News From Fort Schuyler

May 3, 2002 - Volume 6, No. 15

CLIMBING UP THE RIGGING - Congratulations to LEENDERT (LEN) RICHARD HERING, SR, Class of 1977, on his selection for Rear Admiral, USN, and to RICHARD H. RUSSELL, Class of 1981, and ROBERT DeMARINIS, Class of 1980, for their selection for the rank of Captain, USNR (MMR). Word of these promotions came from ROD McFADDEN, Class of 1975. He adds: "I'm hoping the Admiral has nothing but good memories of his IDO' !" Congratulations to all.

ANOTHER WINNER - The Alumni Association's Distinguished Service Medal was awarded to STEPHEN J. CARBERY, Class of 1980, at the recent Scholarship Benefit Dinner Dance held at the Hilton. Steve is immediate past president of the Alumni Association. (See "Dance Time" in the March 22 issue of NFFS for other awardees - http://www.fsmaa.org/NFFS/2002/nf020322.cfm)

WATER WINNERS - According to the latest State University electronic newsletter, SUNY News/SUNY Today, "The second SUNY Regatta was held last weekend at Maritime, with seven campuses and over 300 students competing. UB took home the Chancellor's Cup (for the second year). Binghamton came in second and Maritime, third. UAlbany, Stony Brook, Geneseo, and Oswego also competed. Presenting the trophies -- Maritime President ADM. JOHN CRAINE, Vice Chancellor John O'Connor, and Associate Vice Chancellor Molly McKeown -- regatta founder. Students were housed on Maritime's training ship and attended a dinner hosted by Admiral and Mrs. Craine. Captain RICK SMITH [Class of 1981] of Maritime coordinated the races." [Thanks to JANE B. FITZPATRICK, Associate Librarian at the Luce Library, for this heads up.] BTW - The headline for this SUNY News item was "Of Rowers Advancing Backward!" - would someone elucidate ?

SAILING MISSIONARY - The April 18 Washington Post published a long profile of GARY JOBSON, Class of 1973, in connection with his role in bringing the Volvo Race around-the-world sailboat race to Annapolis for a stopover. Gary, Collegiate Sailor of the Year while he was at Fort Schuyler, won the America 's Cup in 1977 on Ted Turner's COURAGEOUS. He has been Sailing Coach at the Naval Academy since 1977 and ESPN's sailing commentator since 1985. Gary is the author of many books and videos (check the Luce Library's holdings at www.sunymaritime.edu) The article notes that: "Sailing has taken Jobson to the far ends of the world. Jobson's many adventures have included polar-sailing expeditions to Cape Horn and Antarctica, where he once spent 41 days without a decent shower. He's also cheated death a few times, most memorably during the 1979 Fastnet Race (now called the Volvo Race), aboard Ted Turner's TENACIOUS. During the race, a terrible storm crashed down upon a fleet of 303, and 17 sailors lost their lives in the chilly British waters... 'I vividly remember the power of that storm... While at the helm, the roar of a giant cresting wave broke over the cockpit, it felt like being at the bottom of a goal-line pile up. Even with two safety harnesses attached to the boat, I could not tell if I was still on board.'" For the full story go to: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1983-2002Apr17.html

LANDFALL AT FORT SCHUYLER - The destination of the World Ship Society/Steamship Historical Society of America's "New York Harbor Excursion" on June 1 will be the Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler. A NY Waterway boat will pick up passengers at Weehawken and Manhattan. Cost is $50. WSS and SSHA members get priority. WSS members should go to http://www.worldshipny.com for details and contact information.

SHIP'S LIBRARIAN - The Ship's Librarian for Summer Sea Term 2002 will be RICHARD DELBANGO, Automation Coordinator at Nassau Community College's A. Holly Patterson Library. Besides being a computer whiz, Rich also holds adjunct reference librarian positions at SUNY Stony Brook Health Science Center and SUNY Old Westbury. He writes: "25 years ago, when I graduated college, I interviewed at Maritime for an audio-visual position. I was told that part of the job would entail going on the summer cruise every second year. I didn't get the position, but the thought of going on the cruise stayed with me. I wasn't in the position to do it several years ago, when Jane Fitzpatrick told me you were hiring, but this year I was. I am looking forward to a unique experience." [Bon voyage, Rich.]

MARITIME GRAVE AT RISK - "A War Grave Defiled - SS CITIES SERVICE EMPIRE," is the e-mail subject line from MICHAEL HIGGINS, Class of 1982. Michael reports that divers are plundering artifacts and disturbing the remains of mariners who lost their lives in the 1942 torpedoing of the CITIES SERVICE EMPIRE off Cape Canaveral. He writes: "The ship was discovered during the early eighties...she is at a depth of 240 ft. This is not a dive for sports divers...this is a 'tech dive' and requires a special gas mixture and skill to dive. Last year a group of individuals, maritime 'tomb raiders,' started plundering the vessel of artifacts and disturbing the war grave " [See diver's website at http://www.mikey.net/aue/empire.html] "I am hoping to make an example of these people and obtain Federal legislation (if need be) or enforce existing federal laws, to protect these sites from further plundering." Noting that: "There are many such vessels at risk as hundreds were sunk off the East Coast during the war," Michael is seeking legislative action to deter further plundering. He is putting together a bi-partisan team of congressional sponsors from the East, West and Gulf Coast states. He is calling on mariners, maritime school alumni, and maritime organizations such as the Propeller Club, Navy League and American Merchant Marine Veterans to support this endeavor. Michael concludes: "In the final analysis, there is no difference between the sanctity of USS ARIZONA and any one of hundreds of merchant vessels sunk during the war - which are in fact war graves - the final resting place of those accorded veteran status by the Federal Government in 1988. These men deserve no less respect." The Wall Street Journal is considering running an article about this situation on or about May 22 - National Maritime Day.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING - Your editor is back from California having missed New York's unexpected heat wave and an earthquake.