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A guide to the Victor W. Westerholm papers, 1918-1947
HDC1634 (SAFR 23106)  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Access
  • Publication and Use Rights
  • Processing Note
  • Preferred Citation
  • Acquisition Information
  • Historical or Biographical Note
  • Collection Scope and Content
  • Collection Arrangement

  • Title: Victor W. Westerholm papers
    Date: 1918-1947
    Identifier/Call Number: HDC1634 (SAFR 23106)
    Creator: Westerholm, Victor Willfrid
    Physical Description: 18 items.
    Repository: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
    Building E, Fort Mason
    San Francisco, CA 94123
    Abstract: The Victor W. Westerholm papers, 1918-1947 (SAFR 23106, HDC 1634) is comprised of professional papers from Westerholm's career as a seaman.
    Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
    Language(s): In English.

    Access

    This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.

    Publication and Use Rights

    Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

    Processing Note

    Note on Description: The descriptions in this collection guide were compiled using the best available sources of information. Such sources include the creator's annotations or descriptions, collection accession files, primary and secondary source material and subject matter experts. While every effort was made to provide accurate information, in the event that you find any errors in this guide please contact the reference staff in order for us to evaulate and make corrections to this guide.
    Please cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.

    Preferred Citation

    [Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], HDC1634 (SAFR 23106), Victor W. Westerholm papers, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

    Acquisition Information

    SAFR-02174
    This collection was accessioned in 2011.

    Historical or Biographical Note

    Victor Willfrid Westerholm (24 September 1879 " 28 March 1950) was born in Helsinki, Finland. He immigrated to the United States in 1893 and became naturalized ten years later on his birthday in 1903 in San Francisco.
    Westerholm had been working as a longshoreman out of Raymond, Washington and married Fanny Maria Paarni (12 October 1889 " 1 October 1986) around 1910 and the couple had two daughters, Edna Fanny (born 11 August 1911) and Nellie Myrtle (born 9 May 1913). The family relocated to Astoria, Oregon before 1918, where Westerholm began working as a second mate on the ERNEST H. MEYER (built 1917; steamer). He registered for WWI on 9 September 1918 but the Armistice was declared shortly thereafter and Westerholm was never sent to war.
    Westerholm's daughter, Nellie, most likely died in the 1920s, and by 1930 the family had moved their home base to San Francisco. In 1936, Westerholm obtained his first captainship and in 1947 he became a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer.
    Westerholm passed away on 28 March 1950 in San Francisco. During his career he served on the following vessels: ERNEST H. MEYER (built 1917; steamer), POLARINE (built 1914; tanker), BENVOLA (built 1919; cargoliner), OKIYA (cargoliner), WEST PLANTER (built 1919; freighter), SANIBEL ISLAND (built 1943), SWAN ISLAND (built 1943; tanker), SCHUYLER COLFAX (built 1943; tanker), OREGON FIR (built 1920; schooner, 6m), COASTAL CHAMPION (built 1945; cargo ship), COASTAL MONARCH (built 1945; cargo ship), COASTAL CADET (built 1945; cargo ship).

    Collection Scope and Content

    The Victor W. Westerholm papers, 1918-1947 (SAFR 23106, HDC 1634) is comprised of professional papers from Westerholm's career as a seaman.
    Westerholm's papers offer a detailed account of his career at sea during and between World War I and World War II, with listings of the vessels he served on, when and where their routes took them, and his rise from mate to captain. Included are membership booklets, by-laws, his seaman's passport, discharge papers and recommendation letters, and certificates regarding various positions Westerholm held during his career as mate and captain of various vessels. The collection has been processed to the file unit level and is open for use without restrictions.

    Collection Arrangement

    The files have been arranged by function and are ordered chronologically.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Merchant mariners
    Westerholm, Victor Willfrid
    San Francisco (Calif.)
    Certificates
    Correspondence
    Passports
    Personal papers
    Captain
    Communications