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S. S. Seminole Records

 Collection — Box: 1-4
Identifier: MS-131

Collection Scope and Content Summary

This collection contains the papers of the S.S. SEMINOLE generated by Copper Country Industries and the Federal/State Emergency Welfare Relief Commission. The S.S. SEMINOLE was a 188' steamer built of steel for the United States Coast Guard; the ship was repurposed as a passenger ship and operated as a works program during the Great Depression. Includes purchase orders and receipts for food or drink, as well as a large amount of correspondence. This is divided into correspondence with suppliers, customers, internal company, and inquiries. Also includes government documents mostly in the form of transmittal sheets for goods from any given government agency or body to Copper Country Industries. There are also records pertaining to the vessel itself including a brief history, checklists for laying up, purchase orders for parts or repair goods, operating expenses, and payrolls for her crew. The date range is mostly confined to 1935 though some receipts and correspondence are up to a year before or after this date.

Dates

  • 1934-1936
  • Majority of material found in 1935 - 1935

Language of Material

English

Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from Michigan Technological University Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections.

Biography

The S.S. Seminole was a 188' steamer built of steel for the United States Coast Guard in 1899. During the Great Depression the vessel was repurposed as a passenger ship and was staffed as part of a works program. The S.S. Seminole performed passenger operations to Isle Royale as well as to Marquette and operated out of Houghton while providing needed employment for the area. It was operated by Copper Country Industries as a part of the State and Federal Emergency Welfare Relief Commission which generated most of the records making up the collection.

Extent

1.4 Cubic Feet (4 manuscript boxes)

Abstract

Records, 1934-1936, of the steamship S.S. SEMINOLE, a 188-foot steamer constructed for the U. S. Coast Guard and repurposed as a passenger ship in Houghton, Michigan after decommissioning by the Coast Guard. Includes correspondence, financial records, purchase order records, payroll records and passenger ticket stubs as well as other printed ephemera.

Arrangement

Material is arranged in four series: Purchases; Correspondence; Governmental Records; Vessel Related Documents.

Acquisition

Records relating to the S. S. SEMINOLE were donated to the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections by the Houghton County Department of Social Services on June 24, 1982.

Title
S. S. Seminole Records
Author
Finding aid prepared by Eric Pomber, revised by Elizabeth Russell.
Date
4/18/2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton 49931 U.S.A. US