Introduction | Agency Sketch | Scope and Contents | Series Description | Inventory

Introduction

The Archives of the Marine Historical Society of Detroit, dating, from 1944 to the present, include the minutes, correspondence, reports, speeches, and publications of this society. The Archives reflect the workings of the Society for its entire history. The directions and goals of this organization, its administrative functions, as well as its educational purposes, are illustrated in these records.

The first transfer of the Archives of the Society from the Wyandotte, Michigan Public Library to the Center for Archival Collections occurred in September 1971. Dr. Richard Wright, the Director of the Center, as well as a member of the Society, requested and was granted the transfer of the collection. An Instrument of Gift agreement was signed in February, 1989 transferring title to the collection to the HCGL (formerly the Institute for Great Lakes Research) at Bowling Green State University. New materials are entered into the collection as they are received from the Society. No restrictions exist on the use of the collection. The register was compiled by C. Michael Stahl in March, 1981 and revised in 1997.

Agency Sketch

The Marine Historical Society of Detroit was founded in 1943 by Roy Bates, Robert Larsen, and John M. O'Brien. It is the second oldest society designed to stimulate an educational interest in Great Lakes history. The first organizational meeting was held on July 9, 1944, and the Society's name was established on July 27, 1944. The constitution, by-laws, and charter membership were established at the August 31, 1944 meeting.

The goals of the Marine Historical Society, as outlined in the 1953 Annual Report to the State of Michigan, encourages the discussion, academic research, and publication, and the collection of photographs, clippings, documents, and other material pertaining to the shipping industry on the Great Lakes. The Society promotes cruises, assists researchers, prepares exhibits and programs all related to the history of shipping and commerce on the Great Lakes. The activities and interests of the Society have been printed monthly in The Detroit Marine Historian since Volume 14 in 1960. Earlier volumes were published in ten annual issues. The complete collection had been stored in the Wyandotte, Michigan Public Library under the jurisdiction of Robert Zeleznick until September 1971 when it was transferred to the Center for Archival Collections and later, to the Institute for Great Lakes Research at Bowling Green State University.

The records available at the HCGL trace the entire organizational and administrative history as well as the scholarly pursuits of the Society in terms of addresses to the membership and the various publications of the Society.

Scope and Content

The proceedings of the Marine Historical Society include minutes of the Advisory Council (1949 to the present) and general membership meetings (1944-1970) as well as a variety of miscellaneous committees. These minutes are fairly complete and reflect the administrative history of the Society as well as programs held and projects undertaken. Other administrative records include the Society's constitution, by-laws, and membership lists.

Correspondence, including intra-Society mailings, are detailed and informative as to the plans of this organization and date from 1945 to the present. Also included in this collection are a variety of speeches and papers delivered before Society members at general meetings. In addition, the complete files of The Detroit Marine Historian, (1947-), the Society's monthly newsletter, and other Society publications are available and, together with the speeches, provide a great deal of information on Great Lakes shipping. Lastly the collection contains a variety of flyers, brochures, newsletters, and pamphlets pertaining to the Great Lakes shipping scene.

Series Description

PROCEEDINGS

MINUTES-ADVISORY COUNCIL.
June 21, 1949 - present.
Arranged chronologically.
Includes business conducted, resolutions, elections, new members admitted, treasurer's report.

MINUTES-GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS.
July 13, 1944 - September 26, 1970.
Arranged chronologically.
Includes announcements, reports, programs held.

MINUTES-EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
October 18, 1944 - August 14, 1945 (scattered).
Arranged chronologically.
Includes similar information as found in the Advisory Council minutes.

MINUTES-NOMINATING COMMITTEE
1956-1969, N.D. (scattered).
Arranged chronologically.
Contains report of committee providing slate of officers.

MINUTES-MISCELLANEOUS COMMITTEES.
1953, 1962, 1965, N.D.
Arranged by type of committee and chronologically.
Includes minutes of Publication, Program, Moving, and Financial Report committees.

CONSTITUTIONS/BY-LAWS.
1944-1989, N.D. (scattered).
Arranged chronologically.
Contains purposes and rules by which organization is managed.

MEMBERSHIP/OFFICERS LISTS.
1949-1978, 1984-1986, 1988-1990
Arranged chronologically.
Contains names and addresses.

CORRESPONDENCE

CORRESPONDENCE.
1945-1990, N.D.
Arranged chronologically--incoming and outgoing filed together.
Contains correspondence mainly from and to the President of the Society regarding business of Society--programs, reporting, membership.

