Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

This collection is made up of around 180 letters that L. Michael Hardt ("Mike") wrote to his girlfriend and future wife, Dale Weeks, while serving in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.

This collection is made up of around 180 letters that L. Michael Hardt ("Mike") wrote to his girlfriend and wife, Dale Weeks, while serving in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. The largest group of items consists of around 160 letters that Hardt wrote to Weeks while serving with the commander of Carrier Division Nine in the Gulf of Tonkin, South China Sea, and Coral Sea from July 13, 1966-January 14, 1967. His daily letters concern his love for Weeks and he frequently discussed their upcoming marriage, planned for January 28, 1967. He also commented on ship life and sent an invitation to a party for the division (September 1, 1966).

From July 14, 1967-September 21, 1967, Hardt wrote 5 letters to Weeks, who had by then become his wife, about his service on the USS Stribling (DD-867) near Mytilene, Greece. He briefly described the town's residents and discussed personal finances. The final group of items is comprised of 17 letters that he wrote from Vietnam between April 5, 1971, and June 19, 1971. He was stationed primarily in Saigon and commented on officers' quarters, complained about his lack of work, shared his opinions of Vietnam and its people, and assumed that the war was winding down. His letter of June 19, 1971, mentions his wife's artistic work and encloses a newspaper clipping about the recovery of El Greco's "Assumption of the Virgin."

This collection is made up of 13 letters and 119 photographic negatives related to the Marchetti family of Providence, Rhode Island. Luigi Marchetti ("Louis") served in the 809th Engineer Aviation Battalion in Italy during World War II, and the family received several letters from "Dita Impiglia," an acquaintance in Grosseto, Italy, during and just after the war.

This collection is made up of 13 letters and 119 photographic negatives related to the Marchetti family of Providence, Rhode Island. Luigi Marchetti ("Louis") served in the 809th Engineer Aviation Battalion in Italy during World War II, and the family received several letters from "Dita Impiglia," an acquaintance in Grosseto, Italy, during and just after the war.

Louis Marchetti wrote a 15-page letter to "Red" on December 9, 1944, from Italy. He discussed military life, described the scenery, and commented on a visit to his father's hometown, where he met his uncle and other family members. The remaining 10 letters are written in Italian. Pasquale Altruda wrote a letter to Louis Marchetti on December 4, 1944, and enclosed 6 postcards: 2 with a painting of the Roger Williams Monument and 2 with a painting of the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, both in Providence, Rhode Island; 1 with a painting of a memorial gate on the Brown University campus; and 1 with a painting of a hula dancer and a man playing a ukulele. The postcards, which are addressed to multiple individuals, contain brief handwritten messages in Italian. "Dita Impiglia" of Grosseto, Italy, sent 9 letters to the Marchetti family between December 29, 1944, and November 4, 1945.

The collection contains 2 pamphlets: a Catholic Church catechism and an informational booklet for United States soldiers heading to North Africa, both in English. The army booklet offers comments on Islamic customs and provides advice for Americans serving in the region. A group of 119 photographic negatives is housed with its original envelopes, which group the pictures by location: North Africa, Sicily, "Pico," and Italy. Many photographs depict United States military personnel, often at leisure.

This collection is comprised of 46 letters that Lieutenant Melville Selleck wrote to his family while serving in the United States Navy during and after World War I. He described his training, wartime service in the United States, and postwar service in northern Europe.

This collection is comprised of 46 letters that Lieutenant Melville Selleck wrote to his family while serving in the United States Navy during and after World War I. He described his training, wartime service in the United States, and postwar service in northern Europe.

Melville Selleck wrote 46 letters and telegrams to his parents, Franklin and May Selleck of Buffalo, New York, from August 29, 1917-December 31, 1920. In his earliest letters, he described his experiences at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, where he attended basic training and quartermaster's school. He discussed his daily activities, including drills, and commented on his homesickness and desire to participate in active duty. By November 1917, Selleck was stationed on the SS Sierra in the Great Lakes, and he spent much of the spring of 1918 in New York City, where he anticipated departing for Texas. He later mentioned his travels in Texas, and continued to write about his homesickness.

