Edwin S. Cramp Collection

Manuscripts Collection 275

Overview of the Collection
Repository: G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport
Creator: Cramp, Edwin S., b.1853
Title: Edwin S. Cramp Collection
Dates: 1850-1950
Extent: ca. 1200 items
Abstract: Papers of Edwin S. Cramp during and after his employment with the William Cramp & Sons Ships and Engine Building Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The papers are primarily financial, although both personal and business. They also reflect Cramp’s campaign for government subsidy of the United States merchant marine shipbuilding industry. Collection also contains photocopies of trial photos for two Cramp Cruisers, the Alabama and the Varia.
Identification: Coll. 275

Biography of Edwin S. Cramp

Born in Philadelphia, March 19, 1853, the son of Charles H. Cramp, shipbuilder and grandson of William Cramp, founder of The William Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Building Co., Edwin began working for the family company in 1871. Apprenticed to the Engineering Department, Edwin Cramp immediately began work on some of the Shipyard’s largest vessels, the OHIO, INDIANA, PENNSYLVANIA, and the ILLINOIS. By 1892 Edwin Cramp had been promoted to head of the Engineering Department. He continued to rise in the company until the time of his resignation in 1907 when he held the positions of Vice-President and Director.

During his term with the Company and until his death, Cramp continuously lobbed for federal legislation and subsidies to support the United States Merchant Marine shipbuilding industry. Much of the papers comprising this collection are a result of these efforts. Others reflect his interest with general business and financial investments such as the Nevada Tonopah Mines, Standard Motor Co, and details of the 1904 St. Louis Universal Exposition.

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Available for use in the Manuscripts Division.

Restrictions on Use

Various copying restriction apply. Guidelines are available from the Manuscripts Division.

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Index Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the G. W. Blunt White Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the G. W. Blunt White Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should

Corporate Bodies (Including Vessels):

Alabama (Cruiser)
Varia (Cruiser)
William Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Building Co.

Places:

Philadelphia (Pa.)–Shipbuilding

Subjects:

Merchant marine–United States
Mines and mining
Shipbuilding–Pennsylvania–Philadelphia
Shipbuilding subsidies

Document Types:

Correspondence

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Coll. 275, Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.

