Introduction: The U.S.S. Albany, flying her homeward bound pennant after an active and successful cruise in the Caribbean, left Aspinwall Panama on September 29, 1854, for New York.1 She was never heard from again and was listed "lost at sea with all hands.2, 3 Experienced sailors have long known the summer months in the West Indies are often accompanied by fierce gales and violent hurricanes. The Albany had been at sea on active service much more than usual for an extended cruise, however, just prior to her departure there still remained troubling questions regarding her seaworthiness, so much so that her captain Commander James T. Gerry wrote on 31 May 1854:
"When I look back upon the heavy weather we have encountered with this mast, so perfectly worthless, it really appears miraculous that it should have stood the severe trials through which it carried us in safety. I am very apprehensive that my Foremast will also prove more defective than we are aware of, but so far as can examine, no serious decay has been detected; but should the Ship go into a northern Port this summer, I would recommend a most minute examination of it…"4
1. The U.S.S. Princeton and Fulton were dispatched to seek trace of her, and after making a careful search they reported no trace had been found. The last official intelligence from the Albany to the Navy Department was dated September 28, 1854, and contained the information that on the ensuing day she would sail for New York. Lathrop. Constance, Vanished Ships, July 1934, Vol. 60/7/377, United States Naval Institute Magazine Proceedings,https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1934/july/vanished-ships
2. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, USS Albany I (Sloop of War), Naval History and Heritage Command, accessed 10 November 2024, https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/a/albany-i.html3. In an 1850 report to Congress, the U.S. Navy reported that 29 ships had been lost up to that date. Of those, seven were "never heard of" after sailing, which also meant none of their crews survived. Cox, Samuel L H-060-2: Lost with All Hands, Naval History and Heritage Command, https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-060/h-060-2.html
4. James T. Gerry to John Thomas Newton, 31 May 1854, Letters Received by the Secretary of the Navy from Commanding Officers of Squadrons ("Squadron Letters"), 1841-1886. National Archives and Records Administration,Washington, D.C.
On 11 August 1854, Squadron Commander Commodore John Thomas Newton acknowledged the Albany was "…defective in many parts and that extensive repairs will be required." He then reminded Gerry"
The object of your visit to those Ports will be to protect our countrymen and to look after our commercial interests - You will take care to show our Flag along the whole coast of Central America -
On 25 January 1855 Commander John K. Mitchell captain of the steamer USS Fulton reported to Navy Secretary John C. Dobbin, "It is with great regret that at none of the places visited has any news of the Albany been obtained subsequent to the 29th of September."
After an extensive search lasting into January 1856, the Navy declared the Albany lost with 193 men. The cause of her demise has been variously attributed to "a wreck on the lee shore" or that she encountered a "hurricane - unable to weather its severity, she floundered."5 Yet another critic charged that Navy Secretary John C. Dobbin and Commodore John Thomas Newton of the Home Squadron had "knowingly and recklessly exposed Albany to perilous seas in which she was engulfed."6 While the exact cause of the loss remains unknown, a U.S. Senate resolution passed in February 1856 requested "copies of the orders issued by the Navy Department to the captain of the Albany and related correspondence regarding the necessity of repairs."7 Despite this Senate resolution, most of the important documents related to the loss of the USS Albany were never readily available to the general public.
5. Delgado, James P. Missing and Presumed Lost August 2016, Naval History, Volume 30, Number 4 accessed 10 November 2024.
6. Carroll, Anna, Ella, The Star of the West; or, National Men and National Measures (Boston, J. French; New York, Miller, Orton & Mulligan, 1856), pp. 212, 221, 226 https://www.loc.gov/item/a11002645
Larson, Kay, Great Necessities the life and writings Anna Ella Carroll, 1815-1894, (Xlibris, 2004, p. 149)
7. Franklin Pierce, Correspondence with the Senate, To the Senate (re sloop-of-war Albany), 26 February 1855, Congressional Edition, Volume 745, p. 331.
U.S. sloop of war Albany: 22 guns.
