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Jimmy Crooks papers, circa 1957-1971
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Crooks, Jimmy
- Title
- Jimmy Crooks papers
- Dates
- circa 1957-1971 (inclusive)19571971
- Quantity
- 0.36 cubic feet (1 box)
- Collection Number
- 6147 (Accession No. 6147-001)
- Summary
- Manuscripts of "The Siberian Years of Jimmy Crooks, 1927-1930," which document Jimmy Crooks' experiences as a sailor on the Swenson Fur Trading Company's expedition to Siberia
- 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
-
Open to all users.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
James "Jimmy" Crooks was born in Ireland in 1897. He grew up in a seafaring family and began his own career at sea when he was sixteen years old. With the exception of his service in the British and Spanish armies, his entire career was spent at sea. Crooks became a United States citizen following World War I, and served for forty years with the Merchant Marines. Over the course of his career, Crooks sailed under four different flags--British, American, Russian, and Chinese--and traveled to locations all over the world. Some of his missions included carrying troops and supplies to wartime beachheads, delivering medicine and relief supplies to victims of the Yokohama earthquake in 1923, crossing the equator twice each day on a decoy ship, and much more.
Beginning in 1927, Crooks worked with the Seattle-based Swenson Fur Trading Company to deliver supplies to Siberia. Although the Soviet Union operated its own supply ships to that region, due to a shortage of both vessels and supplies the Soviets allowed this American-owned and operated company to supplement the Soviet efforts. In exchange for carrying supplies that were purchased by the Soviet government's agents in the United States (the company was not allowed to trade with any Siberian residents), the Swenson company received valuable fur. Although Crooks' voyage to Siberia with this company was only expected to last for two and a half months, a range of international complications extended this work to over three years. Crooks documented his experiences in Siberia and wrote this memoir, which was typed by Barbara Royal Blood.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Drafts and final bound version of The Siberian Years of Jimmy Crooks, 1927-1930. The manuscripts, which were largely written and typed by Barbara Royal Blood, document Crooks' experience and adventures as a sailor to Siberia in the 1920s. Newspaper clippings about Jimmy Crooks, correspondence from Crooks to Royal Blood, and other correspondence to Crooks are also included.
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
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1/1 | The Siberian Years of Jimmy Crooks, 1927-1930 | circa 1957 |
1/2 | The Siberian Years of Jimmy Crooks Book One: Indigirki Bound | circa 1959 |
1/3 | The Siberian Years of Jimmy Crooks Book One: Indigirki Bound, edited draft version | undated |
1/4 | The Siberian Years of Jimmy Crooks Book Two: The Kolyma River Year, edited draft version | undated |
1/5 | The Siberian Years of Jimmy Crooks Book Three: The Cape Billings Year, edited draft version | undated |
1/6 | Correspondence, clippings, and miscellaneous edited pages | 1959-1971 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Fur trade--Russia (Federation)--Siberia
- Fur trade--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Sailing--Russia (Federation)--Siberia
Personal Names
- Crooks, James, 1897---Archives
Corporate Names
- Swenson Fur Trading Company--Employees
Form or Genre Terms
- Manuscripts for publication
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)