USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.1 > Part 62
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"Believing that there will be occasion for this ship in the spring, doubting whether it would be possible to have her ready so early without materially altering her dimensions and, indeed, not being entirely satisfied of the policy of increasing the size and expense of our frigates so far beyond what is known in Europe without increasing their force, I have determined, although the keel has been laid, to reduce the size of the frigate at Norfolk to the largest-sized frigates in the British Navy. This, Mr. Fox assures me, can be done with very great advantage, and with a prospect of finishing the ship in half the time it would take to complete her on the former scale, and with half the expense. In pursuance of this
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idea, I now enclose you the dimensions by which the frigate is to be built. The keel, al- ready laid. must of course be cut, and some al- terations must be made in the stern. This, Mr. Fox informs me, can be easily done.
. The greatest inconvenience will be in altering the molds. This. Mr. Fox says, he can do in full time after getting to Norfolk."
Considerable activity prevailed at the yard during the remainder of the year. A brig, "Augusta," was purchased by the citizens of Virginia, and presented to the government. It was named the "Richmond," and was fitted out under the command of Capt. Samuel Barron, who had served in the Virginia Navy during the Revolution.
The vessels of Commodore Truxton's squadron frequently resorted to the yard for repairs and supplies and to pay off their crews. We also find that large quantities of bread and of some other articles of provisions were fur- nished during the year and the next succeed- ing for other stations. The yard was also made a depot for the supply of masts and spars. : to cruising ships, and even to vessels fitting at Baltimore and Philadelphia.
By a report submitted to Congress by the Secretary of State March 2, 1799, it appears that commissions were issued for the district of Norfolk between July 9, 1798, and January I, 1799, to 10 private armed vessels, amount- ing in the aggregate 65 guns.
On July 16, 1799, Commodore Samuel Bar- ron was ordered to duty as superintendent of the yard, Mr. Pennock, the agent, not having exercised the degree of economy which the Na- vy Department desired. In the following month, however, Commodore Barron was de- tached and ordered to the command of the "Constellation," at New York. In Novem- : ber of the same year we find him again ordered to hold himself in readiness to superintend the "Chesapeake," which, contrary to the expecta- tions of the Secretary of the Navy, was not yet finished, but which was finally launched in the following month, to begin ler ill-fated ca- reer.
The importance of the Gosport yard, par- ticularly as an equiping, recruiting and victual- ing station, had now become so well established that the Secretary of the Navy resolved to make it one of the permanent navy yards of the country. To this end he addressed the follow- ing letter to the Governor of Virginia, with a view to the purchase of the ground :
NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 20, 1800.
Sir: The United States have heretofore occupied "for navy purposes a piece of ground at Gosport belong- ing to the Commonwealth of Virginia. , It is supposed to contain about ten acres .* The ground is considered to be very well situated for a permanent navy yard; and if it should be so appropriated, it will be desirable to commence immediately some buildings for the ac- commodation of workmen and the security of timber.
Permit me, therefore, by order of the President, to solicit the favor of Your Excellency to communi- cate to the Legislature of Virginia the desire of the Government of the United States to obtain this prop- erty, either by purchase or in such other way as the Legislature shall deem proper.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, Your Excellency's obedient servant,
BENJAMIN STODDERT. . His Excellency JAMES MONROE, Esq. Governor of Virginia.
The request of the Secretary was promptly complied with and on the 25th of the same month the legislature passed an Act, of which the following is a transcript :
Chap. 64. An Act authorizing the Governor of this Commonwealth to convey to the United States, upon certain conditions, the property of this Common- wealth called Gosport.
Whereas it has been represented to the present General Assembly that the Government of the United States are desirous that certain lands the property of this Commonwealth, commonly called and known by the name of Gosport, should be vested in the United States, for the purpose of establishing a navy yard upon the same :
I. Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That it shall and may be lawful for the Governor of this Commonwealth, and he is authorized to appoint some fit and proper person to meet such persons as shall be appointed on the part of the United States, to as- certain and fix the value of the property belonging to this Commonwealth. situate near the town of Ports- irouth, in the County of Norfolk, and commonly called and known by the name of Gosport. So soon as the value of the property shall be ascertained, and the Governor shall be satisfied the Government of the
*The yard really contained about 16 acres.
