Frank Miller Papers, 1919-1990 (bulk 1933-1969) (SMC 64)

OFF-SITE STORAGE: COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.

Extent: 1.5 Linear feet (2 archives boxes, 2 shoe boxes, and 1 oversize folder)

Digital Content

A small selection of slides from this collection, primarily from the Naga Expedition, have been digitized. To locate these items, search the UC San Diego Library Digital Collections site for the following phrase, in quotes: "Frank Miller Papers, 1932-1989".

A small collection of papers and slides formerly belonging to Frank Miller, a retired Navy man who served at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography as a ship master in the 1950s and 1960s.

Frank Miller was born in New York in 1902. In September of 1919, he enlisted in the US Navy, where he served until 1947. He achieved the temporary rank of Chief Boatswain, and retired as a Chief Quartermaster. After his retirement, he captained private vessels and settled in La Mesa, in east San Diego County. In 1951, Miller was hired at Scripps to serve aboard the scientific fleet. In this manner, he accompanied several scientific expeditions in the 1950s and 1960s, including Operations Wigwam and Ivy (although the only documentation he has from those experiences are certificates of participation); and the Naga Expedition. Miller took many photographs aboard the R/V Stranger and the R/V Alexander Agassiz II. Miller died in 1990.

A small collection of papers and slides formerly belonging to Frank Miller, a retired Navy man who served at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography as a ship master from approx. 1949 to 1967. Among other duties, he captained the R/V Alexander Agassiz II. This collection includes a few folders of professional correspondence documenting Miller's naval career during World War II, including his assignment logs; certificates; a couple of ephemera items from his deployment to Japan in 1946; photographs and snapshots from his tours of duty, primarily from Japan, though other SIO ships and personal portraits of Miller are included; four 8mm films documenting the R/V Stranger and a Scripps expedition to Hawaii; and 35mm color slides taken by Miller during his years at SIO. The slides include shipboard images taken during the Naga Expedition and Ursa Major Expedition.

Arranged in two series: 1) PAPERS, and 2) SLIDES.

Container List

PAPERS

Box 1 Folder 1-3
Navy service records, ca. 1919-1946
Box 1 Folder 4-5
Certificates, awards, and commendation, 1935-1971

Includes an Operation Ivy participation certificate.

Oversize FB-010 Folder 1
Certificates, awards, and commendation - Oversize, 1935-1964

Includes: Operation Wigwam certificate; certificates for crossing the 180th meridian, and the equator.

Box 1 Folder 6-9
Navy correspondence, 1938-1978
Box 1 Folder 10
Professional correspondence, 1954-1972
Box 1 Folder 11
Clippings, 1962, 1990
Box 1 Folder 12
Ephemera from Japan tour, ca. 1946

Program from installation entertainment, "Kyushu Kapers" by Takarazuka Girls Opera; receipts for Miller to bring items home from Japan.

Box 2 Folder 1-8
Photographs - Japan and Guam tours, ca. 1946

Black and white snapshots of people and locales; informal and fair quality. Includes Fukuoka, Japan.

Box 2 Folder 9
Photographs - Portraits of Miller
Box 2 Folder 10-12
Photographs - Research vessels

Includes R/Vs Alexander Agassiz II, Stranger, and the dedication of the Ellen B. Scripps.

Box 2 Folder 13
Miller memorial service - Audiocassette tape
Box 2 Folder 14
8mm films - Last SIO cruise on the Stranger; Hawaii

SLIDES

Box 2 Folder 15
Handwritten slide indices and descriptions

Miller's own notes and lists of his slide collection.

Box 3
Slide group #1 - R/V Hugh M. Smith, San Diego to Kodiak, Alaska, 1960 July
Box 3
Slide group #2 - R/V Hugh M. Smith, Pt. Barrow to San Diego, 1960 July-August
Box 3
Slide group #3 - San Diego to Pt. Barrow roundtrip, 1960 July-August
Box 3
Slide group #4 - R/V Spencer Baird (San Diego to Pt. Barrow roundtrip); R/V Alexander Agassiz II (to Kodiak), 1960 July-August
Box 3
Slide group #5 - Kwajalein, South Vietnam, undated
Box 3
Slide group #6 - Pacific Victory, 1968-1969
Box 3
Slide group #7 - Saipan, Guam, Philippines, 1968
Box 3
Slide group #10 - Bangkok to Darwin, 1960
Box 3
Slide group #11 - Naga Expedition aboard the Stranger (Ship), 1960
Box 4
Slide group #12 - Naga Expedition aboard the Stranger (Ship), 1960
Box 4
Slide group #15 - Naga Expedition aboard the Stranger (Ship), 1960
Box 4
Slide group #16 - Naga Expedition aboard the Stranger (Ship), 1960
Box 4
Slide group #17 - Naga Expedition aboard the Stranger (Ship), 1960
Box 4
Slide group #19 - Naga Expedition aboard the Stranger (Ship), 1960
Box 4
Slide group #20 - R/V Alexander Agassiz II commissioning ceremony, 1962
Box 4
Slide group #21 - Alpha Helix in dry dock, Hawaii, 1962 June
Box 4
Slide group #23 - San Pedro Harbor, 1964 April
Box 4
Slide group #24 -Ursa Major conclusion, 1964 September
Box 4
Slide group #25 - Instrument station (catamaran floats), big net tow prior to Ursa Major, 1964 June
Box 4
Slide group #28 - Dedication of R/V Ellen B. Scripps, 1965 October 1