George P. Ryan Journal of the U.S.S. Plymouth, 1860: Finding Aid

Biographical Chronology of George Parker Ryan

1842

• Born on May 8 in Massachusetts.

1857

• On September 30, admitted to the United States Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1861.

1861

• In June, graduates from the United States Naval Academy.
• On June 1, appointed Midshipman.
• As of August, attached to U.S.S. Bainbridge (Sloop-of-war).

1862

• On July 16, promoted to Lieutenant.
• As of September, waiting orders.

1863

• As of January, attached to U.S.S. Sacramento (Sloop-of-war) for special service on the coast of Europe.

1866

• As of January, attached to U.S.S. Lenapee (Steamer) of the Atlantic Squadron.
• In July, promoted to Lieutenant Commander.

1867

• As of January, attached to the United States Naval Academy as an instructor in Astronomy, Navigation, and Surveying.

1869

• As of July, attached to U.S.S. Sabine (Frigate) for a special cruise.

1871

• As of January, attached to the United States Naval Academy as an instructor in Natural and Experimental Philosophy.

1874

• As of January, on special duty at the Naval Observatory in Washington, DC in connection with the Transit of Venus.
• In October, promoted to Commander.

1875

• On November 15, assumes command of U.S.S. Huron (Screw steamer) upon her commissioning.

1877

• On November 24, dies aboard U.S.S. Huron when she runs aground and later capsizes off Nags Head, North Carolina.

History of U.S.S. Plymouth (Sloop-of-war)

U.S.S. Plymouth, a sloop-of-war built by the Boston Navy Yard, departed Boston April 3, 1844 for the Mediterranean, Commander Henry Henry in command. After over a year in European waters, she sailed westward and arrived at New York on October 4, 1846. Following service on the east coast, Plymouth departed New York on February 13, 1848 for the Far East, returning to Norfolk from the East Indies on January 29, 1851. On August 23, 1851, she stood out from Hampton Roads, bound once again for the Orient. After duty on the East Indies Station, she joined Commodore Matthew C. Perry's expedition to Japan, entering Tokyo Bay on July 8, 1853 and departing on the 17th. She returned in February of the following year, and before heading home, put into Shanghai where she sent a party ashore to support a coordinated British-American expedition against hostile forts in the area.

Returning to Norfolk on January 11, 1855, Plymouth began an extended tour in the Atlantic. Assigned as midshipmen training ship during the summers of 1855 and 1856, she tested new ordnance under the command of Commander John A. Dahlgren in 1858 and resumed duties as a training ship for midshipmen during the summers of 1859 and 1860.

Plymouth was at Norfolk for repairs during the secession crises in the winter of 1860-1861. After Virginia seceded from the Union, she was burned and scuttled there on 20 April 20, 1861, to prevent her capture by Confederate forces when the Navy Yard fell into their hands.

Description of Contents

The George P. Ryan Journal of the U.S.S. Plymouth, comprising 0.13 linear feet of documentation in a single volume of 97 leaves, was kept in 1860. The journal, a partially printed manuscript, was kept by Ryan on a summer cruise (June 27 - September 28, 1860) aboard the sloop-of-war U.S.S. Plymouth, a practice ship at the Naval Academy under the command of Thomas Tingey Craven.

Arrangement

The George P. Ryan Journal of the U.S.S. Plymouth comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Patron use restricted to microfilm.

Copyright and Permission

The George P. Ryan Journal of the U.S.S. Plymouth is 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

Accession No. 16751.

Related Materials

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

This collection also available on microfilm.

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to George Parker Ryan in this repository can be found in Ryan's Midshipman Conduct Record and Alumni Jacket. Portraits of Ryan are available in Photo Albums 2, 3, 15, 81, 82, and 96. Additional records of the 1860 summer cruise can be found in the George M. Bache Journal of the U.S.S. Plymouth, 1860, MS 10.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

George P. Ryan Journal of the U.S.S. Plymouth, MS 9

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:

Callahan, Edward William. List of Officers of the Navy of the United States and of the Marine Corps, from 1775 to 1900. New York: L.R. Hamersly & Co., 1901.

"Plymouth I (Sloop-of-War)." Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Washington: Naval History and Heritage Command, 2015, https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/p/plymouth-i.html.

Ryan, George Parker Alumni Jacket, RG 405, Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in April 2020.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Naval education -- United States
• Plymouth (Sloop-of-war)
• Ryan, George Parker 1842-187
• Training-ships -- United States
• United States Naval Academy -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
• United States Naval Academy -- Midshipmen -- Cruises

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Ships' logs