Ambrose Merrill papers
Collection, MC/9
- Creator:
- Merrill, Ambrose Moody
- 1896 – 1973
- 1941 – 1965
- Quantity
- 7 boxes
- Language of Materials
- English.
- Call Number
- MC/9
- Administrative/Biographical History
-
Ambrose Moody Merrill graduated from Newburyport High Schools in Newburyport, Massachusetts in June of 1900, after which he pursued and received his Bachelors degree in Naval Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (class of 1904; awarded in 1919). He was employed in the Drafting Department at the New York Naval Shipyard from 1905 – 1949. He became Chief Draftsman in 1929, and in 1938 he was promoted to Head Engineer of the Hull-Design Division. Merrill became member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers in 1905, joined the American Society of Marine Draftsmen in 1913, and was a longtime member of the Sandalphon chapter of the Eastern Star, a coed society affiliated with the Freemasons.
Having served at the Brooklyn Navy Yard through both World Wars, Merrill received a many awards and commendations for his commitment to the United States Navy and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. In June of 1944 his division received the War Bond Honor Flag, which he was given for securing the most war bond contributions from his staff. In 1945, in honor of his fortieth anniversary working with the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Merrill was given with a personal letter from James Forestall, Secretary of the Navy, recognizing his significant contributions to the Navy during those two significant conflicts. - Scope and Content
- The collection is largely comprised of Merrill’s personal effects, and does not include his professional papers. These records include two pencil drawings, a number of photographs and cyanotypes, awards, clippings, and a book entitled Tower Crane Manuel: Erection, Operation and Maintenance. Also in this collection are a selection of artifacts that include two framed photographs, Merrill’s college diploma (framed), some drawing tool sets, two French curves and three triangles, and a plaque commemorating the launching of the USS Pensacola. Finally, a collection of Merrill’s books are included. Because the materials date to the period in Merrill’s career when he served as a Naval Architect at the Brooklyn Navy Yard (officially known as the New York Naval Shipyard), it is safe to assume, though not confirmed, that the materials were compiled primarily in Brooklyn.
- System of Arrangement
- This collection contains 3 series: Papers; Bound Volumes; Artifacts.
- Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access This collection is open for research.
- Conditions Governing Reproduction Material in this collection is made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The use must assume full responsibility for any use of the material, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced material. Please see the BNYDC Archives’ Policy on Access and Use for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish. Any material used for academic research or otherwise should be credited using the citation below.
- Preferred Citation Published citations should take the following form: Identification of item, date (if known); Ambrose Merrill papers; MC/9; Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation Archives, Brooklyn, NY.