.
- 1869
- In April, waiting orders.
- In October, is assigned to the Hydrographic Office in Washington, DC.
- 1870
- In October, takes charge of the Hydrographic Office.
- 1872
- On July 19, is promoted to Commodore.
- 1878
- On April 26, is promoted to Rear Admiral.
- In May, is assigned to special temporary duty at the Bureau of Navigation.
- 1879
- In January, assumes command of the North Atlantic Station aboard the flagship U.S.S. Tennessee (Screw frigate).
- 1882
- In May, is assigned to special duty in Washington, DC.
- In June, is appointed chairman of the Lighthouse Board.
- On December 2, dies and is subsequently interred on Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, DC.
Description of Contents
The Thomas W. and Robert H. Wyman Naval Papers, comprising 2.3 linear feet of documentation in fourteen volumes, span from 1817 to 1855. The materials are the product of the United States Navy careers of Captain Thomas W. Wyman and his son, Commodore Robert H. Wyman, with an emphasis on the duty stations and commands of the elder Wyman.
Included in the collection are journals, tables, notebooks, regulations, and a logbook of punishments.
The Wyman Naval Papers are organized into three series by document type. Series 1: Journals and Logbooks, pertains to cruises aboard U.S.S. Delaware, U.S.S. Independence, U.S.S. Fairfield, U.S.S. John Adams, and U.S.S. Columbus. The volumes, four of which are the product of Thomas Wyman's service, largely focus on the day-to-day operations of the ships on which they were produced, but also include accounts of the Second Sumatran Expedition in the wake of the massacre of crew of the American merchant ship Eclipse. Series 2: Ships' Regulations and Bills consists entirely of the internal rules, regulations, and watch-, quarter-, and station-bills governing the operations aboard five of Thomas Wyman's duty stations and commands (U.S.S. Congress, U.S.S. Constitution, U.S.S. Java, U.S.S. John Adams, and U.S.S. Columbus), as well as the practice ship U.S.S. Preble, on which Robert Wyman served. Bills and regulations of other vessels, namely U.S.S. North Carolina, are included in Series 3: Instructional and Reference Works. This final series also includes notes on seamanship and rigging specifications for various classes of U.S. Navy vessels, as well as a brief journal of service aboard U.S.S. Constitution from 1824 to 1825.
Arrangement
The Thomas W. and Robert H. Wyman Naval Papers are organized into the following three series:
- Series 1: Journals and Logbooks, 1833-1848
- Series 2: Ships' Regulations and Bills, 1817-1855
- Series 3: Instructional and Reference Works, 1824-1826
Access and Use
Access
Access is restricted to microfilm.
Copyright and Permission
The Thomas W. and Robert H. Wyman 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 Commodore Robert H. Wyman in 1872, 1878, and unknown in 1908. Accession Nos. 13805, 13807, 13825 1/2, 13829, 13829 1/2, 13831, 13833, 13837, 19343, 19345, 19346, 19347, 19347 1/2, 49331.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
Additional material Thomas W. Wyman may be found in the Special Collections Vertical File, Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.
Materials Cataloged Separately
The William de Koven Seamanship Notebook, 1845 has been cataloged as MS 42.
A Concise System of Naval Tactics, by J.G. Casy, Rear Admiral in the Navy of France: translated by J.S. Paine and L. Goldsborough, Commanders in the U.S. Navy has been cataloged as MS 44.
John Edye's Calculations Relating to the Equipment, Displacement, Etc. of Ships and Vessels of War, 1832, has been cataloged as MS 546.
Processing and Other Information
Journal of a Cruise on Board the U.S.S. Delaware, 1833-1835 was formerly cataloged as MS 54.
Journal of a cruise on board the U.S. Ship Independence, U.S. Ship Fairfield, and U.S. Ship John Adams, 1837-1840 was formerly cataloged as MS 32.
Remarks and occurrences on board the U.S. Sloop of War John Adams, 1828-1844 (bulk 1837-1840) was formerly cataloged as MS 33.
Remarks and occurrences on board the U.S. Sloop of War John Adams and U.S. Ship Columbus, 1840-1846 was formerly cataloged as MS 34.
Record of punishments on board the U.S. Ship Columbus, 1845-1848 was formerly cataloged as MS 35.
Watch-, Quarter-, and Station-Bill of the U.S.S. Congress and the U.S.S. Constitution, 1819, circa 1824 was formerly cataloged as MS 70.
