Naval War College Museum

Artifact Spotlight: USS MAINE Model

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:14:00 +0000

---Amy King, Curatorial Volunteer

On the evening of 15 February 1898, an explosion destroyed and subsequently sunk the USS Maine, an American ship sent to Cuba by President McKinley to protect American citizens from potential violence should war break out between Spanish forces and Cuban revolutionaries. “Remember the Maine!” became a rallying cry for Americans during the Spanish-American War.

The armored cruiser was originally launched in New York City in 1889, but was not commissioned until September 1895. Two months later she visited Newport, Rhode Island on her maiden voyage. Arriving in Havana Harbor on 25 January 1898, Maine spent three uneventful weeks before an explosion destroyed the entire front of the ship. The areas containing coal storage, the forward magazine, and enlisted men’s bunks were destroyed and 250 men were killed. An inquiry at the time concluded that a mine or external explosive charge had caused the explosion. Despite subsequent investigations, the cause of the explosion has never been conclusively determined.

This week’s artifact is a model of the USS Maine, shown here. The model is a replica of the vessel as she appeared prior to the explosion. It was built in 2005 by ShipCrafters, Inc. of Searsport, Maine; the oldest ship modeling company in the United States. The primary builder of the model was Dr. Al Ross. Dr. Ross, a veteran ship model builder with fifty years experience, used laminated basswood for the hull of the ship. Assorted laser cut woods were used for superstructure components in addition to over 500 etched and machined brass fittings. The bottom of the ship is painted green since documentation revealed that McGinnis’ “green antifouling paint” was applied to the bottom during Maine's last dry docking in November 1897. According to a journalist, the bottom paint was still visible when the ship was salvaged in 1911-1912.

Gift of Harold Finn

Artifact Spotlight: Naval Training Station Football Photo Album, 1918

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:43:00 +0000

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

Long before the dominance of the National Football League, Americans embraced college football with open arms. After the United States entered World War I in April 1917, many of the nation’s universities and colleges lost their students and athletes to the armed services. Though college football suffered, the football teams of the Army and Navy kept the sport alive. In fact, many of the student athletes joined their new unit's football squad. At Newport, athletes from Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Cornell, Brown, Princeton, the Naval Academy, and Williams College were selected for the Reservists Regiment of the Second Naval District’s winning football team in 1917. Among them was Clinton H. “Cupid” Black, an All-American from Yale who was chosen as captain.

During the 1918 season, the Newport Naval Training Staion football team, coached by Fred Walker, continued to draw crowds despite suffering two resounding losses to the Naval Academy and the Harvard Radio School Team. The squad had great affection for Mrs. Edward Hale Campbell, the wife of the station's commanding officer. They presented her with a personalized leather photographic scrapbook on December 14, 1918. This wonderful record of life at the training station, features unique photographs of the players, practices, games, favorite officers, and even a visit from former President Theodore Roosevelt. Of the two team photographs included, one was taken in front of Luce Hall and the other in front of the Administration Building (now the Naval War College Museum).

The slideshow is a complete reproduction of the album and can be viewed full screen by clicking on the icon to the right.

Gift of Professor Donald Chisolm of the Naval War College 2001.15.01

Artifact Spotlight: CAPT. R. Conolly's DESRON 6 Pennant, 1941

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:08:00 +0000

---Amy King, Curatorial Volunteer

On 30 January 1941, Captain Richard Lansing Conolly took command of Destroyer Squadron Six (DESRON 6), Pacific Fleet. DESRON 6 was a squadron composed of nine destroyers with the Porter-class USS Balch (DD-363) serving as flagship. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, DESRON 6 was attached to Admiral William Halsey’s Enterprise group. In April of 1942, the squadron escorted the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) prior to the famous Doolittle Raid on Japan. Shortly after, Conolly was detached from the squadron. His former flagship Balch, rescued over 500 survivors from the sinking USS Yorktown (CV-5) and USS Hamman (DD-112) during the Battle of Midway. Conolly was promoted to Rear Admiral in July 1942 and transferred to the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King.

USS Balch

The broad pennant shown here was Conolly’s personal flag, flown at the masthead of USS Balch. The pennant measures 38” by 23 ½” and has two border stripes of navy blue and a white center stripe specific to squadron commanders. The blue “6” in the center signifies DESRON 6. On the opposite side there is a white patch printed with “Commander Destroyer Squadron 6, Captain R.L. Conolly January 30, 1941 to April 27, 1942” and containing the names of officers on Conolly’s staff.

