A guide to the Robert S. Benner photographs of boatswains' whistles, 1976-1995
Processed by: Amy Croft.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: 415-561-7030
Fax: 415-556-3540
SAFR_Historic_Documents@nps.gov
URL: http://www.nps.gov/safr
2012
A Guide to the Robert S. Benner photographs of boatswains' whistles
P76-082L
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, National Park Service
2012, National Park Service
Title: Robert S. Benner photographs of boatswains' whistles
Date: 1976-1995
Identifier/Call Number: P76-082L (SAFR 23340)
Photographer:
Benner, Robert S.
Physical Description:
718 items.
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: The Robert S. Benner photographs of boatswains' whistles, 1976-1995, (SAFR 23340, P76-082L) are comprised of 712 photographic
prints and 6 inventories of photographs of boatswains' whistles in the donor's personal collection. The collection has been
processed to the series level and is open for use without restrictions.
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
Robert S. Benner donated the photographs in this collection in 11 installments over the years 1976-1995. Many of these accruals
were cataloged and described as separate collections over the years. These accruals have been recataloged and incorporated
into this collection (SAFR 23340, P76-082) since the provenance for all of the accruals was the same. By forming one large
cohesive collection rather than many disparate ones, it more easily illustrates the breadth and scope of the whistles that
Benner collected and better represents his complete physical collection.
Each accrual has been placed into a series. The series are in chronological order of when we received each group of photographs.
Every photograph and inventory has been assigned an item number (from 1 to 718). These numbers reflect the physical number
of items in the collection, and are unrelated to Benner's inventory numbers (Benner's inventory numbers can be found in the
title field).
P77-024 (SAFR- 00001, GOGA-00789); P78-426 (SAFR- 00001, GOGA-00789, SAFR 19468); P82-077 (SAFR-00001, GOGA-00789, SAFR 18423);
P84-045 (SAFR-00001, GOGA-00789, SAFR 13876); P84-111 (SAFR-00001, GOGA-00789, SAFR 14321); P85-126 (SAFR-00001, GOGA-00913,
SAFR 17018); P88-081 (SAFR-00002, SAFR 1); P01-007 (SAFR-00110, SAFR 19632); SAFR-00784; SAFR-00939 have been incorporated
into the collection P76-082 (SAFR 23340).
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], P76-082L (SAFR 23340), Robert S. Benner photographs of boatswains' whistles, San Francisco Maritime National Historical
Park
Acquisition Information
SAFR-00001
GOGA-00789, GOGA-00913, SAFR-00002, SAFR-00110, SAFR-00784, SAFR-00939
Robert S. Benner donated photographs of his boatswains' whistle collection in 11 accessions from 1976-1995. The photographs
show the left views of the boatswains' whistles in his collection. He donated photographs of the right views to the Mariner's
Museum in Newport News, VA, and left and right views to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England.
Historical or Biographical Note
Biography: Robert S. Benner lived in Los Angeles with his wife Carol Joyce Benner, whom he married in 1947. They were married
for 63 years until her death on July 6, 2010. They had two children named Ray Benner and K.C. Boelsems. There is a boatswain
whistle in this collection that has the inscription: "LT. ROBERT S. BENNER USNR 440326 WORLD WAR II-KOREA". This is presumably
the donor's name and U.S. Naval Reserve number, but this could not be confirmed.
Definition of a boatswain and boatswain whistle: A boatswain is the officer of a merchant ship who controls the work of other
seamen and is in charge of the sails, rigging, anchors, cables and all work on deck of a sailing ship. Historically, a boatswain
would use a whistle to give orders throughout a ship, but they are now used mostly for ceremonial purposes. There are many
alternate spellings of boatswains' whistles (sometimes referred to as boatswains' calls or boatswains' pipes) which include:
bosun, bo's'n, and bos'n. The Art & Architecture Thesaurus definition of a boatswains' whistle: Metal whistles traditionally
used on ships by boatswain's mates to relay orders or to pipe senior naval officers aboard; they were grasped in the hand
when blown, the pitch rising or falling as the hand was opened or closed.
