J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library
World War I Collections Guide
Prepared by Peter Kesselring, 2011.
Independence Seaport Museum offers a vast collection of records that show the maritime
history unique to the city of Philadelphia during the World War 1 era. In 1914, many countries
of Europe became engaged in all-out war following the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of
Austria. At first, the United States remained neutral throughout the first 3 years of combat as
Americans generally viewed this as a “European war”. However, Germany began sinking
multiple U.S. merchant ships that were crossing the Atlantic Ocean so President Woodrow
Wilson ended up declaring war on Germany on April 6th, 1917. The war had been a stalemate
for years, but with the United States entering the war on the Allied side (Great Britain, France,
Russia, etc), Germany and the rest of the Central Powers (Austria-Hungry, Ottoman Empire)
were defeated a year and a half later on November 11th, 1918 which brought World War 1 to a
close.
In addition to this bloody war in Europe that spanned from 1914-1918, the world was
rocked by a devastating influenza pandemic in 1918. Origins of the disease are still disputed, but
the first reported cases of the outbreak of this disease were reported in the United States. From
there, this disease would spread all around the world, claiming many lives. Europe soon became
contaminated in 1918 as American soldiers brought the deadly disease overseas with them when
they arrived on the battlefields. In the end, more people died from the influenza pandemic in
1918 than people died from the war.
The World War 1 era had a profound effect on all Americans at this time and the people
of the city of Philadelphia were no exception. The Independence Seaport Museum has a
collection of manuscripts, photographs, logbooks, letters, prints, ship models, books, and
artifacts that indicate how life was altered for so many people during WWI. The collection here
is divided into two different categories; home front/civilians, and military and diaries.
Under the home front/civilians category, the museum offers a collection of various
primary sources that show what life was like in Philadelphia or the United States in general
during WWI. This collection in everything from family records, diaries, newspapers,
photographs, drawings, and maps.
Meanwhile, the military and diaries collection consists of primary sources that had a
direct impact on the war effort. Items in this collection include ship logs, ship plans, military
officials’ diaries, maps and much more.
Homefront/civilians:
Manuscript records
- Penelope Batcheler collection of nautical ephemera and photographs (1898-1935)
a. Collection of pictures, postcards, and manuscripts about the ocean liners and
naval vessels that existed during WWI.
- Bethlehem Steel Corporation records. (1915-1959)
a. This is a collection of printed materials from Bethlehem Steel Corporation and
its shipbuilding division. These materials include: brochures, newsletters,
periodicals (1914-1976), biographical information on Charles Schwab, and
memorials to Schwab. Newsletters include the Fore River Log (1915-1920) and
the Bethlehem Booster (1918-1919). Also in the collection is approximately 600
black and white photographs from the early 20th century. Images are of ships
under construction, ships underway, parts, and launchings. Some of the photos are
from Harlan and Hollingsworth and Federal Shipbuilding.
- Thomas D. Bowes, M.E., Associates records. (1905-1982)
a. This is a collection of plans and records of the naval architecture firm of
Thomas D. Bowes, M.E., Associates, Inc. Materials include: rolled design plans,
design #1-878 (1906-1964)
- Edward O. Clark papers. (1840-1990)
a. This is a collection of materials assembled by Edward O. Clark concerning
Delaware River steamboats. The bulk of the collection consists of
photographs of vessels, engines, and engine components. There are also some
photographs of interiors of vessels, passengers, and shipyards.
- William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Company collection. (1872-1945)
a. Information about the various ships that were built by the William Cramp and
Sons Ship and Engine Building Company. Being one of the premier ship
building companies during the 19th and early 20th centuries, this company
produced many ships. In this collection, there is information about both
merchant and naval ships that were produced by this company, many of which
served during WWI. The information provided includes what type of boat the
vessel is, its dimensions, its tonnage (or carrying capacity), the launch date of
the ship, its owner(s), its history, and an overall description.
- Edmund A. Crenshaw papers. (1912-1956)
a. Papers of Edmund Crenshaw documenting his career in the U.S. Navy.
Materials include: a small number of memos related to his commission in the
Navy, initially assigned to USS Connecticut in 1912 and then to USS Chester in
1915; memos and correspondence from 1919 regarding Crenshaw's resignation as
Lieutenant-Commander of USS Alert (Submarine Base).
- Charles B. Edwards diaries. (1901-1933)
a. This collection consists of diaries and notebooks kept by Charles B. Edwards,
an engineer who worked for the Westinghouse Machine Company (East
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) and the New York Shipbuilding Company (Camden,
New Jersey), among other organizations. The majority of the diaries (v. 1-9)
contain short, daily entries about the weather and the activities of his family
during 1913-1920.
