Watch, Quarter, Station, and Fire Bills of the U.S.S. Guerriere, 1868: Finding Aid

Biography of Theodorus B. M. Mason

Theodorus Bailey Myers Mason, born in New York in 1848, was admitted to the United States Naval Academy from Florida on September 20, 1864, while the Academy was temporarily located in Newport, Rhode Island. After graduating in 1868, he was attached to U.S.S. Guerriere (Screw sloop), flagship of the South Atlantic Station, during which duty he was commended for saving two sailors from drowning in the harbor of Rio de Janeiro. Upon completion of that cruise, he was commissioned Ensign on April 19, 1869. Mason was then attached to the flagship of the European Station, U.S.S. Franklin (Screw frigate). Duty at the Hydrographic Office followed, with additional duty as Aide to the Secretary of the Navy. In the years leading up to the War of the Pacific between Chile, Bolivia, and Peru, Mason was attached to U.S.S. Pensacola (Screw steamer), cruising on the West coast of South America.

In 1877, Mason was attached to the Naval Academy's Department of Ordnance and Gunnery, after which he toured Europe, where he studied European naval developments and served temporarily as Aide to French President Patrice de MacMahon during the Exposition of 1878. After returning to the United States, Mason was tasked, in June 1882, with establishing the Office of Naval Intelligence. In 1885, he was given additional duty as part of the American response to the Panama Incident, after which he returned to Europe to instruct the Navy's new cadre of naval attaches in their role as part of the Office of Naval Intelligence. Later in the decade, he served as Aide to Secretaries of the Navy William C. Whitney and Benjamin Tracy in matters of modernization of the fleet.

His health failing, Mason retired from the United States Navy on December 8, 1894. Theodorus Bailey Myers Mason died on October 15, 1899. On the second anniversary of his death, the Mason Memorial Window, also known as the Sir Galahad Window, was unveiled at the Naval Academy Chapel.

History of the U.S.S. Guerriere

U.S.S. Guerriere, a screw sloop-of-war, was launched on September 9, 1865 in Boston and was commissioned May 21, 1867, Commander Thomas Corbin, in command. She sailed from New York June 28, 1867 to serve as flagship of the South Atlantic Squadron, protecting American commerce and interests along the coast of South America. She was relieved as flagship by U.S.S. Lancaster (Screw sloop) on June 17, 1869 and sailed from Rio de Janeiro for the New York Navy Yard where she decommissioned on July 29, 1869.

Guerriere recommissioned at New York on August 10, 1870. At Portsmouth, New Hampshire she received the body of the late Admiral David G. Farragut on September 27 for transport to New York. The following day she went aground on Great Point, Nantucket Shoals, and was forced to transfer Admiral Farragut's remains to the merchant steamer Island Home. After refloating on October 1, 1870, she continued to New York.

On December 17, 1870, Guerriere departed New York to join the Mediterranean Squadron, and on April 7, 1871 she hosted the Pasha of Tripoli, who inspected the ship and presented Guerriere's captain with the anchor of the frigate Philadelphia (Frigate), which was destroyed during the First Barbary War in 1804. From Tripoli, Guerriere cruised to the ports of Egypt, Lebanon, Italy and France. On December 1, 1871 she stood out of Villefranche with the remains of Major General Anderson, which were transferred to Army authorities off Fort Monroe, Virginia on February 6, 1872. She remained at Norfolk until March 10, then sailed for the New York Navy Yard where she was decommissioned March 22, 1872. She was laid up in ordinary there until December 12, 1872, when she was sold to D. Buchler of New York.

Description of Contents

The Watch, Quarter, Station, and Fire Bills of the U.S.S. Guerriere, comprising 0.13 linear feet of documentation in a single volume of 79 leaves, were compiled in 1868 by Midshipman Theodorus B. M. Mason while the Guerriere was serving as flagship of the South Atlantic Station. The volume also includes bills for boat crews.

Arrangement

The Watch, Quarter, Station, and Fire Bills of the U.S.S. Guerriere comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Patron use restricted to microfilm.

Copyright and Permission

The Watch, Quarter, Station, and Fire Bills of the U.S.S. Guerriere 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. 59655.

Related Materials

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

This collection also available on microfilm.

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to Theodorus B. M. Mason in this repository includes his Midshipman Conduct Records, Alumni Jacket, and portraits in Photo Albums 10, 85, 86, and 87.

Additional papers pertaining to and produced by Theodorus B. M. Mason can be found in the Myers-Mason-Bailey Family Papers (1790-1919) at the University of Michigan's Clements Library, as well as the Theodorus B.M. Mason Journal, 1848-1876 at the University of West Florida.

Official logbooks of U.S.S. Guerriere 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, Station, and Fire Bills of the U.S.S. Guerriere, MS 74

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

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

"Guerriere II (ScSlp)." Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Washington: Naval History and Heritage Command, 2005, https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/g/guerriere-ii.html.

United States Naval Academy. Annual Register of the United States Naval Academy. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1868.

United States. Bureau of Naval Personnel. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1868-1899.

Mason, Theodorus Bailey M. 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

• Guerriere (Screw sloop-of-war)
• Mason, Theodorus B. M. (Theodorus Bailey Myers), 1848-1899
• United States. Navy -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
• United States. Navy. South Atlantic Squadron

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Ships' logs