A guide to the National Maritime Museum Association Records, 1954-1993
Processed by: Gentry, 02/25/02.
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
2015
A Guide to the National Maritime Museum Association Records
HDC1026
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, National Park Service
2015, National Park Service
Title: National Maritime Museum Association Records
Date: 1954-1993
Date (bulk): 1955-1977
Collection No. (Catalog No.): HDC1026 (SAFR 9756)
Creator:
National Maritime Museum Association
Physical Description:
6 linear ft.
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: The National Maritime Museum Association records, 1954-1993, (SAFR 09756, HDC 1026) is arranged into three series: Balclutha,
Logbooks and Miscellaneous documents. Items include the Bill of Sale for BALCLUTHA; "Ship's," "Watchmen's" and "Smooth" logs,
written by the Museum's crew of the BALCLUTHA, describing routine maintenance, weather, etc. (1955--1977); and brochures,
booklets, leaflets, invitations, programs regarding maritime history, San Francisco Maritime State Historic Park, and the
ships ALMA, THAYER, EPPLETON HALL, BALCLUTHA and S.S.PAMPANITO (1971--1993). The collection is available for research use
without restriction.
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], HDC1026 (SAFR 9756), National Maritime Museum Association Records, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Acquisition Information
SAFR-00274
SAFR-00430, SAFR-00615, SAFR-00738, SAFR-00778
This collection was transferred from Golden Gate National Recreation Area to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Historical or Biographical Note
The San Francisco Maritime Museum Association (SFMMA) was incorporated in January 1950, opening to the public in the Casino
Building at Aquatic Park on May 27, 1951. The SFMMA purchased the ship BALCLUTHA in 1954; it was restored and open to the
public in 1955. In 1957 the California State Park Commission created San Francisco Maritime State Historic Park, which eventually
included the ships THAYER, ALMA, WAPAMA, HERCULES and EUREKA, as well as the Hyde Street Pier and Haslett Warehouse. In 1977
the San Francisco Maritime State Historic Park became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), and in 1978
the holdings of the San Francisco Maritime Museum Association were transferred to the National Park Service, as part of the
GGNRA. The Association then changed its name to the National Maritime Museum Association (NMMA). In 1988, a separate park
was created as the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, with the National Maritime Museum Association as its cooperative
association.
In 2001, the Association changed its name to San Francisco Maritime National Park Association.
Collection Scope and Content
The National Maritime Museum Association records, 1954-1993, (SAFR 09756, HDC 1026) is arranged into three series: Balclutha,
Logbooks and Miscellaneous documents. Items include the Bill of Sale for BALCLUTHA; "Ship's," "Watchmen's" and "Smooth" logs,
written by the Museum's crew of the BALCLUTHA, describing routine maintenance, weather, etc. (1955--1977); and brochures,
booklets, leaflets, invitations, programs regarding maritime history, San Francisco Maritime State Historic Park, and the
ships ALMA, THAYER, EPPLETON HALL, BALCLUTHA and S.S.PAMPANITO (1971--1993). The collection is available for research use
without restriction.
Collection Arrangement
The arrangement of the collection is as follows:
- Series 1: Balclutha (ship, 3m) logbooks, 1955-1974
- Series 2: Smooth logbooks, 1972-1977
- Series 3. Miscellaneous documents, 1954(1972-1978)1993
Series 0001.
Balclutha (ship, 3m) logbooks,
1955-1974
Extent:
volume 77
Language(s):
In English.
Scope and Content Note
Balclutha (ship, 3m) logbooks include "Watch" and "Ship's" logbooks.
The "Watch" logbooks (1971-1974) are narrative and informal, with entries written by the crew of the Balclutha, detailing
weather conditions, maintenance performed, accidents, visitor behavior, and shift assignments. The "Ship's" logbooks (1955--1971)
have entries made by the Ship Manager, Office Manager or Assistant Office Manager and describe shift assignments (graveyard,
day, swing), maintenance performed, weather conditions, and visitor attendance.
Arrangement
Series 1: Balclutha (ship, 3m) logbooks ("Ship's Log"and "Watch"/"Watchmen's Log"), 1955--1974.
- Box 1: Volume 1 -
- Box 2: Volume 10 -19
- Box 3: Volume 20 - 30
- Box 4: Volume 31 - 42
- Box 5: Volume 43 - 67
- Box 6: Volume 54 - 66
- Box 7: Volume 68 - 77
- Arranged chronologically.
Series 0002.
Smooth logbooks,
1972-1977
Extent:
volume 20
Language(s):
In English.
Scope and Content Note
"Smooth" logbook entries (1972--1977) are made by the Ship Manager or Assistant Manager describe weather and maintenance performed.
Shift assignments are noted by crew members or the Assistant Manager. These logs chronologically overlap the "Watch" logbooks.
Arrangement
Series 2: ("Smooth Logbooks") 1972--1977.
- Box 7: Volume 1 -7
- Box 8: Volume 8 - 20
- Arranged chronologically.
Series 0003.
Miscellaneous documents,
1954-1993
(bulk 1972-1978)
Extent:
Folder 44
Language(s):
In English.
Scope and Content Note
Miscellaneous records (1954--1993) of the National Maritime Museum Association, Cooperating Association to the San Francisco
Maritime National Historical Park.
Collection includes documents removed from a safe deposit box belonging to the San Francisco Maritime Museum, such as the
Bill of Sale for Balclutha (ship, 3m), bank loan note receipts, legal correspondence, and various contracts and agreements
(1954--1962). Also includes two Eppleton Hall (tugboat, sidewheel) logbooks (1970 and 1975), booklets, brochures programs,
announcements, invitations, rigging information, fuel tank soundings (forms), and articles.
Arrangement
Arranged by accession number.
- 44 file units (including 2 logbooks/volumes).
- 4 drawings, SL-RR-LD Type Air-Cooled Engine
- Correspondence of William Burgess, Jr. regarding historic ships Alma (scow schooner), Eppleton Hall (tugboat, sidewheel) and
others in the Museum's collection.
