Henry Ellis Lackey Papers, 1864-1939 (bulk 1834-1939): Finding Aid

Biographical Chronology of Henry Ellis Lackey

1876

• On June 23, is born in Norfolk, Virginia.

1895

• Is appointed to the United States Naval Academy by the President of the United States.

1898

• On July 3, participates in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba while attached to U.S.S. New York (Armored cruiser : ACR-2).

1899

• On January 28, graduates from the Naval Academy.
• Attached to U.S.S. Massachusetts (Battleship : BB-2).

1900

• Attached to U.S.S. Eagle (Yacht).
• Transferred to U.S.S. Bancroft (Gunboat).

1901

• Attached to U.S.S. Topeka (Gunboat : PG-35).

1903

• Attached to U.S.S. Wheeling (Gunboat : PG-14), serving in Samoa.

1905

• In February, serves aboard U.S.S. Galveston (Light cruiser : CL-19) upon her commissioning.
• In June, U.S.S. Galveston sails for the Asiatic Station.

1906

• Transferred to U.S.S. Wilmington (Gunboat : PG-8), also of the Asiatic Station.

1908

• Ordered to duty at the Naval Proving Ground, Indian Head, Maryland.

1910

• In March, is assigned as senior engineering officer aboard U.S.S. New York.
• In August, is appointed fleet engineer on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the Asiatic Fleet.

1911

• Assigned to duty at the Norfolk Navy Yard.

1915

• Assigned as navigator aboard U.S.S. Georgia (Battleship : BB-15).

1916

• Appointed Executive Officer aboard U.S.S. Kansas (Battleship : BB-21).
• In December, is ordered to duty as Inspector of Ordnance in charge of the Naval Proving Ground, Indian Head, Maryland.

1920

• In April, assumes command of U.S.S. San Francisco (Protected cruiser : C-5).
• In October, receives additional duty as Commander, Mine Force, Atlantic Fleet.

1921

• Appointed Director of Ships Movements, Office of Naval Operations.
• Receives additional duty as the Navy's representative at the Interstate Petroleum Meeting.

1924

• Upon her commissioning, assumes command of U.S.S. Memphis (Light cruiser : CL-13), flagship of United States Naval Forces Europe.

1927

• Assumes command of Norfolk Naval Station.

1930

• Assumes command of U.S.S. California (Battleship : BB-44), flagship of the Battle Force.

1932

• On January 16, is given charge of the Branch Hydrographic Office, San Francisco.
• In May, is transferred to duty as Senior Member of the Board of Inspection and Survey, San Francisco.

1933

• Assumes command of Cruiser Division Four, Scouting Force.

1935

• Appointed Director of Shore Establishments.

1937

• On December 4, assumes command of Squadron 40 (Temporary), operating in European waters.

1939

• On October 30, reports for duty as President, General Court-Martial, Third Naval District.

1940

• On July 1, retires from the United States Navy.

1952

• On October 15, dies in Peterborough, New Hampshire.

Description of Contents

The Henry Ellis Lackey Papers, comprising 0.21 linear feet of documentation, span from 1864 to 1939, with a majority of the materials falling into the time periods of 1894-1899 and 1938-1939. The collection pertains to Lackey's time as a midshipman at the Naval Academy, including his plebe cruise, and his command of Squadron 40 (Temporary) in European waters.

Lackey's scrapbook, which spans from 1894 to 1899, pertains to Lackey's experiences at the United States Naval Academy, including his appointment as an alternate, his plebe cruise aboard U.S.S. Monongahela, and the Naval Academy Class of 1899. The scrapbook contains an account of the plebe cruise, photographs (likely of Funchal, Madeira), event programs, telegrams, newspaper clippings, letters received by Lackey regarding his appointment, pictures of U.S. Navy vessels, and drawings of the rigging and equipment of U.S.S. Monongahela. The scrapbook also contains several examples of Confederate currency, as well as two invitations from the Governor General of the Philippines from Lackey's days as a Lieutenant.

The second volume in the collection dates from Lackey's command of Squadron 40 (Temporary), U.S.S. Omaha Flagship. The volume consists of visitor cards (calling cards) collected by Lackey at Nice, Monte Carlo, Villefranche, Menton, Bouches du Rhone, Genoa, Spezia, Leghorn, Palermo, Tunis, Tangier, Casablanca, Algiers, Naples, Rapallo, Gibraltar, Toulon, and Rotterdam.

Arrangement

The Henry Ellis Lackey Papers are organized into the following two files:

• File 1: Scrapbook, 1864, 1894-1899
• File 2: U.S.S. Omaha Visitor Card Book, 1938-1939

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Henry Ellis Lackey Papers 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.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Custodial History

The Henry Ellis Lackey Papers were originally donated to the Naval Academy Archives by Mr. Nol Putnam in May 1988.

Provenance and Acquisition

Transferred from the Naval Academy Archives in September 1988. Accession No. 88-30.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to Henry Ellis Lackey's career and time at the Naval Academy may be found in his Alumni Jacket and Conduct Records in Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

The Papers of Rear Admiral Henry E. Lackey (http://www.history.navy.mil/research/archives/research-guides-and-finding-aids/personal-papers/l/papers-of-rear-admiral-henry-e-lackey.html), comprising an additional 3 cubic feet of documentation, are available at the Operational Archives of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Lackey's scrapbook was previously processed and housed with the Alumni/Memorabilia section of the Naval Academy Archives until March 2014.

Preferred Citation

Henry Ellis Lackey Papers, MS 252

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

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

Naval History and Heritage Command, "Rear Admiral Henry Ellis Lackey, US Navy, 23 June 1876 - 15 October 1952." Biographies in Naval History: Washington: http://www.history.navy.mil/bios/lackey_henrye.htm

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in March 2014. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in March 2014. U.S.S. Omaha Visitor Card Book originally described by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1990.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Lackey, Henry Ellis, 1876-1952
• Midshipmen -- United States -- Conduct of life
• Monongahela (Screw sloop)
• Omaha (Light cruiser : CL-4)
• United States Naval Academy -- Midshipmen -- Cruises
• United States Naval Academy -- Students
• United States Naval Academy. Class of 1899

Genre Terms

• Clippings (information artifacts)
• Correspondence
• Manuscripts
• Photographs
• Scrapbooks
• Visiting Cards