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Two diaries kept by an officer while serving on board the USS Vulcan, the Navy's first repair ship as it supported the gun boats off the coast of Cuba during the Spanish American War. Littlefield recounts his daily activities, work on board the ship, weather, and events as they happened almost daily. He also recounts illnesses of fellow soldiers, those who died, and of soldier's who were taken to mast for carious violations. It is clear that Littlefield is skilled in the work of iron forging while on board the ship as he records various valves and items he makes for ship repairs and takes to creating quite a few souvenirs once Spain sues for peace and the war ends.
Charles E. Littlefield Diaries, 1898 June 22- October 06, Special Collections Research Center, Wiliam & Mary Libraries.