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Index to Personal, Corporate and Vessel Names
NOTE: The fraction(s) indicate the Box and Folder numbers where that particular reference can be found. For example, the researcher will find information about American Academy of Political And Social Science in Box 1, Folder 5 of the collection.
American Academy of Political And Social Science 1/5
American Ship Building 2/18, 2/19, 2/20
Ashmed, A. 1/12
Atlas Steamship Co. 1/14
Bailey, John F. 1/4
Baltimore Dry Dock Co. 1/14
Barnes, William H. 2/16, 2/22
Bartol, George E. 2/7
Behr, V. (Capt.) 2/4
Biles, Charles H. 2/9
Biles, J.H. 1/14, 1/18
Bonner, James B. 2/9
Bowles, Francis T. 2/11
Brooke, George G. 2/12
Brown, Oren Britt 1/10
Buell, A.C. 2/3
Burton, Robert 1/14
Carlisle, John G. 1/7
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co. 1/21
Chickering, G.O. 2/11
CITY OF EVERETT (Ship) 1/14
Clyde Steamship Co. 1/13
Coffin Arc. Welding Co. 1/4
Colkert, L.M. 2/12
Converse, E.C. 2/9
Corbin, E.A. 1/21
Cottu, H. 2/3
Cramp, Charles H. 2/4
Dallas, S.J. 1/6
Daugherty, John 2/7
Davis, Aaron 2/4
Denny, A. 2/5
Dickson, Samuel 2/1
Dixon, George D. 1/14
DOLPHIN (Ship) 1/14
Dromio, ? 1/11
Dudley & Michener 1/18
Dudley, ? 2/12
Erben, Henry 2/9
Evans, R.D. 2/14
Ewasing, William 1/14
Faber, R.N.G. 1/14
Fenlon, E.J. 1/4
Fitzgerald, J.W. 1/14
Frazier, J.B. 1/7
Free Library of Philadelphia 1/13
Gallandet, Edward R. 1/6
Gary, E.H. 2/16
Gibbs, W.W. 1/20
Glover, George H. 2/12
Graham, G.S. 1/21
Griscom, C.A. 2/13
Grove, Henry S. 2/22
Hamburg American Line 1/14
Hand, H.W. 1/17, 1/18, 2/2
Hanna, ? 1/7
Harrison, Benj. 2/12
Hayden, James H. 1/3
Hethington, A.C. 1/7
Heysinger, I.W. 2/12
Hill, John W. 1/7
Historical Society of Pennsylvania 1/5
Hitners Sons 2/23
Hoadley, J.H. 2/7
Industrial Title, Trust & Savings Co. 2/9
Inman Line 1/14
International Navigation Co. 2/13
Johnson & Higgins 1/14
Kaler, L.B. 2/7
Keenan, J. 1/1
Laughlin, Robert 1/7
Lavens, E. 2/7
Leary, Richard P. 2/14
Leheigh Coal & Navigation Co. 2/1
Lewis, Vivian (Prof.) 1/18
Lindsay, Jason G. 2/8
Locomotive Smoke Preventer Co. 1/4
Loudenslager, Henry C. 1/7
Lynn, J.J. 1/14
MAINE (Battleship) 2/1
Mallory Line 1/14
Marsden Co. 1/20
Martin, Frank S. 1/9, 1/14
Matlack, D.J. 2/23
Matthews, Edward J. 2/12
McCammon, Joseph K. 1/3
McClean, Arms Co. 2/7
McFarland, W.M. 1/11
McKechine, John 1/14
McMichael, Morton 2/22
Mellville, G.W. 1/11
Minis, Jason G. Lindsay 2/8
Mitchell, James L. 2/12
Moffett, W.A. 1/12
Morgan, L.H. 2/3
Morton, Paul 2/12
Mullen, ? 2/12
N.Y. & Cuban Mail Steamship Co. 1/19
Narto, Katsuro 2/10
Naylor, John S. 2/5
Neall, Frank L. 1/2
Nenhans, F.A. 2/14
New York Steamship 2/13, 2/22
Nixon, Lewis 2/5
Oceanic Steamship Co. 1/22
Ochs, George W., 2/9
Opera, Grand 2/12
Overn, Frank 1/6
Panama R.R. Co. 1/14
Parson Marine Steam Turbine Co. 1/18
Parsons, H. DeB. 2/5
Patterson, John 2/7
Pell, F.R. 2/4
Pennypacker, Samuel 1/5
Pepper, Marsden (Dr.) 1/20
Potter, E.C. 1/14
Potts, Francis L. 1/23, 2/22
Pyle, Edward W. 2/11
Quincy, Josiah 1/4
Raymond, C.W. 2/5
Read, John R. 1/7
Richardson, E. M. 1/21
Richardson, Spencer & Co. 1/14
Ridgeway Machine Tool Co. 2/3
Robbins, John N. 2/13
Rutter, C.H. 1/14
Schack, Hans 1/6
Schoenfelt, William 2/13
Seaboard Steel Casting Co. 2/6
Selden, W.C. 1/13
Selfridge, ? (Mrs.) 2/9
Seligman, Henry 2/8
Shack, Hans 1/14
Simpson, A.B. 2/11
Simpson, T.B. 2/12
Sims, Gardiner C. 2/9
Smith, Alfred G. 1/19
Smith, Fredk. H. 1/6
Smith, H.J. 1/18
Smith, M.F. 2/7
Smith, R.A.C. 1/14
Southern Pacific Steamship Co. 1/14
Sproul, William C. 2/6
Standard Oil Co. 1/14
Stevenson, Sara G. 2/11
Strauss, O.S. 1/12
Terle, N. 1/18
Tilden, S.J. 1/7
Tromp, Adrian 1/12
Turner, J.K. 2/12
Upperman, Watson D. 2/3
Van Valkenburg, E.A. Canals 2/5
Warwick, Charles F. 1/7
Watson, James E. 1/7
WATURUS (Yatch) 1/14
Wayne, Charles S. 2/12
Weeks, H.B. 2/11
West, M.I. 2/14
Wheeler, Norman W. 1/18
White, Samuel 1/1
White, William 1/7
White, William H. 2/12
Williams, George B. (General) 1/12, 2/3, 2/5
Wilson, J. Shields 1/14
Wilson, James H. 2/12
Wood, William 2/9
Wyncoop, W.C. 1/8

