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Sue Fischer Papers, 1843-1996: Finding Aid

Published in October 2018

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 470
  • Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
  • Title: Sue Fischer Papers
  • Dates: 1843-1996
  • Size: 3.96 linear feet
  • Container Summary: 9 manuscript boxes, 1 half-manuscript box
  • Creator: Fischer, Annabelle F.
  • Language(s) of material: English, German
  • Abstract: Sue Fischer is a literary consultant, researcher, writer, editor, and retired Yeoman in the United States Navy. The Sue Fischer Papers span from 1843 to 1996. The papers focus on the 1844-1846 cruise of the frigate U.S.S. Constitution as recorded in the diary of Frederick C. Fischer and the history of women in the United States Navy.

Biography of Sue Fischer

Annabelle F. "Sue" Fischer enlisted in the United States Navy on May 22, 1951. Following boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois and Yeoman A School in Norfolk, her duty stations included the legal office at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia; the Strategic Plans Division of United States Naval Forces Europe in London, England; Instructor School in Norfolk; Recruit Training Command at Bainbridge, Maryland; Yeoman B School in San Diego, California; the legal office at Naval Air Station North Island, California as Chief-in-Charge; Naval Training Center Bainbridge, Maryland as Chief-in-Charge; the Recruiting Aids and Training Publications Divisions of NAVPERSPROGSUPPACT at the Washington Navy Yard; and the legal office of the Reserve Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois as Chief-in-Charge. Fischer was transferred to Reserve status on August 24, 1971 and retired from the United States Navy on March 1, 1981.

In 1978, Fischer received her B.A. in Liberal Arts from the College of Notre Dame, Baltimore, embarking upon a second career as a literary consultant, writer, researchers, and editor. In addition to serving as National Secretary of the Navy Women's National Convention Association, she was editor of Experienced and Conquered: Frederick C. Fisher, Musician, U.S. Navy Aboard U.S.S. Constitution 1844-1846 (published 1996 by Peach Originals) and A Pictorial History: Navy Women, 1908-1988 (published 1990 by WAVES National).

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Description of Contents

The Sue Fischer Papers, comprising 3.96 linear feet of documentation, span from 1843 to 1996. The papers focus on the 1844-1846 cruise of the frigate U.S.S. Constitution as recorded in the diary of Frederick C. Fischer and the history of women in the United States Navy.

Included in the collection are clippings, letters, notes, manuscripts, newsletters, pamphlets, biographical sketches, logbooks, journals, and a diary.

The Fischer Papers are organized into two series by topic. Series 1: U.S.S. Constitution Files focuses on the diary kept by Fischer's great-grandfather, Frederick C. Fischer, while serving as a musician aboard U.S.S. Constitution during her cruise of 1844 to 1846 under the command of John Percival. In addition to housing the original diary, the series documents the diary's translation and publication as Experienced and Conquered: Frederick C. Fisher, Musician, U.S. Navy Aboard U.S.S. Constitution 1844-1846. Series 2: WAVES/Women in the Navy Files is the product of Fischer's interest in the history of the WAVES and the various issues facing women in the Navy, her involvement in several women's veterans organizations, and the publication of A Pictorial History: Navy Women, 1908-1988, typically referred to throughout the series as Navy Women, 1908-1988: A Pictorial History.

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Arrangement

The Sue Fischer Papers are organized into the following two series:

  • Series 1: U.S.S. Constitution Files, 1843-1996
  • Subseries 1a: Frederick C. Fischer Diary, 1844-1996
  • Subseries 1b: Subject and Research Files, 1843-1996
  • Series 2: WAVES/Women in the Navy Files, 1918-1994
  • Subseries 2a: Subject Files, 1918-1994
  • Subseries 2b: Navy Women, 1908-1988: A Pictorial History Files, 1918-1993
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Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Sue Fischer 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.

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Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of Sue Fischer in April 1997. Accession No. 97-25.

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Related Materials

Location of Originals

Originals of correspondence by William C. Chaplin held by Library of Congress Manuscripts Division. Originals of correspondence by J. C. Reinhardt held by the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Originals of the logbooks of U.S.S. Constitution, as well as the journals of M. Patterson Jones and Colville Terrett held by the National Archives and Records Administration.

