Naval History and Heritage Command

Bowling Green State University 
Historical Collections of the Great Lakes
Jerome Library, 6th Floor
Bowling Green, OH 43403

Defoe Shipbuilding Company
Records, 1907-1976

175 feet, 50 films, and photographs

Heyl, Erik
Papers, 1945-1973

Marine historian Erik Heyl's papers consist of his research notes, correspondence, and illustrations used to produce his most significant work, the six volume Early American Steamers series published between 1953 and 1969. The materials in the collection provide excellent documentation of the steamship era in American maritime history. Of special interest are Heyl's research notes and illustrations of U.S. and foreign naval vessels of the period.

8 feet

Perry, Oliver H.
Papers, 1777-1819

This collection consists of correspondence to Perry from various officers in the U. S. Navy Department and, more significantly, from Perry to the Navy Department. Of special interest are communications related to the building of the Erie Squadron and letters from various cruises upon which Perry embarked. Content of the letters covers a wide range of topics: commissions, recommendations, officers lists, requisition and transfer requests, logistic concerns, strategy, personnel related material (e.g., courts martial), sailing orders, and private letters. The miscellaneous material pertains mostly to the Battle of Lake Erie. For the nautical researcher, there is a souvenir program commemorating the raising and refitting of USS Niagara, which had lain on the bottom of Lake Erie for some eighty years. The pamphlets written by Usher Parsons relate his remembrances of the Battle of Lake Erie. Also included is a pamphlet relating the little-known scandal concerning Perry and Captain Jesse Elliot, Commander, USS Niagara.

1 microfilm reel

8 June 2002