Fort Norfolk History - 1852 Old Magazine
The land dispute with the widow of Miles King continued throughout the year. As a result
Calvin Brown, the Civil Engineer at Navy Yard Gosport surveyed the Grounds of the Naval Hospital, including the Navy Magazine in December 1852. His survey dated 27th December 1852 was sent to Commodore Joseph Smith, Chief of the Burrow of Yards & Docks, on December 28, 1852. (see above)
Commodore Joseph Smith, Chief of the Burrow of Yards & Docks, wrote Captain Samuel L. Breese, Commandant Navy Yard Gosport, on February 25, 1853 to ask why surveys of Mr. E. L. Young the County Surveyor, 21st October 1850, and Engineer Calvin Brown, dated 27th December 1852 were so different. Calvin Brown, Civil Engineer, Navy Yard Gosport wrote a detailed explanation on March 4, 1853. The Calvin Brown survey is considered more accurate and clearly shows the location of the old Navy Magazine on the Hospital Grounds. (see above)
Commodore Joseph Smith wrote Captain Samuel L. Breese on November 26, 1853; “The Secretary of the Navy has directed that when the new Magazine shall have been completed, and the powder removed from the old building at Fort Nelson, then that building is to be placed at the disposal of the Treasury Department; as soon therefore, as the powder shall have been removed, you will report to this Bureau, that the necessary directions may be given for the transfer of property accordingly.”
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Source of Information
"Plan of Grounds at Fort Norfolk", November 4, 1852, National Archives, College Park, MD - Cartographic (RDSC), Record Group 74: Records of the Bureau of Ordnance, 1818 - 1967, Series: Red Number, 368A.
Samuel L. Breese, "Samuel L. Breese to Joseph Smith", December 28, 1852, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Received from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, May 3 1852 - June 28 1853, Box No. 157, Entry 5.
Joseph Smith, "Joseph Smith to Samuel L. Breese ", February 25, 1853, 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. 08 of 104, PI-10, E. 1, 100.
Calvin Brown, "Calvin Brown to Samuel L. Breese", March 4, 1853, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Received from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, May 3 1852 - June 28 1853, Box No. 157, Entry 5.
Joseph Smith, "Joseph Smith to Samuel L. Breese ", November 26, 1853, 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. 09 of 104, PI-10, E. 1, 160.