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A guide to the John A. Tomlin photograph collection, 1914-1970
P91-082 (SAFR 24252)  
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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
  • Related Materials

  • Title: John A. Tomlin photograph collection
    Date: 1914-1970
    Identifier/Call Number: P91-082 (SAFR 24252)
    Creator: Tomlin, John A.
    Physical Description: 20 items.
    Repository: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
    Building E, Fort Mason
    San Francisco, CA 94123
    Abstract: The John A. Tomlin photograph collection, 1914-1970, (SAFR 24252, P91-082) is comprised mainly of photographs of various Grace Line and Johnson Line freighters as well as photographs of LIVERPOOL (built 1937; cruiser; Royal Navy) intercepting ASAMA MARU (built 1928; ocean liner) in 1940. The collection has been processed to the Item level and is open for use.
    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

    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], P91-082 (SAFR 24252), John A. Tomlin photograph collection, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

    Acquisition Information

    SAFR-00388
    The collection was donated by F. Kaye Tomlin in 1991. The collection apparently belonged to his father, John Alfred Tomlin.

    Historical or Biographical Note

    John A. Tomlin (1903-1991) was an employee of Grace Lines, Inc.

    Collection Scope and Content

    The John A. Tomlin photograph collection, 1914-1970, (SAFR 24252, P91-082) is comprised mainly of photographs of various Grace Line and Johnson Line freighters as well as photographs of LIVERPOOL (built 1937; cruiser; Royal Navy) intercepting ASAMA MARU (built 1928; ocean liner) in 1940. The collection has been processed to the Item level and is open for use.
    Contains photographs various steamship and motorships, most of which were operated by Grace Line and Johnson Line, 1914-1970. There are 20 unique photographic images in 20 physical forms (16 black-and-white photographic prints, 3 black-and-white photographic postcards, and 1 black-and-white letterpress halftone postcard).
    Includes photographs of the Grace Line vessels CACIQUE (built 1910; freighter), COASTAL ADVENTURER (built 1945; freighter), SANTA FE (built 1945; freighter), SANTA FLAVIA (built 1943; freighter), and SANTA LEONOR (built 1944; freighter), as wells as postcards of the Johnson Line vessels BRASILIA (built 1960; freighter), CANADA (built 1953; freighter), LIONS GATE (built 1950; freighter), and RIO DE JANEIRO (built 1957; freighter). Most locations are unknown, but some are identified as the Columbia River; Tacoma, Washington; and San Francisco, California.
    The collection also includes five photographs taken by John A. Tomlin from aboard ASAMA MARU (built 1928; ocean liner), four of which document an incident near Japan on January 21, 1940, when LIVERPOOL (built 1937; cruiser; Royal Navy) intercepted ASAMA MARU and removed a group of German passengers. Two photographs by Captain Karl Staus of Grace Lines show OMEGA (built 1887; bark, 4m) enroute to Chile and two photographs by Carlos A. Call show the wreck of PACIFIC ENTERPRISE (built 1927; freighter) near Point Arena in 1949 and the temporary stranding of LUMBERLADY (built 1919; freighter) near Fort Ross in 1951.

    Collection Arrangement

    No arrangement due to the small size of the collection.

    Related Materials

    Related manuscript collections: John A. Tomlin papers, 1940-1948. SFMNHP, (SAFR 19698, HDC 1197). Letter, event program, and report file documenting a selection of John A. Tomlin's activities and interests between 1940 and 1949.
    • This material is located at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Passenger ships
    Cargo ships
    Merchant ships
    Grace Line
    Johnson Line
    Japan
    San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)
    Pacific Coast (U.S.)
    Black-and-white prints (photographs)
    Gelatin silver prints
    Photographic postcards
    Picture postcards