Ships and Sailors

Photos of all kinds of ships used in war, commerce, and pleasure, and the men and women who sail on them.

Ocean liners, submarines, destroyers, aircraft carriers, battle ships - and yachts, oh my! Water transportation has been, and continues to be, a vital part of our economies and history.

Ships transported many of our ancestors from far away countries to explore America seeking new opportunities. Their journeys left behind important genealogy documents that are used to trace our history such as ship manifests, diaries, and customs paperwork.

Of course, navigation at sea comes with many challenges, and quick to come to mind is the sinking of the Titanic. This event, always remembered, changed a number of maritime safety regulations - including requirements that ships have enough lifeboats for all passengers aboard.

Today, maritime transport is safer than ever. Over 80% of goods are carried by ship, changing the entire world into one marketplace.

Ships and the sailors who pilot them, are critical from business, to fishing, and of course for military purposes with the Navy.

These vintage photos of ships of all kinds, and the people who lived on and worked with them, show some of the challenges, thrills, and history made because of water transportation.