Repository: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library - Philadelphia Area Archives Search Results

Independence Seaport Museum collection of Pennsylvania Nautical School material, 1900-2009 (bulk) 1859-2009 (inclusive)

Extent:: 8.5 linear feet
Abstract:: The Pennsylvania Nautical School was formed in 1889 by the Pennsylvania State Legislature to meet the nation's demand for trained seamen. For 58 years cadets were instructed by U.S. Navy officers in the arts of navigation, marine engineering and seamanship to prepare them for careers in the maritime trades and professions. In 1942 the school was renamed the Pennsylvania Maritime Academy (based in Morrisville, Pennsylvania) and in 1947 the Academy closed. Between 1889 and 1947, close to 2000 cadets graduated from the program. Ships retired from the Navy were retrofitted into schoolships. The Nautical School taught aboard five different ships over its 58 year history: Sloop of War USS Saratoga (1889-1907); Screw Bark USS Adams (1907-1914); Gunboat USS Annapolis (1919-1942); Cutter Keystone State, ex USCG Seneca (1942-1946); and Attack Cargo Ship USS Keystone State II, ex. USS Selinur (1946-1947). In 1940 the Light Cruiser USS Omaha and the Ammunition Ship USS Pyro were hosts to...(see more)

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

Schuylkill Navy records, 1859-2009 (inclusive)

Extent:: 50.0 linear feet (121 containers)
Abstract:: The Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia was founded in 1858. It is the oldest amateur athletic governing body in the United States. By charter, "[the Schuylkill Navy’s] object is to secure united action among the several Clubs and to promote amateurism on the Schuylkill River." The Schuylkill Navy records documents the history of this rowing organization from 1859 to 2009. An organization dedicated to hosting rowing events for its member clubs and visiting teams, the collection houses the administrative records of the Schuylkill Navy and its member clubs, including the original founding members as well as clubs that joined the organization later; and records related to the planning and promotion of regattas. In addition, the collection includes an extensive assortment of newspaper clippings and photographs that highlight Schuylkill Navy rowing events and its influential members. The collection contains administrative records, information regarding regattas and member rowing clubs,...(see more)

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

John E. Hand & Sons Co. records, 1865-2002, undated [bulk dates: 1900-1980]

Extent:: 26.0 linear feet
Abstract:: The John E. Hand & Sons Company was founded in Philadelphia in 1873. The Hand Company built navigational equipment for all varieties of floating vessels, and operated a chain of retail outlets with “service stations” in numerous port cities, including Baltimore and New Orleans, until 1956. Service stations sold Hand instruments as well as other nautical paraphernalia and provided compass adjusting services. The collection documents the business activities of the John E. Hand & Sons Company from its institution in 1873 to 1997, when the company was sold. The collection boasts a wide breadth of material that includes legal documents, financial records, patents, correspondence, contracts, reports, catalogs and other ephemera, photographs, and engineering plans. Together, the records provide a thorough account of the firm’s operations.

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

Seamen's Church Institute records., 1919-1998 (bulk) 1828-2000 (inclusive)

Extent:: 55.0 linear feet (149 boxes, 30 volumes, 6 flat file folders)
Abstract:: Seamen's Church Institute (SCI) was founded in Philadelphia in 1919 to care for the moral, spiritual, mental and bodily welfare of seamen, and to generally better the conditions surrounding and affecting "men of the sea." It joined ranks with similar organizations that had established a long tradition assisting the merchant marine, going back to the first decade of the nineteenth century when the Bible Society of Philadelphia singled out seamen as important beneficiaries of their work. Over one hundred years later, and in a considerably more ambitious manner than this earliest precursor, SCI set to work providing clean and affordable housing, affordable food, morally sound entertainment, banking, religious services and employment assistance to seamen while in the Port of Philadelphia. The Seamen's Church Institute Records document the business activities of the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) in Philadelphia from 1919 to 2000. The collection boasts a wide breadth of textual...(see more)

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

Philadelphia Naval Shipyard collection, 1859-1998 (inclusive)

Extent:: 8.9 linear feet
Abstract:: The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, formerly known as the Navy Yard, was the first naval shipyard in the United States. The original site of the shipyard (Federal Yard) was located on Federal Street along the Delaware River, but the facility was eventually moved due to overcrowded conditions and increasing urban development. The new location at League Island was acquired by the Federal Government in the 1860s, while the old location at Federal Yard continued to operate until 1876. During the Spanish-American War and the years leading up to World War I, the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard rapidly transformed into a major production facility, and the first Naval ship, the U.S.S. Henderson, was commissioned in 1917. During World War II the shipyard built 53 ships and conducted repairs, conversions, and overhauls of 1,218 other vessels. Throughout the 20th century, the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard actively completed repairs, constructions, and conversions; developed new materials and methods;...(see more)

