Edward Lupton Papers (Coll. 110)

An Inventory of The Papers at the G. W. Blunt White Library

Biography of Edward Lupton

Edward Lupton was born in Williamsburg, New York, and died in 1878.

Scope and Content

Edward Lupton contracted with the U.S. Navy to build a wooden paddle-wheel gunboat known as a double ender, subsequently named the LENAPEE, in September 1862 for a sum of $75,000.00. The contract provided that the hull should be launched within 126 days (January 13, 1863) from the date of the contract and that the vessel should be completed 50 days after delivery of the hull to the engine builders. The LENAPEE was launched June 7, 1863, a delay of 145 days, and she was completed December 5, 1864, a total delay of 640 days.

The Navy ordered numerous alterations in the plans of the vessel and did not always furnish revised drawings etc, on time. Factors like these, according to Lupton, accounted for the delays which forced the costs in labor and material higher and higher, until it eventually totaled out to $149, 624.61, a loss to him of $68,201.13.Lupton presented his claim to Congress in March, 1864, and in July 1865 to a board of Naval officers, known as the Selfridge Board who determined that Lupton may have lost approximately $18,500.00. They reported the fact to Congress but there was evidently no award ever granted, although claims were continued by Lupton and his estate up to 1917.

Arrangement

The 115 pieces are arranged in 16 file folders. The first 11 folders contain documents marked Exhibit "A" through Exhibit "L". (Exhibit "E" is missing) and contain copies of the original contract, statements, specifications and related correspondence. Folders 12 and 13 contain construction specific documents. The remaining three folders contain correspondence, arranged chronologically, pertaining to the LENAPEE.

Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.