NMHS: A CAUSE IN MOTION National Maritime Historical Society Annual Awards Dinner, 2016
'
Conde Nast chairman Charles Townsend proclaims Sea History "Top-Notch ... a Great Read!"
Erudite, warm, and inspiring, this year's NMHS Distinguished Service awardee, Chuck Townsend, commented that his wife, Jill, h ad asked what he had in common with Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, to follow her in receiving rhe prestigious award. "Well, nothing," he quipped, bur then he pointed out that they share a deep affinity and appreciation for maritime history and how important NMHS 's role is in keeping our maritime heritage alive. He then remarked that he, unlike Her Royal Highness, as chairman of the mass media conglomerate Conde Nast, is an expert in periodicals, so he could state unequi vocally that Sea History is a top-notch publication, serving a critical role in sharing the sto ries of our seafa ring past and keeping readers across the country up to dare on the maritime preservation field. He also thanked NMHS vice chairman Rick Lopes for the compelling videos he produced, bringing our guests into the homes, workplaces, and boars of the evening's awardees. NMHS chairman emeritus Wa lter Brown presented the David A. O 'Neil Sheer Anchor Award to fellow trustee Captai n Cesare Sorio, (1-r) Walter Brown; Captain Cesare Sorio; Charles Townsend; Dinner Chairdescribing his fifteen yea rs at sea on rankers man, George Carmany Ill; Burchenal Green;fohn Stobart; Master-of Ceremonies and passenger ships, from deck cadet to ship's Richard du Moulin; and Ronald Oswald. master, sailing the wo rld 's oceans as a professional mariner in the Italian merchant marine. After swallowing the anchor, Captai n Sorio became involved in all aspects of marine operations, including shipbuilding, ship conversion and repair, vessel purchasi ng and sale, and did consulting work in the design and construction of commercial and marine vessels of various types, from oil tankers to dry cargo, LNG carriers, drill ships, tugs and barges. Walter Brown introduced his good friend as "rhe real deal," and in his acceptance remarks, Caprai n Sorio reiterated how important it is to keep history alive and talked abo ut his efforts to encourage yo ung scholars to pursue maritime topics in their studies. Finally, we paid tribute to the late Peter Stanford, to whom NMHS and the maritime preservation com munity at large owe so much. Peter's wife, No rma, and his children were joined by many of his friends and colleagues in his honor. Kent Barwick, president emeritus of the M unicipal Art Society, spoke of the ea rly days of South Street; Captain Jonathan Boulware, executi ve director of South Street Seaport, talked about his prodigious accomplishment in founding and fightin g for the museum; and Nor ma reminisced abo ut many of the ambitious Captain Sorio accepts his award and shares afew words at the podium preservation projects they in the famous Model Room of the New York Yacht Club. undertook. Renowned marine artist John Stobart donated an original oil painting to be sold to support NMHS and Sea History, in honor of his dear friend and colleague. He spoke abo ut when he first met Peter and Norma and of Peter's indelible influence on his career. Ir was a fabulo us occasion to be in the company of so many individuals who love and work to preserve our maritime heritage. Please visit our website at www.seahistory.org to view more photos of the 20 16 Annual Awards Dinner and to learn more about the Society. -Burchenal Green, NMHS President
Old friends Norma Stanford and John Stobart paid tribute to the late Peter Stanford. 8
SEA HISTORY 157, WINTER 2016- 17