Naval Records Collection of the Office of Naval Records and Library (RG 45)
Many different types of Navy logs and logbooks are available for research in the Records of the Naval Records Collection of the Office of Naval Records and Library (Record Group 45). This office, which began in 1800 as a small library collecting books from decommissioned U.S. Navy vessels, was later funded directly by Congress and charged with maintaining historical manuscripts, official records, and other materials, as well as collecting contemporary records that could be used for then-current studies and future use. Logs for vessels and stations not located in the main series of logbooks (Logs of U.S. Naval Ships and Stations, 1801–1946, Record Group 24, Entry 118, National Archives Identifier 581208) may be found in several series in this record group. Other logbooks located in Record Group 45 include communication logs, personal journals, logs and journals of special expeditions, some U.S. and foreign merchant vessel logs, logbooks of foreign Navy vessels, and more.
All records in Record Group 45 are described in the finding aid Inventory of the Naval Records Collection of the Office of Naval Records and Library. Please email archives1reference@nara.gov for a copy.
Please find below citations, including links to item lists, of logs and logbooks described in Record Group 45. For more information about the history of the U.S. Navy, please visit the Naval History and Heritage Command.
Logs and Logbooks in Record Group 45
Entry 232 Communications Logs and Messages of U.S. Naval Vessels, Forces, Bases, and Squadrons, 1924–29
National Archives Identifier 1729138
Entry 237 Flight Logs of the First Navy Airplanes, 1911–14
National Archives Identifier 1729310
Entry 296 Logs, Journals, and Navigation Books of German and Dutch Commercial and Naval Vessels, 1902–1918
National Archives Identifier 1740121
Entry 437 Station Log of Mare Island, 1854–56 1 vol.
National Archives Identifier 1745017
Entry 456 Station Logs of Brooklyn Navy Yard, 1834–47 (with gaps) 7 vols.
National Archives Identifier 1750669
Entry 468 Station Logs of Pensacola, 1837–1875 12 vols.
National Archives Identifier 1752374
Entry 481 Station of Logs of Portsmouth NH Navy Yard, 1840–45 3 vols.
National Archives Identifier 1756021
Entry 492 Station Log – Washington Navy Yard, 1822–1830 1 vol.
National Archives Identifier 1756152
Entry 581 Logs of British Vessels, 1775–1899
National Archives Identifier 1768589
Entry 594 Logs of German Merchant Vessel RHAETIA, 1882–98
National Archives Identifier 1772602
Entry 598 Log of Spanish Naval Cruiser CRISTOBOL COLON
National Archives Identifier 1781407
Entry 599 Log of Spanish Naval Transport MANILA
National Archives Identifier 1786879
Entry 608 Logs and Journals Kept by U.S. Naval Officers, March 1776–June 1908
National Archives Identifier 1801187
List in alphabetical order by ship name
Chronological list of logs (according to date of first entry)
Entry 609 Logs and Journals of American Privateers and State Navy and Merchant Vessels, 1776–1867
National Archives Identifier 1801198
Entry 659 Logs of Confederate Privateers
National Archives Identifier 1871988
Entry 660 Logs and Journals of CS Navy Vessels and Battery Brooke, 1861–65
National Archives Identifier 1872023
Inquiries regarding these records may be directed to archives1reference@nara.gov, or write to:
National Archives and Records Administration
Archives 1 Reference Branch
700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20408-0001