30 March 1845

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Bennett

A private letter in which Ericsson defends the merits of his screw propeller over Steven's Scull. Claims that reports that the scull beat his ship are misleading. Accompanied by a two page manuscript autographed by Ericsson that details his invention. John Ericsson invented the screw propeller, which replaced the paddle wheel and remains the most common form of marine propulsion to this day. James Bennett was editor of the New York Herald.

GLC03513

28 June 1858

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Letter to an unknown recipient that tells of a successful test of an engine. Says "The engine proved perfect on the first go off on Saturday and near worked for 7 hours without stopping."

GLC03855

8 December 1879

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Letter signed

Title: to Franklin Hanford

Comments briefly on a lecture Hanford gave. Discusses an account of a torpedo experiment he published in the Army and Navy Journal. Expresses his reluctance to have foreigners transmit information overseas. Mentions that he left out information about how the torpedo entered the water in deference to Commodore Jeffers of the Navy Department and Ordnance Office. Since the results were unfavorable, they may try more experiments and would like to keep the information quiet for now. Adds an autograph postscript at the bottom of page three where he discusses sketches and a record of the…

GLC03959.01

25 August 1879

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Letter

Title: to Franklin Hanford

Clerical copy. Reports that he has recommended the Bureau to remove the Ordnance Scow from Sandy Hook because it cannot sustain heavy weather. Discusses the torpedo trials and states they have accomplished what was intended, "ascertaining if the explosive energy of powder gases can be substituted for compressed air in expelling submerged torpedoes. The result is more than successful, it is brilliant!" Explains the scientific and mechanical workings that have produced this result. Addressed to Hanford, Lieutenant Commander, Inspector of Ordnance, Navy Yard, New York.

GLC03959.03

4 June 1858

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Kitchen

Written by noted Swedish inventor Ericsson. Tells him to put off construction of the "Caloric boat." Regrets having to say this because he believes the engine would useful. Says he wants to test other large engines that are weaker before they continue on the potentially more powerful Caloric engine.

GLC05857

circa 1861-1865

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Photograph

Title: In greatcoat, standing 1/2 length portrait, arms crossed on chest

Ink inscription on recto "Capt. Ericcson [sic]." Graphite inscription on verso "Capt. Ericcson." Photographers imprint on verso: "C.D. Fredricks & Co. 587 Broadway, New York. 108 Calle de la Habana, Habana. 31 Passage du Havre, Paris."

GLC05111.02.1404

circa 1861-1865

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Photograph

Title: In greatcoat, vignette bust portrait

Imprint on recto "Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1861..." Graphite inscription on verso "John Ericson" "John Ericson." Photographers imprint on verso: "Charles D. Fredricks & Co. 'Specialite,' 587 Broadway, New York."

GLC05111.02.1405

8 January 1862

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Letter signed

Title: to editor of the New York World

Wants to correct an "erroneous impression" from an article in his newspaper on his superintending of construction of an ironclad ship (the USS "Monitor") on behalf of Bushnell & Co. Says he is in fact making the ship "to my own plans approved by a special board of naval officers" under an agreement with the Secretary of the Navy dated 4 October 1861. Says he has been joined by "a few loyal and spirited citizens" who think "an impregnable floating battery will prove an important auxiliary at the present crisis."

GLC06639

17 July 1862

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

To an unknown recipient (name is illegible), apparently a journalist. Wants the recipient to reply to the enclosed letter (not included) and tell his friends that he has no manual to spare. Says to tell that "You can say that I will furnish you with materials for an article on the great revolution in naval warfare resulting from the Monitors and the inevitable downfall of England as a great naval power which means: as a great power at all!" due to his invention.

GLC05294

13 December 1859

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Requests that recipient inform him if he has written to Mr. Morris to demand the engines with the late improvements. Also asks if recipient has sent them his letter.

GLC02287

12 November 1861

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Munn & Company

Written by Ericsson, the Swedish immigrant inventor responsible for building the first Union ironclad ship, to the Munn & Company as proprietors of the magazine "Scientific American." Writes that he is returning their article "on the subject of my battery, with some few typographical errors corrected." Pleased that they are putting the matter before their readers entirely on its own merits. File also has 2 pages torn from a bound volume of "Harper's Weekly." One is dated from January 1862 and the other from 29 March 1862 and both have articles on Ericsson. The January 1862 article has a…

GLC02106

17 April 1858

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Ericsson as the pioneering naval engineer and inventor to an unknown recipient. Says he has enclosed Mr. Stimpson's letter relative to the broken exhaust valve stem (not included). Says he included it to "show what a capital fellow he is." References an innovation Stimpson made involving a nut and a screw in an engine. Ericsson drew a small picture of the design in the middle of the letter.

GLC02480.05

1860/08/17

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown re: design repairs, possibly for ironclad

GLC07010