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The Alligator's Loss J. Winchester Letter, April 8, 1863 Click on the letter icon to view images of a two-page letter from J. Winchester, Acting Master of the USS Sumpter to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Wells from April 8, 1863, reporting the Alligator's loss at sea. Provided by Commander Richard Poole, USN, and EMCS (SS) Jim Christley, USN (ret), the original is available at the National Archives and Records Service. J. Winchester Letter, April 9, 1863 Click on the letter icon to view images of a nine-page letter from J. Winchester, Acting Master of the USS Sumpter to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Wells from April 9, 1863, reporting the Alligator's loss at sea. This letter provides vivid details about the stormy conditions that the USS Sumpter and Alligator encountered and indicates the heavy seas washed overboard two of the Sumpter's crew members. Provided by Commander Richard Poole, USN, and EMCS (SS) Jim Christley, USN (ret), the original is available at the National Archives and Records Service. Samuel Eakins, April 9, 1863 Click on the letter icon to view images of a two-page letter from Samuel Eakins, Acting Master of the USS Alligator to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Wells from April 9, 1863, reporting the Alligator's loss at sea. Provided by Commander Richard Poole, USN, and EMCS (SS) Jim Christley, USN (ret), the original is available at the National Archives and Records Service. If you'd like to subscribe for e-mail updates regarding the Alligator, click here. If you have a question regarding the Alligator project, please e-mail alligator@noaa.gov The United States Navy's Office of Naval Research and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries have initiated a cooperative project to unlock the secrets of the U.S.S. Alligator.