Related Archival Material

Additional journals of service aboard U.S.S. Constitution may be found in this repository: MS 125, MS 126, and MS 127, as well as the Thomas W. and Robert H. Wyman Naval Papers, 1817-1855, MS 5.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

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Processing and Other Information

Where possible, the collection creator's folder titles have been retained.

Preferred Citation

Sue Fischer Papers, MS 470

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:

A Pictorial History: Navy Women, 1908-1988. California: WAVES National, 1990.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in October 2018. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in October 2018.

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Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

  • Band musicians -- United States -- Biography
  • Constitution (Frigate)
  • Fischer, Annabelle F.
  • Fischer, Frederick C.
  • United States -- History, Naval -- To 1900
  • United States. Naval Reserve. Women's Reserve
  • United States. Navy -- Biography
  • United States. Navy -- Women
  • United States. Navy Nurse Corps
  • Voyages around the world
  • Yeomen (F)

Genre Terms

  • Clippings (information artifacts)
  • Correspondence
  • Diaries
  • Manuscripts
  • Newsletters
  • Photographs
  • Research notes
  • Rosters
  • Ships' logs
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Contents List

Series 1: U.S.S. Constitution Files, 1843-1996 Boxes 1-5

Series Description

Documentation of Fischer's work to publish a translation of the diary of her great-grandfather, Frederick C. Fischer, kept during his two year cruise as a musician aboard the frigate U.S.S. Constitution from 1844 to 1846.

Series Arrangement

Organized into two subseries by document type.

Subseries 1a: Frederick C. Fischer Diary, 1844-1996 Boxes 1-2

Subseries Description

Original German language manuscript of Frederick C. Fischer's diary of service aboard the frigate U.S.S. Constitution, as well as documentation pertaining to the diary's translation and subsequent publication as Experienced and Conquered: Frederick C. Fisher, Musician, U.S. Navy Aboard U.S.S. Constitution 1844-1846. In addition to the original diary, the subseries includes typescript translations, manuscript and working copies, and an inscribed copy of the published translation of Fischer's diary, as well as the editor's notes and samples of illustrations and photographs for publication.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged by document title and type.

Box 1 Folder 1
Frederick C. Fischer Diary, 1844-1846
Box 1 Folder 2
Frederick C. Fischer Diary - Translation, 1986

Typescript translation by Noah G. Good.

Box 1 Folder 3
Frederick C. Fischer Diary - Translation (Correspondence), 1985-1995

Correspondence with translator Noah G. Good.

Box 1 Folder 4
Experienced and Conquered: Frederick C. Fisher, Musician, U.S. Navy Aboard U.S.S. Constitution 1844-1846, 1996

Inscribed by the editor.

Box 1 Folder 5-7
Experienced and Conquered - Original Manuscript and Printouts, 1995-1996
Box 1 Folder 8
Experienced and Conquered - First Working Print, 1996
Box 2 Folder 1-2
Experienced and Conquered - First Working Print, 1996
Box 2 Folder 3
Experienced and Conquered - Introductions (Notes), undated
Box 2 Folder 4
Experienced and Conquered - Photographs and Illustrations, undated

Subseries 1b: Subject and Research Files, 1843-1996 Boxes 2-5

Subseries Description

Documentation of Fischer's research in preparation for the publication of Experienced and Conquered: Frederick C. Fisher, Musician, U.S. Navy Aboard U.S.S. Constitution 1844-1846. Specifically, the materials pertain to the logbooks of U.S.S. Constitution, lists of crew members, Fischer family genealogy, and the correspondence and journals of the ship's officers. The subseries consists largely of copies of logbooks, journals, letters, and maps, as well as handwritten notes and research correspondence.

Among the documents in the subseries are copies of correspondence of J. C. Reinhardt, punishment and court martial logs of U.S.S. Constitution, deck logs of U.S.S. Constitution, correspondence of William C. Chaplin to Captain John Percival, and the journals of Midshipman J. Patterson Jones and Colville Terrett. Chaplin's correspondence and Terrett's journal were ultimately included in Experienced and Conquered: Frederick C. Fisher, Musician, U.S. Navy Aboard U.S.S. Constitution 1844-1846 as appendices.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by document type and topic.