VADM R.L. Conolly

After his promotion in 1942, Conolly facilitated the planning of the invasions at Guadacanal and North Africa. In July 1944 as commander of Amphibian Group 3, he led the landing at Guam and was instrumental in the capture of that island. A 1931 Naval War College graduate, Conolly served as president of the College from 1 December 1950 to 2 November 1953. His insights, gleaned from his experiences in World War II, led to the creation of a research and analysis department, advanced strategy and sea power courses, and the return of civilian professors to the College. After his retirement he served as President of Long Island University. Admiral Conolly and his wife were killed in an airplane crash in 1962. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

74.05.01

Education Update: 8 Bells Lecture on USS FRANKLIN (CV 13)

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:06:00 +0000

---John Kennedy, Director of Museum Education and Public Outreach

On 19 March 1945, just off the Japanese mainland, two semi-armor piercing bombs struck the USS Franklin (CV 13). One struck the flight deck centerline and penetrated to the hangar deck. The second hit aft and descended two decks. Explosions and fire followed.

The officer in charge of cataloging bodies and personal effects, Dr. Sam Sherman, the air group medical officer, counted 832 bodies for burial. Without the heroic efforts of the survivors, this number would have been higher and the ship would have been lost. Two men were awarded the Medal of Honor for their part, Lieutenant Commander Joseph T. O’Callahan, USNR (ChC), a Jesuit priest and ship’s chaplain, and Lt (j.g.) Don Gary.

The author (left) poses with LCDR William Nott.

“Jack” Satterfield has authored a new book, Saving Big Ben: The USS Franklin and Father Joseph T. O’Callahan, to recount the events on Franklin and to tell the story of Father O’Callahan, the first chaplain to win the Medal of Honor. Satterfield discussed his research, his book, and then answered questions about both the incident and the life of Father O’Callahan at the latest 8 Bells Lecture held on 19 January at the Naval War College Museum.

In addition to the excellent lecture, the audience was treated to an eye-witness account given by LCDR William Nott, USN (ret.), who served on board USS Franklin as a Machinist Mate (MM2) from “her commissioning to her layup in the Brooklyn Navy Yard." He was able to confirm and add to the descriptions in the book, describing the events leading up to the attack and the personalities of the various key figures involved. As a side note, LCDR Nott had a copy of the book written by Father O’Callahan in which he is mentioned by name as one of the heroes that day who was instrumental in saving the ship.

February will have three 8 Bells Lectures. On 9 February, George Daughan will present 1812: The Navy’s War. Bruce Parker presents his book The Tide Predictions for D-Day on 16 February. Lastly, on 23 February, Fredrik Stanton will discuss his book, Great Negotiations: Agreements that Changed the Modern World. If you are interested in any or all of these lectures, please contact the Naval War College Museum at 841-2101 for reservations or more information.

Artifact Spotlight: Chart of Narragansett Bay, 1832

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:28:00 +0000

---Amy King, Curatorial Volunteer

Narragansett Bay has long been considered a suitable location for naval installations. In 1764, the Admiralty of the British Navy ordered a survey of the bay and the town of Newport to determine the area’s suitability as a potential naval base. Charles Blaskowitz, a surveyor under Samuel Holland, produced a series of surveys of the area dating from 1764 to 1775. The onset of the Revolutionary War and subsequent independence of the United States halted plans by the British to establish a naval base in Newport. The United States Navy bypassed Newport as a suitable location for ship-building in 1799 but a small station and hospital were located here briefly in the early 1820s. Some years later, in February 1832, the United States Congress ordered another survey of Narragansett Bay in order “to ascertain the practicability and expediency of establishing a naval depot therein.”

Detail of 1832 chart showing Coasters Harbor Island and
one of the earliest illustrations of the Newport Poor House.

The new interest brought together a group of naval officers to survey the bay and surrounding areas in June of 1832. Captain Alexander S. Wadsworth, led Lieutenants Charles Wilkes, Thomas Gedney, George Blake, and Passed Midshipmen William Ward and Ralph Semmes on the six-month operation. The group ultimately produced the first systematic survey of the bay since the 1770s. Secretary of the Navy Levi Woodbury submitted the report to Congress on December 20 but no immediate action was taken.
Almost thirty years later, the U.S. Naval Academy was relocated to Newport for the duration of the Civil War. Renewed interest in a permanent installation at Newport, generated by the academy's move, soon influenced the establishment of the Naval Torpedo Station (1869), Training Station (1883), and Naval War College (1884) to the city by the sea.

Last November, the museum acquired an original copy of the chart with funds generously provided by the Naval War College Foundation. The map is engraved by W.J. Stone and consists of four separate pages which when joined together reveal the shores and depths of Narragansett Bay. The map is extremely thorough; detailing shoreline topography, various islands in the bay, vegetation, marshes, lighthouses, ferry landings, as well as the towns of Newport, Bristol, and Wickford. It even contains the second earliest published illustration of the old Newport Poor House on Coasters Harbor Island. The structure, built in 1819, became the original site of the Naval War College in 1884 and now hosts the museum. This new treasure of the museum's collection is a significant example of the Navy's long interest in the area. Plans are underway to exhibit the entire chart in the Early Naval History of Narragansett Bay Gallery.

A full copy of the chart, from the Harvard Map Collection, can be fully explored here.