- R. Howard Eisenbrey scrapbooks. (1900-1917)
a. A collection of scrapbooks of R. Howard Eisenbrey (1900-1901 and 19141916). One scrapbook contains clippings about Penn's rowing program, 19141917. The collection also includes loose newspaper clippings on Penn
oarsmen (1913-1917).
- Independence Seaport Museum collection of Pennsylvania Nautical School material.
(1795-2006)
a. The Independence Seaport Collection of Pennsylvania Nautical School material
documents the School and its alumni association the Pennsylvania Nautical
Schoolship Association largely through photographs, class yearbooks, alumni
newsletters, course materials, postcards, programs, and other ephemera.
b. The Alumni Associations series contains materials related to the School’s two
alumni associations, much of it in the form of newsletters. The first of these to be
established was the Pennsylvania Nautical School Association. Its newsletter, The
Log of the P.N.S.A. was published for only a few issues (1912), before it was
absorbed into The Log of the American Merchant Training Ships, which was
published monthly by the Allied Associations of the Massachusetts, New York,
and Pennsylvania Merchant Training ships. (1913-1915).
- Mount Cloud Lord papers. (1892-1944)
a. This collection consists largely of letters, photographs, booklets/pamphlets, and
certificates. Also included are four business cards, two newspaper clippings, one
drawing, one sheet of letterhead stationery, one application, one ration card, one
ID card, and one appointment card.
b. The letters are primarily business correspondences received by Mount Cloud
Lord. Most are letters of reference from former employers or from Naval
commanders. Also included are letters from the managing editor at the Journal of
Electricity, Power, and Gas thanking Lord for several articles that he had written
for that publication.
c. The photographs mostly date from the time when Lord served on Olympia.
Many are photos of shipmates and officers, and about half were taken while
Olympia was stationed in Hong Kong.
d. The certificates consist of two U.S. patents, certificates declaring Lord’s
appointment to various positions in the U.S. Navy, a Declaration for Navy Invalid
Pension, a United States Inspector’s License to Chief Engineers, a Dewey
Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Associates certificate, and a
Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Invention from the National Inventor’s
Congress.
- New York Shipbuilding Corporation records. (1895-1967)
a. Collection of photographs, photograph albums and specification books from the
New York Shipbuilding Corporation, located in Camden, New Jersey, dating
from 1895-1967. The photographs are mostly of construction, launches,
christening ceremonies, and trial trips. The specification books date from 18951929, and include specifications for ships such as a triple screw armored
battleship for the Argentine Republic (1910), a protected cruiser for the Imperial
Chinese Navy (1911), and for revenue cutters, car floats, colliers and passenger
ships.
- Pennsylvania Railroad records. (1893-1959).
a. This collection is scheduled to be arranged and described. Please stay tuned
for updated collection information. The collection consists of plans for
Pennsylvania Railroad floating equipment numbers 1 through 410, dating
from 1893 to 1959. Plans include general arrangement, machinery
arrangement, boiler arrangement, framing plans, deck plans, section plans, and
lettering layouts. There are plans for steamers, covered barges, carfloats,
ferryboats, and tugs.
- J.H. Perrine Boat Shop records. (1903-1963)
a. This is a collection of records of the J. H. Perrine boat shop. Materials include:
order and account books, listing customers, boats purchased, and payment
information (sometimes including rough sketches of vessels) (1903-1963)
- Philadelphia & Reading Transportation Line logbook. (1915-1920)
a. This is a bound ledger showing movements of sea tugs operated by the
Philadelphia and Reading Transportation Line, 1915-1920, with the following
information: name of tug, voyage number, date of arrival in Philadelphia, date of
loading and where loaded, consignee and destination, movements east with date,
hour, and tow, where reported with date and hour, date and hour of arrival and
discharge at destination, sailing for home with date, hour, and tow, where reported
with date and hour, arrival with date and hour, and remarks. Pasted inside the
front cover is a typewritten list of New England points and anchorages. Pasted
inside the back cover is a typewritten memo giving carrying capacity of each class
of sea barge, dated 1917.
- David P. Pugh collection of average adjustment statements. (1897-1938)
a. This is a collection of printed copies of statements of average adjustments for
vessels that had suffered collisions, fires, or other damages, 1897-1938. The
documents include extracts from ships logs; survey reports; schedules of financial
damages to vessels and cargoes and associated costs, such as towage and repairs;
and schedules of disbursements and allowances.
