Call Number:

57

Repository:

Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library

Extent:

• 16.73 linear feet
• 25 boxes 2 oversize

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Edward O. Clark papers, 1830-1995, Independence Seaport Museum.

Date:

1860-1985 (bulk) and 1830-1995 (inclusive)

Creator:

Clark, Edward O.

Abstract:

Edward O. Clark (1918-1994) was an avid marine historian and photographer who traveled across the country pursuing interesting vessels and ports of call, and documented the vanishing heritage of American steam navigation. This collection houses the personal papers and research materials of Edward O. Clark and contains four series: “I. Photographs, 1835-1995,” “II. Reference files, 1830-1994,” “III. Correspondence, 1943-1991,” and “IV. Index cards, undated.” This collection dates from 1830 to 1995, with bulk dates of 1860 to 1985, and consists of a variety of materials relating to the Delaware River steamship industry, especially the Wilson Line. Specifically, it includes photographic prints, admeasurements, advertisements, albums, clippings, contracts, receipts, catalogs, correspondence, chronologies, ship manifests, negatives, plans and drawings, writings, and other ephemera. This collection thoroughly documents the variety of Delaware River steamships, their operating lines, and routes during the 19th and 20th centuries – subjects central to Clark’s research interests.

Edward O. Clark (1918-1994) was a marine historian and photographer. Clark was born in New York and later lived in Chalfont, Pennsylvania. He traveled across the country pursuing interesting vessels and ports of call, and documented the vanishing heritage of American steam navigation. Clark was a member of the Steamship Historical Society of America.

The Edward O. Clark papers collection houses the personal papers and research materials of Edward O. Clark, an avid marine historian and photographer. This collection, dating from 1830 to 1995, with bulk dates of 1860 to 1985, consists of a variety of materials relating to the Delaware River steamship industry, especially the Wilson Line. Specifically, it includes photographic prints, admeasurements, advertisements, albums, clippings, contracts, receipts, catalogs, correspondence, chronologies, ship manifests, negatives, plans and drawings, writings, and other ephemera. This collection thoroughly documents the variety of Delaware River steamships, their operating lines, and routes during the 19th and 20th centuries – subjects central to Clark’s research interests.

This collection is unique in capturing the research methods and interests of a marine historian and photographer throughout the course of his academic and professional career. Clark’s efforts document the vanishing heritage of American steam navigation on the Delaware River, and draw comparisons between other steam-powered mechanisms – notably railroad engines, organs, and whistles. This collection focuses on the use, locations, and the construction, of these mechanisms rather than the administrative aspects of their production. This collection will therefore prove valuable to users interested in these subjects.

This collection contains four series: “I. Photographs, 1835-1995,” “II. Reference files, 1830-1994,” “III. Correspondence, 1943-1991,” and “IV. Index cards, undated.”

Series “I. Photographs,” dating from 1835 to 1995, with bulk dates of 1910 to 1960, is comprised of two subseries: “Ia. Vessels” and “Ib. Wilson Line.” This series includes photographic prints, negatives, and assorted newspaper and magazine clippings relating to 19th and 20th century steamship construction, launchings, and voyages. Clark photographed many of these vessels and shipyard views himself.

Subseries “Ia. Vessels” dates from 1881 to 1993, with bulk dates from 1910 to 1960, and predominantly consists of interior and exterior views of a variety of steamships, including cargo ships, excursion steamers, freighters, ice boats, tugboats, as well as United States Army and Navy ships. Exterior views of these steamships capture port, starboard, bow, and hull perspectives as the ships are either docked or underway. Similarly, these photographs illustrate specific interior rooms of these ships, notably ballrooms, staterooms, and decks. Many of these photographs depict candid and group shots of passengers and crew aboard the vessels. Some photographs and newspaper clippings portray the steamships’ numerous states of completion and repairs, from their initial construction in the shipyards to the aftermath of their damages caused mostly by sinking and fire. While this subseries is especially helpful for researchers interested in specific Delaware River steamships, it also contains many photographs of the locations where these vessels traveled and resided. Notably, these locations include landings, locks, piers, ferry houses, shipyards, and harbors along the Delaware River in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.

Many of the steamships featured in this subseries were substantially documented, while others possessed little documentation. Consequently, this subseries begins with an alphabetical arrangement by vessel name of well-documented steamships followed by a general alphabetical run by vessel name of less-documented and unidentified steamships. After vessel names, the locations are arranged alphabetically by geographic region. The subseries concludes with a folder of assorted portraits of steamship crew, passengers, and executives.