Collection Scope and Content
The Robert S. Benner photographs of boatswains' whistles, 1976-1995, (SAFR 23340, P76-082L) are comprised of 712 photographic
prints and 6 inventories of photographs of boatswains' whistles in the donor's personal collection. The collection has been
processed to the series level and is open for use without restrictions.
This collection contains black-and-white and color photographs of boatswains' whistles that Robert S. Benner collected from
1969-1995. Benner assigned each of his whistles a unique number in his inventory. The photographs in this collection show
the left side of each whistle, its inventory number and a ruler in the shot.
This collection also contains his inventories and they include information about the whistles such as when they were obtained
by Benner, the gun type, shackle, keel, buoy, type of metal, the country of manufacture, and the maker. Countries of manufacture
include the United States, Asia (Benner uses the word "Orient" sometimes), China, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Holland,
Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan. Dates (when known) that the whistles were manufactured range from 1772-1981. Some of the boatswain
whistle makers include AB; A.E.C.; AS; BA; BAC; Peter, Ann & William Bateman; BA; A. Cole; D&F; EJH/NH; Gemsco; G U; Gorham;
H&T; HC RC; Hudson; J Hudson & Co.; Nauticalia; R&B; Sammv; SR CB; TW; and Yapp & Woodward.
Collection Arrangement
This collection has been arranged into 11 series. Each series represents an accrual from the donor and the series are arranged
in the order that the accruals were received, starting with 1976 and ending with 1995. The photographs in each series are
in original order (numerical by Benner's inventory number).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Boatswains' whistles
United States. Navy. Boatswains
Black-and-white prints
Color prints (photographs)
Box 1, Box 4
Series 01.
Boatswains' whistle photographs, #6-113,
1976
Extent:
75 items (73 black-and-white photographic prints, 3 x 4.5 in.; Inventory of boatswains' whistles in Benner's collection (11
pages); Inventory of boatswains' whistles in the British Maritime Museum in the Spring of 1976 (1 page))
Scope and Content Note
Items 001-075.
Items 001-073: Photographs of whistles with inventory numbers: 6; 8; 9 (2 photographs); 10; 12; 14; 16; 17 (2 photographs);
18-20; 26-29; 32-34; 38; 40; 43; 46-48; 50; 52; 53; 55; 56; 58; 60-64; 66; 68; 69 (2 photographs); 70; 73; 74; 80-84; 88;
91-93; 95; 98-104; 106; 110; 111; 113; group of whistles 17, 43, 102 and 100; group of whistles with dragons on them: 88,
60, 50, 84; groups of whistles, including some outside on a table and a camera/mirror set up for photographing them. The photographs
of the whistles were taken by hanging the whistle in front of the mirror; both the front and back can be seen. There is a
ruler in the photograph next to the whistle.
Item 074: Inventory of boatswains' whistles in Benner's collection, #1-152 (11 pages)
Whistles #1-152 were obtained by Benner from 1969-1976. Countries of manufacture include the United States, England, Hong
Kong, Germany, and Asia (Benner uses the word "Orient"). Boatswain whistle makers include Peter, Ann & William Bateman; G
U; Gorham; H&T; JH & Co.; and Yapp & Woodward. Dates (when known) that the whistles were manufactured range from 1840-1971.
Item 075: Inventory of boatswains' whistles in the British Maritime Museum in the Spring of 1976 (1 page)
Donor sent materials on October 29, 1976.
This was the only accession originally cataloged as P76-082L.
Arrangement
Original order: numerical order, by Benner's inventory number.
Box 1, Box 4
Series 02.
Boatswains' whistle photographs, #1-152,
1977
Extent:
153 items (152 color prints, 3.5 x 5 in.; Inventory of boatswains' whistles in Benner's collection (14 pages))
Scope and Content Note
Items 076-228.
