A guide to the Captain Robert Johnson photograph collection, 1900-1918
Processed by: L. Bianchi, August 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 Captain Robert Johnson photograph collection
P77-034
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, National Park Service
2016, National Park Service
Title: Captain Robert Johnson photograph collection
Date: 1900-1918
Identifier/Call Number: P77-034 (SAFR 24822)
Creator:
Thwaites, John E. (John Edward), 1863-1940
Johnson, Robert, Captain
Physical Description:
13 items.
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: The Captain Robert Johnson photograph collection, circa 1900-1918, (SAFR 24822, P77-034) is comprised mainly of photographs
of scenes related to the fishing industry in Alaska. The collection has been processed to the Item 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], P77-034 (SAFR 24822), Captain Robert Johnson photograph collection, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Acquisition Information
SAFR-00001
GOGA-00789
In 1977, Arthur Johnson loaned 12 postcards and 1 photographic print to the San Francisco Maritime Museum for copying. 13
copy negatives were made.
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
This collection does not include a historical or biographical note.
Collection Scope and Content
The Captain Robert Johnson photograph collection, circa 1900-1918, (SAFR 24822, P77-034) is comprised mainly of photographs
of scenes related to the fishing industry in Alaska. The collection has been processed to the Item level and is open for use.
Contains 13 black-and-white copy negatives of photographs of vessels, fishermen, and buildings associated with the Alaska
fishing industry, circa 1900-1918. Includes photographs of COLUMBIA (built 1871; ship, 3m), EDITH (built 1882; freighter),
EQUATOR (built 1888; tugboat), NORTHWESTERN (steamship), STAR OF ALASKA (built 1886; ship, 3m), and STAR OF SCOTLAND (built
1887; bark, 4m). Most locations are in Alaska, with two photographs in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Some of the
photographs are by John E. Thwaites.
There is also one photograph of MAUNA KEA (built 1908; steam schooner) in Hawaii.
Collection Arrangement
Arranged into two File Units: File Unit 1. Classified collection items; File Unit 2. Photo collection items.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Salmon fisheries--Alaska
Alaska
Black-and-white negatives
Classified collection storage
File Unit 1.
Classified collection items,
circa 1915-1920
Extent:
2 photographs.
Physical Description: 2 black-and-white safety negatives, 5 x 7 in.
Scope and Content Note
Consists of photographs separated from the original P77-034 donation and assigned item numbers according to a classification
scheme developed by the San Francisco Maritime Museum.
Stored in Classified Collection.
Item No. J07.35420.
Star of Scotland (built 1887; bark, 4m) under sail, port broadside view, leaving San Francisco Bay, California,
1917 March 31
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white safety negative, 5 x 7 in., n (5 x 7 in.)
Stored in Classified Collection.
Item No. J07.35433.
Mauna Kea (built 1908; steam schooner) underway with sails set, starboard quarter view, Hawaiian Islands,
circa 1915-1920
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white safety negative, 5 x 7 in., n (5 x 7 in.)
File Unit 2.
Photo collection items,
circa 1900-1918
Extent:
11 photographs.
Physical Description: 11 black-and-white safety negatives, 5 x 7 in. and smaller.
Scope and Content Note
Consists of photographs from the original P77-034 donation that were processed as part of the Park's regular photograph collection.
They were not assigned a Classified Photograph Collection item number.
Item No. 01.
Bailing out the fish trap at Chignik Bay, Alaska,
circa 1900-1915
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white safety negative, 5 x 7 in.
Scope and Content Note
18' tide. Four men are at work.
Item No. 02.
Cannery buildings at Chignik, Alaska,
circa 1900-1915
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white safety negative, 5 x 7 in.
Scope and Content Note
"Cannery when we came."
Item No. 03.
Cannery workers, possibly at Chignik, Alaska,
circa 1916
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white safety negative, 5 x 7 in.
Scope and Content Note
Fifteen men in view. "Roy Johnson's father, back row, second from right." Copy of a postcard postmarked 1916.
Item No. 04.
Unidentified sailing ships docked at Pier 54, San Francisco, California,
circa 1900-1915
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white safety negative, 5 x 5.25 in.
Scope and Content Note
Santa Fe Railroad Company pier.
Item No. 05.
Northwestern (steamship) covered in ice after a storm on the coast of Alaska,
circa 1900-1915
Creator/Collector:
Thwaites, John E. (John Edward), 1863-1940
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white safety negative, 5 x 7 in. Photog. no. 4004.
Scope and Content Note
Two men are in view on board. Copy of a postcard postmarked 1918.
Caption: S.S. Northwestern. Alaskan Coast. After a storm.
Item No. 06.
Edith (built 1882; freighter) foundering off the coast of Alaska,
1915
Creator/Collector:
Thwaites, John E. (John Edward), 1863-1940
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white safety negative, 5 x 7 in. Photog. no. 2706.
Scope and Content Note
The vessel is listing to the port side. Copy of a postcard postmarked 1918.
Caption: Foundering of S.S. Edith. Alaska coast.
Item No. 07.
Star of Alaska (built 1886; ship, 3m) deck view of taking sea on board in an unidentified location,
1919
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white safety negative, 5 x 7 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: Taking sea on board "Star of Alaska." 1919.
Item No. 08.
Castle Cape, Alaska,
circa 1918
Creator/Collector:
Thwaites, John E. (John Edward), 1863-1940
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white safety negative, 4.75 x 7 in. Photog. no. 156.
Scope and Content Note
Copy of a postcard postmarked 1918.
Caption: Evening at Castle Cape. Alaska Peninsula.
Item No. 09.
Bear pelt stretched out on the side of a building in an unidentified location,
circa 1900-1915
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white safety negative, 5 x 7 in.
Item No. 10.
Columbia (built 1871; ship, 3m) underway, distant starboard quarter view,
before 1909
Creator/Collector:
Thwaites, John E. (John Edward), 1863-1940
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white safety negative, 5 x 6.5 in. Photog. no. 988.
Scope and Content Note
Copy of a postcard postmarked 1915.
Caption: Salmon Cannery Ship Columbia. Wrecked in Alaska.
Item No. 11.
Equator (built 1888; tugboat) in the stream, port broadside view, at Chignik, Alaska,
circa 1900-1915
Creator/Collector:
Thwaites, John E. (John Edward), 1863-1940
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white safety negative, 4.75 x 6.75 in. Photog. no. 1032.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: Tug, Equator, Chignik, Alaska.