New York: Currier & Ives. Lithograph print, 1650, LOC public domainHer commanding officer was Commander James Thompson Gerry (1797-1854), the youngest son of Elbridge Garry (1744-1814) a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Gerry attended Harvard University, but after his father’s death the family financial burdens forced him to switch to West Point. There, however, he remained but one year and entered the navy as a Midshipman on 20 December 1815.8 He was promoted to Lieutenant 28 April 1826 and Commander 17 April, 1842.9
8. To James Monroe, U.S. Military Academy Cadet Application Papers, 1805-1866, p. 518, Volume 1814; File #1-108 and Unnumbered Roll Number 0003, Record Group 94, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.
9. Officers Continental and US Navy and Marine Corps 1775-1900. Naval History and Heritage Command https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/o/officers-continental-usnavy-mc-1775-1900.html
Transcription: The transcriptions herein are made from digital images of letters and documents received by the Secretary of the Navy, located in Letters Received by the Secretary of the Navy from Commanding Officers of Squadrons (Squadron Letters) 1841-1886. Many of these are found in the letters of Commodore John Thomas Newton to the Secretary of the Navy with multiple enclosures. In transcribing all passages from the letters and memorandum, I have striven to adhere as closely as possible to the original in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and abbreviation, superscripts, etc., including the retention of dashes and underlining found in the original. Words and passages that were crossed out in the letters are transcribed either as overstrikes or in notes. Words which are unreadable or illegible are so noted in square brackets. When a spelling is so unusual as to be misleading or confusing, the correct spelling immediately follows in square brackets and italicized type or is discussed in a foot.
In remembrance of all those who served, "in peril on the sea."John G. M. Sharp 17 November 2024
* * * * * *
Commodore Newton’s instructions to Commander Gerry written before his departure candidly describe the difficulties the Home Squadron had previously encountered. For example, during her August 1853 stay in San Juan de Nicaragua, desertions aboard the flag ship Columbia had reached such a level that it was necessary on 31 August 1853, to inform Solon Bolon, U.S. Envoy Extraordinary to Nicaragua, that members of the Albany crew were absent without leave and to request he notify the local authorities of the large reward for their recapture and that of the long boat they absconded with.
Frigate Columbia
San Juan de Nicaragua
31 August 1853Excellency Solon Borland
Envoy Extraordinary, &c &cSir,
The desertions which have taken place from this Ship since her arrival here have been so numerous, and circumstances attending so aggravating, that I am induced to call your attention to the subject in the hope that some steps may be taken to induce the authorities in Nicaragua to arrest said deserters, and retain them in custody until a safe conveyance can be found to transport them to the United States -
I have no doubt that the Commander in Chief of the Home Squadron will dispatch a vessel of war to this place for the purpose of receiving the Deserters on board, as soon as he learns that they have been apprehended -
Eighteen men have escaped from the Columbia and have taken with them one of the Boats of the Ship.
A reward of 30 dollars will be paid for each deserter when delivered to anyone authorized to receive them, and an additional sum of $100 will be paid for the Boat in which they deserted –
The names and descriptive list of the Deserters wherewith transmitted –I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your obet servt
[Signed] G. J. Pendergrast
United States Sloop-of-War Albany under sail (1646-1654)
Naval History and Heritage CommandU.S. Flag Ship Columbia
Island of St Thomas V. I.
25 Dec 1853Sir
You will proceed without delay in the U. S. Ship Albany under your command to La Guerra, and look out for our countrymen and our Commercial interest in that Quarter – On your arrival there, you will communicate with our Consul, and gain from him any important information touching the State of Affairs in that section – Your stay there will be limited to one week unless it shall be deemed necessary for a longer continuance in which you will use your own discretion.
