Allan Yost collection of shipping company records, circa 1850-1980

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Yost, Allan
Title
Allan Yost collection of shipping company records
Dates
circa 1850-1980 (inclusive)
Quantity
6.54 cubic feet (7 boxes plus 1 oversize folder)
Collection Number
6030 (Accession No. 6030-001)
Summary
Correspondence, annual reports, research notes, clippings, ephemera, and other records of the shipping and steamship companies Goodall, Nelson & Perkins; Pacific Alaska Navigation Company; Pacific Coast Steamship Company; American Mail Line; and American President Line, all operating primarily between the Pacific Northwest and Asia
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Request at UW

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Allan Yost was an employee of the American Mail Line between 1931 and 1936.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Records of Goodall, Nelson, and Perkins; Pacific Coast Company; Pacific Alaska Navigation Company; Pacific Steamship Company; American Mail Line; the Dollar Line; and American President Line. The materials were collected and compiled by Allan Yost, who was an employee of the American Mail Line in the 1930s. Included are writings and histories of the companies, correspondence, annual reports, research notes, newspaper clippings, fliers and brochures, sailing schedules, stockholder information, passenger lists, and ephemera and memorabilia, including playing cards, keychains, and other objects bearing the logo of the different companies.

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

Yost acquired many of the materials in this collection through correspondence with employees of each company and by visiting offices when companies went out of business.

The companies represented in this collection provided mail, shipping, and passenger services, first along the American west coast, and later between the west coast and Asia--and around the world. Goodall, Nelson, and Perkins was organized as a steamship shipping company in the 1860s. The company reorganized in 1876 as the Pacific Coast Steamship Company. In 1916, Pacific Coast Steamship Company merged with the Pacific Alaska Navigation Company to form the Pacific Steamship Company.

The American Mail Line was formed when the Dollar Shipping Company, known commonly as the Dollar Line, acquired the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and renamed it the American Mail Line. American Mail Line officially merged with American President Line in the 1950s; however, it continued to operate under its original name until it was completely consolidated with American President Line in 1973.

Beginning in 1958, American President Line began using containerization, a shipping method that became increasingly more common and profitable. American President Line provided its final passenger service in 1973, although its shipping business continued to grow.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Prior to November 30, 1991

Separated Materials

Material Described Separately:

Allan Yost Collection of Shipping Company Photographs (PH2016-062)

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1 Goodall, Nelson, and Perkins 1850-1870
1 Pacific Coast Company 1890-1900
1 Pacific Alaska Navigation Company 1900-1916
1 Pacific Steamship Company 1890-1934
1-3 American Mail Line 1917-1975
3-4 American President Lines 1968-1983
4 Dollar Line undated
4 Pacific Coast Railway Avila Beach circa 1960s
4 Interport Requirements (Freight and Passenger) undated
4 Lists of vessels and terminated voyages 1940s-1970s
4 Deep Sea Ships correspondence and clippings circa 1960s
4 Florence Bradshaw's trip on the SS Alaska Mail 1977-1978
4 Steam schooners and steam boats clippings circa 1970s
4-5 Travel brochures circa 1910s-1970s
5 Ephemera 1920s-1980s
5 Research and correspondence 1958-1974
6 Ephemera 1850-1870
7 Pacific Steamship Company forms and passenger list circa 1920s, undated
folder:oversize
Oversize Folder 1 Pacific Coast Steamship Company ship deck layout of quarters circa 1920s-1930s
Oversize Folder 1 American Mail Line flags undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Mail steamers--United States
  • Postal service--United States

Corporate Names

  • American Mail Line
  • American President Lines, Ltd
  • Goodall, Perkins & Co
  • Pacific Coast Railway
  • Pacific Steamship Company
  • Pacific-Alaska Navigation Co

Form or Genre Terms

  • Business correspondence
  • Ephemera
  • Records (Documents)

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • American Mail Line, (creator)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)