Clarence Arthur Abele Notebook, 1897-1898: Finding Aid

Biography of Clarence Arthur Abele

Clarence Arthur Abele was born on October 30, 1876 in Boston, Massachusetts and was admitted to the United States Naval Academy from Massachusetts on September 6, 1894. After graduating with the Class of 1898 in April of 1898, Abele was attached to Winfield Scott Schley's flagship, U.S.S. Brooklyn (Cruiser: CA-3), taking part in the bombardment of Santiago during the Spanish-American War. Abele was commissioned an Ensign in 1900 and later served aboard U.S.S. Chester (Light cruiser: CL-1) from 1910 to 1913 while that ship was assigned to duty in Caribbean waters and the Gulf of Mexico protecting American interests in Mexico, Honduras, Santo Domingo, and Haiti.

In 1917, Abele served aboard U.S.S. Michigan (Battleship: BB-27) as Executive Officer, and on March 17, 1918, he assumed command of U.S.S. Maui (Troop transport: SP-1514), transporting troops and wounded between the United States and France during World War I. After the war, he was appointed Naval Attaché to Poland and later commanded U.S.S. New York (Battleship: BB-34) from 1926 to 1928 while that ship was overhauled. In 1930, he became Chief of Staff of the 1st Naval District and retired two years later to serve as Superintendent of the Massachusetts Nautical School (now the Massachusetts Maritime Academy). During World War II, Abele was recalled to active duty to command the Fargo Barracks in South Boston, serving in that position from January 1942 until his sudden death on September 12, 1944.

Description of Contents

The Clarence Arthur Abele Notebook, comprising 0.08 linear feet of documentation in a single volume, spans from 1897 to 1898. The notebook consists of Abele's seamanship examination solutions, as well as the examination papers from all of his classes for his First Class year at the United States Naval Academy.

The notebook opens with Abele's solutions to the August 1897 seamanship examination, with sections on rigging, manning sails, the Thompson Sounding Machine, the patent log, and securing life boats. Beginning on page 33, the notebook consists of several pages of least squares equations, after which the notebook is blank until page 100.

After page 100, the notebook consists of tipped in monthly and semi-annual examination papers, containing the questions for examinations in seamanship, navigation from the 1897 summer cruise, physiology and hygiene, international law, ordnance, naval construction, compass use, electricity, mechanics, telephony, and physics.

Arrangement

The Clarence Arthur Abele Notebook comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Clarence Arthur Abele Notebook 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

Transferred from the Records of the Department of Naval Science, RG 405.3.2 Entry 180b in September 2019.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional material in this repository pertaining to Clarence Arthur Abele can be found in his Midshipman Conduct Record and Alumni Jacket. A portrait of Abele as a midshipman is available in RG 405.10 Still Pictures/Midshipmen: Classes, 1846-2000.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Clarence Arthur Abele Notebook, MS 538

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

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

Maui (Motor Patrol Boat, SP-1514). Being the "Log" of the U.S.S. Maui in the World War with Photographic Illustrations. Brooklyn Eagle Press, 1919.

Abele, Clarence Arthur Alumni Jacket, RG 405, Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in October 2019. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in October 2019.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Abele, Clarence Arthur, 1876-1944
• Naval education -- United States
• Seamanship
• United States Naval Academy -- Curricula
• United States Naval Academy -- Examinations

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Notebooks