News From Fort Schuyler

February 8, 2002 - Volume 6, No. 5

SLOCUM PREMIERE - The U.S. premiere of Baudissin's 1999 documentary film, "The Slocum Burns !" screens Thursday, February 14 at the Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue (between 34th and 35th Streets) at 6 PM. "In 1904, an excursion boat, the GENERAL SLOCUM, caught fire on the East River. Eleven hundred people, mostly immigrant women and children, perished ... Followed by a discussion with historian Ed O'Donnell." (http://web.gc.cuny.edu/cepp ) Responding to a NFFS query, FRANCIS J. DUFFY, Executive Vice President of the Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler and a SLOCUM expert, adds: "Part of the film was made at Fort Schuyler. [The film makers] rented a boat from the waterfront and we went over to the deserted North Brother Island, did part of the shoot there, and then back to Fort Schuyler for part. The film has been shown on Bavarian TV, but this is the first time in the U.S... We're working on the 100th anniversary of the SLOCUM disaster for 2004." (NOTE: Come early, seating is first come, first served at this free event.)

EBB TIDINGS - A recent message from LEN SUTTER, Class of 1953, describes what NFFS tries to do: "Especially appreciate EBB TIDE. It is nice to receive some personal information about peers who die. We are not just a name, and we are part of the fabric of Fort Schuyler, and our passing deserves more than a date and cause of death." [Information provided by family, classmates, or friends is greatly appreciated.]

RALPH E. HOLTHAUSEN, Class of 1937, died on September 15, 2001 at age 84. A real salt, he shipped out for 45 years, many of them as Master. He is survived by his son, John, daughter, Lynn, and eighteen third and fourth generation grandchildren from his marriages. Captain Holthausen maintained an online log, Whitey's Grace Log, which begins: "Yes, it's 'Whitey' - that's what they used to call me on shipboard..... Anyone who may have sailed on the 'Santas' either with Grace Line, Prudential Grace Line, or Delta Line might be interested....I first sailed with the Grace Line as a Cadet on the old diesel passenger ship SANTA INEZ. She was 5000 tons, 385 feet and carried 125 passengers in two classes (first & steerage). This was in the year 1937 after I had graduated from the New York State Merchant Marine Academy. Actually, I was qualified to sail as Third Mate, however, shipping was slow and men with Master's licenses were sailing as Third Mate." For this log, plus a final posting by his son, John, go to: www.islandnet.com/~reh/gracelog.htm (Thanks to ED DANGLER, Class of 1949, for providing this information.)

ROBERT B. MORROW, Class of 1935, died January 25, 2002 in Lansdale, Pennsylvania at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife, Janet, daughter, Michele, and four grandchildren. An obituary in the 29 January Lansdale newspaper, The Reporter, said that "...the Morrows lived in an 1810 Pennsylvania Dutch style farmhouse ... for more than 40 years. Mr. Morrow refurbished the house on his own over the years. He also operated a Christmas tree farm from the property for many years." According to his friends from the Class of October 1946, OTTO LIEPIN and RICK WALTER, "He had many stories to tell us about his early life as a cadet on TS EMPIRE STATE I. The ship was used for classrooms and living in. Fort Schuyler had not been complete at that time. The cadets were involved in various episodes and pranks involving their nemesis, GEORGE RISER (www.fsmaa.org/halloffame/) who made life miserable for most of them. Upon graduation, Robert sailed on various 'trampers' and he was fortunate to have a job as an oiler. During those years of the 'Great Depression', obtaining work in the engine room as a licensed Third Assistant Engineer, was most difficult to find. He retired from the boiler inspection department of the Royal Globe Insurance Company in Philadelphia. We were most fortunate to have had Robert Morrow as a friend and to share some of his colorful memories with us."

OUR WEST COAST TYPE A's - "Close, but not enough for a win" writes ED DANGLER, Class of 1949. "Our band of Domers raiding the Kings Point Alumni cocktail get together on Jan 31 at the San Diego Brewery almost outnumbered the Kings Pointless types, but fell a bit short. The KPers, including spouses and whoevers, totaled some 9 breathing bodies. We had 6 alums and 2 spouses/fiances, for a total of 8. Had Captain BILL BARTSCH, Class of 1983, not decided at the last minute to go 'ice fishing' ??? in Detroit, we would have tied the game. Needless to say, the local San Diego Brewery products were well appreciated by all who did show up, and even more so by the Domers, since [I] picked up the first round tab. Let's not lose out to them for attendance at Maritime Day which this year will be on May 22 at Holiday Inn Embarcadero at 1200. Invited guest speaker, Captain WILLIAM SCHUBERT, Administrator MARAD."

THOSE NY PLATES - An update from DANIEL M. McMAHON, Parents' Association representative: "The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles started to produce the ... Maritime College license plate on January 30, 2002. DMV put a picture of the college license plate on their "Custom Plate - Colleges & Universities" website (www.nysdmv.com) DMV [began] filling the back-orders starting 1/30/02, deliveries will be in about four weeks." Order information is at the DMV website. You can also contact Dan at mcmahon@bestweb.net