George T. Ellis Journal, 1917-1918: Finding Aid

Biography of George T. Ellis

George T. Ellis was born on November 22, 1891, and joined the Naval Coast Defense Reserve as an ensign on March 30, 1917. Ellis trained and served, at least in part, aboard U.S.S. Charleston (Protected cruiser: C-22), training primarily in the Chesapeake Bay and off Hampton Roads, and escorting troop and supply convoys out of New York Harbor. No longer listed in the Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by 1920, Ellis was presumably discharged or resigned from the Naval Reserve following the end of World War I.

Description of Contents

The George T. Ellis Journal, comprising a single volume of documentation, spans from November 1917 until August 1918. The journal, consisting of both a personal log and training notes, is a product of Ellis' training, service, and occasional convoy duty as an officer in the Naval Coast Defense Reserve, First District during World War I.

Pages 1 through 33 comprise a log of Ellis' training and convoy escort cruises aboard, at least in part, U.S.S. Charleston, spanning from November 17, 1917 through August 16, 1918. Generally, the journal entries note Ellis' attendance at Reserve Officers Classes and the subjects studied, as well as noting the ship's location and speed, weather and sea conditions, drills, inspections, and participation in target practice. The commencement of convoy escort duties from New York Harbor are noted specifically in entries for November 26, 1917, February 6, 1918, and May 3, 1918. Other notable events mentioned by Ellis include the training of armed guards in Tangier Sound (December 26, 1917), a near miss with U.S.S. Montana (January 7, 1918), a collision resulting the in the loss of a convoy ship (May 12, 1918), and a fire in the ship's wardroom during a movie screening (August 10, 1918).

Pages 192 through 272 consist of notes taken by Ellis as part of his Reserve Officer Classes. Subjects covered by the notes include deck log writing, ammunition, six-inch gun drills, fire control systems, anchor gear, mooring the ship, compartment numbering, six-inch elevating hear, six-inch yoke sights, sounding machines, boat hoisting, drainage systems, gunny casualties, General Order No. 154, battle efficiency, battle circuits, compass error, astronomical terms, dead reckoning, chronometers, torpedoes, storms, barometric readings, and tides.

Arrangement

The George T. Ellis Journal comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The George T. Ellis Journal 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

Custodial History

Originally donated to the United States Naval Academy Museum, date unknown.

Provenance and Acquisition

Transferred from the United States Naval Academy Museum in 2013. Accession No. 16-18.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

There are no other known collections of personal papers of George T. Ellis.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Conservation

Journal was cleaned to remove potential mold damage.

Preferred Citation

George T. Ellis Journal, MS 475

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

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

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Charleston (Cruiser : C-2)
• Ellis, George T.
• Naval convoys
• Naval education -- United States
• United States. Naval Reserve
• World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations, American

Genre Terms

• Journals (accounts)
• Manuscripts
• Notebooks