News From Fort Schuyler

June 10, 1999 - Volume 3, No. 29

50's 50 in 2YK, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE - This note from FRED WEST, Class of 1950: "The class of '50 will be celebrating it's 50th reunion at Fort Schuyler next September (2000) and following this, we're planning a cruise to Bermuda. All alumni, from all classes, are invited to join us on this cruise. Interested parties may get further information from ED ARNDT (e.arndt@juno.com) Come on out and have a ball with us. The more the merrier!"

RADIO TIMES THEY WERE - "I'd like to clarify and further add to GARY RAFFAELE's [Class of 1960] memory of the radio station," writes classmate DAVID F. BAKER. "It started in the North Dorm when KENT WOODWARD brought in an old wire recorder. Why, I do not remember, but it had an intercom system so that the boss could wirelessly communicate with the secretary. We started out screwing around, and using not so perfect language, until the upperclassmen said 'clean it up or turn it off.' "

"We did use the call letters 'WHOR.' Take a look at my caption in the 1960 yearbook. [Editor's note, it reads: "During his junior year, he and Woody masterminded station WHOR. Broadcasts from the North Dorm were the highlights of our illustrious class."] We spent a few hours to put together a 10 minute program. I used the strings of my guitar to do an 'N-B-C' (last one off-key). JOE POLAK, the 'What me Worry Kid' classmate sang 'The Cat Came Back' and we did some other little stories and comments...... I can't recall the police getting into it. It took so long to do each minute of programming that the demand for homework needs killed it, if my memory serves me. Oh! what times they were!"

READ ALL ABOUT IT - For a Mid-Western perspective on the 1999 Summer Sea Term experience, you can now read Chicago Sun-Tribune columnist, Neil Steinberg, who sailed on the EMPIRE STATE VI. His first column filed from the TSES, "Now's the time for him to chart his own course," appeared on June 6th. It features Cadet Terry McCabe - who just so happens to hail from the South Side of Chicago. Go to: http://www.suntimes.com/index/steinberg.html click on "Columnists" and find Neil in the "News and Views" section.

STILL BEING QUOTED - An essay on adventure literature in the June 6 New York Times Magazine written by novelist Annie Proulx ("Shipping News"), quotes from the classic adventure yarn, 'Cape Horn' written by FELIX RIESENEBERG, Class of 1897. The book was first published in 1939. According to Amazon.com, a 1994 reprint edition is still available from the Ox Bow Press.

TSES IV MODEL QUESTIONS - This from BARRY D. MARSH, Class of 1986, who writes: "For those of you who follow my Training Ship model building efforts, my scratchbuilt 1/16":1' scale model of the US Maritime Service Training Ship AMERICAN PILOT (ex-TS EMPIRE STATE) is nearly complete. It will be dedicated at Ft. Schuyler's Maritime Industry Museum during Homecoming 1999."

"As soon as the TS AMERICAN PILOT model is done, I'll start building the TS EMPIRE STATE IV model. I have a few questions to clear up before I start, and I'd appreciate assistance from alumni who sailed aboard TSES IV. First, I'd like to hear your preferences regarding what year you'd like the model to depict. When I build my models, I build each to the configuration and colors of one specific year - AMERICAN PILOT as in 1945; TSES II as in 1947; and TSES V as in 1985 (my 1st Class Cruise). I'll take a poll via email, then will discuss the results with the Museum."

"Second, there seems to be some question regarding the color the ship was painted over its years at the school (1960-1973). While some alumni distinctly remember light gray, some just as distinctly remember white. If the ship was light gray for several years (as she was when transferred from MARAD) then was painted white, I'd appreciate knowing when any color change was made. Along the same line, what color were her weather decks? Green? Red? Dark gray? I've heard all three (and I know some areas were covered with wood decking). I'll review yearbook photos at the Luce Library when I next visit the Dome, but would like to know the colors as soon as possible.

"Once I get started, I'll use NFFS and DomeNet to ask more questions about TSES IV. Thanks!

Barry D. Marsh." Contact Barry at: marsh_barry@Georgesharp.com or (703) 548-4400.

ALUMNI HOME PAGE - In 1998 the Luce Library linked alumni personal and business-related home pages to its first (and so far, only) web page for a Homecoming exhibit. Although the "new look" web presence for the library, currently under construction, won't contain this feature (since the Alumni Association now has its own website) here is a final new link for an alumnus - PHYLIPP DILLOWAY, Class of 1946, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of New Haven, can be visited at: http://www.newhaven.edu/seas/industrial/iengg/phylipp.htm