C. W. Mauldin Diary, 1900-1906: Finding Aid

Biography of Cleon Wirt Mauldin

Cleon Wirt Mauldin was born 31 July 1880 in Pickens Co., South Carolina. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from South Carolina and was a graduate, USNA Class of 1904. He achieved the rank of captain in the United States Navy. Captain Mauldin died 29 November 1935 at Greenville, South Carolina and was buried in Springwood Cemetery at Greenville.

Captain Mauldin was married to Nell Poe and was the father of Cleon Wirt Mauldin, Jr.

Description of Contents

The C. W. Mauldin Diary covers Mauldin's naval career for the period 23 May 1900 through 13 May 1906. The diary’s introductory "Prelude" offers some information on his time at the U.S. Naval Academy with emphasis on his practice cruises. The remainder of the diary consists of an account of his tours aboard U.S.S. Kearsarge (Battleship: BB-5) and U.S.S. Scorpion (Gunboat). Mauldin's diary, of a loose-leaf format, is incomplete (pages 1-60) and ends with a partial entry for 13 May 1906, with Mauldin still aboard the Scorpion.

Included with the diary are several newspaper clippings regarding the political climate in the Dominican Republic and the resulting American intervention.

The Prelude to the diary (pages 1-5), presumably written in 1904 when the rest of the diary begins, lists the recounts Mauldin's Naval Academy summer training cruises aboard U.S.S. Chesapeake (Bark) and U.S.S. Indiana (Battleship: BB-1), including lists of the training officers aboard both vessels. The diary then officially begins with Mauldin's graduation from the Naval Academy in February 1904.

Mauldin's entries for his tour aboard the Kearsarge span 11 March 1904 through 4 October 1905 (pages 6-33). He records the Kearsarge’s cruise to Guantanamo, Cuba, its good-will visit to European ports (including Horta, Azores; Lisbon, Portugal; Gibraltar; Athens, Greece; Trieste, Italy (then a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire); and Fiume, now Rijeka, Croatia), and its U.S. return, followed by a period spent in tactical drills and exercises to generate tactical data. For the European leg of the cruise, Mauldin notes salutes fired by the Kearsarge and visits by heads of state, including the Kings of Portugal and Greece. Beginning on page 31, Mauldin lists the officers of and ports visited by the Kearsarge.

The final part of the diary covers Mauldin's service aboard the Scorpion, spanning October 1905 to May 1906 (pages 34-60). These entries include the Scorpion's activities in the waters and ports of the politically turbulent Dominican Republic, where the ship helped to maintain stability and protect U.S. interests. As an officer aboard the Scorpion, and frequent eyewitness, Mauldin recorded events in the Republic’s unfolding political drama and commented on the historical, political and social aspects of the scene. Beginning on page 37 and spanning 7 pages, Mauldin gives a brief history of the Dominican Republic, its politics, people (which he describes as "not highly civilized"), and financial situation. Also noted, beginning on page 44, is a show of force by the crew of the U.S.S. Olympia (Protected cruiser: C-6).

Arrangement

The contents of the C. W. Mauldin Diary are arranged chronologically.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The C. W. Mauldin Diary 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 the U.S. Naval Institute in January 1999. Accession No. 99-09.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Cleon Wirt Mauldin's military personnel records may be available at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

C. W. Mauldin Diary, MS 357

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 August 2013.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Dominican Republic -- History
• Kearsarge (Battleship : BB-5)
• Mauldin, Cleon Wirt, 1880-1935
• Scorpion (Gunboat)
• United States. Navy -- Sea life

Genre Terms

• Clippings (information artifacts)
• Diaries
• Manuscripts