Collections

Collection of research materials (mostly photocopies) of Dr. Charles E. Feltner. The collection’s focus is Great Lakes diving, maritime history (both American and Canadian), shipping history, and shipwrecks. Other major topics include 1905 and 1913 storms, insurance, marine casualties, merchant vessels, sailing, shipbuilding/construction, and underwater logging.

Dr. Charles E. and Jeri Baron Feltner Great Lakes Maritime History Collection, 1978, 2018 and undated, 17.5 cubic feet in 30 boxes and 3 oversized folders contains the research materials (mostly photocopies) of Dr. Charles E. Feltner. The collection’s focus is Great Lakes diving, maritime history (both American and Canadian), shipping history, and shipwrecks. Other major topics include 1905 and 1913 storms, insurance, marine casualties, merchant vessels, sailing, shipbuilding/construction, and underwater logging.

The photocopies are from numerous historical collections and/or research institutions housing the collections, almost always identified in detail by Dr. Feltner. If the source information was on or in the folder, it was retained during processing. Of particular note are copies from the Louden G. Williams collection, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University.

The contents includes: articles, bibliographies, copies of manuscripts, correspondence, essays, geological surveys, information on diving on shipwrecks, rigging and masting, marine vessel enrollments, insurance, legislation, maritime genealogy bibliographies (American and Canadian), newspaper clippings, Old Mariners’ Church, Detroit, photographs (some of which are originals), reports, ship salvage, shipwrecks, vessel inspections, underwater archaeological surveys, underwater heritage research, U.S. Lighthouse and Life-Saving services, and Dr. Feltner’s original notes, correspondence and essays. Boats of particular interest in this collection include the Calypso, the Challenge, the Chicora, the Daniel J. Morrell (built in 1906, sank in 1966), the Edmund Fitzgerald, the Huron Brave (a fictitious ship), and the Lady Elgin. Included are also materials concerning Dick Race, Jacques Cousteau, and Peter Elias Falcon. Materials from corporate authors include Association of Canadian Lake Underwriters, Board of Lake Underwriters, Bureau of Navigation, Inland Lloyds, Institute of Marine Engineers, Lake Underwriters (this is the American underwriters), U.S. Customs Service, U.S. Lake Surveys, U.S. National Archives, and U.S. War Department Corps of Engineers. Many locations are documented in this collection. Major, but not inclusive, locations include Buffalo, NY, Chicago, IL, Cleveland, OH, Detroit, MI, Mackinaw City, MI, Milwaukee, WI, Ontario, Canada, Port Huron, MI, Presque Isle, MI, Sandusky, OH, Sault Saint Marie, MI, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and Thunder Bay.

Of particular note, rare insurance materials are included in the collection. Also of special interest are diving educator’s materials, a single slide of an artist’s drawing of the Daniel J. Morrell breaking up in 1966 (See Box 28 Wreck files…), meteorological wreck charts and shipwreck locations, ship model plans/ building, and notes on how to conduct research.

This collection is likely one of the top ten marine history research collection in the United States, complied from research collections in national and international historical institutions. Original variant spellings were retained in the box and folder listing.

The Photographs folder includes one image each of a Northern Line vessel, the Edmund Fitzgerald, and Goderion.

All items in Oversize Folder 1 measure 11x17 inches. All items in Oversized Folder 2 measure 11x15 inches. The contents of Oversize Folder 3 have varying measurements as noted in the box and folder listing.

Arrangement: Collection materials are organized by size, then alphabetically and chronologically within original order.

Cataloging Note for Marine Historians: Please note that pre-existing Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) do not match normal maritime designations, especially for ship designations ex. Chicora of 1895 (Steamship). Also, Enrollments is not an official LCSH. The Archivist provided the most descriptive finding aid and best cataloging possible for this collection, in consultation with Professor Jay Martin.

Processing Note: Duplicate copies and peripheral non-Michigan materials, both primary and secondary sources, and miscellaneous notes were withdrawn from the collection during processing, a total of 1 cubic foot. Acidic materials and poor quality photocopies were photocopied and the originals were withdrawn. All withdrawn materials and duplicates were returned to the donor as per the donor agreement, amounting to 9.5 cubic feet. 70 titles were separately cataloged. 17 items were added to the Michigan Vertical Files.

The James Douglas papers are comprised of letters, letter books, logbooks, account books, and official naval documents relating to the career of Sir James Douglas, a British Admiral who was active in European and Caribbean waters and participated in the 1745 Siege of Louisbourg.

