Archives and Manuscripts Collections described here are available for viewing in the Los Angeles Maritime Museum Research Library. Collections may be accessed by downloading and filling out the Library request form that can be emailed or faxed to the Library to schedule an appointment.
Papers of Deep Diver
Elmer Bright Collection, 1930-1980 (bulk 1943-1966); 1 cu. ft. Elmer Ellsworth Bright (1911-2001), a civil service diver and supervisor of divers at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard’s Shop #72 between 1943 and 1966. Collection includes case histories of decompression disease (the bends) treated in their recompression chamber; work notes and instructions in underwater salvage, photographs of divers working at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, and a scrapbook from his early service life in the U.S. Navy, from 1930-1932.
Logs of Historic Passenger Ferries in LA Harbor
Logbook collection of passenger ferries, 1926-1927, 1 cu. ft.
The SS Avalon : a passenger ferryboat sailing from Los Angeles Harbor to Santa Catalina Island.
The SS Catalina : a passenger ferryboat sailing from Los Angeles Harbor to Santa Catalina Island.
Los Angeles Harbor Maps and Charts
Historic, thematic and pilot charts of the channels in Los Angeles Harbor and San Pedro Bay date from 1943 through the 1980s; also in the collection are nineteenth-century surveys of the California coast and islands.
Los Angeles Maritime Museum Early History
Papers of the Los Angeles Maritime History Museum, 1975-1982 Collection of correspondence and documentation concerning the process of creating the Museum in 1980.
Papers of William Olesen, 1907-2002 Correspondence, documentation, diaries, naval architectural drawings, sketches, and photographs in the collection of William Olesen, Museum volunteer 1979 to 2002.
Navy Personnel, Merchant Marine Documents
Myron S. Kilgore Personal papers and possessions pertaining to maritime career in US Maritime Service & USN Reserves.
Louis Lazaropolis Discharge papers of Louis Lazaropolis Jr.; documents dated 1946-1951.
John D. Swanfeldt Papers Collections of artifacts and books associated with life and career of Lieut. John D. Swanfeldt, U.S.N. Documents dated 1935-1947.
Antonio Marquez Halili Papers and photographs documenting Mr. Halili’s career as a merchant marine in the 1970s. Documents dated 1973-1989.
Papers of Navy Vessels
Records of the disposition of USS LOS ANGELES CA-135 ; SS Los Angeles Gunnery RecordsTwo sheets of blue line prints for the inboard profile and main deck, USS LOS ANGELES CA-135. Documents dated prior to launching, 19
USS TOLEDO CA-133 Collection USNC blue plastic binder w/documents; documents & directories. Documents dated prior to launching, 19
PRESIDENT ADAMS The papers an American President Lines vessel built by Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock in 1940. Documents dated 1940-1973.
USS JACK MILLER DE-410 Collection Papers of the USS Jack Miller, launched in 1944 and decommissioned in June, 1946.
USS THOMASON DE-403 Collection The papers of the USS Thomason, launched in 1943 and scrapped in 1969.
Papers of Ships, Shipbuilding, and Allied Businesses
Papers of Fellows and Stewart, Inc. Papers of the Corporation, logbooks, correspondence, naval architectural drawings, and photographs of the shipyard located in Los Angeles Harbor between early 1900 and 1967.
L.A. Shipbuilding & Drydock – Todd Shipyard Papers The series available for research is limited to records containing drydock and repair records 1920 to 1949.
McMullen and Stoffen Collection Account books and summaries for a Los Angeles harbor marine survey service from1926 to 1958.
C.J. Hendry Company Collection Account ledgers for the San Pedro ship chandlery C.J. Henry Co., November 1917 to February 1930.
Records of the glass-bottom boat PRINCESS Logbooks and associated paperwork of the PRINCESS, a glass-bottom paddlewheel ferryboat. Documents dated 1968-1984.
Records of the Tug Angels Gate Vessel history from construction in 1944 as a United States Army Transport Service "small tug" to her purchase by the Port of Los Angeles in 1946 and subsequent donation to the Los Angeles Maritime Museum in 1992.
Library Special Collections : Series 1, 2, 3, and 4 An open collection consisting of news clippings and articles of general maritime and Port of Los Angeles interest, books and maritime charts. Publications dated 1913-1956.
Records of Sailing Vessels
Records of Schooner GEORGE BILLINGS Ships log books, supporting documentation for operation of the 5-masted schooner 1905-1923.
Records of Yawl OCEAN WAIF The early history and the operation and maintenance of the ship after it was donated to LAMM. Documents dated 1925-1988.
Records of Schooner WILLIAM H. SMITH Records of 5-masted schooner engaged in Pacific trade from San Francisco described in ship’s log. Documents dated 1926-1932.
Papers of Writers, Illustrators and Photographers
Cedric Windas Collection Book covers decorated by an artist known for his portrayal of Navy life and customs. Documents dated 1939-1966.
Gunnar Anderson Collection Sail racing, yacht and documentary images created and printed by an amateur photographer in the 1960s and 1970s for Windward Under Sail and other magazines. Documents dated 1963-1984.
Liberty Manufacturer Collection Journal entry and newsclippings collected by Sven Olson, shipping agent, who witnessed the wreck of the Liberty Manufacturer in 1972 off Pt. Fermin.
Thomas Skahill Collection Notes, drafts, and collected research for articles he wrote on mid-twentieth century Los Angeles Harbor yachtsmen, naval architects and boat-builders Matt Walsh, Ed Potter, Edson B. Schock, Hugh Angelman, Joe Fellows and Fellows and Stewart, and Ted Geary. Articles were published in WoodenBoat, Maritime Life and Traditions, 2003.
Papers of Yachtsmen
Emil Aarup Papers Aarup family photographs, boatbuilding and yachting photographs 1900-1940s; ship’s lines. Documents dated 1900-1940.
Dwight Long Adventures of a circumnavigator, photographer and film director between 1930 and 1959.
Matthew Walsh Collection News clippings and photographs of Matt Walsh, an early 20th century shipbuilder on Terminal Island in Los Angeles Harbor. Images depict him on his craft in yacht races along the coast of California. Documents dated 1920-1950.
Please call the Archivist / Librarian at 310-548-7618 x 215 for an appointment to view the archives and manuscripts described here, or with any questions you may have.