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United States are willing to pay the amount thereof to this Commonwealth. then, and in that case. it shall be lawful for the Governor of this Commonwealth, and he is hereby authorized, ior and in behalf of this Com- monwealth, by proper decd in writing, under his hand and the seal of the Commonwealth, to convey, transfer, assign and make over to the United States, all interest in and title to, as well as all the jurisdiction which this Commonwealth possesses over, the public lands com- monly called and known by the name of Gosport, bc- fore mentioned. for the purpose of establishing a navy yard : Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to prevent the officers of this State from executing any process whatever within the juris- dietion hereby directed to be ceded.
II. And be it further enacted, That in case the Government of the United States shall at any time hereafter abandon the design of establishing a navy yard at the place hereby ceded to the United States. or, after the establishment thereof. shall discontinue the same, then, and in that case, the property in the soil and the jurisdiction over the territory directed to be vested in the United States shall revert to this Coommonwealth, and shall be considered as the prop- erty and subject to the jurisdiction of the same, in like manner as if this Act had never been made: Provided. That in such case this Commonwealth will repay the Government of the United States the sum or sums paid by the United States in consideration of the cession hereby directed to be made.
This Act shall commence and be in force from and after the passing thereof.
In accordance with the requirements of On January 24, 1801. $12,000 were remit- the above quoted law. Thomas Newton, Jr .. | ted to John Hopkins, of Richmond, Virginia, Esq., was appointed on behalf of the State .to be paid to the State, as the purchase money of Virginia, and by an order dated 7th of April. of the Gosport lands, and under date of the 15th of June. 1801. a deed was executed by Governor Monroe, by which the title and jur- isdiction of the property were conveyed to the United States. 1800, William Pennock was appointed to act on the part of the United States to ascertain. with Mr. Newton, the value of the lands re- quired. In a letter bearing the same date, the Secretary of the Navy enjoined the greatest economy on the part of Mr. Pennock, informed him that the only funds available out of which the property could be paid for were those ap- propriated for the building of the "74-gun ships." * He also intimated to Mr. Newton that the less the amount paid for the property. the more there would be available for improve- ments and suggested $100 per acre as a fair valuation.
In a report to the President, dater April 25,
1800, Mr. Stoddert in recommending the es- tablishment of permanent navy yards, to be the property of the United States, remarks that a large part of the expense of building the frigates arose from handling the timber, ow- ing to the confined space in which it was piled --- enough, he thinks, to have purchased ground and have improved it. He states that the ground at Gosport had recently been ceded to the United States on condition of the pay- ment of its value, which he hopes will not ex- ceed $2,000.
To the surprise of the Secretary the value assigned to the land was $12.000, or $750 per acre. In a letter addressed to Mr. Pennock on the 7th of August, Mr. Stoddert expresses the opinion that the ground should have been given to the government without charge, but that it must be taken at the valuation named, though he considered it exorbitant. He also directs Mr. Pennock to have prepared plans for improving the timber-dock, a creek making up into the yard, and which was then used as such.
In a report submitted to the House of Rep- resentatives April 27. 1802. by Mr. Mitchell, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, that gentleman stated that $12.000 had been ex- pended for purchase and $4,000 for improve- ments at Gosport without authority of law. Under date of March 10, 1802, Mr. Mitchell. from the same committee, reported that, in the opinion of the committee, Gosport and Charles- town, Massachusetts, from the improvements already made. and from other circumstances. were the most eligible places for receiving and repairing the ships in actual service ; and that. should any additional improvements be neces- sary at those places, they ought to be mad :.
*See Act of Congress approved February 25, 1799, for "The augmentation of the Navy." and which, among other provisions, authorized the construction of six ships, to be armed with not less than 74 guns each. 25
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He also recommended the appointment of suit- able persons to make plans for improving those yards and the appropriation of $50,000 to carry the plans into effect.