From La Guerra you will proceed to Apsinwall, and make enquiries of the Consul, at or near that Port, concerning the 18 men who deserted from this Ship while at San Juan de Nicaragua some months since – Should any of these men have been apprehended and he is now in confinement there, you will have them released and taken to the Albany on application to the proper authorities; and you will be pleased to defray any expense which the local Government may have incurred for the apprehension and safe keeping of these Deserters -
Information has been received at the Department that the Boat in which they escaped from the Columbia has been recovered and is in the charge of our Consul at a small place near Aspinwall to whom you should make application for it, and if there, take it on board your ship for transport to the United States –
From Aspinwall (where you will make but a brief stop) you will touch in at San Juan de Nicaragua, and ascertain condition of things there, which duty performed you will run over and touch at Jamaica, communicate with our Consul, obtain local news &c and from there thence to go to St. Jago de Cuba, for the same purpose – Staying at each of these ports but a week or ten day, unless you shall find it important and necessary to remain longer – You will then run for Havana where you will remain until further orders-
During your cruise you will be governed by my General Instructions and General orders heretofore given to you-
Should anything transpire which you may deem of importance to make known to our Government, you will communicate with the Department direct, sending me copies by first convenient opportunity at Havana-
Wishing you a pleasant and prosperous cruise –I am very Respectfully Your Obet Servt
[Signed] John Thomas Newton
Commg Home SquadronThe increasing numbers of desertions aboard the USS Columbia were an embarrassment to the Home Squadron and the Navy Department. However, Secretary Dobbin wrote a note to Commodore Newton and stressed that, regardless, the Squadron vessels must get to sea and patrol the vital shipping lanes to protect American commerce.
Inform Com Newton that it is the desire of the Dept that more activity be displayed by the Columbia in her movements. The remaining so long in port is prejudicial to the service.10
10. John Thomas Newton to J. C. Dobbin 30 May 1853, Letters Received by the Secretary of the Navy from Commanding Officers of Squadrons ("Squadron Letters"), 1841-1886. National Archives and Records Administration Washington D.C.
* * * * * *
The following is a partial transcription of a three-page letter of Commander Gerry dated 24 February 1854 addressed to his sisters and brothers. He writes of the Albany’s recent ports of call, and status of his officers and warrant officers. Gerry perceived that Commodore Newton was jealous of him, that he "manifested a most contemptible jealously of me" and has therefore selected him for the most difficult missions possible. He also wrote many of his officers are sick. Of his recent voyage to Jamaica he says "Jamaica is a wreck of what it formally was." He related, the plantations are no longer functioning, which he blames on the emancipation of the slaves. "How any man in his right mind can advocate such a system of things perplexes me, and then to witness the general amalgamation of classes is too revolting to think of…"
U.S. Ship Albany
St. Jago de Cuba
Feb 24th 1854My Dear Brothers & Sister
. . . After our charming visit at Jamaica, this place will contrast most unfavorably, yet I look forward to some pleasure in a visit to the copper mines, the most famous in these seas.
Thus far I enjoy excellent health, and so with all my crew, but my Lieutenants are more or less on the sick report continually, and had I not shipped four very good Master Mates in New York this would have been very like the last cruise, but these officers are assistance to me. Our cruise has been of great interest and amusement to myself and most of the my officers, although I am uncharitable enough to believe that it was intended or expected to be so by our Com [Commodore], who at St. Thomas manifested a most contemptible jealously of me on account of the much attention paid me by Gov Bergh & the foreign Consuls without any advance on my part, and being quite the reverse of him. I cannot attribute to any other cause his selecting for me a cruise that promised such hardship, exposure & deprivation & at ports which have a reputation of being decidedly the most sickly and uninviting upon this station but which this year during our visit have proved remarkably healthy & uncommonly interesting . . .1111. Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Gilder Lehrman Collection, GLC09099.10 - Gerry, James T., 1797-1854 | to Ann Gerry | February 24, 1854.
* * * * * *
After patrolling the West Indies to protect American maritime and business interests, in May 1854 the Albany returned to Pensacola Navy Yard for some badly needed repairs. Commander Gerry was especially concerned about the sloops badly weakened masts. On 30 May 1854, he wrote to Secretary of the Navy James T. Dobbin and recorded his doubt regarding the seaworthiness and strength of the sloop’s main and foremast.
