Ship pictures can be obtained from the following sources; in all cases, along with the name of the ship, include the date it was operating and/or bringing your ancestors to the U.S.A and the probable ports from which it embarked and landed since there were often many ships with the same name in different years.
Fee $10.00 for one-half hour of research. If they find something, they will let you know and send you an order sheet. Photo 3.5 x 5.5" to 5x7" about $10; larger available at higher costs. Photocopies considerably less (pricelist will give current cost). If you wish to go there, phone ahead for an appointment since their staff is small and you need to find someone there.
[This source is mainly for steamships.]
The Peabody & Essex Museum East India Square Salem, MA 01970-3783 (508) 745-1876 or 745-9500
Mariners' Museum 100 Museum Drive Newport News, VA 23606 (804) 595-0368
Mystic Seaport Museum Blunt White Library Mystic, CT 06355 (203) 572-0771 (Mystic Seaport complex (203) 536-4218 or (800) 243-0416)
[Suggested as a source for sailing vessels.]
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Hyde Street Pier San Francisco, CA 94123 or National Maritime Museum at San Francisco Foot of Polk St. San Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 556-8177
[Excellent coverage of the West Coast. They have 250,000 pictures ]
Another Marine Collection (not sure about pictures here but it has the complete run of Lloyds Registers from 1844 to the present)