Rules and regulations of the U.S.S. Java, [1829] was formerly cataloged as MS 7.
Rules and Regulations of the U.S.S. John Adams, 1837 was formerly cataloged as MS 63.
Rules and Internal Regulations for the Government of the U.S. Ship Columbus, 1845-1846 was formerly cataloged as MS 64.
Watch-, Quarter-, and Station-Bills of the U.S.S. Preble, 1855 was formerly cataloged as MS 8.
Journal of the U.S.S. Constitution, 1824-1825 was formerly cataloged as MS 53.
Thomas W. Wyman notebook, undated was formerly cataloged as MS 52.
Thomas W. Wyman seamanship notebook, [1825] was formerly cataloged as MS 43.
Tables showing the masts and spars, rigging and stores, &c. of every description, allowed to the different classes of vessels belonging to the Navy of the United States, 1826, undated was formerly cataloged as MS 37.
Preferred Citation
Thomas W. and Robert H. Wyman Naval Papers, MS 5
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Selected Bibliography
The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:
Cogar, William B. Dictionary of Admirals of the U.S. Navy. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1989-.
United States. Bureau of Naval Personnel. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1814-.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in September 2014. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in September 2014.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Columbus (Ship-of-the-line)
- Congress (Frigate)
- Constitution (Frigate)
- Delaware (Ship-of-the-line)
- Fairfield (Sloop-of-war)
- Independence (Ship-of-the-line)
- Java (Frigate)
- John Adams (Frigate)
- Masts and rigging
- Military discipline -- United States
- Naval offenses -- United States
- North Carolina (Ship-of-the-line)
- Preble (Sloop-of-War)
- Ships -- Equipment and supplies
- Sumatra
- Training-ships -- United States
- United States Naval Academy -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
- United States. Navy -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
- United States. Navy -- Supplies and stores
- United States. Navy. East India Squadron
- United States. Navy. Mediterranean Squadron
- United States. Navy. South Atlantic Squadron
- Voyages around the world
- Wyman, Robert Harris, 1822-1882
- Wyman, Thomas W., d. 1854
- Wyman, Thomas W., d. 1854
Genre Terms
- Journals (accounts)
- Manuscripts
- Notebooks
- Regulations (executive documents)
- Ships' logs
- Tables (documents)
Contents List
Series 1: Journals and Logbooks, 1833-1848 Boxes 1-5
Series DescriptionJournals maintained by Thomas W. Wyman, or by those under his command, and by his son, Robert H. Wyman. The journals, which pertain to cruises by U.S.S. Delaware, U.S.S. Independence, U.S.S. Fairfield, U.S.S. John Adams, and U.S.S. Columbus, are similar in form to the ships' official logbooks, with notations on course, weather, location, and daily occurrences.
Four of the journals are the product of cruises by Thomas W. Wyman, and include actions by U.S.S. John Adams during the Second Sumatran Expedition. The last of these volumes pertains solely to crew conduct and the resulting punishments on board U.S.S. Columbus while she was under Wyman's command. One journal is the product of Robert H. Wyman's first three duty stations, including a tour aboard U.S.S. John Adams during her Second Sumatran Expedition engagements under Thomas W. Wyman's command.
One additional brief journal by Thomas W. Wyman of his service aboard U.S.S. Constitution from 1824 to 1825 can be found in Series 3, sharing the same volume as the station bill of U.S.S. North Carolina.
Series ArrangementArranged chronologically.
Journal of a Cruise on Board the U.S.S. Delaware, 1833-1835 1 volume (163 leaves)
The journal, kept by Thomas W. Wyman, is the product of a cruise aboard U.S.S. Delaware, commanded by Henry E. Ballard and John B. Nicolson, and serving as the flagship of D. T. Patterson. The journal, which covers a cruise from Hampton Roads with stops at New York, Cherbourg, Port Mahon, Toulon, Marseilles, Naples, Alexandria, Jaffa, and Beirut, focuses largely on weather and the ship's course, location, and sails.