The $4.000 above referred to as having been expended in improvements at Gosport had been used to build a spar-shed, timber- shed, a bridge across a creek which separated the yard from the rest of Gosport at that time (outside of where the present wall stands). and probably in part for wooden wharves along the water-front, and a fence around the prop- erty.
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We find mention of vessels laying up, re- pairing and fitting out at this yard in 1800, On August 6, 1804, an order was sent to ISO1 and 1802. In 1801 a squadron under : Mr. Bedinger detaching the marine gnard from Commodore Dale fitted out. On the 27th of the Navy Yard and ordering it to Washington. July, ISO1, orders were sent to heave dozen the ."Chesapeake" for repairs.
In October, 1801, a marine guard was sent to the Gosport vard, and the navy agent was directed to furnish its members with quarters. It is probable that the wooden barrack-build- ing which stood on about the same site that the brick barracks were afterward built upon was erected for the purpose.
In April, 1802, Mr. Pennock recommended · the building of a storehouse for provisions, etc., within the yard. Up to that time, private ware- houses had been hired for the use of the navy stores.
On April 26, 1802, Mr. Pennock was re- moved and Daniel Bedinger was appointed navy agent and superintendent of the Navy Yard.
In May, 1802, a circular order was ad- dressed by the Department to navy agents in- forming them that specific appropriations had been made for the expenses of the navy, and that, among other items. $190.575 had been appropriated for the purchase and transporta- tion of timber and other materials, including ordnance for the 74-gun ships and $50.000 for improvements of navy yards.
In April. 1803, $10,000 were sent to Mr. Bedinger to build a warehouse and a timber- shed at Gosport. We find by the correspond-
ence of a little later date that, instead of ex- pending the money for the purpose authorized, Mr. Bedinger built with it, first, a brick wall, beginning a short distance from the waterside, running along the north front of the yard and down the west side of the creek which formed the southern boundary, and part of which forms the present timber-basin, secondly, a brick dwelling house for himself within the yard and which was afterward for many years nsed as the commandant's house, and with what money was left, a very indifferent slied for timber, and a warehouse, which afterward had to be taken down to prevent its falling.
.. In May. 1805, Bedinger was ordered to re- pair the wharves, which had been represented by a citizen as being much out of order. We find, under date of February 6. 1806, a report from Thomas Turner, accountant of the navy, in which that gentleman states that $42.748.78 had been expended in improvements and re- pairs at this yard, and vet, except, the wall, scracely anything of permanent value seems to have been done. The wharves were, and continued to be for many years later, of wood. , and of course, in waters infested with the Teredo navalis, were constantly requiring ex- tensive repairs, and even complete renewal. During the summer of 1806 we find several gunboats and ketches fitting out and laying up, under the direction of Lieut. Arthur Sinclair.
On the 28th of November. 1806, Capt. Stephen Decatur was ordered to superintend the building of four gunboats at Norfolk. He seems to have supeceded Lieut. Sinclair in his duties also, although that officer continued on duty under him. In July, 1807, Mr. Bedin- ger was ordered to contract for materials for IO additional gunboats and, a little later, to contract for building the same. Captain De- catur was ordered to superintend the construc- tion. We now find Captain Decatur addressed by the Department as "Commanding naval forces at Norfolk." and he appears to have
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continued this command until November, ISHI ; part of the time his force consisting of the frigate "United States," which he himself com- manded, and of such gunboats and other ves- sels as were from time to time put into com- inission. He appears, however, to have had no immediate charge of the Navy Yard. which continued under the control of the navy agent.
In November, 1807, a marine guard was again ordered to the yard. On February 10, 1808, Bedinger's appointment was revoked and Theodore Armistead appointed in his place as navy agent and superintendent of the Navy Yard. We now find complaints lodged against Bedinger for having used the public wharves and property in repairing his own vessels, though whether these charges were substantiated does not appear.
The agents up to this time seem not to have been required to give bonds. and in fact to have been held very little responsible for their acts, the Department having no military control over them.
In March, ISOS. Mr. Armistead was au- thorized to contract for 50 tons of native hemp and to have made it into cordage for the navy. The work was done by private manufacturers, however, and not at the yard. In April of the same year authority was sent to Mr. Armistead to build a new timber-shed and a warehouse.
