North American Society for Oceanic History Records

1973-2015
Manuscript Collection #689
Portions of this collection are digitized (1 item)
Print Finding Aid
Request Onsite Use
Creator(s)
North American Society of Oceanic History
Physical description
14.35 Cubic Feet, 21 archival boxes, consisting of correspondence, membership lists, annual conference materials, book awards records, newsletters, treasurer's reports, receipts, bills, bank statements, programs, tax documents, articles of incorporation, constitution and by-laws, and publications.
Preferred Citation
North American Society for Oceanic History Records (#689), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
Access
No restrictions

Records (1973-2015) of the North American Society for Oceanic History (NASOH) including correspondence, membership lists, annual conference materials, book awards, bibliographies, newsletters, treasurer's records, programs, and publications.

Biographical/historical information

The North American Society for Oceanic History (NASOH) was proposed in 1973 as an organization comprised of individuals interested in the history of the sea. NASOH is concerned with the dissemination of information regarding maritime and naval history, nautical archaeology, marine architecture, exploration, oceanographic history, ethnology, folklore, and maritime museums. The society focuses on maritime issues in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean and is organized with a board of directors, president, vice-presidents, secretary, and treasurer. It publishes a quarterly newsletter that contains book reviews and notices, conference information, maritime history symposia and museum news, information on U. S. maritime legislation, nautical archaeology field work information, and maritime education.

The society officially incorporated as a non-profit educational organization in September 1974 with its constitution and by-laws adopted in July 1975. In January 1976 the first list of nominations for NASOH officers was offered to its membership, and the society's first officers were named July 1976. The first major meeting was held at the Peabody Museum in Salem, MA, in March 1977, and since then, meetings have been held yearly at various locations. An annual book awards competition, organized by Chapel Hill, NC, Maritime History consultant John Lyman, was established with its own committee (April 1977). After Lyman's death in November 1977, the awards became known as "The John Lyman Book Awards." Another NASOH honor "for special services performed by an individual that relate to the aims of the society" was established in 1988 and named "The Jack Bauer Award," after a long-time member and ex-president.

Scope and arrangement

The collection's early materials deal with efforts to get NASOH organized, the development of a relationship with the Peabody Museum's publication The American Neptune, and the society's increasing membership. A substantial portion of the society's early correspondence is concerned with the International Commission for Maritime History and a North American challenge to its French leadership (September 1975-April 1977).

Throughout the collection's correspondence are inquiries, conference paper proposals, and conference organization details written by NASOH members and officers who are scholars and authors, active and retired United States Navy personnel, and interested laypersons. Numerous universities and museums are members of NASOH such as East Carolina University, University College London, Yale, Harvard, the Mariner's Museum, Peabody Museum, and the museums of the Smithsonian Institution. Many United States governmental agencies have NASOH membership, including the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Service, the Naval Historical Center, the National Parks Service, and the Department of the Navy.

Correspondence from members of the United States Congress reflect the concerns of NASOH officers to congressional legislation and its affect on maritime-related cultural and archaeological resources. Maine Senator Edmund Muskie commented on the "National Ocean Policy Study" and provided pertinent information on the subject for NASOH's newsletter. Maryland Representative Marjorie Holt and Senator Paul S. Sarbanes thanked a NASOH officer for his views on the National Heritage Act of 1980 (H. R. 6805). Further, Sarbanes re-capped the Act's progress through the House Interior and Insular Affairs Sub-Committee on National Parks and Insular Affairs. He also reviewed the Senate Companion measure (S. 1842) that was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Sub-Committee on Parks and Recreation. Another Maryland senator, Charles McC. Mathias, corresponded with a NASOH officer concerning proposed funding cuts to the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service and the Historic Preservation Fund.

The remaining materials are strictly NASOH-related and consist of inaugural membership applications and lists, annual conference meeting minutes, meeting photographs, Lyman Book Awards records, annual conference programs, and attendance lists. Also included are NASOH newsletters (1975-1994) and NASOH proceedings (1978-1979, 1985).

