William Hosford Letters, 1914-1919: Finding Aid
Published in July 2007
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 370
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: William Hosford Letters
- Dates: 1914-1918
- Size: 0.17 linear feet
- Container Summary: 4 folders
- Creator: Hosford, William
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: William Hosford was an enlisted sailor in the U.S. Navy during World War I, serving aboard submarine chasers. The William Hosford Letters span the period of 1914 through 1919, with a majority of the letters having been written by William Hosford to his wife during the period of August 1918 through May 1919 while Hosford was a U.S. Navy enlisted man serving aboard Submarine Chaser No. 301.
Biography of William Hosford
William Hosford of Brooklyn, New York, was an enlisted sailor in the U.S. Navy during World War I, serving aboard submarine chasers. His earliest known date of service is 1914, and he was demobilized circa May 1919.
Description of Contents
The William Hosford Letters span the period of 1914 through 1919, with a majority of the letters having been written by William Hosford to his wife during the period of August 1918 through May 1919 while Hosford was a U.S. Navy enlisted man serving aboard Submarine Chaser 301. The letters are mostly personal in nature, pertaining to personal finances, homesickness, the daily routine of Hosford's wife, and Hosford's growing distaste for the U.S. Navy, with some remarks on ports visited and an occasional statement on ship or naval matters. Postmarks and letter contents indicate that Hosford’s submarine chaser cruised on the east coast of the United States (mainly New England), then sailed to Bermuda, St. Thomas and Guantanamo, before transiting the Panama Canal to the western coast of the United States. A few of the letters contain enclosures and photographs.
Arrangement
The William Hosford Letters are arranged chronologically into a single series with no subdivisions.
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The William Hosford Letters 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 1999. Accession No. 99-35.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
William Hosford's military personnel file 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
William Hosford Letters, MS 370
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 2004. Finding aid written by Mary R. Catalfamo in 2004 and edited by David D'Onofrio in July 2013.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Hosford, William
- Sailors -- United States -- Correspondence
- Submarine chaser no. 301
- Submarine chasers
- World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations, American
Genre Terms
- Correspondence
- Manuscripts
- Photographs
Contents List
William Hosford Letters, 1919 April-June
Includes discussions of homesickness, the ship's itinerary along the West Coast, an explosion aboard Submarine Chaser 297 in April, arrival in Bremerton, Washington, and Hosford's impending discharge from the U.S. Navy. Also included are several photographs of Sub Chaser 301's equipment and the locks of the Panama Canal.