Summer 2025 PD for K–12 teachers: Registration is now open!
to William McBlair
April 13, 1858
King, Stephen G., fl. 1858-1859
Requesting a survey of the ship's sails. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale." King was the Sail Master on the "Dale."
GLC00722.32
King reports that the ship's sails have been inspected, and that they are "unfit for further use." Instead he recommends "that they be used for parcelling." Signed by King, Davidson, and Cummings, and signed and approved by McBlair. Letter written on...
GLC00722.33
April 23, 1858
Davidson, Hunter, 1827-1913
Copy of a letter to McBlair, stating that some of the bolts, chains, and ironwork on board the "Dale" are "defective and unsafe." Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," at Porto Praya, Cape Verde.
GLC00722.35
May 2, 1858
Adams, John, fl. 1858
Requesting permission to return to Liberia, John Adams states that he needs to return to personally report a death, or be liable for punishment under the laws of Liberia, of which he is a citizen. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale." Adams is...
GLC00722.36
July 8, 1858
Winder, Edward L., fl. 1858
Relates a conversation with British Naval Commander Wise regarding capture of a slave trading ship. Winder, an American sailor had been stationed on the British ship "Vesuvius," under the command of Wise. Wise told Winder that he had boarded a ship...
GLC00722.39
Conover, Thomas A., 1794-1864
Ordering that William Ford, a Landsman on board the "Dale" be sent home to the United States, because he has been "condemned by Medical Survey." Letter written on board the "Cumberland" at Porto Praya, Cape Verde. Conover was commander of the African...
GLC00722.40
Report of target practice on board the U.S.S. Dale
31 August 1858 - 3 September 1858
McBlair, William, ?-1863
Reporting the outcomes of three target practice sessions, for cannons, muskets and rifles, on board the U.S.S. "Dale." Docketed in clerical hand, with note: "Sent to Chief of Bureau"
GLC00722.41
October 9, 1858
Engels, L. Allen, fl. 1858-1859
Reports that the water being taken on board the ship is "undesirable" for drinking and should not be used by the crew. Written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" near Quittah, Ghana. Engels was an assistant surgeon.
GLC00722.42
January 1, 1859
Cunningham, John S., ?-1894
John S. Cunningham reports on the capture of the American schooner "Angeline" by a British ship. Relates a conversation he had with William Kerr, a sailor on the "Angeline," regarding its capture. States that forces from the British steamer "Conflict...
GLC00722.43
January 10, 1859
Informs McBlair that he is "in debt to the United States for six months provisions" due to a change in rules governing rations. The rule reads "'The Rule' in regard to the change in keeping the accounts of Provisions issued to officer's messes from...
GLC00722.44
January 18, 1859
Hasker, Charles H., fl. 1824-1864
Reporting Samuel Brown, a boy, for disobedience and abusive language, "for threatening to revenge himself upon my person should it be five years hence." Docket notes that Hasker "slapped the boy." Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale." Charles H...
GLC00722.45
January 31, 1859
Requesting a survey of the ship's sails, with an autograph endorsement signed by McBlair at the bottom of the page, ordering his lieutenants to conduct the survey. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," while at sea. King was the sailmaker on...
GLC00722.46
Reporting, at McBlair's request, that $1,568 is "on board to the credit of the government" and $1,450 is due to the "Kroomen" (native crewmen from Liberia) of the ship. Also notes that he requested $6,000 from the flag ship, but received $4,000...
GLC00722.47
March 15, 1859
Report against Clement Brooke for drunken behavior. Written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" off Goree Island, Senegal.
GLC00722.49
March 18, 1859
Letter with McBlair's autograph endorsement signed at the bottom, regarding the injury caused by confinement at sea. Letter reports that Henry O. Jennings and William Bainbridge have been ordered by a court martial to be confined in cells for eight...
GLC00722.50
21 March 1859
Speiden, Robert, fl. 1857-1859
Letter to McBlair listing the provisions on board the U.S.S. "Dale." The letter is a "Statement of provisions required for 116 person for sixty days and the quantity now on hand." Notes how many pounds of bread, beef, coffee, whiskey and other...
GLC00722.51
March 23, 1859
Conover orders McBlair to receive two prisoners for transport to the United States. McBlair is to transport Thomas Connor and Frederick Breckendorf back to the United States. Both were discharged from the Navy for "Bad Conduct." Letter written on...
GLC00722.52
March 25, 1859
Totten, Benjamin J., 1806-1877
Forwarding papers describing the sentences of Thomas Connor and Frederick Breckendorf. Both men had been discharged from the Navy for bad conduct. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Vincennes" at Porto Praya. Benjamin J. Totten, the commander of the...
GLC00722.53
Totten ordering McBlair to receive two prisoners, and to exchange drummer boys. He informs McBlair that he will receive on his ship "the men Connor and Breckendorf, sentenced by Summary Court Martial to be discharged from the Naval Services." He also...
GLC00722.55
March 28, 1859
Fusner, George P., fl. 1859
Transmitting the "Size Roll, & Clothing Account of Drummer" Edwin Donnohoe. Donnohoe was being transferred to McBlair's ship because of his improper involvement with a sailor on board his previous ship. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Vincennes"...
GLC00722.56
to V. McBlair
October 13, 1857-October 17, 1857
Writing to his wife, discusses attempts to catch a slave trader, life at sea, family matters, and religion. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at sea.
GLC00722.58
1858
Letter to his wife discussing life at sea and his visit to Liberia. Upon arrival in Liberia, McBlair's ship "Dale" gives the young nation a twenty-one gun salute. In Monrovia, the Liberian capital, McBlair meets with President Benson and former...
GLC00722.59
Writing to his wife, he discusses British pressure regarding American suppression of the slave trade, as well as his daily operations at sea, family affairs, and religion. He hopes to return to the United States by the first of December and believes...
GLC00722.60
Writing to his wife, he discusses the route for his voyage to the Canary Islands, his thoughts on religion and scripture, and the future of their children. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at sea.
GLC00722.61
To his wife discussing naval life and family matters. He discusses his movements and activities at sea. He notes that some Liberians misspell their names, including a young boy he has taken on board the ship to help for a time. He states that he is...
GLC00722.62
Showing results 26 - 50