Other newsletters and publications that are concerned with maritime history and nautical archaeology complete the collection. Among these items are copies of the Australian Association for Maritime History Newsletter, the Institute for Nautical Archaeology Newsletter, Bowling Green State University's "Lake Log Chips" begun by John Lyman in 1948. Other publications include issues of the Chronique d'histoire maritime, naval history-related works, bibliographies, archival resource guides, andmuseum guides. A photograph of the Brown's Ferry Vessel, an excavated and raised shipwreck, is also included.

Administrative information
Custodial History

December 1, 1994, ca. 2,140 items, 7 cu. ft.; Society records (1973-1992), including correspondence, newsletters, proceedings, financial and membership records, conference materials, and miscellany. Deposited by the NASOH Council, Annapolis, Maryland.

March 14, 2003, (unprocessed addition 1), 700 items, 1.0 cubic feet; Records (1973-1996) consisting of the files of Secretaries and Presidents William A. Baker and Timothy J. Runyan, including correspondence, newsletters, financial records and meeting records, etc. See preliminary inventory attached. Donor: Prof. John B. Hattendorf, President of North American Society of Oceanic History.

November 8, 2004, (unprocessed addition 2), 1,136 items, 1.0 cubic feet; Records (1992-2002) of William S. Dudley, Past President of NASOH, including correspondence, newsletters, financial records and meeting records, etc. See preliminary inventory attached. Donor: William S. Dudley, Dept. of the Navy, Navy Historical Center.

March 27, 2006, (unprocessed addition 3), 1,215 items, 1.0 cubic feet; Membership records (1999-2004) including current membership lists, membership dues receipt, and membership database printouts. See preliminary inventory attached. Donor: Virginia Steele Wood, Corresponding Secretary, NASOH.

May 15, 2006, (unprocessed addition 4), 1,703 items, 1.0 cubic feet; Membership records (1993-2003) or the North American Society for Oceanic History (NASOH) including current membership lists, membership dues receipts, and membership database printouts. See preliminary inventory attached. Donor: Virginia Steele Wood, Corresponding Secretary, NASOH.

December 18, 2008, (unprocessed addition 5), 125 items, 0.50 cubic feet; Records (1973-1978) concerning the establishment of the U.S. Commission of Maritime History, including correspondence, election ballots, and newsletters. See preliminary inventory attached. English and French. Donor: Harold D. Langley, NASOH.

February 22, 2013, (unprocessed addition 6), 1.50 cubic feet; Records of NASOH treasurer for the years ca. 1980-2007. Included are treasurer's reports, receipts, bills, bank statements, tax documents, registration forms for conferences, newsletters, membership rosters, correspondence, articles of incorporation, constitution and by-laws, and two floppy discs of NASOH records. Donor: Mary Ellen Condon-Rall, NASOH.

August 17, 2015, (unprocessed addition 7), 0.10 cubic feet; Addition includes the program for the 24th Annual Conference of the NASOH in 2000 held in Alabama, and the schedule of events for the 2004 NASOH conference held in Maryland. Donor: Harold D. Langley.

July 11, 2016, (unprocessed addition 8), 1.35 cubic feet; Included in this addition to the NASOH records are minutes (1999-2011), correspondence (1991-2010), membership records (1991-2005), programs (1983-2015), and newsletters (1993-2014). Donor: Virginia Steele Wood.

Source of acquisition

Gift of NASOH Council

Gift of John B. Hattendorf

Gift of William S. Dudley

Gift of Virginia Steele Wood

Gift of Harold D. Langley

Gift of Mary Ellen Condon-Rall

Processing information

Encoded by Apex Data Services. Processed by Ann Merriman.