Incidently, members of the 1832 survey group went on to have distinguished naval careers. George S. Blake was Superintendent of the Naval Academy when the Civil War started. Under the command of Thomas Gedney, the brig Washington captured the slave ship Amistad in 1839. Ralph Semmes resigned his commission during the Civil War and commanded two Confederate commerce raiders, CSS Sumter and CSS Alabama. Charles Wilkes later led the United States Exploring Expedition from 1839-1842 and, in command of USS San Jacinto during the Civil War, stopped the British mail steamer Trent and removed two Confederate diplomats from her decks. The 1861 incident set off a near diplomatic crisis between the United States and Great Britain.

Museum Purchase 2011.23.01

Artifact Spotlight: Liberty China, c. 1918

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:22:00 +0000

---Amy King, Curatorial Volunteer

Liberty Queen's Ware sugar, teapot, cup and saucer, and creamer

The museum recently acquired a "Liberty" Queen's Ware tea set consisting of a teapot, creamer, sugar bowl, six cups, six saucers, and six small plates. Shortly after America entered World War I, American socialite Lillian Gary Taylor devised a unique fundraising strategy to support Allied charities and aid the war effort. She designed a porcelain china pattern called "Liberty China" and commissioned England's world famous pottery firm Josiah Wedgwood and Sons to refine and manufacture the pieces. The pattern, designed by Mrs. Taylor, contained the shield of the United States flanked by the flags of eleven Allied nations. The British and French flags are placed on either side of the Belgian flag. The other flags depicted are Cuba, Romania, Montenegro, Italy, Russia, Japan, Portugal, and Serbia. A narrow band of gold adorns the edges of these pieces.

The pieces were a “private order” and were never advertised or sold to the public. Select clientele who ordered and received Liberty China included President Woodrow Wilson, former President Theodore Roosevelt, King George V and Queen Mary of the United Kingdom, King Albert and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium, General John Pershing, Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and Admiral and Mrs. William S. Sims. Sims, most recently President of the Naval War College, had recently departed the U.S. and was now serving as Commanding Officer of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe.

Eventually, additional pieces such as breakfast trays and various size plates were produced. As Taylor reported in her privately-printed book on the subject, $14,203 was raised and donated to various Allied charities all over the Europe and the United States. Beneficiaries and causes included the American Red Cross, Argonne Auxiliary, Belgian Children’s Fund, YMCA, Russian Refugee Relief, Occupational Therapy for Ex-Service Men, Italian Orphans, and the International Serbian Education Committee.

After the war ended in 1918, Frank H. Wedgwood destroyed the copper plate of the engraving at Mrs. Taylor's request to insure no more could be produced. This set came from the estate of Vice Admiral John T. Hayward, President of the Naval War College (1966-1968).

Museum Purchase 2011.19

Artifact Spotlight: Painting of USS HOPPER, 1997

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:26:00 +0000

---Amy King, Curatorial Volunteer

Twelve years ago, on 6 January 1996, the USS Hopper (DDG-70) was launched in Bath, Maine. The Arleigh Burke-Class guided missile destroyer was commissioned in San Francisco one year later on 7 September 1997. The vessel was named for Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (1906-1992), a pioneering computer programmer who served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946. During her first assignment she worked with the Mark 1 computer at the Bureau of Ships Computation Program at Harvard. Later she developed FLOW-MATIC a data processing language close to English and was instrumental in developing and inspiring COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language) which is still used today to run most operating systems.

The ship is currently part of Destroyer Squadron 31 and is based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Artist Wilma Parker painted this oil on linen, titled "Amazing Grace" in 1997 to commemorate the ship's commissioning.

A Gift of the Artist to the Naval War College Foundation L2010.10.01

Naval Namesakes: Peary Street

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:50:00 +0000

---John Pentangelo, Curator/Registrar

Many streets, buildings, and institutions in Rhode Island are named to honor the Narragansett Bay area’s rich naval heritage. This regular feature to the museum’s blog provides a brief look at the people, places, and events behind the names.

Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary (1856-1920) USN Civil Engineer and Polar Explorer

Peary and his wife in 1888

Peary Street on Naval Station Newport is named for Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary. Peary won international fame for his much disputed claim to have been the first explorer to reach the North Pole on April 6, 1909. Born in Cresson, Pennsylvania in 1856, Peary spent his youth in Maine and graduated from Bowdoin College with a degree in Civil Engineering. On October 26, 1881 he was commissioned a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps. After surveying a bridge in Key West, the young officer reported to Coasters Harbor Island for special duty on September 1, 1883. The island, recently gifted to the federal government by the state of Rhode Island, was now the permanent home of the Naval Training Station. One of his first assignments was to assist Commodore Stephen B. Luce, the station's commanding officer, in writing recommendations for improvements to the island. Fifteen months after his arrival, Peary left to survey a possible inter-oceanic canal in Nicaragua. From the tropics he would head north in repeated expeditions to Greenland and the North Pole. He retired with the rank of rear admiral in 1911 and died in 1920. Though often overlooked in the wake of his subsequent exploits and achievements, this street reminds us of Peary's brief duty in Newport.

Four naval vessels and one Liberty Ship have been named for the famous explorer.

