A HISTORY OF THE NAVY IN 100 OBJECTS
Artifacts like those found in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum are tangible links to our past - holding and studying them evokes emotions and makes connections in our memories. The U.S. Navy has a long and storied history - only beginning to understand it would take a lifetime of study. By bringing notable objects and places to life, this podcast series highlights key moments and themes in the Navy's complex history. Citizens and sailors alike can use this series to connect with their past, understand their present, and prepare for their future. The U.S. Naval Academy Museum, the Nimitz Library Special Collections and Archives Department and their partners proudly present "A History of the Navy in 100 Objects," a weekly podcast and video series exploring the navy's storied history using objects.
Object #1: The Crypt of John Paul Jones
Video 1 in the series "A History of the Navy in 100 Objects" presented by the United States Naval Academy. Often when telling a story, its best to start at the beginning. In our case, although the United States Navy didn't begin with John Paul Jones, he is nevertheless considered the Father of the American Navy. Born in England, he cut his teeth as a sailor in merchant fleets, before coming to the United States. When war broke out, he joined the fight on the side of the upstart colonies, and won fame for his daring raid on English soil and his victories over British ships. After the war, he accepted a position as an admiral in the Russian navy. After a short time, he returned to Paris in poor health, and died shortly after in 1792. In the tumultuous days of the French Revolution, Jones' grave was lost and it wasn't until 1905 that it was rediscovered. After discovery, and with great ceremony, his remains were transported across the Atlantic. After several years were finally interred in the crypt underneath the iconic Naval Academy Chapel, where they remain today. This is the story of Jones in life, and in death.
Object #2: Political Cartoon from the Beverly R. Robinson Collection of Prints
Object #3 - Bone Ship Model
One of the most well-know exhibits of the Naval Academy Museum is the collection of roughly two dozen model ships constructed almost entirely of bone by French prisoners of war during the Napoleonic Wars. Although not specifically US Navy history, the collection nevertheless helps set the stage for understanding the conditions into which the American Navy was born. The War of 1812 loomed on the horizon, and in that war the U.S. Navy would be put to the test.
Object #4: Wooden Model of HMS Minerva
This is a model of HMS Minerva, one of the last new warships produced by the British navy during the 18th century. As the dominant maritime power for centuries, the influences of the British navy were significant in the U.S. Navy's development. From force structure and operational style, to ranks, to ship and cannon technology, the American navy relied heavily on the influences of its precursor, and many of those influences are still seen today. The Minerva was innovative in many ways, but today Naval Academy Museum education specialist Grant Walker takes us through two of the biggest.
Object #5 - Ironclads
One of the most famous naval battles in history occurred between the U.S.S. Monitor and the C.S.S. Virginia. Although the battle itself it ended in a draw, the introduction and successful use of ironclads nevertheless was a pivotal moment in naval history, and made wooden ships irrelevant. Dr. Scott Harmon, former Director of the USNA Museum discusses two historic pieces of iron that came from the battle's participants.
Object #6: Wooden Model of the USS Constitution
The oldest commissioned vessel of the United States Navy, the U.S.S. Constitution, has a storied history that stretches back over two hundred years. "Old Ironsides" has an iconic place in American naval lore. This wooden model accurately represents her accurately represents her construction, AND unlike many of our objects we can still see the original ship in person. The real Constitution looks nearly the same as she did two hundred years ago, and can be visited in Boston where she remains on permanent display.
Object #7: Woman's Naval Officer Uniform
Object #8: Sea from the USS Constitution
As we continue through our naval history journey, keep in mind that for much of recorded history, one of the only other non-manpowered methods of propulsion on the high seas was wind. Raises the obvious question of what do when the wind dies. Today we discuss a piece of equipment called a "sea anchor" and how the most famous ship in the U.S. Navy worked to solve the problem of no wind during the War of 1812
Object #9: Sextant from the Battle of Lake Erie, 1813
Object #10: Innovative Model of Turreted Gunboat, Designed by Commodore Edward Preble
One of the impetuses behind this series was a desire to understand transition and innovation in the Navy. This model gunboat helps highlight just how the navy learned and grew in its early years. This episode also helps show why the War of 1812 is so important for naval leaders today. Current Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert briefly tells us just why he studies the War of 1812, and then Dr. Harmon explains how this gunboat would have worked had it been built, and elaborates on the circumstances under which it was designed.
Object #11: Dont Give Up The Ship Flag
Object #12: Dented Cannon Captured From the HMS Confiance
Object #13: Midshipman's dirk belonging to Stephen Decatur
Object #14: Naval School Regulations and Midshipman Training Journal
Object #15: The Herndon Monument
to be continued ......
Artifacts like those found in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum are tangible links to our past - holding and studying them evokes emotions and makes connections in our memories. The U.S. Navy has a long and storied history - only beginning to understand it would take a lifetime of study. By bringing notable objects and places to life, this podcast series highlights key moments and themes in the Navy's complex history. Citizens and sailors alike can use this series to connect with their past, understand their present, and prepare for their future. The U.S. Naval Academy Museum, the Nimitz Library Special Collections and Archives Department and their partners proudly present "A History of the Navy in 100 Objects," a weekly podcast and video series exploring the navy's storied history using objects.
