Ernest Ely Papers
The collection consists of the memoirs, correspondence, photographs, press clippings, and military documents concerning the naval career and death of Ernest Ely. Available is Ely’s written and pictorial correspondence to his family, information about his service in the U.S. Navy, and his obituary. Also contained in the collection is the journal of Valerie Woods, a relative of Ely and a member of the Navy Mothers Club.
Dates
- 1907-1917, 1936-1942
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (6 folders)
Abstract
The collection consists of the memoirs, correspondence, photographs, press clippings, and military documents concerning the naval career and death of Ernest Ely.
Biographical/Historical Note
Ernest (sometimes spelled Earnest) Ely was born to Harriet and W.B. Ely in Kansas in 1886. Ely joined the U.S. Navy in July 1907. Ely performed the duties of water tender onboard the U.S.S. Maryland, Florida, Wilmington, and Dale.
Ely traveled around the world during his service and combat in Veracruz, Mexico, on April 14, 1914, while on the U.S.S. Florida. His last station was at Manila Bay in the Philippines where he was killed by a tiger shark while swimming. He is buried at the Knoxville National Cemetery in Knoxville, TN.
Arrangement
This collection is in six folders.
Acquisition Note
This collection was donated from Stella Ely to the McClung Museum in 1975; the collection was later transferred to Special Collections.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository