A guide to the George M. Verge photograph collection, 1907-1959

Processed by: L. Bianchi, September 2016.

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

2016

A Guide to the George M. Verge photograph collection

P78-314

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, National Park Service

2016, National Park Service

Title: George M. Verge photograph collection

Date: 1907-1959

Date (bulk): 1907-1921,

Date (bulk): 1940-1945

Identifier/Call Number: P78-314 (SAFR 24836)

Creator: Brummett, Jim

Verge, George M.

Richards, Turner

Aero-Marine Photos

Eyerman, J. R

Physical Description: 273 items.

Repository: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department

Building E, Fort Mason

San Francisco, CA 94123

Abstract: The George M. Verge photograph collection, 1907-1959, bulk 1907-1921 and 1940-1945, (SAFR 24836, P78-314) is comprised of photographs of U.S. Revenue Cutter Service sailors at sea and ashore on the Pacific Coast as well as photographs of shipbuilding activities during World War II at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard in Tacoma, Washington. The collection has been processed to the File Unit 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], P78-314 (SAFR 24836), George M. Verge photograph collection, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Acquisition Information

SAFR-00001

GOGA-00789

Gift from Larry R. Schultz of Owen Mortgage Company.

SAFR-00001 is a blanket accession that was transferred from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in September 1988. GGNRA had previously acquired the collection from the San Francisco Maritime Museum when it became a unit of the National Park Service in 1977.

GOGA-00789 was transferred from the J. Porter Shaw Library to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) in February 1985.

Historical or Biographical Note

George M. Verge (1892-1971) (also known as "P. K. Kelly" or "Kelly") served on US Army Transport and Revenue Service ships and worked in ship yards during and after the first and second world wars.

Born on June 28, 1892, in Great Falls, Montana, he left as a teenager for Seattle, Washington. He served aboard United States government vessels, including BURNSIDE (built 1882; transport: U.S. Army) and MANNING (built 1898; cutter: U.S. Revenue Service) where he spent time sailing in Alaska. During World War I he was employed at Skinner & Eddy Corporation shipyard in Seattle as a plate hanger. He also worked as a merchant sailor, longshoreman, and rum runner. Around 1940, he became Rigging Superintendent at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation (later known as Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Tacoma Division) in Tacoma, Washington. He became General Superintendent of the 2nd Shift (night operations) in 1942, and in 1944 he was promoted to General Superintendent of Steel Construction. Sometime after World War II he worked as a construction superintendent at Everett Pacific Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company before he was offered a position at the Todd Shipyards facility at Alameda, California, where he stayed until his retirement in January 1959.

George married Lulu Delia Lanning (1897-1985) in 1936. He died in Alameda, California, on October 11, 1971.

Source: Correspondence and clippings located in the George M. Verge scrapbook (SAFR 24149, HDC 1687) and correspondence from William S. Croft located in the collection file for the George M. Verge photograph collection (P78-314, SAFR 24836).

Collection Scope and Content

The George M. Verge photograph collection, 1907-1959, bulk 1907-1921 and 1940-1945, (SAFR 24836, P78-314) is comprised of photographs of U.S. Revenue Cutter Service sailors at sea and ashore on the Pacific Coast as well as photographs of shipbuilding activities during World War II at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard in Tacoma, Washington. The collection has been processed to the File Unit level and is open for use.

Contains photographs during George M. Verge's employment in the United States Revenue Cutter Service and as a superintendent at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard in Tacoma, Washington, 1907-1959, bulk 1907-1921, 1940-1945.

Consists of 1 photograph album complied by George M. Verge containing photographic prints and postcards primarily from his sailing career aboard vessels such as BURNSIDE (built 1882; transport: U.S. Army) and MANNING (built 1898; cutter: U.S. Revenue Service). Includes photographs of crew members on board vessels and on shore leave, ship mascots, training camps, Alaska scenes where Verge travelled, and other U.S. government and merchant vessels. Later photographs continue after his employment Revenue Cutter Service, likely during his time as a longshoreman, primarily showing him at leisure with his friends.

The collection also consists of photographs of shipbuilding activities and employees at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard (later referred to as Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation) in Tacoma, Washington, where Verge was an employee during World War II. Includes photographs of vessels, primarily cargo ships, on the shipbuilding ways and at the outfitting piers as well as photographs of rigging operations during construction.

Additional photographs show Liberty ship hulls under construction and outfitting at the California Shipbuilding Corporation (Calship) shipyard at Terminal Island, California.

Collection Arrangement

Arranged into 2 Series by time period: Series 1. U.S. Revenue Cutter Service photographs; Series 2. World War II shipbuilding photographs.

Related Materials

George M. Verge scrapbook, 1937-1959, bulk 1942-1945. SFMNHP, (SAFR 24149, HDC 1687). Consists of 1 scrapbook of newspaper clippings about shipbuilding at Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation in Tacoma, WA and other facilities in Washington State.

