tions in my mind as to the significance or relevancy of two of the books reviewed. The first one, Night and Fog , has a relationship-a tenuous one, but it at least covers a voyage across the Atlantic. However, I am puzzled as to the inclusion of the other, American Indian Holocaust andSurvival. Had it covered, for example, the fishing practices of the early Indians-or perhaps, a survey of their watercraft-I could see the relevancy, but based solely on the review itself, I fa il to see how this book can contribute to the stated aims of the NMHS to "bring to life America ' s seafaring past through research, archaeological expeditions and ship preservation efforts." With so many outstanding books on maritime subjects being published all over, I really would like to know why this one was included in "Reviews." K. STANLEY y AMASHITA San Pedro, California At sea, sailors reflect on their lives ashore, sometimes seeking their meanings. In this Night and Fog is distinctly literature of the sea. American Indian Holocau st and Survival gives the most authoritative account available of the ethnological consequences of Columbus's voyages which opened the Americas to European colonization. See the discussion in "Mission" in this issue; we believe maritime history is about the impact of voyaging , as well as the voyages themselves. We feel Dr. Yamashita makes an important point, however; in stretching the reach of our concerns we do not want to vitiate the seafaring story.-ED I have liked Sea History for many years , however, thi s issue has two items to criticize. One, the book review of Thornton's book on the American Indian has no place in a maritime journal. It is a good book but has no place here. The other is the exchange between Mr. Corlett and the editor. The editor should have been a bit more circumspect and left off the last sentence of his response. It is not worthy of the journal or of my high estimation of the editor. MYRON MOLNAU
Moscow, Indiana The editor will seek to be more moderate in the Juture.-ED
A Stacked Deck I really do have to take issue with the ed itor' s comments on a letter appearing from Alex Hurst on the old four-funnelled SEA HISTORY 58, SUMMER 1991
American destroyers which were part of the Lend-Lease arrangement entered into with the United Kingdom during the darker days of World War II. The editor says these vessels were not known as "Four Stackers" but as "Four Pipers." Butcertainly in the United Kingdom, and, indeed , from my understanding of the situation in the United States, these vessels were known as " Four Stackers." Until the editor made his comments I had never before heard them referred to as "Four Pipers" on either side of the Atlantic. It is interesting to note that Don Snowden, who serrved in the US Navy from 1935 to 1953 and who was, and maybe still is, closely associated with the San Diego Maritime Museum, refers to these vessels as "Four Stackers." He says: "There were four of nearly everything-four stacks, four boilers, four guns in the main battery, four sets of torpedoe tubes, four washbasins, four lavatory stools .... " And he refers to USS Buchanan as one of the old "four stack flu sh decked destroyers of World War I vintage." Since this is criticism of the editor I doubt whether my letter will be publi shed , but I felt I ought to set the record straight, at least from my own understanding of the situation . "Four Pipers" indeed! D. B. CLEMENT Exton, England Why these ships were commonly called "four pipers" by Americans and "four slackers" by Brits is a mystery, but so in fact they were. Mr. Clement is to be congratulated for coming up with this exception to the rule . -ED
Now Hear This, Arethusas! A friend has kindly shown me yo ur Summer 1990 Sea History (SH 54). I particularly enjoyed "Life Aboard the Viper," and the photograph taken aboa rd Arethusa, or as she is now known , Peking. Twenty of us old Arethusa boys visited the Peking in New York this Apri I. Mrs Le Mare, who is mentioned in the article, has informed me that the photograph of the children and the guard was taken on June 13 , 1956. I would be grateful if this letter could be published in your magazine in the hope of tracing more Arethusas. L. D. P OTION Membership Secretary Arethusa Old Boys Association Cornwall, England
ERRATA
Having matured along with sail training in the United States during the last sixteen years, I wanted you to know how sincere! y I appreciated your article in the Spring 1991 issue of Sea History. But there is an error I wish to correct. VisionQuest owns and operates the schooners Bill of Rights and New Way. Harvey Gamage is proudly sailed and owned by Dirigo Cruises of Clinton CT. The Harvey Gamage is the sister ship to the Bill of Rights and the two are often mistaken for each other. CAPT. R OBERT c. GLOVER, III Port Captain, VisionQuest Exton, Pennsylvania The caption under the print "Public Landing, Cincinnati 1875," in the Michael Blaser article, has a glaring error, noting that one of the steamers " burned at a New Orleans levy ." In Louisiana we have a great many levies but they have nothing to do with keeping our rivers and bayous out of our lowlands. For that purpose we have levees. The former helps the politicians stay in office, the latter protects our people. H ARRY FRIEDM AN
Shreveport, Louisiana QUERIES
Dieter Melchart is looking for information about Gulfport Shipbuilding Co., in Gulfport MS, builders of the schooner Elizabeth Bandi in 1919. Who was the lady whose name was given to the vessel? Presumably a relative of J. A. Bandi , former head of the First National Bank, Gulfport. Dieter Melchart, Schaeferstr. 23, D - 4708 Kamen, Germany. Jean-M ichel Calvez-Normand reports in that altogether admirable magazine Le Chasse-Maree on uncovering an old Breton cemetery that had been engulfed in sand . One of the hundred-odd gravestones shows a ship. He is interested in other examples of ships shown on old gravestones. Please respond to NMHS, PO 646, Croton NY 10520. World War II era pictures of Liberty ships are needed by Adam Geibel for a book project. Mr. Geibel would also appreciate any anecdotes, particularly from anyone serving with Lt. Qg) Walter ("Pete") Geibel , Third Engineer (Walker, Taylor, Somme, Honeyhill) . Adam Geibel, 628 Palairet Road, Philadelphia PA 19105. o 5