The James Douglas papers are comprised of letters, letter books, logbooks, account books, and official naval documents relating to the career of Sir James Douglas. Douglas rose to the rank of admiral and was active in European and Caribbean waters, and participated in the 1745 Siege of Louisbourg. The collection contains 7 letterbooks, 10 logbooks, 1 orderly book, 7 prize and account books, 1 book of sailing instructions (with notations by Douglas), 10 letters, 17 financial and official documents, and 2 genealogical documents (for an itemized list of the collection, see Additional Descriptive Data).

The Letter Books, Logbooks, and Account Books series contains the collection's bound volumes.

The letter books are comprised of copies of over 1,000 letters and orders to and from Douglas and his fellow naval officers. The letter book from Jamaica (1738-1745) includes letters and orders from Edward Vernon, Sir Chaloner Ogle, Thomas Davers, and Commodore Charles Brown, mostly addressed to naval store keeper George Hinde, concerning repairing and outfitting ships. The 1755-1759 letter book contains observations on ship movements and encounters, and letters from him to other naval officers, largely concerning European waters. The letter books from 1775 to 1777 hold copies of letters from Douglas, written when he was commanding the naval base at Spithead during the Revolutionary War. The letters are primarily addressed to Sir Philip Stephens, Secretary of British Admiralty, regarding naval administration and military news during the war in America (August 6, 1775-May 27, 1777).

• Tilbury, 1741-1742 (kept by Thomas Lempriere)
• Vigilant, 1745-1747
• Anson, 1755
• Bedford, 1755-1759
• Alcide, 1757
• Dublin, 1760
• SterlingCastle, 1760-1762
• Cruzer, 1770 (kept by Midshipman James Douglas, Jr.)
• Cerberus, 1770 (kept by Midshipman James Douglas, Jr.)

Topics of note include: an account of the British attack against the Spanish at Cartagena (Tilbury logbook, 1740-1741); the British capture of Dominica and Martinique, and the Siege of Havana, while Douglas was commander and chief of the Leeward Island Station (1760-1762 logbook); and a logbook for a captured French ship (1760-1761). The logbook of a French ship captured in the West Indies (December 16, 1761-May 1, 1762) contains sketches on the insides of the front and back covers. Depicted are fish and sea creatures; crude portraits of men and women, dressed in finery; silhouettes of faces; and drawings of two stately homes.

• Ledger of Douglas' private accounts (1770-1771).
• Two notebooks accounting for prizes taken by British ships in 1759 and 1762.
• A sederunt book of the trustees, relating to the settlement of Douglas' estate, created sometime after his death in 1787.

Also of note is a printed copy of Sailing and Fighting Instructions, heavily annotated by Douglas.

The Correspondence and Documents series contains 29 letters and documents, including: 8 letters concerning naval matters; 4 letters concerning Douglas' will, estate, and genealogy; Douglas' marriage agreement; 7 signed naval promotions on vellum; Douglas' appointment as baronet (1786); 3 memorials and petitions; 2 essays; 1 speech; 1 receipt; 1 legal disposition; and two genealogical items. Genealogy records include a family tree of Douglas' ancestor Douglas of Friarshaw (d. 1388) and a facsimile of the genealogical chart of Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane's ancestors going back to the 13th century.

This journal recounts Joseph E. Taylor's experiences onboard the Andrew Jackson during a voyage from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Bremen, Germany, in September 1876. Taylor illustrated his journal with pictures of the ship's sails and interior.

This journal (35 pages) recounts Joseph E. Taylor's experiences onboard the Andrew Jackson during a voyage from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Bremen, Germany, in the fall of 1876. Under the command of J. C. Bartlett, the ship left Philadelphia on September 3, 1876. The Andrew Jackson reached the English Channel on September 25 and approached Germany in early October, as Taylor composed his final journal entry. Taylor described the voyage, including events such as bird and porpoise sightings, and made notes about the Gulf Stream. The journal also includes several sketches of the ship's interior (pp. 1, 3-4), accompanied by detailed descriptions. A small printed map laid into the volume shows the "Saloon and Cabin Plan of the American Steam Ship Co.'s Steam Ships 'Pennsylvania,' 'Ohio,' 'Indiana,' 'Illinois.'"

The collection consists of letters and essays submitted to the editor of the United Service Journal for publication, principally regarding British naval and military matters.

