Marine

1885 · WRCAM40471 — Various places including Japan 1885. 133 sheets mounted on stubs; twenty-eight mounted photographs most 7 x 9 3/4 inches. Letter book: Folio. Original half black morocco and cloth stamped in blind on cover spine gilt. Corners rubbed. Spine heavily worn and chipped hinges weak. Light soiling to some letters some chipped at edges. In a very legible hand. About very good. In a blue cloth clamshell case leather label. Album: Oblong folio. Original gilt-stamped cloth. Spine faded and perishing hinges cracked some edge and corner wear. Photos mounted on thick card stock. Several photos reproduced in pencil in a child's hand on the blank verso of card mounts. Mounts occasionally chipped photos generally fine. Good overall. Manuscript and photographic records of the U.S.S. Tennessee launched in July 1865. Originally named the U.S.S. Madawaska she was renamed Tennessee in 1869 and at the same time timbered up to the necessary height to allow a spar deck to be installed. She was also fitted with new more powerful engines at this time though she also bore a full complement of sails. Her duties included service as flagship of the Asiatic Squadron under Rear Admiral William Reynolds with Captain William W. Low in command. By 1879 she was flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron under Rear Admiral Robert W. Wyman with Captain David B. Harmony in command. These items pertain to both of these notable periods of service. The letter book contains compiled correspondences sent to Capt. William W. Low by the U.S. Naval Department and by Rear Admiral William Reynolds commander of the Asiatic Fleet stationed in Japan. The correspondences cover the period from June 1875 through June 1876 the duration of Low's time as captain of the Tennessee and generally contain orders or reports concerning the ship's maneuvers. The photograph album which was published by Hatton & Hart in New York bears the cover title "Scenes on Board a Man-of-War. U.S.S. Flag-Ship Tennessee" with an image of the ship stamped in gilt. It contains photos of the ship itself; of officers and the crew including Rear Admiral James E. Jouett and Captain O.F. Stanton; and of a few exercises aboard the ship. The album is dated circa 1885 when the Tennessee was flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron. hardcover books