DECK LOG 7th Maritime Heritage Conference r was years in the planning, and under the leadership of Captain Channing Zucker of the Historic Naval Ships Association, the 7th Maritime Heritage Conference in Norfolk, Virginia, last October proved a great success. Over 500 leaders in the maritime heritage community from a wide range of disciplines and organizations-museums, lighthouses, historic ships, sail training programs, N nautical archaeologists, and libraries-mer to share their latest projects and ~. research. Meetings and seminars addressed mutual concerns and offered solutions to advance the cause of preserving maritime heritage. Maritime museums have endured a difficult climate since 9/11, with reduced attendance and a weakened philanthropic base. In Norfolk, curators and directors brainstormed strategies for innovation and improvement. It is noteworthy that during a time of struggle for many museums and organizations, academic maritime programs at institutions s of higher learning are producing more trained, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic graduates in the field than ever. The 8th Maritime Heritage Conference is set for San Francisco in October 2007 . Much of what will be the state of the field then will have had its genesis in the seminars, face-to-face discussions, and Q & A sessions that gave colleagues in the field an opportunity ro promote mutual interests.
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In these pages of Sea History ...
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ommencing with this issue, in 2005 Sea History will commemorate the bicentenary of Lord Nelson's victory and death at the Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805. In this issue we feature, "Trafalgar: in Nelson's Own Words" by Joseph F. Callo (see pages 10-13)-an examination and analysis of Nelson's thoughts as written in his diary and remembered by his officers. Throughout the year we will look at Nelson from a variety of angles with a feature article in each issue leading up to the anniversary of the Battle. In tribute to Lord Nelson, NMHS 's medallion this year will feature Nelson's flagship HMS Victory. The National Maritime Museum in London is launching a yearlong celebration with exhibits and events organized through SeaBritain 2005-refer to our Calendar section for notices and updates on events throughout the year. We are also pleased to offer a new series by William H. White, "Heroes of the Sailing Navy." White will profile both the celebrated and lesser known men who "set the bar" for generations of naval officers to come. I invite you to read his first installment-a profile ofWilliam Henry Allen (1 784-1813) who, in his short life, left his mark on the annals of naval history, having participated in three of the four wars that involved the American Navy to that date. Chairman Walter Brown is pleased to announce that the Society's Education Initiative, chaired by Walter Cronkite, is partnering with Ocean Classroom Foundation to offer a 7-day program for high school and middle school history teachers aboard schooner Westward to explore and encourage the teaching of maritime history as a vital component of their course curriculums. For derails, see our notice on page 9. NMHS will mail this issue with the notice and call for applications to any high school or middle school history teacher whose name and address you submit to us. BuRCHENAL GREEN Executive Vice President 2
NATIONAL MARITIME HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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PUBLISHER'S CIRCLE: Peter Aron , Donald McG raw, W ill iam H. Wh ite O FFI CE RS & T RUSTEES: Chairman, Walter R. Brown; Vice Chairman, Richard o R. Lopes; Executive Vice President, Burchenal Green; Treasurer, Ronald L O swald; Secretary, M arshall Streiberr; Trustees, Donald M . Birney, Thomas F. Daly, D avid S. Fowler, Virginia Steele G rubb, Rodney N . H o ughton , Steven W. Jones, Richard M. Larrabee, Warren Leback, Guy E. C. Maitland, Karen Markoe, Mi chael McKay, James J. M cNamara, Howard Slotnick, Bradford D. Smith , Wi ll iam H. White; Chairmen Emeriti, Alan G. C hoate, G uy E. C. Maitland, C raig A. C. Reynolds, Howard Slomick; President Emeritus, Peter Stanfo rd FOUN D ER: Karl Kortum (191 7- 1996) OVERSEERS: Chairman, RA.OM David C. Brown; Walter Cronkite, Alan D. Hu tchiso n, Jakob Jsbra ndtsen, John Lehman , Warren M arr, 11, Brian A. McAllister, John Stobart, W ill iam G. W interer ADVISORS: Co-Chairmen, Frank 0. Braynard , Melbourn e Smith; D.K. Abbass, George F. Bass, Francis E. Bowker, O swald L. Bren , Norm an ]. Brouwer, RADM Joseph F. C allo, Francis J. Du ffy, John W Ewald, Timothy Foote, W illi am G ilkerso n, Thomas Gi ll mer, Walter J. H andelman , Steven A. Hyman , Hajo Knuttel, Gunn ar Lund eberg, Joseph A. Maggio, Conrad Milster, W illi am G. Muller, David E. Perkins, Nancy Hughes Ri chardson, Timothy Runyan, Shannon]. Wall N MHS STAFF: Executive Director, Burchenal Green; Mem bership Director, Nan cy Schn aa rs; Director of Education, David All en; A ccounting, Ji ll Romeo; Executive A ssistant, Janet Miller; Membership Assistant, Jane Maurice SEA HISTO RY Editor : D eirdre E. O 'Regan ; D irector of Advertising: Steve Lovass-Nagy; Sea H istory for Kids Editor: Myka-Lynn e Sokoloff; Editor-at-Large: Peter Sta nford 5 John Walsh Boulevard PO Box 68 Peekski ll NY 10566 Ph one: 9 14 737-7878; 800 221 -N MH S Fax: 914 737-78 16 Web site: www. seahistory.org; NMHS e-mail: nmhs@seahisto ry.org; and Sea H istory e- mail: editorial@seahisto ry.o rg Address:
M EMBERSHIP is invited. Afterguard $ 10,000; Benefacto r $5 ,000; Pl ankowner $2,500; Sponso r $ 1,000; Donor $500; Patron $250; Friend $ 100; Co ntribu to r $75; Family $50; Regular $35. All members outside rhe USA please add $ l 0 for posrnge. Sea History is sem to all members. Indi vidu al co pi es cost $3.75 .
SEA HISTORY I 10, SPRING 2005