This material is located at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Cargo ships

Government vessels--United States

Shipbuilding

Shipyards

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation

Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation

United States. Revenue-Cutter Service

Tacoma (Wash.)

Seattle (Wash.)

Alaska

Black-and-white prints (photographs)

Gelatin silver prints

Photograph albums

Photographic postcards

Black-and-white negatives

Box 1, 3-4

Series 1. U.S. Revenue Cutter Service photographs, circa 1907-1921

Extent: 5 EA (1 photograph album with 365 photographs; 2 photographs in 4 physical forms: 2 black-and-white photographic prints, 1 black-and-white copy print, and 1 black-and-white copy negative)

Scope and Content Note

Consists of photographs taken during and following George M. Verge's employment in the United States Revenue Cutter Service.

Arrangement

Arranged into two File Units by format: File Unit 1. Photograph album; File Unit 2. Loose photographs.

Box 1 in Classified collection storage

File Unit 1. Photograph album, circa 1907-1921

Creator/Collector: Verge, George M.

Extent: 1 photograph album.

Physical Description: 1 photograph album, 10.5 x 13 in.

Scope and Content Note

Consists of a photograph album containing 100 pages with 365 black-and-white photographic prints and postcards compiled by George M. Verge, aka P. K. Kelly. A majority of the photographs are from Verge's time serving aboard United States government vessels. Includes portraits of crews members (some include Verge, while other might be crews his friends served with) from BURNSIDE (built 1882; transport: U.S. Army), MANNING (built 1898; cutter: U.S. Revenue Service), TAHOMA (built 1908; cutter: U.S. Revenue Service). Additional photographs show Verge and his shipmates aboard vessels, at training camp, and on shore leave (in their uniforms, costumes, and regular clothing). There are several photographs of Alaska scenes where Verge's vessels traveled. Some people are identified by their first name or by their nickname.

Vessels pictured include MANNING (built 1898; cutter: U.S. Revenue Service), MCCULLOCH (built 1897; cutter: U.S. Revenue Service), THETIS (built 1881; cutter: U.S. Revenue Service), UNALGA (cutter: U.S. Revenue Service), PERRY (built 1884; cutter: U.S. Revenue Service) wrecked, ARMERIA (built 1890; lighthouse tender) wrecked, and other vessels. Animal mascot photographs include a dog aboard MANNING; a bear aboard MANNING; and a cat with two dogs aboard TAHOMA. Other animal photographs include of a group of sailors with a goat (vessel not identified), seals, and eagle chicks.

Some of the photographs were taken after Verge's time in the Revenue Cutter Service. A photograph on page 67 identifies him with three other longshoremen outside the Local 38-12 Longshoreman's Union building, likely in Seattle, Washington.

There are several photographs of Verge's friends and family in Montana, including Lulu Lanning who later married Verge. There are also postcard scenes of San Francisco, California, and Great Falls, Montana.

Some of the photographs and postcards have handwriting on the verso.

Note: This photograph album had previously been assigned Classified Photograph Collection number scr63.

Box 3-4

File Unit 2. Loose photographs, circa 1910-1915

Extent: 2 photographs (4 physical forms).

Physical Description: 2 black-and-white photographic prints, 5 x 7 in., on 8 x 10 in. board; 1 black-and-white copy negative, 4 x 5 in.; 1 black-and-white copy print, 5 x 6.75 in.

Scope and Content Note

Consists of two photographic prints taken during George M. Verge's career sailing aboard United States government vessels. The photos show an unidentified vessel docked at an unidentified location for coaling with a group of crew members on board. In one photo (inscribed on the verso "This part of crew after coaling ship."), most of the men are on deck and some of the men are part way up the shrouds. In the other photograph (inscribed on the verso "Same bunch only there [sic] aloft."), most of the men are aloft the mast (seated on the yards) and a few men are on deck. An "X" was inked on both photographs next to Verge.

Box 2-5

Series 2. World War II shipbuilding photographs, 1940-1959 (bulk 1940-1945)

Extent: 264 photographs (269 physical forms: black-and-white photographic prints)

Scope and Content Note

Consists of photographs taken during George M. Verge's employment as a Rigging Superintendent, General Superintendent of the 2nd Shift, and General Superintendent of Steel Construction at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard in Tacoma, Washington, during World War II.

Arrangement

Arranged into three File Units by subject: File Unit 1. Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation shipbuilding activities; File Unit 2. Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation employees; File Unit 3. California Shipbuilding Corporation and other shipyards.

Box 3-4; Shared 11 x 14 in. collections box

File Unit 1. Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation shipbuilding activities, 1940-1945

Creator/Collector: Eyerman, J. R

Extent: 103 photographs (107 physical forms).

