William F. Flournoy Log of the U.S.S. Lancaster and U.S.S. Quinnebaug, 1881-1883: Finding Aid

Biography of William Francis Flournoy

William Francis Flournoy was born on September 23, 1859, son of merchant Algernon F. Flournoy, in Paducah, Kentucky. Appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Louisiana, he reported on June 19, 1877 as a member of the Class of 1881. After graduating in June 1881, Flournoy reported aboard U.S.S. Lancaster (Screw sloop-of-war), and then aboard U.S.S. Quinnebaug (Screw corvette) on May 1, 1882, for his two years mandatory sea service as a Passed Midshipman. Following his cruise aboard Lancaster Quinnebaug, Flournoy was honorably discharged from the United States Navy on June 30, 1883. William Francis Flournoy died on July 5, 1893 in Ruston, Louisiana.

History of U.S.S. of Quinnebaug

The second Quinnebaug, a screw corvette built by the Philadelphia Navy Yard but occasionally listed as a rebuilt version of the first Quinnebaug (Screw sloop-of-war), was launched on September 28, 1875 and commissioned on October 2, 1878, Commander Norman H. Farquhar in command.

Quinnebaug departed Philadelphia October 17, 1878 for fitting out at Norfolk. She got underway in January 1879 and reached Gibraltar on February 2 to begin a decade of service on the European Station, interrupted only by a brief visit home in the summer of 1881. During this service she primarily operated in the Mediterranean, visiting numerous ports along both the European and African. She also usually made an annual cruise along the Atlantic Coast of Europe visiting ports in Spain, Portugal, France, England, Denmark, and Germany.

Departing Gibraltar for the last time on May 9, 1889, Quinnebaug returned to the New York Navy Yard on June 17, 1889. She decommissioned there on July 3, was struck from the Navy List on November 21, 1889 and was sold on March 25, 1891.

Description of Contents

The William F. Flournoy Log of the U.S.S. Lancaster and U.S.S. Quinnebaug, comprising 0.15 linear feet of documentation in a single volume of 206 leaves, spans from August 26, 1881 through April 4, 1883. The volume, a practice log, was compiled by Flournoy during his two years mandatory sea service as a Passed Midshipman attached to the European Squadron.

Initially attached to U.S.S. Lancaster, under the command of Bancroft Gherardi, Flournoy transferred to U.S.S. Quinnebaug on May 1, 1882, under the command of William Whitehead. Quinnebaug made calls at Villefranche, Port Mahon, Gibraltar, Messina, Alexandria, Palermo, Naples, Venice, and Genoa. The logbook records weather/sailing conditions, ship's location, and daily occurrences aboard ship. The entries of July 11-12, 1882 pertain to the British naval bombardment of Alexandria, Egypt.

Arrangement

The William F. Flournoy Log of the U.S.S. Lancaster and U.S.S. Quinnebaug comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Patron use restricted to microfilm.

Copyright and Permission

The William F. Flournoy Log of the U.S.S. Lancaster and U.S.S. Quinnebaug 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

Unknown.

Related Materials

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

This collection also available on microfilm.

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to William Francis Flournoy in this repository can be found in his Midshipman Conduct Record and Alumni Jacket. Additional practice logs from members of the Class of 1881 aboard U.S.S. Lancaster include logs by Rudolphus R. Cockle (MS 132), James W. Dresser (MS 130), David L. Printup (MS 131), and Guy G. Rodgers (MS 133 and MS 135).

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

William F. Flournoy Log of the U.S.S. Lancaster and U.S.S. Quinnebaug, MS 134

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

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

Callahan, Edward William. List of Officers of the Navy of the United States and of the Marine Corps, from 1775 to 1900. New York: L.R. Hamersly & Co., 1901.

"Quinnebaug II (Screw Corvette)." Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Washington: Naval History and Heritage Command, 2015, https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/q/quinnebaug-ii.html.

United States Naval Academy. Annual Register of the United States Naval Academy. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1877-1881.

Flournoy, William Francis 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

• Alexandria (Egypt) -- History
• Egypt -- History -- British occupation, 1882-1936
• Flournoy, William Francis
• Lancaster (Screw sloop-of-war)
• Naval education -- United States
• Quinnebaug (Screw steamer)
• United States. Navy -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
• United States. Navy. European Station

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Ships' logs