http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/870b06adb6b4aa40175f8dd5e226daca.PDF 30182850a58645663e591bda66d98a48 PDF Text Text SEAFARERS LOG April 2 1954 ' • OFFICIAL ORGAN OF TH8 SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL • / X-. SENATE TAKES UP TRANSFER DISPUTE -ril «; A -Story on Page 3 NLRB Orders New Dock Election Story on Page 2 '•'rV- ij -C- 'i'^A '•'i 1; !?$:. i# •V.V'"' Win, P/o«e, Or-? typify the state of Seafarer John Hal's hopes for a $140,000 jackpot in a lottery, as the mystery of what the New Orle­ ans seaman won—and on what—goes on. The only known facts are that he had a ticket on a lottery, was "reliably" informed he'd won, then discovered he'd lost the marker. He doesn't know on what lot­ tery nance he can't find the ticket. (Story on Page 6.) - ^\ \/§n TatAMfmAn# Seafarers aboard the SIXJ-manned Fairisle (Waterman), the first Ff f rCOf IllCfir# company vessel to use its new $6 million terminal at Port New­ ark, NJ, line the deck of the ship as a Hi-Lo driver jockeys the first sling-load of cargo off the ship ipto.positiQn.,Special ceremonies marked ojpening of vast terminal. (Story on Page 3.) �SEAFARERS LOG . Face Tw« AvrU 2. 1954 Three Seafarers, Others Seek SKI Scholarships li;v 1%^. 'i \m AFL-ILA longshoremen file into work on the docks during the course of the old ILA-sponsored strike along the New York waterfront. Pictured above are some of the hundreds of men who answered the call to work on the Brooklyn Army Base piers. NLRB Throws Out Dock Vote; Orders New Ballot With SIU scholarship awards to be made in June, three Seafarers are among 11 applicants who are anxiously await­ ing the final decision as to the winners of the four $1,500 annual awards. Seafarers Sey-"* mour Wallace, Ed Larkin and ard University, and Elwood KastWallace Simpson are the ner. New York University. All of three who have qualified along them are university administrators, with four seamen's daughters, and and- most of them, if not all, are expected to serve again this year. three sons of SIU men. Scholarship applicants have to Before a final decision is made by the trustees of the Welfare Plan submit proof of their, or their based on recommendations of a father's minimum three years' seaboard of prominent educators, four time on SIU ships. Official high of the applicants will have to take school record transcripts,^ a letter the qualifying college entrance of recommendation from the high exam on May 22. This is the last school principal and two other let­ exam that will be given before this ters from people who have known the applicant for a good many year's awards. years are also required. , StUl Time Left However, there is still time for additional applicants to qualify for the scholarships, provided they file immediately for the exam with the Seafarers Welfare Plan, and get all their qualifications in the rec­ ord including the necessary school transcripts, proof of sea time and letters of recommendation. Once the May 22 exam is com­ pleted, a group of prominent edu­ MOBILE—Harbor improvements cators will be selected to pass upon needed to promote greater ship­ the 'qualifications of applicants. "jsupWhile the grades on the examina­ ping through this pqffi tion are a big factor in the final de­ ported recently by 'a*^ delegMion cision, other matters are taken into from Mobile and Birmingham that consideration such as the appli­ appeared before a House Public cant's past record, participation in Works subcommittee in Wash-. extra-curricular activities, as well . . as recommendations of high school ington. The delegation urged that 's $5,principals and others who have 971,000 harbor improvement proj­ known the applicant. Last year's advisory committee ect for the Port of Mobile be in­ consisted of C. William Edwards, cluded in the Rivers and Harbors Princeton University; Bernard Ire­ Act of 1954. land, Columbia University; Miss Among the principal items rec­ Edna Newby, New Jersey College ommended to the subcommittee for Women; F. D. Wilkinson, How­ was deepening of the main ship channel from its present depth of 32 feet to 40 feet. The port -cur­ rently is losing business because many vessels cannot negotiate; the channel fully loaded, the Alabama delegates said. Ships with a draft Regular membership meet­ in excess of 28 feet cannot always ings in SIU headquarters and navigate the channel safely, al­ at all branches are held every though the "project depth" of the second Wednesday night at waterway is listed at 32 feet. 7 PM. The schedule for the SlU-manned Waterman ships next few meetings is as follows: were involved in 22 accidents in April 7, April 21, May 5, the Mobile channel between 1940 All Seafarers registered on and 1949 at a total cost to the the shipping list are required steamship operator of more than to attend the meetings. $208,000, the Mobile delegation testified. Mobile Asks Deepening Of Ship Channel The AFL-ILA won its biggest victory yet in its fight to establish a new union "for longshore­ men when the National Labor Relations Board upheld an examiner's report calling for a new election on the New York docks. The examiner recommended, and the Board agreed, that the December dock vote-* be set aside because of vio­ charge rests on refusal of steve­ court orders prohibiting a tie-up. A third action involved an NLRB lence and intimidation of dores to put longshoremen to work even when the AFL-ILA had men petition for an injunction against longshoremen by the old ILA. While no definite date has yet available. A second legal proceed­ tugboatmen refusing to handle been set for the new election, the ing involved contempt of court ships in the harbor, while the New Labor Board said it would make a charges against three old ILA lead­ York Shipping Association belat­ final decision sometime within the ers, Harold Bowers, Willie Ackili- edly got into the act after 24 days next 30 days on when the election tis, brother of the notoiious Albert of tie-up by filing unfair labor Ackilltis tff the old Arsenal Mob practice charges. The tugboatmen would be held. Further, the Labor Board warned and William Lynch as well as eight promptly went back to work when the old ILA that unless it stopped old ILA locals. The men are ac­ the injunction was issued. violating the various court orders cused of promoting the strike in To top off the old ILA's troubles, against it, it would be ruled off the New York in violation of several a meeting of that union's Atlantic election ballot. This means that the district broke up in disorder, with old ILA would have to call off the ieaders of locals in other cities re­ current political strike it is con­ fusing to go outxin strike In sup­ ducting in the port of New York. port of the New York walkout. The NLRB action came as AFLPorts like Boston, Philadelphia and ILA members made fresh headway Baltimoi-e are humming feverishly in their drive to reopen the port of in an attempt to handle traffic di­ New York. Approximately 5,000 verted from New York. Longshore­ longshoremen are working piers in men in those ports were busy un­ various parts of the harbor despite loading cargo that normally would attempts by roving gangs of en­ be handled by New _ York long­ forcers to keep them closed. Even With only 25 ships remaining to shoremen currently being kept the old ILA's official "adoption" of be voted, leaders of the Marine from their jobs by the old ILA. the four-week old "wildcat" strike Cooks and Stewards, AFL, are New developments in the Gulf failed to stem the longshoremen's looking forward to the final count district foreshadowed further set­ desire to get back on the job. in the West Coast stewards elec­ backs for the old ILA. It appeared Meanwhile headaches piled up tion, just five weeks off. iJnofficial that practically all ILA locals in for the old ILA in the legal arena. reports from the men on the ships Gulf ports would line up with the Federal attorney Edward Lumbard indicate a strong trend toward the new union, adding to the isolation opened a grand jury investigation SlU-affiliated union as opposed to (Continued on page 17> cf alleged collusion and conspiracy the National Union of Marine between stevedores and the old Cooks and Stewards and Harry ILA to keep the port tied up. The Bridges Local 100 which is calling for a "no union" vote. Meanwhile, a new West Coast April 2. 1954 Vol. XYI. No. 7 election for steamschooners is un­ As 1 See It Page 4 derway and MCS-AFL sources pre­ Committees In Action Pa ge 4 dict the union will take at least 30 Crossword Puzzle Page 12 out of 35 eligible votes in this Editorial Page 13 contest. Foc'sle Fotographer Page 19 Opposition Split Galley Gleanings Page 20 All indications are that a definite • Inquiring Seafarer Page 12 split in opposition votes between In The Wake Page 12 Bridges' "no union" and NUMC&S Labor Round-Up Page 13 is taking place. Bridges appealed Letters Pages 21, 22 for a "no union" vote after the Maritime Page 16 NLRB decided that Local lOO was Meet The Seafarer Page 12 not entitled to a place on the ballot. On The Job Page 16 As indication of the trend in the Personals Page 25 voting, MCS-AFL representatives Quiz Page 18 point to the following estimates of Seafarers In Action Page 16 the way the vote went on major Ships' Minutes Pages 24, 25 passenger ships: On the*Lurline an SIU History Cartoon Page 9 estimated 228 for MCS-AFL to 60 Sports Line Page 20 for the opposition; on the President Ten Years Ago Page 12 Cleveland, 148 to 32; on the Presi­ Top Of The News Page 7 dent Wilson, 110 to 70. All these, Wash. News Letter Page 6 of course, are rough estimates Welfare Benefits Pages 26, 27 based on interviews of crewWelfare Report Page 8 members. Your Constitution Page 5 While the Labor Board had esti­ Your Dollar's Worth Page 7 mated that 6,000 were eligible to Honoring the memory of Andrew Furuseth on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth, Published bIWMlcly at tho headquarters members of seagoing unions and friends of the maritime Industry pose before his memorial in San of the Seafarers International Union. At­ vote, the final tally is expected to lantic « Quff District AFL. «7S Fourth fali far short of that because of Francisco, Cal. They are, left to right, John Hawk, Gunnar Hexum, Charles Abar, State Senator Avenue, Brooklyn 32, MY. Tel. HYacinth y-MOO. Entered as .second class matter the decline In shipping in the last Thomas Maloney, Harry Johnson, Sam Bennett, Captain J. A. Gannon, Marty Breithoff, SIU rep'reat the Post Office in Brooklyn, NY few monthik • under iho A<t of Aus|Mffr.2f" v ' Last 25 Ships To Ballot In Steward Vote Meeting Night Everg 2 Weeks Furuseth IVIemorial Services In San Francisco SEAFARERS LOG .1 1 .. 1. ' ' '• i ''ll �V If-J*; April t, 1954 t SEAFARERS •r*','?"- Page Thriee LOG Unions Lead Fight On Transfers As Hearings Begin ^ WASHINGTON—Carrying the ball for a strong American merchant marine, the SIU, and other maritime unions voiced strong opposition to further transfers of ships to foreign flags at the start of Senate hearings on the issue. A subcommit­ tee of the Senate Commerce Committee heard the unions voice the lone dissenting posi­ tion, while spokesmen for the shipowners clamored for transfer approvals, backed up foreign transfer of dry-cargo ships alone, 37 of which are Liberty-type ships. The MA chief called transfer to foreign flags "least of the evils" open to shipowners unable to find cargoes for their vessels, the otliers being scrapping or lay-up. Roths­ child noted that the vital consider­ ation, from the national defense standpoint, was having a ship in operation, even under foreign-flag. Union spokesmen countered with a demand that if the Government was so opposed to having private vessels under the US-flag remain inactive, then it should buy the ships rather than permit them to sail under the flag of another na­ tion. Shipping company represent­ atives generally followed the argu­ ments advanced by the M.