Watch-, Quarter-, and Station-Bill of the U.S.S. John Adams and the U.S.S. Congress, 1818-1819: Finding Aid

Biography of John D. Henley

John Dandridge Henley was born on February 25, 1781 in Williamsburg, Virginia, and received his warrant as a Midshipman 14 October 1799. Early in his career, Henley was recognized for his contributions during the Barbary Wars against Tripoli. On August 3, 1804, while attached to Gunboat No. 6, Henley and the vessel's crew successfully boarded and seized an enemy ship of superior size and complement. Henley later took part in several other attacks as Commodore Treble's squadron engaged in operations against the Tripolitan pirates. After the wars, Henley was promoted to Lieutenant on January 3, 1807.

During the War of 1812, Henley was promoted again, to the rank of Commander on July 24, 1813. Later in the War, he commanded U.S.S. Carolina (Schooner) during the Battle of New Orleans. During the battle, Carolina and several other ships offered gunfire support, protecting the flank of Andrew Jackson's forces. After the war, Henley was promoted to the rank of Captain on March 5, 1817. In 1819, he assumed command of U.S.S. Congress (Frigate), captaining that vessel until at least 1822.

Later in his career, Henley served successively in several shore establishments, serving as the Commanding Naval Officer at Charleston in 1827 and Baltimore in 1828, and commanding the Portsmouth Navy Yard by 1829. Henley later returned to sea, and by 1835, was aboard the newly recommissioned U.S.S. Vandalia (Sloop-of-war). John D. Henley died on May 23, 1835 on board Vandalia at Havana, Cuba.

Description of Contents

The Watch-, Quarter-, and Station-Bill of the U.S.S. John Adams and the U.S.S. Congress, comprising 0.13 linear feet of documentation in a single volume of 65 leaves, spans from 1818 to 1819. The volume, compiled by Captain John D. Henley, includes general orders issued by Henley; the dimensions, watch bill and station bill for U.S.S. John Adams (Frigate); tables for outfitting various classes of U.S. Navy vessels; rigging tables; instructions for the making of gunpowder and rockets; dimensions of U.S.S. President (Frigate); and the dimensions, quarter bill, and station bill of U.S.S. Congress (Frigate).

The volume is inscribed by Theodore [or Theodorus] B. Mason.

Arrangement

The Watch-, Quarter-, and Station-Bill of the U.S.S. John Adams and the U.S.S. Congress comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Patron use restricted to microfilm.

Copyright and Permission

The Watch-, Quarter-, and Station-Bill of the U.S.S. John Adams and the U.S.S. Congress 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

Accessioned on September 1, 1922. Accession No. 59654.

Related Materials

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

This collection also available on microfilm.

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to the career of John D. Henley in this repository can be found in the John D. Henley Letterbook, 1808-1812, MS 38.

Similar documents from the career of John D. Henley are available at the Peabody Essex Museum and the Portsmouth Athenaeum.

Official logbooks of U.S.S. Congress, U.S.S. John Adams, and U.S.S. President may be available in Logbooks of U.S. Navy Ships, ca. 1801 - 1940, Record Group 24: Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, 1798-2007 at the National Archives and Records Administration.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Watch-, Quarter-, and Station-Bill of the U.S.S. John Adams and the U.S.S. Congress, MS 73

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

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

"John D. Henley (DD-553)." Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Washington: Naval History and Heritage Command, 2015, https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/j/john-d-henley-dd-553.html.

United States. Bureau of Naval Personnel. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1821-1829.

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

• Congress (Frigate)
• Henley, John D. (John Dandridge), 1781-1835
• John Adams (Frigate)
• Masts and rigging
• President (Frigate)
• United States. Navy -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
• United States. Navy -- Ordnance and ordnance stores

Genre Terms

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