Ships Archive uses photographs and other visual material to document ships and explain maritime history.

An image being available online does not, by itself, give permission to reproduce it.

How images are selected

We use material that we have created, material used with permission, material available under an appropriate open licence, or material for which a suitable public domain basis has been established.

For externally sourced images, we check the individual file record and its stated rights information. A website’s general description does not replace the licence attached to a particular image.

Image credits

Credits appear beneath an image or in a clearly identified image credits section on the same page.

Where applicable, a credit records:

The photographer or creator.

The collection or original source.

A link to the source record.

The licence and a link to its terms.

Any relevant changes made to the image.

“Wikimedia Commons” alone is not a complete credit when the licence requires attribution to the creator.

Creative Commons and public domain material

Creative Commons images remain subject to their individual licence conditions. These may require attribution, a licence link, identification of changes and the use of a compatible licence for adaptations.

Public domain status can depend on jurisdiction and the history of the work. We record the stated basis for use where practical and do not assume that every old photograph is free of copyright.

Editing photographs

Routine preparation may include resizing, compression, tonal adjustment and careful cropping where permitted.

We do not alter documentary images in ways that misrepresent a ship, location or event. Material restoration, colourisation or reconstruction is identified. We do not remove copyright marks to conceal ownership or avoid licence conditions.

Reader submissions

Submitting an image does not transfer ownership to Ships Archive. Publication requires an agreed permission or licence and an agreed credit.

Please submit only material you own or are authorised to license, and identify any restrictions.

Reusing material from Ships Archive

Original Ships Archive text and original site material are protected unless another licence is expressly stated.

Third party images retain their own rights and conditions. Permission from Ships Archive cannot replace permission from an image’s rights holder.

Contact contact@shipsarchive.com about reuse of material owned by Ships Archive.

Reporting a concern

If you believe material has been published without appropriate permission or credit, email contact@shipsarchive.com with the page address, identification of the work and information supporting your claim.

We will review the concern and may correct the credit, replace the material or remove it while the issue is assessed.