Items 076-227: Photographs of whistles with inventory numbers: 1-152. The left side of each whistle is in view. There is a
ruler in the photograph next to the whistle.
Item 228: Inventory of boatswains' whistles in Benner's collection, #1-160 (14 pages)
Whistles #1-160 were obtained by Benner from 1969- November 1977. Countries of manufacture include the United States, England,
Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, and Asia (Benner uses the word "Orient"). Boatswain whistle makers include Peter, Ann & William
Bateman; G U; Gorham; H&T; JH & Co.; and Yapp & Woodward. Dates (when known) that the whistles were manufactured range from
1772-1977.
Donor sent materials on December 2, 1977.
Old collection number: P77-024 (no catalog number).
Arrangement
Original order: numerical order, by Benner's inventory number.
Box 1, Box 4
Series 03.
Boatswains' whistle photographs, #153-193,
1978
Extent:
41 items (40 color prints, 3.5 x 5 in.; Inventory of boatswains' whistles in Benner's collection (4 pages))
Scope and Content Note
Items 229-269.
Items 229-268: Photographs of whistles with inventory numbers: 153-183; 185-193. The left side of each whistle is in view.
There is a ruler in the photograph next to the whistle.
Item 269: Inventory of boatswains' whistles in Benner's collection, #141-194 (4 pages)
Whistles #141-194 were obtained by Benner from 1977-July 1978. Countries of manufacture include the United States, England,
Germany, Japan, and Asia (Benner uses the word "Orient"). Boatswain whistle makers include BA; G U; H&T; J Hudson & Co.; R&B
and SR CB. Dates (when known) that the whistles were manufactured range from 1780-1977.
Donor sent materials on August 21, 1978.
Old collection and catalog numbers: P78-426 (SAFR 19468).
Arrangement
Original order: numerical order, by Benner's inventory number.
Box 1, Box 2, Box 4
Series 04.
Boatswains' whistle photographs, #194-289,
1982
Extent:
97 items (96 color prints, 3.5 x 5 in.; Inventory of boatswains' whistles in Benner's collection (15 pages))
Scope and Content Note
Items 270-366.
Items 270-365: Photographs of whistles with inventory numbers: 194-289. The left side of each whistle is in view. There is
a ruler in the photograph next to the whistle.
Item 366: Inventory of boatswains' whistles in Benner's collection, #1-250 (15 pages).
Whistles #1-250 were obtained by Benner from 1969-1980. Countries of manufacture include the United States, England, Denmark,
France, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Asia (Benner uses the word "Orient"). Boatswain whistle makers include AB;
AS; Peter, Ann & William Bateman; BA; A. Cole; Gemsco; G U; Gorham; H&T; Hudson; JH & Co.; Nauticalia; R&B; Sammv; SR CB;
and Yapp & Woodward. Dates (when known) that the whistles were manufactured range from 1772-1979.
Donor sent materials on August 16, 1982.
Old collection and catalog number: P82-077 (SAFR 18423).
Arrangement
Original order: numerical order, by Benner's inventory number.
Box 2
Series 05.
Boatswains' whistle photographs, #79, 290-364,
1984
Extent:
77 items (77 color prints, 3 x 5 in.)
Scope and Content Note
Items 367-443.
Item 367: Photographs of whistle with inventory number: 79. Whistle is engraved with "RSB" on the keel. These initials possibly
stand for Robert S. Benner?
Items 368-442: Photographs of whistles with inventory numbers: 290-364. The left side of each whistle is in view. There is
a ruler in the photograph next to the whistle.
Item 443: One photograph of an unidentified whistle, possibly held in a museum (annotation on the back of the print is smudged).
This whistle does not have a Benner inventory number.
Donor sent materials on April 20, 1984.
Old collection and catalog number: P84-045 (SAFR 13876).
Arrangement
Original order: numerical order, by Benner's inventory number. Unidentified whistle at the end of the numerical run.
Box 2, Box 4
Series 06.