Street Sign Image by Christina Anderson

Peary Image, courtesy of the Naval History and Heritage Command

Artifact Spotlight: Naval War College Christmas Card, 1929

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:04:00 +0000

This Christmas card was sent out by the Naval War College in 1929 during the administration of Vice Admiral Joel R. P. Pringle. It features a whimsical map of Coasters Harbor Island where the college and Naval Training Station reside. The map is embellished with illustrations of landmarks and nautical motifs commonly found on charts and maps. The permanently moored training ship USS Constellation dominates the southern end of the island near a depiction of a United States Marine guard at the entry to the base. Counter clockwise from the "Naval War College" are Luce Hall (with Mahan Hall directly behind), The Naval Station Administration Building (now Founders Hall/NWC Museum), Quarters AA (the President's House then designated Quarters B), three buildings for senior officers' quarters (C/D, E/F, and G/H), an unknown building which may be an auditorium, and what appears to be Barracks B (recruit quarters). An unknown building (possibly the chapel) and Quarters A (Commander of the Naval Station) are featured in the center.

Happy Holidays from the staff at the Naval War College Museum!

Artifact Spotlight: Bust of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, 1946

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:41:00 +0000

---Amy King, Curatorial Volunteer

Out of the chaos of the unprecedented attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, arose men of the highest caliber to lead the United States to victory over the Axis powers. Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz, stands out as one of those individuals who became prominent as an exceptional commander in the face of extreme adversity. His extraordinary career led famed artist Felix de Weldon to sculpt a portrait bust of the admiral. December was a historic month for Admiral Nimitz's career and presents an ideal time to post on this work of art in the museum collection.

In December of 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Nimitz was selected as Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet and Pacific Oceans Area. On December 31, 1941, then Rear Admiral Nimitz was promoted to Admiral. Throughout the war, Nimitz remained in his role as Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet. On December 19, 1944, he was promoted to the rank of Fleet Admiral, a new rank established by Congress just days earlier. Nimitz, Ernest. J King, William D. Leahy, and William F. Halsey, Jr. were the only four officers to attain this rank. One year later on December 15, 1945, Nimitz became the Chief of Naval Operations, relieving Admiral Ernest J. King. He retired as CNO exactly two years later.

Dr. Felix de Weldon, VADM Bernard L. Austin, and LTGEN
Keller E. Rockey, USMC (Ret.) pose with the bust in 1964.

Chester Nimitz was an alumnus of the Naval War College, Class of 1923. His service to his country and attendance at the college were honored on June 5, 1964 when Newport resident, Felix de Weldon, presented the college with this plaster bust. President of the Naval War College Vice Admiral Bernard Austin accepted the bust as well as a bronze model of de Weldon's Iwo Jima Flag Raising sculpture. Eight years later when the artist presented a bronze cast of this likeness to CINCPACFLT Headquarters in Pearl Harbor, he remarked, “I keenly felt his [Nimitz's] brilliance and lucidity of mind as well as his simplicity and charm of manner. He was a man of scrupulous impartiality with a great gift of logic. His deeply penetrating mind and outstanding leadership left his mark on our Navy for all times. Admiral Nimitz was loved and respected by all who knew him…”

Visitors can see the bust of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz in the museum's second floor exhibit on the history of the Naval War College.

Gift of Felix de Weldon 76.48.01

Images courtesy of the Naval War College Museum

Artifact Spotlight: Steel Fragment from USS Arizona, 1941

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:22:00 +0000

---Amy King, Curatorial Volunteer

December 7, 2011 marks the seventieth anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This “day of infamy” was experienced firsthand not only by the sailors, Marines, and soldiers stationed at Pearl Harbor, but by their families as well. Particularly effected were the residents of the CPO and Nob Hill neighborhoods on Ford Island, adjacent to Battleship Row.

The primary objective of the attack was to cripple the United States Pacific Fleet. By 1941, the United States had achieved parity almost equal to that of the Japanese fleet. The targets on that Sunday were the seven battleships moored at Battleship Row: The USS California, USS Maryland, USS Oklahoma, USS Tennessee, USS West Virginia, USS Arizona and USS Nevada. The three aircraft carriers, Enterprise, Lexington, and Saratoga were not at Pearl Harbor during the attack.

The USS Arizona, suffered the most fatal damage when a Japanese bomb hit the vicinity of her forward magazines between turrets #1 and #2. The magazine detonated with a “massive blast." The battleship sunk almost immediately and the attack claimed 1,117 members of her crew.

USS Arizona's forward magazine exploding on Decemver 7, 1941

This week’s artifact is a piece of metal, measuring five inches in length by about two and a half inches in height. This steel fragment is believed to be metal ripped from the battleship during the explosion. The blast shook the nearby homes as shrapnel and debris rained down on the neighborhoods of Ford Island. The fragment shown here, reportedly entered the home of Captain Errol Willett, a Navy dentist stationed at Pearl Harbor.