\ official. the heels of demands by Sen. John G. Butler (R., Md.) for full airing of the question. Parallel inquiries by the House Merchant Marine Com­ mittee, under Rep. Thor C. Tollefson, acting chairman are also scheduled. Sale To Brazil by Maritime Administrator Louis S. Rothschild. A spokesman for the SIU and other sea unions in the Conference Meanwhile, another House sub­ Token load swings from a boom high above new Waterman Termiof American Maritime Unions de­ committee was looking into a bill .. nal in Port Newark as the instaliation gets into fuii swing. Water- . clared that maritime labor was to allow the Government to sell man is operating the terminai under iease from the New York unalterably dpposed to the "policy up to a dozen small coastal freight­ Port Authority. and practice" of transferring ers to Brazil. The ships involved American ships to foreign flags. in the proposed sale would be Gov­ "We destroy US shipping during ernment-owned vessels out of tho peacetime and only after we are (Continued on page 17) attacked by an enemy do we real­ ize the full importance of achiev­ ing and maintaining an adequate American merchant marine," he pointed out. * Opposition to the union view With both New York and New Jersey state representatives was In order to expedite tho led by the Maritime Adminis­ Eight Ships Switch on hand, the Waterman Steamship Company and the Port of tration matter of ships' repairs lists, as well as representatives New York Authority held official opening ceremonies for the of several shipowner organizations The relaxed transfer rules an­ ships' delegates and depart­ mental delegates on SIU ships brand-new $6 million terminal• seeking permission for additional nounced by the MA in February at Port Newark. The terminal the company plans to center all transfers. Maritime Administrator have already enabled eight Lib­ are urged to turn in repair lists a week before a vessel will be the center of all Water­ its New York port operations in Rothschild declared that there are erty-tankers to be transferred for­ arrives in port. In addition, over 40 applications pending for eign. In another development. East­ man shipping operations in the the new terminal. ern Steamship Company revealed headquarters recommends that Port of New York from now on.that it has received permission to delegates making up new re­ Heavy rainfall put a damper on switch the Evangeline as well as pair lists turn these in to the the opening ceremonies, but failed the Yarmouth to a foreign flag. proper department heads on to disrupt them as 1,000 guests Both vessels, operating as passen­ the ship at least a week be­ attended the speechmaking inside ger cruise ships, have been manned fore the ship is due to reach the warehouse and other cere­ by SIU crews for several years on port, so that the companies can monies which included a token dis­ summer trips between New Eng­ take appropriate action when charge of cargo from the Water­ land and Nova Scotia. Two other the ship arrives. Ear'y filing man ship Fairisle standing by SIU vessels, the molasses carriers of repair lists will facilitate during the proceedings. Actual the procurement of new items After running under the American flag between Boston Catahoula and Carrabulle (Na­ cargo handling at the terminal be­ tional Navigation), also have appli­ for the vessels and give suf­ and Nova Scotia for better than a quarter of a century (since gan the following day. cations pending for transfers ficient notice when repairmen Speakers at the opening included 1939 under SIU contract), the Eastern Steamship Lines pas­ foreign. are needed to board the ship Governor Robert Meyner of New senger ship Yarmouth re-+ The hearings by the Senate unit in port. Jersey, Newark Mayor Leo Carlln, cently got preliminary Mari­ hourly wage minimum. Fantastic? on the transfer issue followed on and Captain Norman Nicolson, time Administration approval Of course it is. Yet that is just ••f president of Waterman. to transfer to foreign registry. Re­ what maritime law permits East­ The new terminal, for which liable reports have it that the ves­ ern Steamship to do. Waterman holds a long-term lease, sel will be operated under LiberIf our imaginary trucking com­ is key to the company's efforts to ian registry on its regular run be­ expand and improve coastwise and tween Massachusetts and Nova pany even attempted that kind of caper it, would have the Internal intercoastal service. It contains Scotia. Revenue Bureau, the FBI, the La­ ample space for handling of both bor Department, the National La­ The Yarmouth's sister ship, the A request for a variety of books consisting of popular railroad and truck cargoes with bor Relations Board and a few fiction items and maritime subjects made by the Staten Is­ Evangeline had previously been greater ea.se than at other porttransferred in hush-hush fashion other enforcement agencies down land Public Health Service Hospital has been filled by the facilities in the harbor. There is plenty of room for wait­ last November, and the negotia­ its neck in short order. The person SIU. Acting with member--^ ^ (Continued on page 17) ing trucks without choking local tion for the Yarmouth were virtu­ • ship approval, the Union has donated a large number ally completed in a similar manner sheets. of titles which the hospital patients Originally, Waterman 'had in­ early in January. had been asking for. Although a number of Libertytended to make use of both its old Membership action came after pier facilities at Bush Terminal, tankers have been transferred in the social service department of Brooklyn, and the new Port New­ recent weeks and other freight the hospital got in touch with the ship operators have requested ark terminal. At present, however. Union asking if something couldn t transfers, this was the first in­ be done to help get the books in stance in recent times of a longquestion. The hospital explained term American-flag passenger ves­ that they had no funds for the pur­ sel going foreign under the owner­ chases and that several of the titles ship of an established Americaninvolved had been requested a flag operator. Further it is the first great number of times by the pa­ instance of such a ship remaining tients. Some of the books were MOBILE—A seven-cents-an-hour in the same service as it had been out of print volumes which wera wage increase was won for Water­ operating under the American flag. hard to obtain. man repair yard and Alcoa shore Suppose for the sake of compari­ Accordingly, the matter was put gang workers here in new contracts son, an American trucking com­ to the membership, which voted to just negotiated by the SlU-affill- pany which did business between purchase a selection of the books ated Marine Allied Workers. the US and Canada, decided in question and donate them to the Both shoreside installations op­ around March 15 that it didn't hospital. erate under MAW contract. like Uncle Sam's tax bills, ICC The books were rounded up and In addition to the wage in­ registry fees, its union contract delivered by the SIU hospital rep­ crease, Waterman workers were and wages payable to American resentative on March 29. and granted three additional paid holi­ drivers along with license charges. turned over to the grateful hospital days, bringing their total number Suppose this trucking outfit could librarian. of paid holidays equal to the six go to the nearest Panamanian or Subsequently, the librarian. Mrs. provided in SIU agreements. Liberlan consulate, and for a few Marie R. Jones, wrote the Union The Alcoa shore gang pact also dollars register under the flag of that "a gift such as this is of in­ named Mardi Gras Day as a paid one of those countries. Then sup­ Large selection of new books donated by SIU for USPHS hospital finite value as we. could not obtain holiday and granted a $20-a-year pose it fired all its union drivers at Staten Island is presented by SIU Welfare Services Representa­ anything like it, if it weren't for rain gear allowance for shore gang and hired aliens to jockey its rigs your generosity . . tive feiby Flynn to Mrs. Mi^e B. Jones, librarian. men. around at less than the 75 cent New Waterman Terminal Opens At Port Newark File Repair Lists Early Yarmouth l^ailsThrii Sea Law Loopholes SIU Donates Batch Of New Books To USPHS Hospital Gulf Shore Gangs Win Pay increase �Ifii Four SEAPAR^RS LOG Smoldering Ship Touches Bottom AprU F, 1954 As I See It • • • ; •W--!•; • JUDGING FROM ALL REPORTS THAT ABE COMING OUT OF Washington, this country is going to give the Communist armies in Indo China a little action by stepping up help in the coming year. It appears that'an effort will be made, possibly In cooperation with other nations, to give the French armies and the local people there enough of a hand so that they can lick the Communist forces. It's no secret that ever since fighting was wound up in Korea that the Communist rulers of China have been pouring a flood of supplies into Indo-China for use by the Communist rebels there. And the thinking in government circles ap­ parently is that if it was important for the western countries to stop the Communists in Korea, it's equally important, if not more so, to take steps to whip them in Indo-China. Of course, as any Seafarer who has been there can tell you, this country's Government has been The stern of the French freighter Cavelier De La Salle rests on the shallow bottom of the Henry Clay shipping quite a bit of munitions and other supplies batture in New Orleans, La., after tons of water were pumped into the holds by fire boats in an effort to such places as Saigon for some time now, and in to quell fire aboard vessel. Smoldering bales of cotton caused $200,000 damage to the cargo. view of the new policy decisions being made there is liable to be some more of that traffic forthcoming in the next few months. Since this could mean some more in the way of Government cargo to handle, it wouldn't surprise anybody around the waterfront to see of the tramp shipowners (who are raising the roof down in Wash­ Still in business despite exposure in past issues of the SEAFARERS LOG, tha Davenport some ington looking for a foreign fiag transfer) suddenly discover that maybe Seamen's Service is raking in the $2 bills from people who are looking for a job at sea. The their ships are good Americans after ali. $2 goes for a so-called Seamen's Employment Directory which contains a lot of advice for prospective seamen—ex--* ^ cept actual promise of a job. a woman in Philadelphia who chant seamen and a list of shipping ACCORDING TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AT HEADThe latest victim to call the wrote the LOG asking for a job companies and unions, something quarters, quite a few of the brothers have received the call from their gervice to the LOG'S attention was as a cook on a ship. She wrote that that could be gotten by consulting local draft boards and are now serving in various branches of the armed r =e she saw the name of the SIU in a telephone directory and the Coast forces. The drafting of seamen has stepped up considerably since the the directory as a place to go to Guard. fighting stopped in Korea, because the people in charge of these matters get jobs. Davenport is only one of several down in Washington feel that the seaman's job is no longer an essential Keep Draft "I am writing to you," the letter such guides in operation in re­ one. Both unlicensed men and officers are getting their notices accord­ Board Posted writer said, "as J found you in the cent-months, including Seaways in ingly, book I sent $2 to. So please an­ Baltimore and the Seamen's Serv­ SlU headquarters urges all While the fighting in Korea was'going on, your union was suc­ swer soon. Please tell me where I ice in Trucksville, Pa., all promis­ cessful in persuading the military authorities to ease up on drafting draft-eligible seamen to be can get papers from to join up ing prospective buyers how to get seamen because at the time the pinch was on for skilled crewmembers. sure they keep their, local Se­ now." lective Service boards posted a job in maritime. And as always, merchant shipping made the difference between a suc­ Ads In Magazines on all changes of address cessful military campaign in that fai-off country and a disastrous defeat. through the use of the post The Davenport Seamen's Serv­ Today though, many of the same Seafarers who were deferred in cards