Fort Norfolk History - 1855
Captain Samuel L. Breese, Commandant Navy Yard Gosport, wrote Commodore Joseph Smith, Chief of the Burrow of Yards & Docks, on January 31, 1855; “I herewith forward an estimate and plan for the completion of the Keepers House at Fort Norfolk Magazine. A comparison of the elevation of the first proposed and this one, with, I am sure be favorable to the last. A prominent object as it will be from the harbor and it's approach almost vis and vis to the Hospital, itself as imposing edifice, it is I think much to be desired that this should be in its style and architecture somewhat more over then the first proposed, especially when the difference in cost is so trifling. The ground being quite high on which it is to be placed enables it to have a cellar, kitchen, & c. I would recommend the adoption of the plan.”
Commodore Joseph Smith replied on March 16, 1855; “The alterations proposed by you in January last, in the plan of the Magazine Keepers house, are approved. “ This approval allowed the Keepers House to be built in the new location with an improved design.
C. H. Kennedy, Apt Insp Ordnance, Navy Yard Gosport wrote Captain Samuel L. Breese on February 22, 1855; “In obedience to your order, I have the honor to report that, since the completion of the new Magazine at Fort Norfolk, I have frequently inspected it, under various changes of temperatures and weather, and have always found it dry. I have therefore no hesitancy in expressing my opinion of the fitness of the building itself for the reception of powder. But the dependencies, five in number, are roofed with shingles, and are so many tinder boxes. Neither one of these is more than sixty feet from the Magazine building; nor is it proposed to fit up and make use of more than three. The others therefore are worse than useless. Besides this, there is a great quantity of rubbish, mostly inflammable, lying in close proximity to the magazine.
The walls of the Fort are in so dilapidated a condition, particularly at the N. West angle, that if neglected much longer, there is strong reason to believe they will fall to the ground.
The ramparts are broad and composed of sand, and the rainwater falling upon these surfaces, find its way into the area in which stands the Magazine building and its dependencies. The Civil Engineer, Mr. Brown, is of the opinion that the ramparts should be reduced in height and breath, sloped and turfed; that the pavement around the Magazine building, should be extended to the foot of the slope, and terminate in a gutter, to conduct the water without the walls of the Fort. In this opinion I fully concur.”
Calvin Brown, Civil Engineer, and C W Kennedy, Apt Inspector of Ordinance, Navy Yard Gosport wrote Captain Samuel L. Breese on April 14, 1855; “We have to report that in order to place the premises at Fort Norfolk in a perfectly safe condition before the New Magazine is used for storing Powder, it will be necessary to remove the present roof and woodwork of the old building (marked No. 3 on the sketch) which are now in an extremely dilapidated condition, and leave its walls properly protected so they can be used hereafter if required, remove the wooden covering over the old magazine. No. 5, and reestablish a covering of cement over it, brick arch, and make the roof of the building at the Gateway No. 6 and stop up its window openings.
The wood work of the old building No. 1 having become a mere heap of rubbish, has by your order been removed, and the walls properly secured, and it is now recommended that the above work be executed, as well as the completion of the alterations of the building Nos. 4 and 2 for filling and storing purposes, which have been designed and approved.
Estimate of cost for securing old buildings as above.
Unroofing & covering old magazine with cement $90
Unroofing building No. 3 $350
Slating building over gateway No. 6 $150
Removing other rubbish about grounds $60
$350 “
Captain Samuel L. Breese wrote Commodore Charles Morris, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance & Hydrography, on April 20, 1855; “The Bureaus letter of the 18th inst has been received. The balance to the credit of “Magazine at Fort Norfolk” as shown by our books here, was, on the 1st inst $6600.05. A sum amply sufficient to build the Keepers House, and to do whatever other work is necessary to be done previous to the removal of the powder, which I hope soon to affect.”
Commodore Isaac McKeever took command of the Navy Yard Gosport, Naval Hospital, and Fort Norfolk on May 10, 1855.
Commodore Isaac McKeever wrote Commodore Joseph Smith on June 7, 1855; “Here with enclosed I beg leave to submit revised specifications for constructing “Magazine Keepers house” I would state that these specifications are more in detail than the former now in possession of the bureau and should be incorporated in the “contract” for the building of the house.”
Jno N. Ashton wrote Commodore Charles Morris, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance & Hydrography, “I received notice this week from the commandant of this place, Commodore McKeever, that the powder from the Magazine on this side of the river will be removed to the Magazine at Fort Norfolk in a few days hence, and that notice will then be given me as Magazine Keeper to receive it at Fort Norfolk, at which place my daily attention will be required until arrangements are made at Fort Norfolk for the keeper more permanently, & as I shall be put to the necessity of crossing the River at the Hospital, & attending there, & changes in the weather may be such to prevent my crossing daily, & any present salary as keeper so in a regret to the support of myself & family, will you give me the necessary means of attending to my duties as far as I may be able to do so, I was with Commodore McKeever this morning who was willing to aid me as far as his authority will allow him, & refer me to your sympathy, I have never shrunk from my official duties when called on at any time, but at my present time of life, & from my former official duties performed to the government so faithfully, as I have reason to believe I have, I really think I shall have a very arduous duty to execute, & my indignant condition in life compels me to submit to the duties at this time.”
George J. Sinclair, Asst Insp of Ord, U. S. Navy Yard Norfolk wrote Commodore Charles Morris, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance & Hydrography, on July 18, 1855; “I yesterday visited the new Magazine in company with Mr. Brown the Civil Engineer with a view of making the arrangements you proposed for hoisting the powder to the upper racks.
