DECK LOG Member Support NMHS Treasurer H. C. Bowen Smith has been extremely gratified by yo ur generous membership renewals and responses to our appeal for support. "In these difficult financial times, our members have many organizations requesting their support. That they are so genero us to our Society tells me that there is a large gro up of people who care about our maritime heritage and appreciate our efforts to promote and protect it-that motivates me to work even harder. Thank them for us, please," Bowen asked. On behalf of your Board of Trustees, staff and fellow members, accept my heartfelt thanks for yo ur strong enco uragement and financial support.
Piracy Although the Society is known more for stories from our history than breaking news, we were honored to have our trustee Phil Shapiro speak extemporaneo usly at our Washington Awards Dinner on 16 April , on ly days after his Liberty Shipping Company vessel, carrying hum ani tarian supplies from the UN World Food Programme, CARE, and other groups, was viciously attacked by pirates (a word we have unfortunately romanticized and which does no justice to the violence and terror of their actions). Chairman Ron O swald opened the program recounting how Sea Histo ry has told the great maritime sto ries of courage and triumph over adversity, specifically citing the very recent example of courage and resolve demonstrated by the heroic actions of Maersk's Cap tain Richard Phillips during his capture and subsequent dramatic rescue from Somali pirates by Navy SEALs. He then introduced Phil Shapiro to update our guests on the attack on the Liberty Sun. Shapiro said, "Last week's attacks on US flag ships by pirates operating in international waters serve to remind us of the life-and-death challenges that United States seafarers can face. The United States Government, whose primary responsibility is to protect American citizens, should take stro ng action to combat piracy before it sparks an international incident that could have widespread political repercussions and ramifications." You can read more about the development and scope of modern piracy in "New Libertalia: A Pirate Dream Comes True," on pages 18-21 of this issue.
SS United States America is a co untry that grew from the sea, and preserving our great historic ships is cri tical for us as a people who value and learn from our heritage. There are ships that are icons in America: USS Constitution, USCG Barque Eagle, the last wooden whaleship Charles W Morgan. Just as these ships represent the spi ri t of our co untry in eras past, SS United States is a symbol of the 20th century. The fastes t passenger vessel ever built, the Cold War-era United States was built as a lux ury liner, but was also des igned to be capable of transporting 15 ,000 troops more than 10,000 miles with out refueling. In the 1950s, the federal government underwro te 2/3 of her construction cos t, and we believe now that it ought to underwrite her restoration . We are askin g you to read her story on pages 10- 11 and write to yo ur congressional representative to support legislation to preserve, protect, and restore her before it is too late.
New NMHS Leadership We are delighted to welcome two new overseers: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, considered England's greatest living yachtsman, and Gary Jobson, America's yachting spokesm an, to our leadership. We are also honored by the addition of five new advisors: Lori Dillard Rech, president of Independence Seapo rt Museum ; Joyce Huber Smith, chair of Sultana Projects; Stuart Parnes, president of Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and secretary general of the International Council of Maritime Museums; J. Russell Jinishian of J . Russell Jinishian Gallery, Inc., leading authori ty on contemporary marin e art; and Bert Rogers, executive director of the American Sail Training Association. We welcome them and know how much their depth of knowledge will enrich us all. -Burchena! Green, President 4
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NATIONAL MARITIME HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PUBLISHER'S C IRCLE: Peter Aron, William H. W hite OFFICERS & TRUSTEES: Chairman, Ron ald L. Oswald; Vice Chairman, Richardo R. Lopes; President, Burchen al Green; Vice Presidents, D eirdre O'Regan, Nancy Schnaars; Treasurer, H. C. Bowen Smith; Secretary, Thomas F. Daly; Trustees, C harles B. Anderso n, Walter R. Brown, Jam es Carter, David S. Fowler, Virginia Steele Grubb, Karen Helmerso n, Steven W. Jo nes, Robert Kamm, Richard M. Larrabee, Guy E. C. Maitland, John R. McDonald Jr., James ]. McNamara, Richard Scara no, Philip ]. Shap iro, Peter H. Sharp, Howard Slomick, Bradford D. Smith, Cesa re Soria, Philip J. Webster, Daniel W. Whalen, W illiam H . White; Chairmen Emeriti, Walter R. Brown, Alan G. C ho ate, Guy E. C. Maitland, Craig A. C. Reynolds, Howard Slotnick; President Emeritus, Peter Stanfo rd FOUNDER: Karl Kortum (191 7-1996) OVERSEERS: Chairman, RADM David C. Brown; Walter Cro nkite, C live C ussler, Richard du Mou lin, Alan D . Hutchison, Jakob Isbrandtsen, Gary Jobso n, Sir Robin KnoxJoh nsron, John Lehman, Warre n Marr, II, Brian A. McAl lister, John Srobarr, W illiam G. Wi nterer NMHS ADVlSORS: Chairman, Melbourne Sm ith ; D. K. Abbass, George Bass, Francis E. Bowker, Oswald L. Brett, RADM Josep h F. Callo, Francis J . Duffy, John W. Ewald, Timothy Foote, W illiam G ilkerso n, Thomas G ill mer, Steven A. Hyman, J. Russell Jinishian, Hajo Knurrel, Gu nn ar Lundeberg, Josep h A. Maggio, Co nrad M ilster, William G. Mul ler, Stu art Parnes, Lori Dillard Rech , Na ncy Hugh es R ichardso n, Bert Rogers, Joyce Huber Smith
SEA HISTORY EDITORIAL ADVlSORY BOARD: Chairman, T im othy J . Runyan; No rm a n J. Bro uwer, Rob e rt Browning , Wi ll iam S. Dudley, Daniel Finamore, Kevin Foster, John Od in Jensen, Joseph F. Meany, Lisa No rl ing, Carla Rahn Ph illips, Wa lter Rybka, Q uenrin Sned iker, W illiam H. W hite NM HS STAFF: Executive Director, Burchenal Green; Membership Director, Nancy Schn aars; Marketing Director, Steve Lovass-Nagy; Communications Director, Juli a Church; Accounting, Jill Rom eo; Store Sales & Volunteer Coordinator, Jane Maurice
SEA HISTORY Editor, D e irdre O ' Regan; Advertising Director, Wendy Pagg iorr a; Editor-at-Large, Peter Stanfo rd
SEA HISTORY 127, SUMMER 2009