Naval History and Heritage Command

Finding aid (Word)

Biographical Note

William McBlair joined the U.S. Navy and was appointed a Midshipman in 1824. He served in various duty stations, including Falmouth, Massachusetts, and Norfolk, Virginia. By 1830, he was ranked a Passed Midshipman, and was promoted to Lieutenant three years later. McBlair commanded USS Erie, making voyages to supply the African and Mediterranean Squadrons. Promoted to Commander in 1855, McBlair went on to command the sloop Dale. With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, he resigned his commission and joined the Confederate Navy.

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains correspondence of Commander William McBlair. Both outgoing and incoming letters are present in the collection, much of it from the period 1847-1849 during Erie's cruise to Africa and the Mediterranean. The correspondence is arranged chronologically.

Preferred Citation

This collection should be cited as the Papers of William McBlair, Archives Branch, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C.

Subject Headings (LCSH)

Erie (Sloop of War)