http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c82f7szb No online items William McKean Log of the USS Niagara and Related Papers Finding aid prepared by Special Collections & Archives Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla, California, 92093-0175 858-534-2533 [email protected] Copyright 2015 William McKean Log of the USS MSS 0777 1 Niagara and Related Papers Descriptive Summary Title: William McKean Log of the USS Niagara and Related Papers Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0777 Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla, California, 92093-0175 Languages: English Physical Description: 2.0 Linear feet(1 archives box, 1 oversize box, and 1 oversize folder) Date (inclusive): 1814-1863 Abstract: The collection consists of two log books and a small amount of related papers from Union naval Flag Officer William McKean, captain of the USS Niagara and commander of the Gulf Blockading Squadron from 1861 to 1862. Creator: McKean, William W. (William Wister), 1800-1865 Historical Background William Wister McKean (1800-1865) was an officer in the United States Navy. He was appointed midshipman in 1814, rose through the ranks to become a flag officer, and served through the beginnings of the Civil War. McKean was notable for his command of the Union's Gulf and East Gulf Blockading Squadrons (appointed Commander 22 September 1861 to 20 January 1862, and 20 January 1862 to 3 June 1862, respectively), which closed Confederate seaports and seized blockade-running ships. He was released from active duty in June 1862. The USS Niagara was a screw-streamer driven frigate in the United States Navy. First launched by the New York Navy Yard in 1855, her early missions included laying cable for the first transatlantic telegraph, returning interdicted Africans from the slave ship Echo to Liberia, and, with Captain McKean in command, ferrying the first diplomatic mission to the United States from Japan. McKean's log onboard the Niagara commences on 1 February 1861, as the ship rounded the Cape of Good Hope. Arriving in Boston on 23 April 1861, the crew learned of the outbreak of the Civil War. Captain McKean and the Niagara received orders for Union blockade duty, and immediately commenced patrols of the southeast coast and the Gulf of Mexico. After a period of inaction due to repairs in 1862-63, the Niagara resumed war duties in the European Squadron, finally returning to Boston in 1865. The ship was decommissioned and remained in the Boston Navy Yard until she was sold on 6 May 1885. Acquisition Information Acquired 2015. Scope and Content of Collection The collection consists of two log books and a small amount of related papers from Union naval Flag Officer William McKean, captain of the USS Niagara and commander of the Gulf Blockading Squadron from 1861 to 1862. The log book entries began on 1 February 1861 as the Niagara rounded the Cape of Good Hope on her way back to the United States following a diplomatic mission with Japanese dignitaries, and end on 17 May 1862, shortly before McKean left the service. The log books contain descriptions of the ship, weather, and patrolling action in the early years of the Civil War, in addition to longer journal entries with McKean's observations of events. The papers include Civil War-era correspondence, signed oaths of allegiance by the Niagara's officers and crew, and military orders pertinent to the Gulf Blockading Squadrons. Preferred Citation William McKean Log of the USS Niagara and Related Papers. MSS 777. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego. Subjects and Indexing Terms Niagara (Steam frigate). Logs -- 1860-1869 United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Blockades -- Sources PAPERS Box 1, Folder 1 Midshipman warrant for McKean 1814 November 30 Box 1, Folder 2 Orders for McKean to take command of the Niagara 1860 April 28 Box 1, Folder 3 Captain's oath of allegiance 1861 May Box 2 Niagara crew and officers' oaths of allegiance 1861 May William McKean Log of the USS MSS 0777 2 Niagara and Related Papers PAPERS Box 1, Folder 4 Letter, Admiral David D. Porter to McKean 1861 June 8 General note Letter regarding the Union loyalty oath of First Lieutenant John L. Broome. Box 1, Folder 5 Portrait of William McKean 1861 August Box 1, Folder 6 Oath of allegiance of John Rainbow, carpenter 1861 August 20 Box 1, Folder 7 Orders and letter appointing McKean to the Command of the Gulf Blockading Squadron 1861 September 3, 6 General note Letter signed by Gideon Welles, U.S. Secretary of the Navy. It describes blockade duties at the mouth of the Mississippi River and in the Gulf. The orders direct the transfer of responsibility for the Squadron to McKean from Flag Officer Mervine. Box 1, Folder 8 Letter, McKean to Capt A. Harwood 1861 September General note Letter describes the condition of the Niagara and advises on strategy in the Gulf, including a recommendation to attack Pensacola. Oversize FB-295, Letter, McKean to his family 1862 January Folder 5 General note The letter mentions the launch of the Burnside Expedition and the ships Baltic and Atlantic. Box 1, Folder 9 Release from command of the USS Niagara, signed by Gideon Welles 1862 June 14 Box 1, Folder 10 Letter, Gideon Welles to McKean, regarding prize money for the capture of the Salvor 1863 October 27 LOG BOOKS Scope and Content of Series The log book entries began on 1 February 1861 as the Niagara rounded the Cape of Good Hope on her way back to the United States following a diplomatic mission with Japanese dignitaries, and end on 17 May 1862, shortly before McKean left the service. The log books contain descriptions of the ship, weather, and patrolling action in the early years of the Civil War, in addition to longer journal entries with McKean's observations of events. Details include narrative descriptions of the capture of the Rebel blockade runner General Parkhill as she attempted to make port at Charleston; warning off British ships; shelling Fort Pickens; and other skirmishes. Box 1, Folder 11 1861 February 1 - October 16 General note Includes a pen-and-watercolor sketch of Cape Town and Table Bay. Box 1, Folder 12 1861 October 17 - 1862 May 17 William McKean Log of the USS MSS 0777 3 Niagara and Related Papers.