I completed removing the powder this week, but I find so much work going on in fitting up the old buildings No 2 & No 4 that I think it would be more prudent to wait until the work is done, tho the Magazine building itself is complete.
The building number No 2 is being fitted up for empty tanks and powder barrels. The northern part of No 4 is being arched for the storage of filled shells, and the southern part is also being finished, but whether it is designed as a room in which to fill shells, or to fill powder for ships I am not informed. It is well adapted to the latter purpose, but I think (and in this opinion the Engineer fully agrees with me) that the Hall of the Magazine, would be the best, safest and most convenient place to use for filling cartridges and by removing one or two of the racks in one of the wings of the Magazine, the powder when filled, and packed for use, could be stowed with more safety than in either of the other buildings. All the racks are arranged to be put up or taken down without extra work. If the southern end of No 4 is designed as a room in which to fill, and stow powder when packed, for ships, or when received from them, it will be necessary to build a track to join that now leading from the wharf to the Magazine door. The ramparts at one or two points are so broken down as to offer afford easy ingres within the Fort, and they require repairs generally about the coping. I am of opinion that they should at all counts be so far repaired, before removing the powder, as to prevent ingres except through the gate.”
George J. Sinclair, Asst Insp of Ord, U. S. Navy Yard Norfolk wrote Commodore Charles Morris, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance & Hydrography, on July 20, 1855; “Mr. Brown the Engineer of the Yard has just called in to consult with me in reference to your letter of the August 20 / 54 in relation to the alteration of building No 4 in Fort Norfolk. He desires me to say to you that a plane arch will be as secure, if not more so, then a groined arch, and that the former will cost, in time and money, not more than one third of what the groined arch would cost. He also thinks that southern end of No 4, being more convenient to the entrance of the main magazine and more readily connected with the track now laid, will be the best place in which to fill and pack powder, if that work is to be done in any other than the Magazine building itself.”
Commodore Isaac McKeever wrote Commodore Joseph Smith, on December 11, 1855; “In answer to the inquiries contained in the Bureau’s letter of the 7th instant, referring to the Magazine Keepers house at Fort Norfolk, I have to state, that the contractor commenced operations, immediately after the contract was signed, and was progressing with the work when the breaking out of the fever in July last, caused him to suspend all operations; since the decline, and disappearance of that disease, he has recommended, and the work is going forward, with considerable progress; and I am informed by the Civ. Engineer, that should the weather prove favorable for Mason work, the house will be ready for occupancy, in about five months from this time.
Commodore Joseph Smith wrote Commodore Isaac McKeever, on December 13, 1855; “With respect to the completion of the work on the Magazine Keepers House, the Bureau would suggest the propriety of suspending operations on the walls till next spring, as it must be under profitable to lay brick in the winter season.”
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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", January 31, 1855, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Received from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, June 2 1854 - June 30 1855, Box No. 159, Entry 5.
Joseph Smith, "Joseph Smith to Samuel L. Breese ", March 16, 1855, 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. 11 of 104, PI-10, E. 1, 3.
C. H. Kennedy, "C. H. Kennedy to Samuel L. Breese", February 22, 1855, National Archives, Record Group 74 Records of the Bureau of Ordnance, Letters Recieved from Navy Yards and Stations, 1842 -1884, Norfolk, Jan 1855 - Sept 1857, Box No. 91, Entry 19.
Calvin Brown and C. H. Kennedy, "Calvin Brown and C. H. Kennedy to Samuel L. Breese", April 14, 1855, National Archives, Record Group 74 Records of the Bureau of Ordnance, Letters Recieved from Navy Yards and Stations, 1842 -1884, Norfolk, Jan 1855 - Sept 1857, Box No. 91, Entry 19.
Samuel L. Breese, "Samuel L. Breese to Charles Morris", April 20, 1855, National Archives, Record Group 74 Records of the Bureau of Ordnance, Letters Recieved from Navy Yards and Stations, 1842 -1884, Norfolk, Jan 1855 - Sept 1857, Box No. 91, Entry 19.
Isaac McKeever, "Isaac McKeever to Joseph Smith", June 7, 1855, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Received from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, June 2 1854 - June 30 1855, Box No. 159, Entry 5.
Jno N. Ashton, "Jno N. Ashton to Charles Morris", July 1855, National Archives, Record Group 74 Records of the Bureau of Ordnance, Letters Recieved from Navy Yards and Stations, 1842 -1884, Norfolk, Jan 1855 - Sept 1857, Box No. 91, Entry 19.
George J. Sinclair, "George J. Sinclair to Charles Morris", July 18, 1855, National Archives, Record Group 74 Records of the Bureau of Ordnance, Letters Recieved from Navy Yards and Stations, 1842 -1884, Norfolk, Jan 1855 - Sept 1857, Box No. 91, Entry 19.
George J. Sinclair, "George J. Sinclair to Charles Morris", July 20, 1855, National Archives, Record Group 74 Records of the Bureau of Ordnance, Letters Recieved from Navy Yards and Stations, 1842 -1884, Norfolk, Jan 1855 - Sept 1857, Box No. 91, Entry 19.
Isaac McKeever, "Isaac McKeever to Joseph Smith", December 11, 1855, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Received from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, July 3 1855 - April 29 1857, Box No. 160, Entry 5.
Joseph Smith, "Joseph Smith to Samuel L. Breese ", December 13, 1855, 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. 11 of 104, PI-10, E. 1, 487.