News From Fort Schuyler

April 15, 1999 - Volume 3, No. 18

JOIN THE PURSUIT - The January 14 1998 "Morning Edition" program had a piece entitled Trivia Masters of Queens. According to the NPR program note: "John Kalish reports on a bar in Queens that is home to champion trivia team. They compete in a contest that matches up tavern-goers from New York to California. They seem to be a bunch of regular guys with vast stores of information in their heads. (5:31)" It turns out that one of the team members, mentioned about 2 minutes into the piece, is JOHN W. O'SULLIVAN, JR. Class of 1984, who is described as a former merchant mariner. In a follow-up e-mail, John said that: "I am basically a generalist, mostly geography, history, some literature, entertainment, science (especially meteorology), military stuff, and of course computers, and the maritime industry." John invites alumni who are interested in playing interactive trivia against 3,000 other teams to contact him at NYMFAF@aol.com or call him at his work number (914) 332-6110, ext. 257. You can listen to the Morning Edition segment at - http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/archives/1998/980114.me.html

EBB TIDE - The death of HUGH SPICER, Class of 1948, was reported by classmate, DR. JOE McNEILL. Hugh died at home on April 6. According to Joe, a memorial service for Hugh was held on April 8 at the Morris Plains Presbyterian Church. Hugh, who was the Co-Chairman of the 40^th Reunion for his class, was active in his community and church. He is survived by his wife Fran, two children and three grandchildren.

PSST ! GAS TURBINES ARE IN (MANY SHIPS) - This note from GLENN McANDREW, Class of 1979: "I'm working for GE Marine Engines as Military Marine Technical Programs Mgr. My bread and butter is the LM2500 which powers surface combatants for most of the world's navies. It's a position that takes me to shipyards around the world, most recently India. Exciting times exist also in the commercial sector as gas turbines now find themselves in fast ferries and cruise ships."

WHO'S WHO AMONG THE ACRONYMS - Glenn also provides updates for other Schuyler alumni: "BILL BERBERICH '78 is working at NAVSEA , Washington D.C. I run across him from time to time because we are both USN Reservists. BILL ARSENEAU '85 works at NSWCCD-SSES (Naval Surface Warfare Center) at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (BRAC closed except for some commands like SSES). I ran across Bill in January during my two weeks Annual Training at SSES."

THIS MAN IS NOTEWORTHY - "One of our Scisssorbills is ailing real bad," writes JOE GERSON, Class of 1947. "Mary, wife of TOM BONN, advises he has been seriously impacted by Alzheimers. A few years ago Tom had a remarkable recovery from prostate cancer, always retaining his warm cheerful and helpful personality. Mary advises he has trouble handling calls, but would welcome your cards and notes, especially if they reflect the sea or nautical themes. So, pen in hand, immmmmmediately, let's all flood Tom with a load of mail that tells his of our caring and fraternal love." (Address: W. Thomas "Watertite" Bonn, 2411 John Henry Drive, Sinking Spring, PA 19608.)

REMEMBERING THE BIG U - One of the most impressive outdoor exhibits which the Maritime Industry museum has installed at Fort Schuyler is a giant propeller from the liner, the SS UNITED STATES. Recently MIKE QUINTO, Class of 1964, took in the sight: " I'm in NY this weekend and drove through the campus with a friend. The only stop we made was at the S/S United States Screw. It interested me since it was so different from those with which I was familiar. Sure enough, it was very special. I met COMMODORE ANDERSON and COMMODORE ALEXANDERSON at a reception on the UNITED STATES at a retirement luncheon for Commodore Anderson. They invited the officers of Propeller Club to the lunch. JIM McNAMARA [Class of 1964] was President and I was Treasurer at the time. [Editor's Note - ALL the permanent Masters of the SS UNITED STATES were NY Maritime graduates: HARRY MANNING, Class of 1914, JOHN ANDERSON, Class of 1915, and LEROY J. ALEXANDERSON , Class of 1930.]

RECOMMENDED READING - This tip from ED DANGLER, Class of 1949, regarding an article in the March issue of the Military Sealift Command publication, 'Sealift'. "Very interesting article by Captain ED NANARTOWICH, Class of 1975, as an exchange officer from MSC with the Royal Navy Fleet Auxiliary in London. Sounds like it was a very useful exchange tour for both the Brits and the U.S." Sealift in not available on the web, but you can send your postal address to the Editor, Bridget Morris, and she will send a copy. Contact her at: Bridget.Morris@SMTPGW.msc.navy.mil

FINAL REMINDER - Maritime Industry Museum testimonial dinner on Thursday, April 22 in Manhattan at the Yale Club. Details at: http://www.fsmaa.org or call the Museum Office at (718) 409-7218.