furnished at all* SlU ice, as described in the LOG of those years and made it possible for needed supplies to get to the other halls and aboard ships. Febi-uary 20, 1953, is run by Rod­ side of the Pacific are serving a hitch in the US Army and looking Failure to keep jour draft ney Davenport Turner. It places forward to the day when they can ship again. board Informed of your where­ ads regularly in about 60 assorted abouts can cause j'ou to be pulp magazines which paint mari­ listed as a delinquent and be time service in glowing terms. ALTHOUGH NONE OF US MAY HAVE HAD THE PAINFUL Ex­ drafted into the services with-, Then when the potential customer perience of losing out on $140,000 in sweepstakes winnings, it's easy to out a hearing. The Union in "bites" he is sent some more sales sympathize with the feelings of Seafarer John Hals. According to the such cases can do nothing to pitch describing the $2 booklet first reports, Hals held a winning sweeps ticket but lost his stub. The aid Seafarers who fail to com­ with a "set of application forms" In another attempt to secure New Orleans newspapers made quite a fuss about the story, and there ply. for jobs. The booklet merely out­ lines the qualifications for mer- financial aid for long-term patients. have been the usual fast-shuffle operators trying to get in on the act National Maritime Union members and annoying the Seafarer with deals for spending the money he never at the Manhattan Beach Public got. Health Service Hospital have sub­ Now it appears after later examination, that there was something mitted a resolution to the NMU faulty in the whole story and the SEAFARERS LOG is trying to check membership calling for steps to to see if Brother Hals actually won the money as reported. provide benefits for them. The However, even if it is established that the first reports on Brother resolution has been submitted to Hals' winnings were in error, it doesn't seem likely that it will make all ports of the NMU and has been him much happier than he is now. mailed to virtually all NMU ships sea. Three deck department men and recoi-ding secretary for that at Representatives the hospital­ READERS OF THE LOG PROBABLY NOTICED THE STORY IN were in charge of the Philadelphia port's last meeting. Howard, a na­ ized NMU seamen ofsaid they took the last issue on the large number of unions that Seafarers have given meeting of March 24 from top to tive of the Show Me State, came bottom. As elected by the member- into the SIU via the Port of New the step after all attempts to get a hand to in their beefis, a record which does every ghip in that port they were Burton Orleans on September 17, 1948. He relief from the national office had Seafarer proud. It ties, in with a communication re­ Hirsoh as chairman. Bob Garrod is 62 years old and sails in the failed. They said that since ceived just a few days ago from the Israeli Seamen's. as recording secretary and Ed steward department. Vamon, who Christmas, 1952, when they re­ Union to the effect that they have gotten themselves ceived a Christmas gift from the Johnston as reading clerk. comes from Georgia, also joined union, no further relief had been firmly established in that country's merchant marine Hirsch can call himself one of up in New Orleans almost 14 years after cleaning out the last remains of a pro-Commu­ the Union's old timers, since he got ago on April 20, 1940. Decatur, accoi'ded them. nist group that was trying to take over. Yolimtary Gifts his membership Georgia, is his home town. He's A couple of years back, the Communist elements That Christmas gift to the pa­ put up a show of strength on the ships of that coun­ book in the port 41 years old and also a member of tients came shortly after the SEA­ try, and the union there called on the SIU to give of Mobile back the galley crew. FARERS LOG highlighted com­ them a hand, which we were glad to do. As a result, on February 6, • » * plaints of neglect by the Manhat­ the Communist faction lost out there and aren't considered & threat 1939. Hirsch is 37 Out on the West Coast, Seafarer tan Beach NMU men. Then, as years of age and Alvah F. Burris was recording sec­ now, the men had to rely on lim­ to the union anymore. makes his home This instance is just another case in which your Union has been retary of the Wil­ across the river ited and irregular volimtary con­ mington, Califor­ from Philadel­ tributions from NMU ship's crews able to lend a hand in a good cause. And like injother instances, the nia, port meeting,, phia in Camden, in order to get pin money for ciga­ end result was beneficial to seamen everywhere because it meant that while Richard P. New Jersey. rettes, stamps and other bare the wbrld-wide Communist waterfront conspiracy had lost another Garrod battle for the control of seamen and their unions. M c B r i d e was Recording sec­ necessities. retary Bob Garrod Is another New reading clerk. Unlike the SIU Welfare Plan ti ilii , Jersey resident coming from the Burris comes which provides unlimited hospital A COUPLE OF MONTHS BACK, SEAFARERS WILL RECALL, THE shore resort town of Ventnor, originally from benefits for as long as they are SlU-manned Seacliff came into . the West Coast and created quite a North Carolina, along the Atlantic coast. He's been needed, the NMU plan covers thi. sensation in local newspapers, what with the Captain howling "mutiny" with the SIU since 1947, getting but now makes hospitalized seamen for 13 weeks. at the crew. When the facts of the case were revealed, it appeared that h is his book in New York on March 22 Baltimore Some time ago, the NMU news­ Burris the skipper, practically from the beginning of the voyage, was out to of that year. He's 26 years old. Ed home port. He paper announced plans for extend­ Johnston, the reading clerk, is a joined the Union there on March ing the benefit, but nothing came hard-time everybody and anybody in sight. The end result of the whole blow-up was that the ship got a new Pennsylvania native, 48 years of 24, 1945, and sails in the engine of.it. age, who joined the Union in the department. He recently celebrated In addition, the SIU set up a skipper and set but for the Far East for another voyage, from which port of Philadelphia. He still makes his 50th birthday. special list to take care of men it has just returned. This time, the crew reports, there was nothing his home in the port city. McBride, an Oklahoma native, who were in the hospital before but peace and quiet on board. As a matter of fact, one crewmember , * • * now lives in Bakersfield, Califor­ the Welfare Plan began and wlio wrote headquarters that it was one of the most enjoyable trips he Further down the coast, in Balti­ nia. He's 32 yeai s of age and joined would not be eligible for payments. ever had. more, Seafarers 'Jack Howard and the SIU in Tampa on August 22, There was no special list set up by It all goes to prove that given decent cooperation from topside, Siy Robert Vamon served ,a& chairman- 194ft. . ..... crewr cktt assuri smooth-rimnihg and harmonious voyage; Touts Sea Jobs At $2 A Head Patients Call On NMU For Hospital Aid I . I- �SEAFARERS Avrll t, 19Si Face Phre LOG Early Poll Peturns Back Ships' Libraries; Some Changes Sought >r i ' Seafarers voicing their opinion of the SILT ships' library program have indicated over­ whelming support for the idea, with only one lone vote of all those cast calling for a stop to the library distribution aboard SIU ships. A LOG poll on the question of continuing the libraries began two weeks program going for at least another mainder was split nearly evenly, ago. The poll is also intended to 47 percent voting for the program The idea behind the poll year. get-Seafarers' reaction to the types to continue as is, and 53 percent Robert Matthews, SIU assistant secretary-treasurer, left, takes time out to confer with Charles Logan of the Mississippi Shipping Com­ pany, center, and Dr. Martin Fair of Tulane University at the In­ stitute of Foreign Transportation and Fort Operations, sponsored by the college, in New Orleans, La. Prime mover behind the con­ ference was Tulane University School of Business Administration. stems from the necessity for the Union to make arrangements shortly for new stocks -of books to be put aboard SlU-contracted ships, as the program nears, its first birthday. New 50-book libraries are placed aboard all vessels every three months under the auspices of the LOG fund, through the coastwise facilities of the SIU Sea Chest. Once sufficient membership sentiment pro and con has been registered, the Union can assess the merit of keeping the library Conference Takes Up Maritime Ills NEW ORLEANS—^Although not completely in accord about how best to treat the patient, labor and management representatives agreed at an Institute on Foreign Transportation and Port Operations here, that the maritime industry is showing unmistakable signs of economic illness. All hands, agreed, however, registry, unfair rail rates and la­ problems." Daniel said. "We are that the most encouraging and bor costs were among factors cited up against an ossified national ad­ productive development in recent years is the present joint labormanagement effort to focus con­ gressional and public attention on the industry's plight. This program was described to the fifth annual institute session, sponsored by the Tulane University School of Business Administration, by Robert Matthews, SIU assistant secretary-treasurer, a member of the closing day's panel on mari­ time labor relations. The institute, directed by Tulane's Dr. Martin L. Fair, was at­ tended by executives of industrial organizations and rail, motor and maritime transportation agencies from throughout the nation. Chairman of the Maritime Labor Relations Panel was Charles H. Logan, industrial relations counsel for Mississippi Shipping Co. Be­ sides Matthews, other panel membees were Franz Daniel, Denver, CIO administrative assistant, and Hugh King, New York, Luckenback Steamship Co. executive. Competition created by transfer of American ships to foreign flag by King, who traced the decline of the American Merchant Marine since World Wkr II. He said that pi'ior to 1939, labor was only 44 percent of Luckenbach's total voy­ age costs while today it represents 70 percent. He credited union ne­ gotiations for raising wages and shipboard living standards. In re­ sponse to a question from the floor, he said he did not favor lowering maritime wages. He saw no rea­ son why US seamen should be de­ graded to sub-standard foreign flag conditions. It is unfortunate, said Daniel, that the American public, taken as a whole, does not consider the maritime problem as a part of the whole nation's economy which di­ rectly influences the economic well-being of the individual. He said he favored greater govern­ ment participation in the industry in the form of more and bigger maritime subsidies and legislation to curb unfair foreign flag com­ petition, if the result would be a stable economy and full employ­ ment. "In attempting to remedy these YOUancf iho MU From Article XIII, Section 6 "Before assuming office, ever/ officer, port agent, and patrol­ man shall take the following oath: 'I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties of of the SIU, and I will, to the best of my ability, protect and preserve the Consti­ tution of this Union and the wel­ fare of the membership'." youfl: B<3Hin5 ANO AS SIU Mttsf ^ ARE OUAEANTEED BV YOUK cONsmunoN, ims EFArURE fS DESlONEb TO ACOUAB^T YOU WHH THESE RJOHTS. AMD ERlvaEGtS ministration devoted to the Hamiltonian theory of 'trickle down'—let the rich get richer and the poor get poorer." Every attitude of the Republican administration, he added, has been not to "uncomplicate governmental machinery with respect to collec­ tive bargaining and labor manager ment relations, but to complicate it further and to destroy entirely much of what has been built up through the efforts of the unions in the last 20 years." Questions from the floor regard­ ing the longshore labor picture prompted Matthews to remind the audience that the New York long­ shore strike was not a war between rival union factions, as some had attempted to portray it. It was the culminatmn of a series of developments that began with American Federation of Labor demands more than three years ago that the old International Longshoremen'-s Association (Ind.) clean its own house or face a com­ pulsory clean-up from outside forces. When the old ILA would not heed this warning, the AFL was left with no alternative but to expel the old ILA, its officials and its members, and charter a new longshoremen's union to provide a haven for the "vast majority of waterfront workers who need and who want a stable, democratic and productive union," Matthews said. Tie placed a largo share of the blame for the waterfront tie-up at the door of maritime employers who, he said, "have aided and abet­ ted the mob in its desperate at­ tempt to maintain its dictatorship over the New York docks." Mr. Logan replied he did not think It was fair to place too great a share of the responsibility for existing conditions on the em­ ployer. "A great many factors combined to bring about the pres­ ent deplorable situation," he said. Union Has Cable Address Every elected official upon ossum-, ing office must take this oath, which he is required to obey com­ pletely. Any violation of jhe oath would lead to immediate disci­ plinary action under the terms of the Union Constitution. Seafarers overseas who want to get in touch with headquar.ters in a hurry can do so by cabling the Union at its cable address, SEAFARERS NEW YORK. Use of this address will as­ sure speedy transmission on all messages and faster serv­ ice for the men Involved. and quality of the books supplied and to determine whether more or iess of certain kinds of titles should be included in future. 