North Pacific Squadron Register of Letters, 1869: Finding Aid

History of the North Pacific Squadron

The United States Navy's Pacific Squadron was founded in the early 19th Century to protect American commercial interests along the west coasts of North and South America. By the 1860s, American Naval forces in the coastal Pacific waters had grown to include both a North and South Pacific Squadron.

The North Pacific Squadron was commanded by Rear Admiral Thomas Tingey Craven from August 1868 until December 1869. During this time, the North Pacific Squadron consisted of the flagship U.S.S. Pensacola (Screw steamer), U.S.S. Lackawanna (Screw sloop-of-war), U.S.S. Ossipee (Screw sloop-of-war), U.S.S. Mohongo (Gunboat), U.S.S. Resaca (Steamer), U.S.S. Cyane (Sloop-of-war), and U.S.S. Saginaw (Side wheel steamer).

Description of Contents

The North Pacific Squadron Register of Letters, 1869, is a chronological record of the incoming and forwarded correspondence of the U.S. Navy North Pacific Squadron for the time period of January 1 through June 25, 1869, during which time the Squadron was commanded by Thomas T. Craven.

Most likely kept by Squadron Secretary H.L. Craven, the Register includes notations indicating the date letters were received, sender, recipient, substance of the letter, and forwarding date and recipient. Typical letters recorded in the Register include acknowledgement of receipt of orders, cover letters for reports and other outgoing documents, death notices, and notices of equipment purchases and requisitions.

Arrangement

The entries within the North Pacific Squadron Register of Letters are arranged chronologically.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The North Pacific Squadron Register of Letters 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 in April 1994. Accession No. 94-21.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to the activities of the North Pacific Squadron can be found in the Alfred Gosling Diary, 1867-1868, MS 251, held by Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

North Pacific Squadron Register of Letters, MS 292

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 March 2014.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Craven, Thomas Tingey, 1808-1887
• United States. Navy. Pacific Squadron

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Registers (lists)