News From Fort Schuyler

March 1, 2002 - Volume 6, No. 8

OUT WEST - "We realize it's tough to leave the Northeast in February for a few days in Southern California, but we appreciate it," writes ROD McFADDEN, Class of 1975, who along with classmate ART SULZER, wearing their Naval Reserve hats, would like to thank all the alumni who girded their loins, stiffened their upper lips, heaved a great sigh, and joined us for the 11th Merchant Marine Captains Call and Symposium." [This February 14 - 17 event was held at the Navy Amphibious Base in San Diego.]

MERGENTHALER MEMORIAL TOURNEY - The family of TOM MERGENTHALER, Class of 1986, who died of cancer in April 2001, is sponsoring a memorial golf tournament to benefit an educational trust for his two young sons. Tom was a 4-year member of the SUNY Maritime Sailing Team, and a frequent participant at alumni functions and golf outings. After graduation, he began his industry career with Maersk Tankers in NYC. After several years with Maersk, Tom joined Scanports in Greenwich, CT, the shipping arm for Philbro. He joined Bunkerfuels Corp in 1992 where his Fort Schuyler education, industry experience, and outgoing personality helped him develop into a successful broker and a well-respected members of the maritime industry. This fund raiser for the Thomas and Matthew Mergenthaler Educational Trust will take place on Friday afternoon, May 31, 2002 at the Marriott Seaview resort near Atlantic City, New Jersey. Contact Mike (mikemergenthaler@cs.com) or Frank (merg6146@aol.com ) Mergenthaler with your home address and phone number to receive the invitation and full details. [The announcement of Tom's death may be found in the Ebb Tide section of Alumni Class News at: www.fsmaa.org/Classes/Ebbtide.cfm ]

FREE LECTURE - The next Library Lecture Series event is on 12 March at the S&E Lecture Hall at 8PM. Dr. Micah Halpern, a well-known print and TV personality, will talk on 'The War on Terrorism: Security at Sea.' According to the program announcement, Dr. Halpern is an "...internationally renowned political and social commentator and a syndicated columnist with expertise in the dynamics of political terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism....The 9/11 event at the WTC has changed our lives. How do we wage war on terrorism? What about security at sea? Our ships? Dr. Halpern, a witness to many and varied terrorist events in the Middle East, provides insight into the world of the terrorist, the mindset of the terrorist, and the impact on the survivor." The lecture is sponsored by the Luce Library, Naval Science Department and Humanities Department. All are invited to attend this important program. Ask at the Gate for directions to the Lecture Hall.

ASSISTANCE FOR SURVIVING KIN - The Personal Business column in the NY Times on Sunday, February 24, carried an article 'Terror Victims' Survivors Find Tax Help', which described how Suzanne Swaine was dealing with the financial aftermath of WTC. Her late husband, JOHN SWAINE, Class of 1986, a Vice President at Cantor Fitzgerald, died along with her brother, Joe Reo, on 9/11. Ms. Swaine, who is commended in the article for utilizing professional help from a financial adviser, lawyer and estate lawyer in coping with some of the issues resulting from the loss of her husband in the terrorist attack, concludes: "'My husband did well, and he had life insurance, thank God. Just before this happened he paid off the house. One of the first things I found after he died was a letter of congratulations from the bank. He put me in a great position. I feel this strength every day.' She sighed, 'There's no other way to get out of bed in the morning.'" The article is illustrated with a photograph of Suzanne Swaine and her three daughters, Sarah, Emily and Hannah. (www.NYTimes.com)

VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT NEEDS YOU - The Library of Congress is collecting manuscripts, photos, diaries, maps, home movies, and other recorded recollections of those who served our country from all branches of services, including the Navy as well as the Coast Guard and Merchant Marine, from World War I through the Gulf War. Check the project homepage for more information, including information about a "Project Kit" to be a volunteer interviewer yourself - http://www.loc.gov/folklife/vets/about.html. Sounds like a natural project for the Alumni Association or Maritime Industry Museum. [Thanks to the Luce Library's Associate Librarian, Jane B. Fitzpatrick for the heads up on this history project.]

PLAN AHEAD - If you want to visit the Maritime Industry Museum these days you must contact them in advance. According to the museum's updated 'News and Events' section, "Due to mandated security reasons put in place by the College as a result of events of September 11, the museum is open to the public by appointment only." E-mail the museum at administrator@maritimeindustrymuseum.org or call 718-409-7218.

NEW YORK CHRISTENING - That vessel for overachievers, the ResidenSea THE WORLD, will receive a big New York Maritime welcome when it makes its first port visit this Spring. This Norwegian-build was due to make its maiden voyage from Europe this month, but has been delayed. (See next article.) "As the world's first ocean-going luxury resort, THE WORLD provides 110 spacious, fully furnished residences and 88 guest suites .... The ship combines the comforts of a private home with the best features of cruising, as well as the luxurious atmosphere of an exclusive resort." (www.residensea.com) In case you were wondering, a February 19 article in the New York Post notes that: "Residents of the ship still have to follow the tax laws of their countries of origin." (We did wonder.)

PASSENGER SHIP TIMETABLE - The World Ship Society Port of New York branch website provides an up-to-date listing of passenger ship traffic in New York Harbor in its "2002 Arrivals and Departures" feature. (www.worldshipny.com) This list is updated frequently, so it is a good place to check for actual NYC arrival date of THE WORLD, since its maiden voyage from Oslo has been delayed. There are many other interesting features at the website, including a portfolio of photos by FRANK DUFFY, Exec. VP of our own Maritime Industry Museum. This organization of ship enthusiasts meets monthly, except July and August, at the Norwegian Seaman's Church, 317 E. 52nd Street.

LUCE LIBRARY NAMESAKE DIES - The first woman to chair the SUNY Board of Trustees, Elisabeth Luce Moore, died on 9 February at the age of 98. Mrs Luce, a descendant of ADM Stephen B. Luce, for whom the library at the Maritime College is named, dedicated the facility during the college centennial in 1974. According to an obituary in the February 27, 2002 edition of the New York Times, "She was the sister of the publisher Henry R. Luce .... Mrs. Luce retired in 1999 after 63 years on the Board of the Henry Luce Foundation.."