MEMOS FROM THE PRESIDENT.
1963-1972, 1976, N.D.
Arranged chronologically.
Includes letters to Society members from the President regarding business and programs.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS.
1946 - present.
Arranged chronologically.
Includes notes from either the President or Secretary of the Society on upcoming programs, advisory council meetings, and general membership meetings.

SUBJECT FILES

ARCHIVES FILES.
1957-1970, N.D.
Arranged chronologically.
Includes listing of the items in the Society's archives, accessions correspondence, and display agreements.

MAIL AUCTIONS/PUBLICATIONS LISTS.
1950-1979, N.D.
Includes letters sent to members with publications or items which can be purchased. Also includes letters announcing special trips for members.

RESOLUTIONS/AGREEMENTS.
1957, 1962, 1965, 1967.
Arranged chronologically.
Includes resolutions of Board establishing bank accounts and agreement with the City School District of Wyandotte, Michigan, for the storage of the archives.

REPORTS

TREASURER'S REPORT.
1968-1970.
Arranged chronologically.
Includes itemized listing of expenditures and receipts.

LITERARY PRODUCTIONS

THE DETROIT MARINE HISTORIAN.
1947- present.
Arranged chronologically.
Complete files of the Society's monthly publication.

SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS.
Scattered dates.
Arranged by title.
Includes: Ships That Never Die, including proofs; Ahoy and Farewell; and Date Calendars.

SPEECHES/PAPERS
1944-1970, N.D. (scattered).
Arranged chronologically and alphabetically.
Includes speeches and papers delivered before the Society as well as radio scripts and histories written of the Society.

LISTS

LISTS/SHIP HISTORIES.
1845-1858, 1940-1968, 1976-1980, N.D. (scattered).
No arrangement.
Includes list of types of ships, appointment lists, list of fleets, lay up lists (1961-1979), and some ship histories.

PRINTED MATERIAL

PRINTED MATERIAL.
Scattered dates.
Arranged by title.
Includes a variety of newsletters, brochures, pamphlets, and news clippings on Great Lakes shipping.

Inventory

Box 1

Folders

1. Advisory Council minutes, June 21, 1949 - November 7, 1956
2. Advisory Council minutes, January 2, 1957 - December 5, 1960
3. Advisory Council minutes, January 4, 1961 - December 12, 1963
4. Advisory Council minutes, January 2, 1964 - October 29, 1969
5. Advisory Council minutes, January 21, 1970 - December 9, 1975
6. Advisory Council minutes, January 6, 1976 - December 13, 1979
7. Advisory Council minutes, January 16, 1980 - December, 1984
8. Advisory Council minutes, January 26, 1985 - December 6, 1988
9. Advisory Council minutes, January 14, 1989 - November 17, 1990
10. Advisory Council minutes, January 19, 1991 -

Box 2

Folders

1. General membership meeting minutes, July 13, 1944 - December 17, 1947
2. General membership meeting minutes, January 29, 1948 - December 14, 1949, March 28, 1951 - December 17, 1952
3. General membership meeting minutes, January 11, 1956 - November 20, 1957
4. General membership meeting minutes, January 8, 1958 - November 19, 1959
5. General membership meeting minutes, January 16, 1960 - November 18, 1961 Marine Historical Society of Detroit
6. General membership meeting minutes, January 19, 1962 - November 14, 1963
7. General membership meeting minutes, January 8, 1964 - November 20, 1965
8. General membership meeting minutes, January 27, 1966 - October 21, 1967
9. General membership meeting minutes, January 20, 1968 - September 27, 1969
10. General membership meeting minutes, January 10, 1970 - September 26, 1970
11. Executive Committee meeting minutes, October 18, 1944 - January 9, 1945, August 14, 1945
12. Nominating Committee minutes, 1956-1969, N.D. (scattered)
13. Miscellaneous committee minutes (Publications, Program, Moving, Financial Report), 1953, 1962, 1965, N.D.

