John A. Blaich Papers

Finding aid created by Sherman Library and Gardens staff using RecordEXPRESS

Sherman Library and Gardens

614 Dahlia Ave.

Corona del Mar, California 92625

(949) 673-1880

library@slgardens.org

http://www.slgardens.org/

2017

Descriptive Summary

Title: John A. Blaich Papers

Dates: 1922-2003

Collection Number: 2014-05

Creator/Collector: Blaich, John A.

Extent: 6 document boxes; 2 linear feet, 5 inches.

Repository: Sherman Library and Gardens

Corona del Mar, California 92625

Abstract: The John A. Blaich Collection is comprised of four series: Biographical Materials, Biographical Files, 1931-2002, General Subject Files, 1923-2003, Large Yachts of Newport before World War II Files, 1924-2002, and M. S. Stranger Files, 1922-1994. The collection includes photographs, slides, notes, newspaper clippings, copies of published materials, logs and correspondence.

Language of Material: English

Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

John A. Blaich Papers. Sherman Library and Gardens

Acquisition Information

The family of Mr. Blaich donated the parts of this collection relating to the M. S. Stranger and his book Large Yachts of Newport Harbor before World War II. Rowell Greene donated the General Subject Files in April, 2014.

Biography

John A. Blaich was born on November 2, 1918. He grew up in Whittier, CA, but he spent many summers at a family house on the Balboa peninsula. In 1935, Blaich was one of thirty Sea Scouts to be hired as the crew of the M. S. Stranger . In six months, M. S. Stranger visited Miami, Panama, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica, Cocas Islands, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico and San Diego, collecting animals for the San Diego Zoo. Following his tour with Stranger, Blaich started the first sailing instruction school in Newport Harbor in 1937. In 1941, the Newport Harbor Yacht club hired him as the clubs’ first full-time sailing instructor. In 1942, he completed his studies at the University of Southern California, receiving a degree in engineering.

Blaich was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Naval Reserve. He entered active service during World War II, serving aboard the USS Baltimore. Following the war, Blaich remained in the Navy Reserve. He retired in 1969 with the rank of Commander.

Blaich was active in yacht clubs in the Newport Beach area and pursued an interest in the history of sailing. He volunteered at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum (NHNM). In 2000, he published the book Large Yachts of Newport Harbor before World War II. He was a regular contributor to the Daily Pilot newspaper, writing for the column, “On the Water.” Blaich died in 2003.

Scope and Content of Collection

The John A. Blaich papers consist of photographs, slides, notes, newspaper clippings, copies of published materials, logs and correspondence generally relating to sailing in Newport Harbor, CA. The papers include files compiled by Blaich while preparing his "On the Water," column for the Newport Beach Daily Pilot, and his book Large Yachts of Newport Harbor before World War II. Other files include information about the merchant ship Stranger on which Blaich served during a cruise in 1936 and 1937 to collect animals for the San Diego Zoo and biographical material about Blaich.

Indexing Terms

Boats and boating – Sailboats

Boats and boating – Motorboats

Yacht racing – Ensenada Race

Yachting

Sailing

Sea Scouts

Blaich, John A.

Moe, Fred

Pfaendler, Henry

Reynolds, Carl

Ross, Fred

Shaw, Bob

Wallace, Raymond

San Diego Zoo

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum

Newport Beach (Calif.) – Harbor – History.

Orange County (Calif.) – History – 20th century – Sources.

I. Biographic Files 1931-1969

This series includes two files with biographical material on Blaich. The first is a nautical biography of Blaich compiled for his nomination for the Edward F. Kennedy Memorial Trophy. The second file includes correspondence and military service records about Blaich’s service on Geoanna, M. S. Stranger, and in the Navy and Navy Reserve.

Arranged alphabetically by file title

Box 1

Folder 1

Nautical Biography of John Blaich 2002

Folder 2

Navy Commission Discharge - M. S. Stranger - Geoanna 1931-1969

II. General Subject Files 1923-2002

This series includes files on a variety of nautical topics, chiefly vessels associated with Newport Harbor. Blaich compiled most of the files for his column “On the Water,” published in the Daily Pilot, a Newport Beach, CA newspaper. Files typically contain copies from publications, hand written notes, correspondence, photographs and newspaper clippings. Many of the files include a copy of the “On the Water” article.

Arranged alphabetically by file title

Box 1

General Subject Files (Cont.)

Folder 3

1948 Ensenada Race 1999-2002

Folder 4

Albatross Class - Sail 2001

Folder 5

Anchor 1994

Folder 6

Antique and Classic Boats - Bob Kocher 1938-2003

Folder 7

Atlantic - Sail - Schooner 2002

Folder 8

Bagatelle n.d.

