Hydrographic Logs Collection, 1890-1915: Finding Aid
Published in 1993
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 285
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: Hydrographic Logs Collection
- Dates: 1890-1915
- Size: 10 linear feet
- Container Summary: 24 manuscript boxes
- Creator: United States. Commission on Fish and Fisheries
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: Logs of hydrographic surveys, consisting of soundings, tides, angles, oyster grounds, and boundaries of fishing grounds, within the territorial waters of the continental United States.
History of the Commission on Fish and Fisheries
The United States Commission on Fish and Fisheries was created by Congress in 1871 and charged with studying and recommending solutions to the decline in food fishes in the coastal waters of New England. Under the leadership of Commissioner Spencer F. Baird of the Smithsonian Institution, the duties of the Commission were gradually expanded to include fish culture, further studies of fisheries and fishery industries, and studies in freshwater and marine biology. The Commission was transferred to the Department of Commerce and Labor in 1903 and its name changed to the Bureau of Fisheries. In 1939, the Bureau was transferred to the Department of Interior, and in 1940 was merged with the Bureau of Biological Survey to form the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Description of Contents
The Hydrographic Logs Collection, spanning from 1890 to 1915, is a collection of 235 handwritten hydrographic logbooks (plus one unused log) compiled under the auspices of the United States Government between December 1890 and April 1915. The logs are labeled or marked as U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, U.S. Commission on Fish and Fisheries, and/or U.S. Bureau of Fisheries.
The logs consist of hydrographic surveys of soundings, tides, angles, oyster grounds, and the location of positions marking the boundaries of fishing grounds. All but one log, that of the Bering Sea area, survey the waters (coastal, creek, and lake) of the continental United States exclusive of Alaska. The logs also include occasional enclosures of hand-drawn charts or other papers.
The names of the screw steamer Fish Hawk and its launches appear most frequently on the logs as the survey vessels. With the exception of wartime service with the U.S. Navy during the Spanish-American War and World War I, the Fish Hawk was employed in the service of the U.S. Commission on Fish and Fisheries/Bureau of Fisheries. Other survey vessels represented by the logs include the Evangeline (Steamer tug) and the Mathilde (Schooner). The Chiefs of Hydrographic Parties listed on the logs include Lieutenant Robert Platt, U.S. Navy; Homer P. Ritter; Ensign W.L. Dodd, U.S. Navy; Lieutenant Franklin Swift, U.S. Navy; Mate James A. Smith, U.S. Navy; and Dr. H.F. Moore.
Arrangement
The Hydrographic Logs Collection is arranged chronologically, thereunder by survey location.
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The Hydrographic Logs Collection 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
Transferred from the Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Department of the Interior.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
Additional materials pertaining to the activities of the Bureau of Fishers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries can be found in the United States Bureau of Fisheries, Records, circa 1877-1948, SIA RU007184 (http://siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_arc_217341) at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
Hydrographic Logs Collection, MS 285
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1993. Finding aid written by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1993 and revised by David D'Onofrio in February 2014.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Apalachicola Bay (Fla.)
- Bering Sea
- Biloxi (Miss.)
- Coden (Ala.)
- Croatan Sound (N.C.)
- Delaware Bay (Del. and N.J.)
- Devils Lake (N.D.)
- Evangeline (Steamer tug)
- Fish Hawk (Schooner)
- Hydrography -- United States
- James River (Va.)
- Long Island Sound (N.Y. and Conn.)
- Matagorda Bay (Tex.)
- Mathilde (Schooner)
- Maxinkuckee, Lake (Ind.)
- Mississippi Sound
- Mobile Bay (Ala.)
- Morehead City (N.C.)
- Pamlico Sound (N.C.)
- Pascagoula (Miss.)
- Pocomoke Sound (Md. and Va.)
- Port Lavaca (Tex.)
- Saint Bernard Parish (La.)
- Saint Croix River (Me. and N.B.)
- Saint Vincent Sound (Fla.)
- Tangier Sound (Md. and Va.)
- U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey
- United States. Bureau of Fisheries
- United States. Commission on Fish and Fisheries
- Winyah Bay (S.C.)
- Wysocking Bay (N.C.)
Genre Terms
- Logs (records)
- Manuscripts