Box 3

Folders

1. Constitution/By-laws, 1944
2. Constitution/By-laws, 1949, 1950
3. Constitution/By-laws, 1953, 1955, 1972
4. Constitution/By-laws; revised August 2, 1988, September 11, 1989; amended September 16, 1989; draft constitution June, 1989
5. Proposed amendments. 1949-1956, N.D.
6. Ballots and election results, 1949-1970, N.D.
7. Corporate resolutions for deposit account, 1962, 1967
8. Board of Directors resolution on bank account, June 12, October 7, 1957
9. Agreement with city school district of Wyandotte, MI, March 10, 1965
10. List of officers on Advisory Council, 1959, 1955-1978, 1984-1985, 1989-1990
11. Membership lists, 1949-1970
12. Membership lists, 1971-1975, 1986, 1988
13. Mail auctions, trips, publication lists, 1950-1979, N.D.
14. Membership directory, 1953, 1957, 1961, 1965, N.D.
15. Members sailing on the Great Lakes, 1967-1968
16. Inventory of archives, 1965-1966, N.D.
17. Accessions file, display agreements, 1957-1970, N.D.
18. Treasurer's report, 1968-1970
19. Annual report for the State of Michigan, 1953
20. Fleet capacities, 1966-1981
21. New Lake vessels, 1950-1968

Box 4

Folders

1. Correspondence, 1945-1966, 1967-1988, 1990
2. Correspondence, 1945-1966, 1967-1988, 1990
3. Messages and memos from the President, 1963-1972, 1976, N.D.
4. Notices and announcements sent to members, 1946-1952
5. Notices and announcements sent to members, 1953-1991, N.D.
6. Notices of Advisory Council Meetings, September 25, 1957 - December 13, 1965
7. Notices of Advisory Council Meetings, January 17, 1966 - December 10, 1969
8. Notices of Advisory Council Meetings, March 3, 1970 - December 3, 1975
9. Notices of Advisory Council Meetings, July 15, 1979 - April 4, 1989

Box 5

Folders

1. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 1, 1947-1948, Index
2. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 2, 1948-1949, Index
3. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 3, 1949-1950, Index
4. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 4, 1950-1951, Index
5. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 5, 1951-1952
6. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 6, 1952-1953, Index
7. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 7, 1953-1954, Index
   Supplement: "Mid-Summer Supplement"
8. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 8, 1954-1955, Index
   Supplement: "Mid-Summer Supplement"
9. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 9, 1955-1956, Index
   Supplement: "Mid-Summer Supplement," Reprint of Volume 1
10. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 10, 1956-1957, Index
11. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 11, 1957-1958, Index
    Supplement: "Mid-Autumn Supplement"
12. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 12, 1958-1959, Index
    Supplement: Index to "Ships that Never Die"
13. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 13, 1959-1960, Index
    Supplement: "The Year in Review, 1959"
14. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 14, 1960-1961, Index
    Supplement: "The Year in Review, 1960"
15. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 15, 1961-1962, Index
    Supplement: "The Year in Review, 1961"
16. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 16, 1962-1963,
    Supplement: "The Year in Review, 1961"
17. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 17, 1963-1964,
18. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 18, 1964-1965, Index
    Supplement: Reprint of Volume 3 with revisions
19. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 19, 1965-1966,
20. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 20, 1966-1967
21. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 21, 1967-1968, Index
    Supplement: "Winter Lay-Up List"
22. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 22, 1968-1969,
    Supplement: "Winter Lay-Up List," "This Year in Review, 1968"

Box 6

Folders

1. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 23, 1969-1970,
   Supplement: "The Year in Review, 1969," "Winter Lay-Up List"
2. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 24, 1970-1971,
   Supplement: "The Year in Review, 1970," "Winter Lay-Up List"
3. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 25, 1971-1972
4. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 26, 1972-1973,
5. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 27, 1973-1974,
   Supplement: " "Winter Lay-Up List"
6. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 28, 1974-1975,
   Supplement: "Winter Lay-Up List"
7. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 29, 1975-1976, no cover sheet
8. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 30, 1976-1977, no cover sheet
9. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 31, 1977-1978, Index, no cover sheet
10. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 32, 1978-1979
11. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 33, 1979-1980
12. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 34, 1980-1981
13. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 35, 1981-1982
14. The Detroit Marine Historian, Vol. 36, 1982-1983

Box 7

Folders

1. Ships That Never Die, 1952
2. Ahoy and Farewell, 1970
3. Annual photo calendar, 1972
4. Annual photo calendar, 1973
5. Annual photo calendar, 1974
6. Annual photo calendar, 1975
7. Annual photo calendar, 1976
8. Annual photo calendar, 1977
9. Annual photo calendar, 1978
10. Annual photo calendar, 1979
11. Annual photo calendar, 1980
12. Annual photo calendar, 1981
13. Annual photo calendar, 1982
14. Annual photo calendar, 1983
15. Annual photo calendar, 1984
16. Annual photo calendar, 1985
17. Annual photo calendar, 1986
18. Annual photo calendar, 1987
19. Annual photo calendar, 1988
20. Annual photo calendar, 1989
21. Annual photo calendar, 1990
22. Annual photo calendar, 1991
23. Annual photo calendar, 1992
24. Annual photo calendar, 1993
25. Annual photo calendar, 1994
26. Annual photo calendar, 1995
27. Annual photo calendar, 1996
28. Annual photo calendar, 1997