U.S. Ship Albany off Navy Yard Warrington
May 30th 1854Sir
I took out the mainmast of this ship and landed it at the Navy yard on the 25th inst. after a detention of some days in getting on board the shears and scouring the decks but had the mast ready on the 18th - It proved to be much more rotten than was anticipated, the Mast Head, under the bibbs is decayed to the center; all gone from the Port side, but about two inches of the outside, and from thence down to the heel, which is so rotten that it would be difficult to find two inches square of sound wood … When I look back upon the heavy weather we have encountered with this mast, so perfectly worthless, it really appears miraculous that it should have stood the severe trials through which it carried us in safety. I am very apprehensive that my Foremast will also prove more defective than we are aware of, but so far as can examine, no serious decay has been detected; but should the Ship go into a northern Port this summer, I would recommend a most minute examination of it. I have heard nothing from the Department about the four Prisoners against whose charges were sent to you; they are still confined in irons, and their services lost to the ship which makes my actual deficiency thirty short all told. - From present appearances - I don’t expect the Main Mast will be ready to take on board for ten days or two weeks, but in all other respects we are ready for a cruise of four months, and most anxious to leave this miserable port. Lt. Henry Rodgers is ordered to this ship his accounts having been received, gives us the information. My officers & crew feel very severely the effects of our protracted cruising this most sickly part of the year in this trying climate and I apprehend that many of the former will have to be detached upon arrival at the north -12
Very Respectfully Sir
Your obt Servt
[Signed] James T. Gerry
CommanderCom John Henry Newton
Commanding the Home Squadron12. James T. Gerry to John Thomas Newton, 31 May 1854, Letters Received by the Secretary of the Navy from Commanding Officers of Squadrons ("Squadron Letters"), 1841-1886. National Archives and Records Administration,Washington, D.C.
* * * * * *
In June 1854, the Albany departed Pensacola, Florida, with orders to visit the Caribbean coast and nearby islands in the interest of protecting American interests there, with special instructions to "show our flag along the whole coast of Central America." Her final port of call was to be the newly established terminal of the Panama Railroad in Aspinwall (now Colón, Panama).13
13. Aspinwall, modern Colon, Panama, was founded in 1850 as the Atlantic terminal of the Panama Railroad, then underwent construction to meet the demand during the California Gold Rush for a fast route to California. For a number of years early in its history, the sizable United States émigré community called the town Aspinwall after Panama Railroad promoter William Henry Aspinwall, while the city's Hispanic community called it Colón in honor of Christopher Columbus.
Arriving in Aspinwall on 25 September 1854, the Albany departed for New York on the morning of the 29th. Commander Gerry wrote several dispatches to be forwarded. His first report was addressed to Secretary of the Navy, James C. Dobbin while the second (both transcribed below) to squadron commander, Commodore Thomas J. Newton; both are dated 28 September 1854.14
14. James T. Gerry to John Thomas Newton, 28 September 1854, Letters Received by the Secretary of the Navy from Commanding Officers of Squadrons ("Squadron Letters"), 1841-1886. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
* * * * * *
U.S. Flag Ship Columbia
Gulf of Samana
August 11, 1854Sir,
As soon as you have completed the watering of the Albany and prepared her in all respects for a cruise, you will proceed without delay to carry out the following instructions –
The condition of affairs on the coast of Venezuela, at Cartagena and Aspinwall and our general interests along the entire coast of Central America, render it highly important that a ship of the Squadron should visit that region at this time; I had intended going there myself but shortness of provisions will now prevent –
You will therefore, in the first place, proceed to Laquera then to the island of Curacao, to Cartagena and to Aspinwall-
The object of your visit to those Ports will be to protect our countrymen, and to look after our commercial interests - You will take care to show our Flag along the whole coast of Central America -
It is left to your own discretion to touch in any intermediate Ports between those mentions, should you deem it necessary, avoiding all, however, where any evidence of any epidemic prevails – The preservation of the health of your officers and crew is of the greatest consideration, and you will be extremely careful to use every precaution in you power against the introduction of disease on board your ship –
