William P. McCann Papers, 1848-1906: Finding Aid

Biographical Chronology of William Penn McCann

1830

• Born May 4, in Paris, Kentucky.

1848

• In October, arrives in Annapolis, Maryland for Naval School entrance examinations.
• On November 1, enters the United States Navy as a midshipman.
• In December, sails aboard the recently recommissioned U.S.S. Raritan (Frigate), which was serving as flagship of the Home Squadron.

1850

• In June, sails aboard the U.S.S. Raritan for a second cruise, now serving as flagship of the Pacific Squadron.

1853

• On May 5, transfers to U.S.S. Columbia (Frigate), which was serving as flagship of the Home Squadron.
• On October 28, reports to the United States Naval Academy for examination.
• Graduates from the United States Naval Academy.

1854

• On June 14, is warranted as a passed midshipman.
• In June, is ordered to U.S.S. Cyane (Sloop-of-war).
• In July, is transferred to U.S.S. Vixen (Gunboat) while she was under repair at the New York Navy Yard.
• In September, reports for duty aboard U.S.S. Independence (Ship-of-the-line), which was recommissioned to serve as flagship of the Pacific Squadron.

1855

• On September 15, is warranted as a Master.
• On September 16, is commissioned as a Lieutenant.

1858

• In January, is ordered to the receiving ship U.S.S. Allegheny (Gunboat).
• In August, reports aboard U.S.S. Sabine (Frigate).

1862

• In April, transfers to U.S.S. Maratanza (Gunboat).
• On August 5, is promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
• In October, receives command of U.S.S. Hunchback (Gunboat) of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

1863

• On September 26, is detached from Hunchback in order to take command of U.S.S. Kennebec (Gunboat) of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron.

1864

• On October 31, is detached from U.S.S. Kennebec.

1865

• On February 6, receives command of U.S.S. Tahoma (Gunboat).

1866

• On July 25, is promoted to Commander.

1866-1876

• Serves as captain of U.S. Ships Tallapoosa (Gunboat) and Nipsic (Gunboat); at the Naval Academy as Assistant to Commandant of Midshipmen; in Executive Duty; at the Philadelphia and Norfolk Navy Yards; and as inspector of the Eighth and Eleventh lighthouse districts.

1876

• On September 21, is promoted to Captain.

1876-1882

• Serves as captain of Lackawanna (Sloop-of-war), Independence, and Pensacola (Screw sloop-of-war).

1883-1887

• Serves as Light-house Board member, Naval Advisory Board President, and on court-martial duty.

1887

• On January 26, is promoted to Commodore.
• Receives command of Boston Navy Yard.

1890

• In August, receives command of the South Atlantic Station.

1891

• In August, is relieved as commander of the South Atlantic Station, and subsequently serves as president of the Naval Examining and Retiring Board.

1892

• On May 4, is transferred to the retired list.

1898

• Serves as prize commissioner for the southern district of New York.

1906

• On January 15, dies in New Rochelle, New York.

Description of Contents

The Commodore William P. McCann Papers, comprising 0.63 linear feet of documentation, span from 1848 until 1906. The papers, consisting primarily of handwritten journals and correspondence, cover all but the last two years of McCann's career in the U.S. Navy.

Included in the collection are copies of outgoing letters, journals, press clippings, a map, a plan for a naval vessel, a certificate, a photograph, and several clippings.

The McCann Papers are arranged alphabetically by document type into a single series with no subdivisions. The correspondence consists of ten letters from McCann to his father, brother (John), Garret Thompson, and Secretary of the Navy John Mason. The letters, most likely copies from a larger letterbook, pertain largely to McCann's efforts to enter the Naval School, including his examinations and a meeting with the Secretary of the Navy. The letters also describe various historical and physical aspects of the Naval School, Annapolis, the Maryland State House, the Norfolk Navy Yard, and U.S.S. Raritan.

The journals, written in several hands and most likely produced in retrospect, span from 1848 to 1890. The journals discuss, in varying levels of detail, McCann's numerous posts and tours of duty. In addition to providing such standard information as courses traveled, weather, itineraries, duties, and recreation, the journals also detail McCann's experiences during the American Civil War, including the siege of Yorktown and the Battle of Mobile Bay; the War of the Pacific between Chile, Bolivia, and Peru; and his experiences as lighthouse inspector and member of the Lighthouse Board. The journals also feature McCann's views on topics such as American politics, foreign policy, and diplomacy. Interspersed throughout the journals are press clippings.

The remainder of the collection consists of several oversize documents, including McCann's commission as a Commander in the U.S. Navy, a hand-drawn map of Mobile Bay, and hand-drawn sketches of the U.S.S. Merrimack (Frigate) depicting her conversion to the ironclad C.S.S. Virginia. Also included are several obituaries, a Senate document, and a portrait of McCann.

Arrangement

The William P. McCann Papers are arranged alphabetically by document type into a single series with no subdivisions.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The William P. McCann 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

Gift of Lily May Olson in October 1994 and purchase in April 1995. Accession Nos. 94-62 and 95-23.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

There are no other known collections of papers of Commodore William P. McCann.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

William P. McCann Papers, MS 350

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was originally processed by Mary R. Catalfamo and reprocessed by David D'Onofrio in January 2010. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in January 2010.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• McCann, William Penn, 1830-1906
• Navy-yards and naval stations -- United States
• United States -- Foreign relations -- Latin America
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Naval operations
• United States Naval Academy -- Students -- Correspondence
• War of the Pacific, 1879-1884

Genre Terms

• Clippings (information artifacts)
• Correspondence
• Diaries
• Manuscripts