- Rice, Unruh, Reynolds Co. records. (1909-1935)
a. Collection of records of Rice, Unruh, Reynolds Company. Materials include:
index of vessels with information on dates of arrival, point of origin, broker,
master, remarks, tugs, and carrying capacity, 1910-1917; booklet with index of
vessel names; card file of employees with name, address, nationality, occupation,
and age, many of the cards paired with a Water Front Pass which includes a
photograph, 1918; and envelopes from Vincent-Mitchell Studios, with
identification photographs of employees.
- John Roach collection.(1860-1956)
a. The collection consists of papers of John Roach, John B. Roach, and the Roach
family. Records related to Roach and Sons shipyard include: a printed register of
contracts for Reaney, Son and Archbold, Roach and Sons, and Merchant
Shipbuilding Corp, 1859-1921, and a 1914 photo album of the Roach family in
Cape Cod. The collection also contains newspaper clippings and magazine
articles on Roach's Shipyard, launchings and new contracts, and on John Roach
and members of the Roach family.
- Siebe, Gorman & Co. records. (1917)
a. This is a collection of articles written about the Siebe, Gorman and Co.
submarine engineers. The articles mostly discussed a new and improved air pump
that was just commissioned in 1917. Articles range from informational flyers to
receipts of somebody purchasing improvements to their diving equipment.
- Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company records. (1916-1986)
a. This is a collection of records of Sun Shipbuilding plans, photographs, and
printed materials. Plans for vessels built by Sun Shipbuilding are arranged in hull
number order from #1 to 683. Most of the plans are general arrangements, with a
small number of plans for other systems, including shell plating, trusses, and
propellers.
- Horace Holden Thayer papers. (1893-1943)
a. This is a collection of records related to Thayer's work for the U.S. Shipping
Board Emergency Fleet Corporation during World War I. These records include
correspondence and memoranda; general, special, and technical orders to
personnel; plans, specifications, and technical data on ships and equipment; a list
of ships (wood and steel) built by the U.S. Shipping Board; progress charts for
Emergency Fleet ships; and contracts for ships built by the Emergency Fleet
Corporation.
- Vauclain family papers (1869-1930) ????
a. This is a collection of papers of the Vauclain family. Materials include: a small
collection of correspondence between Matthew Branch, president of American
International Shipbuilding Corporation and Samuel M. Vauclain and his daughter
Constance regarding her sponsorship of Quaker City, which was launched in
1919.
- Vessel Owners' and Captains' Association records. (1868-1946)
a. Constitution and member lists, receipt book, cash book, and dues ledgers of
the Vessel Owners' and Captains' Association.
- West Philadelphia Boat Club Records. (1871-1917)
a. The minute books document discussions held during regular monthly club
meetings about business such as the acquisition and naming of crew shells, club
uniform specifications and the appointment of various committees. Entries log
information on member status, include monthly treasury reports and record steps
taken to construct the building located at #12 Boathouse Row.
- Port of Wilmington collector of customs. (1916-1960)
a. This is a collection of vessel licenses issued by the Collector of Customs, Port
of Wilmington, Delaware, 1916-1960 (beginning during WWI).
Photographs
- American International Shipbuilding- (1917-1918)
a. This is a collection of 8 x 10 original black and white photographs and some
reproduction photographs and 8 x 10 negatives. The images depict the operations
at shops of the American International Shipbuilding Corporation in 1917 and
1918. A few of the photographs are undated, but appear to come from the same
time period. John L. Mahoney was the photographer.
- Josef Liener collection of Philadelphia Naval Shipyard photographs and memoranda.
(1916-1957)
a. This is a collection of approximately 450 black and white photos from the
Philadelphia Navy Yard. Images document modeling, construction, and testing of
vessels at the yard. Ships represented in the photographs include 40-foot and 50foot utility boats, personnel and rescue boats, minesweeping launches, a LCVP
(landing craft vehicle, personnel), and area command cutters. The collection also
includes some photographs of personnel
- New York Shipbuilding Corporation records. (1895-1967)
a. Collection of photographs, photograph albums and specification books from the
New York Shipbuilding Corporation, located in Camden, New Jersey, dating
from 1895-1967. The photographs are mostly of construction, launches,
christening ceremonies, and trial trips. The specification books date from 18951929, and include specifications for ships such as a triple screw armored
battleship for the Argentine Republic (1910), a protected cruiser for the Imperial
Chinese Navy (1911), and for revenue cutters, car floats, colliers and passenger
ships
Drawings, sketches and portraits
- Hettinger Engine Company engine plans. (1907-1916)
a. 211 original engineer's technical drawings for marine engines manufactured
between 1907 and 1916 by the Hettinger Engine Company. The ink drawings are
on drafting linen and paper and fully identified as to their use and content. Most
of the drawings measure approximately 11 1/2" x 16" with the remainder of
varying smaller sizes.