The communities quickly acted to assist sailors who escaped the inferno of burning ships. In fact, Captain Willett's son, Peter and his fellow Boy Scouts rowed small boats out to the damaged ships to help rescue sailors. Many of the families also shared common shelters with badly burned and wounded survivors. This artifact serves as powerful reminder of the trials endured by both the military and civilian community on that fateful day seventy years ago.

2002.19.01

Artifact image courtesy of the Naval War College Museum
Arizona image courtesy of the Naval History and Heritage Command (U.S. Navy Photograph, National Archives Collection)

Artifact Spotlight: Copy Print of Alfred Thayer Mahan Pastel

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:55:00 +0000

---John Pentangelo, Curator/Registrar

On December 1, 1914, Alfred Thayer Mahan died at the United States Naval Hospital in Washington, D.C. Mahan gained international fame for his book, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783, published in 1890. The book, based on his lectures at the Naval War College, was arguably the most influential treatise on naval strategy ever written. Mahan taught seamanship as a young lieutenant while the United States Naval Academy was in Newport during the Civil War. Stephen B. Luce asked him to be the Naval War College's first lecturer of naval history and tactics when the college was founded in 1884. He later served two terms as president (1886-1889 and 1892-1893). His theories on naval warfare and strategy are still studied all over the world.

This pastel, actually a copy print of the original color work of art, was donated by the artist Thomas A. Synnott in 1990. Synnott originally sketched the portrait of Mahan in 1953 at the request of Rear Admiral Richard W. Bates. Bates presented the likeness to the National War College in Washington D.C.

Gift of Thomas A. Synnott 1990.10.01

Ask a Question about Museum Collections

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:04:00 +0000

Naval War College Museum: Artifact Spotlight: Thanksgiving Menus, 1913 and 1...

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:00:00 +0000

For this year's Thanksgiving holiday we are reposting last year's blog on Thanksgiving menus. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Naval War College Museum: Artifact Spotlight: Thanksgiving Menus, 1913 and 1...: A Happy Thanksgiving to all. Please enjoy these two Thanksgiving Day menus in the museum collection. Click on the images to enlarge. ...

Artifact Spotlight: Painting of USS Saginaw's Gig

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:00:00 +0000

---Amy King, Curatorial Volunteer

On 18 November 1870, five men set out in the captain's gig of the USS Saginaw from Ocean Island for Hawaii. The side wheel steamer had recently completed a dredging operation off Midway and was on her way home to San Francisco when she struck a reef and grounded off Ocean Island. The entire crew was shipwrecked on the remote atoll. Led by executive officer, Lt. John G. Talbot, four of them were sent on a rescue mission to bring relief to their shipmates. Thirty-one days after leaving Ocean Island, they neared the Hawaiian Islands when disaster struck a second time. Off the coast of Kauai, the boat was overwhelmed by the surf and foundered. All aboard perished, except for Coxswain William Halford. Halford did finally obtain help for his marooned shipmates who were rescued in January 1871. For accomplishing his harrowing mission, he received the Medal of Honor.

In 1980, the Naval War College was presented with a painting that commemorates the gig's 1,500 mile voyage. The oil on canvas, aptly titled "The Gig of the Saginaw" was painted by Stanley Owens Davis, Sr., USNR (1917-1958) in 1937.

Gift of the artist’s wife, Margaret Davis and his son, LCDR Stanley O. Davis, Jr., USN. 1980.06.01

The gig is part of the Naval History and Heritage Command collection and is on loan to the Historical Society of Saginaw County in Michigan. The Saginaw wreck was discovered in 2003.

Artifact Spotlight: First Marine Division Service A "Alpha" Coat, c. 1946

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:51:00 +0000

---Amy King, Curatorial Volunteer

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps! As the Marine Corps celebrates its 236th birthday today, it is appropriate that we focus this week’s post on a collection received from the family of a local who joined the Marines during World War II. The late William Ferreira, a native of Fall River who grew up in Newport, completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island in the spring of 1945 and reported for duty with the 5th Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division. The division had distinguished itself at Guadalcanal, Peleliu, and Okinawa in the Pacific.

Pvt. William Ferreira

Pvt. Ferreira’s service coat for the Service A uniform (“Alphas”) is shown here. On the left sleeve of the service coat is a unit patch for the 1st Marine Division. The Southern Cross (a constellation of stars which can be viewed only in the southern hemisphere) is shown by the five stars, while the number one with “Guadalcanal” indicates action at the 1942 Battle of Guadalcanal. Located on the left shoulder is the red and green braided Fourragere. The Fourragere was awarded to the 5th Marine Regiment by the French government for “especially meritorious conduct in World War I.” As this honor was conferred upon the entire regiment, it is still a part of the uniform today. During his service as a Marine, Pvt. Ferreira was awarded (from top left to bottom right) the following ribbons: Presidential Unit Citation, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, and the Navy Occupation Service Medal.
In September of 1945, the 5th Marine Regiment was deployed to Peiping (Bejing), North China for occupation duty. They remained in China until May 1947. While there, Ferreira acquired the jacket below as a souvenir of his service overseas. The jacket is embroidered with a dragon surrounded by “North China” and “1946." The “U.S.M.C.” was probably added on later as it does not appear to be part of the original embroidered work.