As you have represented that the Albany is defective in many parts, and that extensive repairs will be required upon her before she can safely make another cruise, you will return after having performed the [duties ] assigned to you in this communication, to the [illegible] of New York, and on your arrival there to the Department –
You will keep me advised of your movement, by every opportunity, and let your reports be addressed to Pensacola –
Should any occurrence take place which you may deem important our Government should be informed of, you will communicate direct to the Secretary of the Navy, furnish me copies of the same-
Wishing you a pleasant cruise and a safe return
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your Obet Servt
[Signed] John Thomas Newton
Commdg Home SquadronCommander James T. Gerry
Commdg U.S. Ship Albany
Gulf of Samana
St. Domingo* * * * * *
U. S. Ship Albany
Aspenwall Sept 28th 1854Sir
In obedience to the orders of Commodore Newton, I proceeded with the U.S. Ship Albany under my Command from the Bay of Samana to Laquira, touching at St. Thomas for information and to fill up deficiency of Bread & a few other articles of Stores which being abundant were obtained without detention - I arrived at Laquira 3rd instant and immediately notified our minister at Caracas; Herewith I enclose marked "Confidential’ a copy of his official Communication to me.- In accordance with his urgent solicitation to pay him a visit upon pubic service , I proceeded at once to Caracas and found my presence was of some importance in advancing the interest of our Government –My interview with Mr. Evans and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Venezuela Government was most gratifying.
I found the most cordial understanding existing between them, and was assured by the latter "that his Government were disposed to cement the Union between our two countries by every act of justice commercial reciprocity and courtesy in their power." - Mr. Evans appears to understand the character of this Government perfectly and shows great ability, tact and judgment, and it is admitted universally that he that he has more influence with them than the whole Corps of Foreign Diplomatists together; if I can give any credence to the remarks of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, his important negotiations are rapidly progressing to a successful termination, but were not sufficiently advanced to justify an official communication from him to that effect when I sailed on the 7th, though he confidently expected that everything would be arranged in ten days from that time. It would seem that the[ trip] I made to Caracas in January last most opportune, not the slightest cause of complaint has been given to Minister by this Government since-I sailed from Laquira [on] 7th and arrived at Corazon on the 8th .-
The American Consul left his station [illegible] seven weeks previously without making any appointment [illegible] to perform his duties, consequently I was unable to [gather] any official information, but had no complaints made and I believe everything was quiet & satisfactory. - A fewer offenses were reported among the Merchant vessels the [news] of my arrival and in consequence, I anchored near the [illegible] of the harbour, the Pilot, after taking all sail off the ship her bows into a soft mud bank to bring her up, which of room is the universal practice in checking large [illegible] After securing her to the shore with one of my chain [illegible] a Hawser was run out a stern, and she was hove without any difficulty and thus moored; In accord with my orders I make the above report. –
I arrived in Cartagena on the 16th & found [illegible] almost in a state of Anarchy, a revolutionary outbreak expected, business suspended, the people much alarmed & excited and the arrival of the Albany hailed with [illegible]. Measures were immediately arranged to afford our [illegible] Consuls family protection and to such persons who should seek asylum in his house under the Flag of the U. States. - This state of things continued for some time after my arrival, when news came of a victory by the Government Party, one about twelve hundred the Revolutionary party in the Province of Bogota, the latter being entirely dispersed with the loss of their General Killed, several of the troops Killed & wounded, about 300 prisoners, between 4 & 500 deserters to the Government party and the remainder put to flight. - This victory was followed by another in the Province of Santa Martha and the results were so immediately productive of tranquility in Cartagena & gave so much more confidence in the existing Government, that I found my longer detention with the Albany unnecessary and sailed on the 25th to Aspinwall before my departure for New York.-
My officers & crew feel very severely the effects of our protracted cruising in this most sickly part of the year in this most trying climate, and I apprehend that many of the former will have to be detached upon my arrival in the north.
