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Bibliographic Information
- Title
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Papers, 1853-1923
- Author
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Sigsbee, Charles D. (Charles Dwight), 1845-1923.
- Pages:
- 45
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Item info:
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1 copy available at Manuscripts and Special Collections.
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MARC Record
Papers, 1853-1923
Sigsbee, Charles D. (Charles Dwight), 1845-1923.
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Control Number:
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(N) SC16148
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Author:
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Sigsbee, Charles D. (Charles Dwight), 1845-1923.
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Title:
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Papers, 1853-1923.
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Quantity:
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45 boxes.
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Arrangement:
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Chronological.
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Historical/biog note:
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Naval officer, son of Nicholas and Agnes Sigsbee, born in Albany, N.Y. Appointed to U.S. Naval Academy in 1859, he was graduated in 1863, made ensign and served in the Civil War. His most notable peace-time achievement was his work while in command of the Coast Survey steamer Blake 1875-1878. With Prof. Alexander Agazziz, he was engaged in deep-sea explorations, mainly in the Gulf of Mexico. While on this duty he invented a deep-sea sounding apparatus along with related dredging devices, all of which revolutionized deep-sea sounding and dredging. He was in command of the battleship "Maine" until she was blown up and destroyed in Havana Harbor, February 15, 1898. During the Spanish-American War he was advanced three numbers in rank and cited for "extraordinary heroism". Commissioned rear-admiral August 11, 1903. In 1905, he sailed to France and brought back the body of John Paul Jones for burial at Annapolis. He retired January 16, 1907. In November 1870 he married Eliza Rogers Lockwood, by whom he had one son and three daughters.
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Abstract:
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The papers of Charles D. Sigsbee (1845-1923), generated mostly between 1870 and 1923, document not only his many achievements as a naval officer, but also the intricate details of his tragic personal relationship with his wife and children. The story of his personal life is revealed mostly through his correspondence with his wife, children, and close relatives. Letters he had written contain lengthy discussions of his daily work routine, especially when at sea. They provide an interesting perspective of working conditions and naval life, in general, during the second half of the nineteenth century. Family matters were also the subject of many letters, especially after his marital problems came to full fruition. In fact, it is evident from his wife*s letters that there were problems almost from the beginning of their marriage, where she had often expressed her feelings of loneliness and neglect while he was at sea. In later years her anger became more pronounced with accusations about her husband having affairs with other women. For further consideration of this matter, there are additional files that contain the separation agreement, along with briefs of court proceedings and his letters to Nellie Gunther (Milligan). Other important papers relating to Sigsbee*s personal and family matters include a copy of his last will and testament (1921), and land titles of his father*s, Nicholas Sigsbee*s, property in Albany and Otsego counties of New York.
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Abstract:
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These papers also contain orders, correspondence, memoranda, and reports generated by his official duties with the United States Navy. The orders from the Navy Department provide a chronological record of his commissions, promotions, and tours of duty. The correspondence and memoranda are press copies of Sigsbee*s official communications with his superiors. Included are detailed reports on his experimentation of deep-sea sounding and dredging apparatuses. Similarly, his response to the explosion of U.S.S. Maine (1898) is documented. Here, it is difficult to discern whether or not the explosion was a premeditated incident to provoke war with Spain or even the fact that Sigsbee was a willing participant. It appears, nonetheless, that he was a competent commander, judging from the papers relating to his actions in seizing the British collier and the sinking of a Spanish battleship while in command of the U.S.S. St. Paul. Lastly, he was probably a good administrator, as it was his duty to improve the management of the Navy ship yard at League Island, Pennsylvania. Other naval activities documented in detail include his testimony on behalf of Commodore Winfield Schley (1905), his command of the South Atlantic squadron which assisted in the Marine invasion of San Domingo (1905), and transferal of the remains of John Paul Jones from France to the United States (1905).
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Finding aids:
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Unpublished inventory available in repository and on New York State Library web site.
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Preferred citation:
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Charles D. Sigsbee Papers, 1853-1928.
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Corporate subject:
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United States. Navy.
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Corporate subject:
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Maine (battleship)
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Corporate subject:
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Maine Relief Association.
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Corporate subject:
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United States. Navy--History--War of 1898.
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Subject:
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Naval history.
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Subject:
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Navies--Officers.
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Geographic terms:
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United States--History--War of 1898.
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Form/genre terms:
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Personal letters. aat
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Form/genre terms:
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Diaries. ftamc
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Electronic access:
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Finding aid: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc16148.htm