Captain James E. Creighton Papers, 1883-1910 | Maine Maritime Museum Manuscript Collection Online Catalog

The Captain James E. Creighton papers consist of three boxes of manuscript records relating to Captain Creighton as a sea captain and shipyard supervisor. Much of the correspondence is between Captain Creighton and vessel owners, managers, captains, builders, contractors, repairers, suppliers, importers, dealers, manufacturers and inspectors. There are documents of ownership, contracts, protests, store bills, invoices, receipts, dividend statements and bulletins. There is a significant amount of correspondence between Capt. Creighton and William F. Palmer, owner and manager of the Boston-based coal-carrying fleet of fifteen four- and five-mast schooners. Vessel records in the collection include those for the Ella M. Watts (Three-mast schooner), Fannie Palmer (I)(Five-mast schooner), Fuller Palmer (Five-mast schooner), Harwood Palmer (Five-mast schooner), Jane Palmer (Five-mast schooner), Lottie (Schooner), Marie Palmer (Four-mast schooner), Maude Palmer (Four-mast schooner), May O’Neil (Three-mast schooner), Paul Palmer (Five-mast schooner), Singleton Palmer (Five-mast schooner) and Susie M. Plummer (Four-mast schooner). Of particular significance are the records of building the Singleton Palmer (Five-mast schooner) and the Harwood Palmer (Five-mast schooner).

Account summaries, account books, ledger, cash book, and a journal detail the financial scope of Captain Creighton’s involvement in the shipping industry. Other miscellaneous documents such as a promissory note, a protest, store bills, receipts, cargo list, memorandum, trade ticket, figures and calculations, bulletins, advertisement and obituary add maritime interest to the collection