Montgomery Hunt Seamanship Notebook, 1841-1845: Finding Aid

Biographical Chronology of Montgomery Hunt

1832

• Warranted a Midshipman in the United States Navy from New York on January 17.
• In September, ordered to U.S.S. St. Louis (Sloop-of-war).

1835

• In October, requests leave of absence while serving aboard U.S.S. Grampus (Schooner).
• In December, requests to be attached to the Naval School in Brooklyn.

1836

• In April, ordered to duty aboard U.S.S. United States (Frigate).

1838

• On June 23, promoted to Passed Midshipman.
• In July, requests leave of absence.

1842

• In January, requests duty in the Department of Charts and Instruments.
• On June 25, granted leave of absence.
• On December 9, commissioned Lieutenant.

1843

• In January, granted leave of absence.
• In March, attached to U.S.S. St. Louis (Sloop-of-war).

1846

• In May, requests duty in the Gulf of Mexico.
• In October, participates in the First Battle of Tabasco.

1847

• In February, requests duty aboard either U.S.S. Mississippi (Side-wheel frigate) or U.S.S. Ohio (Ship-of-the-line).

1848

• As of January, attached to the New York Navy Yard.
• In October, ordered to duty aboard U.S.S. Yorktown (Sloop-of-war). Orders later revoked.

1849

• In July, requests duty aboard the U.S. Survey Schooner Nautilus.

1851

• In June, requests assignment to the Naval Rendezvous at New York, while attached to U.S.S. Cumberland (Frigate).
• In October, requests duty with the Coast Survey following expiration of a leave of absence.

1852

• In December, reports for duty as a Lighthouse Inspector.

1853

• In December, requests leave following the death of his wife and a bout of yellow fever.

1854

• In February, waiting orders after requesting duty aboard U.S.S. Columbia (Frigate).
• In May, reports for duty aboard U.S.S. Albany (Sloop-of-war).
• On September 28, dies when U.S.S. Albany is lost at sea with all hands off the coast of Venezuela.

Description of Contents

The Montgomery Hunt Seamanship Notebook, comprising 0.11 linear feet of documentation in a single volume of 82 leaves, was initially written in 1841, with a second section spanning from 1843 to 1845. The notebook is a product of Hunt's service aboard U.S.S. Constitution (Frigate) and U.S.S. St. Louis (Sloop-of-war).

The seamanship notes were kept by Hunt while a Passed Midshipman aboard U.S.S. Constitution in 1841. The notes include sections on rigging, cables, tending the ship at anchor, tacking, getting underway, and the handling of prize vessels, among others. Following the seamanship notes is a log of the U.S.S. St. Louis. Kept while Hunt was a Lieutenant, the log spans from May 1843 to August 1845, recording the ship's position.

Arrangement

The Montgomery Hunt Seamanship Notebook comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Montgomery Hunt Seamanship Notebook 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

Gift of Mrs. Thurston B. Clark in August 1980. Accession No. 80-22.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Correspondence pertaining to Hunt's service can be found in Naval Records Collection of the Office of Naval Records and Library, 1691-1945 RG 45, 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

Montgomery Hunt Seamanship Notebook, MS 180

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.

Letters Received from Commissioned Officers Below the Rank of Commander and from Warrant Officers, 1802-1886. Naval Records Collection of the Office of Naval Records and Library, 1691-1945 RG 45, National Archives and Records Administration.

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

• Constitution (Frigate)
• Hunt, Montgomery
• Masts and rigging
• Seamanship
• St. Louis (Sloop-of-war)
• United States. Navy -- History -- 19th century -- Sources

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Notebooks
• Ships' logs