News From Fort Schuyler

October 2, 2000 - Volume 4, No. 31

BOOK REVIEW FROM EYEWITNESS - "Bravo Zulu to JIM WHALEN, Class of 1962, on his recent book [Last of the Boom Ships] which I am surprised has taken so long to be written," comments JOE WELCH, Class of 1961. "I can relate to the narrative, having sailed for American Export Lines in the mid-1960's on long trips to India and the Med prior to containerization on the freighters, as well as on the 'Big Ships' as we called them in those days. In fact, Jim made several trips on the CONSTITUTION along with me and the infamous LOUIE CAFIERO. (Lou was one of the Second Mates, not a Fort Schuyler graduate, who "...had come up through the focsle and was a very colorful character from Brooklyn. Nearly everyone at AEL knew him or of his reputation.) I have received two copies of the book and have mailed a copy to Lou, who is now retired and living in Florida, although is active as a volunteer on the Liberty Ship JOHN W. BROWN. This is a book not to be missed by our alumni of this era - congratulations Jim !!!"

SAILING NOTES FROM ALL OVER - The Shallow Water Sailor Cruise website, created by KEN MURPHY, Class of 1962, is well worth a look, especially "The Cruises" section. According to Ken, shallow water sailors are: " trailer sailors who enjoy sailing on water so thin it can be termed a 'heavy dew.' 'Shallow Water Sailor' actually refers to the group's newsletter started in 1986 by a band of Dovekie owners. The Dovekie is a sharpie sailboat designed by Phil Bolger in a 'strenuous attempt to produce a popular family recreational boat that would function without an engine.' What resulted was a boat with a four inch draft that in windless conditions can be propelled by 10' oars at about 2 knots. Its owners discovered that the boat has many other virtues that class it in the truly trailerable, messabout sailboat category." Check at http://www.trailersailor.com/sws/ These folks look like they have a great time sailing on dew.

Meanwhile in South Carolina, JACK HAYES, Class of 1947, reports that the Sea Scouts had a great Labor Day weekend overnight sail on LONO KAI: "They took her down around Parris Island and sailed close-hauled with the lee rail in the water for almost three hours, everyone standing in the scuppers. Coming about in the wide bay, they sailed to the place selected for the overnight, anchored and made dinner..." All that hard sailing had a price, however, "The edges of all the sails were in need of repair, having chafed and popped the stitching, showing their age. The Scouts are now in the market for a new (or used) suit of sails. If anyone can put us in touch with a sailmaker or yard where a suit for a Beneteau Idylle 11.5m can be found for a reasonable price .. e-mail jackhayes@ISLC.net "

HOMECOMING PHOTOS ON THE WEB - "You are invited to come see the latest pictures in my photo album," writes JIM YAHNER, Class of 1986.Jim has posted photos of the band, classmates, and Maritime Industry activities at - http://picturecenter.kodak.com/share?invite=eGqxErg74L1BJR8mmqNPDYaaaihLLUjQ

FILM SERIES - The Humanities Department's Monday evening series at the Luce Library AV Room features the following war films: October 2 - The Steel Helmet; October 16 - Bridge Over the River Kwai ; October 30 - Platoon; November 6 - Full Metal Jacket; November 20 - Dr. Strangelove; December 4 - All Quiet on the Western Front. Showings are free and commence at 6 PM.

RESERVE THIS DATE - On October 12 Prof. JEFFREY WEISS, Class of 1978 inaugurates the Graduate Program Lecture series with "A look at some of the most famous and not so famous maritime disasters throughout history and their impact on the business of shipping, maritime law, and the public's perception. The TITANIC, TORREY CANYON, MORRO CASTLE, AMOCO CADIZ, SUMMIT VENTURE, and many other maritime disasters will be discussed." 7 PM at the Lecture Hall of Marvin-Tode Science/ Engineering Building.

IN THE SENIOR SERVICE - Congratulations to RAY BERBERESI, Class of 1974: "Effective Oct 1, I am taking a new position at the Maritime Administration - Director, Office of Ports and Domestic Shipping - with primary responsibility/focus MTS [The Marine Transportation Systems report, currently a high profile issue in Congress] I am also a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) leaving the position of Director, Office of Sealift Support were I helped establish the Maritime Security Program and the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) program." [Thanks to AUSTIN DOOLEY, Class of 1968, who forwarded this information.]

SAILING TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS - The Offshore Sailing Coach, KRIS WERNER, Class of 1998, working out of an office in the Administration wing of the Fort while the Sailing Center undergoes repair, recently sent the campus community his first report of the semester. He wrote: "In just the first month of sailing, the team has seen unprecedented results. The Offshore team, sailing R-WAVE, the Foundation's latest addition to the program, has been winning major event after major event." After winning the Captain's Island Race (see NFFS 4:30), they were victorious in the Greenwich Cup a week later, and won two of four races on the first weekend of the American Yacht Club Fall Series with nearly 100 boats competing, "..and looks poised for a successful second weekend and overall victory. Since I have been involved with the college, nearly seven years as both a cadet and employee, the team had never seen results close to that of this year."

AMO - AMAS - A MOTTO - According to the current Maritime Watch newsletter, a new college motto, celebrating the school's spirit, was coined this summer by PETER VECCHIO, Class of 1992: "Maritime Pride - Live it, Love it." Peter, Second Mate on the EMPIRE STATE VI, has spent the post-cruise period as the New Cadet Training Officer for the past two years.

EDITORIAL MORTIFICATION - According to Engineering Professor CONRAD YOUNGREN, Class of 1967, "Although Father Liam was ordained at St. Augustine's in Bridgeport, he presides over St. Edward, the Confessor, in New Fairfield, CT."

FOLLOW THIS LINK - You get to lots of maritime-related sites from: http://www.nautilia.net/