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Milo Luther Clark Letters, 1910-1913: Finding Aid

Published in 1990

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 249
  • Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
  • Title: Milo Luther Clark Letters
  • Dates: 1910-1913
  • Size: 0.04 linear feet
  • Container Summary: 4 folders
  • Creator: Clark, Milo Luther
  • Language(s) of material: English
  • Abstract: Milo Luther Clark was a signalman in the United States Navy. The Milo Luther Clark Letters were written by Clark, while aboard U.S.S. Kansas (Battleship : BB-21) to his family and girlfriend. The letters discuss shipboard life, duties, recreation, leave, drills, and ship maintenance.

Biography of Milo Luther Clark

Milo Luther Clark was born in Aurora Illinois on July 23, 1892. In the early 1910s, Clark served a signalman in the United States Navy aboard U.S.S. Kansas (Battleship : BB-21).

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Description of Contents

The Milo Luther Clark Letters are a group of seventeen letters written by Clark, a signalman aboard the U.S.S. Kansas (Battleship: BB-21), to his family and girlfriend. Fourteen of the letters cover the years 1910, 1911, and 1913. The three remaining letters do not include a year in the date.

The collection of letters provides an account of the everyday life of an American sailor. In his letters, Clark discusses shipboard life, routine, activities, uniforms, and duties; recreation, leave, and holidays; ship maintenance and overhauls; ships' mascots; hygiene and food; shipboard discomforts due to weather; and ports and nearby cities.

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Arrangement

The Milo Luther Clark Letters are arranged chronologically into a single series with no subdivisions.

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Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Milo Luther Clark Letters are 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

Purchased from Charles Apfelbaum Rare Books and Collections in February 1990. Accession No. 90-11.

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Related Materials

Related Archival Material

There are no other known collections of papers of Milo Luther Clark.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection.

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Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Milo Luther Clark Papers, MS 249

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1990. Finding aid written by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1990 and revised by David D'Onofrio in December 2013.

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Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

  • Clark, Milo Luther
  • Kansas (Battleship : BB-21)
  • United States. Navy -- Sea life

Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Manuscripts
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Contents List

Milo Luther Clark Letters, 1910

Box 1 Folder 1 Item 1

Guantanamo, Cuba, 1910 February 27-March 2

Boat races, target ranges, and ships' sport competitions.

Box 1 Folder 1 Item 2

Hampton Roads, 1910 March 11

Standing watch, repairs to U.S.S. South Carolina, the crew's relief to be home.

Box 1 Folder 1 Item 3

Norfolk Navy Yard, 1910 October 17

Effects of European cholera epidemic on ship's itinerary, preparations for cruise to Europe, new weapons aboard.

Box 1 Folder 1 Item 4

Norfolk Navy Yard, 1910 October 30

Coaling, provisioning, painting the ship in preparation for cruise to Europe.

Box 1 Folder 1 Item 5

Cherbourg, France, 1910 November 24

Thanksgiving dinner with French sailors.

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Milo Luther Clark Letters, 1911

Box 1 Folder 2 Item 1

Guantanamo, Cuba, 191 February 19

Battalion to camp ashore, signalman's work duties. Letter incomplete.

Box 1 Folder 2 Item 2

Southern Drill Grounds, 1911 April 6

Signalman's duties, firing drills.

Box 1 Folder 2 Item 3

Norfolk Navy Yard, 1911 October 22

Standing watch, difficulty returning to duty after trip home.

Box 1 Folder 2 Item 4

Norfolk Navy Yard, 1911 December 25

Christmas festivities, preparations for maneuvers off Cuba.

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Milo Luther Clark Letters, 1913

Box 1 Folder 3 Item 1

Philadelphia Navy Yard, 1913 January 5

Return from leave.

Box 1 Folder 3 Item 2

Philadelphia Navy Yard, 1913 January 19

U.S.S.Kansas in dry dock for overhaul.

Box 1 Folder 3 Item 3

Philadelphia Navy Yard, 1913 February 13

U.S.S.Kansas in dry dock for overhaul.

Box 1 Folder 3 Item 4

Philadelphia Navy Yard, 1913 February 14

U.S.S.Kansas in dry dock for overhaul.

Box 1 Folder 3 Item 5

Newport, Rhode Island, 1913 May 9

Putting out to sea, drills.

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Milo Luther Clark Letters, undated

Box 1 Folder 4 Item 1

Norfolk Navy Yard, October 11

Deep sea sounding machine, Captain Badger, shipmates, venereal disease.

Box 1 Folder 4 Item 2

Newport, Rhode Island, May 24

Rumored sailing for Cuba.

Box 1 Folder 4 Item 3

Salem, Massachusetts, August 5

Shore leave in Salem and Boston, capsizing of ship's launch.

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