News From Fort Schuyler

July 14, 2002 - Volume 6, No. 23

NEW LEADER - Fort Schuyler welcomed ADMIRAL JOHN RYAN as its new president on June 14 - in Dublin, Ireland - at a change of command ceremony held aboard the EMPIRE STATE VI. According to a posting on the SST2002 Cruise Log (http://www.sunymaritime.edu) "...perhaps the most significant indication of the direction of the school is headed became apparent when the Admiral broke ranks and had all of the cadets 'huddle' round, as the coach of the big game would do. Although his remarks may have been brief, they were certainly music to many ears as the Admiral spoke of the importance of coming together, all the stakeholders, and making Maritime stronger, and better in the future." [Welcome aboard, Admiral.]

NEW MASTER - Congratulations to PHIL KANTZ, Class of 1965, who decided to prepare for his Master's License after retiring as a CEO of a Silicon Valley technology company in July 2000 (See NFFS 12/6/00) Several weeks ago Phil wrote: "I just returned from Coast Guard Island, Alameda, CA after successfully sitting for my Master's License. It has been quite a quest after a quarter century as CEO of companies large and small. Isn't it interesting that one may not remember what he had for breakfast, and yet he can, with focused review, recall all that he learned as a college student ? I will now move one to completion of the STCW certification and then attempt to regain my status with MM&P."

"As an interesting note, I did contact various alumni along the way to seek advice and guidance about the changes in the application and examination process. Maritime does put out a caring group of people. An especial thanks to ROD McFADDEN, Class of 1975, and RICH MAY and GERHARDT MUELLER, my classmates from 1965. They were very helpful and supportive."

OLD TIMER - In a note of thanks to NFFS for news and updates regarding activities at Maritime, OTTO LIEPIN, Class of October 1946, recalls that things have indeed changed over the years: "Yes, the Fort and the old Armory was the 'works' for some 350 cadets. It is hard to believe that all three classes of cadets had their bunk compartments in the Inner Gorge side of the Fort, the mess hall was in the area of today's library, and the rest of the Fort layout was for classrooms. The Armory [located behind the fort in the area where parking lots 8 and 9 now stand] was mainly used for physical ed calisthenics, infantry drill in inclement weather, and basketball games. And of course the big dance activities. As lower classmen we had to prepare the dance floors by 'hand rub waxing the deck.' After the dances, the wax still remained and the basketball players would get to complaining that the 'deck was too damn slippery' and their old gym sneaker shoes would not hold."

GEORGE YATSKO AND THE SILVER SKATES - Another memory of GEORGE YATSKO, Class of 1952, comes from BOB FEY, Class of 1953: "During our era at Fort Schuyler, the New York Daily News sponsored an annual event called the Silver Skates, an ice skating racing program similar to their Golden Gloves for boxers. While a student, George competed in the skating contest, perhaps in 1951 or 1952. He made it to the finals. A very large group of us cadets crowded around the small screen TV in what then served as the Student Lounge to watch. Toward the end of the final race someone fell and brought down four or five other racers. George managed to survive the flying bodies, won the race rather handily, and, to our great delight, was awarded the Silver Skates. I have often wondered what became of his prize."

UNDERWATER EMPIRE - The Wall Street Journal ran a page one article featuring MICHAEL HIGGINS, Class of 1982 and the saga of the WW II merchant ship wreck, CITIES SERVICE EMPIRE, in its July 1, 2002 issue. Titled, "From a Sunken Ship, A Nasty Divers' Feud Bubbles to the Surface - Team Takes Relics From Vessel Where War Heroes Died; 'All Hell Broke Loose'," the story expands on the information contained in recent issues of NFFS (May 3 and May 12). The article ends with a quote from Michael: "'This whole thing is a matter of respect,' he says. 'Would you go diving on the USS Arizona ? No, it's a war grave. What's the difference between that and the sanctity of a merchant ship ?'" [Sorry, the article is not available online to non-subscribers. Check your local library for the paper or online version.]

MARITIME MEMOIR - Chicago Sun columnist, NEIL STEINBERG, has written a new book, "Don't Give Up the Ship: Finding My Father While Lost at Sea." Neil's father, nuclear physicist Robert Steinberg, served as a Junior Radio Officer aboard the EMPIRE STATE II for four summers in the 1950's. According to the publisher's blurb on Amazon.com: "For as long as he could remember, Neil Steinberg had heard his father Bob talk obsessively about his season at sea in the mid-1950's as radio operator aboard the EMPIRE STATE, the gleaming training ship of the New York State Maritime College. The rocky crossing from New York harbor to Bermuda, and then on to Spain, Greece, and France; the run-ins with drunken shipmates; the shock of death at sea - Neil knew it all by heart." Forty-five years later, Neil joined his father aboard the EMPIRE STATES VI for the Europe-bound leg of Summer Sea Term 1999. This book tells that story: "...Steinberg has written a courageous, gripping, and honest memoir of an unforgettable voyage - and an unbelievably fraught relationship. This is not a hugs-and-high-fives tale scripted by Hollywood." [BTW - Neil also taught a journalism elective to cadets on SST99.]

SHIPBOARD SALUTE - U.S. Maritime Administrator, W.G. SCHUBERT, voiced MARAD's support of the 'National Bell Ringing Ceremony Honoring America's Independence on July 4, 2002' program sponsored by a national patriotic organization. He wrote: "U.S. merchant vessels at port and at sea are requested to ring their ships' bells 13 times at 1800Z (UCT) on 4 July 2002 to honor the 13 original colonies. I ask you to join Americans everywhere in honoring not only those who helped achieve our country's independence during the American Revolution, but also all men and women who continue to work and sacrifice in support of our Nation's liberty. I certainly include in this category America's merchant mariners, whose support remains vital to our national security." [Thanks to ROD McFADDEN for this information.]

PROFESSOR SENNISH REMEMBERED - Notes sent to NFFS by Prof. Sennish's former students have been shared with his widow, Peggy Fox. She writes, "...when I hear or read the messages about Bob's impact on people it makes him seem very near....These would please Bob enormously since they show him having exactly the kind of effect on students he hoped to ! [BTW - donations in memory of Robert Brady Sennish can be sent to: The Hudson River Sloop CLEARWATER - 112 Market St - Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or to: The Nature Conservancy - 4345 North Fairfax Drive (Suite 100) - Arlington, VA 22203]

HEAR YE ! HEAR YE ! "Naval Reservists of the Merchant Marine designators should send their name, rank, and EMAIL address to the Program Manager surfn14@cnrf.nola.navy.mil " writes ROD McFADDEN. "Such reservists 'may' be added to my email list 88380@cnrf.nola.navy.mil " [Ed.- If you understand this, he must mean you.]

OFF WE GO - NFFS will be taking a long summer break with a trip to Korea and Japan, followed by a leisurely drive to Virginia Beach, Macon, Georgia and points along the way to visit friends and relatives. But keep sending items of interest as they occur. Next regular issue - mid-August ?