Research Information from Insurance Companies

[Whittman]

Has anyone ever done any shipwreck research utilizing an insurance company. I'm researching a ship that sank in the mid 1800's and I know the cargo was insured. How cooperative are the insurance companies and will they let ordinary people access their records?

 

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[swordfish]

Atlantic Mutal Insurance Co located in NJ has a collection of 'Disaster books". They are full of news paper clippings of ship wreck which contain much information. Try "Loyd"s List" available on Micro Film at most University's. Also check the: Index of the "New York Times"

 

[Whittman]

Thanks Swordfish. I'm looking specifically for a company that may have been called New York underwriters. Not 100% sure of that. Anyway, thanks for the information.

 

[Whittman]

Anyone else have any suggestions? All imput appreciated.

 

[mariner]

I know that on a couple of their recovery projects, Odyssey Marine have bought the rights to a wreck from the insurers. If you contact them, they might be able to give you some advice. Even though they are now extremely successful, I understand that the two guys who run Odyssey are pretty down to earth, and might help somebody who is where they were a couple of years ago, at least in pointing you in the right direction.

Mariner