Copyright notice

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

Key terms
Personal Names
Holt, Marjorie--Correspondence
Mathias, Charles McC. (Charles McCurdy), 1922-2010--Correspondence
Muskie, Edmund S., 1914-1996--Correspondence
Sarbanes, Paul--Correspondence
Corporate Names
Australian Association for Maritime History--Periodicals
International Commission of Maritime History
North American Society of Oceanic History--Congresses
North American Society of Oceanic History--Periodicals
North American Society of Oceanic History--Records and correspondence
Topical
Historic preservation--Law and legislation
Historic sites--United States--Conservation and restoration
Navigation--History--Periodicals
Shipping--Government policy--United States
Underwater archaeology--Periodicals
Container list
Box 1 Folder a Organizational and Tax Records, 1973-1982
Box 1 Folder b Correspondence, November 1972-December 1973
Box 1 Folder c Correspondence, 1974
Box 1 Folder d Correspondence, January , May 1975
Box 1 Folder e Correspondence, June , December 1975
Box 1 Folder f Correspondence, January , June 1976
Box 1 Folder g Correspondence, August , December 1976
Box 1 Folder h Correspondence, 1977
Box 2 Folder a Correspondence, January , May 1978
Box 2 Folder b Correspondence, June , December 1978
Box 2 Folder c Correspondence, January , May 1979
Box 2 Folder d Correspondence, June , December 1979
Box 2 Folder e Correspondence, January , June 1980
Box 2 Folder f Correspondence, July , December 1980
Box 2 Folder g Correspondence, January , June 1981
Box 2 Folder h Correspondence, July , December 1981
Box 2 Folder i Correspondence, January , May 1982
Box 2 Folder j Correspondence, June , December 1982
Box 3 Folder a Correspondence, January , April 1983
Box 3 Folder b Correspondence, May , December 1983
Box 3 Folder c Correspondence, January , May 1984
Box 3 Folder d Correspondence, June , December 1984
Box 3 Folder e Correspondence, January , May 1985
Box 3 Folder f Correspondence, June , December 1985
Box 3 Folder g Correspondence, January , August 1986
Box 3 Folder h Correspondence, Sept. , December 1986
Box 3 Folder i Correspondence, 1987
Box 3 Folder j Correspondence, 1988
Box 3 Folder k Correspondence, 1989 , August 1990
Box 4 Folder a Inaugural Membership Applications; Members Lists, 1974, 1977-1981
Box 4 Folder b Member Lists, 1982-1991
Box 4 Folder c Meeting Minutes; Lyman Book Award Records, 1978-1990; 1977-1986
Box 4 Folder d Conference Programs and Attendee Lists; Proceedings, 1977. 1979, 1981-1983
Box 4 Folder e Conference Programs and Attendee Lists; Proceedings, 1984-1986
Box 5 Folder a Newsletter: N.A.S.O.H., 1975-1986
Box 5 Folder b Newsletter: N.A.S.O.H., 1987-1994
Box 5 Folder c Newsletters: American, 1978-1987
Box 5 Folder d Newsletters: Foreign., 1976-1984
Box 5 Folder e Newsletter: Miscellaneous., 1974-1986
Box 6 Folder a Publications: Chronique D'Histoire Maritime, 1980-1984
Box 6 Folder b Publications: Chronique D'Histoire Maritime, 1985-1989
Box 6 Folder c Publications: Commission Francaise D'histoire Maritime Annuaire, 1985, 1988; Condemned at Stanley, by John Smith, 1973; Connecticut River Master Mariners, by Thomas A. Stevens, 1979; The History of Early Freight Conferences, by K. A. Moore, 1981; Te;escope: Seaway Salties, no. 6, by George Ayoub, [1967 ?]
