FMSAA
News From Fort Schuyler
October 8, 1999 - Volume 3, No. 47
BIGGER BETTER BARGAIN - The 4th edition of "Intermodal Freight Transportation" by GERHARDT MULLER, Class of 1965, has hit the bookstores. Weighing in at 501 pages, almost double that of the 1995 edition, it sells at a very affordable $45. The growth of this invaluable training and reference resource, jointly published by a foundation and an industry trade association, reflects the changes and expansion of intermodalism. For more information go to: http://www.enotrans.com or http://www.intermodal.org Thanks to the generosity of the author, there are already copies of this new edition on the shelves of the Luce Library.
KNOT KIDDING - What with talk of worming and parcelling in recent NFFS, why not visit the International Guild of Knot Tyers at http://home.fea.net/~igktpab/ ? The site provides good links to other knotting sites.
FULL STEAM AHEAD - According to Propeller Club Chapter president, CADET DAVID DULBERG, Class of 2002, their first guest speaker for the Fall semester program will be DR AUSTIN L. DOOLEY, Class of 1968, President of the Port of New York Propeller Club. The meeting will be held on Thursday, October 14 in the Luce Library Reading Room at 1730. Cadet Dulberg writes that the student chapter: "..will work to increase our members' awareness of opportunities available in the maritime industry through guest speakers/lectures, maritime related service projects, and attending national Propeller Club conventions:"
SEABORNE REUNION - This 55th Reunion report from STAN JUNEMANN, Class of October 1944: "Seven Old Mugs from the Class of October '44 and their ladies enjoyed a mini-reunion on board RCCL's NORDIC EMPRESS which sailed for Bermuda from New York on September 19. In spite of Hurricanes Floyd and Gert and the sea turbulence resulting, a good time was had by all. On board were Bob and Dorothy JAHN, Stan and Nancy JUNEMANN, Ed and Rose KESSIG, Joe and Charlotte ORLANDO, George and Bunny RAFTIS, Walter and Marion SCHIELS, and Vic and Ursula VIRGENS.
DID THE BAND PLAY ON? Writing from the Red Sea where he and classmate C/E MIKE CUKIERSKI, are sailing, CAPT.KIRBY STROSS, Class of 1977, asks: "Does Maritime College still have a band. I still play my alto sax in our city band in Hibbing, MN when I'm not on the high seas. Same sax I've owned and played since fifth grade." "I was Band Company Commander in 1976-1977 prior graduation. Remember our Ft. Schuyler band as small, not great sounding, but many talented musicians. One highlight was playing/marching in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in NYC. We had our 30 secs of fame as we were on television and always watched a delayed broadcast the evening of St Patrick's Day. After marching in the parade, we always rendezvoused with the NYC Fireman and they treated us to hotdogs and beer. Of course the hot dogs were also steamed in beer. Regrettably, my senior year we did not participate. This, reportedly due to concerns that we were missing a day's classes. I fought over this with ADM. KINNEY, but to no avail. We did not go. Unsure if the Band still exists and marches in any parades. Of course we did the Thurs. pass in reviews, played at some morning formations; did a Christmas and Spring concert. We also played onboard the CHRISTIAN RADICH, the sail training ship from Denmark, when it berthed at South Street Seaport. I believe our Band conductor, from NJ, Mr. McGrath retired in '78. Additionally, I understand the students ran the band after that themselves without an outside faculty-type, conductor. Anyway, how is it today? Does Maritime College have a band? If so, any plans for a Y2K celebration or concert?" [Answer to first question is YES ! The editor heard the band play (and play very well) at graduation in May. Answers to rest will be forthcoming.]
FANTOME TRAGEDY REVISITED - The October 11 issue of The New Yorker magazine has a piece about the loss of the Windjammer Barefoot flagship S/V FANTOME in Hurricane Mitch last Fall. Written by John Vaillant, "The Ship That Vanished: Did the Crew of the FANTOME Ever Stand a Chance ?" discusses the factors that contributed to what he describes as the worst sailing accident on the Atlantic in forty years. The Second Mate on that ill-fated voyage, ONASSIS REYES, attended SUNY Maritime for nearly four years with the Class of 1995.
FILLING THE GAPS - The Luce Library is missing some of its American Merchant Marine Conference proceedings for the Propeller Club annual meetings. Please check your shelves and contact the editor if you can send a replacement copy. Needed are: 35, 36, 37, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54 (between 1969 - 1988.)
TO THE MILLENNIUM AND BEYOND - An October 6 posting on the maritime history discussion list, MARHST-L, mentioned that "Project Liberty Ship (support organization for the JOHN W. BROWN) is offering a splendid eighteen month calendar, October 1999 through March 2001. It has a wonderful collection of 8x11 B&W photos, some suitable for framing. The January 2000 picture says it all for those that sailed in Winter North Atlantic." $15 to Project Liberty Ship, P.O. Box 25846, Highlandtown Station, Baltimore, MD 21224.
WOMEN AT SEA - There is an online discussion forum, dealing with the history and role of women at sea, hosted by England's National Maritime Museum's Women and the Sea Network. A recent posting from the moderator of the forum noted that: "There are many ways women connect with the sea. WRENS, fishermen's wives, marine scientists, liner stewardesses, yachtswomen and maritime artists to name but a few." For information on joining the discussion go to http://www.nmm.ac.uk/rcs/women/index.htm