A History of the Navy in 100 Objects
100 Objects Home page for 100 Objects, A History of the Navy at USNA.edu. Updated Mon Oct 30 16:47:54 EDT 2023.
www.usna.edu
Object #1: The Crypt of John Paul Jones
Video 1 in the series "A History of the Navy in 100 Objects" presented by the United States Naval Academy. Often when telling a story, its best to start at the beginning. In our case, although the United States Navy didn't begin with John Paul Jones, he is nevertheless considered the Father of the American Navy. Born in England, he cut his teeth as a sailor in merchant fleets, before coming to the United States. When war broke out, he joined the fight on the side of the upstart colonies, and won fame for his daring raid on English soil and his victories over British ships. After the war, he accepted a position as an admiral in the Russian navy. After a short time, he returned to Paris in poor health, and died shortly after in 1792. In the tumultuous days of the French Revolution, Jones' grave was lost and it wasn't until 1905 that it was rediscovered. After discovery, and with great ceremony, his remains were transported across the Atlantic. After several years were finally interred in the crypt underneath the iconic Naval Academy Chapel, where they remain today. This is the story of Jones in life, and in death.
Object #2: Political Cartoon from the Beverly R. Robinson Collection of Prints
Object #3 - Bone Ship Model
One of the most well-know exhibits of the Naval Academy Museum is the collection of roughly two dozen model ships constructed almost entirely of bone by French prisoners of war during the Napoleonic Wars. Although not specifically US Navy history, the collection nevertheless helps set the stage for understanding the conditions into which the American Navy was born. The War of 1812 loomed on the horizon, and in that war the U.S. Navy would be put to the test.
Object #4: Wooden Model of HMS Minerva
This is a model of HMS Minerva, one of the last new warships produced by the British navy during the 18th century. As the dominant maritime power for centuries, the influences of the British navy were significant in the U.S. Navy's development. From force structure and operational style, to ranks, to ship and cannon technology, the American navy relied heavily on the influences of its precursor, and many of those influences are still seen today. The Minerva was innovative in many ways, but today Naval Academy Museum education specialist Grant Walker takes us through two of the biggest.
Object #5 - Ironclads
One of the most famous naval battles in history occurred between the U.S.S. Monitor and the C.S.S. Virginia. Although the battle itself it ended in a draw, the introduction and successful use of ironclads nevertheless was a pivotal moment in naval history, and made wooden ships irrelevant. Dr. Scott Harmon, former Director of the USNA Museum discusses two historic pieces of iron that came from the battle's participants.
Object #6: Wooden Model of the USS Constitution
The oldest commissioned vessel of the United States Navy, the U.S.S. Constitution, has a storied history that stretches back over two hundred years. "Old Ironsides" has an iconic place in American naval lore. This wooden model accurately represents her accurately represents her construction, AND unlike many of our objects we can still see the original ship in person. The real Constitution looks nearly the same as she did two hundred years ago, and can be visited in Boston where she remains on permanent display.
Object #6: Wooden Model of the USS Constitution
The oldest commissioned vessel of the United States Navy, the U.S.S. Constitution, has a storied history that stretches back over two hundred years. "Old Iro...
www.youtube.com
Object #7: Woman's Naval Officer Uniform
Object #7: Woman's Naval Officer Uniform
Women in the military today is the norm, but this was not always the case. Today's object, a non-descript woman's naval officer uniform, helps tell the story...
www.youtube.com
Object #8: Sea from the USS Constitution
As we continue through our naval history journey, keep in mind that for much of recorded history, one of the only other non-manpowered methods of propulsion on the high seas was wind. Raises the obvious question of what do when the wind dies. Today we discuss a piece of equipment called a "sea anchor" and how the most famous ship in the U.S. Navy worked to solve the problem of no wind during the War of 1812
Object #8: Sea Anchor from the USS Constitution
As we continue through our naval history journey, keep in mind that for much of recorded history, one of the only other non-manpowered methods of propulsion ...
www.youtube.com
Object #9: Sextant from the Battle of Lake Erie, 1813
Object #9: Sextant from the Battle of Lake Erie, 1813
Before the advent of GPS, how did sailors navigate across the open ocean? Did you know that the War of 1812 raged all over the country, including a great nav...
www.youtube.com
Object #10: Innovative Model of Turreted Gunboat, Designed by Commodore Edward Preble
One of the impetuses behind this series was a desire to understand transition and innovation in the Navy. This model gunboat helps highlight just how the navy learned and grew in its early years. This episode also helps show why the War of 1812 is so important for naval leaders today. Current Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert briefly tells us just why he studies the War of 1812, and then Dr. Harmon explains how this gunboat would have worked had it been built, and elaborates on the circumstances under which it was designed.
Object #10: Innovative Model of Turreted Gunboat, Designed by Commodore Edward Preble
One of the impetuses behind this series was a desire to understand transition and innovation in the Navy. This model gunboat helps highlight just how the nav...
www.youtube.com
Object #11: Dont Give Up The Ship Flag
Object #11: Dont Give Up The Ship Flag
Today's object is the original flag bearing this famous navy saying which has inspired generations of sailors.There is no error in the title - the original f...
www.youtube.com
Object #12: Dented Cannon Captured From the HMS Confiance
Object #12: Dented Cannon Captured From the HMS Confiance
This cannon was taken from HMS Confiance after the Battle of Plattsburg in 1814. Clearly visible on the muzzle is the indentation from when the gun was struc...
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Object #13: Midshipman's dirk belonging to Stephen Decatur
Object #13: Midshipman's dirk belonging to Stephen Decatur
It is relatively well-known that students at the Naval Academy are called midshipmen. But what is less-known is where that term comes from. How were officers...
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Object #14: Naval School Regulations and Midshipman Training Journal
Object #14: Naval School Regulations and Midshipman Training Journal
Transitioning the training of midshipmen from an on-board apprenticeship to an academic curriculum on shore supplemented by time on training ships was a sign...
www.youtube.com
Object #15: The Herndon Monument
Object #15: The Herndon Monument
This iconic piece of stone has graced the Academy's grounds since 1860, and it has symbolized the completion of "Plebe Year" for almost one hundred years. Er...
www.youtube.com
to be continued ......