Craig Shipbuilding Company collection

The collection documents business and personal elements in the life of Great Lakes shipbuilder John Craig. The primary series in the collection is a set of ninety-three black and white photographs made from the enclosed glass negatives. This series dates from about 1898-1918 and records shipyard views for the Craig vessel construction operations in Toledo, and Long Beach, California. Most views are of Toledo. Only a handful of the photographs are dated.

A second photographic series appears in the form of an album regarding the Craig family genealogy. Black and white photographs in this album (1 file folder) present individual portraits and group views dating from 1853 to 1965. These photographs show fine examples of nineteenth and early twentieth century clothing and architectural styles.

Biographical material on John Craig appears in his autobiography based on incidents he related to his granddaughter for publication in 1928. This volume (1 file folder) discussed Craig's business interests and factors motivating him to succeed in the vessel building industry.

A memoir from a relative of Craig's, James Lough, offers another view of working conditions in shipyards in the late nineteenth century. Lough's recollections (2 file folders) offer humorous insights into why the hiding of money outside of banks favored by people like John Craig was so common.

Two printed items complete the collection (1 file folder). An obituary for John Craig and an article in an historical journal on the Craig enterprises further elaborate on the Craig marine empire.

PHOTOGRAPHS:

Boxes 1-5 for glass negatives; Boxes 6-7 for prints Consists of 93 black and white photographs and their accompanying glass negatives. Access to these negatives is restricted because of their fragile nature. Derivative prints have been made to facilitate access. Photographs were taken by members of the John Craig family in Trenton, Michigan, Toledo, Ohio, and Long Beach, California. The Craig family operated a shipyard in each of those cities. Shipyard scenes and street scenes are present in largest numbers. Most of the street scenes are in Toledo, Ohio, showing residences, office buildings, and fire stations. Only a few photographs are dated.

GENEALOGICAL PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM

Box 8, Folder 1 Album recording genealogical information on the Craig family. Information dates from 1777 to 1966. Photographs date from 1853 to 1965. A list of vessels built by the Craigs in New York, Michigan, Ohio, and California covers 1861-1931. Most photographs are of family members in portrait poses or in family groups. Some street scenes and shipyard views are present.

JOHN CRAIG AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Box 8, Folder 2 An autobiographical narrative by John Craig dictated to his granddaughter Ruth Craig Merrell who served as compiler. The work is entitled Episodes of My Life and was printed in a limited press run of 100 copies. Series is paginated.

JAMES LOUGH MEMOIR

Box 8, Folders 3-4 A memoir written by a relative of John Craig who came to the United States from Scotland to work in the Craig shipyard at Toledo, Ohio. Lough later returned to Scotland to run a freighting service. Lough arrived in the United States in 1889 and left in about 1900. A typescript and a photocopy of the handwritten original item are present. Mr. Lough was prompted to write this memoir after receiving a copy of John Craig's autobiography from Ruth Craig Merrell. Series is paginated.