Charles Sweet Collection

MacMullen Library & Research Archives

Processed by Astrid Rodgers

Maritime Museum of San Diego
1492 N. Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101-3309
Phone: (619) 234-9153
Fax: (619) 234-8345
E-mail: librarian@sdmaritime.org

Descriptive Summary

Creator:
Charles I. Sweet

Title:
Charles Sweet Collection, 1950-2001

Extent:
3 boxes (1.2 linear feet)

Repository:
MacMullen Library & Research Archives
Maritime Museum of San Diego
San Diego, CA 92101

Language:
English

Access
Collection is open for research.

Biography
Descended from Welsh shipbuilders, maritime historian Charles I. Sweet worked as a patternmaker in an Italian foundry, and later learned the history of Monterey fishing boats from a family of Northern California Italian boatbuilders. His experience as a patternmaker and skill with model-building gave him unique insight into the design and construction methods of these boats. Sweet’s accomplishments include the restoration of one of the last Monterey Salmon Trollers, as well as lecturing and authoring on the topic of Monterey fishing boats.

Scope and Content
The collection documents Charles Sweet’s research and written works on Monterey-type fishing boats, notably “The Monterey Boat and its Impact on Yacht Design,” published in 1995. Notes, subject folders, and handwritten and typed manuscripts illustrate the works’ progression and the process of the author. Extensive research material includes correspondence, clippings, articles, technical drawings and data, photographs, and official documents.

Subjects
Sweet, Charles I.
Sweet, Dennis
Gillmer, Thomas C.
Fishing boats