H. R. Insley Scrapbook, 1898-1909 (bulk 1908-1909): Finding Aid

Biography of H. R. Insley

Hugh Raymond Insley was born in Missouri and appointed to the United States Navy from California. His service entry date was 6 March 1899, although he earlier served as assistant paymaster for temporary service from 27 April 1898. Insley was commissioned as a paymaster on 3 March 1903. During his career, Insley served aboard U.S.S. Albatross (Steamer), Nero (Collier: AC-17), Bennington (Patrol gunboat: PG-4), Pensacola (Steamer), Atlanta (Protected cruiser), Minneapolis (Protected cruiser: CA-17), and at the Puget Sound Navy Yard. On 1 April 1908, Insley transferred to his final duty station aboard U.S.S. U.S.S. Wisconsin (Battleship: BB-9). Paymaster Hugh R. Insley resigned 31 December 1909 "for the good of the service."

Description of Contents

The scrapbook was compiled by Paymaster Hugh Raymond Insley, USN, who was serving aboard the Wisconsin (Battleship: BB-9 ). The Wisconsin joined the Atlantic Fleet (now commonly called the Great White Fleet) at San Francisco to participate in the transpacific leg of the Fleet’s voyage to circumnavigate the world.

The scrapbook consists primarily of memorabilia relating to 1908-1909 cruise of the Great White Fleet. Many items concern the receptions and courtesies rendered to the fleet and its men at the national and foreign ports visited. Scrapbook items include news clippings, illustrations cut from periodicals, photographs, announcements, invitations, notices, menus, and event programs.

The contents of the scrapbook trace the following itinerary. On 7 July 1908, the Atlantic Fleet (also identified as the Battle Fleet or the Grand Fleet) left San Francisco. The Atlantic Fleet visited Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania, the Philippines, Japan, China, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Egypt, Malta, Algiers, Gibraltar and passed through the Suez Canal. The Fleet completed its journey, 22 February 1909 at Hampton Roads, Virginia, passing in review before President Theodore Roosevelt.

Among the scrapbook's photographs are images of the Wisconsin's officers and crew (including some of the crew dressed as Pacific Islanders), Maori dancing and rituals, the crew with a kangaroo, and street scenes from Amoy (Xiamen) China. The scrapbook also includes an invitation to the 1898 launching of the Wisconsin.

Arrangement

The contents of the H. R. Insley Scrapbook are arranged chronologically.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The H. R. Insley Scrapbook 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

Gift of LCDR Russell A. Langdon, USN (Ret.) in October 1999. Accession No. 99-101.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional coverage of the cruise of the Great White Fleet can be found in Theodore W. Richards' Great White Fleet Scrapbook, MS 219 in Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

H. R. Insley Scrapbook, MS 354

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 2003. Finding aid written by Mary R. Catalfamo in 2003 and edited by David D'Onofrio in July 2013.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Insley, H. R.
• United States. Navy -- Cruise, 1907-1909

Genre Terms

• Clippings (information artifacts)
• Invitations
• Manuscripts
• Photographs
• Printed ephemera
• Programs (documents)
• Scrapbooks