News From Fort Schuyler

May 12, 2002 - Volume 6, No. 16

EBB TIDE - News of the death of ROBERT ROURKE, Class of 1947, has been received from his classmate, BOB PRESTON. He wrote that Captain Rourke, who died on March 15, 2002 "...retired in 1985 from U.S. Lines, after sailing as Master since his first command in 1955. During that time, Bob was a Panama Pilot for 6 years, and a Pilot in Bahrain for 3 years." Bob forwarded a note from Rourke's daughter Candy, which said in part: "Bob was an avid tennis player and swimmer, who also enjoyed continuing his education, majoring in history and current events. Bob also had a strong passion for horses...he enjoyed watching ponies run around a track." Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara, seven children, eight grandchildren and his sister, Marilyn.

REFUGEE SHIP - "Your note about the HENRY GIBBINS (See NFFS April 12) and the role it played in transporting refugees was quite timely," writes JOHN McLEAN, Class of 1965. "My wife and I were in Mexico for a few days on vacation. Scanning the hotel's TV in Guadalajara last weekend for some English language broadcasts, I came across the Hallmark Channel which was in the midst of broadcasting one of their older 'docudramas' covering that incident. When the name of the ship was mentioned - it rang a bell - I said to my wife, 'That's the TSES 4.' Then had to explain what the acronym TSES meant. Spent the summers of '62, '63 and '64 on it. Happy to hear Ruth [Gruber] is still active - she is well portrayed."

ROWING TO SOME AVAIL - The finals of the 64th Dad Vail Regatta were run on Saturday, May 11 (one reason why graduation at Fort Schuyler was scheduled for Sunday this year). Three Maritime College shells made the finals in this national crew racing event which is held annually on a 2,000 meter course on Philadelphia's Schuylkill River. Both our Men's Lightweight 4 and the Women' s Lightweight 4 placed fifth, while Maritime's Mens's Varsity 4 tied for fourth place. Not bad for a little school. Congratulations to the crew teams and their coach, CAPT SMITH, Class of 1981. For more about the race go to http://www.dadvail.org [BTW - When he isn't coaching the crew team, Rick Smith serves as Master of the Training Ship, Commandant of Cadets, and acts as the Master of Ceremonies at Maritime College graduations."]

RETIRED BUT NOT RETIRING - The semi-annual gathering of Maritime's "Old Friends And Retirees Talking Society" (you figure out the acronym) attracted nineteen hale and hearty retired and semi-retired denizens of Fort Schuyler for lunch at City Island's Lobster Box on May 7. Science Department attendees included Professors FRED HESS, JOE LONGOBARDI, JANET POMERANZ, DAVE EPSTEIN, VIC CIFICHIELLLO, and STELLA KOHN. Engineers included AARON KRAMER, ED PFLEGING, NICK DYEVICH, NORMAN WENNAGEL, BOB ZUBALY, and JOE McNEILL. Professors BILL SEMBLER, LARRY WILLS, and HAP PARNHAM represented Marine Transportation, while FIL MAGAVERO and RICHARD CORSON were the Librarians in attendance. Professor JOEL BELSON did the honors for the Humanities Department retired faculty, and MILT GINSBURG, just back from Florida, was the Business Office representative. Thanks to Aaron Kramer for getting this group of talking heads together. Next gathering will be 01 October.

LATE NEWS - Even though the last marcher has long passed by the reviewing stand, it is noteworthy that: "More than 180 of our students, including our band, marched in the St. Patrick's Day parade. Our formation was three blocks long and, by all reports, looked awesome ! For the second consecutive year, the band won the best-college-band award !... 'Bravo Zulu' to Commander Jeffrey and our band for their efforts and great performance." (Source: 09 May 'Campus Update' to Maritime College Community from Interim President JOHN W. CRAINE, JR.)

SHIPPING NEWS - ADM Craine also provided on update on the Training Ship in his memo: "The long overdue habitability upgrade of the EMPIRE STATE that has been ongoing since her return from Massachusetts Maritime is complete. All cadet berthing areas have been extensively renovated and look great. The U.S. Coast Guard has already completed the majority of inspections required before the ship sets sail on May 18, and due largely to the hard work and dedicated efforts of the ship's crew, Captain Smith is very comfortable with the status of the ship. We are pleased to welcome Chief Engineer MATT O' DONNELL and First Assistant Engineer MATT HARRINGTON aboard - they have already proven to be exceptional additions to the ship's complement. On a final note, congratulations go our to our newly appointed cadet officers led by Chief Cadet Officer DAVID CUFF and Chief Cadet Engineer MATTHEW COLE !" [Three 'Matts' in the Engine Room ?]

AND BEST OF IRISH LUCK TO YOU - In the same memo, ADM Craine notes that: "VICE ADMIRAL RYAN and I are planning to have our Change-of-Office ceremony at 1000 on June 14, aboard the EMPIRE STATE, while the ship is in Dublin, Ireland."