John W. Graham Papers

1941-1943
Manuscript Collection #457
Portions of this collection are digitized (1 item)
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Creator(s)
Graham, John W.
Physical description
0.073 Cubic Feet, 1 item , clothbound notebook.
Preferred Citation
John W. Graham Papers (#457), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
Access
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Papers (1941-1943) including notes book, sketches, reduction in losses, types of ships, types of mines, instruction on navigation, etc.

Scope and arrangement

This notebook (ca. 1941-1943) covers John W. Graham's operational training as a naval intelligence officer stationed on the Eastern Sea Frontier, 5th Naval District (Virginia and North Carolina) during World War II. In note form are instructions on navigation, types of ships, chains of command, anti-submarine warfare techniques, mines and mine sweeping, convoys, the coast watch system, and responsibilities of staff and line officers. Graham also includes excellent notes on details of the jurisdictions of the various armed force branches, the role and morale of civilian coast watchers, submarine spotting, and types of mines. Sketches of mines are also found in the notebook.

Graham describes implementation of the Coastal Convoy System and the resulting decrease in shipping losses, distribution of naval districts worldwide, and the number designation system for patrol groups and task forces. Ship tonnage, use of commercial fishing vessels, chart usage, and course adjustments are also discussed. There are numerous and explicit notes on procedures and techniques along with frequent references to "Chapman." (See Charles Frederic Chapman, Piloting, Seamanship, and Small Boat Handling, New York, 1922.)

Administrative information
Custodial History

November 8, 1982, 1 volume; World War II naval intelligence officer's notebook. Gift of Mrs. John W. Graham, Edenton, N.C.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Mrs. John W. Graham

Processing information

Processed by J.W. Morris III, January 1985

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Metadata Rights Declaration
Key terms
Personal Names
Graham, John W.
Corporate Names
United States. Navy--Intelligence specialists
United States. Navy--Officers
Topical
Minesweepers--United States
Naval convoys--History--20th century
Submarine mines--United States
World War, 1939-1945--Military intelligence
World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations, American
World War, 1939-1945--North Carolina
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
World War, 1939-1945--Virginia