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Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

 

Indexed papers; 1880-1910
Box Folder
1 1 201 – Real estate, rent correspondence with I. Keenan; 1896-1911
2 203 – Correspondence with Frank Neall concerning iceboats; 1903-1907
3 204 – Correspondence with Joseph McCammon and James Hayden – lawyers – concerning government and business; 1901-1907
4 205 – Correspondence with Smoke Preventer Company and New Century Engine; 1904
5 206 – Rules & regulations for awards at the St. Louis Universal Exposition; 1904
6 207 – Correspondence on employment / positions, and letters of introduction; 1901-1906
7 208 – Correspondence – political; 1884-1907
8 209 – Correspondence – Tonopah mines “Concern Nevada Mines near Tonopah”; 1902
9 210 – Correspondence with Frank Martin; 1906
10 211 – Correspondence with Judge Oren Britt Brown; 1907
11 214 – Melville, G.W. Dromio; 1892-1902
12 215 – Correspondence concerning shipbuilding for Turkish Sultan; 1899-1904
13 216 – Correspondence with Clyde Steamship Co. – W. C. Selden and Clyde; 1891-1897
14 217 – Plans and correspondence for Hamburg American Steam line and other info; 1901
15 217 – Plans and correspondence for Hamburg American Steam line and other info; 1875-1906
16 218 – Correspondence concerning and with the Free Library of Philadelphia; 1903-1906
17 219 – Bills and receipts; 1904-1905
18 220 – Correspondence and plans of Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Co.; 1880-1907
19 221 – Correspondence with New York and Cuba Mail Steamship Co. – Alfred G. Smith; 1899-1907
20 222 – Correspondence with Gibbs, W.W., and Marsden Co.; 1895-1897
21 223 – Correspondence with the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.; 1901-1906
22 224 – Correspondence, personal and business concerning the Oceanic Steamship Co.; 1893-1901
23 225 – Correspondence with Francis L. Potts; 1901-1906
Box Folder
2 1 226 – Correspondence regarding Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co. with A.S. Dickinson; 1901-1906
2 227 – Information and records on Parson’s Bronze – “Parsons Manganese for Bronze for bearings – Reference to Armstrong gun mounts; 1883-1902
3 228 – Russian Correspondence, some in relation to Russo-Japanese War; 1898-1906
4 229 – Correspondence, personal between Cramp family, mostly business matters; 1885-1907, and undated
5 230 – Canal Development; 1893-1907
6 232 – Correspondence concerning stock of Seaboard Steel Casting with W. C. Sproul; 1901-1907
7 233 – McClain Arms Company; 1884-1902
8 234 – Correspondence regarding Tonopah Mining interests; 1907
9 235 – Correspondence – Selfridge – Mine development and Industrial Title & Trust Savings Co.; 1893-1907
10 238 – Correspondence with Japanese legislation; 1895-1899
11 239 – Correspondence of thanks and support (Names in index); 1901-1907
12 240 – Correspondence and report on water supply; 1887-1907
13 242 – Correspondence, plans, test, concerning S.S. New York, International Navigation Co.; 1892-1902
14 243 – Correspondence with R.D. Evans, F.A. Nenhans, M.I. West; 1899-1904
15 244 – Bills & legislation, River and Harbor Committee, conditions of American shipbuilding, etc.; 1891-1900
16 245 – Correspondence with W. H. Barnes; 1903-1910
17 246 – Correspondence with J.A. Niclausse & Niclausse Boiler, information; 1899-1901
18 248 – Correspondence, reports and information on American Shipbuilding, reports of construction dept. and valuation of Cramp Brass Foundry; 1892-1898