- United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation records. (1918-1919)
a. Collection of records of the United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet
Corporation. Materials include: bound set of charts of shipyard locations and
plans of plant layouts of facilities building vessels for the Emergency Fleet
Corporation; information for bidders on the fabrication of the steel work for 7500
ton class A vessels at Hog Island, to be constructed by the American International
Shipbuilding Corporation; a wage scale for employees in shipyards; and lists of
vessels being built for the Emergency Fleet Corporation, including vessel name,
class, hull number, builder, and location.
Maps
-Independence Seaport Museum charts collection. (1811-1976)
a. A collection of approximately 200 rolled charts, dating from the early 19th
century to the mid 20th century, with the largest concentration dating from the
mid to late 19th century. The charts cover a wide geographical range, including
the Atlantic Ocean and North American coast, Florida and the Caribbean, the
Delaware River, China and Japan, Great Britain, and other locations
Military and diaries
Manuscript
- City of Lewes (minesweeper). (1917)
a. Logbook from the U.S.S. City of Lewes, a minesweeping vessel, during
WWI. Also included is a picture of its captain Walter Power.
- Leon Clemmer papers. (1917-1992)
a. This is a collection of journals, photographs, negatives, and other miscellaneous
papers of Leon Clemmer (father), 1917-1919. The journals describe Clemmer's
experiences with the flotilla of sub chasers that sailed from Bermuda to Corfu in
1918. Photos include images of sub chasers (SC134 and SC165) and their crews;
photos of Clemmer; and negatives of the ships and their surroundings during the
WWI mission. Other papers include: commissions, awards, and honors of Leon
Clemmer, 1916-1923; a map of Corfu; a Yugoslavian broadside announcing the
arrival of Mr. Nelson from the U.S., and a concert program.
- Harry G. Jacklin papers. (1881-1935)
a. This is a collection of personal papers documenting Harry Jacklin's career in
the U.S. Navy. Materials include correspondence to and from Jacklin regarding
his naval service between 1904 and 1930; continuous service certificates, 18831902; appointment certificates; certificates of discharge, 1881-1893; Jacklin's
baptismal, naturalization, marriage, and death certificates; a photo of Jacklin with
two fellow officers; and miscellaneous items of ephemera.
- Marvin Rosefield Keck papers. (1916-1972)
a. The Marvin Rosefield Keck papers, which date from 1916 to 1972, consists of
newspaper clippings, correspondence, diaries, drawings, photographs, scrapbooks,
and unpublished writings. The collection covers Keck's experience in World War
I as a band member in the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. Olympia and his
experience in the American Legion band. The majority of the material dates from
1916 to 1919 and documents his war experience.
- Albert T. Lang papers.(1899-1959)
a. This is a collection of papers of Albert Lang. Materials include: correspondence
and other documents of Albert Lang and Emilie Lang from the Navy Department
related to retirement and veteran's benefits; service records including orders,
appointments, changes of duty, and discharges, 1914-1947, including a certificate
of appointment to USS Olympia as Oiler.
- Philadelphia Naval Home collection. (1917-1976)
a. This is a small collection of items related to the Philadelphia Naval Home
- Philadelphia Naval Shipyard collection. (1862-1996).
a. A collection of papers, personnel records and memorabilia related to the
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Personnel materials include: employee/telephone
directories; employee manuals; instruction manuals for shipriggers, shipfitters,
machinists, and welders; trade skills description; glossary of shipbuilding terms;
photographs of workers (portraits and candids of people at work and social
gatherings); ID badges, stickers, and other ephemera; receipts and notes; and
schedules of wages.
- Alexander Joseph Poliski papers. (1919-1920)
a. Letters written by Alexander Joseph Poliski discussing his time spent in the
navy during WWI. One aper is written to a former fellow shipmate in Poliski
discusses the importance of adjusting to post-war life following the conclusion of
the war. There is also an honorable discharge paper, a certificate from the “United
States Department of Commerce Steamboat Inspection Service”, and a certificate
that stated Poliske serve in WWI from April 10th, 1917 to June 27th, 1918 aboard
the U.S.S. New Hampshire.
