Collection Guide
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A guide to the William Wallace Hanscom papers, 1875-1915
HDC0131 (SAFR 16121)
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Table of contents
Title: William Wallace Hanscom papers
Date: 1875-1915
Date (bulk): 1887-1915
Identifier/Call Number: HDC0131 (SAFR 16121)
Creator:
Hanscom, William Wallace
Physical Description:
41.00 items
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: The William Wallace Hanscom papers ([SAFR 16121], [HDC 131]) consists largely of scrapbooks and notebooks, but also includes
some trade catalogs and oversize naval architecture and marine engineering plans. The research strength is largely in the
area of technical aspects of turn of the century iron and steel shipbuilding, but information on a few San Francisco building
projects of the 1920s can also be found in the collection. The collection is open for use without restrictions.
Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Language(s):
In English.
This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.
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.
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. P
lease cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.
[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item
Number], HDC0131 (SAFR 16121), William Wallace Hanscom papers, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
SAFR-00001
This collection was originally a gift to the San Francisco Maritime Museum from a private donor in 1965. Transferred to San
Francisco Maritime National Historic Park as part of accession SAFR-00001 (GOGA-00735). Processed by Stephen A. Haller on
August 13, 1985. Reprocessed and recataloged by Sara Diamond in 2012.
Historical or Biographical Note
BIOGRAPHY: W.W. Hanscom was born in 1870. He began his career at San Francisco's Union Iron Works as an apprentice in the
patterns shop. He advanced steadily during his more than twenty years of service with the firm, becoming successively draftsman,
electrical engineer, and chief electrical engineer. Around 1908, he became the manager of the Century Electric Construction
Co. of San Francisco. He lived in San Francisco and died in November 1956 at the age of 86. Sources: San Francisco Maritime
Museum accession ledger, information contained in this collection, and various San Francisco city directories.
The William Wallace Hanscom papers ([SAFR 16121], [HDC 131]) consists largely of scrapbooks and notebooks, but also includes
some trade catalogs and oversize naval architecture and marine engineering plans. The research strength is largely in the
area of technical aspects of turn of the century iron and steel shipbuilding, but information on a few San Francisco building
projects of the 1920s can also be found in the collection. The collection is open for use without restrictions.
The scrapbooks contain technical information about electrical systems on ships constructed at Union Iron Works ca. 1887-1915,
including data on the battleships WYOMING and OHIO, and photographs of the early U.S. submarines TARPON, NARWHAL, and GRAYLING.
Also included in these scrapbooks is information about shore-side electrical projects undertaken by the Century Electric Construction
Co., such as the Columbia Theatre of 1910 in San Francisco. The remainder of the collection consists of notebooks on various
subjects related to marine engineering, specifications of vessels constructed at Union Iron Works, a scrapbook containing
reports and papers on aspects of marine engineering, and various trade catalogues. The reports and papers include oversize
plans, which are stored separately in oversize storage. The original locations of all removed documents have been marked in
the collection.
Arranged into 25 files by type or format
I.M. Scott, Jr. Papers (SAFR 15792, HDC 125)
J.T. Scott Papers (SAFR 15793, HDC 126)
I.M and J.T. Scott were both employed at the Union Iron Works at the same time as Hanscom. SAFR collections are part of the
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park musuem and archival collections. Further information about Union Iron Works
can be found using the library and photograph card catalogues.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Electrical Engineering
Naval architecture
Archives
Union Iron Works Co.
San Francisco (Calif.)
Scrapbooks
Mechanical engineering
Naval architects
Mechanical engineers
Design and construction