Log of the U.S. Screw Sloop of War Brooklyn, 1875: Finding Aid

Biographical Chronology of Henry F. Reich

1852

• Is born in Pennsylvania.

1870

• On September 28, is appointed to the United States Naval Academy with the rank of Midshipman.

1874

• On June 1, graduates from the United States Naval Academy.
• In September, is assigned to U.S.S. Brooklyn (Screw sloop).

1875

• On July 17, is commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy.

1876

• In July, is separated from Brooklyn.

1877

• On January 30, is assigned to the United States Naval Academy as an instructor in drawing and is later attached to U.S.S. Constitution (Frigate).

1878

• Is assigned to U.S.S. Supply (Schooner-rigged iron steamer).

1879

• In August, is detached from U.S.S. Supply.
• Is attached to the steamer Alexander D. Bache of the Coast Survey.

1881

• On March 29, is promoted to Master.

1882

• In July, is detached from the Coast Survey and is subsequently granted sick leave.

1883

• On March 3, is promoted to Lieutenant, junior grade.
• On May 1, is assigned to the training ship U.S.S. New Hampshire.

1885

• Is granted sick leave.
• On June 5, is placed on the Retired List for incapacity incident to service.

1903

• In September, dies in Rockville, Maryland.

Description of Contents

The Log of the U.S. Screw Sloop of War Brooklyn covers from 1 February through 31 December 1875. The log was kept by Henry Frick Reich (1852-1903) while Reich was serving as a midshipman aboard the Brooklyn, which was then serving as flagship of the South Atlantic Squadron. The log records the voyage of the Brooklyn from Norfolk to Rio de Janeiro, from Cape Frio to Montevideo, to Rio de Janeiro a second time, and on towards Barbados.

The volume is a standard logbook with data columns for hour, speed, course steered, winds, barometric pressure, temperature, weather, and sea conditions, as well as miscellaneous events of the day. The miscellaneous events of the day section is typically composed of brief notations regarding weather, sea conditions, sails, training exercises, inspections, other ships encountered, destruction of unfit or rotten supplies, punishments to crew members, deaths, and burials. Specific events noted in the miscellaneous section include the placing of several crew in irons with confinement to bread and water, meeting with the captain of an Argentinian monitor (19 March), the death of Henry Mundbroad (8 April), the death of William Roche (9 April); the death of John Gordon (12 April), a visit from an officer of the Brazilian flagship (4 December), and the death of Thomas Adams (29 December). The logbook was inspected and approved by Captain W. T. Truxton on 19 May 1875 and by J. H. Upshur on 31 December 1875.

Arrangement

Entries within the Log of the U.S. Screw Sloop of War Brooklyn are arranged chronologically.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Log of the U.S. Screw Sloop of War Brooklyn 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

Purchased from N. David Scotti of Associated Appraisers, Inc. in December 1993. Accession No. 93-69.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Material pertaining to Henry Reich's time as a midshipman at the Naval Academy may be found in his Conduct Record and Alumni Jacket. Additional material pertaining to the service of U.S.S. Brooklyn can be found in the Daniel Jones Letters, 1860-1863, MS 317. Both are held at Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Log of the U.S. Screw Sloop of War Brooklyn, MS 291

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

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

United States. Bureau of Naval Personnel. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1814-.

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.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in November 2013. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in November 2011. Partially adapted from a guide by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1994.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Brooklyn (Screw sloop)
• Reich, Henry F., 1852-1903
• United States. Navy -- Sea Life
• United States. Navy. South Atlantic Squadron

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Ships' logs