- Pusey & Jones records (1905-1942)
a. This is a collection of papers of Pusey and Jones. Materials in the collection
include: photographs and/or specifications for hulls #82-323 (not complete);
survey of vessels, 1910-1921, listing ships by type, with valuation of vessels
when first built and present valuation; preliminary specifications for twin screw
and paddlewheel steamers; miscellaneous articles, memos, and technical
specifications for WWI-era ships; and two illustrated catalogues of iron and steel
ships produced by Pusey and Jones, early 1900s.
- Jay S. Rogers papers. (1918-1983)
a. Journal of Ensign Jay S. Rogers kept during his service aboard USS Olympia,
April 28, 1918 - October 30, 1918 with 30 photopostcards. Journal entries begin
with a description of Olympia's departure from the Charleston (S.C.) Navy Yard.
The bulk of the entries date from May 1918, when the ship was docked at
Murmansk, Russia. The photopostcards, including ten taken around Murmansk,
illustrate many of the places and things described in the journal.
- Schuylkill Navy records. (1865-1977)
a. This is a collection of papers of the Schuylkill Navy. Materials include: minutes
of meetings of the Schuylkill Navy, attended by representatives of each of the
Navy's constituent clubs, 1865-1954 (missing 1883-1888) and 1955-1966. The
minutes discuss routine business, including committee reports and rewriting of the
group's constitution and by-laws, preparation for regattas, and activities of
member clubs. Correspondence of the Schuylkill Navy’s secretaries include
incoming and outgoing correspondence to member rowing clubs, individual
members, and other Philadelphia area clubs and organizations. Letters discuss
planning of regattas and other events, membership, meetings, and equipment and
property of the Schuylkill Navy.
- Donald Siver collection on destroyers (1918-1993)
a. This is a collection of scrapbooks, yearbooks, books, and other materials related
to U.S. Navy destroyers, with a small amount of material on the subjects of
submarines and aircraft carriers. Included are yearbooks from USS Gearing, USS
Wisconsin, and USS Saratoga; a scrapbook on USS Miller, USS Decatur, USS
Beatty, and other vessels; a video of USS Forrestal, 1967; slides; newsletters;
clippings; and published volumes on various types of vessels. The collection also
includes a number of plaques received by Siver; and a 1918 volume of maps of
World War I battlefields in Europe.
- World War I Naval Signal dispatches (1918)
a. This is a collection of Naval Signal dispatches from the 12th through the 16th
of November, 1918. The dispatches concern the surrender of the German
Fleet. The messages were sent in plain language and were intercepted by the
radio operator aboard USS Shawmut.
Books
- Barry, John M. The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plauge in
History. New York: Viking. 2004. LC: RC150.4
-Cassels, Lavender. The Archduke and the Assassin: Sarajevo, June 28th 1914.
New York: Stein and Day, 1985 LC: DB89.F7
- Dos Passos, John. Mr. Wilson’s War. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Edition:
[1st ed.] 1962 LC: E766
-Ebbert, Jean and Marie-Beth Hall. Crossed Currents: Navy Women from WWI to
Tailhook. Washington: Brassey’s (US), 1993. LC: VB324.W65
-Gavin, Lettie. American Women in World War 1: They also Served. Niwot, Colo.
: University Press of Colorado, 1997
-Gilbert, Martin. The First World War: a Complete History. New York : H. Holt,
Edition: 1st American ed. 1994 LC: D521
- Hoover, Herbert. The Ordeal of Woodrow Wilson. New York: McGraw-Hill,
Edition: 1st ed. 1958 LC: E767
- Keegan, John. The First World War. New York : A. Knopf ; Distributed by
Random House, Edition: 1st American ed. 1999. LC: D521
-Link, Arthur Stanley. Woodrow Wilson and the Progressive Era: 1910-1917.
New York, Harper, Edition: [1st ed]. 1954. LC: E766
-Massie, Robert K. Dreadnought: Britian, Germany, and the Coming of the Great
War. New York : Random House,Edition: 1st ed. 1991. LC: D517
- Shaara, Jeff. To the Last Man: A novel of the First World War. New York:
Ballatine Books, Edition: [1st ed.] LC: PS3569.H18
- Symonds, Craig l. and William J. Clipson. The Naval Institute Historical Atlas
of the U.S. Navy. Annapolis, Md: Naval Institute Press. 1995 LC:
G1201.S1
-Toland, John. No Man’s Land: 1918, the Last Year of the Great War. Garden
City, N.Y. : Doubleday, Edition: 1st ed. LC: D521
-Venzon, Anne Cipriano, The United States in the First World War: an
Encyclopedia. New York : Garland Pub. 1995 LC: D510