In May, ISog, an order was sent to build a powder magazine in the yard. This stood near the creek (afterward the timber-basin).
In June, ISIo, on account of the uncertain relations with Great Britain. a small cruising squadron was ordered to Norfolk under the command of Commodore Decatur.
On July 7th of the same year the Depart- ment having become tired of the practice of operating the Navy Yard under irresponsible civil administration, ordered Commodore Sam- uel Barron as commandant of the yard, the gunboats, the officers and men. The navy agent was, however, still continued as purchas- ing and disbursing agent and as such in charge of "all stores other than military." The fol- lowing letter, addressed to Commodore Bar-
ron by the Secretary of the Navy, is of some interest as being the first instructions to the commandant :
NAVY DEPARTMENT. September 29, 18IO. Sir: In defining your duties and your authority in the yard at Gosport, it will be sufficient for me to state that all the military stores of every description will be under your care; that the direction of all im- provements in the yard, and of all reparations to our vessels at the yard are committed to you; and that within the yard you are to have the entire undivided command. -
The navy agent, as heretofore, will have the charge of all stores other than military, and he must have a warehouse at the yard for their safe-keeping, with per- fect liberty of ingress and egress.
PAUL HAMILTON.
The house which has been mentioned as having been built by Mr. Bedinger was as- signed to Commodore Barron as a residence. It was at the time occupied by the storekeeper or clerk of the yard, an eccentric person of the name of Thomas Dulton. an ex-shipmaster. Although the navy agent was nominally super- intendent of the yard, Captain Dulton had been in immediate charge of it for some years, performing all sorts of offices therein, ringing the bell. and mustering the workmen himself. Many singular anecdotes of him are preserved among the traditions of the yard. His will was admitted to probate on the ISth of June, 1823. It was an odd paper. He directed a heart-pine coffin tarred on the outside and no other ornament. He recommended and com- manded as far as he could that no branch of his family go into or wear mourning as "I am an enemy of hypocrisy."
Commodore Barron had scarcely entered upon his command when on the 29th of Octo- ber, ISIo, he was overtaken by death. Lieut. Robert Henley, under date of November roth, was ordered to assume temporary command of the yard until a relief should be ordered.
In May, ISII, Capt. Samuel Evans was ordered as commandant and from that time we find lieutenants, masters, medical officers, boatswains and gunners attached to the yard and to the vessels in ordinary.
Captain Evans continued in command un-
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til August 10. 1812, when Capt. John Cassin was ordered to relieve him. Captain Cassin had, as lieutenant and master commandant. been for several years attached to the Navy Yard at Washington. part of the time as su- perintendent and part of the time second in command. The Department seems to have re- garded him as a valuable dockyard officer. and the pay and allowances of a captain command- ing a separate squadron were given him in his new position, although he was almost the junior captain on the list when ordered to the command.
On the laying of the embargo in April. 1812, we find Commodore Decatur's squadron again at Norfolk, and he was ordered by the Department with the vessels under his com- mand and with the gunboats ordered to be fitted out at the Navy Yard, to prevent vessels sailing from the Chesapeake without regular clearances. A few days later we find him or- dered to leave the enforcement of the embargo to the gunboats. under the direction of Cap- tain Evans, and to cruise to the eastward. with his squadron.
On the 21st of May, 1812, Commodore De- catur's squadron was ordered to New York in anticipation of war with Great Britain, which, on the ISth of June, was formally de- clared.
The only force at Norfolk at this time con- sisted of 21 gunboats, the greater part of which were fitted out and used for harbor defense. On the 14th of July, an order was sent to Cap- tain Evans, limiting the complement of men of each gunboat to eight exclusive of officers, or just enough to exercise the guns and inforni- ing him that in case of emergency he must rely .; upon volunteers to bring the crews up to an efficient number. This order greatly impaired the usefulness of the gunboats a little later, as it was found impossible to procure volunteers to serve in them.