Box 2 Folder 5
Books and Articles, 1904-1978, undated
Box 2 Folder 6
Chaplin, William C. - Correspondence, 1845

Copies of manuscript letters to Captain John Percival. Originals held by Library of Congress Manuscripts Division.

Box 2 Folder 7-10
Courts Martial and Punishments - U.S.S. Constitution, 1845-1846, undated

Includes copies of courts martial and punishment logs.

Box 3 Folder 1
Fischer Family Genealogy, 1997
Box 3 Folder 2
Jones, MIDN M. Patterson - Journal of a Cruise in the U.S. Frigate Constitution, Captain John Percival Commanding, 1844-1846

Copy of Jones' manuscript log. Original held by NARA.

Box 3 Folder 3
Log - U.S.S. Constitution, 1844-1995

Includes log excerpts from 1844 and 1881.

Box 3 Folder 4-5
Log - U.S.S. Constitution, 1844

Original held by NARA.

Box 3 Folder 6-7
Log - U.S.S. Constitution, 1845

Original held by NARA.

Box 4 Folder 1-2
Log - U.S.S. Constitution, 1846

Original held by NARA.

Box 4 Folder 3
Maps and Charts, 1843-1995, undated

Primarily reproductions of published maps.

Box 4 Folder 4
Pictures, 1956-1996, undated

Photographs and illustrations of U.S.S. Constitution and representative crew.

Box 4 Folder 5
Reinhardt, J. C. - Correspondence, 1845-1873

Copies of manuscript letters written by J. C. Reinhardt. Originals held by the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.

Box 4 Folder 6
Repositories - Boston Area, 1981-1995
Box 4 Folder 7
Repositories - DC Area, 1993-1995
Box 4 Folder 8
Repositories - DC Area (National Archives), 1986-1995
Box 4 Folder 9
Repositories - New York Area, 1986-1995
Box 4 Folder 10
Repositories - Norfolk Area, 1986-1990
Box 4 Folder 11
Repositories - Philadelphia Area (J. C. Reinhardt), 1994-1995
Box 4 Folder 12
Ship's Crew/Provisions, 1841-1995, undated

Includes copies of officer rolls and registers.

Box 4 Folder 13
Ship's History and Description, 1987-1988, undated
Box 4 Folder 15
Terrett, Colville - Journal of a Cruise in the U.S. Ship Constitution, Captain John Percival Commanding, 1844-1845

Copy of Terrett's manuscript log. Original held by NARA.

Box 5 Folder 1
Terrett, Colville - Journal of a Cruise in the U.S. Ship Constitution, Captain John Percival Commanding, 1844-1845

Copy of Terrett's manuscript log. Original held by NARA.

Box 5 Folder 2
Wise, Henry, 1986-1994

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Series 2: WAVES/Women in the Navy Files, 1918-1994 Boxes 5-10

Series Description

Documents pertaining to and collected in connection with Fischer's interest in and writings on the WAVES and history of women in the United States Navy, including the publication of the two volume A Pictorial History: Navy Women, 1908-1988.

Series Arrangement

Organized into two subseries.

Subseries 2a: Subject Files, 1918-1994 Boxes 5-8

Subseries Description

Subject and clipping files pertaining to various topics pertaining to women serving in the WAVES and U.S. Navy at large, as well as documentation produced as a result of Fischer's work with the Navy Women's National Convention Association and WAVES National (later renamed MILWOMEN). More specifically, the files touch upon such topics as WAVES reunions, the easing of restrictions on women in combat duty, women who achieved flag rank, sexual harassment, the Navy Nurse Corps, WAVES training schools, the first women to receive commands, the service of Yeomen (F) in World War I, and the service of WAVES in World War II. Included in the subseries are clippings, letters, newsletters, notes, event programs, pamphlets and brochures, and rosters.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by topic.

Box 5 Folder 3
1989 San Diego, 1988-1989

1989 Navy Women's National Convention.

Box 5 Folder 4
40th Anniversary, 1982

National WAVES reunion program.

