NMHSNEWS World Ship Trust Award to SS Great Britain Prompts Prince Philip's Interest in Wapama
NMHS Annual Dinner Honors Tugboat Industry
In September, Prince Philip presented the World Ship Trust Award to the SS Great Britain. The award was given to honor the restoration work done on the screw steamer of 1843, which is now on ex hibit in her builder's dock in Bristol , England. NMHS Vice Chairman Edward G. Zelinsky and President Peter Stanford-both vice presidents of the World Ship Trustwere on hand at Buck ingham Palace for the presentation. As a result of that meeting, Prince Philip wrote to RADM Tom Patterson (co-chairman with Zelinsky of the Save the Wapama Committee) supporting the work to save the Pacific steam schooner Wapama: I was very interested to hea r from Peter Stanford about your project to save and restore the steam schooner Wapama. The period which spans the last sailing ships to the first fully mechanized ships is one of the most fsignificant in maritime Vl :i history. Wapama bei:0.. longs to that period and :;: Vl I very much hope that Cl your efforts will be suco2 0 cessful. ~ Having undertaken, NMHS Vice Cha irman Edward G. Zelinsky shakes hands with HRH Prince and successfully conPhilip at the World Ship Trust Award cluded, the massive ceremony at Buckingham Palace. From task of restoring Jerethe left, others on hand were James miah O 'Brien, I have Forsythe.founder of the No1folk Wherry Trust, HRH Prince Philip , OBE, Arthur no doubt that you will Prothero and Peter Stanford, all found- be equally successful ing members of the World Ship Trust . with W apama.
The venerable New York Yacht C lub set the scene for NMHS 's Annual Dinner on 15 November 1996, and the tugboat industry turned out to join NMHS members and friends for this historic occasion . The evening recreated the old Towboat N ight, when industrial rivals joined for an evening of camaraderie and congratulations. We welcomed, among others, executives and crew members from McAllister Brothers, Moran , Columbia Coastal, Turecamo and Weeks Marine as well as Norton Lilly International , the Journal of Commerce , Hudson Hi ghl ands Cru ises, the State Council on Waterways, Caddell Drydock, the Navy League and the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company. Owners, captains and representatives of the hi storic tugboats KWhittlesey, Urger and Pegasus were also among the guests. The NMHS Distingui shed Service Award was g iven to Joe DeMuccio, founder of the Tugboat Enthus iasts Society. Marine artist Steve Cryan produced an excellent running slide show of the last 35 years of tugboating in New York Harbor. Dinner Chairman W. Grove Conrad with committee members Brian McAllister and Jean Wort, all NMHS trustees, organized the even- W. Grove Conrad (a t right), NMHS trustee ing and gathered a and president of Norton Lilly International, fine company. Grove presented the NM HS Distinguished Service Conrad summed up Award to Joe DeMuccio, founder of the the festivities when Tugboat Enthusiasts Society. he said, "There are few times in o ur working lives when a rare combination of hi s tor y, good people, and promise for ' the future comes together. This was one of those occasions."
Kortum and Rath Memorials Several contributions have been received in Karl Kortum 's memory , dedicated to restoring the steam schooner Wapama. In addition to this vital effort, however, we welcome contributions to go into a Kortum Memorial Fund, which will continue to strengthen our work for all hi stori c ships. Contributions in memory of Richard Rath will go into a Rath Memorial Fund to send young people to sea in educational programs such as he ran aboard the schooner Pioneer in South Street. Thi s fund will be jointly administered with the Irving and Exy Johnson Fund, which has the same purpose. Checks can be made out to "NMHS -Kortum Memorial ," or "NMHSRath Memorial ," and will be devoted to the purposes set forth above. A celebration of Karl Kortum 's life and work is on pages 14-15 of this iss ue; Dick Rath is remembered on page 38. 4
NMHS to Provide Educational Program for OpSail 2000 NMHS has had a long-standing relationship with OpSail , which was founded by our Advisory Council Chairman Frank Braynard. As a result of recent discus sions with OpSail C ha irm an Charlie Robertson, the NMHS Maritime Education Initiative will be recognized as an official element of the total OpSail 2000 program. Once again tall ships manned by young cadets from around the world will converge on North America's East Coast and as America's eyes turn seaward , NMHS wi ll be there to help people understand the high purpose to wh ich the ships sail. NMHS President Peter Stanford said, "Thi s achieves our long-held objective of going beyond the thrilling spectacle and the inherent excitement of tall ships to reach the deep currents of educational purpose which these ships and their crews embody. "
NMHS Events • 12 April-NMHS Annual Meeting at the State University of New York 's Maritime College at Fort Schuy ler in the Bronx. The schedule will include a business meeting, project reports , a keynote address, luncheon and tours of the campus, museum and the co llege's training ship, Empire State. There is no charge for attend ing the meeting. However, there wil l be a charge of approximately $30 for lunch. • 2 May-"HMS" Rose Sail-Training C ruise in New York Harbor. The frigate Rose will return to the East Coast thi s spring after a triumphant summer in Europe and a winter in the Caribbean (see page 19). This is yo uropportunity to learn the ropes aboard a unique C lass A tall sh ip. The contribution to take part in thi s day sail will be $150. Information about both events will be available in March. Please call us at 1 80022 1-NMHS or 914 737-7878. SEA HISTORY 80, WINTER 1996-97