HMS Mercury

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0064 MER
Held at	: National Maritime Museum   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://collections.rmg.co.uk/ ›
Full title	: HMS Mercury
Date(s)	: 1781-1914
Level of description	: Collection
Extent	: 2ft: 61cm
Name of creator(s)	: HMS Mercury

Context

Administrative/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.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

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).

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

Conditions governing access:

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Finding aids:

Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

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

Allied Materials

Related material:

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Edited by Sarah Drewery, Jun 2011.

Rules or conventions:
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.

Date(s) of descriptions:
2010-08-26