In September 1918, he was stationed onboard the USS William Isom in Virginia, and he was promoted to junior grade lieutenant in November 1918. Selleck's letters from early 1919 concern his training at the United States Naval Auxiliary Reserve Officer-Material School at Pelham Bay, New York. Throughout the second half of 1920, he wrote from the USS South Bend, SS Winchester, and SS Susquehanna. While onboard theSusquehanna, Selleck described travels to northern Europe and provided his impressions of Bremen, Germany, where he noted the inflation of the German mark. Enclosures include a copy of Selleck's request for a promotion, a copy of a letter of inquiry Selleck sent a potential employer, typed extracts from some of Selleck's letters, and a newspaper clipping about sailors' pay. The collection also contains one undated letter that Lawrence Selleck wrote to his family.

This log book contains information about several voyages of the ships Moro Castle and Southern Rights between the United States and Europe from 1860-1867. Log entries pertain to weather, sailing, crew members, the discharge of cargo, and other matters. The volume also contains a brief excerpt from William Shakespeare's poem "Venus and Adonis."

This log book (93 pages) contains entries regarding multiple voyages of the ships Moro Castle and Southern Rights between the United States and Europe from 1860-1867.

Under W. L. Knowles, the Moro Castle traveled between New York and Bristol, England, from October 5, 1860-May 26, 1861. The volume also regards voyages between United States and European ports from August 1862-February 1864. Log entries typically report information about the ship's course, the use of sails, and the weather. The author occasionally mentioned crew members, including "green" sailor William Andrewson, who later deserted (October 12, 1860, and October 27-28, 1860); Thomas Brooks, who fell overboard (December 7, 1860); and the ship's cook, who appeared to have a mental breakdown (March 5, 1861). While in port, the Moro Castle discharged cargo, usually wheat. Earlier entries include partially completed hourly charts reporting wind speed, the ship's course, and similar information; later "abstract log" entries consist solely of prose.

The latter part of the volume contains the brief logs of several voyages of the Southern Rights between the United States and Europe. These entries are similar to those of the Moro Castle and appear to be written in the same hand as the later Moro Castle records. The author most frequently documented weather conditions, but also reported the crew's harsh language in an entry dated June 23, 1863, and a crew member's case of "sulks" in an entry dated February 10, 1864. The final pages include a short extract from William Shakespeare's poem "Venus and Adonis" and brief financial records.

• Moro Castle
  • October 5, 1860-May 26, 1861: New York to Bristol, England, and back to New York (including entries made during time in port)
  • August 30, 1862-September 23, 1862: [Mediterranean Sea] to Atlantic Ocean
  • March 24, 1863-April 6, 1863: New Orleans, Louisiana, to New York
  • June 23, 1863-July 23, 1863: New York to Glasgow, Scotland
  • January 5, 1864, and February 4, 1864-February 24, 1864: Leghorn, Italy, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Southern Rights
  • March 15, 1865-March 28, 1865: Shields, [England], to Atlantic Ocean
  • February 28, 1866-March 11, 1866: Charleston, South Carolina, to Liverpool, England
  • April 6, 1867-April 7, 1867: Charleston, South Carolina, to Liverpool, England

The Nehemiah Baden collection pertains to Lieutenant Baden's service at the United States Army arsenal at Baltimore, Maryland, from the mid-1810s to the early 1820s. The bulk of the papers is correspondence that Baden and other officers received respecting ordnance and other supplies. The collection also includes a receipt book concerning labor and supplies purchased for the Baltimore arsenal in 1816; a volume containing copied orders issued and received by Nehemiah Baden during his time as commander of the Baltimore Arsenal; and a log book of the bark Clara Louise's journey from Boston, Massachusetts, to Portland, Oregon, in 1873.

This collection (1.5 linear feet) pertains to Lieutenant Nehemiah Baden's service at the United States Army arsenal at Baltimore, Maryland, from the mid-1810s to the early 1820s.

The Correspondence series consists of 29 volumes of bound letters concerning ordnance, arsenals, and general supplies for the United States Army, organized by department of origin. Most items are addressed to Nehemiah Baden at the Baltimore arsenal; a few early items are addressed to Captain Jos. H. Rees, also at Baltimore. Many correspondents mentioned finances, and some letters include accounts and other financial records. Other items pertain to ordnance supplies such as cannon, powder and shot, artillery wagons, and to other supplies such as clothing. A few concern laborers and soldiers' accommodations. Some correspondents commented on other arsenals and military posts, including the Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Fort McHenry, also in Baltimore. Most correspondents represented various departments of the United States government and United States Army. For more information on each bundle and the departments represented, see the Detailed Box and Folder Listing below.