Box 7 Folder b Pubications: 1973 Seminar in Maritime and Regional Studies, Clark G. Reynolds, ed., 1973; Proceedings Naval History Symposium, Arnold R. Shapack, ed. 1973; Sea-Lingo, by Alexander Crosby Brown, 1980; Sea Power, by C. Stevens Laise, 1977; Smithsonian Warship Plans, Division of Naval History, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, [1982 ?]; "Take Good Care of Her, Mister. . .", by Peter Stanford [1974 ?]
Box 7 Folder c Publications: Miscellaneous
Box 7 Folder d Photographs
Box 8a Folder a NASOH Constitution and Bylaws, 1996
Box 8a Folder b NASOH Financial Documents: treasury reports, tax records, 1982–1990
Box 8a Folder c NASOH Meeting Minutes & Agendas, 1977–1996
Box 8a Folder d NASOH Membership Records - directories and dues status, 1981, 1984, 1994
Box 8a Folder e NASOH correspondence - President Timonthy J. Runyan, 1977–1985, part one
Box 8a Folder f NASOH correspondence - President Timonthy J. Runyan, 1977–1985, part two
Box 8a Folder g NASOH correspondence - President Timonthy J. Runyan, 1977–1985, part three
Box 8a Folder h NASOH correspondence - President Timonthy J. Runyan, 1977–1985, part four
Box 8a Folder i NASOH correspondence - President Timonthy J. Runyan, 1985
Box 8a Folder j NASOH correspondence - President Timonthy J. Runyan, 1986 &1994
Box 8b Folder a NASOH correspondence - Secretary William Avery Baker, 1973–1976
Box 8b Folder b NASOH correspondence - Secretary William Avery Baker, 1973–1981
Box 8b Folder c NASOH correspondence - Secretary William Avery Baker, 1979–1981
Box 8b Folder d NASOH Conference Planning & Program Materials, Annapolis, Md., 1977-78
Box 8b Folder e NASOH Conference Planning & Program Materials, Newport News, Va., April, 27–29, 1979
Box 8b Folder f NASOH Conference Planning & Program Materials, Cleveland, Ohio, April 24–26, 1981
Box 8b Folder g NASOH Conference Planning & Program Materials, Charleston, S.C., April 1–4, 1982
Box 8b Folder h NASOH Conference Planning & Program Materials, Mystic, Conn., April 15–17, 1983
Box 8b Folder i NASOH Conference Planning & Program Materials, King's Point, N.Y., April 26–28, 1984
Box 8b Folder j NASOH Conference Planning & Program Materials, Salem, Mass., April 24–26, 1985
Box 8b Folder k NASOH Conference Planning & Program Materials, Galveston, Tex., April 17–19, 1986
Box 8b Folder l NASOH Conference Planning & Program Materials, Kingston, ON, Canada, May 21–23, 1987
Box 8b Folder m NASOH Book Awards, 1977–1985
Box 8b Folder n NASOH Publications, proofs & editor correspondence, 1979–1987
Box 8b Folder o NASOH Newsletters, 1975–1994
Box 9a Folder a NASOH Financial documents, 1994–2000
Box 9a Folder b NASOH Meeting Minutes and bylaw updates, 1994–2002
Box 9a Folder c NASOH Membership Records, 1998–2002
Box 9a Folder d NASOH correspondence - William Dudley 1990–1996
Box 9a Folder e NASOH correspondence - William Dudley, non-NASOH Maritime Records, 1990–2000
Box 9a Folder f NASOH participation in Bicentennial of US Navy celebration, 1996–97
Box 9a Folder g NASOH conference planning and programs, Washington, DC, April 23–25, 1992
Box 9a Folder h NASOH conference planning and programs, Papers and Presenters, Washington, D.C., April 23–25, 1992
Box 9a Folder i NASOH conference planning and programs, Bermuda, March 17–21, 1993
Box 9a Folder j NASOH conference planning and programs, Papers and Presenters, Bermuda, March 17–21, 1993
