Master Key to the Panama Canal certificate issued to Vincent P. McMurdo, 1957 November 4

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Summary

Title:
Master Key to the Panama Canal certificate issued to Vincent P. McMurdo
Dates:
1957 November 4
Creators:
Panama Canal Company
Abstract:
The certificate (SAFR 17603, HDC 0031) was issued to Mr. V.P. McMurdo November 4, 1957. The certificate has two foil seals, one gold and one red. The replica key is scotch taped to the red foil seal.The collection is processed and open for use.
Extent:
1 item
Language:
In English.
Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], HDC0031 (SAFR 17603), Master Key to the Panama Canal certificate issued to Vincent P. McMurdo, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Background

Scope and content:

The certificate (SAFR 17603, HDC 0031) was issued to Mr. V.P. McMurdo November 4, 1957. The certificate has two foil seals, one gold and one red. The replica key is scotch taped to the red foil seal.The collection is processed and open for use.

Certificate text: The Esteemed Order of Bearers of the Master Key to the Panama Canal Know All Men By These Presents: Whereas, The Esteemed Order of Bearers of the Master Key of the Panama Canal has been established to join together all Panama Canal advisors in a favored fellowship of peregrinating potentates who have viewed the marvels of American enterprise and Panamanian geography at the Crossroads of the Earth, shared the tropical delights of the Canal Zone, observed the fiesta and the siesta, seen the sun rise in the Pacific and set in the Atlantic, angled in the bay of abundant fish, and drunk deep of the waters of the Chagres which assures their return; Whereas, Membership in said Order is conferred in the respective grades as follows: Honorary Pilot - having traversed the big Ditch that divides the land and unites the world. Honorary Lockmaster - having inspected the Locks through whose chambers pass ships bearing flags of all nations. Honorary Aide to the Governor - having assisted in important duties of the Governor, diurnal and nocturnal. Now, therefore, Membership in the Esteemed Order of Bearers of the Master Key of the Panama Canal is hereby conferred upon: Mr. V.P. McMurdo in the grade of Honorary Aid to the Governor and said Bearer of the Master Key is hereby possessed of all honorary rights, privileges, perquisites, emoluments, and memories appertaining to membership in the said Order and is hereby authorized to display this certificate and a replica of the Golden Key to the Locks of the Panama Canal. In Whitness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seals this 4th day of November, 1957, at Balboa Heights, Canal Zone. [signature of] W.E. Potter, Governor of the Canal Zone, President, Panama Canal Company

Biographical / historical:

Panama Canal Company history: Panama Canal Company, is a corporation, the stock of which was wholly owned by the United States, the Secretary of the Army being designated as the sole stockholder. Panama Railroad Company (name changed to Panama Canal Company, Act of September 26, 1950, 64 Stat. 1038) was incorporated under federal charter (Act of June 29, 1948, 62 Stat. 1075). It is the governmental agency through which the United States carries on the functions necessary for the operation and maintenance of the Panama Canal. The act of September 26, 1950 is superseded by the Panama Canal Commission, 1979. The Panama Canal Commission, was established as an independent agency, effective October 1, 1979, by the Panama Canal Act of 1979 (93 Stat. 452), September 27, 1979, superseding the Canal Zone Government and the Panama Canal Company.

Citation: National Archives, accessed October 29, 2010. see http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/185.html, and Docket 25681, United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 1959.

Vincent P. McMurdo, native San Franciscan, was born in March 2, 1893, and expired October 30, 1975 in Alameda. According to a Time news article dated October 1, 1947 titled Phony Beef, Mr. McMurdo was the Pacific Coast Manager for Luckenbach Steamship Company.

Citations: Ancestry.com, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,933761,00.html

Acquisition information:

SAFR-00001

Donated by Mr. Vincent P. McMurdo in 1975.

Processing information:

Note on Description: The descriptions in this collection guide were compiled using the best available sources of information. Such sources include the creator's annotations or descriptions, collection accession files, primary and secondary source material and subject matter experts. While every effort was made to provide accurate information, in the event that you find any errors in this guide please contact the reference staff in order for us to evaulate and make corrections to this guide. P lease cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.

Arrangement:

This is a collection consisting of a single item.

Physical location:
San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard .

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by: Historic Documents Department Staff.
Date Prepared:
2012
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from ICMS database and converted into xml from a template revised and updated by San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department. 7/11/2012 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.

Terms of access:

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], HDC0031 (SAFR 17603), Master Key to the Panama Canal certificate issued to Vincent P. McMurdo, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Location of this collection:
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123, US
Contact:
415-561-7030
Website