Edwin B. Hoffman collection, 1901-1921, bulk 1915-1921

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Summary

Creators:
Hoffman, Edwin, 1875-1964
Abstract:
The Edwin B. Hoffman collection consists material related to his service in the United States Revenue Cutter Service, United States Lighthouse Service, United States Shipping Board, and his time as Master of the steamer "Eastern Leader."
Extent:
186 items in 1 box (0.42 linear feet)
Language:
The material is in English .

Background

Scope and content:

The Edwin B. Hoffman collection mostly consists of professional correspondence and records related to Hoffman’s career at sea, from 1901-1921. The first series includes accounts, forms, correspondence, financial records, legal documents, photographs, and printed ephemera pertaining to his time at the United States Lighthouse Service and United States Shipping Board. Letters and telegrams detail the loss of P.J. Abler (schooner) in 1915 and the collision of Dorr (schooner) and Oklahoma (schooner) in 1916. Included is a certificate indicating Hoffman was pilot on the first torpedo flotilla aboard the United States Ship Whipple. Most of the correspondence in this series is addressed to Hoffman. The second series includes accounts, certificates, correspondence, documents, logs, manifests, and reports concerning his service as Master of Eastern Leader (steamboat) in 1921. Letters and reports detail an accident to the rudder on 1921 May 26, while undocking in Limerick, Ireland for New York. Most of the letters are typed copies retained by Hoffman addressed to colleagues and family.

Arranged in the following series:

  • Series 1: United States Lighthouse Service and United States Shipping Board, 1901-1921
  • Series 2: United States Shipping Board, Master of Eastern Leader, 1921
Biographical / historical:

Edwin Bertolet Hoffman was an American seaman and master mariner. Hoffman was born in Reading, Pennsylvania to Henry Greisemer and Emma (Ehst) Hoffman in 1875. In 1893, Edwin attended the Pennsylvania Nautical School aboard the United States Ship Saratoga. Two years later, he served on the United States Ship Bear, while working for the United States Revenue Cutter service, from 1895-1896. He was stationed on the Umatilla Reef Light Vessel Number 67 during his time with United States Lighthouse Service, from 1909-1910. His career with the United States Shipping Board spans from 1918-1921, where he served on the following ships: West Eagle, Puget Sound, Elkton, Havilah, and Eastern Leader. Hoffman passed away in December 1964.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Back of Beyond Books, July 2019.
Rules or conventions:
Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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