News From Fort Schuyler

January 14, 2000 - Volume 4, No. 2

CAN YOU READ ME? NFFS was distributed with a new browser last week. Apparently variations in the mail settings from the previous software resulted in some subscribers receiving the publication in tiny print and the like. Settings now changed to plain text and font size increased to10. Notify if the problem persists.

MARKETING MARITIME 101 - There was a recruiting piece submitted by the New York Nautical School in Issue #165 of the boy's magazine, Tip Top Weekly, dated 1899. After listing seven qualifications required for admission to the program aboard the Schoolship ST MARY's, moored at the foot of 28^th Street and the East River, applicants were assured that: "The school is in no sense a reformatory, and only boys who can produce satisfactory testimonials as to moral character will be admitted." Applicants who were accepted paid $25 on admission "to defray the expense of uniform and bedding during the two years" course."

EARLY NOTORIETY - In "The Crossing," a recent A&E special about the American revolutionary army's sortie across the Delaware to conquer the Hessians at Trenton, George Washington is quoted as crediting Col. John Glover, a seafarer from Marblehead, for twice saving the Continental Army from annihilation with his boats, once at Brooklyn Heights and once at Throgs Neck now the site of Fort Schuyler and the Maritime College.

HAIL BRITANNICA - When the Encyclopedia Britannica went free on the web there was a certain amount of trepidation among information professionals about how it would compare with the online subscription version or, for that matter, with the print version. The reviews are in. Most are very positive. One recently recommended critique can be found at http://www.galegroup.com/reference/peter/peter.html

DOWN TO EARTH - Apparently one of the first things that Astronaut SCOTT KELLY, Class of 1987, did when he returned to a more mundane existence was to e-mail ADM. DAVID BROWN, with the news that the Shuttle DISCOVERY flight was a spectacular experience and that he had taken great pictures of the Ross Marvin banner and Maritime College cap during the space flight. Stay posted for those photos.

LINK FROM THE ARCTIC - In 1910, a year after ROSS G. MARVIN, Class of 1902, perished on Peary's Arctic expedition, a tablet was dedicated in his honor at Cornell University. According to a brief article in the April 25 New York Times, one of those speaking at his memorial service was newspaperman/politician Herbert L. Bridgman, Secretary of the Peary Arctic Club and a participant in Peary's Arctic expeditions. Bridgman, who was to become a Regent of the University of the State of New York, maintained a connection to Ross Marvin's alma mater until his own death. In 1923, at the age of 80, Bridgman suffered a stroke and died aboard the New York State Nautical Schoolship NEWPORT while accompanying the training cruise in his capacity as a regent and volunteer lecturer on history and civics.

PUT INTO CONTEXT - Some quotations attributed to long-time Master-at-Arms George Riser, while colorful, may not always make sense out of context. Here is one put into context by JIM MOORE, Class of 1956:" I was a snipe, but I recall that his favorite reply was "Tears as big as crab apples," when someone complained about something." But apparently, sometimes even context did not bring comprehension. JACK HAYES, Class of 1947, remembers "...George Riser at drills, which included commands such as 'hands horizontal' we never did figure out what that one was supposed to be !"

PROMOTED - Many readers pointed out that AL GOLDEN graduated in 1946, not 1947. For example, Jack Hayes wrote: "Although Al Golden has reformed since graduation, he was class of '46, not '47. He and his twin brother, Elliott, hazed us to a fare-thee-well, and we WON'T accept him as an adjunct member of the Class of 1947 !"

FAIR'S FARE - The Placement Office staff invites companies which need "to recruit the best graduates in the world" to register for the Winter Career Fair being held at Fort Schuyler on February 24-25. Space is limited. Reservations are on a first-registered, first-served basis - and don't forget the fare that is included: Continental breakfast AND lunch buffet. For details go to: http://www.fsmaa.org/CareerFair or e-mail PAUL BAMONTE, Class of 1989, pbamonte@sunymaritime.edu