News From Fort Schuyler

March 19, 1999 - Volume 3, No. 14

BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY - A press release from NASA brings the news that SCOTT J. KELLY, Class of 1987, has been chosen Shuttle Pilot for the next scheduled service visit to the Hubble Telescope. This nine day mission will be Scott's first space flight. Liftoff for STS-103 is scheduled for October. (More information on Scott at: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/)

UNDERGROUND - The time-line for underground cadet publications lengthened moments after the distribution of Issue no. 13 of NFFS with this note from BILL CALDWELL, Class of 1958. "I have in my possession an original copy of 'The Voice From The Dark' dated July 1, 1925. This was published semi-monthly by the Engineering Cadets of the Class of 1925. My father, THOMAS F. CALDWELL, was on the editorial staff of this publication which served to declare the 'Black Gang's' independence. Their motto: 'There is no tar on our heels, no anchors around our neck.' Although the publication is older than the 50 year exhibit you are planning, I will be happy to donate it to the library archives in memory of my father." (Thanks. The exhibit is hereby extended back to 1874!)

Emerging from underground anonymity is MIKE QUINTO, Class of 1964, who writes: "Not that I'm admitting anything, but I happen to be in possession of a copy of the 'Periscope' from May/June 1964 .......... do you need it? [Yes, we do.] The fact that the type looks very similar to our family typewriter's is a complete and utter coincidence." [Isn't coincidence wonderful??]

Bringing us up to the last decade is BARRY MARSH, Class of 1986: "I, along with JIM YAHNER (also Class of 1986), was the writer/publisher of the April Fools' Day 1985 and 1986 'Pain of the Weak' - a sort-of humorous version of the official 'Plan of the Week'......I also think I have copies of a number of underground posters/broadsides issued during my years at the Dome. I'll send anything I find along to you."

(Thanks for all your contributions. Perhaps the Luce Library can host a special Homecoming event for Fort Schuyler-related authors, including editors/contributors to underground publications. It is time to have a literary program at the library during Homecoming 1999 - along with the Book Sale.)

FULLY CITED - "Shortly after her arrival at Fort Schuyler, FIL MAGAVERO also helped me with a research effort I was involved with for the Maritime Administration," writes PHIL DILLOWAY, Class of October 1941. "As it turns out, the research, based on accident records and testimony, became the definitive work on merchant ship bridge layout design. A summary version entitled, 'Human Factors Affecting Merchant Ship Navigation Safety' was published in the Proceedings of the Merchant Marine Council, Vol.24, No.9, September 1967 and the Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Vol 14, No. 2, Summer, 1967." "Thanks to Mrs Magavero, I was able to use the library resources to supplement my other sources. The late GUY DE SIMONE [Class of 1936 ] and JAMES MALEY, [Class of 1931] served as consultants to the study. Help with the Coast Guard Board of Inquiry records came from the late RUDOLPH "Rudy" CASSANI [Class of 1946], who was attached to that office at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington at the time."

FULLY SEALED - "On Feb 26, 1999 at the Naval Amphib Base, SEAL Hdqtrs, a mini-alumni meeting was held. In attendance were Capt. BILL BARTSCH, Class of 1983, Capt. ED DANGLER, Class of 1949, Monarch Insurance CEO DON PENNIALL, Class of 1949, ... Professor JOSE FEMENIA, Class of 1964, and Admiral of the Alumni Association Fleet, EILEEN FEMENIA. We were all there to witness and celebrate the graduation of Ensign Joseph Femenia from the BUDS/S training program. ENS Joseph is now a full fledged SEAL officer in Special Operations Command. His younger brother John Femenia was also there and would make a great SUNY Maritime cadet if we can get his mind off Annapolis. We all had great time and joined in sharing the pride of the proud Mom and Dad at this outstanding accomplishment of son Joseph. I understand of the initial 130 candidate SEAL students, only 17 finished the program." (Report from Ed Dangler)

ONCE A DECKIE - Even though ART GOUDEY, Class of 1981, runs a completely non-maritime business, consulting in computers and accounting systems, his corporate motto certainly shows where he came from: "Compass Consulting...Pointing your business in the right direction!"

MARITIME DAY, SD STYLE - Ed Dangler sends a reminder that: "the SUNY Maritime Website homepage has an announcement of Maritime Day 1999 at Port of San Diego. (Thanks to JOE TARTAGLIA, Class of 1976) Captain Bill Bartsch and I will buy the first round of drinks for all Domers attending, so we hope to see a good turnout from SUNY Maritime. It is interesting to note that in spite of the several hundred Cal Merrytime Academy and Kings Pointless alumni from California, the Propeller Club of San Diego and the San Diego Unified Port District picked two East Coast Domers to manage the event. I guess they wanted the best." (You can see all the details at: http://www.fsmaa.org)