FMSAA
News From Fort Schuyler
May 27, 1999 - Volume 3, No. 27
SUMMER SEA TERM ONLINE - You can follow the progress of the EMPIRE STATE VI by reading the SST 99 Cruise Log at the college web site. Go to http://www.sunymaritime.edu
Afterwards, you might want to track the voyage of the containership P&O Nedlloyd KOBE on a website developed by The Marine Society in England: http://www.marine-society.org.uk/kobe.html
WE HAVE A WINNER - The 1999 recipient of the Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association's "Outstanding Contribution Award" went to ERIK LARSEN, Class of 1999. According to his coach, DAVE COUGHLAN, Class of 1988, this award is: "..given to the graduating senior from MAISA each year that has made outstanding contributions to college sailing through their efforts, not only in competing, but in the promotion of our sport, by fostering sportsmanship among teams, maintaining quality competition." The recipient: "....embodies the selfless spirit of true competition and commitment to excellence in support of college sailing in our district."
EBB TIDE - News of the death, on May 21, of BERNIE BUONGIOVANNI, Class of 1948, comes from classmate, JOE McNEILL. Joe writes that "Bernie was co-chairman of the ... 50th reunion held at the fort. He spearheaded the class gift of a modest donation to the College Fund and an oil painting of the EMPIRE STATE II as she entered Havana Harbor, which now hangs in the museum. Bernie was a charismatic, rare individual to whom one immediately became attached. He will be missed." A memorial service was held on May 24 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Yardley, PA.
LOOKING BACK - The Library cites 1948 as its "official" founding date - the year the college hired its first professionally trained librarian, TERRY HOVERTER. A recent note from CHARLIE WHITESTONE, Class of January 1944, reminds us, however, that there was a library before then, citing a picture of the 12 member library squad in the 1943 Eight Bells, to prove it. He writes that the library was located where the Graduate Program offices are now located "..on 2nd deck on east corner, accessible from ladder." Going back another 25 years, a photo album donated to the archives by CHARLES B. CAMERON, Class of 1919, contains a picture from the 1918 cruise of the NEWPORT which shows five cadets, in dress whites, reading in a library space, captioned: "All dressed up for Sunday inspection." (Books a library make, but librarians make libraries work better.)
LOOKING FORWARD - A note from JOE GUSTAFSON, Class of 1965, brings the good news that he will marry Beth Ann McCusker on July 31.
WHENCE WESTERN BANANAS? - "I am developing a lot of curiosity about bananas!," writes FERGUSON BYARS, Class of 1939. "Here in Washington State where I live all the bananas I see in the stores come from Ecuador. Now I know they grow in many other places in the Caribbean and Central America as well as South America so how come only Ecuador?" "I'd also like to know what West Coast ports they are shipped to. Do you think any of our SUNY grads would be able to help me? In the olden days when I was a 'tankerman' we used to call the fruit carriers 'banana boats'. I have no idea if Chiquita and Dole own their own ships."
WEST COAST MARITIME DAY TALLY - Attendance of alumni from the maritime academies at the San Diego Maritime Day festivities has been certified by that famously non-partisan co-chair of the event, ED DANGLER, Class of 1949, as follows: MASS 4; KP 4; CAL 3; MAINE 7; and NY 9.
Continuing the enumeration of the NY contingent in Ed's own words: "PLUS 7 spouses, PLUS parents Mr. and Mrs. Mike DABBAR (parents of John DABBAR '82 and in-laws to SUSAN FARMER-DABBAR '82) How about that ? Even the parents are true and blue SUNY Maritime supporters. Included in the stalwart crew of Domers were not only such local heroes as Captain JAKE JACOBSEN '46, Captain CLAUDIO AZZARO '74, TOM HAND '57, DOUG BROWN '48, HAL MOODY '39 (only 1/2 credit for Hal since he also graduated Kings Point), ART MOSLOW '94, Captain ED DANGLER '49 and Captain BILL BARTSCH '83 (co-chairs), and out-of-towners who came here from distant places - Captain FRED WEST '50 and MARLINSPIKE LEVINE '49."
"From the comments Captain Bill B and I received after the function, this was the best Maritime Day in the history of the Port of San Diego since Juan Cabrillo had his landing party play beach blanket bingo with the local Indians in 1619 at La Jolla Shores beach. My answer to that is, 'What did they expect when two Domers supported by their fellow local and out-of-town Domers took over the operational planning ?' We look for a renewed and even greater victory next year...Loyalty and Valor.. Ed Dangler '49" [Make your reservations now for Maritime Day 2000 at San Diego.]
ON TO OTHER ENDEAVORS - KAI YAMAMOTO, who attended Maritime for two years with the Class of 1996, graduated from the College of Mount Saint Vincent with a BS in Nursing on May 22. Kai is off to the Telemetry/Stepdown unit of the highly respected Phelps Memorial Hospital.