Search

Back to top

Search Constraints

Start Over You searched for: Subjects Signals and signaling. Remove constraint Subjects: Signals and signaling.
Number of results to display per page
View results as:

Search Results

Collection

Charles Henri, comte d'Estaing signal book, ca. 1780

1 volume

This volume is a signal book used by a French fleet under the command of Charles Henri, comte d'Estaing, in the late 18th century. The book is a collection of naval flag signals, which are accompanied by colored manuscript illustrations. The signals indicated wind direction, enemy movements, fleet formations, and other information.

This volume, entitled "Signaux de Jour pour l'armée combine aux orders de Mr. Le comte d'estaing Vice amiral de France," is a 115-page signal book (4.75" x 7.25") used by a French fleet under d'Estaing's command in the late 18th century. The book is an index of naval flag signals communicating wind direction, enemy movements, fleet formations, and other information. Each signal is accompanied by a hand-drawn, color illustration of the flag or flags to be used. Explanatory text includes details about the meanings of each signal and appropriate use. Many signals are set apart by illustrated tabs, formed by a cut-away section of each page. In 1780, a sub-lieutenant named d'Hargenvillier of the Infantry Regiment from Penthièvre, then stationed on the ship Bien Aime, owned the volume.

Collection

Descriptions of Oyster Survey Signals, State of New York, 1883-1892 (majority within 1883-1887)

2 volumes

Descriptions of Oyster Survey Signals, State of New York is a two-volume survey of signals located along the north coast of Long Island in the 1880s and early 1890s. The volumes contain descriptions of each signal (written by multiple individuals), drawings, and maps.

Descriptions of Oyster Survey Signals, State of New York (600 pages, not all of which are used) is a two-volume survey of signals located along the north coast of Long Island in the 1880s. Each volume is 300 pages long and has a title and the names of Eugene G. Blackford and W. G. Ford., Jr., stamped in gold on the front cover. Together, the volumes comprise a survey of many oyster signals, arranged alphabetically by name.

Most descriptions are dated 1881-1887, but the commission revisited some signals as late as 1892. Each entry contains a detailed description of a signal's location and composition (painted poles, flags, etc.). Some entries note the signal's distance from nearby towns or its location along bays and inlets. Manuscript maps and drawings of signals and their locations are present throughout the volumes. Descriptions are attributed to various persons, including J. P. Bogart, G. Bradford, W. C. Hodgkins, Charles Hosmer, I. C. McCorkle, J. A. Sullivan, C. H. Van Orden, and Charles Wyeth. Each volume contains a print of a tripod signal topped with flags.

Collection

Horatio Nelson collection, 1781-1805 (majority within 1801-1805)

117 items

The Horatio Nelson collection consists of two bound volumes of Nelson’s incoming and outgoing correspondence, and chronologically arranged box of letters and documents, primarily related to the Royal Navy and British international relations during the early 19th century.

The Horatio Nelson collection (117 items) consists of two bound volumes of Nelson’s incoming and outgoing correspondence, and one chronologically arranged box of letters and documents, primarily related to the Royal Navy and British international relations during the early 19th century.

Volume I, "Lord Nelson and the Battle of Copenhagen" (35 items, April 4, 1801-July 30, 1801), contains 20 letters between Nelson and Hans Lindholm concerning the battle and diplomatic relations between Great Britain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Russia, including efforts to secure peace between Great Britain and Denmark. Letters to Nelson from other writers about the Royal Navy and Nelson's military career are also present.

Volume II, "Letters of Horatio Lord Nelson to Captain S. Sutton, R. N. with Memorabilia of the Battle of Trafalgar" (30 items, October 28, 1773; October 22, 1801-September 25, 1805), contains Nelson's letters to Sutton (18 items), as well as additional correspondence and documents related to the Battle of Trafalgar and Nelson's death. In his letters to Sutton, Nelson discussed various naval issues, such as ship movements, the possibility of treaty between Great Britain and France in 1801, and tensions with France in 1805. Other items include engravings of Nelson, "Bacchante," and Nelson's column; Cuthbert Collingwood's orders for Nelson to sail to Cadiz and spy on the enemy fleet (August 24, 1805); Samuel Sutton's admission ticket for Nelson's funeral; and illustrated manuscripts about Royal Navy night signals, its order of battle, and Nelson's final flag-based signal to the fleet ("England expects every man will do his D U T Y").

