News From Fort Schuyler

January 30, 1998 - Volume 2, No. 7

A BANNER DAY FOR CIVILIZATION - Perhaps that's an exaggeration, but we are very happy to announce that the Luce Library is finally cyberlinked. This week, thanks to the technical expertise of Dan Mastromarino (Computer Services) and Kathi Pyzynski (Library Systems Manager) our students are now able to access the world wide web from terminals in the Reading Room. At present two workstations have Internet access with more to follow as funds permit. BTW - These terminals were provided to the library through the generosity of the Parent's Association.

BOB ALLEN '54 is the Sea-Land C/M in a new book, written by his wife, Nancy. "Fair Seafarer: A Honeymoon Adventure with the Merchant Marine," (Bridge Works Publishing, 1997) is an outsider's inside view of life aboard the containership M/V ENDURANCE. From California to Alaska and across the stormy Pacific to Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Ms. Allen describes daily life onboard a working ship, with a little tourism thrown in. See if you recognize your classmate after all these years .. often quoted, his photograph is also in the book. It's one of the latest additions to the Robert Gove Memorial Collection. A truly salty book! (Jane B. Fitzpatrick, Associate Librarian)

SHIP'S STORE MONOGRAMMED GEAR - In response to suggestions from RICK BAGSHAW '62, TOM SCANNELL '62, MILLINGTON LOCKWOOD' 66 and others, the manager of the Ship's Store, Charlie Nesto, has provided NFFS with a price list and order information. If you want the information, just let me know and it will be promptly e-mailed to you.

OVER AND OUT - Most people on this list were probably aware that Morse Code ceased to be the international code of distress on January 1. Noteworthy was the fact that it was used right up to the last minute to call for assistance. According to a report in the January 9 issue of the free, and very comprehensive weekly electronic publication, "World Maritime News", forwarded to me by RODNEY McFADDEN '75, the bulk carrier OAK broadcast an SOS in CW on December 31 when it lost power and its cargo shifted. A tug was dispatched and the ship towed to Liverpool.

In view of the demise of Morse Code I asked Rod, who works for the Coast Guard in Washington, D.C., why they were still testing for Morse Code on license tests. Here is his response:

"MORSE CODE (A/K/A DAH-EXPLETIVE-DIT) -Deck Officers are still required to pass a (very elementary) flashing light test for each unlimited license and upgrade. The requirement is popularly considered to be obsolete, and it doesn't take much for a license candidate to decide he (or she) will never need the skill.

Flashback to the late 1980 and Operation Earnest Will in the Persian Gulf: Navy ships were escorting merchant vessels and discovered: 1. The skill does come back, when it has to; and, 2. The process works. The escorted ships could indeed communicate to their escorts, *and* the lack of radio transmission made it more difficult for the bad guys to track convoys.

The following is my personal opinion, and should not be regarded as policy: I too have moaned and bewailed having to learn (and relearn and relearn and relearn) flashing light. But I wonder if a Deck Officer approaching a military 'contingency' in, say, Korea, with the air full of radio-signal-tracking-missiles wouldn't be grateful for the ability to communicate without attracting high-explosives." (Source: E-Mail - 13 January 1998)