Journal of a cruise on board the U.S. Ship Independence, U.S. Ship Fairfield, and U.S. Ship John Adams, 1837-1840 1 volume (265 leaves)
The journals, maintained by Robert H. Wyman, are the product of Wyman's first three assignments aboard: U.S.S. Independence (Ship-of-the-line), commanded by John B. Nicolson during cruises to Europe and on the Brazil Station, April 27, 1837-May 2, 1838; U.S.S. Fairfield (Sloop-of-war), commanded by Isaac Mayo as part of the Brazil Station, May 3-July 14, 1838; and U.S.S. John Adams (Frigate), commanded by Thomas W. Wyman on an around the world cruise, July 15, 1838-January 24, 1838. During her cruise, the John Adams fired upon the fort at Quallah Battoo (Kuala Batu, Sumatra) on December 25, 1838, and landed troops for an attack on the Village of Muckie on January 1, 1839, as part of the Second Sumatran Expedition. Included in the volume is a list of the officers of the U.S.S. Independence.
Remarks and occurrences on board the U.S. Sloop of War John Adams, 1828-1844 (bulk 1837-1840) 1 volume (259 leaves)
The journal spans the period of December 5, 1837-April 19, 1840, during which time the U.S.S. John Adams was under the command of Thomas W. Wyman. The journal, which notes weather conditions, course, sails, and provisions, is the product of an around the world cruise by the John Adams. During her cruise, the John Adams fired upon the fort at Quallah Battoo (Kuala Batu, Sumatra) on December 25, 1838, and landed troops for an attack on the Village of Muckie on January 1, 1839, as part of the Second Sumatran Expedition. Included in the volume are notations on the draft of U.S.S. Columbus in 1828, 1842, and 1844, as well as the draft of U.S.S. Delaware in 1829.
Remarks and occurrences on board the U.S. Sloop of War John Adams, 1840 April 20-June 29 leaves 1-29
The first 29 leaves of the volume comprise a journal of the U.S.S. John Adams, under the command of Thomas W. Wyman, during a cruise to Rio de Janeiro and Charlestown following her around the world cruise.
Remarks and occurrences on board the U.S. Ship of War Columbus, 1845 April 26-1846 December 12 leaves 30-280
The remainder of the volume comprises a journal of the U.S.S. Columbus, under the command of Thomas W. Wyman, during cruises to China, Japan, and Chile. Serving as Commodore James Biddle's East India Squadron flagship, the Columbus sailed for Canton, China, where Biddle delivered ratified copies of the first American commercial treaty with China.
Record of punishments on board the U.S. Ship Columbus, 1845-1848 1 volume (28 leaves)
Record of punishments imposed on board U.S.S. Columbus from May 15, 1845-February 22, 1848, while the ship was under the command of Thomas W. Wyman and serving as the flagship of Commodore James Biddle. The volume notes the name and rate of the sailors punished, the offence, punishment, date of confinement, and date of punishment, as well as general remarks.
Series 2: Ships' Regulations and Bills, 1817-1855 Boxes 6-10
Series DescriptionRules and regulations, as well as watch-, quarter-, and station-bills for five of Thomas Wyman's duty stations and commands, as well as one of Robert Wyman's duty stations. Specifically, the volumes pertain to the internal organization and regulation of U.S.S. Congress, U.S.S. Constitution, U.S.S. Java, U.S.S. John Adams, U.S.S. Columbus, and U.S.S. Preble.
Series ArrangementArranged chronologically.
Standing Orders and Watch-, Quarter-, and Station-Bill of the U.S.S. Congress, 1819 leaves 1-46
In addition to the watch-, quarter-, and station-bill, the volume includes general orders pertaining to log keeping, discipline, watch keeping, and other matters of daily routine, as well as a separate set of orders specifically for the Master.
Rules and regulations of the U.S.S. Java, [1829] 1 volume (31 leaves)
This volume presumably belonged to Thomas W. Wyman (d. 1854), first lieutenant aboard the U. S. S. Java, since the internal rules and regulations for the ship list the first lieutenant's responsibilities. In 1829, the Java, under the command of Captain John Downes, formed part of the Mediterranean Squadron. The front pastedown bears the paper label of Valentin Delestrade, stationer in Marseille. The volume includes the alphabetical crew list and the watch-bill.
Rules and Internal Regulations for the Government of the U.S. Ship Columbus, 1845-1846 1 volume (81 leaves)
The volume includes descriptions of the duties of various officers, 61 articles of general orders, fire and quarters orders, and the musical notes for beats to quarters. Also included are various routines, regulations for the Columbus' school room, and orders for the loading and firing of weapons.
