News From Fort Schuyler

April 8, 1999 - Volume 3, No. 17

YANKEE FAN ALERT - A note comes from JOE GERSON, Class of 1947, urging readers to "...watch Opening Day Ceremonies, Friday, April 9 at 1:00 PM, New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers. Stand proud m'sons .. Color Guard is from your Alma Mater New York Maritime. First & Foremost!"

1942 - 1946 ERA TRAINING SHIP PICTURES NEEDED - You can help model-maker extra-ordinaire, BARRY MARSH, Class of 1986, as he creates the third in his series of Maritime College training ship models. He writes: "I'm now in the 'Detail stage' of my construction of the Maritime Industry Museum's model of the USMSTS AMERICAN PILOT (ex-TS EMPIRE STATE). Most of the details are readily visible in the many 'Eight Bells' yearbook photos and loose photos I'm using for reference, but I can't quite make out a few areas. I'd like you to ask .... members of the wartime AMERICAN PILOT classes, 1942 -1946, if they could lend me any photos of the Poop Deck gun tubs and guns, lifeboats and davits, and life rafts. Alumni wishing to lend me their photos should contact me at: marsh_barry@georgesharp.com [or call at] 703-548-4400 (W), or 301-782-4068 (H). All photos will be returned to their owners following the model's dedication at the Museum, at Homecoming this September."

U.S. MARITIME SERVICE SCHOOLS - The Executive Vice President of the Maritime Industry Museum, FRANK DUFFY, wants to contact Fort Schuyler alumni who were associated with Maritime Service training station schools during the 1940's. He is researching the training of 16 year-old's in the Maritime Service during World War II for an article. He writes: "I know that some of the wartime graduates went into the training stations as instructors. Most of the senior officers of the early days of the Maritime Service came from the state schools, too." If you can help, contact Frank at helo98@aol.com

WHAT A RIP OFF - On March 31 the NFFS editor noted that the trees in front of the Quadrangle were festooned with scraps of black uniform remnants, a sure sign that the annual re-enactment of "Rip Off Day" had taken place. The ritual rending of part of their winter uniform by First Class cadets is one of the newer "traditions" here at Fort Schuyler. Needless to say, faculty and staff shake their heads in wonder and voice their disapproval at such wanton waste, to little avail. What Class started Rip Off Day? What did it mean then? What does it mean now?

BRITISH SHIPPING IN THE 1950'S - This note from 1982 Graduate School alumnus, PETER F. VICKERS: "Snowbow Productions, located in Brighton, UK, is owned by Des Cox, an old shipmate of mine from the 50's. (The New Zealand Shipping Co. - a P&O subsidiary in those days.) He has produced 10 marvelous videos about shipping as it used to be in that era - all from archival film collected over the years. I started with No. 3, 'Cargo Liners,' which hooked me on the rest." [Editor's note: For detailed information about 'The Great Liners' series, which has not been shown on U.S. television, go to: http://freespace.virgin.net/snowbow.productions ]

NEW MARITIME DISCUSSION GROUP IS ONLINE - According to an April 2 posting on the maritime history discussion list, MARHST-L: "A new message reflector has been established at the University of Maryland, intended for broad discussion on American Maritime Policy. Think of the possibility of ongoing conversations between shipowners, shipyards, MARAD, MSC, active mariners, grads and staffs of seven maritime academies, underwriters, union executives, writers, historians, academes, etc., all engaged in advanced thinking on improving America's maritime interests. Subscribe through a simple e-mail message to hturner@rhsmith.umd.edu"

SMALL WORLD DEPARTMENT - This news from Captain KIRBY STROSS, Class of 1977, who, along with Chief Engineer MIKE CUKIERSKI, Class of 1970, is sailing onboard the USNS LITTLEHALES, an AMO-contracted coastal survey ship currently in the Red Sea in Egyptian waters: "We had a unique experience. Last month we encountered a couple on their third circumnavigation of the globe. ROGER and MOLLY FIREY onboard their Westsail 32 ft sailboat. We exchanged navigational courtesies with them. Soon learned that Roger is a 1956 Schuyler deck grad. He spent time in the Navy and merchant marine prior to retirement. He wishes all his schoolmates well."

Kirby, who sails as Master of the LITTLEHALES, writes that: "Mike resides in Maine, I now reside in Northern Minnesota. A far cry from my Long Island, NY days. I have two young sons and have resided in Houston, Seattle, and now Minnesota since graduation.