Box 8

Folders

1. List of addresses and speakers, 1944
2. "History of Shipping at Mt. Clemens, " September 27, 1945
3. "Navigation Around the History of Sault Sainte Marie, " Raymond J. Knight, February 28, 1946
4. "Red Stacks in the Sunset," Rev. Edward J. Dowling, May 23, 1946
5. "Livingstone Channel," A.D.R. Fraser, June 3, 1950
6. Talk by Fred Dutton, October 28, 1953
7. "Marine Operations - Ford Motor Company," Clare J. Snider, November 19, 1959
8. "The Great Lake Carriers' Association," Vice Admiral Lyndon Spencer, February 20, 1960
9. "History of Canada Steamship Lines, Ltd.," 1961
10. "Some Differences Between Us," Stuart Armour, February, 21, 1970
11. "Dustless Road to Happy Land," N.D.
12. "First Carferry Crosses Lake Michigan," N.D.
13. "Life and Times of Captain James D. Morrison," Neil F. Morrison, N.D.
14. "The Tashmoo," Ken Smith, N.D.
15. "The Vanishing Fleets," Rev. Edward J. Dowling, N.D.
16. Note on speech given at the Society, 1945-1951, N.D.
17. Notes of radio sketches (CKLW). 1949
18. Radio script; "Ferry Service on the Detroit River," CKLW, 1951
19. "Founding of the Detroit and Cleveland Steam Navigation Company," N.D.
20. "First Passenger Launch Trip in History," July 3, 1958
21. Published articles by Society members, 1931-1948
22. History of the Marine Historical Society of Detroit, 1944
23. "FITZ Sinking Prompts Query of Lakes Safety, Economics," February 24, 1976

Box 9

Folders

1. Appointment lists, 1940, 1976-1980, N.D.
2. List of Great Lakes package freighter fleets, January 20, 1968
3. List of whale back steamships and barges, 1956
4. List of railway car ferries, N.D.
5. List of vessels in Lake Superior trade, 1845-1858
6. List of Chicago to Lake Superior passenger trips, October 27, 1954
7. Pittsburgh Steamship Company freights, additions, removals, May 22, 1965
8. Overseas vessel traffic analysis, December 29, 1963
9. Canallers by type, November 14, 1963
10. Story of Pittsburgh Steamship Company with list of ships, N.D.
11. List of Boland and Cornelius fleet, N.D.
12. Ships that made Milwaukee famous, March 3, 1948
13. Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company list of steamers, December 17, 1947
14. List of transportation companies, N.D.
15. List of Glen Line vessels, N.D.
16. Bradley Fleet list, N.D.
17. Graham and Morton fleet list, 1947
18. Vessel list, narrative of Detroit and Cleveland fleet, N.D.
19. List of ships in The Detroit Marine Historian, 1971
20. Information sheets on the S.M. DEAN, October 26, 1949
21. Michigan Historical Commission Site No. 110; text for roadside park marker, March 22, 1957
22. Miscellaneous ship histories, 1970, N.D.
23. Miscellaneous ships, N.D.
24. Newspaper clippings, 1945-1958
25. Marine Historical Society of Detroit; programs, souvenirs, tickets, cards, 1945-1956 (scattered)
26. Steamship Historical Society of America; directories, minutes, correspondence, 1945-1947, 1948-1949
27. Steamship Historical Society of America; directories, minutes, correspondence, 1945-1947, 1948-1949
28. Proofs of Ships that Never Die, 1952
29. Proofs of Ships that Never Die, 1952
30. Proofs of Ships that Never Die, 1952
31. Lay up lists, 1961-1979
32. Fit out dates, 1975-1976
33. Vessel traffic, 1975-1976
34. Cargo tonnage, 1929-1975
35. Vessel lists, 1965-1969