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company records, 1916-1998 (inclusive)

Extent:: 26.0 linear feet and 9 boxes 8 volumes 5 oversize drawers 1 drawer
Abstract:: Established in 1916, the Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company produced hundreds of ships (primarily tankers and cargo ships) for other companies as well as its own. These included private parties, other oil companies, and, particularly during World War II, the United States Maritime Commission. During World War II, the National Defense Program helped make the Sun shipyard one of the world's biggest producers of oil tankers, with more than 35,000 people working in the shipyard. The yard built more than 250 tankers for the war effort and repaired more than 1,500 ships that were damaged during the conflicts. The company also developed many new building technologies and became known for its use of "All-Welded Construction." The Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company records date from 1916 to 1998 and document the design, construction, and launching of ships built by the organization; the history and promotion of the company; and also the administration of the organization through the...(see more)

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

Edward O. Clark papers, 1860-1985 (bulk) 1830-1995 (inclusive)

Extent:: 16.73 linear feet and 25 boxes 2 oversize
Abstract:: Edward O. Clark (1918-1994) was an avid marine historian and photographer who traveled across the country pursuing interesting vessels and ports of call, and documented the vanishing heritage of American steam navigation. This collection houses the personal papers and research materials of Edward O. Clark and contains four series: “I. Photographs, 1835-1995,” “II. Reference files, 1830-1994,” “III. Correspondence, 1943-1991,” and “IV. Index cards, undated.” This collection dates from 1830 to 1995, with bulk dates of 1860 to 1985, and consists of a variety of materials relating to the Delaware River steamship industry, especially the Wilson Line. Specifically, it includes photographic prints, admeasurements, advertisements, albums, clippings, contracts, receipts, catalogs, correspondence, chronologies, ship manifests, negatives, plans and drawings, writings, and other ephemera. This collection thoroughly documents the variety of Delaware River steamships, their operating lines, and...(see more)

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

John H. Mathis Company records, 1919-1987 (inclusive)

Extent:: 195.0 linear feet (43 containers, 12 flat file drawers [includes 2,480-2,760 drawings])
Abstract:: Founded in 1870 by John H. Mathis and W.W. Reynolds, by the time of its 1913 incorporation, the John H. Mathis Company was an already established and well-represented shipbuilding firm in the maritime world. Located at Point and Erie Streets in Camden, New Jersey, the Mathis Company built and repaired yachts, river steamers, tugs, barges, car floats, ships and other varieties of floating vessels for private individuals and businesses as well as the Navy and Coast Guard. During World Wars I and II, a variety of ships were built, including minesweepers, transports, Coast Guard Cutters, and ferries. Of note, was the presidential yacht Sequoia, which was built by Mathis Yacht Building Company as a separate but allied venture at the Mathis shipyard in 1910. The Mathis Shipyard closed in 1961. The Mathis Shipyard was later used by the firm Camden Ship Repair. The John H. Mathis Company records, which date from 1919 to 1987, consists of business records, correspondence,...(see more)

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

Thayer family collection, 1892-1986 (inclusive)

Extent:: 10.0 boxes
Abstract:: The Thayers were a prominent Philadelphia-area family at the turn of the 20th century. John Borland Thayer, Jr. was a vice-president of the Pennsylvania Railroad when he died in the sinking of Titanic on April 15, 1912. The Thayer family collection consists of more than 700 items of ocean liner ephemera dating from 1892 to 1986, including postcards, abstracts of logs, advertisements, passenger lists, menus, deck plans, photographs, stationery and baggage tags from ships of more than 40 lines. The collection also includes one of the only extant first class passenger lists from Titanic.

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

Undine Barge Club records, 1856-1986 (inclusive)

Extent:: 35.0 linear feet
Abstract:: The Undine Barge Club records documents the history of this rowing organization from 1856 to 1986. Included in the collection are annual records on membership participation, correspondence, files regarding stewdarship of Castle Ringstetten, and scrapbooks documenting significant Undine Barge Club events. Researchers interested in the history of this organization, or on the history of activity on the Schuylkill River would find this collection useful.

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

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