Log of U.S. Steamer Standish, 1881: Finding Aid

History of U.S.S. Standish (Screw tug)

U.S.S. Standish, an iron-hulled screw tug named for Plymouth Colony military advisor Captain Myles Standish, was built at Boston between 1864 and 1865, but was completed too late to serve in the Civil War. After completing her trials in January 1866, the ship was laid up at Norfolk until 1871, when she was placed in service at the Norfolk Navy Yard. After repairs at Philadelphia in late 1878 and 1879, the tug served briefly at Newport, Rhode Island, before moving to Annapolis for service as a practice ship at the United States Naval Academy. Except for occasional visits to navy yards for repairs, she remained at the Naval Academy, serving as a station tug when not on duty as a practice ship through World War I. She was sold on August 5, 1921 to B. Wever & Sons of Baltimore, Maryland.

Biographical Chronology of Benjamin Franklin Tilley

1848

• Born on March 29 in Bristol, Rhode Island to Benjamin Rogers and Susan W. Tilley.

1863

• On September 23, appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Rhode Island.

1867

• In June, graduates from the United States Naval Academy.
• In June, attached to the European Station, with duty aboard U.S.S. Franklin (Screw frigate) and U.S.S. Frolic (Side-wheel steamer).

1868

• On December 18, commissioned Ensign.

1869

• In May, detached from duty with the European Station.
• In June, attached to the South Atlantic Station, with duty aboard U.S.S. Lancaster (Screw sloop-of-war) and U.S.S. Portsmouth (Sloop-of-war).

1870

• On March 21, promoted to Master.

1871

• On March 21, promoted to Lieutenant.

1872

• In August, detached from the South Atlantic Station and waiting orders.
• In November, assigned to temporary duty in Washington, DC.

1873

• In January, reports to the Hydrographic Office in Washington, DC.
• In August, detached from the Hydrographic Office.
• In September, attached to U.S.S. Pensacola (Steam sloop-of-war) on the Pacific Station.

1874

• In October, granted sick leave.

1875

• In March, attached to the receiving ship U.S.S. New Hampshire at Norfolk.
• In November, attached to U.S.S. Hartford (Screw sloop-of-war) at the New York Navy Yard.

1877

• In July, attached to U.S.S. Powhatan (Side-wheel steamer) on the North Atlantic Station.

1878

• In June, granted a leave of absence.
• On June 6, marries Emily Edelin Williamson.

1879

• In June, attached to the United States Naval Academy in the Department of Mathematics, with additional duty aboard the Academy's training ship U.S.S. Standish (Screw tug).

1882

• In April, detached from the United States Naval Academy.
• In May, attached to U.S.S. Tennessee (Screw frigate) on the North Atlantic Squadron.

1885

• In August, detached from U.S.S. Tennessee.
• In September, attached to the United States Naval Academy as Head of the Department of Mechanical Drawing.

1887

• On September 4, promoted to Lieutenant Commander.

1889

• In September, detached from the United States Naval Academy and waiting orders.
• In October, assigned to board duty.
• In December, assigned to ordnance instruction at the Washington Navy Yard.

1890

• In April, attached to U.S.S. San Francisco (Protected cruiser: C-5), flagship of the South Pacific Squadron.

1893

• In July, attached to the United States Naval Academy as Head of the Department of Astronomy, Navigation, and Surveying.

1895

• In July, granted a leave of absence.
• In September, returns to duty at the United States Naval Academy as Head of the Department of Navigation.

1896

• On September 4, promoted to Commander.

1897

• In June, detached from the United States Naval Academy and reports to the Naval War College.
• In October, assumes command of U.S.S. Newport (Gunboat: PG-12) of the North Atlantic Fleet.

1898

• In September, ordered home and waiting orders.
• In October, reports to the Norfolk Navy Yard.

1899

• In January, ordered home and waiting orders.
• In February, returns to duty at the Norfolk Navy Yard.
• In March, assumes command of the station ship U.S.S. Abarenda at Apia, Samoa.

1900

• In February, assigned to additional duty as Commander of the Naval Station at Tutuila, Samoa.

1901

• On September 2, promoted to Captain.
• In October, detached from all duty at Samoa and ordered home and waiting orders.

1902

• In February, attached to the Mare Island Navy Yard.
• In April, appointed Captain of the Yard for the Mare Island Navy Yard.

1905

• In January, assumes command of U.S.S. Iowa (Battleship: BB-4) of the North Atlantic Squadron.

1906

• In December, ordered home and waiting orders.

1907

• On February 24, promoted to Rear Admiral.
• In February, appointed Commandant of the League Island Navy Yard.
• On March 18, dies at the League Island Navy Yard.

Description of Contents

The Log of U.S. Steamer Standish, comprising 0.17 linear feet of documentation in a single volume of 50 leaves, spans from May 25 through September 1, 1881. The log, compiled by navigator Benjamin F. Tilley while Standish was under the command of Samuel H. Baker, is the product of Standish's duties as a station tug and school ship at the Naval Academy.

The log records weather conditions, daily occurrences, and midshipman activities aboard ship. While mainly the product of Standish's duties at the Naval Academy, the volume also logs a cruise from Norfolk to Annapolis, in which Standish accompanied U.S.S. Dale (Sloop-of-war). Throughout the summer of 1881, Standish carried Naval Academy Cadet Engineers to various ship yards and shops along the East Coast.

Arrangement

The Log of U.S. Steamer Standish comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Patron use restricted to microfilm.

Copyright and Permission

The Log of U.S. Steamer Standish 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 documentation pertaining to U.S.S. Standish in this repository can be found in Office of the Superintendent/Correspondence: Letters Received by the Superintendent, RG 405.2.1 Entry 25; Office of the Superintendent/Correspondence: General Correspondence, RG 405.2.1 Entry 33; and Office of the Superintendent/Correspondence: General Correspondence, RG 405.2.1 Entry 36.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Log of U.S. Steamer Standish, MS 137

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.

"Standish." Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Washington: Naval History and Heritage Command, 2015, https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/s/standish.html.

United States Naval Academy. Annual Register of the United States Naval Academy. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1881-1896.

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

• Naval education -- United States
• Standish (Screw tug)
• Tilley, Benjamin Franklin, 1848-1907
• Training-ships -- United States
• United States Naval Academy -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
• United States Naval Academy -- Midshipmen -- Cruises
• United States Naval Academy -- School ships
• United States. Navy -- History -- 19th century -- Sources

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Ships' logs

Additional Creator/Author

• Standish (Screw tug)