The Steamship Historical Society of America

2010 is very special as it marks the second phase since SSHSA launched its innovative  "Image Porthole. " Initially containing 40,000 "lost" pictures of ships, ports, and people that now have been preserved and digitized. This year, an additional 20,000 or so photos never seen before have been added.  SSHSA Members have the ability to interact with the database and help us identify these forgotten images. General Public may login as guests and view the images. This site has become the "Shipipedia" of the internet.

Click on this link to access SSHSA's Image Porthole http://www.sshsa-db.org

You may also immediately purchase high-quality photos right now by visiting our partner e-commerce site www.shiphistory.org .

For other publications, prints and unique maritime items, please visit our store on ebay http://stores.shop.ebay.com/sshsa-online-store or click on the store button from our homepage. 

In 1933, Congress designated May 22 as National Maritime Day.  In 2008 we celebrated by launching our new interactive web-based Image Porthole site sharing thousands of fading, forgotten and deteriorating photos. Here's the official congressional verbage:

Whereas on May 22, 1819, the steamship The Savannah set sail from Savannah, Geaorgia, on the first successful transoceanic voyage under steam propulsion, thus making a material contribution to the advancement of ocean transportation: Therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That May 22 of each year shall hereafter be designated and known as National Maritime Day, and the President is authorized and requested annually to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such National Maritime Day by displaying the flag at their homes or other suitable places and Government officials to display the flag on all government buildings on May 22 of each year.

This celebratory day was championed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who incidentally, became the first U.S. President to become a member of SSHSA. FDR, like many other prominent maritime enthusiasts, believed in our cause and joined as an honorary member in 1945.  His acceptance letter is housed at his presidential library in Hyde Park, NY.

Click on the PDF's below to read a few articles regarding the Image Porthole.