50-book seiections. Virtually Unanimous Completed opinion question­ naires arriving by mail and in per­ son at the LOG office in SIU head­ quarters showed virtually unani­ mous support for the library pro­ gram as a typical SIU service which helped fill the long-felt need for decent reading material abdard ship. "Typical reactions were register­ ed in a poll of 50 Seafarers at the New York hall on Monday, March 29, where the lone dissenting vote on the program was cast. The re- LOC Errs In Photo Mix-up Despite a report in the last is­ sue of the LOG to the contrary, Seafarer CI a r ence W. Cobb has not passed away. Affirming that the reports of his death are greati y exaggerated, Cobb, better known as "Red" among his ship­ mates, is a paJohn Cobb tient in the USPHS hospital in New Orleans, La., and expects to be released soon, in the best of health. Through an unfortunate error, "Red" Cobb's picture was pub­ lished in tjfe Is­ sue of March 19, 1954, along with an account of the death of the late Seafarer John L. Cobb. The LOG would like to of­ fer its apologies to the survivors and friends^ of C. W. Cobb the late Seafarer for any embarrassment it may have caused them by the publication pf the wrong picture, as well as offer­ ing apology to "Red" Cobb, who is still an active member of the SIU. of those recommending the con­ tinued distribution of the libraries with various changes. Of those urging changes in the variety of titles now included in each 50-book assortment, nearly half asked for more novels and non-fiction, especially "how-to-do­ it" books on practical subjects. A surprising trend developed on the question of Westerns, with the heavy demand registered in favor of less of these in each assortment. In contrast, the vote was for more mysteries and, to a lesser degree, more humorous books and books on sports. Other recommendations includ­ ed a request (considered inevitable) for some sea stories in each as­ sortment as a regular category, since otherwise it's a hit-or-miss proposition on finding some among the novels in any one library pack­ age. Some opposition was register­ ed to long novels and mysteries, with the recommendation that col­ lections of short detective and mys­ tery stories would be more desir­ able. Several Seafarers urged that some of the popular weekly maga­ zines, especially news magazines, be somehow worked into the li­ brary packages, to help keep the men abreast of news events throughout the world. A few also suggested the inclusion of comic books in order to keep things on the lighter side. An indication of the popularity of the program generally was the request that the libraries be changed more often than three months since seamen can do iiltle else but read aboard ship, aside from playing cards or writing let­ ters. One Seafarer noted, however, that it was a waste of time to put these libraries aboard "if they're not put under lock and key. Long­ shoremen, army personnel and others walk off with books as soon as they spot them so the crew is left with nothing anyway." The poll on the libraries is open through April 30, 1954, to give Seafarers time to bring in or mail their questionnaires to SIU headquarters. Ships' crews are urged to take part by discussing the subject at a ship's meeting and noting the results on a poll form. Official Form in SEAFARERS LOG Poll on SIU Libraries (Please put check or X-mark next to your choices.) Editor, SEAFARERS LOG 675 Fourth Avenue Brooklyn 32, New York -lere's my opinion on SIU libraries. (A) I want them continued as is. ( ) (B) I want them stopped. ( ) (C) I want them continued with the following changes: There should he more: Westerns ( ), mysteries ( ), novels ( ), non-fiction ( ), humor ( ), sports ( ). ), There should he less: Westerns ( ), mysteries ( novels ( ), non-fiction ( ), humor ( ), sports ( ). (Note: The present breakdown of titles in each 50-book library is as follows: 15 Westerns, 15 mysteries, 10 novels, 4 non-fiction, 4 humorous books, 2 books on sports.) I would recommend the following other changes in the selections: �r«t« HB SEAFARI6RS tCC Did He Realfy Win $140,000? ApHl «, l»S4 SIU NEWSLETTER from WASHINGTON NEW. ORLEANS.—Seafarer John Hals is still on the beach today, still trying to figure out what .happened to "his" $140,000 sweepstake "winnings. " I For weeks now, this city has been buzzing with talk about the seaman who lost a « In the light of World War II experience, it is believed that this na­ winning ticket on the "Irish tion would need at least 6,000 modern ships for an all-out World War Sweepstakes." III. However, the question continues to be, in Government circles. Just The mystery is complicated how large should the US merchant fleet be for peacetime purposes. by the fact that if Hals had a win­ ner, he had one nearly two weeks before the drawing to pick possible prizewinners and three weeks be­ fore" the race that finally decided the actual prizewinners had been run off. None of this has lessened his misery any, however, with things at a stalemate right now. Accounts of the events leading up to this situation are many and varied. Accordingly, although the trail may seem confused, it appears best to start at,,the beginning. Hals, who has been sailing SIU about ten years and is an Estonian by birth, decided more than a year ago it would be a good idea to stay ashore to try and speed up action on his citizenship application which Seafarer John Hals, left, tells the sad tale of the missing sweep­ was "in the works." stakes ticket to shipmate Henry PiszatowskI aboard the Del Norte. Months later, with the naturali­ Story has It that Hals won 50,000 pounds In "Irish Sweepstakes," zation process having reached the but he still must find ticket to. back up his claim to $140,000. point where he could afford to be away for a trip, he signed on as he wasn't able to find his "win­ a letter from a reader who found storekeeper on the Del Norte (Mis­ ning" ticket, which he said he must a sweepstakes ticket 18 months ago sissippi) for a 46-day South Ameri­ have to produce in order to col­ and wanted to contact Hals to see can run. This was on December lect under the rUles of the lottery. if it was the one he lost. 8, 1953. He is certain that when he cleaned At the same time the story While in Curacao, he bought out his locker to come ashore, he "broke" here, a story on an inter­ what he and others thought was an must have xmintentionally thrown view with Hals by the LOG'S Gulf "Irish Sweppstakes ticket" and, as away the marker., Area reporter reached New York far as he knows, threw it in his When news of his misfortune headquarters. locker with his other gear. When spread, the New Orleans newspa­ Ticket Puzzle the Del Norte returned here on pers contacted him and gave full January 22, 1954, Hals got off to play to the story of the seaman who The fact that Hals couldn't col­ receive his final citizenship papers. had a winning ticket In the "Irish lect because he couldn't produce The ship, meanwhile, sailed again Sweepstakes" and couldn't find the his ticket was a puzzle, since it was and called at Curacao, where the ticket with which to claim the known that purchasers of bona man who sold the ticket to Hals $140,000 prize. Then things began fide tickets for the "Irish Sweeps" came aboard looking for him. to happen. eventually get an official receipt It seemed everybody had figured from Dublin, which serves to es­ Won 50,000 Pounds "You can tell him when you get out a way for Hals to collect, and tablish their claim officially if they back to the States that his ticket is would let him in on it for a cut latec come up with a prizewinner. a winner worth 50,000 pounds of the winning stake. One selfA check with several racing ex­ ($140,000)," the agent told crew- styled "tax expert" who said he perts quickly established the fact knew how to save money on tastes that the race which decides the members. Crewmembers tried to do just on lottery winnings'called the SIU winners in the Irish Sweepstakes that when the ship arrived back at hall trying td get in touch with hadnit been run off yet. Further­ New Orleans again on March 11. Hals. The New Orleans Times- more,* the drawing of possible They eventually located Hals, but Picayune called and said they had prizewinners out of the millions of ticketholders in the "Sweeps" hadn't been held yet either. The lottery, originating in Ireland, was based on the results of the Grand Natiohal, a race run in England March 27. A call was then placed to the British Consulate. Was there an English sweepstake with a price of $140,000 or 50,000 pounds? Thesre wasn't, it seemed, although there (Continued on page 17) The standard weekly check-ups Sisk and J. Schaller in Baltimore on petty cash expenses conducted and E. Brondelsbo, J. Tarrant and by the weekly P Kissel in New York. three-man audit­ Quarterly Report ing committees Since the first quarter of the have been car­ year ended Wednesday, the next ried on regularly membership meeting in headquar­ in the various ters will elect the more important ports, as part of quarterly financial committee, 9 the Union's regu­ six-man body which will go over lar procedure for the records and make all prepara­ MOBILE — SlU-manned Water­ close control over tions fo.r the quarterly report. man Steamship Corporation ships finances. "These The week-by-rweek committees Goldman committees, elect­ take audits of the expenses and in­ miay soon carry passengers be­ ed at regular weekly special meet­ come of the branch alone for a tween several GJulf of , Mexico ings of the membership, consist of one-week period. ports. At present, passengers art one man from each ship's depart­ The quarterly transported between Gulf and At­ ment and check into the day-bycommittee has lantic .ports on Waterman coast­ day expenses of port operation. the job of check­ wise ships, but not between Gulf Items that come under their ing all finances !n ports only. scrutiny include such everyday all ports, plus Company headquarters here re­ things as postage, travel expense, headquarters, for cently asked the Interstate Com-' auto expense, building service, a three-months merce Commission for authority to cleaning costs, office supplies, period and then carry passengers abqard its ships paper towels and the multitude of making recom- plying between Galveston, Hous­ small items necessary to the Creasy mendations t o ton, New Orleans^ Panama City smooth functioning of branch hall ' the membership and Tampa. detail. accordingly. Freightships currently