The Officer Licenses microfilms have been funded by the generosity of the Herman T. and Phenie R. Pott Foundation and the J. Mack Gamble Fund of the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen.
On August 30, 1852, licenses were required of pilots and engineers, and the 1871 Act added masters, chief mates, engineers and pilots of all steam vessels. The April 17, 1874 Act required licenses of non-citizen engineers and pilots who declared their intention to become citizens. In the May 28, 1896 Act, steam vessel officers' licenses were issued for five years and could be renewed at any time before expiration. The March 23, 1898 Act extended licensing of steam vessel chief mates to include ocean or coastwise steam vessels' chief mates, second or third mates in charge of a watch, and mates of river steamers. The 1871 Act was amended by the December 21, 1898 Act to include licensing of masters and chief mates of sail vessels over 700 tons, and all other vessels or barges of over 100 tons.
Officer License Resources
1. Steamboat-Inspection Service. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Board of Supervising Inspectors of Steam Vessels. Washington: G.P.O. 1853 - 1893, annual or biennial
Reports include information on conditions, steamboats inspected, and officers licensed in the supervising districts, and rules and regulations. From 1869 to 1894, reports also include list of inspectors, and detailed tables.
From 1853 to 1894, reports are issued annually; beginning in 1895, reports are issued biennially. Reports for 1882 and 1885-1893 are issued in 2 parts: Part 2 contains the detailed tables.
The Board of Supervising Inspectors was appointed under an Act of Congress of August 30, 1852. 1st annual meeting held at Cincinnati, Ohio, and 3 preceding meetings held at Washington, DC, New York City, and Pittsburgh, PA.
Publication dates cover the previous year. For example, the 1894 edition is for people "licensed during the year ended December 31, 1893."
2. Steamboat-Inspection Service. List of Masters, Mates, Pilots, and Engineers of Merchant Steam, Motor, and Sail Vessels, Licensed During the Year Ended December - for a Period of Five Years.1894 - 1905. Annual publication that has lists of licenses granted for a five-year period and status of licenses.
3. Steamboat-Inspection Service. List of Officers of Merchant Steam, Motor, and Sail Vessels, Licensed During the Year Ended... for a Period of Five Years. 1906 - 1915.
4. Department of Commerce, Steamboat Inspection Service. List of Officers of Merchant Steam, Motor, and Sail Vessels, Licensed During the Year Ended ..., for a Period of Five Years. 1916-June 30, 1922.