Box 9b Folder a NASOH conference planning and programs, Vancouver, BC, Canada, August 10–12, 1994
Box 9b Folder b NASOH conference planning and programs, Wilmington, N.C., March 15–18, 1995
Box 9b Folder c NASOH conference planning and programs, Boston, Mass., March 28–31, 1996
Box 9b Folder d NASOH conference planning and programs, papers, Boston, Mass., 1996
Box 9b Folder e NASOH conference planning and programs, Newport, R.I., April 16–18, 1997
Box 9b Folder f NASOH conference planning and programs, San Diego, Calif., 1998
Box 9b Folder g NASOH conference planning and programs, Papers and Presenters, San Diego, Calif., 1997–1998
Box 9b Folder h NASOH conference planning and programs, Lake George, N.Y., May 5–9, 1999
Box 9c Folder a NASOH conference planning and programs, Point Clear, Ala., April 5–9, 2000
Box 9c Folder b NASOH conference planning and programs, Kingston, ON, Canada, May 23–27, 2001
Box 9c Folder c NASOH conference planning and programs, Honolulu, Hawaii, May 15–18, 2002
Box 9c Folder d NASOH Book Awards, 1994–2000
Box 9c Folder e NASOH Publications: Journals and books, 1990–2000
Box 9c Folder f NASOH Publications: Newsletters, 1997–2001
Box 10 Folder a Membership Database Printout (2000) 1 item. 29 p
Box 10 Folder b Membership Dues Receipts (1999) ca. 200 items ca 400 p
Box 10 Folder c Membership Dues Receipts (2000) ca. 200 items ca 400 p
Box 10 Folder d Membership Dues Receipts (2001) ca. 200 items ca 400 p
Box 10 Folder e Membership Database Printout (2001) 1 item. 29 p
Box 11 Folder a Current Membership (2002 - 2005) 12 items. 77 p
Box 11 Folder b Membership Database Printout (2/13/2001) 1 item. 31 p
Box 11 Folder c Membership Dues Receipts (2002) ca. 200 items ca 400 p
Box 11 Folder d Membership Dues Receipts (2003) ca. 200 items ca 400 p
Box 11 Folder e Membership Dues Receipts (2004) ca. 200 items ca 400 p
Box 12 Folder a Membership Dues Receipts & Correspondence Pt. 1 (1993) ca. 200 items ca 275 p
Box 12 Folder b Membership Dues Receipts & Correspondence Pt. 2 (1993) ca. 200 items ca 275 p
Box 12 Folder c Membership Dues Receipts & Correspondence (1994) ca. 300 items ca 400 p
Box 12 Folder d Membership Database Printout (1995) 1 item. 22 p
Box 12 Folder e Membership Dues Receipts & Correspondence (1995) ca. 200 items ca 275 p
Box 13 Folder a Membership Dues Receipts & Correspondence (1996) ca. 200 items ca 275 p
Box 13 Folder b Membership Dues Receipts & Correspondence (1997) ca. 200 items ca 275 p
Box 13 Folder c Membership Dues Receipts & Correspondence (1998) ca. 200 items ca 275 p
Box 13 Folder d Membership Database Printout (1999) 1 item. 29 p
Box 13 Folder e Membership Database Printout (1995) 1 item. 31 p
Box 13 Folder f Membership Dues Receipts & Correspondence (Partial) (2003) 1 item 8 p
Box 14 Folder a Letters (1973-1977) between individuals concerning the creation a sub-commission of the International Commission of Maritime History, leading up to the Peabody Conference. 13 item. 32 p
Box 14 Folder b Letters (1977) expressing interest in joining the United States sub commission of the International Commission of Maritime History. 19 items. 21 p
Box 14 Folder c Correspondence (1973-1978) on drafting a constitution for the US Commission as well as drafts of the constitution. 26 items 61 p. English and French
Box 14 Folder d Correspondence (1978) of possible officer nominations and official ballots. Congratulatory letters to winners. 44 items. 52 p