In August, as above stated. Captain Evans was relieved by Captain Cassin. Very little of interest occurred during the remainder of the year. In October a blacksmith's shop was
erected. By the letters of Captain Cassin we find that considerable quantities of timber, lum- ber and other stores and of munitions of war, were furnished from time to time from the Navy Yard to the army in the vicinity, par- ticularly to the engineer officers who were erecting fortifications. During the summer Captain Cassin's little force was increased by an armed yacht under Lieut. E. P. Kennedy.
Early in February, 1813. Capt. Charles Stewart, in the "Constellation," which was fitted out at Washington, in attempting to get to sea, was met by a large force of British ships, which were seen entering the Chesapeake. as he came abreast the Horse Shoe. It being calm when he discovered the enemy Captain Stewart kedged the "Constellation" from the Horse Shoe to a position in the Elizabeth River, just opposite Fort Norfolk, now the navy magazine.
Captain Stewart now became commanding officer of the station in general by virtue of his seniority, though Captain Cassin continued to command the gunboat flotilla, and made his reports directly to the Department. The most untiring vigilance, activity and skill were now required to defend the frigate and flotilla from capture, and at the same time to annoy the en- eniy as much as possible. Both objects were successfully accomplished.
The inconvenience of having the gunboats so poorly manned was severely felt ; every ef- fort was made to procure volunteers for them but without effect, even though very consider- able bounties were offered for one month's service. It was soon found necessary to put out of commission all but 10: the crews of those laid up being drafted into those that were kept in commission, though even this left them very short-handed. In March four block-ships were sunk off Lambert's Point to obstruct the chan- nel and to prevent the ships of the enemy from passing up the Elizabeth. as they were hourly expected to do. Several attempts were made by the enemy to cut out the "Constellation" with boats but were thwarted by the vigilance of Captain Stewart and his officers and crew.
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In the spring of 1813 Captain Stewart was detached from the "Constellation" and the command was given to Captain Tarbell, which made Captain Cassin the senior officer on the station.
Norfolk continued to be blockaded until the close of the war.
On the 30th of November. 1813, Mr. Jones. the Secretary of the Navy, in answer to a reso- lution of the House of Representatives calling for information on the subject of navy yards. submitted among other papers the following letter of Captain Cassin giving a description of the yard at the date of the report :
NAVY YARD, Gosport, May 25. 1813.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose you a statement of the accommodations provided in this yard, with the number of officers and men attached. * *
* The commander's dwelling of brick, two stories high, made comfortable quarters ; marine-barracks, miserable huts of wood, wanting much repair ; the officers' quarters are low two-story frame buildings. the whole 150 feet from the west wall, which is only 576 feet high: the north- west is bounded by warehouses and timber-sheds, hav- ing to extend a fence on the east end to low-water mark.
The marine hospital stands in the center of the yard, two stories high, was formerly occupied as boat- swain's and gunner's storerooms, built of wood. the center of which is occupied as a hospital. the garret as rigging-loft. and lower part gunner's store, store- keeper's office, purser's issuing-room and office.
The blacksmith's shop, begun of brick, 165 feet by 50. including anchor and plumber's shops, not com- pletcd, the old shops being dangerous to heat a large fit e.
One large timber-shed, 300 feet long, with brick pillars, and 50 feet wide.
One small shed for the armorer and plumber; two sheds appropriated, one for the joiners. the other ior mrast-makers. JOHN CASSIN.
In April, 1815. an order was sent to Cap- tain Cassin by the Secretary of the Navy to raise the hulks which had been sunk in the channel during the war and which constituted · a serious obstruction to the narrow channel.
In the summer of 1817 the keel of a line- of-battle ship was laid. The timber for this ship had been in store for years, having been collected under the provisions of the Act of Congress of February 25. 1799, and subse- quent amendments. The name afterward
chosen by lottery for this ship was "Dela- ware." We find authority given during the same summer to build a saw-shed and a steam- stove.
In January. 1818, authority was sent to Captain Cassin to remove or pull down the old hospital. which was situated in the yard. A small frame building, located near the pres- ent drydock was afterward used for some years as a hospital.
In June, 1818, the ship "Alert" was as- signed as receiving-ship at Norfolk, Comman- der Jesse Wilkinson being ordered to command her.
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