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servt,
[Signed] James T. Gerry
CommanderHon. J. C. Dobbin
Secretary of the Navy
Washington D.C.* * * * * *
U. S. Ship Albany
Aspenwall Sept 28th 1854Sir
Agreeable to your orders of Aug 11th, I proceeded to Sea from the Bay of Samana, St. Domingo, on the 19th after Kedging my ship nearly the whole distance from her anchoring to the outer roadstead where I could avail myself of the sea breezes.15 I arrived at St. Thomas on the 26th without falling in with any suspicious vessel in bearing to windward – after taking on board a supply of bread, &c, which I found of good quality & quite abundant.16 I sailed on the 29th for Laquira and arrived at the anchorage Sept 3rd.17 Without delay I sent notice of arrival to our minister at Caracas, and the following afternoon received his reply in which he so strongly urged my paying him a visit, that I felt it my duty to comply and started in one hour subsequently by mule route over the mountains. – In the present disturbed state of this country, traveling is particularly hazardous among these mountains by night, and I was very nigh experiencing this perhaps to my sorrow. At 10 P.M. when about one-half of our journey was performed, we were beset by four Bandits of whose approach my servant had given me timely notice, and being too quick for them in getting my Revolvers the cocking of which was very audible while they were advancing from the bank they had descended from towards us, they stopped upon my reining up my horse, at distance of twenty-five or thirty paces, and after a little consultation together retired again to the roadside – We passed them at this distance, but soon afterwards found them approaching rapidly, when I again stopped to make sure of my aim, they dared not advance and finally abandoned the idea – A German Merchant passing this spot a week before at night and unarmed was robbed of his clothing & money, no doubt by the same gang of villain.
15. Kedge Anchor: The kedge anchor is the smallest of anchors to which a hawser or cable is generally tied and is used for warping a ship and used to move a ship forward by having a ship launch row a hundred meters forward and let the anchor go then pull the ship forward. William Henry Smyth’s 1867 The Sailor's Word-book: An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical. Terms including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc.
16. Samaná Bay is a located in the eastern Dominican Republic.
17. La Guaira is the capital city of the Venezuelan state of the same name.
I found my presence in Caracas much improved, the recent revolutionary movements have all been suppressed the country is far from being settled & tranquil but the [illegible] have avoided giving any cause of complaint to our [illegible] since my first visit & their affairs seem to be in a [illegible] condition. Having concluded my business with [them] I left the Legation at 3 A.M. 7th inst. for my Ship the same afternoon for the Island of Corazon. In [illegible] from Laquira roadstead, I anchored in the harbour [illegible] as near to the entrance as practicable, having [heard] that a few cases of yellow fever had within a few days [spread] among the shipping inside, decided my departure [illegible] The American Consul had left his [illegible] without appointing any one to officiate in his place, and all my information was derived from irresponsible [illegible] whose accounts of the favorable conditions of our countries affairs, I believe to be correct as no complaints to be received by me.
The Governor & Naval Officers were exceeding attentive & polite to us, and upon my departure, [illegible] of the harbour, I saluted the National Flag & which in accordance with a prohibitory law could [illegible] at my anchorage inside. Bread, Flour & Salt [illegible] could be obtained here of excellent quality and a rate very little from those in the U. States. - I sailed on the morning of the 9th Thirty six hours after my arrival for [Columbia]. We experienced very light and variable winds [illegible] with the current setting to the Eastward.
