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