The Friends have assembled a collection of essential reading materials and digital resources for those seeking to deepen their understanding of America’s merchant marine heritage. These carefully selected books, archives, and websites offer valuable perspectives on the men and women who served in the U.S. Merchant Marine, from personal memoirs and official histories to scholarly examinations of maritime operations. Whether you’re a researcher, educator, veteran, or simply interested in this vital chapter of American history, these resources provide pathways to explore the courage and contributions of our merchant mariners.

Books

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Sites

American Merchant Marine Museum

The American Merchant Marine Museum operates within the historic Barstow mansion at the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point on Long Island’s North Shore. Its galleries chronicle twentieth-century American commercial shipping through extensive collections of scale vessels, maritime artwork, and vintage navigation equipment. Exhibits explore both the academy’s development and broader maritime commerce, while a separate building features the sole surviving back-acting steam engine from the 1873 vessel Emory Rice. The facility documents merchant marine heritage and highlights the wartime and peacetime service of academy graduates. Wheelchair accessibility is provided throughout.

Maritime Industry Museum

Located within Fort Schuyler at SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx, the Maritime Industry Museum presents commercial seafaring’s influence on contemporary global commerce. The facility offers hands-on exhibits, digital presentations, nautical paintings, and period artifacts that illuminate maritime trade and seafaring culture. Designed for both families and researchers, the museum demonstrates how ocean transport shapes modern international society.