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Creator
Ronckendorff, William, 1812-1891
Call number
MssCol 2617
Physical description
.21 linear feet (1 box)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
William Ronckendorff papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library
Repository
Manuscripts and Archives Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

William Ronckendorff (1812-1891) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was an American naval officer. He joined the U.S. Navy as midshipman in 1832 (passed 1838), and was commissioned Lieutenant in 1843, Commander in June 1861, and Captain in 1866, retiring as Commodore in 1874. The William Ronckendorff papers, 1844-1896, chiefly contain naval orders and instructions documenting his service from 1859 to his retirement in 1874. Most items date from the Civil War, pertaining to his command of U.S. Ships Water Witch, San Jacinto, Ticonderoga, Powhatan, Monadnock, and Tonawanda. Ronckendorff's letter of November 21, 1862 to Gideon Welles (copy) describes his attempt to track the C.S.S. Alabama at Martinique; there are also instructions for the Monadnock on the James River at the fall of Richmond, April 1865, and a letter from Congressman Samuel J. Randall regarding Ronckerdorff's promotion prospects, 1870. Other items include his commission as Lieutenant, 1844, effective 1843, and incomplete instructions to his son George R. Ronckendorff upon his death, 1890. Also found are George R. Ronckendorff's passport, 1896, and a letter to him, 1894; a few genealogical notes and clippings; and a letter from [Philip McLachlin?] of Charleston, South Carolina expressing thanks to his friend Richard Dale at Philadelphia, dated May 12, [1817?].

Biographical/historical information

William Ronckendorff (1812-1891) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was an American naval officer. He joined the U.S. Navy as midshipman in 1832 (passed 1838), and was commissioned as Lieutenant in 1843, Commander in June 1861, and Captain in 1866, retiring as Commodore in 1874. On active sea duty for much of his career, his later service included the Mexican-American War, the Paraguay Expedition of 1858-1859, and the Civil War, with detachment to the U.S. Coast Survey in 1860.

During the Civil War he commanded U.S. Ships Water Witch, San Jacinto, Ticonderoga, Powhatan and, in 1865, the Monadnock and Tonawanda, both monitors, following service on a court of inquiry in the Midwest. While under Ronckendorff's command at sea in 1862 and early 1863, the San Jacinto engaged in the bombardment of Sewell's Point, Virginia on May 15, 1862; served as flagship while attached to the East Gulf Blockading Squadron; was quarantined for yellow fever; and gave chase to the C.S.S. Alabama in the West Indies, arriving in New York for major repairs in February 1863. The San Jacinto was not present at the battle of the Monitor and the Merrimack (C.S.S. Virginia) on March 9, 1862, that day marking its departure from Boston for Hampton Roads. Ronckendorff then served as flag captain of the Ticonderoga (1863) and Powhatan (1863-1864) while attached to the West Indies Squadron. Post-war stations included New Orleans and the West Indies.

William Ronckendorff married Elizabeth Dale Pettit (1828-1887), the granddaughter of Commodore Richard Dale, in 1856. Two children survived to adulthood, Thomas Pettit (1857-1885) and George Read (1860-1897). William Ronckendorff died in New York City on November 27, 1891 and was buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.

Scope and arrangement

The William Ronckendorff papers, 1844-1896, chiefly contain naval orders and instructions documenting his service from 1859 to his retirement in 1874. Most items date from the Civil War, pertaining to his command of U.S. Ships Water Witch, San Jacinto, Ticonderoga, Powhatan, Monadnock, and Tonawanda. Ronckendorff's letter of November 21, 1862 to Gideon Welles (copy) describes his attempt to track the C.S.S. Alabama at Martinique; there are also instructions for the Monadnock on the James River at the fall of Richmond, April 1865, and a letter from Congressman Samuel J. Randall regarding Ronckerdorff's promotion prospects, 1870. Other items include his commission as Lieutenant, 1844, effective 1843, and incomplete instructions to his son George R. Ronckendorff upon his death, 1890. Also found are George R. Ronckendorff's passport, 1896, and a letter to him, 1894; a few genealogical notes and clippings; and a letter from [Philip McLachlin?] of Charleston, South Carolina expressing thanks to his friend Richard Dale at Philadelphia, dated May 12, [1817?].

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Purchased from the estate of Catherine Ronckendorff, 1934.

Processing information

Processed by Susan P. Waide, 2018.

Using the collection

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room, Third Floor, Room 328