After his tour, William Ferreira returned to Aquidneck Island and settled in Portsmouth. He passed away on February 1, 2003 and is buried at St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown.

Happy Birthday and Semper Fidelis.

Gift of Mrs. Elizabeth Ferreira 2011.09

Images courtesy of the Naval War College Museum with thanks to the Ferreira Family

Mrs. King's husband is a USMC officer currently attending the Naval War College.

New Blog Feature Allows Readers to Ask Questions

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:26:00 +0000

The museum blog now has two new features to make communication easier for our community of visitors, researchers, and historical/naval enthusiasts. If you have a question about a particular blog post or a research inquiry about museum collections, you now have two options. Please look at the new gadget on the sidebar of this page between the search and the archive gadgets. It has a field for your email address and for your question/comment. Fill both required fields out if you have a general question about museum collections, if you have an artifact research request, or if you have a suggestion for a future blog post. This simple form is also useful if you do not wish to make your comment or inquiry publicly available on the internet.

The other way to comment on a specific blog article is by posting a message directly below the blog post. Previously only available to registered users, this option is now open to everyone and can be made anonymously (though all comments are moderated). This blog was started to increase access to the museum's programs and to shine a spotlight on artifacts that are not frequently on display in our exhibits. We value your feedback and want to hear from you!

Remember you can always follow the museum on facebook and leave public comments there as well.

Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!

Artifact Spotlight: Naval War Game Range Wands

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:52:00 +0000

---Amy King, Curatorial Volunteer

A naval war game in Pringle Hall during the early 1950s

War gaming has been an integral part of the Naval War College experience since 1885 when Alfred T. Mahan and William McCarty Little evaluated the tactics of various historic naval battles by moving cardboard vessels over a sheet of drawing paper. In 1887 Lt. William McCarty Little delivered lectures on war gaming and its applications on naval warfare to students attending classes at the College. By 1894, President Captain Henry C. Taylor established war games as part of the curriculum.

Conducted initially on tables in Luce Hall, games were eventually moved to entire rooms, using linoleum checker board floors as grids. Pringle Hall opened in 1934 and became the center of war gaming on the campus. The second level was dedicated as a floor-size maneuver board with a mezzanine for greater viewing capacity.

Range wands on exhibit overhead in the NWC Gallery

Range wands were used by participants during war games to measure distances between combatant ships. The wooden sticks are painted with alternating black and white sections. A description in the "Conduct of Maneuvers" developed at the College in 1930 describes the first section as six inches long (representing 1500 yards) and all other sections at four inches long (1000 yards). Varying in size, range wands could be 104" long and represent distances as far as 26000 yards. The wands were placed on the floor with the zero end at the center of the target ship. Students would then make note of which section the firing ship was in, evaluate, and plan moves accordingly.

The wands were used primarily during the Pringle Hall era (1934-1958) and earlier in Luce Hall as well. The evolution of war gaming took a huge step forward when in the fall of 1958, the Naval Electronics Warfare Simulator opened in Sims Hall. War gaming would now be done electronically, using computers and simulators. No longer needed, the wands and other war gaming equipment were stowed in a campus building until discovered several years ago.

2005.01

Detail of two range wands on exhibit

Images courtesy of the Naval War College Museum

Naval Namesakes: Rochambeau Street

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:59:00 +0000

---John Pentangelo, Curator/Registrar

Many streets, buildings, and institutions in Rhode Island are named to honor the Narragansett Bay area’s rich naval heritage. This regular feature to the museum’s blog provides a brief look at the people, places, and events behind the names.

Comte de Rochambeau (1725-1807) Commander of French Army Forces, Revolutionary War

Rochambeau Street on Naval Station Newport is named for Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau. Rochambeau was a French nobleman who commanded the land forces sent to America to assist the Continental Army in the War of Independence. After the British evacuated Newport in October of 1779, King Louis XVI of France authorized an expedition in North America. Newport was selected as the base of operations for Franco-American operations in New York and the Atlantic Coast because of its deep water port.

Rochambeau from painting by Charles Wilson Peale

Rochambeau and his forces landed in Newport on 11 July and he established headquarters at the Vernon House on Clarke Street. The following March, General George Washington arrived to strategize with the French general. Rochambeau left Newport for Providence in June of 1781. From there he marched his army south to link up with Washington's force near White Plains, NY. After reaching the Continentals, Rochambeau (along with Admiral de Grasse) helped convince Washington to attack Virgina instead of New York. In what became known as the "Celebrated March," the two armies marched to Yorktown, Virgina to lay siege to British forces under General Lord Cornwallis. Trapped between Washington's armies and a French naval blockade, Cornwallis was forced to surrender on 19 October 1781. This last major battle convinced the British to agree to a peace treaty that recognized American independence. The street name honors the fact that Rochambeau and the city of Newport played a substantial role in the final battle of the Revolution.