Box 5 Folder 5
50th Anniversary, 1991-1992

1992 Navy Women's National Convention.

Box 5 Folder 6
Academy, Naval, 1975-1994
Box 5 Folder 7
Advancement, 1987-1992
Box 5 Folder 8
Air Force, 1987-1991
Box 5 Folder 9
Army, 1990, undated

Includes rosters/mailing lists.

Box 5 Folder 10
Art - Navy Ads, 1987-1990, undated
Box 5 Folder 11
Art - Novelties, 1991, undated
Box 5 Folder 12
Art - Statues, 1984-1988

Includes material regarding the Vietnam Women's Memorial.

Box 5 Folder 13
Awards and Commendations, 1986-1993, undated
Box 5 Folder 14
Band, Navy, 1991
Box 5 Folder 15
Black Navy Women, 1973-1994, undated
Box 5 Folder 16
Book Reviews, 1982-1991, undated
Box 5 Folder 17
Boot Camp, 1984-1992
Box 5 Folder 18
Coast Guard, 1987-1993

Includes material on the SPARS.

Box 5 Folder 19
Combat Duty, 1987-1993, undated
Box 5 Folder 20
Communication, 1984

Attempts to locate and communicate with out of touch retired WAVES.

Box 5 Folder 21
Community Service, 1988-1992, undated
Box 5 Folder 22
DACOWITS, 1988
Box 5 Folder 23
Day for the Navy, 1986
Box 5 Folder 24
Discipline, 1988-1989
Box 5 Folder 25
Exhibits, 1988

Primarily regarding "Quite Shadows - Women in the Pacific War."

Box 5 Folder 26
Flag, 1982-1991
Box 5 Folder 27
Flag Officers, 1988-1994

Includes material on Mildred McAfee Horton, Marsha J. Evans, and Elizabeth P. Hoisington.

Box 5 Folder 28
Flag Officers - Hazard, Roberta L. RADM, USN, 1985-1993, undated

Includes material on the Women in the Navy Bas-Relief and remarks by Hazard.

Box 5 Folder 29
Flag Officers - Hopper, Grace Murray RADM, USN (Ret), 1975-1992
Box 5 Folder 30
Flag Officers - Wilmot, Louise RADM, USN, 1988-1994, undated

Includes remarks by Wilmot on the history of women in the Navy.

Box 5 Folder 31
Flight Orderlies, 1980-1993
Box 5 Folder 32
Fitness, Physical, 1984-1991, undated

Also includes material on unwed Navy pregnancies.

Box 5 Folder 33
Gray Turkey Awards, 1984-1986
Box 6 Folder 1
Hancock, Joy Bright CAPT, USN (Ret), 1967-1986, undated
Box 6 Folder 2
Harassment, 1987-1995, undated

Includes material on the Tailhook Scandal.

Box 6 Folder 3
Jobs, 1969-1994
Box 6 Folder 4
Lawrence, Wendy LCDR, USN, 1992
Box 6 Folder 5
Marine Corps, 1986-1992

Includes rosters/mailing lists.

Box 6 Folder 6
Maryland WAVES, 1982-1991, undated

Includes rosters/mailing lists.

Box 6 Folder 7
Miscellaneous, 1986-1992

Includes material on Reserve Branches in Maryland and Women Veterans Recognition Week.

Box 6 Folder 8-9
Navy Nurse Corps, 1983-1994

Includes material on the Navy Nurse Corps Association and copies of its newsletter.

Box 6 Folder 10
Newsletters, 1944-1945

Copes of "Havelock" and "WAVES Newsletter."

Box 6 Folder 11
Obituaries, 1986-1994
Box 6 Folder 12
Persian Gulf War, undated
Box 6 Folder 13
Policy, 1972-1994
Box 6 Folder 14
Public Health Service, 1987
Box 6 Folder 15
Publications (MilWomen), 1990, undated
Box 6 Folder 16
Records (Military), 1987

Includes material regarding the service of Ken Mayville.

Box 6 Folder 17
Recruitment and Training, 1961-1975, undated

Recruiting and training literature.

Box 7 Folder 1
Research Sources, 1986-1993, undated
Box 7 Folder 2
Reserve Officers Association, undated

Includes roster/mailing list.

