Research
 

OLD BOAT PHOTOS 

  
 

The Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society maintains a collection of maritime artifacts, ship models, plans, documents, photographs and books at its Seattle offices. The Society’s library, which is staffed by volunteers, is open by appointment only. If you wish to conduct research at the library, please contact WHO? to arrange an appointment.

RESEARCHERS PLEASE NOTE!
 (updated October 11, 2011)

The Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society Maritime Research Center is Moving!

Along with our partner organization MOHAI, we are moving from our current Montlake location in 2012.

  • In order to move our large collection, we have established closing dates for our Maritime Library to give us time to properly pack the collection for relocation. We apologize for any inconvenience.

  • As of July 1, 2011 the ship plans collection will not be available for reproduction.

  • Limited Research through November 2011 and by appointment only.

  • All photograph orders will need to be placed by November 30, 2011.

  • We anticipate by June 2012 we will have our Maritime Research Center available for use.

Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please email us.

Many of the Society’s historic photographs are available for viewing at King County On Line. These photographs are protected under copywrite laws and may not be used for any purpose without the express written permission of the Society. If you wish a copy of any photograph, please contact the Society for conditions and fees.

Society volunteers will conduct research of its materials upon request and as time is available. Research requests are typically responded to within 14 days. If you have a potential research project, please Contact the Society to see if we can assist you. Your are encouraged to use the this Research Inquiry Form that can be attached to an e-mail?

 
 
 
  Research Library  
  The Library is located on the lower floor of the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) near the University of Washington and is available for use on Thursday and Saturday mornings. An appointment is necessary. A text listing of the library resources can be found HERE.

The Library contains 4,500 volumes on maritime subjects and over 100 different maritime periodicals. The Library has many volumes on the American, British and German Navies, whaling, northwest explorers, seamen's narratives, log books, various steamship lines, ship building, sea chanteys, knot tying, model making, Lloyds' Directories on ships, Merchant Vessels of the U.S., and many sea adventure stories.

 
 
 
  Photographic Collection  
 

The photographic collection housed here is known as the Williamson Collection and it consists of more than 15,000 individual ship photos and 40,000 negatives. All images have been catalogued by ship's name.

The Port Blakely Ship Database is a searchable listing of the arrivals and departures of commercial sailing ships from Port Blakely, Washington, during the 19th century. It contains details about the ships, their captains, their cargoes especially northwest wood and where and when these cargoes were shipped.

We also have various collections, including the Lloyd Stadum Collection which contains photographs and histories of U.S. and foreign ships and shipping companies.

Photo Duplication Fees and License Agreement is located HERE.

  
 
 
   Marine Model Collection  
 

The Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society has an extensive collection of many fine marine models.

  
 
 
  Publications  
 

Our widely regarded maritime journal, The Sea Chest, is published quarterly and is included with membership to the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society. An Index of Topics is available at the link above.

 

  
 

The monthly newsletter is available to all members and the current issue and archived list are online here.

  
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