A statue of Rochambeau unveiled on Broadway in 1934, now resides in Kings Park overlooking Newport Harbor.

Street Sign Image by Christina Anderson

Rochambeau Image, Library of Congress

Artifact Spotlight: Naval Aviator's Uniform, 1918

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:11:00 +0000

---Patricia McNamee, Curatorial Volunteer

As we are nearing the end of the centennial of naval aviation, it is an ideal time to focus on an artifact in the museum collection connected to the early years of aviation in the U.S. Navy. During the First World War (1914-1918), naval aviation was still in its infancy. On April 6, 1917 when the United States declared war on Germany, only 48 aviators and 54 aircraft were available. By war’s end, the Navy expanded with 2,000 planes flying out of 27 bases in Europe. The first official uniform for aviation, closely related to the U.S. Marine Corps summer uniform, was authorized on June 22, 1917.
The following year, the aviator's summer service uniform changed from khaki to the forest green color seen here. The upper pockets of the tunic-style coat were pleated and two lower pockets were added. This particular coat bears the bullion aviator's wings and a victory medal ribbon bar on the left breast. Though by the end of 1918 aviators were authorized to wear leather puttees over the lower legs, this uniform has the earlier olive-drab wool wrap leggings of 1917. The breeches were adopted early on for greater comfort.

Haywood is sitting in a Curtiss F-Boat,
at Pensacola Naval Air Station.

The uniform was stored in a service trunk that belonged to Albert Haywood, Jr. (Aviator No. 2185). The trunk, donated by Haywood's son-in-law, contained several uniforms, personal items, and a piece of airplane canvas signed by other aviators. Born in Flushing, NY, Haywood was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy during the war and was relocated to Pensacola, Florida for flight training. Most of the uniform is believed to be Haywood’s except the tunic which belonged to another member of his squadron, Ensign Roy E. Davis.

The uniform will be on exhibit in November.

Gift of Dean Jacoby 2010.03

Images courtesy of the Naval War College Museum

Naval Namesakes: Porter Avenue

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:15:00 +0000

Admiral David Dixon Porter (1813-1891) Civil War Naval Hero and Torpedo Station Founder

Porter Avenue on Naval Station Newport is named for the famous admiral David Dixon Porter. The son of Commodore David Porter and foster brother of Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, Porter first saw service with the Mexican Navy in the late 1820s before obtaining a midshipman's warrant in the U.S. Navy. During the Mexican War, Porter served as first lieutenant on USS Spitfire and after the attack on Tabasco he was given command of that vessel. He rose to prominence during the American Civil War and held command during several significant operations. As commander of the Mississippi Squadron, Porter supported U.S. Grant's successful assault on Vicksburg. After the unsuccessful Red River Expedition, Porter took command of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and led his forces during both attacks on Fort Fisher, North Carolina.

After the war, Porter was appointed Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy and promoted to vice admiral. In 1869, while advising the Navy Department, he campaigned for an experimental facility where navy personnel could test torpedoes, mines, and other explosives. His efforts led to the establishment of the Naval Torpedo Station on Goat Island, Newport in July of 1869. The station was the first permanent naval installation in Newport and was soon followed by the Naval Training Station (1883) and the Naval War College (1884). Porter was promoted to admiral and made the navy's senior officer in 1870.

Street Sign Image by Christina Anderson

Porter Image, Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval War College Convocation

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:34:00 +0000

On 16 August, the Naval War College held its annual convocation ceremony. The video, produced by the college's alumni affairs office, begins with an overview of the history of the college by Museum Director Dr. John B. Hattendorf. President of the Naval War College Rear Admiral John Christenson speaks about the meaning of the college today as does this year's recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award, Dr. Clifford L. Stanley. Stanley, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, is a retired major general in the United States Marine Corps who graduated from the NWC College of Distance Education in 1983.

The very first academic convocation ceremony was held at the beginning of the academic year on 24 August 1972 when President of the Naval War College Vice Admiral Stanfield Turner addressed the staff and faculty in full academic attire.

VADM Turner leads first NWC convocation in front of Luce Hall

Video, Naval War College Alumni Affairs
Image, Naval War College Museum

Artifact Spotlight: Porter Halyburton's POW Collection, 1965-1973

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:26:00 +0000

---John Pentangelo, Curator/Registrar

Since tomorrow, September 16, is POW/MIA Recognition Day it is the perfect opportunity to showcase artifacts from the museum collection related to the Vietnam Prisoner of War Experience.

Upon his retirement in 2006, Naval War College Professor Emeritus Porter A. Halyburton donated objects and papers related to his seven years of captivity in North Vietnam. As a navy pilot, LTJG Halyburton flew in 75 combat missions over Vietnam off USS Independence (CVA-62) before his F-4B Phantom was shot down near Hanoi on 17 October 1965. Over the next seven years he was mistreated and tortured in various prisons, such as the "Heartbreak Hotel" and the "Hanoi Hilton."