A chronological series of manuscripts (52 items, 1781-1805) covers Horatio Nelson’s naval career in the West Indies, Mediterranean, and Baltic. A 46-page manuscript describes Horatio Nelson’s attempts in the British West Indies to curtail illegal trade with the United States of America from June 1784 through July 1786. Several letters relate to Nelson’s diplomatic and naval efforts in Italy in the late 1790s. Others detail Nelson’s involvement in and opinion of European political and military affairs, including relations with France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Sweden, Denmark, and Russia. The collection also includes series of correspondence with William Hamilton, Robert Barlow, and John Hookham Frere. For additional information about each individual item, see the Detailed Box and Folder Listing.

Collection

Hubert S. Smith Naval letters and documents, 1458-1915 (majority within 1746-1915)

2 linear feet

The Hubert S. Smith Naval Letters and Documents collection is made up of individual manuscripts relating to naval and commercial maritime operations.

The Hubert S. Smith Naval Letters and Documents collection is made up of over 380 manuscript letters and documents relating to maritime military, commercial, financial, and legal subjects from the 15th to the 20th centuries, primarily concerning Great Britain and America. The collection includes materials relating to Continental European wars, the American Revolution, the African slave trade, the Civil War, and exploratory ventures. The collection also reflects day-to-day ship operations and naval employment, diplomacy, marine technology, the purchase and sale of ships, insurance, and publications and books relating to maritime affairs. While primarily focused on English and American navies, the contributors discuss a wide variety of places, including continental Europe, the Baltic region, Russia, Asia, Turkey, South America, and Africa.

Collection

Kidder Randolph Breese logbook, 1847-1850

1 volume

The Kidder Randolph Breese logbook covers Breese's daily activities as an aide to Commodore George W. Storer onboard the United States Frigate Brandywine along the eastern coast of South America between November 20, 1847, and October 18, 1850. The logbook, written primarily from various South American ports, records salutes given and received, the arrivals and departures of other ships, and visits by international naval personnel and other dignitaries.

The Kidder Randolph Breese logbook covers Breese's daily activities as an aide to Commodore Jacob J. Storer onboard the United States Frigate Brandywine along the eastern coast of South America between November 20, 1847, and October 18, 1850. The logbook, written primarily from various South American ports, records salutes given and received, the arrivals and departures of other ships, and visits by international naval personnel and other dignitaries.

During its South American travels, the Brandywine laid anchor in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Pernambuco, Brazil. In these ports, the Brandywine regularly gave and received salutes from foreign ships, often for a related leader's birthday or other important national event: the Brazilian royal family frequently received salutes, and the Brandywine joined British ships in celebrating the anniversary of Queen Victoria's ascension to the throne (June 19-20, 1848). Breese also recorded the many visits Commodore Storer made to foreign ships, as well as those of visiting dignitaries to the Brandywine. Officials from Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, and from British, French, and Spanish vessels boarded the ship. Breese carefully noted the position of various international flags hoisted during salutes and visits, and the logbook provides insight into contemporary naval protocol. Following the journal entries, which conclude on October 18, 1850, are an illustrated essay on numerical naval light signaling (3 pages), colored illustrations of various naval flags (3 pages), and a pen sketch of a rocky shore. An undated enclosed document contains a "List of sails made for U. S. Frigate U. States," including the type of sail and the number of yards of fabric used in its construction.

Collection

Letters to the Editor of the United Service Journal, 1829-1837

54 items

The collection consists of letters and essays submitted to the editor of the United Service Journal for publication, principally regarding British naval and military matters.

The collection consists of letters and essays submitted to the editor of the United Service Journal for publication, principally regarding British naval and military matters. Topics range from naval architecture, technology, and weaponry, to histories of naval and specific military engagements and defenses of individual persons. The letters also regard such matters as the recovery of the HMS Thetis off the Brazilian coast, charities and education efforts, discipline, piracy, officer promotions, and military mortality in Canada. Several letters reference disagreements over articles published in the United Service Journal.