The collection consists of letters and essays submitted to the editor of the United Service Journal for publication, principally regarding British naval and military matters. Topics range from naval architecture, technology, and weaponry, to histories of naval and specific military engagements and defenses of individual persons. The letters also regard such matters as the recovery of the HMS Thetis off the Brazilian coast, the attack on Pigeon Island, Martinique, in 1809, charities and education efforts, discipline (such as a court martial of Lieutenant Henry List Maw), piracy, smuggling, officer promotions, and military mortality in Canada. Several letters reference disagreements over articles published in the United Service Journal.

This volume is midshipman Roger Perry's workbook, kept while aboard the U.S. Frigate Brandywine, after leaving Hampton Roads, Virginia, for the Mediterranean. It contains a list of officers aboard the vessel; detailed series of watch, quarter, and station bills; and notes and essays on seamanship. Notably, Perry's documentation of the watch includes illustrations showing the placement of specific seamen on the yards.

This volume is midshipman Roger Perry's workbook, kept while aboard the U.S. Frigate Brandywine, after leaving Hampton Roads, Virginia, for the Mediterranean. It contains "two introductory pages, one with a sketch of the Brandywine and the second serving as the notebook's cover page; three pages listing officers aboard the frigate in 1830; 99 pages of detailed (and in seven cases illustrated) series of watch, quarter, and station bills, showing which stations the men filled during various evolutions; and 118 pages of notes on seamanship. These last include instructions on preparing a ship for departure, on operating it at sea, and for returning it to port.

Inserted in the book is a separate sheet containing on one side a 'Table of Masts and Spars for all Classes of Vessels in the U.S. Navy' (ships of the line, frigates, sloops, brigs, and schooners) and on the other side 'Proportions for Tops, Trestle trees, Cross trees & Caps'" (David P. Harris, "Midshipman Roger Perry's Workbook for the U.S. Frigate Brandywine, 1830," general description accompanying the Roger Perry Workbook).

The logbook of the Barque Victor documents the vessel's merchant voyages from Havana, Cuba, to Hamburg; Newcastle/Shields, England; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; New Orleans, Louisiana; and finally Boston, Massachusetts, between June 1855 and September 1856. The writer, possibly the currently unidentified First Mate, maintained a typical hourly or bi-hourly ship's log while at sea. He also kept an observant record of labor, ship repair and preparations, and other activities while on shore. His phonetic spellings, his accounts of dry dock repairs at Hamburg, the death of Captain James H. Goodmanson from yellow fever in Rio de Janeiro, the contested appointment of F. H. Carson as captain, managing shipboard violence and an unruly cook, and a severe injury endured by Capt. Carson are particularly notable.

The logbook of the Barque Victor documents the vessel's mercantile voyages from Havana, Cuba, to Hamburg; Newcastle/Shields, England; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; New Orleans, Louisiana; and finally Boston, Massachusetts, between June 1855 and September 1856. The writer, possibly the currently unidentified First Mate, maintained a typical hourly or bi-hourly ship's log while sea. He also kept an observant record of labor, ship repair and preparations, and other activities while on shore. His phonetic spellings, his accounts of dry dock repairs at Hamburg, the death of Captain James H. Goodmanson from yellow fever in Rio de Janeiro, the contested appointment of F. H. Carson as captain, managing shipboard violence and an unruly cook, and a severe injury endured by Capt. Carson are particularly notable.

The lined blank book used for the log includes a seller's plate on the front pastedown: "B. MAY y Ca. / encuadernados se de libros en blanco, / venden toda clase de efectos / de escritorio é imprimen todo lo / concerniente al comercio. / Calle de la Obra-pia N. 6, HAVANA".

Shore log, June 9, 1855-July 8, 1855; Havana, Cuba:

Over the course of this month, the log keeper made daily entries on the weather, work being done on the ship, and the moving of cargo. He noted changing numbers of carpenters and sailors at work (including himself) on the rigging and "about the ship." They cleaned the hold and loaded up with sugar and rum. The grueling nature of the work prompted him to add a comment on June 23, "Employed tacking in Cargo With 4 sea man Employed is masery [i.e. misery]."

Sea log, July 9, 1855-August 29, 1855; between Havana and Hamburg:

After setting sail on July 9th, the writer began a formal sea log. The daily entries were recorded in tabular columns to notate the hour of the day (every two hours), knots and half-knots for speed, the brig's course, the direction of the winds, and general remarks. Most of these remarks relate to weather, sea conditions, handling of sails, and latitude. Some challenging weather aside, the ship made time to their arrival at Hamburg without much recorded difficulty.

