Log of the U.S.S. Hartford, the U.S.S. Lackawanna, and the U.S.S. Mohican, 1884-1886: Finding Aid

Biographical Chronology of John Daniel McDonald

1863

• Born on November 1 in Machias, Maine, son of Patrick McDonald.

1880

• On October 6, admitted to the United States Naval Academy Class of 1884 from Nevada.

1884

• In June, graduates from the United States Naval Academy and begins two years mandatory sea service aboard U.S.S. Hartford (Screw sloop-of-war) of the Pacific Squadron.
• In July, transferred to U.S.S. Lackawanna (Screw sloop-of-war).

1885

• In March, attached to the receiving ship U.S.S. Independence at Mare Island.
• In May, returns to the Pacific Squadron attached to U.S.S. Mohican (Screw sloop-of-war).

1886

• In April, returns to the United States Naval Academy.
• On July 1, commissioned Ensign.
• In August, assigned to coast survey duty.

1889

• In December, detached from coast survey duty.

1890

• In January, attached to U.S.S. Charleston (Protected cruiser: C-2), flagship of the Pacific Squadron.
• In July, transferred to U.S.S. Nipsic (Gunboat).
• In October, attached to receiving ship U.S.S. Independence at Mare Island following the U.S.S. Nipsic's decommissioning.
• In December, returns to the Pacific Squadron attached to U.S.S. Mohican.

1892

• In October, ordered home and granted leave of absence.

1893

• In March, attached to U.S.S. Monterey (Monitor: BM-6) of the Pacific Squadron.

1896

• In May, attached to U.S.S. Charleston of the Asiatic Squadron.
• In July, ordered home and granted leave of absence.
• In September, attached to the Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting in Washington, DC.
• In November, attached to the New York Nautical School's school ship St. Mary's.

1898

• In January, attached to U.S.S. Monadnock (Monitor: BM-3) of the Pacific Squadron.
• In January, attached to U.S.S. Monterey of the Pacific Squadron and later, Asiatic Station.
• On July 17, promoted to Lieutenant.

1899

• In August, attached to U.S.S. Charleston of the Asiatic Station.
• In November, assigned to temporary duty aboard U.S.S. Wheeling (Gunboat: PG-14).
• In December, attached to U.S.S. Baltimore (Protected cruiser: C-3) of the Asiatic Station.

1900

• In January, transferred to U.S.S. Castine (Gunboat: PG-6).

1901

• In April, assigned to special duty aboard U.S.S. Buffalo (Auxiliary cruiser: AD-8) of the Asiatic Station.

1904

• On February 4, promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
• In June, ordered home and waiting orders.
• In July, assigned to the Navy Department in Washington, DC, then ordered home and waiting orders.
• In August, assigned to duty connected with the Naval Torpedo Station in Newport.
• In September, assigned to temporary duty and instruction at the Naval Gun Factory in Washington, DC.
• In October, attached to the Indian Head Naval Ordnance Proving Ground, followed by duty at the Bureau of Navigation.
• In October, attached to U.S.S. Ohio (Battleship: BB-12), flagship of the Asiatic Fleet.

1907

• In January, detached from U.S.S. Ohio.
• In February, appointed Inspector for the 1st Lighthouse District in Portland, Maine.

1908

• On July 1, promoted to Commander.
• In September, detached from Lighthouse duty.
• In October, assumes command of U.S.S. Castine on special service.

1909

• In June, detached from U.S.S. Castine.
• In August, assumes command of U.S.S. Chattanooga (Protected cruiser: C-16) of the Pacific Squadron.

1910

• In September, detached from U.S.S. Chattanooga.
• In October, reappointed Inspector for the 1st Lighthouse District.

1911

• In July, assumes command of the receiving ship U.S.S. Hancock at New York.
• On September 14, promoted to Captain.
• In December, assumes command of U.S.S. Virginia (Battleship: BB-13) of the Atlantic Fleet.

1913

• In October, ordered home waiting orders.
• In December, assigned to the Naval War College.

1915

• In November, appointed Chief of Staff of the Atlantic Fleet aboard U.S.S. Wyoming (Battleship: BB-32).

1916

• In June, assigned to duty in connection with the sea trials of U.S.S. Arizona (Battleship: BB-39), and after which assumes command.

1917

• On October 15, temporarily promoted to Rear Admiral.

1918

• In February, appointed Commandant of the New York Navy Yard.
• On December 31, permanently promoted to Rear Admiral.

1921

• In June, assumes command of Battleship Force, Atlantic Fleet aboard U.S.S. Arizona.

1922

• In December, assumes command of the Scouting Fleet aboard U.S.S. Wyoming.

1923

• In June, appointed Commandant of the 14th Naval District and Naval Operating Base, Pearl Harbor.

1927

• In September, ordered home and waiting orders.
• On November 1, transferred to the Retired List.

1930

• On June 21, advanced to Vice Admiral on the Retired List.

1952

• On September 2, dies in Oakland, California.

Description of Contents

The Log of the U.S.S. Hartford, the U.S.S. Lackawanna, and the U.S.S. Mohican, comprising 0.3 linear feet of documentation in a single volume of 254 leaves, was compiled between 1884 and 1886. The logs were compiled by naval cadet John D. McDonald, United States Naval Academy Class of 1884, while performing his two years of mandatory sea service prior to commissioning with the Pacific Squadron.

The logbook includes sections for U.S.S. Hartford (Screw sloop-of-war), spanning July 1, 1884 to August 28, 1844, under the command of George H. Perkins; U.S.S. Lackawanna (Screw sloop-of-war), spanning August 29, 1884 to February 28, 1885, under the command of Augustus P. Cooke; and U.S.S. Mohican (Screw sloop-of-war), spanning May 25, 1885 to February 14, 1886, under the command of Benjamin F. Day. For each vessel, the logbook records the ship's course, speed, sailing/steaming conditions, and daily occurrences.

Arrangement

The Log of the U.S.S. Hartford, the U.S.S. Lackawanna, and the U.S.S. Mohican comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Patron use restricted to microfilm.

Copyright and Permission

The Log of the U.S.S. Hartford, the U.S.S. Lackawanna, and the U.S.S. Mohican 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. 132564.

Related Materials

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

This collection also available on microfilm.

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to John Daniel McDonald in this repository can be found in his Midshipman Conduct Record and Alumni Jacket.

Additional logbooks kept by midshipmen aboard U.S.S. Hartford in this repository include Log of the U.S.S. Hartford, the U.S.S. Wachusett, and the U.S.S. Iroquois, 1884-1885, MS 120; Victor Macpherson's Watch, Quarter, Fire, Boat, Battalion Station Bills, Etc. of the U.S. Steamer Hartford, 1884, MS 84 and Log of the U.S.S. Hartford, 1884-1885, MS 121; and Albert C. Mathews' Log of the U.S.S. Hartford and U.S.S. Shenandoah, 1884-1886, MS 122.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Log of the U.S.S. Hartford, the U.S.S. Lackawanna, and the U.S.S. Mohican, MS 119

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.

McDonald, John Daniel 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

• Hartford (Screw sloop-of-war)
• Lackawanna (Screw sloop-of-war)
• McDonald, John Daniel, 1863-1952
• Mohican (Screw sloop-of-war)
• Naval education -- United States
• United States. Navy -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
• United States. Navy. Pacific Squadron

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Ships' logs