Office of the Superintendent/Miscellaneous Records: Miscellaneous Letters and Other Records, 1845-1920: Finding Aid

History of the Office of the Superintendent

The plan of the Naval School at Fort Severn, Annapolis, Maryland, approved by the Navy Department August 28, 1846, provided that a Superintendent of the school be appointed by the Secretary of the Navy from a list of officers of a rank not higher than commander. The Superintendent was to have responsibility for the general management of the institution, including overseeing the course of study, professors, and other personnel connected with the Academy. He could appoint and remove all persons employed at the Academy except those for whose appointment or discharge special provision was made by the laws or regulations of the Navy or the Academy. He had general charge of the buildings, grounds, and ships belonging to the Academy. The Superintendent also formulated the code of rules and regulations for the internal government of the school to be submitted to the Secretary of the Navy for approval. After 1867, officers were assigned by the Navy Department to the Academy to serve as assistants or aides to the Superintendent.

The Office of the Superintendent as described in the 1846 plan remained relatively unchanged throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Officers of ranks higher than commander, however, have served in the position.

Description of Contents

Correspondence files and other miscellaneous records from the Office of the Superintendent for the period of 1845-1920. The records pertain to issues of hazing, alcohol and tobacco use among midshipmen, physical examinations, practice cruises, and midshipman academic performance.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

Generally, materials produced by Federal agencies are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. Any non-government publications held herein may still be subject to copyright. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Custodial History

RG 405 Records of the United States Naval Academy is the property of the National Archives and Records Administration. The materials are housed at the United States Naval Academy, William W. Jeffries Memorial Archives, an affiliated archive, as per a Memorandum of Agreement between the National Archives and Records Administration and the United States Naval Academy.

Related Archival Material

Location of Related Materials

Similar materials are located throughout the records of the Office of the Superintendent RG 405.2, notably in the various Correspondence entries of RG 405.2.1.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Office of the Superintendent/Miscellaneous Records: Miscellaneous Letters and Other Records, RG 405.2.5 Entry 146a

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

Collection inventory prepared by Alice Gilliland in 2012. Historical sketch prepared by Geraldine N. Phillips and Aloha South in 1975.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Naval education -- United States
• United States Naval Academy
• United States Naval Academy -- Administration
• United States Naval Academy -- Alumni and alumnae
• United States Naval Academy -- Students
• United States Naval Academy. Superintendent

Genre Terms

• Correspondence
• Reports