Collection GB 0064 MER - HMS Mercury

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0064 MER

Title

HMS Mercury

Date(s)

  • 1781-1914 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

2ft: 61cm

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

The Naval Signal School, known as HMS Mercury since 1941, was founded at Portsmouth in 1901. In 1942 the school was moved to East Meon, near Petersfield, Hampshire.

Archival history

GB 0064 MER 1781-1914 Collection 2ft: 61cm HMS Mercury

The Naval Signal School, known as HMS Mercury since 1941, was founded at Portsmouth in 1901. In 1942 the school was moved to East Meon, near Petersfield, Hampshire.

The collection, originally part of one formed at the school, was presented to the Museum in 1967.

Papers relating to HMS Mercury consisting of manuscripts relating to the history of signalling, 1781 to 1914. The printed part of the original collection, also to 1914, is in the Library. The manuscripts include sixteen late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century signal books; a book of codes for use with an electric telegraph, 1855; correspondence concerning the rules for the use of wireless telegraphy, 1893; correspondence and photographs relating to the development of communication by flashing signals, 1861 to 1893, 1904; a collection of annual reports on the Naval Pigeon Service, 1903 to 1908; proposed Forming, Disposing and Stationing Signals, 1890 and 1892; correspondence on Equal and Unequal speed manoeuvres, 1891 to 1892, and on Battle Tactic Signals, 1901. Foremost among the correspondents on these and other subjects is the first Superintendent of the Signal School, Admiral A.F. Everett (1868-1938).

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Please contact the Archive for further information.

English

Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .

Edited by Sarah Drewery, Jun 2011.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

2010-08-26 Naval bases Military communications Military education Everett , Sir , Allan Frederic , 1868-1938 , Knight , Admiral HMS Mercury Group communication Military bases Higher science education Communication process Facilities

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

The collection, originally part of one formed at the school, was presented to the Museum in 1967.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Papers relating to HMS Mercury consisting of manuscripts relating to the history of signalling, 1781 to 1914. The printed part of the original collection, also to 1914, is in the Library. The manuscripts include sixteen late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century signal books; a book of codes for use with an electric telegraph, 1855; correspondence concerning the rules for the use of wireless telegraphy, 1893; correspondence and photographs relating to the development of communication by flashing signals, 1861 to 1893, 1904; a collection of annual reports on the Naval Pigeon Service, 1903 to 1908; proposed Forming, Disposing and Stationing Signals, 1890 and 1892; correspondence on Equal and Unequal speed manoeuvres, 1891 to 1892, and on Battle Tactic Signals, 1901. Foremost among the correspondents on these and other subjects is the first Superintendent of the Signal School, Admiral A.F. Everett (1868-1938).

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Conditions governing reproduction

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

National Maritime Museum

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area