Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Occasionally you will get lucky and find a bunch of Red Books for auction or buy it now on ebay . Just was a run of them there not too long ago . There are Sellers at ebay who find and buy collections , then put them out for bidding . You could get lucky that way .

Hello everyone
I have just joined this very interesting site, and having sailed on the Great Lakes, I am curious to learn more.
For example, what are the Red Books? Do I assume correctly from your comments that they used to list personnel manning the ships? That would be great, I could find out who I worked with (that was in the 1960's, so I have forgotten most of the names of the guys I worked with.)

I have copies of all thru 1990 (the ones after that are useless).

What information do you need?

The first year for the Red Book was 1899. At that time, it was called "The Little Red Book". I have xerox copies of the issues from 1899 - 1924 and 1926 -1952. I have the little pocket format for all the others 1952 - 1990 and 1994 and 1995. The last 6 - 8 issues are not very useful because no personel assignments are given.

I believe the first issue was in 1898 and I think under a slightly different name. The Red Book we know, first came out in 1903. I've got one from 1908 and everything from 1939 onwards to the mid-80s.

In what year were the Great Lakes Red Books first published? I would like to chat with someone who has a collection or access to one.