Seeking crew lists of USS Elcano (PG-38) gunboat

Dear Mr. Maher,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We searched the National Archives Catalog and located Muster Rolls of Naval Ships and Shore Establishments, 1/1898 - 6/30/1939 in the Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel (Record Group 24) that includes muster rolls of the Elcano. We also located the Logbooks of U.S. Navy Ships, ca. 1801 - 1940 in Record Group 24 that includes deck logs of the Elcano from November 20, 1902 - November 1, 1907 and December 5, 1910 - June 30, 1928. For access to the muster rolls and logs, please contact the National Archives at Washington, DC - Textual Reference (RDT1) via email at Archives1reference@nara.gov.

We also suggest that you request a copy of his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). OMPFs and medical records of enlisted men of the U.S. Navy who were separated from the service after 1885 and prior to 1958 are located at NARA's National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), (Military Personnel Records), 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO  63138-1002.  To request these records, please mail a completed GSA Standard Form 180 to NPRC.  For more information see Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF), Archival Records Requests.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgement as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RDT1. Also, the National Personnel Records Center is servicing only urgent requests related to homeless veterans, medical emergencies, and funerals which may be faxed to 314-801-0764.  We thank you for your patience and look forward to resuming normal operations when the public health emergency has ended.

We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your family research!

William,

Found this article. Please copy and paste link in your web browser. You are correct regarding rank. Chief Machinists Mate.

https://books.google.com/books/about/Our_Navy_the_Standard_Publication_of_the.html?id=XpUmAQAAIAAJ

Thanks,

Elliot Schneider

Hi William,

This particular Cap Device was authorized by Navy Regs for CPO in 1905. The USN is Silver the anchor is brass and the fouled line is twisted brass wire. Generally this rank of E7 was awarded between 5 and 12 years of service. This regulation was in affect until 1922 when the pattern changed. If your Grandfather entered the service in 1900 he would have been eligible for promotion in 1905 and if promoted at this time one of the first Petty Officers to receive the new device.

Joe

Hi William,

My wife had a grandfather that was probably on the USS Elcano during the years you mentioned.  He was a photographer and took over 150 photos of the crew, Chinese peoples, sights, ships etc. at the time he was onboard. I am trying to donate all of his original photos (over 150) to an archive, but don't know how.

I can email you two photos of the USS Elcano in dry-dock and one of many photos of the crew.  It may be possible that your grandfather may be in one of the crew photos.

(I have tried to insert one photo of the Elcano in dry-dock but I'm not sure it was attached).

This is my first serious attempt at preserving his photos, so I'm hoping for any suggestions from anyone on what to do next.  Thank you

Monty

William

This is another photograph of the Elcano crew showing five sailors.  The description for this photo would be:

USS Elcano China 5 Sailors ca 1900-1912 G.I.Margraf Collection

Please let me know if you are receiving the photos.

Thanks, Monty