Franklin Hanford Papers, 1870-1899: Finding Aid

Biographical Chronology of Franklin Hanford

1844

• On November 8, is born in Chili, New York.

1862

• On November 29, enters the United States Naval Academy as a midshipman on an appointment by Alfred Ely.

1866

• In June, graduates from the United States Naval Academy.
• In June, is attached to U.S.S. Saco (Gunboat), cruising in the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico.

1868

• In January, is attached to U.S.S. Kearsarge (Sloop-of-war) of the South Pacific Station.
• In April, is promoted to Ensign.
• In September, is transferred to U.S.S. Tuscarora (Sloop-of-war) of the South Pacific and West India Stations.

1869

• Is promoted to Master.

1870

• Is promoted to Lieutenant.

1871

• In February, is detached from U.S.S. Tuscarora.
• Is ordered to U.S.S. Wabash (Screw frigate), flagship of the European Station.

1874

• In May, is detached from U.S.S. Wabash.
• In July, is assigned to torpedo duty at Newport, Rhode Island until November.
• Is attached to the receiving ship U.S.S. Vermont in New York.

1875

• In May, is transferred to U.S.S. Tennessee (Screw frigate), flagship of the Asiatic Station.

1878

• In July, returns to the United States aboard U.S.S. Ashuelot (Gunboat).
• Is assigned to ordnance duty at the New York Navy Yard.

1881

• In June, is attached to U.S.S. Pensacola (Steamer), flagship of the Pacific Station, as navigator.

1884

• In May, is detached from U.S.S. Pensacola.
• Is assigned to ordnance duty at the Washington Navy Yard.

1885

• In October, is promoted to Lieutenant Commander.

1886

• Is appointed Inspector of Ordnance at the West Point Foundry in Cold Spring, New York.

1888

• Is attached to U.S.S. Pensacola (Steamer) as Executive Officer. During this cruise, the U.S.S. Pensacola served on special duty in South America, conveyed a scientific expedition to West Africa, and served as flagship of the South Atlantic and South Pacific Stations.

1892

• Is appointed Senior Aid to the Commandant of the New York Navy Yard.

1894

• Is promoted to Commander.

1895

• In June, receives command of U.S.S. Alert (Gunboat), on the Pacific Station.

1897

• In August, is detached from U.S.S. Alert.

1898

• In January, is appointed Assistant Inspector of the Tenth Lighthouse District, headquartered at Buffalo, New York.
• In March, is appointed Inspector of the Tenth Lighthouse District.

1900

• In October, is ordered to the Naval Station at Cavite, Philippines, as Commandant.

1901

• On January 29, is promoted to Captain.

1903

• On January 3, is transferred to the Retired List with the rank of Rear Admiral.

1928

• On February 8, dies at Scottsville, New York.

Description of Contents

The Franklin Hanford papers, comprising 1.42 linear feet of documentation, span from 1870 to 1899. The papers consist of Hanford's scrapbook, clippings, correspondence, and mechanical drawings.

The Papers reflect Hanford's heavy involvement and interest in naval ordnance, including the development of rifled canon and the testing of Captain John Ericsson's torpedo system at Sandy Hook while Hanford was performing ordnance duty at the New York Navy Yard. The papers also briefly touch upon Hanford's service aboard U.S.S. Tennessee and U.S.S. Pensacola.

Arrangement

The Franklin Hanford Papers are arranged alphabetically by document type and topic.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Franklin Hanford 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

Provenance and Acquisition

Purchased in November 1993. Accession No. 93-63.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Material pertaining to Hanford's time as a midshipman may be found in his Conduct Record and Alumni Jacket in Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Additional material pertaining to the career and life of Franklin Hanford can be found in the Franklin Hanford papers, ca. 1860s-1927, MssCol 1305 (http://archives.nypl.org/mss/1305) at the New York Public Library Manuscripts and Archives Division and in the Franklin Hanford Papers, 1864-1936 (http://www.lib.rochester.edu/index.cfm?page=907) at the University of Rochester Department of Rare Books & Manuscripts.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Franklin Hanford Papers, MS 290

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1994. Finding aid written by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1994 and revised by David D'Onofrio in February 2014.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Bombshell (Ordnance scow)
• Ericsson, John, 1803-1899
• Flash (Powder sloop)
• Hanford, Franklin, 1844-1928
• Ordnance, Naval
• Pensacola (Screw steamer)
• Torpedoes

Genre Terms

• Clippings (information artifacts)
• Correspondence
• Drawings (visual works)
• Manuscripts
• Scrapbooks