New York State Dept. of State Board of Port Wardens Records
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Overview of the Records
Repository:
New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
Summary:
This series contains a variety of manuscript volumes used by the Board of Port Wardens of the port of New York to record daily
business. Volumes document management of the board's finances, apprenticeships of Hell Gate pilots, and surveys of vessels
and cargoes.
Creator:
Title:
Board of Port Wardens records
Quantity:
Inclusive Dates:
[ca. 1858-1928]
Bulk Dates:
1903-1928
Series Number:
A0387
Administrative History
Chapter 405 of the Laws of 1847 reorganized the warden's office of the port of New York by creating a board of wardens, known
as "The port-wardens of the port of New York." The board consisted of nine members appointed by the governor. Port wardens
were empowered to, upon request of any interested party, board any vessel for the purpose of examining the condition and stowage
of its cargo. If any goods on board were found to be damaged, port wardens were to determine the cause of the damage and prepare
an official memorandum describing their findings. If a vessel owner or operator allowed cargo to be unloaded without prior
inspection by the port wardens, he was presumed by law to be liable for any damage found when the cargo was unloaded.
The port wardens also had exclusive jurisdiction over vessels arriving in port in a state of distress or having suffered damage
in transit. The port wardens were required to survey damaged vessels and cargoes and prepare written records of said surveys.
Based on these surveys, the port wardens were to determine repairs necessary to render damaged vessels seaworthy and were
empowered to condemn severely damaged vessels and order their contents sold at auction.
The Board of Port Wardens was placed within the Department of State upon the department's creation in 1926 and the secretary
of state was given power to appoint members. Chapter 377 of the Laws of 1928 abolished the board and terminated all functions,
powers, and duties of the department with respect to port wardens.
Scope and Content Note
This series contains a variety of manuscript volumes used by the Board of Port Wardens of the port of New York to record daily
business. Volumes include account and check books used to manage the board's finances; a book of minutes of meetings of the
board; a Hell Gate "Pilot Book" used to record names of pilots, indentures of apprentice pilots, and examinations of apprentice
pilots; account books used to record receipts of vessels surveyed; and cargo survey books used to record surveys of vessel
cargoes and hatches.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.
Access Terms
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Detailed Description
| Dates |
Contents |
Box |
Volume |
Accretion: A0387-78 |
| 1919-1920 |
Account Book |
1 |
1 |
| 1903-1910 |
Minute Book |
1 |
4 |
| 1858-1877 |
Hell Gate "Pilot Book" |
1 |
5 |
| 1924 July-1928 March |
Account Book: Receipts from Surveys of Vessels |
1 |
6 |
| 1907 April-1913 June |
Account Book: Receipts from Surveys of Vessels |
1 |
7 |
| 1913 July-1919 December |
Account Book: Receipts from Surveys of Vessels |
1 |
8 |
| 1920 January-1926 April |
Account Book: Receipts from Surveys of Vessels |
2 |
9 |
| 1926 May-1928 May |
Account Book: Receipts from Surveys of Vessels |
2 |
10 |
| 1924 February-1925 March |
Vessel Cargo Survey Book |
2 |
11 |
| 1925 March-1926 March |
Vessel Cargo Survey Book |
2 |
12 |
| 1926 March-1927 March |
Vessel Cargo Survey Book |
3 |
13 |
| 1927 March-1928 March |
Vessel Cargo Survey Book |
3 |
14 |
| 1924 August-1926 March |
Vessel Cargo Survey Book |
3 |
15 |
| 1926 March-1927 August |
Vessel Cargo Survey Book |
3 |
16 |
| 1927 August-1928 March |
Vessel Cargo Survey Book |
3 |
17 |
