News From Fort Schuyler

September 28, 2001 - Volume 5, No. 26

ALUMNI REPORTING FROM GROUND ZERO - Several alumni involved in the rescue/recovery effort from the beginning have had their reports posted on the alumni website. On 13 September JAMES CORDARA, Class of 1985, wrote: "I am currently employed as a Sergeant in the Nassau County Police Marine/Aviation Bureau. I just got home this morning after working almost 48 hrs in the rescue effort caused by the terrorist attack on the twin towers. I was given a little down time before I must return. The reason that I am writing you is to commend all the alumni of SUNY Maritime College that I saw during the first 48 hrs of the rescue efforts. As you can imagine it was pure chaos, with clouds of dust in the air, buildings collapsing, the possibility of another attack, injured people, women and children trying to get off Manhattan, and rescue workers trying to rush into harms way too. All of the roads were closed, and there were no aircraft allowed to fly. The only way on or off the island was by water. I saw Maritime grads working as military personnel, harbor pilots, tug captains and crew, ferry boat captains and crew, police officers, state troopers and firemen both in the marine divisions and rescue operations ALL working together in unprecedented acts of heroism, bravery, and valor, pushing themselves to the limit and beyond. Because of their efforts and level-headed cool professionalism in what is probably the worst attack on our nation since Pearl Harbor, thousands of lives were saved and the rescue operations were enhanced. I can only attribute this to the "regimental way of life" that I so hated while attending the Dome. As the rescue efforts continue, and sadly turn into recovery efforts, I am sure that these traits will magnify. I am prouder now of our school and the caliber of graduate that it produces then I ever was before. Maritime College is truly 'First and Foremost.'"

Another graduate, RICHARD WICKBOLDT, Class of 1976, Port Captain and Port Engineer for Consolidated Edison, wrote: "Tuesday morning I was at our Pier 98 marine transfer facility on the Hudson River having one of our barges being prepared for transit to Staten Island. I heard a noise which was out of sorts and looked up to see the north tower just a few seconds after the first plane hit. This plane had to fly right over my head moments before; because I have a direct LOS along the Hudson River from the north to the WTC. Consequently I saw the rest of the tragedy unfold. Con Edison has/had a large feeder station and transformer vaults in the WTC to support the financial district and WTC. Wednesday morning I was tasked to a team organized to restore/rebuild and install emergency temporary transformers and possible electrical generation down at the WTC. One option for quick temporary restoration is to install barges with a high tension feeder substation. This required a field visit to asses the waterfront and other sites within the immediate area. I arrived via the water by vessel as a good mariner and pulled into the North Cove Yacht Harbor within a few hundred feet of 'ground zero'. It was eerie.... activity was hectic with security and responder vessels filling the marina coming and going as they shuttle people and supplies. Yet along the full length of the shore side bulkhead was a line of identical class sailing regatta boats. They filled the cove with sounds of their rigging from the wake generated by the response vessel activity. I disembarked... it was very surreal. Around me littered on the ground was inches of dust and papers from the WTC. I made my way around to ground zero and was so surprised to see such a small amount of debris. Both buildings had just about collapsed straight down. The massive amount of weight compacted each building into one solid composite of steel, office equipment and concrete into the underground complex of the WTC. I had expected a huge very high pile of rubble. However like an iceberg it was only approximately 40 feet high in some parts."

WTC AND THE CAMPUS - In a 13 September letter addressed to the Maritime campus community, Admiral DAVID C. BROWN observed that: "It is very likely that several alumni are among the victims at the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, which housed the Port Authority and maritime and financial institutions that employ our graduates. Our hearts go out to all of the victims of this vicious and senseless act. They will be in our prayers, even as we resume our studies and normal daily routines. We are asking the Alumni Association to help us plan an appropriate remembrance and memorial service." The Admiral noted that: "The response to the emergency by everyone on our campus has been outstanding. Cadets, staff and faculty are donating blood. Over three hundred cadets have signed up to be on call for any volunteer duty that we may be asked to perform. The Regimental Affairs and facilities offices have provided bedding to meet overflow needs at a local hospital. Our EMT Squad was activated and placed into service in the city. The training ship and spare dorm rooms were prepared to billet emergency workers and law enforcement officers. The ship is now preparing to move to a berth or anchorage off Manhattan to serve as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) command center. Our University Police, with assistance from the regimental staff and cadet rates, have implemented additional security measures on the campus." ADM Brown concluded: "In the coming days and weeks our strength, compassion, resilience and restraint will be tested, as will the nation's. In response, here at Maritime we will call upon the leadership skills that have been learned and practiced since 1874. Like America and its fundamental institutions, the Maritime College family will be up to this challenge and emerge stronger and better as a result."

NOTE: As of this date Maritime College website and staff email capability is still inoperable as a result of damage to Verizon's (Bell Atantic/New York Telephone for oldtimers) cables and internet services in the WTC area.