Kaiser Wilhelm II (1902)
USS Agamemnon ID-3004
Monticello
Message Board

1.
July 10, 2012

I am wondering if anyone knows who did the salvage work on the Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1940 Baltimore as I have read? I ask because at this same time my Great Grandfather, Emory Allan Craig and his son, my Grandfather Allan James Craig owned and operated the Chesapeake Marine Railway Co. of Baltimore City.       My question is in reference to a Captain's Chair that has been passed down in the family and said to be from the "Kaiser Wilhelm"... Emory Craig has worked in the shipyard business from appx 1895. He first worked for Capt. R. M. Spedden as asst book keeper to Mr. Kilborn in the Spedden Machine shop.

Not long after Capt. R. M. Spedden, the President asked Emory Craig to take charge of the books at the Spedden Marine Railway located at Philpot and Point Streets. Soon he became Secretary and Treasurer. Capt. R. M. Spedden had lost trust in his partner and bought them out of the R. M. Spedden Co. Capt. Spedden then desired to sell out his interest in Spedden Marine Railway Co. and sold to Emory Allan Craig for $5,000 to be paid to Capt. R. M. Spedden in 5 monthly payments of $1,000. Emory then bought out Mr. Henry Brusstars quarter interest.      

In 1913 Emory then bought from Mrs. Josephine Reeder (Oliver Reeders or his sons wife I believe) 2 Railways on Key Highway for $25,000 which was paid off in a few years. In 1915 Emory Craig, Mr. Henderson and another (who I am unable to make out the name in Emory's Diary), bought from what looks like written as "Vernon Cobbs" Machine Shop for $8,100 and named it the Marine Engine and Boiler Co. this was paid off in 2 yrs.      

Emory Allan Craig eventually bought out his two friends and ran the Business with his son Allan James Craig after his schooling and when about 21 yrs. of age about 1925. Emory remained President until his death in 1959 at which time his son Allan James Craig became sole owner.      

So this brings me back to the "Kaiser Wilhelm" chair and if anyone knows of any interior photos of this ship or what Company or Companies may have been used to do the salvage work on her in the Chesapeake in Baltimore Maryland? Any info or comments would be a start no matter how small or seemingly unimportant.

Thank you very much,
Ann Goodwin




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