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Log of the United States Steamer Mercury, 1864-1866: Finding Aid

Published in April 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 128
  • Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
  • Title: Log of the United States Steamer Mercury
  • Dates: 1864-1866
  • Size: 0.17 linear feet
  • Container Summary: 1 volume of 97 leaves
  • Creator: Mercury (Steamer)
  • Language(s) of material: English
  • Abstract: U.S.S. Mercury was a side-wheel steam tug of the United States Navy during and after the Civil War. The Log of the United States Steamer Mercury spans from July 21, 1864 to January 1, 1866. The logbook is the product of Mercury's service in the Potomac Flotilla during the Civil War and her assignment to the United States Naval Academy after the war.

History of U.S.S. Mercury (Steamer)

U.S.S. Mercury was a side-wheel steam tug of the United States Navy during and after the Civil War. During the war, she saw action with Samuel F. Du Pont's South Atlantic Blockading Squadron during the Union assault on Port Royal in November 1861. Later in the war, she served with the Potomac Flotilla, after which she was assigned to the United States Naval Academy in 1865, where she served until at least 1869.

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Description of Contents

The Log of the United States Steamer Mercury, comprising 0.17 linear feet of documentation in a single volume of 97 leaves, spans from July 21, 1864 to January 1, 1866. The logbook is the product of Mercury's service in the Potomac Flotilla during the Civil War and her assignment to the United States Naval Academy after the war.

The logbook notes weather conditions, ship's location, daily occurrences, and vessels with which the Mercury operated. As a member of the Potomac Flotilla from July 21, 1864 through November 13, 1864 Mercury steamed in the Chesapeake Bay off St. Inigoes and off the mouths of the Rappahannock and Wicomico Rivers. Beginning on October 13, 1865, the logbook records the ship's operations in Annapolis Harbor, but makes little mention of operations related to the Naval Academy. Included in the logbook are a list of officers, a general order, and a partial list of supplies.

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Arrangement

The Log of the United States Steamer Mercury comprises a single volume.

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Access and Use

Access

Patron use restricted to microfilm.

Copyright and Permission

The Log of the United States Steamer Mercury 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

Provenance and Acquisition

Unknown.

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Related Materials

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

This collection also available on microfilm.

Related Archival Material

Documentation in this repository pertaining to U.S.S. Mercury's Naval Academy service can be found in Office of the Superintendent/Correspondence: Letters Received by the Superintendent, RG 405.2.1 Entry 25.

Official logbooks of U.S.S. Mercury 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.

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Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Log of the United States Steamer Mercury, MS 128

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

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

"NH 59256 Bombardment and Capture of Port Royal, South Carolina, 7 November 1861" on the Naval History and Heritage Command’s Photography website, accessed April 30, 2020, https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-59000/NH-59256.html.

"NH 59315 "The Great Naval Expedition" to capture Port Royal, South Carolina, November 1861" on the Naval History and Heritage Command’s Photography website, accessed April 30, 2020, https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-59000/NH-59315.html.

Thomas G. Ford Manuscript on the History of the United States Naval Academy, 1858-1908, MS 448, 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.

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Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

  • Mercury (Steamer)
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Naval operations
  • United States Naval Academy -- School ships
  • United States. Navy -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
  • United States. Navy. Potomac Flotilla

Genre Terms

  • Manuscripts
  • Ships' logs
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Contents List

Box 1 Folder 1

Log of the United States Steamer Mercury, 1864-1866

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