News From Fort Schuyler

March 10, 2000 - Volume 4, No. 8

48th ANNUAL FORT SCHUYLER FORUM - Beginning at 0900, Thursday, March 16, the Maritime College will again host this Society of Marine Port Engineers New York event. According to Engineering Department chair, Charles Munsch, Class of 1973, topics to be considered include Coatings, U/W, Hull and Topside, Regulatory, Preparation and Application. Registration cost for the forum, lunch, and concluding reception is $45.00.

HEADING DOWN FIFTH AVENUE - The St. Patrick's Day parade on Friday, March 17 will feature over 100 cadets from Fort Schuyler. According the JIM KENNY, Deputy Commandant of Cadets, the college will be represented by the band, honor guard and a battalion of 4th Class Cadets ' all preceded by the Maritime College banner. If you watch the parade you can't miss them, if you watch the whole thing.

UNDERGROUND PUBLICATION SURFACES - A 9-page mimeographed newsletter dating back 75 years was recently presented to the Luce Library by WILLIAM T. CALDWELL, Class of 1958. His father, THOMAS F. CALDWELLL, Class of 1925, was on the editorial staff of "The Voice from the Dark: Published semi-monthly by the Engineering Cadets of the Class of 1925." Fading and brittle, this is the earliest underground publication from the school which has come to light thus far. Its manifesto reads: "Excelsior ! Eureka ! Emancipation ! Reincarnation ! On this day, in the year of our Lord, nineteen twenty-five, the harassed and oppressed "boogies," having long endured the tyrannical malevolence of the egotistical 'hoary sons of Neptune,' and for years subjugated by the nonaltruistic vices of the bloated ambergris from the embryo salt-suckers, have cast off the bonds, shackles and fetters and declared themselves the free and unencumbered plutocrats, the Black Gang." The most recent underground student publication, "Maritime Screw" (apparently written by engineers and naval architects) came out in 1999. A Library display featuring all these publications is planned for Homecoming 2000.

MEERWALD SEEKING CAPTAIN - The Delaware Bay Schooner Project (Schooner A.J. MEERWALD, 85' restored oyster schooner doing environmental education out of south New Jersey) is seeking a captain for the season or spring/summer. "Requirements are 100-ton Near Coastal License with sail endorsement, a strong environmental ethic, and a background in wooden boats." For a more detailed job description, check http://tallships.sailtraining.org click on Membership and then click on Billet Bank. If you, or someone you know, might be interested, contact AJMEERWALD@odon.net for more information.

NO STONE UNTURNED - The Editor constantly pursues trivia items for NFFS. For example, a query seeking to establish a Schuyler connection to a Celtics sports great brought this response from JEFF HAVLICEK, Class of 1975: " No relation to the great number 17. I was a rabid fan though. Also, Hondo, was my nickname back in my old Fort Schuyler days." (Well, at least Joe DiMaggio's great-nephew IS a cadet at Schuyler.)

NEW FACES - OLD FACES - NEW JOBS - The Computer Services Department has doubled in size. Director DAN MASTROMARINO announced the appointment of MIKE FRANCE, Class of 1996, as Web Administrator and KATHLEEN PYZYNSKI as Assistant Manager of Computer Services/Help Desk Coordinator. Kathi moved over from the Luce Library where she was long-time (since1979) nerd and Systems Manager. Also, LEO THIBAULT, Director of Support Services, reports that, through a grant from the Educational Opportunity Program, Karen Cort joins the Support Services department as a Counselor.

MUDPUPPY c/o CETACEAN - A recent press release from GLENN R. GERMAINE, Class of 1967, President /CEO of Seaward Services, announces that a new wholly owned subsidiary, Cetacean Marine, has been awarded a five-year contract by the Navy to operate the 180' research vessel LAKE GUARDIAN and the 36' research vessel MUDPUPPY on the Great Lakes. The homepage is http://www.seawardservices.com

FULL STEAM AHEAD -Writing from South Carolina, JACK HAYES, Class of 1947, reports that: "SEA SCOUT SHIP 210, PORT ROYAL ... is in good shape with a crew of twelve (8 boys and 3 girls) who elected officers, five adult crew including Marine Colonel Jack Cohn as Skipper, and an influential adult advisory committee. Readers of NFFS have already come forward to help -- JIM McKILLOP, Class of 1977, captains the Oil Spill Recovery Vessel in Savannah Harbor and has invited the Scouts aboard for a trip up the harbor; John Murphy is a Kings Pointer Chief on a 6000 car carrier plying the Atlantic and has invited the Scouts aboard when next in Charleston. This is what the program is about -- exposing the Scouts to the sea and opportunities in the Merchant Marine. But, further, the father of a Naval Architecture cadet at Schuyler, EARL T.HACKETT, contacted us and made it possible for Scout Boatswain Levin aboard to get in touch with his son to find out about the program." There is still room for more volunteers on this new project. Contact jackhayes@islc.net

OUT OF THIS WORLD - You can subscribe to receive free daily e-mail images of significant weather events from NOAA, including fantastic storms at sea. For details go to http://www.osei.noaa.gov/OSEIHsub.html