Folder 9

Balboa Yacht Club - Governor's Cup Boats 2002

Folder 10

Balboa Branch Library - A Guide to the Nautical Collection - Balboa Public Library [2 copies] 1998

Folder 11

Battleship Missouri 1998

Folder 12

Bell Buoy 2002

Folder 13

Boat History of Newport and Balboa 1988

Folder 14

Brochure - Windjammer Barefoot Cruises [loose] 1998-2000

Folder 15

Buttercup 2000

Folder 16

Carina 2000

Folder 17

Catalina - Steam Ship 2001

Folder 18

Columbia - Sail 1998

Folder 19

Constellation - Sail - Schooner 2001

Folder 20

Correspondence - John A. Blaich & William Smith 1998

Folder 21

Don Anderson - Galapagos Aboard Summer Wind - 2000 February 2000

Folder 22

Dragoon - Yacht 1999

Folder 23

Early Balboa Pictures [including a brief history of the Blaich Family] 1973

Folder 24

Emerald - Sail n.d.

Folder 25

Endeavor - J Boat 2001

Folder 26

Fandango - Sail 2000

Folder 27

Freemont - Sailing Ship 1999

Folder 28

Frigates - U.S. Coast Guard Ships 2002

Folder 29

Galatea – Sail 2000

Folder 30

Glen Martin Flying Boat n.d.

Folder 31

Goodwill - Sail 1969-2000

Folder 32

H.M. Bark Endeavour 1999

Folder 33

Hale Navy Ship 1945-2002

Folder 34

Idle Hour - Power 1923

Folder 35

Irvine Terrace Streets 2000-2002

Folder 36

Jada - Sail 1940-2002

Folder 37

Jolly Tom - Power 1939-2002

Folder 38

Jubilo - Sail 1926

Box 2

General Subject Files (Cont.)

Folder 1

King Fisher - Fish Boat 1957-2003

Folder 2

Kirawan (Hoag) 2000-2001

Folder 3

L.S.T. Coos Bay 1976-2003

Folder 4

Large Schooners at Newport 1948

Folder 5

Liberty Ship Tankers 2001

Folder 6

Lipton, Thomas n.d.

Folder 7

List of Yachts 2001

Folder 8

Louise - Power 1920-1998

Folder 9

LSM - 140 2002

Folder 10

Mai Tai - Sail 1957

Folder 11

Malahine - Power n.d.

Folder 12

Martha - Sail 1907-2000

Folder 13

Mega-Yacht - Fraser Yachts 2002

Folder 14

Mindanao 1938-2002

Folder 15

Muriel Sailing Ship 1927-2002

Folder 16

Nalu - Sail n.d.

Folder 17

Nam Sang - Sail 1998-2000

Folder 18

Odyssey - Sail 1997-1999

Folder 19

P. T. Joe - Power 1991-2001

Folder 20

Paragon - Sail 1994-2002

Folder 21

Pilgrim - Sail 1936-1998

Folder 22

Pioneer - Sail 1960-1999

Folder 23

Puritan - Sail 1965-2001

Folder 24

Quest 2002

Folder 25

Ragtime - Sail 2000-2002

Folder 26

Rhodes 33 - Fleet 1998-2002

Folder 27

S.S. Michigan 1968-2002

Box 3

General Subject Files (Cont.)

Folder 1

Sailors Knots n.d.

Folder 2

Samona I - Power 2000

Folder 3

Samona II - Power 1997

Folder 4

Santana - Sail 1978-2001

Folder 5

Sartartia - Sail n.d.

Folder 6

Sea and Pacific Motor Boat [Newsboy cover] 1970

Folder 7

Sea Diamond n.d.

Folder 8

Sea Drift - Schooner 2002

Folder 9

Serena/Amarilla - Sail 1982-1998

Folder 10

Seyelyn II 2000

Folder 11

Ship Wrecks at Newport - "Muriel" 1993-1996

Folder 12

Siesta - Motor Yacht 2001

Folder 13

Snowbird Class - Sail 1928-2002

Folder 14

Steam Boats 1965

Folder 15

Stranger I - Power 1929-2000

Folder 16

Stranger II - Power 1933-2002

Folder 17

Stranger III - Power 1936-2000

Folder 18

Stranger IV - Power 1936

Folder 19

Swift - Sail 1950-2000

Folder 20

Topaz - Cutter 2002

Folder 21

Trip to Corona del Mar by Boat in 1924 n.d.

Folder 22

U.S.S. Zephyr 2001

Folder 23

Vagabundo - Sail 1936-2002

Folder 24

Vapor - Steam Boat 2002

Folder 25

Vida - Power 1939-2002

Folder 26

V-J Day 1945-2002

Folder 27

W.P. Snyder - Steam Boat 2000

Folder 28

Wetona/Quest - Sail 1928-2000

Folder 29

Wild Goose - Power/ Sparkle n.d.

Folder 30

William B. - Tug Boat n.d.

Folder 31

Zaca - Schooner 2001-2002

Folder 32

Zoe H/Volunteer - Sail 2001

III. Large Yachts of Newport Harbor before World War II Files 1924-2002

This series includes research materials and draft manuscripts for Blaich’s book Large Yachts of Newport Harbor before World War II , which was published by the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum in 2000. The series also includes materials on the promotion of the book as well as slides Blaich used in a presentation.

Arranged alphabetically by file title

Box 4

Folder 1

Background Materials 1942-2001

Folder 2

Book Signing n.d.

