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
spcoll@ucsd.edu
Copyright 2015
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
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
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, Folder 5
Letter, McKean to his family
1862 January
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