The Receipt Book and Letter Book series consists of two separate volumes. The receipt book contains partially printed receipts pertaining to payments for labor and supplies purchased by the Baltimore arsenal from January 8, 1816-July 24, 1816. The letter book contains copied orders and circular letters issued and received by Nehemiah Baden at the Baltimore arsenal. The military correspondence concerns finances, personnel, and recommended procedures for performing certain tasks. Some items pertain to courts martial and other disciplinary issues.

The Clara Louise Log and Anahuac Account Book is a single volume divided into two sections: a log recounting the voyage of the bark Clara Louise from Boston, Massachusetts, to Portland, Oregon, from December 6, 1871-July 25, 1873 (55 pages), and accounts with crew members on the Anahuac from April 1883-July 1883 (approximately 35 pages). William H. Summers commanded both ships. Daily log entries concern the progress of the Clara Louise as it sailed between ports such as Boston, Massachusetts; Valpraiso, Chile; San Francisco, California; Iquique, Peru (present-day Chile); Honolulu, Hawaii; and Portland, Oregon. The top of each log page includes a brief proverb or piece of trivia. The sailors' accounts largely regard their purchases of clothing items and tobacco.

This collection is primarily made up of letters that Pharmacist's Mate Norman C. Stewart wrote to his girlfriend and later wife, Dorothy Seltzer of Norristown, Pennsylvania, about his experiences in the United States Navy during World War II. Stewart served at the United States Naval Hospital in Newport, Rhode Island; in Oakland, California; and in the Pacific Theater.

This collection is made up of 56 letters that Pharmacist's Mate Norman C. Stewart wrote to his girlfriend and later wife, Dorothy Seltzer of Norristown, Pennsylvania, about his experiences in the United States Navy during World War II. Stewart served at the United States Naval Hospital in Newport, Rhode Island; in Oakland, California; and in the Pacific Theater. One letter by Norman's mother Katie and two school essays by Norman's brother Mervin complete the collection.

Stewart's correspondence concerns his navy service in Rhode Island, California, and the Pacific Theater from April 12, 1942-October 27, 1945. Only 1 letter from 1944 is present. Stewart discussed his work in a hospital laboratory while at Newport, and training maneuvers while at Alameda, California.

From February 1945-October 1945, Stewart commented on his travels in the Pacific, such as visits to Hawaii and Guam. His leisure activities included reading, attending football games, and seeing movies. Stewart's later letters concern the discharge process and his anticipated return to civilian life. Throughout his military service, he wrote of his love for Dorothy.

Mervin Stewart, Norman's brother, wrote 2 school essays in September 1943: "Verbal vs. Chemical Poison," about Axis propaganda, and "Country versus City Life." Stewart's teacher made brief remarks on each essay with a red pencil.

This collection is made up of 16 documents and financial records pertaining to the schooner Oliver Burden (or Oliver). John Dishon leased the ship from Joseph Bulkley of Wethersfield, Connecticut, for a voyage to the West Indies in 1776.

This collection is made up of 15 financial records and 1 contract pertaining to the schooner Oliver Burden (or Oliver). John Dishon leased the ship from Joseph Bulkley of Wethersfield, Connecticut, for a voyage to the West Indies in 1776.

John Dishon and Joseph Bulkley signed a contract on November 23, 1776, in which Bulkley, on behalf of the ship's owners, agreed to lease the Oliver to Dishon for a voyage from Connecticut to the West Indies. Dishon promised to captain the vessel, provide provisions, and hire a crew. The remaining 15 items are receipts, bills, and accounts, dated November 13, 1776-December 21, 1776. Several receipts concern wages paid to crewmembers for their first month of service, and the accounts pertain to goods shipped onboard the Oliver (foodstuffs and wood). Most receipts are addressed to Joseph Bulkley.

The Pennsylvania Seamen's Friend Society papers are made up of financial records, correspondence, and reports pertaining to the society's work in the mid- to late 19th century.