Boatswains' whistle photographs, #365-391,
1984
Extent:
28 items (27 color prints, 3.5 x 5.25 in.; Inventory of boatswains' whistles in Benner's collection (2 pages))
Scope and Content Note
Items 444-471.
Items 444-470: Photographs of whistles with inventory numbers: 365-391. The left side of each whistle is in view. There is
a ruler in the photograph next to the whistle.
Item 471: Inventory of boatswains' whistles in Benner's collection, #361-394 (2 pages).
Whistles #361-394 were obtained by Benner in 1984. Countries of manufacture include the United States, England, and Asia (Benner
uses the word "Orient"). Boatswain whistle makers include A.E.C.; D&F; G U; H&T; HC RC; JH & Co.; and Yapp & Woodward. Dates
(when known) that the whistles were manufactured range from 1802-1930.
Donor sent materials on August 28, 1984.
Old collection and catalog number: P84-111 (SAFR 14321).
Arrangement
Original order: numerical order, by Benner's inventory number.
Box 2, Box 4
Series 07.
Boatswains' whistle photographs, #392-419,
1985
Extent:
29 items (28 color prints, 3.5 x 5 in.; Inventory of boatswains' whistles in Benner's collection (3 pages))
Scope and Content Note
Items 472-500.
Items 472-499: Photographs of whistles with inventory numbers: 392-419. The left side of each whistle is in view. There is
a ruler in the photograph next to the whistle.
Item 500: Inventory of boatswains' whistles in Benner's collection, #379-422 (3 pages).
Whistles #379-422 were obtained by Benner from May 1984- April 1985. Countries of manufacture include the United States, China,
England, France and Germany. Boatswain whistle makers include BAC; D&F; EJH/NH; G U; H&T; HC RC; JH & Co.; TW; and Yapp &
Woodward. Dates (when known) that the whistles were manufactured range from 1802-1981.
Donor sent materials on August 30, 1985.
Old collection and catalog number: P85-126 (SAFR 17018).
Arrangement
Original order: numerical order, by Benner's inventory number.
Box 2
Series 08.
Boatswains' whistle photographs, #391, 416-500,
1988
Extent:
86 items (86 color prints, 3.5 x 5 in.)
Scope and Content Note
Items 501-586.
Item 501: Photograph of whistle with inventory number: 391. The left side of the whistle is in view. There is a ruler in the
photograph next to the whistle.
Items 502-586: Photographs of whistles with inventory numbers: 416-500. The left side of each whistle is in view. There is
a ruler in the photograph next to the whistle.
In the collection file for this accession, there is a typed list from the donor titled "Features that do not show in the pictures"
and it contains the following information:
- 500: Stamped on keel: Bowdich 4
- 498: Stamped on buoy with anchor and crown. All other examples of this design, anchor only.
- 495: Stamped on keel: Tiffany Studios, Broadway, N.Y. Note: This German design shows up with various designs of stamping,
many of questionable background.
- 494: As 495: Carnarvon.
- 491: Round USN style but no other construction on hand. Wiggle work on keel. Dealer indicated that it was European. ???
- 489: Round USN style: Made of MONEL. Only one in collection. I have also seen a miniature so made. Mark: Y.T.K.
- 488: Keel engraved-left: H. Oddy '23. -right: Tampa Sterling Oscipee
- 481: Keel stamped -right: Man smoking a pipe in a letter "C"
- 472: Hand made over size German style call some 14 inches long (363 mm). Made by Willy Disselhoff as a gift to me. He also
has a collection of calls. Saw service in WWII on German Battleship Adm. Sheer.
- 445: As 495 keel stamped -right: Lvd C Co/80 "BUND"
- 444: As 495 keel stamped -right: Lvd C Co/79 "BUND"
- 443: As 495 keel stamped -right: Lvd C Co/78 "BUND"
- 442: Keel scratched -right: I.L. WILL B.M. -left: WENTWORTH
- 437: Keel marked -right: E. WILLEY -left: Made into a pin by applying a pin and catch.
