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Table of contents What's This?
  • Access to Collection
  • Publication Rights
  • Scope and Contents
  • Acquisition Information
  • Preferred Citation

  • Language of Material: English
    Contributing Institution: Department of Special Collections and University Archives
    Title: Fred J. Buenzle papers
    Creator: Buenzle, Fred J.
    Identifier/Call Number: M1983
    Identifier/Call Number: 18549
    Physical Description: 2.21 Linear Feet (2 manuscript boxes and 4 flat boxes)
    Date (inclusive): 1870s-1986
    Physical Location: Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36-48 hours in advance. For more information on paging collections, see the department's website: http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/spc.html.
    Abstract: Manuscripts, scrapbooks, correspondence and photographs from Fred J. Buenzle (1872-1946), Chief Yeoman of the United States Navy.

    Access to Collection

    The materials are open for research use. Audio-visual materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.

    Publication Rights

    All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California 94304-6064. Consent is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s) or assigns. See: http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/pubserv/permissions.html. Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

    Scope and Contents

    Frederick John Buenzle (1872-1946) enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of sixteen, and chronicled the transition of the Navy's fleet from the sailing ships of the 19th century to steam-powered steel boats and the accompanying changes in sailors' duties and culture. Training aboard the U.S.S. Portsmouth, Buenzle traveled around the Caribbean before assuming the job of stenographer, eventually working his way up to Chief Yeoman. Buenzle took shorthand for Rear Admiral William Sampson, acting Secretary of the Navy William McAdoo and even on occasion Theodore Roosevelt. He also ran the Yeoman School in Newport, Rhode Island for a time.
    Buenzle was founder and editor of the first magazine for enlisted sailors, "The Bluejacket," also the name of his 1939 memoir. While there are no copies of the newsletter in the collection, other shipboard newsletters are present. Buenzle also successfully filed a lawsuit fighting discrimination against uniformed servicemen.
    Buenzle was stenographer for the Court of Inquiry concerning the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in 1898 (for which Sampson was Chief), and subsequently participated in the Spanish-American War aboard the U.S.S. New York. There are numerous photographs and documents concerning Cuba and the war.
    After retiring in 1912 due to hearing loss, Buenzle moved around the country trying his hand at various occupations before settling in Los Gatos at his ranch, known as "Snug Harbor," where he farmed, built model ships and continued to write until his death in 1946.

    Acquisition Information

    This collection was purchased by Stanford University, Special Collections in July 2013.

    Preferred Citation

    [identification of item], Fred J. Buenzle papers (M1983). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Military history
    Naval history
    Spanish-American War, 1898.
    United States. Navy.