Shore log, August 29, 1855-October 17, 1855; Hamburg:

Once again focused on daily labor, the log keeper documented the unloading of the cargo, the move of the ship to drydock for repairs (including the hire of a coppersmith to fix a bilge), and the usual caulking, black varnishing, carpentry, and sail work. The crew's term of employment was up on September 24th and the writer hired seven sailors. Their names are present in the manuscript. They loaded the ship with ballast.

Sea log, October 18, 1855-October 29, 1855; between Hamburg and Newcastle/Shield's Harbor, England:

The formal tabular log documented the voyage.

Shore log, October 29, 1855-November 27, 1855; Newcastle/Shield's Harbor, England:

The Victor settled at Shield's Harbor to conduct more repairs. A corsair moved them to a ballast wharf to discharge the ballast. The sailors loaded up coal and provisions and prepared to set sail to Brazil.

Sea log, November 28, 1855-January 20, 1856; between Newcastle and Rio de Janeiro.

The formal tabular log began again. The transatlantic journey included multiple run-ins between the log keeper (again, likely the First Mate) and the ship cook. On December 9th, for example he wrote, "Whilst trying to make the Cook do my Ordres, he drew a knife against me to Kill me, and had to take my self-defence." Near the end of the month, he added, "Found the Cook not fit to do his duties were he shipped for, also to dirty" (December 29, 1855). On January 20, 1856, the Victor arrived at Rio de Janeiro, laying up and anchoring near Fort Santa Cruz.

Shore log, January 20, 1856-April 23, 1856; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:

The writer shifted again to daily paragraph descriptions of the weather and activities undertaken by the crew. They scrubbed the ship, addressed needed repairs to the rigging, unloaded 4,475 baskets and 4,618 barrels of coal (about 645 English Tons), cleaned the decks, swashed out the storerooms, brought on board 25 tons of ballast, painted, and otherwise prepared to take goods on board. During the unloading process, several men took ill and their work was filled in by men from shore (including two Black men).

Meanwhile, Capt. James H. Goodmanson took ill and entered the hospital on February 17th. He died nine days later, on the 26th. The American Consul at Rio de Janeiro (Robert G. Scott) appointed F. H. Carson master of the Victor, which was not readily accepted by the crew. On March 3, 1856, the log keeper wrote, "...all the crew came aft and demand to go to the Counsul and get there discharge, swearing that they should do no more duty on board untill they see the Counsul. They went ashore all, came back in the afternoon. Capt: Carson went ashore after that. Consul had no time that day, had to go the day following."

William Seward, the cook, refused to work the galley; he was apparently replaced as a new cook, Richard Scott, filled in until his discharge on April 21st. Apart from an instance of insubordination by Julius, the cabin boy, who became "disobedient & sauci" on March 6th, labor continued. The men black varnished the ship and spent considerable time on the sails and yards. A number of the crew became sick "with pains over the body" but with "ships medicine" improved. Ultimately, they loaded up 2,000 sticks, 1,000 pieces of wood, lard, 700 hats, and more for dunnage. They brought aboard bags of coffee, 2,180 of them from Rally & Co. The Captain employed 12 Black men and three "Coats" to help the crew load.

Sea Log, April 24, 1856-June 20, 1856; between Rio de Janeiro and somewhere northwest of Havana en route to New Orleans:

The tabular logbook entries resumed. Only two weeks into the journey, on May 7th, the cabin boy was below deck getting potatoes when Capt. Carson fell down a scuttle leading to the storeroom and severely injured his torso. Over the next two days his pain increased, and he feared that "he had broken something inside." Fearing "revenge," the cabin boy stayed far away from the captain; the log keeper crossed out the word "revenge" in pencil and wrote the word "punishment" over it. Despite periodic feelings of improvement, by June 1st the Captain still could not come up on deck. The log ends abruptly on June 20, 1856, before reaching their destination of New Orleans.

Sea Log, August 5, 1856-August 28, 1856; between New Orleans and Boston:

The tabular log picks up somewhere at sea, with Capt. Carson back in full command of the ship. The log keeper's notes, however, reveal increasing tensions aboard the Victor. On August 16th, he wrote that the crew refused to work, one of them telling the Captain that he "would rip his guts out if he did not mind another told him to kiss his ass." A few days later, bright and early at 5:00 a.m. on August 20th, one of the men got into a fight with the cook because he refused to give him coffee. The Captain was summoned and he said it was on his order the coffee wasn't given by the cook. The sailor then called the Captain a "damed old son of bitch said he might stick his orders up his ass." When taken aft and hung in irons, several of his crewmates refused to work until he was released.

Shore Log, August 28, 1856-September 3, 1856; Boston, Massachusetts:

The final brief entries reflect the initial efforts of unloading.