- 428: Unusual keel stamping.
- 424: Note deep notch in back of keel.
Donor sent materials on September 2, 1988.
Old collection and catalog number: P88-081 (SAFR 1).
Arrangement
Original order: numerical order, by Benner's inventory number.
Box 3
Series 09.
Boatswains' whistle photographs, #501-533,
1989
Extent:
37 items (37 color prints, 3.5 x 5 in.)
Scope and Content Note
Items 587-623.
Items 587-588: 2 photographs of whistle with inventory number: 501. The left side of the whistle is in view. There is a ruler
in the photograph next to the whistle. One photograph is a closer shot than the other.
Items 589-592: 4 photographs of whistle with inventory number: 502. The left side of each whistle is in view and there are
some close-up detail shots of the whistle. There is a ruler in the photograph next to the whistle.
Items 593-623: Photographs of whistles with inventory numbers: 503-533. The left side of each whistle is in view. There is
a ruler in the photograph next to the whistle.
In the collection file for this accession, there is a typed list from the donor titled that contains the following information:
- #501: Modern Russian. Nickel plated. Weight 1.7 oz. troy. Chain has button hook included. See National Geographic Magazine
for May 1989. Obtained in Leningrad. Long story goes with this call and the Naval Maritime Museum there.
- #502: U.S. coin silver (.900). First coin call in my collection. Detail photos of marks included.
- #503: MFG. N J&D? English. Good duality plated call. Silver plate.
- #504: Indonesia Call. Traded for on training sail ship, KRI DEWARUCI, in San Diego, CA, USA.
- #521: LARGEST CALL---- Weight 2.8 oz. troy, silver chain 4.5 oz. troy or 6.13 oz. troy total. It is spectacular. After 20
years of collecting and 520 other calls something like this turns up. No marks but is most likely French. 212 mm long.
- #522: This is a standard U.S. Navy silver call. It has had a lot of use, but what makes it interesting is the fact that it
has *nine* different names scratched on it. Name calls are not common, then only with one name.
- #523: Swedish call. German design. Note three crowns. Traded for on Swedish sail training in San Diego, CA, USA.
- #530: Plastic.
- #531: Plastic.
The large picture is a call that came up in an auction at Christies in New York this past spring. Joseph Steward II London
1762. It sold for #3500.00 plus 10%. I bid this amount by mail but they gave it to a floor bidder. At least I got a couple
of 8 x 10 photos of it. Is this the same as the one you have or a year later? My picture of yours does not show the hall marks.
This was a very nice example.
Donor sent materials on September 15, 1989.
Old collection and catalog number: P01-007 (SAFR 19632).
Arrangement
Original order: numerical order, by Benner's inventory number.
Box 3
Series 10.
Boatswains' whistle photographs, #534-567 and Boatswains' whistles being used,
1991
Extent:
40 items (40 color prints, 3.5 x 5 in.)
Scope and Content Note
Items 624-663.
Items 624-660: Photographs of whistles with inventory numbers: 534-536; 537 (4 photographs); 538-567. The left side of each
whistle is in view. There is a ruler in the photograph next to the whistle.
Items 661-663: 3 photographs of U.S. Navy Boatswains using whistles, circa 1980-1991.
Donor sent materials on September 20, 1991.
No old collection number or catalog number; this accrual was not processed before integrated into this collection.
Arrangement
Original order: numerical order, by Benner's inventory number.
Box 3
Series 11.
Boatswains' whistle photographs, #568-622,
1995
Extent:
55 items (55 color prints, 3.5 x 5 in.)
Scope and Content Note
Items 664-718.
Items 664-718: Photographs of whistles with inventory numbers: 568-622. The left side of each whistle is in view. There is
a ruler in the photograph next to the whistle.
Donor sent materials on September 20, 1991.
No old collection number or catalog number; this accrual was not processed before integrated into this collection.
Arrangement
Original order: numerical order, by Benner's inventory number.
