Thomas G. Ford Manuscript on the History of the United States Naval Academy, 1858-1908: Finding Aid
Published in June 2017
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 448
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: Thomas G. Ford Manuscript on the History of the United States Naval Academy
- Dates: 1858-1908
- Size: 2.92 linear feet
- Container Summary: 7 manuscript boxes
- Creator: Ford, Thomas G., 1827-1909
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: Thomas G. Ford was an Assistant Librarian at the United States Naval Academy. The Thomas G. Ford Manuscript on the History of the United States Naval Academy, comprising 2.9 linear feet of writings and supporting documentation, was written and compiled between 1858 and 1905, with additional materials dating as late as 1908. The manuscript focuses on the early history of the United States Naval Academy from its founding in 1845 until 1886, as well as the history of navigation, nautical science, nautical songs, and efforts to establish a naval school prior to the founding of the Naval Academy.
Biography of Thomas G. Ford
Thomas G. Ford was born on June 18, 1827 in Dublin, Ireland. After studying French and Italian in Paris and Rome, respectively, Ford immigrated to the United States in 1851. Initially working as an instructor at St. Mary's College in Wilmington, Delaware, Ford soon relocated to North Carolina where he became assistant editor of the North Carolina Patriot. While in North Carolina, Ford joined the United States Navy and was ultimately assigned as assistant to William L. Long, storekeeper at Spezia, Italy. In 1853, Ford was transferred to U.S.S. Levant (Sloop-of-war), and remained aboard that vessel from 1853 until 1855 during her cruise to Piraeus and Istanbul, ending with her decommissioning at New York.
Following his return to the United States, Ford proceeded to Baltimore where he took his Oath of Allegiance as a United States citizen. Shortly thereafter, he received an appointment as Assistant Librarian at the Naval School in Annapolis. Serving under William Chauvenet, Ford was tasked with preparing the Naval Academy Library's first catalog and was assigned the additional duty of administering the Academy's Lyceum. In 1858, he also began working on a manuscript chronicling the early history of the Naval Academy. At the end of the 1865-1866 academic year, Ford resigned as Assistant Librarian, but continued work on his history of the Academy, the typescript of which was produced in 1889-1890 and deposited at the Naval Academy Library in 1905. Thomas G. Ford died on May 24, 1909 in Florence, Italy.
Description of Contents
The Thomas G. Ford Manuscript on the History of the United States Naval Academy, comprising 2.92 linear feet of writings and supporting documentation, was written and compiled between 1858 and 1905, with additional materials dating as late as 1908. The manuscript focuses on the early history of the United States Naval Academy from its founding in 1845 until 1886, as well as the history of navigation, nautical science, nautical songs, and efforts to establish a naval school prior to the founding of the Naval Academy.
In addition to the manuscript, which varies between typescript and handwritten notes, the collection includes period newspaper clippings, copies of reports of the Naval Academy Board of Visitors and the Secretary of the Navy, Naval Academy ephemera, songs, Ford's biography, and letters sent and received by Ford.
Arrangement
The Thomas G. Ford Manuscript on the History of the United States Naval Academy is arranged chronologically, largely by Superintendent.
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The Thomas G. Ford Manuscript on the History of the United States Naval Academy 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 Thomas G. Ford in 1905.
Related Materials
Location of Copies or Alternate Formats
The Thomas G. Ford Manuscript has been digitized in its entirety. In addition to following the links in the Container List below, the materials can be accessed through the USNA Digital Collections at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/ik5eus/alma991006447689906751.
This collection is also available in microfilm.
Related Archival Material
Material pertaining to Thomas G. Ford's employment at the Naval Academy may be available in RG-405, Records of the United States Naval Academy.
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
Thomas G. Ford Manuscript on the History of the United States Naval Academy, MS 448
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Processing Information
This collection was processed circa 1979. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in June 2017.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Ford, Thomas G., 1827-1909
- United States Naval Academy -- History -- 19th century
Genre Terms
- Clippings (information artifacts)
- Correspondence
- Manuscripts
- Printed ephemera
Contents List
Chapter 1 - Dawn of Navigation, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447554706751
Chapter 2 - Early nautical science, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447551606751
Chapter 3, Part 1 - Schools of Naval Warfare, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447551706751
Chapter 3, Part 2 - Schools of Naval Warfare, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447551906751
Chapter 3, Notes - Schools of Naval Warfare, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447553506751
Chapter 4 - Efforts of Congress, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447554506751
Chapter 5 - Efforts of Secretaries of the Navy, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447554606751
Chapter 6 - Efforts of Naval officers, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447552106751
Chapter 7 - Naval schools previous to 1845, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447552706751
Chapter 8 - Last days of school at Naval Asylum, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447554206751
Chapter 9 - Selection of site of Naval Academy; Buchanan, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447552606751
Chapter 10 - Class of '40, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447554406751
Chapter 11 - Lt. Ward & Upshur, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447554106751
Chapter 12 - Freaks of '41, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447554306751
Chapter 13 - Stribling, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447553606751
Chapter 14 - Goldsborough, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447553806751
Chapter 15 - Superintendence of Commander Blake, First period (1857-1861), undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447554006751
Chapter 16 - Blake (1861-1865), undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447553006751
Chapter 16A - Incidents & extracts for use in 15th & 16th chapters (not an individual chapter), undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447553406751
Chapter 17, Part 1 - Blake - Second period, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447553106751
Chapter 17, Part 2 - Blake - Second period, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447553306751
Chapter 18 - Deeds of Graduates and Midshipmen, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447552806751
Chapter 19 - Contest of location, 1864-1866, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447552206751
Chapter 20, Part 1 - Porter's Administration, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447551806751
Chapter 20, Part 2 - Porter's Administration, 1865-1876, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447552406751
Chapter 21 - Worden, 1865, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447552506751
Chapter 22 - Rodgers, 1875, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447552906751
Chapter 23 - Parker-Balch-Rodger's 2nd term, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447553706751
Chapter 24, Part 1 - Ramsay (1881-1886), undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447552306751
Chapter 24, Part 2 - Ramsay, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447553206751
Chapter 25 - Practice cruises, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447552006751
Chapter 26 - Midshipman's Growl, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447553906751
Chapter 27 - Nautical Songs, 1865-1882, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447551406751
Chapter 28 - General Reflections, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447551506751
Chapter 29 - Grounds & Buildings (notes only), 1864-1876, undated
Digital copy available at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991006447551306751