Watch-, Quarter-, and Station-Bills of the U.S.S. Preble, 1855 1 volume (31 leaves)
The volume is the product of Robert Wyman's service aboard U.S.S. Preble while she was assigned to the U.S. Naval Academy as a practice ship. The volume includes the midshipmen's watch bill, crew watch bill, quarter bill, and rigging information. At the back of the volume are "recipes" for whitewash, blacking, and other compounds used aboard ship.
Series 3: Instructional and Reference Works, 1824-1826 Boxes 11-14
Series DescriptionTables, notebooks, and other reference works maintained by the Wymans pertaining to such topics as general seamanship, ships' riggings, navigation, gunnery, and officers' pay. Several of the volume date from Thomas Wyman's service aboard U.S.S. Constitution as part of the Mediterranean Squadron and include information, such as watch-, quarter-, and station-bills, for Commodore John Rodgers' flagship U.S.S. North Carolina.
Included in the series' second volume is a journal kept aboard U.S.S. Constitution during her cruise in the Mediterranean under the command of Thomas Macdonough. The series also includes handwritten copies printed materials, such as the Board of Navy Commissioners' Tables of Masts, Spars, Rigging, and Stores, originally printed by Peter Force in 1826.
Series ArrangementArranged roughly chronologically.
Thomas W. Wyman notebook, undated 1 volume (164 leaves)
Roughly half of the volume is composed of various general tables, such as "Outfits &c for Ships of War," "Table of Officers and Crew," "Notes Relative to the repairs of vessels," "Number, Price, and Dimensions of Blocks," "Rules made by Commodore Bainbridge for Masting and Sparring Ships," "Abstract of Stores for each Department of the Different Classes of Vessels of the United States Navy," "Table of Masts and Spars Referred to in the Outfits," "Table of the Contents and Weight of Cable Laid Cordage," "A Table Shewing the Monthly Pay of Each Class of Officers and Seamen," "A System of Marine Exercise by Charles Morris," "Fire Works," and "Directions for Fitting a Fire Ship." The second half of the volume is composed of the quarter-, boarding-, fire-, sail trimming-, watch-, mooring and unmooring-, tacking and wearing-, and reefing and hoisting-bills of U.S.S. Franklin and U.S.S. North Carolina.
Rigging tables, undated leaves 1-160
Most of the volume consists of tables of "the length and size of the running and standing rigging for a ship" of various classes from 28 to 110 guns, as well as tables of mast, yard, and spar dimensions. Also included in the volume is a "Continuation of the Station Bill of the U.S. Ship North Carolina.
Journal of the U.S.S. Constitution, 1824 October 29-1825 March 7 leaves 160-176
The journal, beginning from the back of the volume, presumably belonged to Thomas Wyman, who was stationed aboard the Constitution as a Lieutenant at the time. The journal is a product of the Constitution's cruise of the Mediterranean under the command of Thomas Macdonough, with calls at Gibraltar, Algiers, Tunis, and Syracuse.
Thomas W. Wyman seamanship notebook, [1825] 1 volume (112 leaves)
Notes on seamanship, navigation, gunnery, and other naval matters. The volume includes sections on instructions to various officers and crew, salutes to be rendered, principles for determining the length of a hull and masts, methods of sparring in the British Navy, map drawing procedures, lines of bearing, the order of battle, sailing methods, questions useful in gunnery, proving methods for guns, cannonball velocity, proofs of gunpowder, and range of fire. The volume also includes orders regarding enemy boarders, the fighting bill of U.S.S. North Carolina, and the musical notes comprising various calls. The volume is illustrated with drawings of masts, riggings, and cannon.
Tables showing the masts and spars, rigging and stores, &c. of every description, allowed to the different classes of vessels belonging to the Navy of the United States, 1826, undated 1 volume (131 leaves)
The volume, maintained by Robert H. Wyman, comprises a handwritten transcript of the Board of Navy Commissioners' tables of masts, spars, rigging, and stores, originally printed by Peter Force in 1826. The volume's eight tables are entitled "Masts and Spars," "Rigging," "Boatswain's Stores," "Sails," "Outfits," "Warrant Officer's Stores," "Furniture," and "Stationary." Beginning at the end of the volume are tables of the block dimensions of U.S.S. North Carolina, the size and length of cable laid rope, and the size and length of shroud laid rope, as well as transcriptions of Commodore Rogers' "Rules for Sparring and Rigging" and "Rules for Finding the Sizes of Standing Rigging."