News From Fort Schuyler

July 7, 2008 - Volume 8, No. 22

HOME AGAIN - SUMMER SEA TERM 2008 - The EMPIRE STATE VI arrived per schedule on 4 July at Fort Schuyler. The homecoming was covered by the local cable news station, NY1 ( www.ny1.com) and yes, they were greeted with bagpipes and drums. The cruise log can still be checked at the college website (www.sunymaritime.edu) Post-cruise concluded at 1630 on 6 July. Fall Semester classes commence on 26 August. Cadets and crew, enjoy your vacations.

HOME AGAIN - SUMMER SEA TERM 1946 - A memory of homecoming from JACK HAYES '47. "The families had turned out with signs to welcome us at the campus pier. We had shifted into dress uniform and manned the rails as our own way of welcome. Home liberty is the best."

'When I looked at the head of the pier I saw mom and dad standing with a car. A big red bow was tied on the radiator cover. I at first thought they had bought a new car, but when I got a better look, I saw that it was a 1931 Model A Ford. ... That car became famous later when I was first class and could bring it on campus. I had a lot of fun with 'Shasta' (She hasta have gas, hasta have oil, etc. Pretty sick!)" [From Jack's manuscript, Cadet Life at New York Maritime Academy (2007)]

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT - The College Library Director, CONSTANTIA CONSTANTINOU, spent some time on the ship this summer. She writes of a tour with College President, ADM. JOHN W. CRAINE, JR. to the Number 6 Hold "...where the engineering labs on the Ship are located. The engine cadets were cutting, fixing, fabricating, welding and reconstructing all sorts of part and devices using all sorts of machinery. I was amazed at their skills and abilities; as amazed as I was at seeing the Deck cadets charting our course and navigating the Ship. The Admiral turned to me and said, 'Constantia, when we are at sea and something breaks we must be able to fix it.' This was not a simple statement as I realized the meaning of his words. The engineers must be able to take a scrap of metal and reconstruct a needed part and make it work. We are a floating city, we generate our electricity, we make our water, we chart and propel our course; we rely on each other's abilities and expertise to keep our Ship operational and the shipboard community safe. On the EMPIRE STATE we learn and practice what we teach. The ship is the essence and the natural element of out studies. More importantly, the EMPIRE STATE is our community and our home."

CADETS NO MORE - Commenting on the fact that cadets become Ensigns, Third Officers, Third Mates or plain Misters upon graduation, PAUL HOPSON, '70, relates this tale from his shipping days: " I remember one night in the Indian Ocean, our ship was in one of those 'Rule of the Road Situations' that the Deckies hypothesize about. I'm an engineer, but I'm fairly familiar with how this all works. Seems to me that we were overtaking a ship, which made us 'burdened', and that guy was on our 'red' side, so that put some responsibility on him, also. Seems to me that there was an island or shoal on our right side which had us in irons, and the guy on our red side felt that he didn't have to give way, because since we were overtaking him, we were burdened. Our captain, who had his cadet training many years before in Greece, got into a rather sharp discussion with the Officer of the Deck on the other ship. That Officer was explaining his logic of why he felt that he should hold his course and not give away. Our Captain exclaimed back to him, 'Don't lecture me on the Rules of the Road, Cadet!' That insult ended the discussion. The other ship altered his course about 5 degrees and no one touched steel or coral."

WATER FIGHT - For years the college has been fighting the City of New York about its water bill. According to an article in the 30 June New York Daily News, in late April the college was looking at a $280,000 bill when serious negotiations began. Since the water-supplier, the Environmental Protection Department, is notorious for its inaccurate billing, the college is insisting on water-tight proof of its liability. The articles cites comments by the college's Director of Business Affairs, KEITH MURPHY, "...the college once sent the DEP a $50,000 check for its water bill, but the DEP lost it. So the school sent the DEP another check, cancelling the first one. DEP then found the original check and tried to deposit both of them. When the first one bounced, DEP charged the college $50,000, plus late fees over the years, even though it had already paid with the second check." Some progress has been made. So far the city has removed $105,000 in late fees from the bill. (For the whole story go to www.nydailynews.com)

NO OFFENSE MEANT - The college admissions office commented on the last issue's "Procrastinators Delight' headline concerning on-the-spot admissions event, stating that, "The students attending 'Instant Decision Day' were not procrastinators. They were actually proactive. Most high school juniors have barely even started the college search process." (NFFS was thinking seniors, but they would be the class of 2012, not 2013 as the article stated. Sorry about that!) BTW - In a followup email they wrote, "The Admission Office loves to read News from Fort Schuyler and just wanted to offer a point of clarification."

"How great is the Instant Decision to SUNY Maritime," writes a friend of the college, WALTER E. LEE. "I was instantly transported back to my youth and thought of what a life changing opportunity that would have been, and knowing what I know now, I'm sure I'd have signed up, I know I'd still be able to do my 'science thing' there. What a brain storm that was on someone's part. Imagine, being about to state 100% placement in this economic climate." (Walter taught science and is a long-time volunteer at the Maritime Industry Museum.) DARRELL GARVEY '82 writes: "I'm trying to get my son (HS rising junior) interested in the college. I sent him a copy of the newsletter because it presents a really attractive view of the school."

ANY RESEARCHERS OUT THERE? Several readers have asked if there is a biography of HARRY MANNING. We don't know of one, so the field is open. Any volunteers? He sounds like a candidate for an entry in the Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives or the Dictionary of American Biography.

KEEP TUNED - On 5 July there was a showing of the documentary, SS UNITED STATES: Lady in Waiting, on a local PBS outlet in New York. It is sure to be repeated both here and elsewhere. For those fans of the Big U there is also an active internet group. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheSSUnitedStatesGroup/

ANOTHER GEM - Joe Sauve was the colorful and memorable Master at Arms at the college in the 1950's. "My favorite Sauve command,' writes DICK BRACKEN 56, "was, when addressing the Band Master, 'Mista Wawtaman (Waterman) ...da bataan!' meaning to start the parade with the baton. Cracked me up every time. With all of his boisterous shouting and swearing at us, we all loved Joe."

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Richard Corson - Forest Hills, NY

Latitude 40.716N Longitude 73.85W

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