Subseries “Ib. Wilson Line” dating from 1868 to 1995, with bulk dates of 1930 to 1960, is comprised of photographs and clippings of steamships and locations specifically owned and operated by the Wilson Line. These photographs and related materials feature similar subjects as found in subseries “Ia. Vessels,” including a conglomeration of exterior and interior views of steamships either docked or underway in various locations. This subseries likewise portrays Wilson Line steamships during various stages of completion with several folders of materials specifically related to Wilson Line’s Wilmington Shipyard activities. Furthermore, this subseries contains clippings and photographs relating to Wilson Line administrative events, advertising materials, and documentation of the Swedes Park Project.

Like subseries “Ia. Vessels,” this subseries is first arranged alphabetically by vessel name of well-documented vessels, followed by a general alphabetical run of less-documented and unidentified Wilson Line vessels. After vessel names, the locations are arranged alphabetically by geographic location, with a folder alphabetically arranged of assorted locations. Lastly, this subseries’ general materials are arranged alphabetically.

Series “II. Reference files,” dating from 1830 to 1994, contains an assortment of paper documentation pertaining to Clark’s research interests in Delaware River steamships. These materials create an excellent record of the steamship and shipyard activities of the many shipping lines that operated along the Delaware River. This series is comprised of four subseries: “IIa. Steam-powered mechanisms,” “IIb. Research notes and materials,” “IIc. Writings,” and “IId. General materials.”

Subseries “IIa. Steam-powered mechanisms” dates from 1906 to 1989, with bulk dates of 1910 to 1955, and is comprised of photographs, plans and drawings, and lists of steamship components and other non-steamship mechanisms. Most notable is Clark’s collection of engine documentation that includes an assortment of materials relating to the makers, construction, and installation of steamship engines. Engine makers prominently featured include W&A Fletcher Company, Pusey and Jones, Quintard Iron Works, and Harlan and Hollingsworth Company. Relatedly, this subseries includes materials regarding railroad engines, organs, and whistles, including programs for several organ and whistle concerts.

This subseries is arranged alphabetically by subject. The first portion of this subseries focuses on steamship engines and is arranged alphabetically by vessel name, followed by assorted engines and alphabetical engine lists. In adhering to the subseries’ alphabetical arrangement by subject, the folders containing subjects of organs, railroad engines and whistles follow suit.

Subseries “IIb. Research notes and materials” dates from 1830 to 1994, with bulk dates of 1930 to 1985, and contains clippings, chronologies, notes, and ship manifests pertaining to Clark’s research interests in specific vessels, operating lines, and docking locations of Delaware River steamships. This subseries contains materials relating to particular Delaware River steamship lines, including the Ericsson Line, Wilson Line, New York Line, Pennsylvania Railroad, and Union Line. Other companies include Lincoln Park Company; Delaware River Transportation Company; and Merchants and Miners Transportation Company. This subseries also features notes pertaining to shipyard and docking locations along the Delaware River, including Gloucester City, New Jersey; the Hudson River; the Susquehanna Canal; the Schuylkill River; and the Port of Philadelphia. This subseries provides a comprehensive overview of the variety of steamship activities on the Delaware River. This subseries is arranged alphabetically.

Subseries “IId. General materials,” dating from 1852 to 1960 includes admeasurements, advertisements, business cards, ship manifests, and receipts. The admeasurements, approved from the inspector at the Port of Philadelphia, feature dimensions of several tugboats and larger steamships. This subseries includes advertisements for Clyde Steamship Company express steamers as well as an album of business cards collected by Clark of various ship manufactures, executives, and suppliers. Also included are numerous museum catalogs for ship-related exhibitions and programs. This subseries also contains ship manifests from the mid 19th century as well as receipts for various shipyard orders. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by format.

Series “III. Correspondence” dates from 1943 to 1991, with bulk dates of 1982 to 1991. This series is not only an excellent record of Clark’s professional correspondence pertaining to his research of Delaware River steamships, but it provides a glimpse into his many personal relationships, often individuals with whom he also shared professional relationships. The series includes materials relating to the 1977 Horace Pippin exhibition at the Brandywine River Museum, specifically correspondence between Clark and various museum departments at the Brandywine River Museum detailing loan and insurance agreements for two of Clark’s paintings. Also featured are letters regarding Clark’s membership to the Puget Sound Historical Society, as well as a number of catalog receipts and letters to and from Sears’ customer services department. A sizeable portion of this series is devoted to extensive correspondence between Clark and Edward Francis throughout the 1980s and 1990s – a seamlessly intertwined combination of personal and professional exchanges, mostly regarding research materials related to the Delaware River and its various steamship routes. This series is also comprised of several folders of assorted correspondence between 1984 and 1991, which includes Christmas cards, research notes, clippings, postcards, and personal letters. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series “IV. Index cards” is undated and serves as a valuable cohesive resource that unites the collection through several logical indexical arrangements. The series contains alphabetical lists of engines and steamships, as well as notes regarding specific engine parts, manufacturers, and types. Additionally, it includes an index of Delaware River steamship routes. This series is arranged alphabetically by index.