Collection

Richard Howe, Signal and Instruction Book, ca. 1776

1 volume

This volume contains 44 pages of signals and roughly 46 pages of instructions and explanatory information pertaining to the Royal Navy's operations under Richard Howe around the time of the American Revolution. The book provides details about signals to be used while sailing by day, in fog, in battle, and at night, and it includes color illustrations of signal flags and lantern configurations. The binder's title is "Ld Howes Instructions."

This volume contains 44 pages of signals and roughly 46 pages of instructions and explanatory information pertaining to the Royal Navy's operations under Richard Howe during the American Revolution. The book provides details about signals to be used while sailing by day, in fog, in battle, and at night, and it includes color illustrations of signal flags and lantern configurations. The binder's title is "Ld Howes Instructions."

The first 6 pages are comprised of instructions ("Explanatory Observations") for making and using naval signals and an index to the signals in the volume. The following 44 pages hold information about specific signals. Color illustrations of flags are drawn along the margins, and some lantern configurations are illustrated with ink drawings. Accompanying explanations include details about the meanings of each signal and appropriate places of deployment.

The second section of the book contains "Instructions for the Conduct of the Ships of war explanatory of, and relative to the Signals contained in the Signal-Book" (46 pages). These instructions provide information on the conduct of British ships while in full sail, during engagements with the enemy, and in limited sight conditions such as fog and darkness. The night instructions refer to signals that are explained elsewhere within the volume.

This volume contains the bookplates of W. T. H. Howe (1920) and Edith Barbara Tranter.

Collection

Robert Baird papers, 1943

8 items

The Robert Baird papers consist of 8 letters Baird wrote to his aunt and uncle, Kit and Bill Munro of Harvey, Illinois, while he served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. He discussed his life in Massachusetts while awaiting the completion of construction on his assigned ship, and later wrote of his activities while on leave in London.

The Robert Baird papers consist of 8 letters Baird wrote to his aunt and uncle, Kit and Bill Munro of Harvey, Illinois, while he served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Baird composed the first five letters in Hingham and South Boston, Massachusetts, while awaiting the completion of construction on the HMS Bentinck. He described his experiences on shore, which included complex signal training and maintaining correspondence with several other relatives. After the Bentinck's commission in May 1943, Baird wrote from London, England, and discussed his leave and leisure activities, which included visits to family and friends. Though Baird served with the Royal Navy, he wrote several of the letters on United States Navy stationary.

Collection

William Young journal, 1795-1796

50 pages

The William Young journal reflects Young's service aboard HM Transports Zephyr, Lancaster, and Cornwall, and naval operations of the larger British convoy travelling from Great Britain to the Caribbean.

The William Young journal (51 pages) includes daily entries about sea voyages aboard HM Transports Zephyr, Lancaster, and Cornwall. The journal begins in late December, 1795, with Young aboard the Zephyr and under the command of Captain Bowen and General Whyte as they prepare ships for the transatlantic voyage from Great Britain to Barbados. He describes efforts to get various ships ready for sea travel, including the John & Sarah, the Canada, the Bellona, the George & Bridget, the Generous Planter, the Free Briton, the Lynx, and others. Young records information about the provisioning ships, wind and weather, orders, conflicts among crew members, efforts to combat illnesses as they prepared to depart, and the recurring damages incurred from squalls while waiting at the cove. His notes illustrate the complexity of preparing large-scale naval operations.

The ships departed on February 9, 1796, and Young kept a sea log with navigational details and bearings, weather, signals, illnesses, and difficulties with the crew. Young accounted for other ships encountered during the voyage.

The convoy anchored at Barbados on April 1, 1796, and Young worked to provision ships, inspect the division, shift troops, and land stores and baggage. Young transferred to the Lancaster and departed on April 19 amidst roughly 200 ships for Cape Nichola Mole, St. Domingue. Young harbored there from May 2, 1796, through the end of the journal. He worked to arrange the movement and inspection of troops and stores and recorded the movement of ships. Young transferred to the Cornwall on May 23.