Box 14 Folder e Correspondence (1978) wishing to submit papers at the Bucharest meeting. 7 items 19 p. English and French
Box 14 Folder f Membership roster (1978) 3 items. 54 p
Box 14 Folder g Miscellaneous (1977) 3 items. 20 p
Box 15 Folder a NASOH Treasurer's Report, 2, March 1998
Box 15 Folder b NASOH Treasurer's Report 1996–1997
Box 15 Folder c NASOH Treasurer's Report 1995–1996
Box 15 Folder d NASOH Treasurer's Report 1994–1995
Box 15 Folder e NASOH Treasurer's Report 1993–1994
Box 15 Folder f NASOH Treasurer's Report 1992–1993
Box 15 Folder g NASOH Treasurer's Report 1991–1992
Box 15 Folder h NASOH Treasurer's Report 1990–1991
Box 15 Folder i NASOH Treasurer's Report 1989–1990
Box 15 Folder j NASOH Treasurer's Report 1988–1990
Box 16 Folder a NASOH Treasurer's Report 2005–2007
Box 16 Folder b NASOH Treasurer's Report 2004–2005
Box 16 Folder c NASOH Treasurer's Report 2003–2004
Box 16 Folder d NASOH Treasurer's Report 2002–2003
Box 16 Folder e NASOH Treasurer's Report 2001–2002
Box 16 Folder f NASOH Treasurer's Report 2000–2001
Box 16 Folder g NASOH Treasurer's Report 1999–2000
Box 16 Folder h NASOH Treasurer's Report 1998–1999
Box 17 Folder a NASOH Tax Documents 1990
Box 17 Folder b NASOH Registration Forms and Attendee Lists 1992
Box 17 Folder c Reconciliation of NASOH Treasury Reports 1984–1989
Box 17 Folder d NASOH Correspondence 1979–1985
Box 17 Folder e Ira Dye Bills and Letters 1988–1989
Box 17 Folder f NASOH Balance Sheets 1980–1985
Box 17 Folder g NASOH Treasury Reports 1985–1987
Box 17 Folder h NASOH Proposed Budget 1986
Box 17 Folder i NASOH Meetings and Correspondence 1987
Box 17 Folder j NASOH Receipts and Checks 1979–1985
Box 17 Folder k NASOH 1985 Correspondence 1985
Box 18 Folder a Proposed Changes to NASOH By–Laws 1996
Box 18 Folder b Proposed Changes to NASOH By–Laws 1998
Box 18 Folder c NASOH By–Laws, Duty of Treasurer 1989
Box 18 Folder d NASOH Articles of Incorporation 1999
Box 18 Folder e NASOH Stationary and Envelopes undated
Box 18 Folder f NASOH Membership Rosters 1993–2004
Box 18 Folder g NASOH Newsletters 1986–2007
Box 18 Folder h 24th Annual Conference Program (2000), 2004 NASOH conference schedule
Box 19 Folder a NASOH Treasury Reports, 1993–2010
Box 19 Folder b NASOH Meeting Minutes, 2001–2008
Box 19 Folder c NASOH Meeting Minutes, 2008–2011
Box 19 Folder d NASOH Meeting Minutes, 1999–2007
Box 19 Folder e NASOH Membership Correspondence, 1991–2005
Box 19 Folder f NASOH Membership Correspondence, 2003–2005
Box 20 Folder a NASOH Membership Correspondence, 2006–2010
Box 20 Folder b NASOH Membership Dues, 1991 part one
Box 20 Folder c NASOH Membership Dues, 1991 part two
Box 20 Folder d NASOH Membership Records, 1992–2002
Box 20 Folder e NASOH Membership Records, 2002–2004
Box 20 Folder f NASOH Membership Records, 2005
Box 21 Folder a NASOH Meeting Programs, 1983–1996
Box 21 Folder b NASOH Meeting Programs, 1995–2002
Box 21 Folder c NASOH Meeting Programs, 2004–2015
Box 21 Folder d NASOH Newsletters, 1993–2005
Box 21 Folder e NASOH Newsletters, 2006–2009
Box 21 Folder f NASOH Newsletters, 2010–2014
Box 21 Folder g SECNAV's Subcommittee on Naval History Briefing Materials from 3, September 2005
0689-s1 Born-Digital Physical Media 1

Access to original audiovisual and digital media is restricted. Please contact Special Collections for more information.

Box 22 Unprocessed addition