operating Seafarers who served recently In In the course of their operations, •on regular schedules between various port committees included they once again go over tlie opera­ these ports have accommodations K.. Goldman, J. Palther and £. tions of the weekly committees, for 12 passengers on each vessel. Monahan in Boston; W. Stricklin, providing a double check on the These accommodations are not O, Bailey and j. Gray ,in Norfolk; records. •. And, of course, they used at .iH-esent except for passen­ J.' Dubo^, B. Thomas .and have' the assistance of certified gers.bound from. # to an AtV' Creasy in'Savannah,- C. Flint, W. A. public accountants in their,work.cilqntfip.porfc,, •V SIU COMMinEES AT WttUE Waterman Asks Okay For Gulf Passenger Run According to best judgment, it should be largo enough to carry at least 50 percent of our foreign trade. Unfortunately, US ships, in January of 1953, carried only 25.8 per­ cent of our foreign commerce. The figure today is Just a little more, which means that the merchant marine is being subjected to neglect by the same purblind thinking that cost us untold lives and billions in World Wars I and II. The story of World War 11 shows that this country built over 54,000,000 deadweight tons of merchant shipping during that war at a cost of over $14 billion dollars. However, at a cost of around $4 billion, a. 40milllon ton fleet could have been built had the construction been done before the war broke out. t. ^ S, Since 1948, it has been Congressional policy, repeatedly conflrmed by Congress, that not less than 50 percent of our foreign-aid cargoes be transported in An\erican bottoms, a program referred to as 50/50. As reported in the L(X* from time to time, this policy is constantly under attack from persons in influential spots in the US Government as well from -others. • In order to overcome this constant agitation. Congressional commit­ tees are giving consideration to enactment of permanent legislation to make the 50/50 shipping rule stick to all US-aid programs in the future. There have been many bills introduced in Congress providing In one way or another for sale of surplus agricultural commodities to foreign nations. The 50/50 shipping proviso, if enacted Into permanent law, would apply to such programs. In the past, the US Government's off-shore procurement projgram has been administered in such* a way as to deny US-flag ships a fair participation therein. In many cases, involving our own off-shore pro­ curement, the foreign supplier controls the delivery routing, which means that they favor their own shipping. To cure this situation, the 50/50 shipping bill, soon to be considered in Congressional committees, seeks to make sure that ,the American merchant marine will share in transporting materials purchased abroad with US money. ' ' , V;' The US State Department may oppose such legislation,-b^l&ausa the various foreign nations are sure to bombard the State Department with protests against enactment of such a broad principle. i" 4" As of March 15, 1954, 49 applications were pending at the Maritime Administration seeking permission to transfer ships to foreign registry. Of this number, 40 covered cargo ships, 8 were for tankers and the re­ maining one was for a dredge. With the exception of one overage tanker which is being sold to Japanese Interests for scrapping in Japan, all of the above are for transfer either to Panamanian or Liberian reg­ istry and flag. Under present policy of the MA, many of these ships will go foreign, unless directed otherwise by Congress. For the period between July 1945 and February 1954, a total of 438 US ships were allowed to be transferred foreign. These were dispersed among 33 foreign nations, but the great bulk, namely 195, went to Panamanian registry. t t ' ' The Bureau of the Budget and the Departments of Commerce and Labor have teamed together in opposition to a bill which would provide that a seaman would not be entitled to an additional month's wages if he is discharged, without fault on his part, after commencement of a voyage, but before finishing a month's service on ship: The opposition of the Government agencies means that ; the bill will not be passed in this Congress. t ' Concerned with a decline In the merchant marine, a House subcom­ mittee has begun inquiry into the operations of the Military Sea Trans­ portation Service to determine to what extent MSis is in competition with private shipowners. MSTS operates both a nucleus fleet and a commercial fleet and, as of March 1, 1954, its combined fleet totalled 371 ships. During 1953, MSTS ships carried 132 million barrels of petroleum products. Fuel oil, diesel oil, aviation gasoline, motor gasoline and Jet fuel made up the bulk of this MSTS tanker lift. The MSTS dry cargo lift in fiscal year 1953 amounted to over 28,OOOiOOO measurement tons while, during the same period, MSTS shipa carried a-total of 2,611,339 passengers. Congress is looking into the MSTS operations to determine to \Chat extent there is competition with private enterprise and to what extent MSTS should be cut down. 4. 4i 4 The petroleum requirements of the US and the ffee world indicate that one of the most serious risks to national security is the prospective shortage of tankers. The Department of Commerce, concluding a recent study, believes that there is little likelihood that normal commercial activity will be able to provide the tanker tonnage necessary in the initial phases of full mobilization. Therefore, this agency feels that the Government should take the initiative in the creation and maintenance of a reserve of. usable tankers to serve military and essential civilian needs in any future crisis. t . 4) 4i The US Department of Defense feels that anything that will float Is of value in a grave emergency. Therefore, Defense IS opposed-to selling surplus US Libertys to foreign natibns until such time as this country has cured the existing shortage of ve^ssels, of the necessary types desired by the militaiy, , ' . �A»ril Z, 1954 SiSAFARERS Pace SeVea LOG Crewmembers ComDOse Hockev Team ARMY CHARGES ON MCCARTHY INVESTIGATED—Senator Joseph R. McCarthy was the focus of- an investigation last week, as his own sub-committee made plans to question him and the committee's counsel, Roy M. Cohn. Under investigation are Army charges that the two men brought pressure on Secretary of the Army Robert T. Stevens and Army Counsel John Adams, first to get Pvt. G. David Schine, a former unpaid adviser to the committee, a commission, and when that failed, and Schine was drafted, to secure him preferential treatment and have him assigned to New York City. The charges received strong support from both President Eisenhower and Secretary of Defense Charles Wilson. t INDO CHINA WAR GROWS HOT—Last week, Indo-China began ex­ periencing its first battle of modem proportions, when the Communist Vietminh forces launched an all-out attack, completely contrary to their normal guerilla warfare, against French forces in the Dienbienphu val­ ley. ' The valley is isolated in the northwest part of the country and France has about 20,000 men, the cream of her fighting force, locked In savage battle with the Communists, who breached some of the Dienbeinphu defenses, although suffering 5,000 casualties. The Reds threw approximately 45,000 men against the defenders and the French quick­ ly rushed assistance to the beleaguered valley by air. Meanwhile, in Washington, Gen. Paul Ely, chief of the French armed forces, re­ ceived a promise of more planes from the United States. S. tr X ITALIAN GOVERNMENT SHAKEN BY SCANDAL—A scandal which threatened to overthrow the new cabinet of Mario Scelba In Italy subsided last week and the premier got back to the business of run­ ning the government. The scandal broke when a picture magazine edi­ tor charged that the death of a party girl, Wilma Montesi, last year, originally listed as being caused by drowning, was actually due to an overdose of drugs taken at a fashionable club to which many members of the new cabinet belong. The editor further charged that orgies were commonplace among some of the highest placed persons of Italy and included the son of a high-ranking cabinet mem­ ber. Scelba moved swiftly and fired his chief of police. Al­ Here is recent photo of the though the number of lawsuits late Wilma Montesi, whose growing out of the original charges death has shaken the Italian and hearing which followed is now government. moce tharf two dozen, Scelba is thus far weathering the storm despite attacks on many men close to him. XXX THE BOMB—An explosion in the Pacific, apparently a hydrogen bomb, set off a chain reaction of newspaper headlines across the world when reports from the United States Proving Grounds In the Marshall glands stated that the thermo-neuclear blast on March 1 was the most powerful ever set off by man. The explosion proved too powerful to measure by Instruments; greatly exceeded the expectations of all the atomic experts; shook-buildings on an island 176 miles away; created a nuclear cloud 17 miles high and 28 miles in diameter; caused 23 Japanese fishermen to become exposed to radioactivity although ap­ proximately 70 miles from the test area; and exploded with a force estimated at being 600 times more than Hiroshima atom bomb. A more powerful bomb exploded March 26 was even more devastating. Crewmembers of the Princess Helene pose before a game in the St. John City Commercial Hockey League, St. John, New Brunswick. All of the players are members of the SIU Canadian District. Huck LeClair, left, middle row, another member of crew, coaches club. Israel Sea Union On Solid Basis The new Israeli Seamen's Union is today operating on a solid footing, following the deci­ sive defeat of the Communist faction in union ejections last fall. In 1951, Israeli seamen fought off an attempt by Comunist groups to seize control of the infant union with the aid of-*' the SIU, when American growth of the organization gave paid vacation and other benefits. Communist groups the opportunity Israeli seamen have a work-week unions rebuffed leaders of a to make their bid in 1951, but the of 47 hours at sea, and 43 in port. 42-day wildcat strike in their bfd to enlist the aid of US sea unions each time Israeli ships hit Ameri­ can ports. Th^ importance of its merchant marine to the tiny Near Eastern nation stems from the urgency to by-pass an Arab nation blockade, with the sea providing the only mass means available to the coun­ try for exporting its products and importing essential materials for its growing Industry and agricul­ ture. Accordingly, Histadrut, the AFLbacked General Federation of La­ bor in Israel, placed major empha­ sis on_the drive to keep the Com­ munists from gaining control' of the Ispaell Seamen's Union when It was formed In 1948. The fast wildcat tie-up eventually fizzled. Soon after the founding of the union, it won a union shop in ne­ gotiations with the shipping com­ panies which make up Israel's merehant fleet, comprising 30 ships totalling 160,000 tons. Three of these vessels were bought from the SlU-contracted Isthmian Steam­ ship Company, the last of them, the Steel Mariner, early in 1952. Won Contract Following tlie victory over the Communist faction last fall, the new union went after and got a contract with the Israeli operatoi's providing for .all hiring to be done under a union-run hiring hall set­ up, company contributions to, sick­ ness and accident funds, ten paid holidays, a graduated vacation set­ up assuring, a minimum 12-day YOUR DOLLAR'S WORTH SEAFARERS GUIDE TO BETTER BUYING Beware Phony Health ^ans As investigations have shown, commercial accident and health insurance policies at best are an expensive way for a man to try to protect himself and family from the high cost of illness. At worst, such insurance is a trap for the workingman for many accident and health policies are full of triqks which destroy the advertised benefits. Many wage-earners have paid expensive premiums for sickness insurance for years, only to find that when they did be­ come sick, the insurers cancelled their policies. Or they found that when they reached age 60 or 65, the insurers either cancelled the policies or raised-the rates sharply. Some Seafarers have gotten caught by such policies too, as indicated by letters the victims have .written to the LOG. Even when there are no serious flaws in the policy which nullify the apparent benefits, such insurance sold by com^ii mercial companies is very costly for what it provides. Independent investigations have shown that even the re­ liable commercial companies have a record of paying out an average of only 55 cents in benefits. That is, for every dollar the average policyholder pays in, he can expect to get back only 55 cents in benefits. Deceive On Benefits One of the most deceiving aspects of such policies is the benefits themselves. The insurance company adver­ tises, it will pay stipulated sifins for .various jfickness ex­ penses—op much fpr^ h.