NORFOLK NAVY YARD

LETTERS

Section 1: Birth of the Gosport Yard & into the 19th Century

Marcus W. Robbins, Historian & Archivist
Copyright 2007. All Rights Reserved.

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Letter of Lieut. William Schley of the Mexican Navy to his brother Charles, August 17, 1827

Letter by Com. John Rodgers to Com. James Barron, September 9, 1831

Lewis Warrington Letter, March 29, 1834

Edward Fitzgerald Letter, July 1, 1838

Letter of Jesse Wilkinson to Hon. David Henshaw, December 7, 1843

Bank of the Comonwealth Dollar, May 1, 1861

City of Portsmouth Twenty-Five Cents, October 29, 1862

Letter by Admiral David Dixon Porter to Lawton Coggeshall, Esq., October 7, 1889

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Letter of Lieut. William Schley of the Mexican Navy to his brother Charles, August 17, 1827

      

Norfolk, via August 17, 1827

Mr. Charles Schley
Washington City, D.C.
Corner of H and 18th Streets

Dear Brother:

We arrived in this place yesterday evening after a very fatiguing journey, in which we suffered extremely from sea-sickness, but notwithstanding we derived a great deal of pleasure from the interesting sights that we seen on the river and bay. It is here that when we lost sight of the District it caused our hearts to palpitate heavily; but as we passed Vernon the beloved home of the Father of his Country it caused us to forget home as we viewed with pleasing emotions the green foliage that encircled the venerable dwelling. After passing this first sight, exciting our attention was Fort Washington with its thundering bull Dogs with hideous mouths gaping over the waving waters and seemingly bidding defiance to the mercenary hirelings of power. After passing this we saw nothing of note until we arrived off the Rip raps and Fortress Monroe. The beauty of this scene was heightened by a distant view of Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Gosport, together with the terrific North Carolina surrounded by her satellites the Constellation and Ontario together with some other vessels of the American Navy. We also passed two French Frigates below quarantine ground having the fever on board, and at length arrived at Norfolk pretty well dosed with sea sickness. Here we found the Port crowded with the seamen of the Carolina to the number of 800 who created mirth sufficient to make the Devil laugh, and the evening between 3 to 4:00 went off to Philadelphia in jovial style just as poor as before they got their pay. We visited Portsmouth and Gosport today and passed among the Frigates in the harbor and returned well pleased with our excursion. Having given you a brief detail of what has passed under our observation, I shall now proceed to detail our success. Our prospect at our arrival was dark a dry harbor with not a vessel southward bound, made us feel heart heavy. This morning we very luckily found one vessel bound to Havana, upon which we have partially engaged a passage at 30 Dollars for us both, and what will be an additional Incentive - Capt. James Wilkinson of the U. S. Navy bound to Key West, is going out in the same vessel. We do not know whether he is on U. S. business with the Commodore or only upon a visit - but be that as it may, from his urbanity as a gentleman and affability of temper we have reason to expect that he will in some measure be instrumental as a Intercessor for us, especially as an Intimate friend of the Commodore, besides this the Citizens of Norfolk whose opinions we have consulted on the matter, all applaud and encourage our movement, so now we are only eager to hear the work "ho heave ho" - as soon as we arrive at our destination (if we ever do). I shall write again and give you something more satisfactory, for the present I must conclude by returning my love to all my friends and requesting their remembrance, with sentiments of respect and love. I am and will remain your affectionate brother.

Lieutenant William Schley of the Mexican Navy

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Letter of Com. John Rodgers to Com. James Barron, September 9, 1831

   

[Envelope]
Navy Com Office
John Rodgers

Com James Barron
Commanding Naval Office
Philadelphia

[Letter]
Navy Com Office
9th September 1831

Sir:

Your letter of the 7th inst. relative to a change in the working hours at the yard under your command - viz. changing the dinner hour from 12 to 1 o'clock, has been received.

The Commissioners are not authorized to make the slightest change whatever in the orders transmitted to you on the 1st inst. upon the subject of working hours.

I am Sir very respectfully
Your obt Servt

John Rogers

* * *

Lewis Warrington Letter, March 29, 1834

U S Navy Yard
Gosport, March 29, 1834

Sir,

The enclosed sealed letter to Mr. Elliott Green is returned, as the Fulmouth has sailed.

I am very respectfully
Your obedient servant
Lewis Warrington

* * *

Edward Fitzgerald Letter, July 1, 1838

 

[Envelope]
Edward G. Whelen
late purser, U S Ship Peacock
Philadelphia, PA

[Letter]
Norfolk, VA
July 1, 1838

Dear Sir:

I have received your letter informing me that you had received directions Honorable Secretary of the Navy to pay into my hands the sum of Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty Seven Dollars and Forty-Seven Cents, which sum has been duly received by me, and assume you have duplicate receipts for the amount.

Very respectfully
Your obdt Servt
Edward Fitzgerald

[To] Edward S. Whelan, Esq.
Philadelphia

* * *


Letter of Jesse Wilkinson of Gosport Navy Yard to Secretary of the Navy, the Hon. David Henshaw, December 7, 1843.

U S Navy Yard
Gosport, December 7, 1843

Sir:

In conformity with you order of the 2nd instand, I have the honor to foward herewith charges against Boatswain Edward Crocker.

Although there seems to be no doubt, but that his absence from duty has been occasioned generally by intemperance, yet the difficulty of proving such charges before a Court Martial without specifying particular dates and circumstances, which appear to be difficult in this case, has caused that charge to be omitted.

I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your obt. servt.
Jesse Wilkinson

The Honorable David Henshaw
Secretary of the Navy
Washington

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Bank of the Comonwealth Dollar May 1, 1861

* * *

City of Portsmouth Twenty-Five Cents, October 29, 1862

* * *

Letter by Admiral David Dixon Porter to Lawton Coggeshall, Esq., October 7, 1889

      

 

[Envelope]
NAVY DEPARTMENT
Official Business
OFFICE OF THE ADMIRAL

[To] Lawton Coggeshall
Newport, RI
(No. 12 Commercial Wharf)

[Letter]
Jamestown, RI
October 6, 1889

Dear Sir:

I received your letter of September 16 and you will think I have been a long time in answering it, but I had to write home to get a particular cane that I want to give to you.

This cane has a history that I am sure you will appreciate.

I got the cane twenty years ago, "after the war" as the Southerners say. I had it made in the Norfolk yard out of a piece of the "Merrimac" keel just after she was raised from the bottom.

The gun and mounting on the head of the cane was made from one of the fighting bolts of the span deck. The brass peierle was made from one of the bolts that fastened the __inacle.

This will be a historic cane and I present it to you because I know you will really appreciate it.

I have lots of canes, each with a little history attached, but none with a history like this one. Every __ in it tells a story, every square inch of __ has its tale of blood and the whole cane tells how Southern hopes were foiled and disgrace to the Union prevents by that little ___ of ___.

It isn't many people that I want to give this cane to, for I expect it is one of the few mememtoes of the "Merrimac" now in Northern hands. I had it packed very carefully to send by express, but nevertheless the gun got broken off in transit so you will have to have it repaired as I have no way of doing it here. The damage is slight and any locksmith cane mend it.

I have no one to send it by so you will have to send someone over for the cane and I will show the person how to have it mended.

This cane is with an inscription on a silver plate and you must look out that someone don't get it away from you.

I have been confined to my room all summer by sickness and am still confined. Send soon for the cane as I shall go home as soon as I can travel.

Give my kind regards to your brother, the Mayor, and believe me

Yours very sincerely,

David D Porter
Admiral

Lawton Coggeshall, Esq.
Newport, RI

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