Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History

Name of Collections: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has Howard I. Chapelle’s published and unpublished drawings; plans in the Historic American Merchant Marine Survey; Harry V. Sucher’s plans from his V-Bottom and Flat-Bottom Boat books; the Maritime Administration Collection of Ships (1937-1970), and Naval Plans from many nations, periods and delineators.

Description: The Smithsonian’s extensive ship plans collection is available in three catalogs; for descriptions and ordering information, see: <http://americanhistory.si.edu/about/departments/work-and-industry/ship-plans>

Vessel Types

  • Military
  • Commercial / Cargo
  • Commercial / Passenger
  • Commercial / Fishing
  • Recreation / Pleasure
  • Sailing
  • Steam
  • Military / Cargo
  • Diesel
  • Small Craft
  • Other Government
  • Research

Type of Access 

  • Online
  • Written Request
  • Telephone Request

Website: <http://americanhistory.si.edu/about/departments/work-and-industry/ship-plans>

Contact:

Smithsonian Ship Plans

National Museum of American History – MRC 628

PO Box 37012

Washington, DC 20013-7012  USA

<shipplans@si.edu>

202-633-3944