G. Victor Chamberlain collection

Collection

Identifier: GLMS-0068

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

This collection contains items accumulated by Captain G. Victor Chamberlain during his career on lake vessels from 1940 to 1981. A file of correspondence reveals the importance of safety issues, while radar logs and loading logs record operations aboard the ship. News clippings, particularly ones covering the sinking of the EDMUND FITZGERALD, provide insight on events of interest to Captain Chamberlain. Navigational and weather-related charts illustrate another area of the captain's interest. Also present are a small number of photographs and videotapes covering a wide variety of topics. The collection is small but does present material useful in understanding the responsibilities and worries of Great Lakes vessel captains.

Dates

Creation: 1927-2008
Creation: Majority of material found within 1941-2000

Extent

2.83 Cubic Feet (1 legal manuscript box, 4 letter manuscript boxes, 1 clamshell box , and 1 flat file drawer)

Creator

Chamberlain, G. Victor, Captain, 1916- (Person)
Hanna Mining Company (Organization)

Scope and Contents

This collection is composed of material acquired by Captain G. Victor Chamberlain during his career on lake vessels from 1927-2008. Small series of correspondence (1958-1977), charts/maps (1927-1974) and printed matter (2002) provide insights into issues of concern to a veteran Great Lakes vessel captain. Safety issues are frequent topics within the correspondence series. Information on fellow officers in the lake fleet of the US Steel Corporation appears in personnel lists attached to correspondence. Navigation issues are reflected in the various logs for vessels retained by Chamberlain. The sinking of the EDMUND FITZGERALD in 1975 is covered in many of the clippings Chamberlain acquired. Practical matters involved in completing trips between ports are covered through charts retained for study of navigational difficulties in river and harbor channels. Weather related charts are also available. Assorted printed items regarding a captain's interests in equipment purchases, navigational study, weather, and safety issues are present. The collection also contains a number of VHS tapes featuring vessels in transit, trips aboard vessels, and commercial productions on Great Lakes topics.

The last item in the collection is an oversize scrapbook assembled by Chamberlain that chronicles his career, as well as maritime events attended after his retirement. The scrapbook heavily features his time spent as captain of the ERNEST T. WEIR and GEORGE A. STINSON, as well as service aboard Allied supply convoys to the Soviet Union as part of the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II. Materials in the scrapbook include correspondence, awards, photographs, crew lists, official documents, and reminisces.

This collection is not large, but does present material useful in understanding what Great Lakes vessel captains were responsible for accomplishing in their careers. Routine matters appear in the correspondence and log books. Some of their worst nightmares can be seen in the clippings Captain Chamberlain saved regarding the fate of his colleagues on the WILLIAM B. DAVOCK in 1940 and the EDMUND FITZGERALD in 1975.

Biographical Sketch

Captain G. Victor Chamberlain was born in about 1916 at Delaware, Ohio. His first sailing was for the Wilson Line in 1934. In 1935 Captain Chamberlain joined the fleet of the Hanna Mining Company as a deck hand. After 1935, Chamberlain's Great Lakes career was spent with the Hanna fleet. On obtaining his original license in 1941, Chamberlain served as the third mate on the DAVID M. WEIR.

Captain Chamberlain was granted a leave of absence from the Hanna fleet during World War II. He attended and graduated from the US Maritime Officer's School at New London, Connecticut. Chamberlain served on transport convoy vessels in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific theaters of operations. Captain Chamberlain completed his military service in 1945 as the chief mate of the troopship JOHN BLAIR.

Chamberlain again sailed for the Hanna fleet in the post-war years as a third mate. His first temporary command came with an assignment in 1962. In 1967 he became a permanent master with a command on the MATTHEW ANDREWS. Captain Chamberlain served as captain on the PAUL H. CARNAHAN, LEON FALK, JR., ERNEST E. WEIR, and the GEORGE M. HUMPHREY. Captain Chamberlain's last command before retiring in 1981 was on the GEORGE A. STINSON.

Victor and Margaret Chamberlain last lived in Sandusky, Ohio. Their two sons have both pursued marine careers as a Great Lakes sailor and as a marine geologist.

Retirement activities included transporting yachts to the Mackinac Island races and staying active in the Cleveland Lodge of the International Shipmasters' Association. Captain Chamberlain maintained his Lodge 4 membership from 1943 until his death.

Conditions Governing Access

The scrapbook in this collection contains crew lists that have Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This item must be reviewed by staff before access can be granted.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was donated to the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes by Captain G. Victor Chamberlain on February 8, 1983. An instrument of gift was signed at the time of transfer. Additional transfers of materials were made in 2009 and 2016.