Physical Description: 75 black-and-white photographic prints, 8 x 10 in.; 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7 x 9 in.; 1 black-and-white letterpress halftone print, 8.25 x 10 in.; 5 black-and-white photographic prints, 3 x 4.25 in.; 1 black-and-white photographic print, 5 x 7 in.; 14 black-and-white photographic prints, 2.5 x 3.5 in.; 8 black-and-white photographic print, 3.5 x 6 in.; 2 black-and-white photographic prints, 11 x 14 in.

Scope and Content Note

Items 001-101. Consists of photographs of shipbuilding activities at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard (also referred to as Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation) in Tacoma, Washington. Includes photographs of rigging operations to move large preassembled vessel sections, masts, and equipment; vessels under construction on the ways and at the outfitting pier; and vessels built by the shipyard underway. Identified vessels are BLOCK ISLAND (built 1944; escort carrier: U.S. Navy), BOGUE (cargo ship) under tow of CARL FOSS (tugboat), CAPE ALAVA (built 1940; cargo ship), CAPE DOUGLAS (cargo ship), CAPE FAIRWEATHER (built 1941; cargo ship), CAPE FLATTERY (built 1940; cargo ship), COMMENCEMENT BAY (built 1944; escort carrier: U.S. Navy), CORE (built 1942; cargo ship), FREDERICK FUNSTON (built 1941; transport: U.S. Army), IDAHO (cargo ship), JAMES O'HARA (built 1941; transport), MARIGOLD (built 1920; hospital ship: U.S. Army), and OREGON (cargo ship).

Box 2-5; Shared 11 x 14 in. collections box

File Unit 2. Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation employees, 1940-1951

Creator/Collector: Brummett, Jim

Extent: 46 photographs.

Physical Description: 32 black-and-white photographic prints, 8 x 10 in.; 1 identification photo inside a metal badge, 2 x 1.5 in.; 1 black-and-white photographic print, 5 x 7.25 in., with 1 envelope containing correspondence; 9 black-and-white photographic prints, 5 x 7 in. and smaller; 1 black-and-white letterpress halftone print, 8.5 x 1 in.; 1 black-and-white photographic print, 11 x 14 in.; 1 black-and-white photographic print, 5 x 7 in., inside an 8.25 x 11.25 in. presentation folder.

Scope and Content Note

Items 102-149. Consists primarily of photographs of employees at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard (also referred to as Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation) in Tacoma, Washington. Most of the images are posed group photographs. Includes photographs of members of the rigging crew; the launching crews at the launchings of CAPE FLATTERY (built 1940; cargo ship) and FREDERICK FUNSTON (built 1941; cargo ship); first aid class activities; dinner events; an unidentified ceremony during the construction of ENIWETOK (escort carrier: U.S. Navy); and other unspecified events where group photographs were taken. George M. Verge appears in some of the photographs. See Item 104 for Verge's Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation identification badge, circa 1940-1945.

Note that some of the photographs of shipbuilding activities in Series 2, File Unit 1, include employees at work.

Box 5

File Unit 3. California Shipbuilding Corporation and other shipyards, 1940-1959

Extent: 115 photographs.

Physical Description: 102 black-and-white photographic prints, 5 x 7.75 in.; 13 black-and-white photographic prints, 8 x 10 in.

Scope and Content Note

Items 150-264. Consists primarily of photographs of Liberty ship hulls under construction and outfitting at the California Shipbuilding Corporation (Calship) shipyard at Terminal Island, California, January 2-February 6, 1942: ABRAHAM CLARK (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), ABIEL FOSTER (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), ALBERT GALLATIN (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (built 1941; cargo ship: Liberty ship), BENJAMIN GOODHUE (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), CALEB STRONG (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), DANIEL BOONE (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), ELBRIDGE GERRY (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), HENRY KNOX (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), JAMES MONROE (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), JOHN C. FREMONT (built 1941; cargo ship: Liberty ship), JOHN LANGDON (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), JOHN PAUL JONES (built 1941; cargo ship: Liberty ship), NATHAN HALE (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), OLIVER HAZARD PERRY (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), PAINE WINGATE (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), PAUL REVERE (built 1941; cargo ship: Liberty ship), ROBERT MORRIS (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), RUFUS KING (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), SAMUEL ADAMS (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), THOMAS PAINE (built 1941; cargo ship: Liberty ship), WILLIAM FLOYD (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship), and ZEBULON PIKE (built 1942; cargo ship: Liberty ship).

The File Unit also includes photographs of AMERICAN MAIL (cargo ship), SEA SCORPION (built 1945; cargo ship), former PATUXENT (built 1942; oiler: U.S. Navy), and the Swedish motorship SEATTLE undergoing repairs at the Everett Pacific Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company shipyard, Everett, Washington in 1947.

Additional photographs include AGNES FOSS (built 1904; tugboat) underway in an unidentified location, floating power plant Hull C under construction at Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard in Pennsylvania, and HANLEY (cargo ship) undergoing repairs at Todd's Erie Basin in New York.