Colin Davis Waterfront Workers Oral History Collection
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Date
Creator
Extent
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Language of Materials
Abstract
Professor Colin J. Davis from the University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Social Science and Behavioral Sciences recorded these interviews as part of a study of the New York City waterfront. Interviews were used in Davis' 2003 book Waterfront Revolts: New York and London Dockworkers, 1946-1961. The Colin Davis Waterfront Workers Oral History Collection (dated 1995-1998) contains seventeen interviews with longshoremen regarding their experiences working on the waterfront during the middle of the twentieth century. Additionally, there are four interviews with workers from the London, England docks: Pye, Donovan, Bloomberg, and Johns.
Biographical Note
Professor Colin J. Davis from the University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Social Science and Behavioral Sciences recorded these interviews as part of a study of the New York City waterfront. Interviews were used in Davis' 2003 book Waterfront Revolts: New York and London Dockworkers, 1946-1961.
Arrangement
Materials in this collection are arranged alphabetically by last name.
Scope and Contents
The Colin Davis Waterfront Workers Oral History Collection (dated 1995-1998) contains seventeen interviews with longshoremen regarding their experiences working on the waterfront during the middle of the twentieth century. Subjects discussed include entry into the occupation, working conditions, characteristics of different cargoes, labor relations, relationship between rank and file union members and leadership, ethnic composition on docks, and Communist Party activity on waterfront. Interviewees worked in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey. Additionally, there are four interviews with workers from the London, England docks: Pye, Donovan, Bloomberg, and Johns.
Subjects
Conditions Governing Access
Materails are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Because of the assembled nature of this collection, copyright status varies across the collection. Copyright is assumed to be held by the original creator of individual items in the collection; these items are expected to pass into the public domain 120 years after their creation. Copyright (or related rights to publicity and privacy) for materials in this collection, created by Colin J. Davis, was not transferred to New York University. Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; New York City Waterfront Oral History Collection; OH.060; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Colin J. Davis in 2007. The accession number associated with this gift is 1950.049.
Audiovisual Access Policies and Procedures
Access to audiovisual materials in this collection is available through digitized access copies. Researchers may view an item's original container, but the media themselves are not available for playback because of preservation concerns. Materials that have already been digitized are noted in the collection's finding aid and can be requested in our reading room. Materials not yet digitized will need to have access copies made before they can be used. To request an access copy, or if you are unsure if an item has been digitized, please contact tamiment.wagner@nyu.edu with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. A staff member will respond to you with further information.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Entire collection was digitized in 2012. Access compact disks were arranged alphabetically for ease of use. Until 2012 collection name was New York City Waterfront Oral History Collection, but has been changed to reflect the broader geographical distribution of materials.
In January 2025, individual listings for original recording, transcript, and access copy were added to each interview subject in the inventory.
