Finding Aid to the Frank Silva Oakland and Alameda Waterfront Photograph Collection
Finding aid prepared by Wendy Welker.
Labor Archives and Research Center
2022
San Francisco State University
J. Paul Leonard Library, Room 460
1630 Holloway Ave
San Francisco 94132-1722
Business Number: (415) 405-5571
larc@sfsu.edu
Title: Frank Silva Oakland and Alameda waterfront photograph collection
Date (inclusive): 1978-1986
Creator:
Silva, Frank
Extent:
51 Photographic Prints
(b&w;
48 prints, 8 x 10 in.; 2 prints, 24 x 30 in.; 1 print, 4 x 6 in.)
Collection number: larc.pho.0080
Accession number: 2018/004
Repository:
Labor Archives and Research Center
J. Paul Leonard Library, Room 460
San Francisco State University
1630 Holloway Ave
San Francisco, CA 94132-1722
(415) 405-5571
larc@sfsu.edu
Abstract: This collection contains photographs of longshoremen at work and Oakland and Alameda waterfront environs from 1978 to 1986
taken by longshorman and photographer, Frank Silva. Silva's images document a significant period of change from break cargo
handling to mechanized containerization and the advent of globalization. Silva's subjects are the men he worked alongside
and the machinery and equipment used on the docks.
Physical Location: Collection available on site.
Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English.
Collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Frank Silva, 2018 (2018.004).
Arranged chronologically.
Frank Silva was born in Oakland, California, and began working on the Oakland waterfront in 1965 after serving in the US Navy.
While working on the docks in the 1970s and 1980s, Silva was part of the Waterfront Writers and Artists, a group of International
Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) members who held poetry readings and art shows celebrating dock work and the union experience.
Silva photographed the Oakland and Alameda waterfronts from 1978 through 1988 and some of his photos were printed in
The Waterfront Writers, published by Harper and Row in 1979.
[Identification of item], Frank Silva Oakland and Alameda Waterfront Photograph Collection, larc.pho.0080, Labor Archives
and Research Center, San Francisco State University.
This collection contains photographs of longshoremen at work and Oakland and Alameda waterfront environs from 1978 to 1986
taken by longshorman and photographer, Frank Silva. Silva's images document a significant period of change from break cargo
handling to mechanized containerization and the advent of globalization. Silva's subjects are the men he worked alongside
and the machinery and equipment used on the docks. Shipping companies shown include Maersk Line, Matson Line, Johnson Line,
and Blue Star Line. Locations include Encinal Terminals; Howard Terminal; Marine Terminal; Kaiser Yard; Matson Terminal,
and Piers 5, 6, and 7. The collection contains two 24 x 30 inch prints which are duplicates of two 8 x 10 inch prints ("Linesman"
and "RoRo Lasher").
Copyright has not been assigned to the Labor Archives and Research Center. Photographs are for research purposes only.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Stevedores -- California -- Oakland.
Stevedores -- California -- Alameda.
Shipping -- California -- Oakland.
Shipping -- California -- Alameda.
Container ships -- California -- Oakland.
Container ships -- California -- Alameda.
Waterfronts -- California -- Oakland.
Waterfronts -- California -- Alameda.
Photographs.