Box 7 Folder 3
Retirements, 1991, undated

Includes clippings on Master Chief Clementine J. McDonald and Commander Elizabeth T. Miskelly.

Box 7 Folder 4
Rosters, 1990-1992, undated
Box 7 Folder 5
Schools - Bloomington, Indiana, 1943-1985
Box 7 Folder 6
Schools - Cedar Falls, Iowa, 1943-1990
Box 7 Folder 7
Schools - Georgia State College for Women, 1943
Box 7 Folder 8
Schools - Great Lakes, Illinois, 1994
Box 7 Folder 9
Schools - Madison, Wisconsin, 1986
Box 7 Folder 10
Schools - Stillwater, Oklahoma, 1984, undated
Box 7 Folder 11
Sea Duty, 1953-1993, undated
Box 7 Folder 12
Sea Duty - Command, 1986-1992

Includes coverage of Deborah S. Gernes.

Box 7 Folder 13
Songs - Navy, 1942-1943
Box 7 Folder 14
Studies and Reports, 1984-1988
Box 7 Folder 15
Uniforms - Navy, 1985-1993
Box 7 Folder 16
Up Came a Ripple, 1945

Book of WAVE themed comics by Dorothea J. Byerly.

Box 7 Folder 17
Veterans Affairs, 1984-1991
Box 7 Folder 18
Washington Navy Yard, 1991, undated
Box 7 Folder 19
WAVES Overseas Detachment, Shoemaker, California, undated

Includes copies of "The Story of the WAVES."

Box 7 Folder 20
WAVES Research, 1984-1986, undated

Includes material on "WAVELENGTHS" newsletter and research requests submitted to Fischer.

Box 7 Folder 21
Women Veterans Luncheon, 1986-1987
Box 7 Folder 22
Women's History Month, 1988
Box 8 Folder 1
World War II, 1943-1990, undated

Includes material from the first WAVES reunion in 1943.

Box 8 Folder 2
Yeomen (F), 1918-1993, undated

Material regarding women's service in World War I. Includes photographs.

Subseries 2b: Navy Women, 1908-1988: A Pictorial History Files, 1918-1993 Boxes 8-10

Subseries Description

Documentation of the compiling, editing, and publication of A Pictorial History: Navy Women, 1908-1988, typically referred to throughout the collection as Navy Women, 1908-1988: A Pictorial History. Primarily, the materials in the subseries pertain to biographical submissions by individual Navy women, as well as Fischer's research and writings for the books. Included in the subseries are letters, clippings, biographical sketches, and notes.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by document type and topic.

Box 8 Folder 3
Autobio/Bios - Volume II, 1989-1992, undated
Box 8 Folder 4
Aviation - World War II, 1944-1987, undated
Box 8 Folder 5
Book Material - Volume II, 1942-1991, undated
Box 8 Folder 6
Corrections Volume I for Volume II, 1987-1991
Box 8 Folder 7
Entry Info - Volume II, 1977-1993
Box 8 Folder 8
Inquiries, 1991
Box 8 Folder 9
Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1984-1989
Box 9 Folder 1
Miscellaneous Rewrite Pages - Volume I, 1984-1988, undated
Box 9 Folder 2
My Research, undated
Box 9 Folder 3
My Text - Volume I, undated
Box 9 Folder 4
Photographs, 1918-1943, undated

Includes group photographs of WAVES and Yeomen (F) stationed/training at Bainbridge, Maryland; Stillwater, Oklahoma; Hunter College; Chelsea, Massachusetts; Mare Island, California; and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Box 9 Folder 5
Photographs - DC, 1943-1988, undated

Primarily copies and captions.

Box 9 Folder 6
Promotional, undated
Box 9 Folder 7
Research - Volume I, 1984-1991
Box 9 Folder 8-11
Research and Submissions, 1943-1993, undated
Box 9 Folder 12
Return of Pictures and Letters, 1990-1991
Box 10 Folder 1
Schools, 1943
Box 10 Folder 2
Smith College, 1943-1992
Box 10 Folder 3
Stories - Volume II, 1984-1991
Box 10 Folder 4
Submission Requests, 1991
Box 10 Folder 5
Taps, 1990-1992
Box 10 Folder 6
Today's Navy, 1973-1990
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