NMHS: A CAUSE IN MOTION
How the International Register ofHistoric Ships Was Born Recognized today as the authoritative field guide to the world's historic ships, the International Register ofHistoric Ships comes to you from the hand of a quiet person, but one whose mind and spirit have ranged to the far corners of the world in quest of our heritage in ships-a heritage which has done so much to affect the development of human purpose on this watery planet. Norman Brouwer has sought out these ships where they live, from the choppy, windswept waters of San Francisco Bay, to the still tidal pool of hilly Bristol in England, the shallows ofRussia' soft-embattled St. Petersburg, the golden creeks of the Parana above Buenos Aires, or the muddy, busy purlieus of the Irrawaddy in Myanmar. Wherever he goes, he finds the ships and talks to their people. Ask Brouwer about a ship, and he will quite likely say that he doesn 't really know the whole story. But if you persist, you'll find the ship's story taking shape before your eyes. He doesn't know the whole story - he just knows it better than anyone else.
Brouwer has sailed Cape Horn waters himself. After graduating from the Maine Maritime Academy, he served as mate in the National Science Foundation ship Hero. After the seafaring chapter of Brouwer's life ended, he apprenticed himself to museum studies at historic Cooperstown in upstate New York. From there, in 1972 he came to South Street Seaport Museum in New York City, where he serves today as the senior ship historian. In 1974 Frank G . G. Carr, director of Britain's National Maritime Museum, came to the US at the invitation of NMHS to advocate the cause of the yet-to-be-founded World Ship Trust. So we founded the American Ship Trust in 1978 with Carr as International Chairman and then met in London the following year to found the World Ship Trust. Frank decreed that the first order of business should be publication of a definitive version of Brouwer's ship lists, which we had been publishing piecemeal in Sea History since 1972. So the World Ship Trust, dedicated to
the preservation of historic ships from every trade or mission, and from every quarter of our water-girded planet, became the publisher of the International Register. The third edition is enriched by ships that have come to light since the first edition was published in 1985. That edition had some 700 ships, this one nearly three times that number, thanks to ship keepers and aficionados around the world pooling their knowledge in Brouwer's Register. The book makes an absorbing field to browse through, for greenhorns and old hands alike. But its best use is surely as a field guide-first to get to know the ships that brought us so far, and then to visit them. A remarkably complete bibliography opens the door to the ships' stories, and to shipkeeping institutions that seek out and maintain this vital heritage. -PETER STANFORD
Excerptedfrom the Preface to the third edition ofthe International Register of Historic Ships available ftom NMHS. See our ad opposite.
NMHS Honors SV Danmark World War II service at the Coast G uard Academy in New London, Connecticut. Admiral Loy presented the award for the ship and gave the keynote address on "The Dan mark's Influence on Coast Guard Leadership," excerpts ofwhich will be published in an upcoming Sea History. The award was received by Captain Nielsen, who also presented the Society with an historic map of the N orthArlantic, encompassing Denmark and the US. A highlight of the evening was the un veiling of William G. Muller's paintings of the Danmark, portrayed during the war years at the Coast Guard Academy, one to be displayed Admiral Loy presents American Ship Trust Award aboard the Danmark, rhe orher in to Ca t. Nielsen. (Photos: Camera One) the Danish consulate in New York. The evening came to a close with a few well-chosen remarks by expatriIt was a pleasure to welcome such luminaries as Admiral James M. Loy, Commandant of the US Coast Guard, Ambassador Michael Meltz Morch, Consul General of Denmark in New York, Captain 0. P. Nielsen of the sail training ship Danmark, and Victor Borge to the NMHS Annual Awards Dinner at the New York Yacht Club on 3 November 1999. The Society's Karl Kortum American Ship Trust Award was presented to the SV Danmark for its work training the young people of Denmark for careers in the merchant navy and, particularly, for the ship's and her crew's
A close-up ofthe Danmark ftom William G. Muller's painting. ate Dane Victor Borge and the harmonies of the Coast Guard Academy Glee Club, as they sang the Armed Forces Medley and the assembled honored each of the services as their members rose in turn. -
]USTINE AHLSTROM
From left to right: Howard Slotnick, NMHS Trustee; Admiral Loy; Craig Reynolds, NMHS Chairman; Capt. 0. P. Nielsen; Peter Stanford, NMHS President; Victor Borge; Clay Maitland, NMHS Dinner Chairman; Ambassador M¢rch; William G. Muller 6
SEA HISTORY 91, WINTER 1999-2000