-r^pital wont, 'so much for certain Operations. btC^ Your impression is that the promised ' benefit does cover the cost of the illness. But people in­ sured under such policies paying cash indemnity benefits generally must pay; a considerable additional charge for medical care expenses over and above the benefits paid by their insurance policies. This is particularly true in the case of insurance for surgery. While most accident and health insurance policies are costly—often ranging from $100 to $200 in cost for in­ dustrial workers—there are some seemingly cheaper pol­ icies on the market. These are often offered by mail-order 'insurance companies. There are several fairly reliable accicfent and hCalth insurance companies who sell by mail, but the lowest-cost of these are vety discriminatory. They often refuse to sell to industrial workers, including Sea­ farers, and also frequently discriminate against Negroes. Some of the other mail-order insurance sellers who adver­ tise seemingly cheap rates have hidden jokers in the policies which make them practically worthless. One of the favorite tricks is to advertise a long list of illnesses which the insurance pretends to cover. But often some of the illnesses are the same ones under different names, and some are very rare diseases which you probably never would get. Also, many of these mail-order firms are in­ sured in only ohe ^ate. So if you wanted to sue because you didn't collect when you feel you are entitled to the promised benefits, you would have to go to that state to take legal action. A Seafarer does have a certain amount of protection both through Federal bpspital 'care and the Seafarers WeU fare'Plan. The hospital-benefit provision of the Welfare Plan pa}'s $13 weekly during the^entire. period of hospi­ Olde Photos Wanted by LOG The LOG is Interested in col­ lecting and printing photo­ graphs showing what seagoing was like in the old days. All you oldtimers who have any old mementos, photographs of shipboard life, p i c t iu r e s of ships or anything that would show how seamen lived, ate and worked in the days gone by, send them in to the LOG. Whether they be steam or sail,, around the turn of the cen­ tury, during the first world war and as late as 1938. the LOG is interested in them all. We'll take care of them and return your souvenirs to you. Written exclusively for THE SEAFARERS LOG. by Sidney Margolius, Leading Expert on Buying talization. The disability provision pays $25 weekly for totally disabled Seafarers for the entii'e period of dis­ ability. There still remains the problem of sickness insurance for the family. Here too the Seafarers Welfare Plan has a valuable provision in the maternity benefit, vshich pays $200 plus a $25 bond for each child born. The lowest-cost outside plan available for a family is the Blue Cross. Rates vary in different regions, but in one region this writer studied. Blue Cross returned in bene­ fits 87 cents of every premium dollar it took in compared to the 55 cents for the typical commercial insurance plans. Generally you have to join Blue Cross through a group (rates are lower that way too). If there is such a group you can join in your community, it does offer the best available buy in hospitalization insurance. However, Blue Cross does not pay doctor bills. By far the best method of getting such medical insurance has been found to be the Jlrepayment group-practice plans, such as the Health Insurance Plan of New York (HIP), the Labor Health Institute of St. Louis, San Francisco's Permanent Clinic and others. Generally participation in these plans is on a group basis too. which keeps out in­ dividual families. In such cases,, and where available, the Blue Shield plan operated in connection with Blue Cross, generally provides the next best value in medical insur­ ance. But in all cases, avoid commercial company policies un­ less you' can paii\*.ipate un a group basis, which reduces the cosk. �FiaceEicU SEAFARERS Aprfl 2, 1954 LOR 'i Eye Gift Story Ends In Rennlon On Ship CASH BENEFITS SEAFARERS WELFARE, VACATION PLANS REPORT ON BENEFITS PAID No. Seafarers Receiving Benefits this Period Average Benefits Paid Each Scafaref Total Benefits Paid this Period igaiiBlliii Bconitcd once asain are Seafarers Phil Pron, left, and Eric Joseph, aboard the Fairland. Joseph »ave up cornea so that Pron might see •gain in 1959 eye operation. Back together again for the first time since their celebrated meeting at the Staten Island USPHS hospital, Eric Joseph and Phil Pron are'now sailing aboard the Fairland (Water­ man) en route to Japan and-* again. A difficult corneal trans­ Korea. For both of them, the trip plant operation proved a success together is the realization of a three-year-old dream. Pron re­ cently completed his first trip since he went back to sea after being out -of action for three years because of blindness. After he got off the Strathport (Strathmore), he met Jo­ seph and they eventually Jound -a ship which had job openings for both of them. The story of Pron's recovery of sight is familiar to many Sea­ farers, because of the wide cover­ age it received in the daily press as well as the SEAFARERS LOG. His escape from a life of blindness was made possible through the dona­ tion of .a cornea by Joseph, who learned of Pron's plight when they were in the marine hospital to­ gether. Since he had limited vision in one of his own eyes, which was damaged by scar tissue, Joseph vol­ unteered to sacrifice the sight of that eye so that Pron might see and, after many long months of hospitalization s^d treatment, Pron was certified as fit for duty again in the summer of 1953. Throughout the long months when it was unknown whether the operation would be successful or not, both Pron and Joseph met pferiodically, when Joseph returned from a trip. It was a tough period for Pron, who hoped for the best and for an opportunity to ship out with the fellow-Seafarer who had saved his sight. "It would be like old times again," he always remarked, "and maybe I could find a way some day to repay Eric a little for what he did for me." Accordingly, while both of them were ashore earlier this year, they constantly watched for a ship which-might have berths for both of them. The opportunity came up on the Fairland, and both grabbed it. I II ^3. m WELFARE, VACATION BENEFm PAID THIS PERIOD Hospital Bcngfita Death Benefits Disability Benefits Matetaitv Benefits Vacation Benefits Total 4,Slg dXHts in ss AM as. 1 /ga WELFARE, VACATION BENEFITS PAID PREYIOUSLY HosDitai Benefits Paid Since Tulv 1. 1950 • Death Benefits Paid Since Tulv 1. 1950* Disability Benefits Paid Since May 1. 1952 * Matcrnitv Benefits Paid Since Aocil 1. 1952 * Vacation Benefits Paid Since Feb. 11. 1952 • TOMI • * Dace Benefits Becan 1 *4U!S'JI^ | 1 o^l B i *)> 9>4d W. 1" " " H 7^ WELFARE, VAOkTION PLAN A»ET$ Cash on Hand Vacation Welfare S:LLQS^ a# Vacation Estimated Accounts Receivable Welfare US Government Bonds (Welfare) Real Estate (Welfare) Other Assets — Training Ship (Welfare) TOTAL ASSETS ^St.sw ismg. SOL. ass^ SbSX sn.fsa ll9l>La 3.K During the month of Feb*, the Welfare Plan paid out twentyfive (25) death benefits, which makes forty-two (42) for th year to date* The Plan also paid out forty-one (41) mater^ nity benefits during Feb*, which makes ninety-t^e (93) for the year to date* Ae of this date, eleven (11) people have applied and quali­ fied for the scholarship benefits of 1954* Of this eleven (11), seven (7) have already taken the exams* The breakdown of the eleven (11) applicants is as followst Four (4) sea­ men, three (3) sons of seamen and four (4) daughters of seamen* • • •* •* •# *• Suhmitttd A1 Kerr, Assiatimt Administrator •.. and, remember this • • • All these are yours wthout contributii^ a sini^e nkkel on your Collecting SlU beufi-r. flt»i»«aay, vUrtether it?lti(U: lM»spital, birtivdisabiU^ or deaih%^l^^ ^ gervicfrimni^ately diTO your.irQion'a rqpreeaitativea; . > 'i.: �April t, 1954 SEAFARERS Pare Nine LOG Seafarer Recalls Old WHallng Days; Finds Life Today ^Tame^ The job of a carpenter on an SIU ship is comparatively tame today, according to Sea­ farer Edward Jacobsen, who used to hold down the same spot on the giant whale factory ships that worked the waters of the South Antarctic. One memorable experience, he recalled, was a three-and-' were the days when a carpenter of knives and bladed instruments a-half-year trip on the whaler also had the responsibility of used to skin and cut up the whale Ulysses as chief carpenter. Those seeing to it that the different types had a fine, razor edge. Using dull Seafarer Pat Murphy (right), port manager of the SIIT Sea Chest In Baltimore, is congratpjated on Union slop chest's top sales of Philip Morris cigarettes in the port by company representative Charlie Dodson. SIU Sea Chest took first prize for most sales of Philip Morris sea store cigarettes in recent contest. Sea Chest Takes Top Prize In Cigarette Sales Contest BALTIMORE—Running well in front of the opposition, the SIU Sea Chest here recently came away with first prize in a port-wide competition among slop chest dealers for top sales of Philip Morris sea^ dealers dealt solely with taxstores cigarettes on ships hit­ chest free, sea store cigarettes in bond, ting this port. the type which can only be sold iThe^cbntest, in which the Unionoperated slop chest won top honwas sponsored by the Philip Mprris Co. as part of a local pro­ motion for its smoking products. The -competition among the slop Throw in For A Meeting Job Under the rules of the SIU, any member can nominate himself for meeting chairman, loading clerk or any other •post that may be up for elec­ tion before the membership. Including committees, such as the tallying committees, finan­ cial committees, auditing com­ mittees and other groups named by the membership. Since SIU membership meet­ ing officers are elected at the start of each meeting, those who wish to run for those meeting offices can do so. aboard ship. The heavy sales of Philip Mor­ ris cigarettes by the Sea Chest branch was commemorated by, among other things, the presenta­ tion of a doll mascot to Seafarer Pat Murphy, port manager of the Sea Chest. The doll is a promo­ tion piece for the nationally-tele­ vised "I Love Lucy" show spon­ sored by Philip Morris. Sell Bulk Lots According to Murphy, former chief steward on the Carolyn (Bull), "the SIU showed those slop chest operators that we can really sell cigarettes in bulk lots and can handle the transaction efficiently and smoothly." The winning of the Philip Mor­ ris award in this port "nailed the lie," Murphy pointed out, "that the Sea Chest isn't able to handle large amounts of cigarettes or any other products for mass distribution on our ships. Some people in the trade have the notion we're a small outfit, especially since we're a Union operation," he added. Whales harpooned by small boats are secured aft of the factory ship Ulysses before hauled aboard one by one for processing. V '- J ' "I Afterdeek of ihe Ulysses bristles with activity as crewmembers cut away blubber from whale. Man high in photo hacks at whale ndth cutting tool to free blubber from, carcass. History When the votes in the second Cities Service election were counted, in April, 1949, the SIU rolled up a majority of 89 percent But despite the lengthy preelection proceedings and the fact that the SIU had won an earlier vote covering seven ships by.fl® pep5 S T cent, CS;saU tried to keep the Union out knives to cut up a 90-foot whale is like trying to count the sand on the beach. Jacobsen, a spry sea veteran who just turned 65, hails from Norway, from which many of the whale ships still go out to hunt the giants of the sea for their valuable oil and other prod­ ucts. He sailed British and Nor­ r wegian whalers Jacobsen for about tpn years off and on, but the trip on the Ulysses 15 years ago was the fa­ vorite. However, the ship itself had worse luck than he did, and was sunk during the war. A Seafarer since 1949, Jacobsen (Continued on page 17) Vietorgf lis Cities Service Company lawyers tried every trick to keep the dis­ credited company union, the Citco Tankerman's As­ sociation, alive, while dozens of pro-SIU men were fired on the slightest pretext. A stack of objections filed by the company also barred, the NLRB from m-tifyinif the SIU as bargaining agent 2\ o. 60 After the NLRB turned down the company objections, CS lawyers came back with "exceptions" to the NLRB decision. Certification finally came in December, four months later. The SIU demanded • immediate talks on a contract to give the men thoj;^ conditions they had been" seeking over three' years. �iF" SEAFARERS Page Tea i: LOG April 2. 