The Pennsylvania Seamen's Friend Society papers (around 215 items) are made up of financial records, correspondence, and reports pertaining to the society's work in the mid- to late 19th century. The collection also contains earlier financial records and documents concerning residents of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The earliest 15 items (1793-1843) are comprised mostly of receipts and financial records regarding the personal finances of Philadelphia residents. Some receipts concern purchases of shoes and clothing items; other documents relate to property in Philadelphia. The bulk of the collection (1846-1895, around 200 items) pertains to the affairs of the Pennsylvania Seamen's Friend Society; most of the material is dated between 1847 and 1872. Letters, reports, and financial records relate to the society's fundraising efforts, charitable work, and administration; other items include lists of donors and donations, many of which were compiled by churches. The society's corresponding secretary wrote most of the reports, which occasionally mention the affairs of similar organizations in New York, New Jersey, and Delaware. Many of the letters from the late 1850s and early 1860s are addressed to the society's president, George Hughes. Most correspondence pertains to administrative affairs and finances, such as expenses for printing the society's fourth annual report in December 1847. The society also occasionally received personal requests for assistance. One item is a program for an anniversary celebration held on April 29, 1850, containing the reprinted text of 2 hymns.

This collection contains around 200 letters that Reginald Johnson of Webster, New York, wrote to his parents while serving in the United States Navy between 1917 and 1920. He commented extensively on military life and on his experiences while serving onboard the USS Florida in Scotland during the final months of World War I, and along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean during his postwar service.

This collection contains around 200 letters that Reginald Johnson of Webster, New York, wrote to his parents while serving in the United States Navy between 1917 and 1920. He commented extensively on military life and on his experiences while serving onboard the USS Florida in Scotland during the final months of World War I, and along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean during his postwar service.

Johnson wrote his mother about once or twice weekly throughout his time in the navy, beginning just after his enlistment in June 1917 and ending with his discharge in July 1920. He provided regular updates about daily life in the navy, while training at Newport, Rhode Island, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and while serving on the Florida during and after the war. The topics he discussed included the scenery, his activities while on liberty, and the food. He occasionally commented on his work and the ship's crew. Johnson inquired about his father's health, asked who had been drafted from his hometown, and reported meeting other sailors from the Rochester area. He shared his excitement about being able to see various parts of the world and described several of his destinations, including Edinburgh, Scotland; Guantánamo Bay, Cuba; and Colon and Panama City, Panama. While in port at Norfolk and Boston after the war, Johnson wrote about his leisure activities, compared the hospitality of the two cities toward sailors, and commented on his romantic relationship with a Boston woman.

This collection is made up of letters that Richard S. Samuels sent to his wife Sonya while serving in the United States Navy during World War II. Samuels wrote almost daily about his experiences at the Farragut Naval Training Station in northern Idaho and the Naval Landing Force Equipment Depot at Albany, California.

This collection contains correspondence and other materials pertaining to the United States Navy service of Richard S. Samuels during World War II.

The Correspondence series comprises the bulk of the collection. Private W. Robert Liphardt, Jr. ("Wally") wrote 4 letters to Richard and "Gussie" Samuels from August 20, 1942-January 13, 1943. Originally from Berwyn, Illinois, he was a member of the 340th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Squadron, and served at United States Army Air Forces bases in Colorado and South Carolina.

Most items are letters that Richard S. Samuels sent to Sonya and Susan ("Push") Samuels, his wife and baby daughter, from February 3, 1944-November 14, 1945. His earliest letters concern his journey from Los Angeles to northern Idaho, where he trained at Camp Waldron. He regularly composed 2-4-page letters about his love for his family and his experiences at the Farragut naval base, including his attempts to earn an electrician's rating. Samuels listed his equipment and commented on daily activities such as inspections and drill.

After July 1944, he wrote from Albany, California, where he was an electrician for the Naval Landing Force Equipment Depot. Samuels shared anecdotes from his work and mentioned his frequent visits to Berkeley, California, where he often posted his letters. Some letters pertain to his finances and his attempts to rent an apartment near Albany. Samuels and other naval personnel regularly attended movie screenings, and he sometimes offered his opinions of the films. In every letter, Samuels wrote of his love for his wife, and he usually commented on his daughter's health and developmental progress. A Thanksgiving Day menu, decorated with a cartoon of a sailor and a turkey, is enclosed in his letter of November 25, 1944. Samuels often used stationery from the United States Navy, the Farragut Naval Training Station, and the Naval Landing Force Equipment Depot, and most of his letters have sketches of hearts pierced with arrows.

In addition to Samuels's letters, the collection has Documents and Ephemera from the World War II era, such as an unlabeled black patch with a white circle, a vending machine card with a picture of Joan Davis, a booklet about the Farragut Naval Training Station, and ten copies of a portrait of a sailor in his U.S. Navy uniform, one of which has an affectionate personal inscription on the back. Fourteen copies of the Farragut News are dated March 9, 1944-July 20, 1944, and contain news and photographs from the naval installation.