Captain Thomas Erksine Wardle Papers

Collection Summary

Title: Captain Thomas Erksine Wardle Papers
Call Number: MS 88-32
Size: 1.0 linear feet
Acquisition: Purchased from Sotheby's
Processed By: AG, 2-1986; JEF, 2-27-1998; MN, 11-2012
Restrictions: None

Literary Rights

Literary rights were not granted to Wichita State University. When permission is granted to examine the manuscripts, it is not an authorization to publish them. Manuscripts cannot be used for publication without regard for common law literary rights, copyright laws and the laws of libel. It is the responsibility of the researcher and his/her publisher to obtain permission to publish. Scholars and students who eventually plan to have their work published are urged to make inquiry regarding overall restrictions on publication before initial research.

Content Note

The collection contains the 1918 diary of Thomas Erskine Wardle, a captain in the Royal Navy. Although not involved in any major naval battles, Wardle provides detailed description of the doings of a senior naval officer in his diary. During 1918, he captained the ships Lowestoft, Dreadnaught, London and Danae. Also included are a copy of a 1918 letter to his mother, a three-page summary of Wardle’s naval career, and a five-page printed memorandum of Operation ZZ regarding the surrender of the German fleet. Twenty oversized plans of World War I-era warships and submarines comprise another series in the collection.

Detailed Description: Series Listing

Series 1 Box 1 FF 1-3 Thomas Erskine Wardle Materials. Includes diary, correspondence and career summary
Series 2 Box 1 FF 4 Memorandum. Consists of Operation ZZ procedures regarding the surrender of the German fleet.
Series 3 Box 2 Drawings. Folded, oversized plans for World War I-era ships and submarines.

Detailed Description: Box and Folder Listing

Series 1 – Thomas Erskine Wardle Materials
 
Box 1 FF 1 Bound diary of Thomas Erksine Wardle dated 1918. It contains a day-by-day account of his time on HMS Lowestoft, Dreadnaught, London, and Danae on British waters and the Mediterranean.
Box 1 FF 2 Copy of a letter from Thomas E. Wardle to his mother, dated November 20, 1918. This item was originally folded inside the front cover of the diary.
Box 1 FF 3 Three-page typewritten summary of vocational data regarding Thomas Erksine Wardle (1877-1944). This item was originally folded inside the front cover of the diary.
     
Series 2 – Memorandum
     
Box 1 FF 4 Three page printed memorandum from “Queen Elizabeth,” dated 20 November 1918, describing procedures to be followed in Operation ZZ, regarding the surrender of the German fleet.
     
Series 3 – Drawings
     
Box 2 FF 5 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 206, Builders No. 1491-4, Engineer’s diagram, HMS Vectis Vortigern, Winchelsea and Winchester, Arrangement of Deck Coverings.
Box 2 FF 6 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 262, Builders No. 1491-2, Details of Hammock, plans for storage of 53 hammocks.
Box 2 FF 7 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 100, Builders No. 1491-2, Detail of Hawse Pipes and Stiffenings.
Box 2 FF 8 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 294, Builders No. 1491-2, Arrangement and Details of Linelines and Gangways in Way of Tubes.
Box 2 FF 9 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 149A, Builders No. 1494, HMS Winchester, Arrangement of Heating and Ventilating Forward.
Box 2 FF 10 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 60A, Builders No. 1493-4, HMS Winchelsea & Winchester, T.B.D.s Nos. 485 & 486, Arrangement of Details of Searchlighting, Platform Aft.
Box 2 FF 11 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 1385 (5002-2-207), Eng. No. 5002, Submarine Boat “E32,” H. P Air Service (As Fitted).
Box 2 FF 12 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 1384, Eng. No. 5002, Submarine Boat “E32,” L. P. Air Service (As Fitted).
Box 2 FF 13 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 264, Builders No. 1484, 1491-4, HMS Vampire, Vectis, Vortigern, Winchester and Winchelsea. Fresh Water Tank Capacities.
Box 2 FF 14 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 1491-2, Rigging Arrangement 209, HMS Vectis and Vortigern; HMS “Vehement” and “Venturous,” Rigging Arrangement.
Box 2 FF 15 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 209, Builders No. 1493-4, HMS Winchelsea and Winchester, Rigging Arrangement.
Box 2 FF 16 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 209A, Builders No. 1493-4, HMS Winchelsea and Winchester, Details of Masts, Yards, Booms and Fittings.
Box 2 FF 17 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 52, Builders No. 1493-4, HMS “Winchelsea and Winchester,” Steel Plan of Bridges, Charthouse, Captain’s Sea Cabin; W/t Office and Transmitting Station, etc.
Box 2 FF 18 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 46, Builders No. 1491-2, HMS “Vectis” and “Vortigern,” 4" Gun Supports Forward.
Box 2 FF 19 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 42, Builders No. 1493-4, HMS “Winchelsea” and Winchester,” Auxiliary Machinery Seats in Boiler Rooms.
Box 2 FF 20 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 27, Builders No. 1491-2-4, HMS “Vectis” and Vortigern,” HMS “Vehement” and “Venturous,” Forecastle Deck Plating and Part Expansion of Shell Plating.
Box 2 FF 21 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 130, Builders No. 1512-14. HMT Brs. “5" Class Torpedo Loading Arrangements for 21" D. R. Tubes. Mark IV. (Sheet 1 of 2).
Box 2 FF 22 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 130, Builders Nos. 1506-7, 1512-14. HMS Tribune, Trinidad, Trojan, Truant and Trusty. Torpedo Loading Arrangement (IS Torpedo Tubes). Details, Pivot and Racer Supports. (Sheet 2 of 2).
Box 2 FF 23 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 106, Engines No. 1512-14. H.M. Torpedo Boat Destroyers “Trojan,” “Truant,” and “Trusty.” Only Napiers Gear. Couplings, Journal Brackets, and Mitre Wheels for Steering Engine Controlling Shaft.
Box 2 FF 24 Contains World War I ship drawing No. 107, Builders No. 1512-14. H. M. Torpedo Boat Destroyers “Trojan,” “Truant,” and “Trusty.”