Fort Norfolk History - 1846
On Friday February 27, 1846 a storm started blowing snow from the northeast, which turned to rain on February 28 and continued till March 3. William S. Forrest stated “Monday, March 2d, when the rain gave place to hail, which fell rapidly, the wind continuing with unabated violence till midnight, when it increased to a terrific hurricane, which tore off the roofs of buildings, uprooted trees, and demolished fences. The tide soon rose to an extraordinary height. Never since 1825 had it risen so high. Wide water Street, and the streets, lanes, and wharfs below, were completely inundated, and very large quantities of merchandise, such as sugar, salt, lime, etc., were destroyed.”
Captain Jesse Wilkinson, the Commandant of the Gosport Navy Yard wrote to Commodore Lewis Warrington, the Chief of the Bureau of Yards & Docks reporting the damage caused by the severe storm, to the ship house B, the wharves, shears &c., to the Hospital and to the Magazine. Lewis Warrington replied that he should “take measures for making the repairs which are immediately necessary, and forward as soon as practicable, estimate of the probable cost of repairs to the other objects, as well as for those authorized by this letter to be immediately repaired.” R. Williams and S. M. Latimer of the Gosport Navy Yard reported the damage at the Magazine; “All the water line, with some of the other parts of the fence was carried away, and the Bridge for for transporting the powder injured.” The estimated cost of repairs reported to the Bureau was $240.
Commodore William Skinner became the Commandant of the Gosport Navy Yard in October of 1846. Then on December 5, 1846 he reported a problem at the Navy Magazine to Commodore Joseph Smith, the new Chief of the Burrow of Yards & Docks. Skinner reported “The harbor in the vicinity of the Magazine Wharf has become so filled up that at low water it cannot be approached within several yards, even with a batteau, the flat being entirely bare.” He suggested “The only way to remedy the evil is to make a channel with the Mud Machine; it can be accomplished in about ten days.” Smith replied “ the mud machine may be used, as suggested by you, to make a channel, which it is hoped can be affected at a lesser cost then estimated. You will please bear in mind, that the unexpended balance for the Magazine is all that can be applied to the repairs &c. of that building, until after the 30th day of June next; rigid economy is therefore necessary.”
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Source of Information
W. P. S. Sanger, "Plan of the U. S. Hospital Grounds & Buildings", National Archives, College Park, MD - Cartographic (RDSC), Record Group 71: Records of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, 1784 - 1963, Series: Bureau of Yards and Docks Plans of Navy Facilities, 1815 - 1966, 551-2-19.
William S. Forrest, “Historical and Descriptive Sketches of Norfolk and Vicinity: Including Portsmouth and the Adjacent Counties, During a Period of Two Hundred Years; Also Sketches of Williamsburg, Hampton, Suffolk, Smithfield, and Other Places, with Descriptions of Some of the Principal Objects of Interest in Eastern Virginia”, (Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1853), 225-226.
Lewis Warrington, "Lewis Warrington to Jesse Wilkinson", March 6, 1846, National Archives, Record Group 71 Records of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, Records of the Office of the Chief of Bureau, 1820 - 1946, Letters Sent 1842 - 95, Vol. 02 of 104, PI-10, E. 1, Page 415.
R. Williams and S. M. Latimer, "R. Williams and S. M. Latimer to Jesse Wilkinson", March 14, 1846, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Recieved from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, July 1 1844 - Oct 31 1846, Box No. 153, Entry 5.
Jesse Wilkinson, "Jesse Wilkinson to Lewis Warrington", March 19, 1846, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Recieved from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, July 1 1844 - Oct 31 1846, Box No. 153, Entry 5.
Charles William Skinner, "Charles Skinner to Joseph Smith ", December 5, 1846, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Recieved from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, Nov 3 1846 - Sept 15 1848, Box No. 154, Entry 5.
Joseph Smith, "Joseph Smith to Charles Skinner", December 9, 1846, National Archives, Record Group 71 Records of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, Records of the Office of the Chief of Bureau, 1820 - 1946, Letters Sent 1842 - 95, Vol. 03 of 104, PI-10, E. 1, Page 221.