T. R. Clark Report 6 May 1880
On July 25, 1848 Navy Department request to transfer of old Fort Norfolk from the War Dept to the Navy Dept to be used for a Powder Magazine.
On July 26/48 War Dept refers to Engr Dept foregoing letter of Navy Dept asking use of old Fort Norfolk to erect a Powder Magazine for the Navy.
On July 28/48 Engr Dept reports on foregoing letter and states that there is no objection to granting the request provided certain conditions are imposed.
Aug. 4, 1848 Secy of War sent to Secy of the Navy letter of the Chf of Engrs of July 28, 1848.
On Aug, 11, 1848 War Dept refers to Engr Dept letter from Navy Dept withdrawing application for transfer of old Fort Norfolk.
On Sept. 7, 1849 Navy Dept to War Dept asks transfer of old Fort Norfolk to Navy Dept for purpose of erecting a magazine.
On Sept. 8, 49 the above application was approved by the Qr Ms Gen. and transferred to the Engineer Dept.
On Sept. 10, 49 Engr Dept writes to War Dept in reply to foregoing and enclosing a copy of it's report of July 28, 1848 with the recommendation that if the Navy Dept complies with the conditions therein expressed that there is no objection to the transfer.
There is no record in this office to show that the Navy Dept ever excepted the before mentioned conditions or that the transfer was ever ratified, but in July 50, the Navy department requested a plat of old Fort Norfolk and in reply thereto a copy was furnished by the Engr Dept, but on an informal request at the War Department the two following letters were found.
On Sept. 13 / 49 Navy Dept has received War Dept letter of 12 inst in relation to transfer of Fort Norfolk to the Navy. The proposition contained therein is approved.
On Sept. 14, 49 War Dept to Navy Dept acknowledges receipt of foregoing letter accepting the possession of old Fort Norfolk, for the use of the Navy Dept, with the understanding that for the purpose of preserving the value of the place as a defensive position, no repairs or improvements will be made without the previous sanction of the War Dept. Directions have this day been given to deliver possession of the place to the Navy Dept.
The act of Congress approved June 23rd 1874 made an appropriation “for the removal of the powder Magazine from Norfolk Va and to provide for the construction of a Magazine at a more suitable place near Norfolk”, so on Sept. 21, 1874 the Navy Dept. requested that one third, the south eastern part, of Craney Island might be transferred to that Dept. The request of the Navy Dept was referred to the Engr Dept and by that Dept it was referred to the Board of Engrs for Fortifications for report. On Oct. 6, 1874 the Board return with Report thereon the request of the Navy Dept. The Bd of Engrs for Fortifications recommended that for reasons stated only the north western (and not the south eastern) portion of the island be given up to the Navy Dept, and that in event of war, the powder be removed from it.
On Oct. 9, / 74 Engr Dept returned to war Dept request of Navy Dept and enclosed copy of the report of the Board of Engineer in which report the Chief of Engineer concurred.
On Oct. 12 / 74 the War Dept replied to the request of the Navy Dept, and enclosed copy of the Report of the Board of Engineers before mentioned in which report the Secretary of War concurs.
On Oct. 14 / 74 The Navy Dept acknowledged foregoing letter of War Dept concerning the transfer of a portion of Craney Island and stated that the Navy department accepted the section designated by the Board of Engineers, Fortifications. Requests tracing of exact boundaries.
On Oct. 21 / 74 War Dept acknowledged the foregoing letter of Navy Dept, and enclosed the tracing requested and stated that the before mentioned portion of Craney Island was thereby transferred to the Navy.
There is no formal relinquishment by the Navy Dept of old Fort Norfolk in the files if this office, nor is there any information to show whether the Navy Dept has at this time any magazines at that place. It might be however, that the mere transfer from old Fort Norfolk, authorized by the before recited act to Craney Island would be sufficient to make the privileges granted the Navy Dept revert to the War Dept, in that case old Fort Norfolk is now under control of the War Dept, but on the other hand if a formal relinquishment by the Navy Dept is necessary then the site of old Fort Norfolk is still under the control of the Navy Dept.
Of the two cases the latter seems the most probable.
T. R. Clarke,
May 6, 1880
Office, Chief of Engineers
Fort Norfolk Documents
1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799,
1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809,
1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817,
1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1859
1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869
1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879
1880,
Source of Information
National Archives, Record Group 77 (Office, Chief of Engineers)
Land Papers
Virginia (Craney Island, Mill Creek Bridge, Ferry Point, Ft. Norfolk, Yorktown Monument, Arlingtron Estate, Willoughby Spit);
Washington (General)
Box No. 61, NM-19, Entry 171