Arthur St. Clair Smith Navigation Log, 1910-1911: Finding Aid

Biographical Chronology of Arthur St. Clair Smith

1873

• Born on December 31 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

1893

• Appointed to the United States Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1897.

1897

• On June 4, graduates from the United States Naval Academy and begins two year mandatory sea service prior to commissioning.
• On June 19, attached to U.S.S. Indiana (Battleship: BB-1).

1899

• On June 30, attached to U.S.S. Monterey (Monitor: BM-6), followed by service aboard U.S.S. Glacier (Store ship: AF-4).
• On July 1, commissioned as an Ensign.

1902

• On July 1, commissioned as a Lieutenant (junior grade).
• On December 10, attached to the Naval Proving Grounds.

1903

• In December, granted a leave of absence.

1904

• On January 1, promoted to Lieutenant.
• On March 23, attached to U.S.S. Des Moines (Cruiser: C-15), followed by transfers to U.S.S. Olympia (Protected cruiser: C-6), U.S.S. Minneapolis (Protected cruiser: C-13), and U.S.S. Maine (Armored cruiser: ACR-1).

1907

• On June 25, attached to New York Navy Yard.
• On August 20, ordered to Inspection Duty with the Bureau of Ordnance.

1909

• Promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
• On October 23, attached to U.S.S. Connecticut (Battleship: BB-18), serving as navigator, followed by command of U.S.S. Indiana (Battleship: BB-1).

1912

• On September 23, attached to the Naval Academy as an instructor in Navigation.

1914

• On September 25, attached to the Naval Station at Olongapo, Philippines, followed by duty aboard U.S.S. Brooklyn (Armored cruiser: ACR-3) on the Asiatic Fleet.

1916

• On August 29, promoted to Commander.
• Assumes command of U.S.S. Helena (Gunboat: PG-9).

1917

• Ordered to duty at the Naval Academy as head of the Department of Electrical Engineering.

1918

• In July, temporarily promoted to Captain.

1919

• Assumes command of the Lafayette Radio Station at Croix D'Hins, France.

1920

• On May 29, assumes command of U.S.S. Des Moines (Cruiser: C-15).

1921

• In May, assumes command of Destroyer Squadron 14, Atlantic Fleet.
• On June 3, promoted to Captain.

1922

• Assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence.
• Ordered to Peking, China as Naval Attaché at the American Legation.

1923

• Renders assistance following the Great Kanto Earthquake of September 1.

1925

• Assumes command of U.S.S. Idaho (Battleship: BB-42).

1927

• In May, ordered to the Naval War College for instruction.

1928

• In July, appointed Chief of Staff for Commander Battleship Divisions, Battle Fleet.

1929

• Appointed Chief of Staff for Commander-in-Chief, Battle Fleet.

1930

• On May 10, promoted to Rear Admiral.

1931

• On January 23, assumes command of the Special Services Squadron operating in Central American waters.
• Renders assistance following the March 31 earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua.

1933

• On February 14, reports for duty as Commandant, Norfolk Navy Yard.

1935

• On August 13, assumes command of Battleship Division Three.

1936

• On June 23, detaches from Battleship Division Three for duty as Commandant of the Twelfth Naval District at San Francisco.

1937

• On November 10, is relieved from active duty.

1938

• On January 1, retires from the United States Navy.

1942

• On March 26, dies at the Naval Hospital in Annapolis, Maryland.

Description of Contents

The Arthur St. Clair Smith Navigation Log, comprising a single volume of documentation, spans from November 8, 1910 until November 20, 1911. The volume, consisting solely of navigational observations, is the product of Smith's tour as navigator aboard U.S.S. Connecticut (Battleship: BB-18) during a cruise in European and British waters.

The entries of the Arthur St. Clair Smith Navigation Log are arranged chronologically. Typical entries consist of Smith’s navigational observations and computations for location by dead reckoning and/or celestial observation. Also typically included are ship's location forms, and on occasion, deviation table forms.

Arrangement

The Arthur St. Clair Smith Navigation Log comprises a single volume. The entries therein are arranged chronologically.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Arthur St. Clair Smith Navigation Log 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 Naval Academy Department of Navigation on December 29, 1937, and later transferred to the Naval Academy Museum.

Provenance and Acquisition

Transferred from the United States Naval Academy Museum in 2013. Accession No. 16-19.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to the career of Arthur St. Clair Smith in this repository includes Smith's Alumni Jacket and Midshipman Conduct Record.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Arthur St. Clair Smith Navigation Log, MS 476

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

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

Smith, Arthur St. Clair Alumni Jacket, RG 405, Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

United States. Bureau of Naval Personnel. Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1897-1911.

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

• Connecticut (Battleship : BB-18)
• Navigation
• Smith, Arthur St. Clair, 1873-1942

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Ships' logs