News From Fort Schuyler

February 18, 2000 - Volume 4, No. 5

A SLIP A ZIP AND A SHIRT - Writing from Sea Scout Ship 210 - Slip E24 - Port Royal Landing SC 29935, JACK HAYES, Class of 1947, continues the saga of LONO KAI: "Small Glitches, Great Progress ' are the by-words for this past few weeks on the new Scout program in Beaufort, South Carolina. The first glitch was when the skipper left Jack Hayes '47 on the beach to take pictures and then got so rapt in sailing LONO KAI that he forgot to come past the pier where Jack waited. The second was next week when, after assurances and apologies Jack went off for the photo shoot and the engine wouldn't start ' shore power had worked loose some time during the week and had been left disconnected, drastically reducing battery power."

"But progress came with the first meeting of the 7 guy /3 gal crew. Elections were held, assignments made and accepted, and plans were laid for inventorying the ship, for a future raft-up with the Scout Boatswain's family boat, a careening party to clean the bottom on the sand bar off Beaufort, and for ordering uniforms. What kind of uniforms, you ask? What else but flowered Hawaiian shirts and matching caps with Sea Scout 210 LONO KAI embroidered on them ? We'll be the envy of every other group."

"For navigation training, we could use some old charts of any part of the world if anyone has some extras." Let Jack know @ jackhayes@islc.net

WAY OUT WEST - "In case any Fort Schuyler alumni are in San Diego on March 8th,"writes ED DANGLER, Class of 1949, "I invite them to attend the Propeller Club, Port of San Diego Luncheon meeting at the Mariners Club - 32nd Street (Old "O" Club) at Naval Station San Diego. The speaker is none other than Captain Ed Dangler,'49 who will present a summary of current Law of the Sea issues, entitled 'Who Owns the Oceans.'"

HOWDY PARTNER - Good news from TOM WYNNE, Class of 1990, who reports that he was elected to partnership in the Cleveland law firm of Roy, Robinson, Carle and Davies effective 01 January. Tom writes: "Our general practice litigation firm, which is more than 100 years old, concentrates in admiralty and maritime law and represents foreign and domestic vessel owners, pleasure boat owners and marine underwriters in cases throughout the Great Lakes." For more go to: http://www.rayrobcle.com

OPSAIL2000 AND SCHUYLER - The website for the first tall ship spectacular of the century is now online. OpSail 2000 will be celebrated at 7 ports, culminating in New York Harbor on July 4 with tall ships in a Parade of Sail and an International Naval Review. Go to: http://www.opsail2000.org/web/portinfo_newyork.html The SUNY Maritime College Training Ship EMPIRE STATE will be in the review fleet. A sharp-eyed alumnus, DARRELL GARVEY, Class of 1982, spotted another role that Fort Schuyler is playing in OpSail. According to the National Maritime History Society, high school students " ...from 50 states will come together as a sail training crew aboard a tall ship for one week, from Baltimore to New York" and be part of the working crew aboard the USCG Bark EAGLE on July 4. "During the voyage, and for a week at the State University of New York Maritime College in New York City, they will earn college credits in American maritime history. This experience will send the students back home carrying the message of their experience, prepared to be ambassadors for America's maritime heritage." For more information go to the (sometimes problematic) NMHS website at: http://www.seahistory.org

MOVING AMBROSE - There is a brief article in the February 3 issue of Fairplay about the replacement of the Ambrose Light Tower with a three-legged tower, by FRANK DUFFY, Executive VP of the Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler. What was most interesting was the fact that in September "...the new tower floated into position 1.5 miles south-east of its predecessor....The Coast Guard's Aids of Navigation group said that the new location of Ambrose Tower would provide more space for marine traffic into and out of the port of New York & New Jersey." Something to check next time you visit the beach in the Rockaways.

THIS CHAPTER IS CRUISING ALONG - The DC Chapter of the Alumni Association plans a 3-hour dinner cruise on the Potomac aboard the SPIRIT OF WASHINGTON for March 18. Ship departs at 1900 from 6th & Water Streets, SW. Cost is $40 per person, 33% off list. Reservations due 01 March. Checks to: SUNYAA DC Chapter/ 1147 Valley Drive/Pasadena MD 21122.

SING ALONG - One of the more unusual renditions of the Maritime College alma mater, The Bells of St. Mary's, might be JOHN McLEAN's, Class of 1965 favorite, "I recall a version done by The Drifters, vintage mid-50's, that was in a Rhythm and Blues, pre-DooWop style that was from our vantage point, truly unique."