Thickens (Dudley) World Ship Society papers, 1942-1985

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Summary

Title:
Dudley Thickens' World Ship Society papers
Dates:
1942-1985
Creators:
Thickens, Dudley, 1913-1993
Abstract:
The Dudley Thickens' World Ship Society papers (SAFR 2381, HDC 1658) consist of the files related to Mr. Thickens tenure as the West Coast representative of the World Ship Society from approximately 1963 through 1985.
Extent:
5 folders
Language:
In English.
Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], HDC1658 (SAFR 23814), Dudley Thickens' World Ship Society papers, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Background

Scope and content:

The Dudley Thickens' World Ship Society papers (SAFR 2381, HDC 1658) consist of the files related to Mr. Thickens tenure as the West Coast representative of the World Ship Society from approximately 1963 through 1985.

The papers are divided into 5 file folders as follows: (1) Correspondence with members and others; (2) Brochures, flyers and advertising material for the WSS; (3) Newsletters published by the WSS; (4) Research and lecture notes taken by Mr. Thickens on the topics of Maritime history; and (5) News-clippings of a Maritime nature with a 1957 press release authored by Mr. Thickens.

Biographical / historical:

Dudley Thickens was the West Coast representative of the World Ship Society from the mid 1960's through 1985.

Dudley Thickens (1913 - 1993) was fascinated by railroads in his youth, particularly the Sacramento Northern Railway, which ran near his home in Saranap, California. He began photographing railroads in 1932, and in 1935 he went to work for the Sacramento Northern Railroad taking the opportunity to travel and document the Sacramento Northern operations. In 1940 he transferred to the Western Pacific Railroad Company where he worked in the Freight Traffic Department until his retirement. He was also a fan of maritime shipping, and as such joined the World Ship Society in the mid-1960's, quickly becoming the West Coast representative of the volunteer research organization. A post he held through 1985. As the West Coast representative, Mr. Thickens was in charge of collecting membership dues, recruiting new members, and writing articles for the Marine News, a monthly publication of the Society.

The World Ship Society (WSS) is an international organization devoted to maritime and naval history. Founded in 1946 to distribute shipping information to correspondents, the society now has thousands of members in dozens of branches across the world. It publishes a newsletter, the Intercom, a monthly magazine, Marine News and a quarterly magazine, Warships. The WSS has grown to 50 branches throughout the world, all of which actively promote historical research. Staffed by volunteers, the society maintains a central record database and photo libraries, as well as a publication library in Chatham, Kent, England. The WSS has also published many well-regarded books by its members, and maintains a wealth of research material which has given the society a reputation for scholarly excellence throughout the maritime historical community.

Acquisition information:

SAFR-02227

Field collection.

Processing information:

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.

Arrangement:

5 folders containing correspondence, brochures, newsletters, research notes and news clippings.

Physical location:
San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard .

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by: Historic Documents Department Staff (Brogden).
Date Prepared:
2012
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from ICMS database and converted into xml from a template revised and updated by San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department. 9/25/2012 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], HDC1658 (SAFR 23814), Dudley Thickens' World Ship Society papers, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Location of this collection:
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123, US
Contact:
415-561-7030
Website