John McLaughlin papers

This collection consists of diaries kept by McLaughlin during his time as a marine engineer serving on the Great Lakes from 1886-1927. It is not known if he began to keep diaries from before that time, but this set is complete for the 41-year span of the collection. The diaries provide a wealth of firsthand information about the life a marine engineer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The collection is also unique in that he served aboard many different types of vessels during his career afloat, including tugs, lumber boats, train ferries, passenger vessels, bulk cargo ships, and steamers. McLaughlin's service came at a time of rapid change on the lakes, with sail giving way to steam, vessels being built with steel instead of wood, and sizes continually increasing. His experience with the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association provides valuable insight into the dynamics of labor relations on the lakes during that time period.