Ships History Branch

Collects and maintains information on U.S. Navy ships; provides reference assistance to the Navy and the public; researches and writes the multi-volume Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

Location:

Washington Navy Yard, first floor of Building 200.

Hours:

This office is CLOSED to researchers as we prepare to relocate to Bldg. 70. We look forward to serving you once the office reopens on or about 1 October.

Reference assistance policy: Due to staff limitations, the office only responds to official government phone requests at (202) 433-3643. All other requests must be submitted in writing. Extensive personal research requests are beyond the scope of the office. The general public should submit their requests in writing to Naval History & Heritage Command, Ships History Branch, 805 Kidder Breese SE, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. 20374-5060. Processing time for reference requests is 4 to 8 weeks.

Phone: (202) 433-3643, DSN 288-3643

More Information:

• General Information and Branch History
• Document Collections
• Deck Log Section-Ships History Branch
• What to do if your ship is going to be Decommissioned
• Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
• U.S.Navy Active Ship Force Levels
• Listof former naval ships, preserved as museums, belonging to Historic Naval Ships Association
• List of ships present at Pearl Harbor, 0800 7 December 1941
• List of ships present during Surrender Ceremony in Tokyo Bay, 2 September 1945
• U.S.Navy Ships: Sunk and Damaged in Wars
• Bibliography on Ships