Scope and Contents From the Collection: The collection is divided into four series: correspondence, speeches and writings, subject files, and miscellany. A majority of materials are unclassified; however, several boxes relating to negotiations over U.S. Base Lease Agreements with the West Indies Federation, 1957–1960, are classified. Researchers must have a bona fide security clearance to examine the latter. Unclassified portions of this material are in the main collection. Series I, correspondence, consists of both official and personal letters sent and received. The official sector contains U.S. Navy orders, accounts, travel vouchers, promotions, and commendations along with intelligence reports submitted as an observer of the Royal Navy, 1940–1941. In addition, there are several cartons of correspondence and messages relating to negotiations with the West Indies Federation over U.S. Lease Agreements at the naval base at Chaguaramas, Trinidad. The bulk of the correspondence, however, contains Wellings’ personal letters to his wife during his active naval service. They focus on major commands and aspects of his career, including his witnessing of the sinking of the Bismarck aboard the Rodney, 1940–1941; his command of USS Strong during WWII operations in the Solomon Islands, 1943; and destroyer operations in the Pacific, 1944–1945. In addition, a small segment focuses on his personal business affairs. The collection contains some, but not all, of the letters received from Mrs. Wellings, as well as...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The collection is divided into four series: correspondence, speeches and writings, subject files, and miscellany. A majority of materials are unclassified; however, several boxes relating to negotiations over U.S. Base Lease Agreements with the West Indies Federation, 1957–1960, are classified. Researchers must have a bona fide security clearance to examine the latter. Unclassified portions of this material are in the main collection. Series I, correspondence, consists of both official and personal letters sent and received. The official sector contains U.S. Navy orders, accounts, travel vouchers, promotions, and commendations along with intelligence reports submitted as an observer of the Royal Navy, 1940–1941. In addition, there are several cartons of correspondence and messages relating to negotiations with the West Indies Federation over U.S. Lease Agreements at the naval base at Chaguaramas, Trinidad. The bulk of the correspondence, however, contains Wellings’ personal letters to his wife during his active naval service. They focus on major commands and aspects of his career, including his witnessing of the sinking of the Bismarck aboard the Rodney, 1940–1941; his command of USS Strong during WWII operations in the Solomon Islands, 1943; and destroyer operations in the Pacific, 1944–1945. In addition, a small segment focuses on his personal business affairs. The collection contains some, but not all, of the letters received from Mrs. Wellings, as well as...