Capt. Earl C. Palmer Collection (1967.01)

Biographical note

Captain Earl Palmer was a descendent of famous captain Nathaniel (Nat) Palmer of Stonington, Connecticut, and followed his distant relation into the maritime profession, spending his entire life in the towing industry. According to an obituary from Moran Towing's Tow Line Magazine, for which Palmer wrote a column entitle "Fifty Years Ago," Palmer first entered the towing business in 1909 and joined Moran Towing in 1932, where he spent the bulk of his professional life. During WWII, Palmer commanded Moran's fleet of 52 ocean towing vessels for the War Shipping Administration and served as special assistant to Rear Admiral H.A. Flanigan, USN, the Director of Naval Transportation. Palmer eventually became Assistant Vice President at Moran Towing.

In addition to working in the towing industry, Palmer was an active member of the Steamship Historical Society of America, serving as the President from 1952-1953 and writing two articles for the society's publication, Steamboat Bill. Palmer passed away in 1966.