I arrived at Cartagena on the 14th inst. and the consul absent in the U. States and that our [illegible] Consul also returned home, via Aspenwall, leaving [illegible] our Consul plenary powers to carry out the [arrangements] I made in February last, for the protection of the Rail Boat Companies with the Government of the Province same having the approval of the government at [illegible]
The very unsettled state of affairs at Cartagena, the Governor being arrested as an accomplice of the revolutionary party, business almost entirely suspended, an outbreak against the Government hourly apprehended, rendered my remaining in the Port for the protections of Consuls family & American interests generally as long as circumstances would allow, of great importance, and every arrangement was made for to afford them ample protection in the event of a Revolution. - In a few days private letters from Bogota, now in the possession of the insurgents, announced a victory obtained over a portion of General Melo’s forces by the Government troops , and this was followed by another in the Province of Santa Martha.18 When this information was confirmed, the city of Cartagena became tranquil, the Government more firm & energetic, and all danger of an immediate outbreak or revolutionary attack upon the City was removed.
18. José María Dionisio Melo y Ortiz (October 9, 1800 – June 1, 1860) was a Colombian general and political figure who fought in the South American wars of independence, and who rose to power and briefly held the presidency of Colombia in 1854. Of Pijao ancestry, he is considered the country's first and only indigenous president.
The impression, now existing among the best informed, favors the idea of a speedy termination of these national difficulties, and all parties are getting weary of the present distracted condition of the county –
Being satisfied that my presence with the Albany was no long required in the port, I sailed on the 25 for Aspenwall, merely to communicate with our Consul, there being much sickness in the place, and probably shall not be detained but a few hours, but it is important for me to see him, as also to show them a National vessel. I arrived at my anchorage at 7.30 P.M. and closed my Report to leave it with the Consul when I go on shore, as it is my intention to sail early in the morning.
Very Respectfully Sir
Your obt Servt
[Signed] James T. Gerry
CommanderCom John Henry Newton
Commanding the Home SquadronThis report was among the last communications from the Albany. After a failed search lasting some 15 months, in January 1856 the Navy declared the Albany lost with 193 men.19 Rumors and unconfirmed tales, such as a report published in the Boston Post on 18 August 1855 which related an unnamed correspondent from Cambridge, Massachusetts, reported by an anonymous "J." "two very nice water casks which were plugged so as to be watertight and tied together; they had also nails driven in so singular on them J, tells me today that when scouring them in order to paint them he discovered the letters U.S. ship Albany."20
19. Delgado, James P. Missing and Presumed Lost August 2016, Naval History, Volume 30, Number 4 accessed 10 November 2024
20. The Times –Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana), p. 2.
* * * * * *
U.S. Flag Ship Columbia
San Juan del Norte Nicaragua
January 6th 185523Sir,
I deeply regret having to inform you that, as yet no intelligence of the Sloop of War Albany Commander James T. Gerry, has reached me –
More than 90 days have elapsed since her departure from Aspinwall, and no traces of her subsequent course can be discovered; as the direction she would have to take to her destination (New York) is one over which numerous vessels are constantly passing and repassing, it is highly improbable, that were she still afloat, she would not have been fallen in with – Had she been forced to take refuge in any of the Ports or Islands of the Caribbean Sea, time sufficient has elapsed to have heard of her at any of them- We are therefore constrained to give her up as lost –
It is known that a very severe hurricane was experienced about the 18th or 19th of October last in the latitude of Bermuda – H. B. M. Ship Boscawen met the gale and suffered in it, having to put in to Bermuda for repairs &c Captain Thompson of the H. B. M. Ship Vestal (which was in this Port a few days since) informed me that he must have encountered the same gale about 100 miles to the Northward & Eastward of the Mona Passage, on the 19th of October -24, 25 He says, "that it commenced on the 19th of October blowing very hard and from various indications he saw that it was coming, altered his course and ran out of it, thereby escaping the "fag end of it" - It is reasonable to suppose that the Albany must have been in about the latitude of the Bermuda’s at that time, and therefore encountered the Hurricane - unable to weather its severity, she floundered -
The Albany was generally understood to be a Superior, Staunch vessel – I know her to be a very fast one – She has always made the passage - Commander Gerry was not to be taken unawares; he was careful in the extreme, a good sailor and navigator - and was able to take care of his Ship -
Be it as it may, Sir, our Navy expresses no slight loss in the gallant band of officers and men that formed her crew; their services have been arduous and ever well performed; [illegible] a portion of my Squadron I have ever had occasion to commend the zeal evinced in the carrying out of all duties entrusted to the Albany -
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your Obet Servt
John Thomas Newton
Commdg Home Squadron
Hon
J. C. Dobbin Secretary of the Navy
Washington D.C.23. John Thomas Newton to James C. Dobbin, 6 January 1855, Letters Received by the Secretary of the Navy from Commanding Officers of Squadrons ("Squadron Letters"), 1841-1886. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.
