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Nimitz Library

Order book of the H.M.S. Penguin, 1808-1876 (bulk 1810-1814): Finding Aid

Published in May 2020

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 58
  • Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
  • Title: Order book of the H.M.S. Penguin
  • Dates: 1808-1876
  • Bulk Dates: 1810-1814
  • Size: 0.21 linear feet
  • Container Summary: 1 half-manuscript box containing 2 items
  • Creator: Penguin (Sloop-of-war)
  • Language(s) of material: English
  • Abstract: H.M.S. Penguin was a Royal Navy brig-sloop. The Order book of the H.M.S. Penguin spans from 1808 to 1876, although most of the contents date from 1810 and 1814. The volume consists of orders kept aboard the British sloop-of-war Penguin, pertaining to topics such as ship maintenance, grog allowances, naval examinations, the discharge of sailors, courts-martial, and a possible visit of the Grand Duchess Catherine of Russia.

History of H.M.S. Penguin (Sloop-of-war)

H.M.S. Penguin, a Cruizer class brig-sloop, was ordered on August 20, 1812, laid down in November 1812, launched on June 29, 1813, and fitted out at Sheerness between July 30, 1813 and June 4, 1814. She was commissioned in November 1813, Commander Thomas Toker in command. When completed in June 1814, she was under the command of Commander James Dickinson. Penguin's career was brief, as she was defeated in battle by U.S.S. Hornet (Sloop-of-war) under the command of James Biddle on March 23, 1815 off Tristan da Cunha, shortly after the official end of the War of 1812. Considered beyond salvage, the crew of the Hornet scuttled Penguin the next day.

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Description of Contents

The Order book of the H.M.S. Penguin, comprising a single volume of 42 leaves with one additional loose order, spans from 1808 to 1876, although most of the contents date from 1810 and 1814. The volume consists of orders kept aboard the British sloop-of-war Penguin, pertaining to topics such as ship maintenance, grog allowances, naval examinations, the discharge of sailors, courts-martial, and a possible visit of the Grand Duchess Catherine of Russia.

An order of November 23, 1814 pertains to the impressment of sailors. Inside the front cover is a September 4, 1876 letter from the donor to Naval Academy Superintendent C. R. P. Rodgers. Filed separately from the volume is a February 1814 order pertaining to the establishment and pay of carpenters mates and crews.

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Arrangement

The Order book of the H.M.S. Penguin is arranged by document type.

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Access and Use

Access

Patron use restricted to microfilm and digital surrogates.

Copyright and Permission

The Order book of the H.M.S. Penguin 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.

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Acquisition and Appraisal

Custodial History

The Order book of the H.M.S. Penguin presumably came into the possession of James Biddle when he, in command of U.S.S. Hornet (Sloop-of-war), captured H.M.S. Penguin on March 23, 1815.

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of Craig Biddle in September 1876. Accession No. 18758.

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Related Materials

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

Digital copies of the Order book of the H.M.S. Penguin are available in the USNA Digital Collections at https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991003323709706751.

This collection also available on microfilm.

Related Archival Material

Additional Royal Navy logbooks available in this repository include the Remark-Book of the H.M.S. Alert, 1847-1849, MS 59; Log of the H.M.S. Theseus, H.M.S. Royal George, H.M.S. Sophie, and H.M.S. Seahorse, 1806-1811, MS 155; Log Book of Proceedings on board His Majesty's Ship Valiant, 1811-1813, MS 156; and Log Book of the H.M.S. Wasp and the H.M.S. Eridanus, 1813-1817, MS 157.

Additional material pertaining to H.M.S. Penguin can be found in the HM Penguin Collection, 1814-1815, at the University of Michigan's William L. Clements Library.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

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Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Order book of the H.M.S. Penguin, MS 58

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

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

Winfield, Rif. British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793-1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Seaforth Publishing, 2008.

Processing Information

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

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Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

  • Great Britain -- History, Naval -- 19th century -- Sources
  • Penguin (Sloop-of-war)

Genre Terms

  • Manuscripts
  • Orders (military records)
  • Ships' logs

Additional Creator/Author

  • Great Britain. Admiralty
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Contents List

Box 1 Folder 1

Order book of the H.M.S. Penguin, 1808-1814, 1876

Box 1 Folder 2

Establishment and Pay of Carpenters Mates and Crews, 1814 February 11

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