Biographical/historical information

Warren Spencer Lane (b. 1908) is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Business and Economics. During World War II he was commissioned a lieutenant in the Naval Reserves. After indoctrination at Ft. Schuyler, N.Y., he was sent to Camp Shelton, the Naval Armed Guard School in Norfolk, Virginia, to develop gun crews. In November, 1944, he received his first commission as a Naval Armed Guard commanding officer aboard a merchant ship, the SS EDWIN L. GODKIN . During the next two years he traveled to most of the Mediterranean ports and saw limited action in the Pacific. He was discharged in January 1946.

Scope and arrangement

Of particular significance are two logbooks which detail much of the ship's daily routine, various problems, and medical and disciplinary difficulties. There are also many references to cargo problems and the ship's destinations. A third book contains details of mail censorship, crew lists, navigational aids, first aid treatments, and the watch quarters on board the ship during certain conditions. All entries prior to November 6, 1944, pertain to the SS CHIPPEWA, commanded by Lt. Chester M. Gull, prior to Lt. Lane's assuming command.

Miscellaneous items include a voyage itinerary, equipment inventories, a list of items obtained by the crew in foreign ports, numerous memorandums and orders, a Christmas sermon at sea, a certificate of service from the Navy Department, and French newspaper clippings which mention the SS EDWIN L. GODKIN . Pictures include Lt. Lane near the pyramids at Cairo, Egypt, two typical sailors aboard the SS GODKIN, and a group picture of Lt. Lane and a gun crew at Camp Shelton in Norfolk, Virginia.

For related material see Oral History Collection #37.

Administrative information

Custodial History

February 28, 1977, 35 items; Papers (1944-1945) of World War II Naval officer, including logbooks, inventories, reports, memorandums, and miscellaneous. Deposited by Mr. Warren S. Lane, Washington, N.C.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Mr. Warren S. Lane

Processing information

Processed by R. Browning, October 1978

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Updated by N. Hardison, October 2024

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Metadata Rights Declaration

Key terms

Personal Names

Lane, Warren S. (Warren Spencer), 1908-

Corporate Names

Chippewa (Tug)
Edwin L. Godkin (Ship)
United States. Navy--Military life
United States. Navy--Officers

Topical

World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations

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