S.S. William Carroll Latta collection
Collection — Folder: S1488
Identifier: S1488
Scope and Contents
This collection includes an April 30, 1944 typewritten article regarding the launching of the S.S. William Carroll Latta. Latta by the Delta Shipbuilding Company at New Orleans on April 13, 1944. The SS William Carroll Latta was a Liberty ship and was named in memory of Purdue University Professor William Carroll Latta. The official sponsor of the ship was Carol Reemtsma, Latta's granddaughter, and she had the honor of christening the ship. The article describes the christening ceremony, how the ship was built, and the process that would take place before it would be put into service. The article also relates additional information about the Delta Shipyards. The author of the article is unknown.
Dates
- 1944/04/30
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Historical Note
Following World War I, America's merchant fleet was declining in numbers and becoming obsolete. The Merchant Marine Act of 1936 authorized the development of an adequate and well-balanced American merchant marine. With the outbreak of World War II, ship-building intensified and 2,710 Liberty ships were built. President Franklin D. Roosevelt mused that the cargo ship would do well, but it was a "real ugly duckling." The Liberty ships proved to be too small and slow to hold up against the German U-Boats and in 1943, the United States began building larger and faster cargo ships called Victory ships. Despite some of its limitations, the ship performed well and only 200 Liberties were lost during the war due to enemy action, weather, or accidents.
Sources:
"Determining the Facts - Reading 1: Liberty Ships." National Park Service. Accessed March 22, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/116liberty_victory_ships/116liberty_victory_ships.htm.
"Liberty Ships and Victory Ships, America's Lifeline in War." National Park Service. Accessed March 22, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/116liberty_victory_ships/116liberty_victory_ships.htm.
Sources:
"Determining the Facts - Reading 1: Liberty Ships." National Park Service. Accessed March 22, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/116liberty_victory_ships/116liberty_victory_ships.htm.
"Liberty Ships and Victory Ships, America's Lifeline in War." National Park Service. Accessed March 22, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/116liberty_victory_ships/116liberty_victory_ships.htm.
Biographical Note
William Carroll Latta was born on March 9, 1850 in LaPorte County, Indiana to Robert and Mary Latta. He received his bachelor's degree in 1877 and his masters in 1882 from Michigan State University. Latta married Alta E. Wood (1854-1940) on July 10, 1879 and they had four children. He became a professor at Purdue University in 1882 and is recognized as the father of the College of Agriculture. In 1889, Latta founded the Farmers Institutes, the precursors of Purdue's Extension Service. He wrote articles, bulletins, and the book, Outline History of Indiana Agriculture (1938). In 1923, Latta was appointed professor emeritus and he continued to work at Purdue until his death at the age of 85 on December 22, 1935.
Sources:
Hagen, Kay. "Father of Purdue Ag Still Helping Students." Purdue Agriculture Connections, Winter 2006. https://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/connections/winter2006/pg11_02.html.
"Prof. W.C. Latta, Pioneer in Agricultural Education, Expires at 85; Famous Farm Leader." Lafayette Journal and Courier (IN), December 23, 1935.
Thompson, Donald E., comp. Indiana Authors and Their Books, 1917-1966. Crawfordsville, IN: Wabash College, 1974.
Sources:
Hagen, Kay. "Father of Purdue Ag Still Helping Students." Purdue Agriculture Connections, Winter 2006. https://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/connections/winter2006/pg11_02.html.
"Prof. W.C. Latta, Pioneer in Agricultural Education, Expires at 85; Famous Farm Leader." Lafayette Journal and Courier (IN), December 23, 1935.
Thompson, Donald E., comp. Indiana Authors and Their Books, 1917-1966. Crawfordsville, IN: Wabash College, 1974.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a records transfer from the Indiana Division.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2018/03/22 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid created 2018/03/22 by Laura Eliason.
- Title
- S.S. William Carroll Latta collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
