This collection is comprised of over 18 cubic feet of material generated during the course of the Historic American Merchant Marine Survey. The bulk of the collection consists of survey books and measured drawings. Other records include administrative papers relating to the project, an index and catalogue, and a listing of the names of vessels surveyed.
Arrangement:
The collection is divided into five series.
Series 1: H.A.M.M.S. Index
Series 2: H.A.M.M.S. Catalogue
Series 3: Names of Vessels, 1789-
Series 4: Field Notes
Series 5: Drawings
Biographical / Historical:
The Historic American Merchant Marine Survey (HAMMS) was one of six projects created by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to provide work for unemployed skilled or "white collar" workers. These projects were intended to provide work which was both useful and appropriate to the skills and experience of workers who were not suited for more traditional work programs involving manual or outdoor labor. The specific goal of HAMMS was to undertake a national survey of watercraft, in order to document the design and technical evolution of vessel types significant in America's commercial maritime history. This was to be accomplished by making measured drawings of existing vessels, ship models, and builders' half models; by making a photographic record of significant vessels; and by compiling written data about vessels.
The HAMMS program was in existence from January 1, 1936 to October 15, 1937. The Smithsonian Institution served as the official sponsor of the Survey and received all the documentation produced, thus augmenting its already significant National Watercraft Collection. Unlike other WPA projects, HAMMS was administered directly from Washington by its Director, Eric J. Steinlein, who coordinated the survey work of six regional directors. Despite its national mandate, the Survey actually was limited to the eastern seaboard, the Great Lakes, and California. Furthermore, the types of craft surveyed and the level of documentation varied considerably within the six regions. During the course of its existence, the HAMMS program conducted over 166 surveys and produced over 400 sheets of line drawings of ship's hulls, rigging, and details.
Provenance:
The materials in this collection were turned over to the Smithsonian soon after the completion of the project in 1937.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Naval architecture -- Designs and plans Search this
Genre/Form:
Records
Tracings
Notes
Drawings -- 1930-1940
Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-67
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1857
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Collection Creator:
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Extent:
2 Items (4.9" x 7.0")
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
1925
Scope and Contents:
Photograph by Prof. Wilkes
Arrangement:
In Series ?, Box 18, Notebook region 2, photo 2-171-11 & 12
Local Numbers:
AC0240-0000008 (AC Scan No.)
AC0240-0000009 (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Extent:
1 Item (5.0" x 7.0")
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Place:
East Kingston (N.H.)
New Hampshire
Date:
1936-1937
Scope and Contents:
Photograph by A. L. Belcher, East Kingston, New Hampshire.
Arrangement:
In Series ?, Box 18, Notebook region 2, photo 2-171-14
Local Numbers:
AC0240-0000010 (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Collection Creator:
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Extent:
2 Items (11.9" x 9.4")
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
1936-1937
Scope and Contents:
Photograph by Frederick Farley
Arrangement:
In Series ?, Box 19, Notebook region 5, photo 2-171-14
Local Numbers:
AC0240-0000011 (AC Scan No.)
AC0240-0000012 (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-68
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1857
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-69
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1859
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-70
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1860
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-71
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1863
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-72
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1865
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-74
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1868
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-80
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1870
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-82
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1881
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-83
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1854
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-84
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1866
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-85
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-86
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1888
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-87
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1883
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-88
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1876
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
United States. Works Progress Administration Search this
Container:
Box 26, Sheet 2-90
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1866
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Historic American Merchant Marine Survey, 1936-1937, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