Box 10

Folders

1. Newsletters:
   Nautical Research Group, Feb., March, April, 1948.
   Congressional Record, Jan. 24, 1950.
   Monroe Sentinel, February 1951, March 1952.
   Great Lakes News, June, July 1948.
   Great Lakes Review, September 1944, December 1953.
2. Newsletters:
   News Buoy, April, May, October and December 1948; January, February and April 1949.
   Navy Club News, May 1948.
   Bulletin of Detroit Historical Society, April 1945.
   International Marine Engineering, 1912 (reprint).
   News Releases, Toledo Blade, 1868-1879 (scattered).
3. Newsletters:
   "Bulletin of Information" - The Marine Historical Association, Inc., Mystic, Connecticut, ca. 1948
   "Membership Roster of the Great Lakes Historical Society", February 1960.
   "The Fictitious Glamour of the St. Lawrence", no date.
   "The St. Lawrence--Those It Would Injure", no date.
   "The St. Lawrence Project--Why, and Why Now?" by Lewis G. Haney, ca 1940.
   Flyer--Edison Boat Club Party, 13 February 1948
4. Newsletters and Pamphlet Material:
   "Wakefield Nautical Museum--Great Lakes Historical Society", no date.
   "American Security Depends on a Strong Merchant Marine," by Hon. Christopher C. McGrath, 19March 1952.
   Timetable--Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company, 1948.
   Timetable--Miller Boat Livery, Put-in-Bay, Ohio, 1948
   "A Brief Summary Concerning the Present State of the Merchant Marine", July 26, 1948.
   Text of the address delivered at Mariner's Church by Robert E. Lee of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, 25 August 1968
   Program--Mariner's Church, 25 August 1968
   Brochure--The Paris Naval Museum
   List--Motor Boat Racing Records, from Motor Boating, January 1963.
   Flags and Insignia--Officers of the United States Power Squadron, from Motor Boating, January 1962.
   Brochure--"The Mariner's Museum, Newport News, Virginia"
   "Put-in-Bay Island", no date.
   Timetable--Ashley and Dustin Steamer Line, no date.
   Testimonial and Memento, William F. Lawler, (1887-1943)
   "Report of the Michigan Historical Collections," reprinted from 1956-1957 Report of President of the University of Michigan
   Brochure--Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, Vermont, no date.
   Timetable and Rates--Detrit Cruise Company, 1961.
   Timetable--Erie Isle Ferry Company, 1948.
   Timetable--S.S. Milwaukee Clipper, 1947.
   Timetable--Automobile Club of Michigan/Georgian Bay Line Cruises, 1948.
   Brochure--80th Anniversary Souvenir, D and C Navigation Company, 1948.
   Timetable--Ann Arbor Car Ferries, 1947.
5. Pamphlet Items:
   "Ohio's Bass Islands," from Popular Boating, July, 1958
   "Change," Detroit Episcopal City Mission Society and Mariners Church, 1950
   Timetable--Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company, 1947
   Timetable--S.S. Put-In-Bay, N.D.
   Meal ticket--Cleveland and Buffalo Line
   "The Hudson-Fulton Celebration, 1909" by the Hudson Day Line
   "Keel Blocks: A Semi-Annual Report on Shipbuilding on the Great Lakes," December, 1966 - December, 1968
   Program for Annual Dinner Meeting, April 17, 1993

Box 11

Folders

1. Ships We Remember I, Research Materials, c. 1976
2. Ships We Remember I & II, Publishing Agreements, 1976, 1982
3. Ships We Remember I, Correspondence, 1974-1979
4. Ships We Remember I, Rough Draft #1
5. Ships We Remember I, Rough Draft #1

Box 12

Folders

1. Ships We Remember I, Rough Draft #2
2. Ships We Remember I, Final Rough Draft
3. Ships We Remember I, Master Proof, February 16, 1976
4. Ships We Remember I, Master Proof, February 16, 1976

Box 13

Folders

1. Ships We Remember I, Vessel listings from Vander Linden and Dowling Collections
2. Ships We Remember II, Index
3. Ships We Remember II, Publicity, 1983-1984
4. Ships We Remember II, Correspondence, Freshwater Press, 1980-1984
5. Ships We Remember II, Correspondence, Marine Historical Society of Detroit, 1980-1984
6. Ships We Remember II, Pre-publishing editing changes, 1983-1984
7. Ships We Remember II, Rough Draft #1
8. Ships We Remember II, Rough Draft #1

Box 14

Folders

1. Ships We Remember II, Rough Draft #2
2. Ships We Remember II, Rough Draft #2
3. Ships We Remember II, Rough Draft #2
4. Ships We Remember II, Vessel dimensions from Van der Linden and Dowling Collections
5. Ships We Remember III, Correspondence, Freshwater Press, 1985-1987

Revised 4/99

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