Emma Giles paddle box decoration, undated

The William C. Steuart Photograph collection contains over 600 images of sail and steam ships and scenes of the Baltimore waterfront, as well as related ephemera. A majority of the ships photographed were Baltimore-built or operated out the city from the Pratt and Light Street wharves. Many images of the ships that ran on Baltimore’s steam lines are included in the collection. Dock scenes of boats and workers loading and unloading cargo and ship construction and repair are other major themes of Steuart’s photography. A significant amount of maritime-related ephemera is also a part of the collection.