19 248 – Correspondence, reports and information on American Shipbuilding, reports of construction dept. and valuation of Cramp Brass Foundry; 1899-1900
20 248 – Correspondence, reports and information on American Shipbuilding, reports of construction dept. and valuation of Cramp Brass Foundry; 1901-1905 and undated
21 248 – Pamphlet, “Horse Power and Speed Curves”; undated
22 249 – Correspondence on Cramp Co. reorganization and employees; 1902-1907
23 250 – Notes from H. A. Hitnes & Sons; 1904-1905
24 251 – Miscellaneous clippings and correspondence; ca. 1907
25 Index to folders 201-251; undated
Merchant marine legislation correspondence and papers; 1903-1907
Box Folder
3 1 Merchant marine legislation – correspondence; 1903-1905
2 Merchant marine legislation – correspondence; 1906 Jan-Apr
3 Merchant marine legislation – correspondence; 1906 May-1907 Feb
4 Merchant marine legislation – general information, printed legislation, facts, speeches.; 1905-1906
Business papers; 1899-1911
Box Folder
3 5 Asiatic Steamship Lines, literature and correspondence; 1906
6 Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co., Correspondence; 1899
7 Diamond State Steel Co. And W.A. Dunn and Rolling Machinery; 1911
8 E.S. Cramp and George Frederick Keene, Correspondence; 1904-1911
Box Folder
4 1 G.F. Kenne & C. Robert Buschner to E.S. and B.C. Cramp relating to Tonopah – Liberty Mines; 1904-1908
2 Liberty & Tonopah Mines – Correspondence & Papers; 1902-1905
3 Liberty & Tonopah Mines – Correspondence & Papers; 1906-1910, undated
4 Norfolk and Portsmouth Traction Co., Appraisal work; 1909
5 Philippine Islands, letters and printed materials re: navigation and transportation; 1905-1906
6 Standard Motor Co., Correspondence, stock information, plans; 1906-1910
7 Steel twin-screw barbette battleship, proposed specifications; undated
8 William Cramp & Sons financial papers . Includes annual reports of The William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Co.; 1902-1910
9 Other miscellaneous William Cramp & Sons. information and correspondence; 1904-1911
Personal papers; 1892-1911
Box Folder
5 1 Financial documents, reports and correspondence; 1892-1911
2 Ephmera, Edwin and Mrs Cramp – awards, playbills, high school diploma, dinner menu, Lincoln inaugural invitation; 1902-1953
3 Ephmera, speeches, government docs., etc.; 1902-1913
Newspapers and newspaper clippings; 1885-1945
Box Folder
5 4 Newspapers – Declaration of war headlines; 1917
5 Newspapers and clippings including 1885 “Harper’s Weekly”; 1885-1945
6 Newspapers and clippings articles and headlines include coronation of George VI, WWII and Roosevelt; 1937-1941
7 “In Honor of a Great Philadelphia Industry and Its Founder,” The Crow’s Nest, v. 22, Spring 1941.; 1941
Photographs (copies); 1850-1950
Box Folder
6 1 Vessels built at the Cramp shipyard including scenes onboard and group photos of yard crews; undated
2 Alabama (Cruiser), Preliminary trials; 1899 Aug 28-29
3 Varia (Cruiser) – built for the Russians; undated
4 Cramp family and descendents; 1850-1950
Cramp family papers; 1899-1950
Box Folder
6 5 Research and genealogy, most likely done by Dorothy Ross MacKay; undated
6 Scrapbook, Florence B. Cramp – contains notes and invitations to social engagements, clippings, mementos and ephemera of life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Newport, Rhode Island; 1899-1900

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