1954 PORT HEPOBTS disillusion them, that is the reason New Orleans: for standing in the shade. On the political scene, as far as the Democratic primaries are con­ cerned, it has now come to a knock down and drag-out situation be­ Complaints have been received Shipping in the Port of Balti­ tween Mahoney and Byrd. We are more has been very slow and ap­ still of the opinion that the trend in this report i-ecently from men parently it will continue that way will be definitely toward Mahoney who have run into difficulty in atfor the next two weeks as we have as we have noticed that quite a tempting-to collect unemployment had several ships lay up for an few of the Democratic clubs, which compensation to which they were indefinite period. We also have the are very powerful here, have entitled. A high percentage of such cases Michael paying off here and she is swung over to him. Regardless of also laying up. So as you can read­ who may win in the primaries, we have been coming from Alcoa, ily see we are really on the slow are definitely sure that the State which has been reporting to !the State Employment Office, which bell here. In the meantime we of Maryldnd will go Democratic. handles the claims, that men who have had a ratio of about 2ii-to-l Taking Shape registered, so I wouldn't advise any . The new building is really shap­ become unemployed from Alcoa did so of their own accord, regard­ of the brothers to come to Balti­ more at the present time, unless ing up now and the public have less of the real reason for termina­ they can afford to hang around a nothing but the most favorable tion of employment. comments to make in its appear­ little while. All men who become unemployed ance even at this 'early stage. Also, We have had the following ships practically every AFi. labor or­ in this port through being fired, paying off here in the past two ganization which doesn't have a laid off because of ship'lay ups, weeks: Santore, Cubore, Marore building of its own; would like to or any other reason except quitting of Ore; Bethcoaster and Oremar have space in ours. So just bear a ship of a person's own accord are of Calmar; Kathryn, Ines, Beatrice along with us fellows, and it won't advised to obtain a statement from and Elizabeth of Bull; Cantigny be long before we will take over the company as to the reason for and French Creek of Cities Serv­ and I am sure the waiting will be unemployment. If the company does not want to supply such a ice; Yaka and Morning Light of well worth while. statement, the man involved should Waterman; and Robin Tuxford of Our man of the week. Brother call the hall immediately so a Seas. Luby O'Neal, has been a member Union representative can go to bat Signing on were the Santore, since December 7, 1938, and has Baltore, Cubore and Marore of been sailing for the past 30 years for him on the case. The statement should be ob­ Ore; and the Massmar, Oremar in the black gang. His hobby is and Bethcoaster of Calmar. In fishing and the crew likes to see tained" to substantiate unemploy­ transit vessels were the Bethcoast­ Luby coming down the dock when ment compensation claims when er and Marymar of Calmar; Alcoa he makes one of the Ore ships, filed with the State Employment Puritan and Alcoa Runner of Al­ knowing that at least they will Office here. Goes to Bat coa; Edith, Frances, Rosario and have an abundance of fish. He Marina of Bull; Antinous and said that during his time of sail­ The SIU has been going to bat Choctaw of Waterman; and the ing, he has seen the^ worst condi­ to help men in appealing claims Compass of Compass. tions possible and it was a Godsend which have been denied, but We have been able to place to all seaman when the SIU was chances of success in such appeals about 20 of our men at the pres­ organized, as now all of the sea­ are greatly improved if the man in ent time as gangway watchmen men can live like they are human question can produce a written ahd cargo watch­ beings and not the scum of the statement from the company re­ men due to the earth as they used to be thought garding the true reason of his un­ diversion of so of. He said that he can't thank the employment. John "Monk!' Kelly has asked many„ships from officials and the membership the Port of New enough^for the splendid work they that we take note of his thanks to York which have have always done and are still do­ the doctor, stewardess and crewgiven quite a few ing to make the Seafarers the best mehibers of the Del Sud (Missis­ of our oldtimers and the most recognized Union in sippi) for their kind treatment of him while Jie was ill aboard the a stake so that the maritime industry. Del Sud recently. Brother Kelly they don't have In Hospital suffered a heart attack and had to to carry the ban­ O'Neal We have in the marine hospital be returned to the USPHS hospital ner. This is cer­ tainly appreciated by the various at this writing, Raymond C. Myers, here. He is reported to be respond­ watchmen locals that took the Kristoffer Braten, Thomas Mungo, ing to treatment in good fashion. Well on the road to recovery courtesy to call us and we hope Alva W. McCullum, Benjamin Sunthat they will need a few of these derlund, Thomas Tierno, Andrew after recent surgery at the USPHS Westerlund, Lloyd G. Linthicum, hospital here is C. Brady, who says more often. Clifford H. Adkins, William J. he hopes to be back on the ship­ The Sea Chest here is really do­ ing a bang-up job' now which I Stephens, Paige Mitchell, John ping list before long. New in Hospital think is due to the change in the Scott, Alexander Johnson; Joseph Newly admitted to the hospital personnel. They not only contact" D. McGraw, William D. Kenny, our ships, but have been contact­ Clyde R. Leggett, George Mattair, were Seafarers J. N. Hill, A, Cox, ing other outfits besides. So I am Peter Losado, Karl Kristensen, G. H. Dolan and H. M. Hankee. sure that in later reports, you will Millard Cutler, William Kunak,- L. W. Wetzell Jr., Leonard Kay, agree with me that they are really Hinrich Wiese, Jesse A. Clark, J. D. Dambrino, R. W. Clark, T. L. Frank VanDusen, James B. Hum­ Dugan^and H. D. Fouche recently going all out in the Sea Chest. phries. We have Thor Thorsen re­ were discharged from the hospital Weather Fine ceiving special disability benefits and hope to be back on the job in At least there is one thing in this week also. the near future. our favor, the weather. Spring is Shipping in this port picked up a> Ear! Sheppard really here in Baltimore. The boys bit since -the last report and a good Baltimore Port Agent have even gone so far as to stand on the shady side of the street so that they won't get a sun-tan, for as you know, when these boys are all bronzed up, the girls think they just came in from a Far Eastern or Persian Gulf run. So as not to Baltimore: Union Helps Members Gel Unempleymenl $ Heavy Galls For Cargo, Gangway Walcbmon percentage of those who had been "sweating out" their turn on the shipping list were able to ship. The job situation here still is slightly below par for this season, however. We had a few minor beefs, but these quickly were squared away. dispute involving five nights lodging for 12 men on the Del Aires (Mississippi) has been settled with the result that the men involved can collect by contacting the Mis­ sissippi Shipping Co. Any of those who have left this port can collect file money that is coming to them by writing to the following address: Attn. Mr. Lisboney, Mississippi Shipping Co., Hibernia Building, New Orleans, La. Since our last report, the Steel Advocate and Steel Architect (Isthmian), the Del Aires, Del Norte, Del Monte, Del Sol and Del Santos (Mississippi) and the Antinous (Waterman) paid off here. The Del Norte and Del Monte signed on. Ships in transit were the Alcoa Corsair, Alcoa . Pennant, Alcoa Cavalier and Alcoa Pilgrim (Alcoa), Steel Architect and Steel Age (Isthmian), Del Monte (Mississippi), Seatrains New York and Savannah (Seatrain), the Fairland, Fairisle, Iberville, ClMborne and Wild Ranger (Waterman) and the Evelyn (Bull). LIndsey J. Williams New Orleans Port Agent 4, 4. i. Boston: Slate To Build Hew Road Through Bosleu Shipping continues to be slow in Boston, with prospects for the fu­ ture remaining the same. The Queenston Heights of Seatrade and Bull's Ann Marie paid ofl and signed on again since last report. In-transit vessels included Robin Tuxford, Robin Wentley and Robin Kirk (Seas); Bents Fort of Cities Service and the Fairisle of Waterman, Captain Litchfield, the represen­ tative of the Eastern Steamship Company came into the office and told us that the Yarmouth was def­ initely going to be put under the Liberian flag. On the Beach On the beach at this time are F. Albano, M. Doucette, H. Clem­ ents, J. Halpin, B. Gordy and lots more. After tearing down all the buildings a couple of doors up the street from the hall, the state is beginning to build its new high­ way. It is just starting to shape up rqw. This highway is u much needed improvement. James Sheehan ' Boston Fort Agent snr UAtti omEcroR r SEU, A&G District -• :tf ' !•; nonH Wait^ Get Vacation Pay Under the rules of the Va­ cation Plan as set forth by the. trustees, a Seafarer must ap­ ply within one year of the payoff date of his oldest dis­ charge in order to collect-his full vacation benefits. If he presents any discharge whose payoff date is more than a ' year before the date of his va.cation application, he will lose out on the sea time covered by that particular discharge. Don't sit on those discharges. Bring them in and collect the money that is due to you. BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St. Earl Sheppard. Agent Mulberry 4540 BOSTON 276 State St. .lames Sheehan, Agent Richmond 2-0140 GALVESTON 3081.4 23rd St. Keith Alsop, Agent Phone 2-8448 L4KE CHARLES. La 1419 Ryan St. Leroy Clarke. Agent Phone 6-5744 MOBILE . . 1 South Lawrence St. Cal Tanner. Agent Phone 2-1754 NEW ORLEANS 523 Bienville St. Lindsey Williams, Agent Magnolia 6112-6113 NEW VORK 675 4th Ave., Brooklyn HVacinth 9-6600 .NOREOLK 127-129 Bank St. Agent Phone 4-1083 PHILADELPHIA 337 Market St. S. CarduUo. Agent .Market 7-1635 SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St. r. Banning, Agent Douglas 2-5475 Marty Breithoff, West Coast Representative PUERTA de TIERRA. PR Pelayo 51—La 5 Sal Colls. Agent * ' Phone 2-5996 SAVANNAH 2 Abercorn St. .left Morrison, Agent Phone 3-1728 SEATTLE 2700 ut Ave Jeff^Ujette. Agent TAlfifttte : "18091811 N; ySnkiin*®?' ^Kay White. Agent Phone 2-1323, WtLMINGTON, Calif 509 Marine Ave. Ernest Tilley, Agent Terminal 4-2874 HEADQUARTERS 679 4th Ave., Bklyn. SECRETARY-TREASURER Paul Hall ASST SECRETARY-TREA.SURERS Robert Matthews Joe Algina Claude Simmons Joe Volpian WUliam Hall SUP HONOLULU FORT WILLIAM.... 