24. HMS Boscawan was a 70-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 3 April 1844 at Woolwich Dockyard. She was originally ordered in 1812 and begun as a 74-gun Vengeur-class ship of the line, but the order was canceled and her frames placed in storage; an Admiralty order dated 3 March 1834 required that those frames be reworked to Sir William Symonds' design. Lavery, Brian The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650-1850. Conway Maritime Press, 2003
25. HMS Vestal was a 26-gun Vestal-class sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She was built to a design by Sir William Symonds and was launched in 1833.
* * * * * *
Officers of the Sloop of War Albany, Boston Courier 19 March 1855 (Boston, Mass), p. 1.
Now that all anxiety in regard to the sloop of War Decatur is happily put to rest by her safe arrival in Valparaiso, we may again allude to the disappearance of the Albany, the only missing ship of the Navy. It will be remembered that this ship left Aspinwall the 28th September 1854 on her way to New York, since which time nothing has been heard of her. The West Indies station has been thoroughly searched by the United States steamships Princeton and Fulton, but without success. It is presumed that the unfortunate sloop-of-war foundered in one of those frightful hurricanes which are common during the autumnal equinox in that region.
We give a list of her officers from an official source, with the length of time each has served in the navy and the state of which each was a citizen.
Names of Officers James T. Gerry William W. Bleeker Montgomery Hunt John G. Adams Henry Rodger Stephen A. McCreery Nixon White Robert A. Marr Richard H. Cowman Bennet J. Riley William Jones William Craig Roan Leech James Frazier * * * * * *
John "Jack" G. M. Sharp resides in Concord, California. He worked for the United States Navy for thirty years as a civilian personnel officer. Among his many assignments were positions in Berlin, Germany, where in 1989 he was in East Berlin the day the infamous wall was opened. He later served as Human Resources Officer in South West Asia (Bahrain). He returned to the United States in 2001 and was on duty at the Naval District of Washington on 9/11. He has a lifelong interest in history and has written extensively on the Washington, Norfolk and Pensacola Navy Yards, labor history and the history of African Americans. His previous books include African Americans in Slavery and Freedom on the Washington Navy Yard 1799 -1865, Morgan Hannah Press 2011 and History of the Washington Navy Yard Civilian Workforce 1799-1962, 2004.
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/browse-by-topic/heritage/washington-navy-yard/pdfs/WNY_History.pdf
and the first complete transcription of the Diary of Michael Shiner Relating to the History of the Washington Navy Yard, 1813-1869, 2007/2015 online:
https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/d/diary-of-michael-shiner.html
His most recent work includes Register of Patients at Naval Hospital Washington DC 1814 With The Names of American Wounded From The Battle of Bladensburg 2018,
https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/r/register-patients-naval-hospital-washington-dc-1814.html
The Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Naval Training Station Hampton Roads and the Norfolk Naval Hospital (202) https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/g/the-great-influenza-pandemic-of-1918-at-the-norfolk-naval-shipyard-naval-training-station-hampton-roads-ad-the-norfolk-naval-hosptial.html
The last four works were all published by the Naval History and Heritage Command.
He recently served as consulting historian, for Animating History, on the film version, Diary of Michael Shiner (2024), https://animatinghistory.com/films/michaelshiner/
John served on active duty in the United States Navy, including Vietnam service. He received his BA and MA in History from San Francisco State University with honors. He can be reached at sharpjg@yahoo.comCopyright All rights reserved © USGenWeb Archives Project
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm
