Stewart Allan Manahan Papers, 1906-1964: Finding Aid

Biographical Chronology of Stewart Allan Manahan

1887

• Born March 1 in Chicago, Illinois to Frank J. and Julia May Pinkney Manahan.

1905

• Enters the United States Naval Academy, having been appointed from Ohio.

1909

• On June 4, graduates from the United States Naval Academy.
• In July, reports aboard U.S.S. Nebraska (Battleship: BB-14).

1911

• In June, is transferred to U.S.S. Celtic (Store Ship: AF-2).
• On June 5, is commissioned as an Ensign.

1912

• In April, is detached from U.S.S. Celtic.
• On July 30, reports aboard U.S.S. Flusser (Destroyer: DD-20).
• On October 28, is transferred to U.S.S. Baltimore (Cruiser: C-3).
• On November 12, is transferred to U.S.S. Tonopah (Monitor: BM-8) after Baltimore is placed out of commission due to a hull leak. Tonopah was serving as a submarine tender at the time.

1913

• On November 14, receives command of U.S.S. Severn (Bark), which was serving as a submarine tender for the 1st Submarine Division.

1914

• On June 5, is promoted to Lieutenant, Junior Grade.

1915

• In the fall, is detached from U.S.S. Severn.
• On October 23, assumes duty as District Radio Officer (later District Communication Officer) for the 6th Naval District in Charleston, South Carolina. Also serves additional duty as District Intelligence Officer.

1917

• In April, is promoted to Lieutenant.
• On October 24, reports for duty aboard U.S.S. Arkansas (Battleship: BB-33) as Aide to Rear Admiral T.S. Rogers and Division Radio Officer for Battleship Division 7.
• On November 13, transfers to U.S.S. Connecticut (Battleship: BB-18)

1918

• On February 15, assumes duties as Aide to Rear Admiral J.H. Glennon following Glennon's relief of Rear Admiral Rogers.
• On April 10, reports for duty as Executive Officer of U.S.S. Lenape (Troop transport: ID-2700).
• On October 3, reports aboard U.S.S. Drayton (Destroyer: DD-23).
• On December 9, is detached from U.S.S. Drayton.

1919

• On February 4, reports aboard U.S.S. New York (Battleship: BB-34) for duty as Division Radio Officer for Battleship Division 6.
• On June 30, is detached from U.S.S. New York.
• On July 1, reports aboard U.S.S. New Mexico (Battleship: BB-40), flagship of the Pacific Fleet, for duty on the staff of Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, Admiral Hugh Rodman.

1921

• On May 10, is detached from the staff of Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, Admiral Hugh Rodman and returns home to await orders.
• On June 20, reports to Chief of Bureau of Engineering.
• On June 25, assigned as Officer-in-Charge of the Ship Section of the Bureau of Engineering, Radio Division.
• On July 1, is promoted to Lieutenant Commander.

1923

• On October 5, is detached from the Bureau of Engineering and ordered to Istanbul to join U.S.S. Denebola (Destroyer tender: AD-12) as Repair Officer.
• On November 20, receives command of U.S.S. Parrott (Destroyer: DD-218).

1924

• On June 2, accompanies Admiral Philip Andrews to the King's Levee at St. James Palace as part of additional duty.
• In May, Destroyer Division 39, including U.S.S. Parrott, is ordered to return to the United States.

1925

• In June, U.S.S. Parrott joins the Asiatic Fleet.
• On August 31, is detached from command of U.S.S. Parrott, and is transferred to Manila, Philippines for duty as Asiatic Communication Officer.

1927

• In October, is detached from the Communication Office in Manila and reports to the Puget Sound Navy Yard.

1928

• On January 27, is assigned to the Bureau of Engineering.

1929

• On August 31, receives command of U.S.S. Humphreys (Destroyer: DD-236).

1930

• In December, is detached from U.S.S. Humphreys.
• On December 15, reports to the Bureau of Engineering.

1931

• On May 1, is promoted to Commander.

1934

• On February 10, is assigned to U.S.S. Marblehead (Light cruiser: CL-12).

1936

• In June, is detached from U.S.S.Marblehead.
• On July 1, is appointed a member of the naval mission to Brazil.

1938

• On June 23, is promoted to Captain.
• On December 10, receives command of U.S.S. Memphis (Light cruiser: CL-13).

1940

• On July 12, is appointed Marine Superintendent of the Panama Canal Zone.

1945

• On April 3, receives temporary promotion to Commodore.
• In October, receives the Legion of Merit.

1946

• On August 31, is relieved as Marine Superintendent of the Panama Canal.
• On November 1, retires with the rank of Commodore.

1972

• On January 3, dies and is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Description of Contents

The Stewart Allan Manahan Papers, comprising 1.25 linear feet of documentation, span from 1906 until 1964. The papers focus on the various tours of duty of Manahan's U.S. Navy career, with an emphasis on his tour as Marine Superintendent of the Panama Canal.

The Manahan Papers consist primarily of two scrapbooks and a reunion book, as well as a photograph and a reunion dinner menu. The scrapbooks are composed of photographs, postcards, invitations, visiting cards, telegrams, official naval memoranda, press clippings, event tickets, event programs, and itineraries.

The Manahan Papers are arranged alphabetically by document type into a single series with no subdivisions. The bulk of the papers consist of two scrapbooks produced throughout the course of Manahan's career. The first scrapbook focuses on Manahan's career from 1909 until 1925, and contains materials pertaining to his various duty stations, including photographs of the ships and crews with which he served. The scrapbook also includes a section spanning from 1933 to 1940 that focuses on Manahan's relationship with, and the death of, Admiral Hugh Rodman. The second scrapbook focuses primarily on Manahan's service as Marine Superintendent of the Panama Canal from 1940 to 1946, including many of the communications, such as holiday greetings, sent by Manahan to those under his command. The volume also contains a section dating back as far as 1906, consisting of complimentary passes for the Panama Railroad Company. Located throughout the scrapbooks, especially the first volume, are extensive annotations by Manahan regarding his activities and experiences.

The remainder of the collection consists of three additional items, two of which pertain to reunions of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1909. One item, a reunion book entitled Fiftieth Anniversary: United States Naval Academy Class of 1909, includes press clippings and other minor ephemera elaborating on specific class members and other reunion activities dating as late as 1964. The other reunion item is a menu from the class's 1929 reunion dinner. Also included in the collection is a single, loose photograph.

Research areas served by the Manahan papers include Manahan's personal history, and that of the administration of the Panama Canal during and after World War II.

Arrangement

The Manahan 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 Stewart Allan Manahan 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

Gifts of Alice Grinnell in December 1999 and David Grinnell in 2000. Accession Nos. 99-119 and 00-21.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional biographical material on Stewart Allan Manahan can be found in his Alumni Jacket in Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Stewart Allan Manahan Papers, MS 352

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in February 2010. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in February 2010. Original guide by Mary R. Catalfamo.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Manahan, Stewart Allan, 1887-1972
• Panama Canal (Panama)
• Rodman, Hugh, 1859-1940
• United States Naval Academy. Class of 1909
• United States. Navy -- Military Life

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Photographs
• Printed ephemera
• Scrapbooks