Halyburton and his fellow prisoners endured because of their leadership training, their faith in their country, their unity and faith in each other, and because of their amazing resourcefulness. They invented a tap code to pass along news and encouragement through cell walls. Halyburton used mental exercises to memorize names and details for over 300 fellow prisoners. He and the others also taught themselves to speak German based on their shared knowledge of the language. He even used a handmade bamboo ink pen to write a diary.

The artifacts in this collection are all powerful examples of the material culture of the prisoner of war experience as they all tell the story of this extraordinary resourcefulness. The collection contains two items used during all seven years of Halyburton's captivity: an enameled drinking cup and the T-shirt worn when he was captured. Perhaps the most versatile piece of equipment was a pair of red socks he received in the first care package from his wife Marty. Though he wore them on his feet at first, Halyburton later used them as gloves and Christmas stockings before finally sewing them to a shirt to make a dickey for extra warmth in winter. Some of the other artifacts from the collection are:

Metal strap used to repair rubber sandals made from old tires

Length of string knotted at 30", Halyburton's waist size before 1970

Pencil stub (part of Halyburton's clandestine survival kit)

Sewing needle made from copper wire

Gift of Porter A. Halyburton Ac. No. 2006.05

Images courtesy of the Naval War College Museum

Artifact Spotlight: Presidential Flag, 1960

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:27:00 +0000

---John Pentangelo, Curator/Registrar

Most who are familar with President Dwight David Eisenhower will immediately associate places such as Gettysburg and Camp David as the president's favorite getaway spots during his two-term administration (1953-1961). Few would think of Newport, Rhode Island with its exclusive mansions, and extensive naval bases as the vacation spot of a former Army general. However, President Eisenhower vacationed here during the summers of 1957, 1958, and 1960 and lived at the Naval Station during the first summer visit.

President Eisenhower in front of the Naval
Station's Administration Building , c.1957

Ike arrived at Quonset Naval Air Station on 4 September 1957. He gave a speech at the Old Colony House and proceeded to the base to set up residence. Staff and press offices occupied structural additions to the Administration building (now known as Founders Hall, the original site of the Naval War College and home to the NWC Museum) while the president and first lady resided in Quarters A (now home to the Naval Station commander). While occupying the home, Eisenhower signed the 1957 Civil Rights Act and ordered federal troops to Arkansas to enforce integration at Little Rock Central High School.

Upon returning to Newport in 1958, President Eisenhower set up his summer White House at the former Commandant’s House at Fort Adams. On his last visit in 1960, he presented this flag to the officer, enlisted, and civilian personnel of the naval base. The presidential coat of arms is surrounded by 50 stars. Eisenhower’s executive order adding the 50th star for the state of Hawaii became effective on July 4th of that year. The flag is currently on exhibition in the Naval Station gallery along with a guest register for the Naval Hospital Chapel signed by him and first lady, Mamie.

Why did the former Supreme Allied Commander and graduate of the U.S. Army War College choose to vacation on Coasters Harbor Island, home to the naval station and the Naval War College? The golf of course! The historic Newport Country Club maintained one of the oldest golf courses in the nation. His visits certainly left a legacy: in addition to "Eisenhower House" at Fort Adams, Newporters named the grassy space on Washington Square, "Eisenhower Park."

Click here to view Eisenhower's daily schedule for the month of September 1957 or here for his entire second term including Newport visits in 1958 and 1960.

Transfer from Naval Station Newport 88.47.01

Images courtesy of the Naval War College Museum

Artifact Spotlight: U.S. Navy Boat Cloak, c. 1933

noreply@blogger.com (NWCM Curator) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:12:00 +0000

---John Pentangelo, Curator/Registrar

Admiral W.V. Pratt's boat cloak
and service dress blue coat

The museum has a substantial collection of material related to the naval career of Admiral William Veazie Pratt (1869-1957). The collection of medals, personal items, and uniforms includes his regulation boat cloak. This type of boat cloak, first authorized in the late nineteenth century was worn by commissioned naval officers through both world wars but was omitted as a requirement in the 1947 uniform regulations. The garment, made of heavy wool with a rolling velvet collar, is fastened below the neck with a frog. This same regulation cloak was often worn by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, most famously at the Yalta Conference in 1945. Even the statue of the president (who also served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy), at the FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C. is seated wearing the cloak.

On 5 September 1925 Rear Admiral William Veazie Pratt began his term as President of the Naval War College. During his tenure, he restructured the staff to closely parallel the organization of fleet staffs and the Office of Naval Operations in order to ease the graduate’s transition to fleet duty. Pratt introduced the study of logistics, emphasized international relations, encouraged joint curricula and war games with the Army War College, and stressed the committee approach to strategic problem solving. He later became Chief of Naval Operations during the Hoover Administration.

Portrait of Admiral Pratt wearing the cloak as CNO
C.A. Slade, 1933. NWC Museum

Gift of William Veazie Pratt, Jr. 75.03.08

Images courtesy of the Naval War College Museum