News From Fort Schuyler

July 3, 2000 - Volume 4, No. 23

NEWS FROM HOME - There is something new aboard the Training Ship EMPIRE STATE VI this summer. The bulkhead across from the Ship's Library is covered with sheets of white paper. On closer inspection it turns out that the email sent via the Summer Sea Term 2000 webpage Guest Book is posted for all to enjoy.

BACK TO SCHOOL - On July 3, PETE BACI, Class of 1964, wrote: "There was an article in today's Palm Beach Pilot about Maritime alumni EDWARD VILLELLA [Class of 1959.] He has been selected to join the faculty of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton this Fall to teach classes, give lectures and stage performances. Also, in the Fall of 2001, he will bring his Miami Ballet to FAU's campus for a performance in the new theater which the Miami Ballet helped to design." [ A 1998 recipient of SUNY Maritime's first honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree, Ed is also the first alumnus from Fort Schuyler to receive a National Medal of Arts award for lifetime achievement in the performing arts in a Kennedy Center ceremony.]

CALLING ALL HANDS - "The U.S. Lines flagship, S.S. AMERICA, had quite a number of NYSMA and school grads as deck and engineering officers during the years 1939 (launch) to 1964," writes OTTO LIEPIN, Class of October 1946. "During those years there had been many interesting 'happenings' and anecdotes or stories which involved our graduates. Possibly some of our grads will remember these...and if they have the time to send the info to me, I will try to make up a booklet from my printer (unedited) and then send this data to those of 'us' who might be interested." Contact Otto at: liepin@webtv.net or FAX (215) 256-4976.

YES, KNOT SHIP STABILITY - In recent years, ERIC CUTLER, Class of 1970, has been interested in the "Knot" ships produced at the end of WWII. "I had sailed on a couple of them, the last being for a volunteer outfit based in Galveston to bring supplies to Honduras after Hurricane Mitch trashed the area. The ship I sailed on is almost a time transplant from the 1940's, her layout and gear not changed from her original specs..... I need to find out where to obtain the stability information supplied with those ships. The forms left aboard those that I did sail on were spotty and scattered throughout a couple of different file cabinets. Over time, copies of various pages from the original stability booklet were all that was left. Probably the pertinent paperwork went home with the previous crews who did not think she would survive. Where can I find a complete stability booklet, work sheets, tables, and such ?"

The ship for which Eric needs this data "... started out at the PEMBINA, C1-M-AV1 type, Official number 642140, Call sign WCXZ3499. Later called the USNS PEMBINA, she served in Japan after the war. Struck from the naval Register in 1958, sailed again for the Army as the RESOLUTE. Laid up again and put back into use as the KATHLEEN PEARCY. Given to a group called Friendships ( http://www.friendships.org) she is now in the Pacific Northwest awaiting the next load of supplies. Any leads would be greatly appreciated. Eric Cutler, Class of '70, still actively sailing."

Why Knot ? "Most of the C1-M vessels were given names of nautical expressions ' Knot, Bend, Splice, Eye, whilst others were given the prefix of Coastal..." ( Sawyer, L.A. and Mitchell, W.H; "From American to United States, Part One, p.69.)

TYPICAL SCHUYLER RETIREE - A note from BILL SANCHEZ, Class of 1958, catches up on his career. After graduation, he spent two years active duty in the US Navy, followed by twenty-four years as a drilling reservist. "I attained the rank of Captain, USNR, and retired from the Navy in 1984." After working in industry for 38 years, Bill voluntarily retired on December 31, 1998. In 1999 he was elected President of the Pittsburgh Council of the Navy League of the United States. He writes: "It was a very busy year and 'on my watch' our council was selected as one of 11 Outstanding Councils (there are approximately 336 councils world-wide) and also honored as the 1999 winner of the 'Community Education Award......" The awards ceremony was held at the recent national NLUS Convention in Philadelphia , where Bill was also selected as a NLUS National Director. Bill concludes that he and his wife "..are now enjoying retirement (a lot of good tennis, but I struggle with the game of golf) !"