Subseries A. Shipping Papers consists of papers of those of vessels that Waters owned or mastered. Of particular interest are the papers of schooner Abeona, which was involved in the African slave trade. The papers of the frigate Essex consist of letters and accounts relating to the building and outfitting of the vessel, which was managed for the Navy by Waters. Other noteworthy papers include Joseph G. Waters spoliation claims for schooner Swallow, which include one letter from Daniel Webster. The papers of brig Otter (owned by Joseph and William D. Waters) have been placed with William D. Waters’ ships’ papers. Correspondence with partners and merchant houses and letters concerning more than one ship are filed in the shipping correspondence.