Folder 3

Correspondence - From Bob Kocher Re: "Yachts of Newport Harbor" 1935-2001

Folder 4

Early Drafts [Large Yachts of Newport Harbor] [1/2] 2000

Folder 5

Early Drafts [Large Yachts of Newport Harbor] [2/2] 2000

Folder 6

Large Yachts Homeported in Newport Before World War II [Front matter only] 2000

Folder 7

Large Yachts in Newport Before World War II (Manuscript) 2000

Folder 8

Mailing List for Book n.d.

Folder 9

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum - Book Committee - Names and Addresses n.d.

Folder 10

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum - Famous Yachts Collection 1999-2002

Folder 11

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum - Forms 1944-1946?

Folder 12

Yachts of Newport Harbor - Background Materials - Boat History 1924-2000

Folder 13

Yachts of Newport Harbor - Background Materials - Endeavour 1997-1999

Folder 14

Yachts of Newport Harbor - Background Materials - Fremont 1997

Folder 15

Yachts of Newport Harbor - Background Materials - General Information 1994-2001

Folder 16

Yachts of Newport Harbor - Background Materials - List of Boats 2000-2002

Folder 17

Yachts of Newport Harbor - Background Materials - M. S. Stranger - Names through the Years 1991

Box 5

Large Yachts of Newport Harbor (Cont.)

Folder 1

Yachts of Newport Harbor - Background Materials - Suspearo 1920

Folder 2

Yachts of Newport Harbor - Publication of the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum 2001-2002

Folder 3

Yachts of Newport Harbor - Publishing Information 2000

Folder 4

Yachts of Newport Harbor - Slides and Notes for Presentation 2001

Folder 5

Yachts of Yesteryear 2000

IV. M. S. Stranger Files 1922-1994

Series IV, M. S. Stranger files, 1922-1994, relates to the merchant ship Stranger, on which Blaich served as a crew member. The series includes log books, maps, photographs, licensing documents, and news clippings. The papers document the history of the ship, but chiefly focus on the period 1935 to 1937 when the ship was owned by Fred E. Lewis of Newport Beach, CA. In 1935, Lewis purchased M. S. Stranger and hired a crew of Sea Scouts – Blaich among them – for a five-month trip to collect animals for the San Diego Zoo. This trip last from October 1935 to January 1936, included stops in Panama, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Cocas Islands, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico. The records document this trip, as well as a trip to south Pacific islands, April-October, 1936, the Galapagos Islands, February-April, 1937 and Alaska, June-September, 1936. The series also includes materials relating to reunions of the crew of the M.S. Stranger.

Arranged alphabetically by file title

Box 5

Folder 6

50 Year Reunion Trips to Galapagos, South Pacific & Alaska - Crew Roster & Bios 1935-1986

Folder 7

Boy Scouts of America - Orange County Council n.d.

Folder 8

Correspondence - Pakistan Shipping Corporation 1991

Folder 9

Edenshaw 1938

Folder 10

Expeditions 1990-1991

Folder 11

H. M. Bark Endeavor 1999

Folder 12

History of Ship No. 50560 ( M. S. Stranger ) 1991

Folder 13

Log - Moe, Fred 1922-1937

Folder 14

Log - Pfaendler, Henry - M. S. Stranger 1936 Voyage 1936

Folder 15

Log - Reynolds, Carl - M. S. Stranger 1937 Voyage 1937

Folder 16

Log - Ross, Fred - Excerpts from Log M. S. Stranger 1937 Voyage 1937

Folder 17

Log - Shaw, Bob - The Last Trip of the M. S. Stranger 1990?

Folder 18

Log - Wallace, Raymond - M. S. Stranger 1934 Voyage 1934

Folder 19

M. S. Brooklyn Heights ex. M. S. Stranger 1991

Box 6

M. S. Stranger Files (Cont.)

Folder 1

M. S. Moana ex M. S. Stranger 1990

Folder 2

M. S. Stranger - Crew Flag n.d.

Folder 3

M. S. Stranger - Cruises 1936

Folder 4

M. S. Stranger - Dimensions and Approximate Plan n.d.

Folder 5

M. S. Stranger - Engineering 1991

Folder 6

M. S. Stranger - General 1934-1994

Folder 7

M. S. Stranger - Licensing Documents 1928-1991

Folder 8

M. S. Stranger - Pictures 1929-1999

Folder 9

M. S. Stranger - Reunion - 1986 1935-2001

Folder 10

M. S. Stranger - Voyages 1935-1937

Folder 11

M. S. Utowana - Licensing Certificate 1928

Folder 12

Newport Beach Nautical Museum 1998

Folder 13

Sea Scouts 1935-1988

Folder 14

Ships of Fred E. Lewis - M. S. Utowana, M. S. Stranger, M. S. Moana - News Clippings 1928-1990

Folder 15

Steam Yacht Stranger 1932-1999

Folder 16

Stranger, History of 1937-1991

Folder 17

Williams, Sgt. M. Woody - Stranger in Alaska 1937