George Washington Storer Papers, 1815-1842: Finding Aid
Published in 1996
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 319
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: George Washington Storer Papers
- Dates: 1815-1842
- Size: 0.13 linear feet
- Container Summary: 4 folders
- Creator: Storer, George Washington, 1789-1864
- Language(s) of material: English French
- Abstract: George Washington Storer was an officer in the United States Navy. The Storer Papers consist of circulars, general orders, receipts, ships' complements, court-martial proceedings, communications, and other naval papers received or obtained by Storer in the course of his official duties from 1815 to 1842.
Biography Chronology of George Washington Storer
- 1789
- Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
- 1809
- On January 16, appointed a Midshipman in the United States Navy.
- In February, attached to the Naval Station in Portland, Maine.
- In April, attached to U.S.S. President (Frigate).
- 1810
- In June, attached to U.S.S. Constitution (Frigate), flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron.
- 1811
- In January, put on furlough.
- In June, assigned to Naval Rendezvous, Boston.
- In October, assigned to New York Naval Station.
- 1812
- In April, assigned to duty aboard Gunboat No. 108 in New York.
- In December, attached to U.S.S. John Adams (Frigate) at the Washington Navy Yard.
- 1813
- On January 24, commissioned a Lieutenant.
- In February, assigned gunboat duty in the Potomac Flotilla.
- In September, receives command of U.S.S. Black Snake of the Potomac Flotilla.
- In October, assigned to special service aboard U.S.S. Frolic (Sloop-of-war).
- 1814
- In April, captured and held as a prisoner of war at New Providence, Bahama Islands.
- 1815
- Around February, released from captivity as prisoner of war.
- In April, attached to U.S.S. Independence (Ship-of-the-line) of the Mediterranean Squadron.
- In June, receives command of U.S.S. Lynx (Schooner) of the Mediterranean Squadron.
- 1817
- In October, attached to U.S.S. Congress (Frigate) of the Brazil Squadron.
- 1818
- In September, attached to U.S.S. Constitution of the Mediterranean Squadron.
- 1824
- In May, granted leave of absence.
- In August, assigned to Portsmouth Navy Yard.
- 1828
- On April 24, commissioned Master Commandant.
- 1830
- In April, receives command of U.S.S. Boston (Sloop-of-war) of the Mediterranean Squadron.
- 1832
- In December, granted leave of absence.
- 1833
- In February, assigned to Portsmouth Navy Yard.
- 1837
- On February 9, commissioned Captain.
- In February, waiting orders.
- 1839
- In June, receives command of U.S.S. Columbus, receiving ship at Boston.
- 1840
- In October, receives command of U.S.S. Constellation (Frigate) of the Brazil Squadron.
- 1841
- In February, receives command of U.S.S. Potomac (Frigate), flagship of the Brazil Squadron.
- In August, granted leave of absence and waiting orders.
- 1843
- In October, appointed Commandant of the Portsmouth Navy Yard.
- 1846
- In November, waiting orders.
- 1847
- In August, receives command of the Brazil Squadron, U.S.S. Brandywine (Frigate), flagship.
- 1850
- In December, granted leave of absence and waiting orders.
- 1854
- In July, appointed Governor of the Philadelphia Naval Asylum.
- 1857
- In September, waiting orders.
- 1858
- In May, appointed President of the Board of Examiners.
- 1860
- In September, appointed President of the Board of Inspection and Survey.
- In October, waiting orders.
- 1861
- In October, appointed member of the Board to Examine Military Establishment, New York.
- 1862
- In May, waiting orders.
- In June, appointed President of the Naval Retirement Board.
- On July 16, placed on the Retired List with the rank of Rear Admiral.
- 1864
- On January 8, dies in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Description of Contents
The George Washington Storer Papers, spanning 1815 to 1842, comprise a 0.13 linear foot collection of circulars, general orders, receipts, ships' complements, court-martial proceedings, communications, and other naval papers received or obtained by Storer in the course of his official duties. Some of the papers were authored, issued by, or bear the names of Commodore James Biddle, Commodore Isaac Chauncey, Captain Charles G. Ridgely, Commodore John Downes, Secretary of the Navy James K. Paulding, and Secretary of the Navy Abel P. Upshur.
The papers nearly entirely date from, or pertain to Storer's tours of duty as Commanding Officer of U.S.S. Lynx (1815-1817), U.S.S. Boston (1830-1832), Receiving Ship Columbus (1839-1840), U.S.S. Constellation (1840-1841), and U.S.S. Potomac (1841). In addition to dealing with the particulars of the individual vessels, including their outfitting and personnel issues such as conduct, the papers also touch upon the administration of the squadrons to which those vessels were attached, namely the Mediterranean and Brazil Squadrons. Aside from his at-sea duties, the documents in Storer's papers pertain to his shore duty at the Portsmouth Navy Yard (1824-1830). Those papers pertaining to Storer's duty aboard the receiving ship Columbus also deal with matters at the Boston Navy Yard.
Arrangement
The George Washington Storer Papers are arranged chronologically.
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The George Washington Storer 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 March 1996. Accession No. 96-17.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
The George W. Storer Brazil Squadron Papers, 1817-1868, C1433, are available at Princeton University Library's Department of Rare Books and Special Collections.
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
George Washington Storer Papers, MS 319
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Selected Bibliography
The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:
Cogar, William B. Dictionary of Admirals of the U.S. Navy. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1989.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1996. Finding aid written by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1996 and revised by David D'Onofrio in May 2014.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Biddle, James, 1783-1848
- Boston (Sloop-of-war)
- Columbus (Sloop-of-war)
- Constellation (Frigate)
- Courts-martial and courts of inquiry -- United States
- Potomac (Frigate)
- Ridgely, Charles Goodwin, 1784-1848
- Storer, George Washington, 1789-1864
- United States. Navy. Mediterranean Squadron
- United States. Navy. South Atlantic Squadron
Genre Terms
- Correspondence
- Manuscripts
- Orders (military records)
- Receipts (financial records)
Contents List
From James Biddle to George W. Storer, Commanding U.S. Ship Boston, 1829 October 29
Circular advising strict adherence to appropriate channels for official communications to prevent "misrepresentation" by press, transportation of citizens' specie and other articles, arrest of officers, severe restriction on acting appointments, officers' conduct and character reports, ships' crews restricted from shore leaves to protect them, maintaining friendly relations with Mediterranean powers, and respecting foreign quarantine rules.
From John Downes to George W. Storer, Commanding Receiving Ship Columbus, 1839 July 29
Columbus to be used as a receiving ship for the purpose of instructing Apprentice Boys and other recruits. Includes a July 24, 1839 letter from James K. Paulding to John Downes and a listing of the Complement which may be allowed to Receiving Ships of the Line.
From Treasury Department, Fourth Auditor's Office to George W. Storer, U.S. Ship Columbus, 1840 November 9-13
Decision regarding pay entitlement for Passed Midshipman Bowers, who served as Acting Lieutenant, U.S.S. Columbus. Also includes a letter from Bowers to Storer on the matter.