118V4 Syndicate Ave. Ontario Phone; 3-3221 PORT COLBORNE 103 Durham St. Ontario Phone: 5591 TORONTO. Ontario 272 King St. E. EMpire 4-5719 VICTORIA, BC, 61714 Cormorant St. Empire 4531 VANCOUVER, BC 565 Hamilton St. Pacific 7824 SYDNEY. NS.. 304 Charlotte St. Phone 0346 BAGOTVILLB, Quebee 20 Elgin St. Phone: 545 THOROLD, Ontario 52 St.sDavlds St. CAnal 7-3202 QUEBEC 113 Cot# De La Montague Quebec Phone; 2-7078 SAINT JOHN 177 Prince William St. NB Phone: 2-5232 18 Merchant St. Phone 5-8777 022 N. W. Everett St. ' Beacon 4336 lUCUMOND. CALIF 257 5th St. Phone 2599 SAN FRANCISCO........450 Harrison St. Douglas 2-8363 Great Lakes District SEATTLE 2700 1st Ave. V Main 0290 ALPENA 133 W. Fletcher WILMINGTON ...; 505 Marine Ave. Phone: 12.38W Terminal 4-3131 BUFFALO, NY 180 Main St. Phone: Cleveland 7391 NEW YORK 675 4th Ave.. Brooklyn CLEVELAND....-..734 Lakeside Ave., NE STerllng B-4671 . Phone; Main 1-0147 DETROIT 1038 3rd St. Canadian District Headquarters Phone: Woodward 1-6857531 y/. Michigan St MONTREAL «« St. James St. West DULin-M. ' Phone:' Melrose 2-4110 HALlFilX.INA. .iras... .wi^eiUa's4 SOUTH CHICAGO........3361 Ei mnB St Pfaonei Eatea 6-a41<> Phone: 3-8911 PORTLAND ..... Mobile: Warns Men On Hiring Shoif HeiieeToHall ipping in the port for the last couple of weeks was considered good with about 100 men shipped to offshore Jobs and about half again that many to various relief jobs in and around^the harbor. We had a total of 12 payoffs, six signons and two ships in transit. Ships paying off were the Maiden Creek, Wild Ranger, Claiborne, Iberville and Monarch of the Sea (Waterman); and Alcoa's Pennant, Cavalier, Pilgrim, Pointer, Clipper and Roamer. Signing on were the Fairisle, Wild Ranger and Warhawk of Wa­ terman, while the Pennant, Pilgrim and Pointer of Alcoa did like­ Hallman wise. In transits were the Dei Vaiie of Mississippi and the Evelyn of Bull. The ohiy beef we have of any consequence is the idea that some of the brothers think that they can give a few hours notice to the hall and get off a ship on foreign articles just before she sails. This is a practice that has to stop. It not only works a hardship on your replacement, but puts the Union ii a bad light. The Union has demanded that the company give any man that is discharged or laid up 24 hours' notice and at the same time the Union guaranteed that any man who is getting off give at least the same notice, making it part of the^agreement. This part of the agreement is definitely going to be lived up to and unless a man has a serious emergency such' as death in the family or serious ill­ ness, no exceptions are going to be made and violators of this section of the agreement made to stand to be tried for getting off a ship without giving proper notice. - On The Beach A few of the brothers currently on the beach in Mobile include A. Nelson, H. King, R. Merritt, J. Grin^es, R. Swayne, H. Jackson, C. Lowery, A. Lee, L. Jack.son, H. Hallman, D, Baria, M. Coleman, F. McConice and R. Aguair. A lot of interest is shown by the membership in-the local area on the organizing efforts of the AFL organizers, who are going full blast in this town. Everytime a newscast comes over the television set on the recreation deck, it finds the members assembled getting the latest news on the East Coast situa­ tion. The drive in this area looks fine and it is anticipated that in the very near future all southern locals will swing over to the AFI> ILA. Hugh "Cherokee" Hallman is raising a war-whoop around here now. He is originally from Atlanta, Georgia although he has made Mobile his. shipping port for some years. Recently he did about a year or so on the Choctaw of Wa­ terman and gave all the girls in Japan and on the Far East run a break. Hallman thinks the vaca- , tion benefit is tops in the Union, claiming it is his eating money since he taps out very shtfftly after payoff and then eats off his vaca­ tion money until he ships again. Hallman has just come out of the hospital on Staten Island, New York. He was laid up therie for a while, but decided to come down to the Gulf in order to fully recup­ erate from his illness. All the boys wish him well. Cal Tanner jifdbir«''Foft''Ag^nt'' •v,' li �ji-T- Psige Eleyep SEAFARERS LOG April 2, 1954 > JKMtr REPORTS going to be cleared up by cement­ two-week period has been the Lake Charles: ing the tanks. The chief on the weather. However, what we need Southwind is one of the boys who is more ships and less weather. has lots of trouble with electri­ The weather can always take care cians. Either he will change his of itself. ways or be left all alone with his E. B. Tilley gadgets. Wilmington Port Agent Things have been on the slow We had 14 ships pay off, four Oldtimers on the beach include bell here in Lake Charles for the sign on and 16 ships in transit here t. past two weeks, but the outlook John Morris. T. Nongezer, J. in the Port of New York. All heels Philadelphia: for the next two weeks Is fair. Christy, F. Boyne, F. Wesley, C. were settled on all the^payoffs and However, we do not recommend Moss, E. Bryant, while in the sign-ons. that the member's come rushing hospital are P. Wood, F. Paylor, We paid off the crew of the here as we have enough men here R. McCorkel, J. Littleton, P. JaWilliam Burden in the company of­ kubcsak, G. Corbett, W. Bedgood, to meet our needs. fice, after the ship laid up in Japan. Calling in this area were the J. Sellers, J. Kramer, P. Bland, C. Shipping for the past two weeks The following ships paid off: Lone Jack, Bradford Island, Bents Carkhuff and A. Norton. has been relatively slow in com­ Fort, Logans Fort,' Fort Hoskins. Jeff Morrison Rosario, Suzanne and Show Me parison to the increased activity in Savannah Port Agent Mariner of Bull: Val.XJhem of Val­ Winter Hill, Can4« J" 4entine; Government Camp, Chi- the port. Although we have-had tigny and Council wawa, AbiC|ua, Archers Hope, Brad­ five payoffs in the port, there were Grove of Cities Seattle: ford Island and Lone Jack of Cities fewer replacements than expected Service. The Lo­ Service; ^eatrains New York and and the prospects for the future gans Fort paid off New Jersey of Seatrain; Lawrence are not so hot. here from interSo far we have not had too much Victory, of Mississippi and the coastal. We had Mankato Victory of Victory Car­ trouble along the waterfront ex­ the Alexandra of cept Jor the walkout on March 17, Shipping is not good at the pres­ riers. Can-as come into and "there has been much discusr. Signing On Orange, Texas, ent time and it looks as if that will sion as to whether or not it was a to pay off and go be the prevailing situation for the Ships signing on were the Jef­ holiday for the longshoremen for Gann into lay-up. next two weeks as we have noth­ ferson City Victory of Victory Car­ which we can claim holiday -OT. riers; Robin Kettering of Seas; We don't think it was a holiday, but We had quite a battle over trans­ ing scheduled for payoff at this Show Me Mariner and the Law­ a walkout, so there is no claim. portation on her but we held firm time. Ships paying off were the Ragand all hands got their dough. The rence Victory of Mississippi. Otherwise, things are running company got the brilliant idea nar Naess of Orion, Battle Rock of Ships in transit were the Arlyn smoothly. that they would pick the kind of US Petroleum, Ocean Betty of of Bull; Warrior, Chickasaw, Choc­ Ships paying off were the Com­ transportation money to pay but Ocean Trans and the Hoosier taw, Alavvai and De Soto of Water­ pass of Compass; the Marina and we had other ideas and won out. Mariner of Isthmian. man; Marymar and Pennmar of Carolyn of Bull; Marymar of Cal­ We hope the ship doesn't stay laid The Ocean Lotte of Ocean Trans Cajmar;, Alexandra of JCarras; mar; and Council Grove of Cities up long, but one never can tell. signed on, while in-transits were Council Grovc' and Fort Hoskins Service. The same ships signed on the Alamar, Calmar and Portmar Strike Near End of Cities Service; Steel Vendor again. All but one union in the Build­ of Calmar; Seacomet of Colonial and Steel Navigator of Isthmian; In-transit vessels were the Edith. ing and Construction Trades strike and the Azalea City of Waterman. Bull Run of Petrol Tankers; Sea- Rosario, Ines and Elizabeth of Bull; against the contractors has signed The Hoosier Mariner laid up in train Texas of Seatrain; and the Robin Kettering and Robin Went­ up and ceased strike action. We Seattle this week and the member­ ley of Seas. Massmar of Calmar; will notify the men as soon as the ship on board was in a pitiful state Ro.bin Wentley of Seas. I want to inform the member­ Winter Hill of Cities Service and last union signs up. of mind since the Mariner-type ship that at , the present time we the Chickasaw of Waterman. On the beach here we find R. ships are the nicest freighters Steve CarduUo request that they do not park their Lyle. A. Fruge, R. Frye, J. Bau- afloat. It is certainly a shame to Philadelphia Port Agent cars in the : parking lot while the doin, P. Mulholland, R. Coe, S. Se- lay the-e ships up. Perhaps in the waterfront beef is going on. This li> $> t> nak, W. Walker and C. Gann. future when the Government also applies to employees because We held our regular meeting builds ships they will consult the Galveston: we need the space for the long­ last Wednesday and there were 28 ship operators. shoremen and the cars that are in­ bookmen present. Ross Lyle was Around the hall and happy right volved in the beef. chairman and Willie Walker was now is John Risbeck. John is 32 recording secretary. Claude Simmons years old, mar­ Leroy Clarke Asst. Sec.-Treas. ried, and makes Lake Charles Port Agent his home on the Shipping picked up in the past i t. t. East Coast, Balti­ two weeks, but it is not back to Wilmington: more, to be exact. normal at this time. The picture Savannah; He sails in the does not look too bright for the deck department coming two weeks, with nothing as bosun, receiv­ scheduled to pay off in this area. ing his book in Ships paying off were the Gene­ New York in 1943 vieve Peterkin and Lucile BloomFor the last two weeks I think it Shipping has been pretty fair. after being active Risbeck has been about as bad as it can field of Bloomfieid, as well as the in the Garment French Creek of Cities Service. We paid off and signed on the be for this port as we did not have Workers and UFE strikes, as well a payoff for the past two weeks. Signing on was the Bull Run of Southwind of South Atlantic. as others. His last ship was the Petrol Tankers. Ships in transit were the South­ However, the coming two weeks In-transit vessels were the Del ern States of Southern; Seatrains Seacoral which paid off in Seattle looks as if we will have some ship­ Monte of Mississippi, the Michael Savannah, New York, twice each; after a nine-month trip to Japan. ping as we have four ships due in He is especially happy this week of Carras, the Republic of Trafal­ Robin Kettering of Seas; Queenssoon. gar, the Val Chem of Valentine ton Heights of Seatrade and the because he has finally succeeded in Ships expected in are tne Coe Tankers, the Neva West of Bloom- Abiqua of Cities Service. obtaining his citizenship papers af­ Victory of Victory Carriers, Sea- field, Steel Advocate of Isthmian, ter a five-year struggle. A former Trouble On Board mar of Calmar, Fairport of Water­ and Seatrains Texas, Georgia, The Southwind came in with citizen of Canada, he will get his man and the Steel Chemist of Isth­ Louisiana and New Jersey. drinking water looking like a weak papers next week. mian. Jeff Gillette cup of coffee and the consistency Keith Alsop At this lime, we only have one Seattle Port Agent of cream of potato soup. This is Galveston Port Agent man in the hospital. He is Ragnor Ericson, who sails out of the Gulf most of the time but was taken off the Pelican Mariner of Bloomfieid when she was in port for bunkers. He is making out okay and expects to be out in a week or ten days. Shipping Figures March 10 to March 24 As, a reminder to the member­ SHIP. SHIP. TOTAL ship, it is a violation of Union rules REG. REG. REG. TOTAL SHIP. for anyone on the beach to go on PORT REG. DECK ENG. STEW.SHIPPED DECK ENGINE STEW. ships which are in port unless they 18 7 61 4 7 Boston 30 13 18 have a pass from the Union hall. 160 40 239 67 53 New York 95 62 82 Also, §omeone is trying to give the 11 55 76 21 23 Pluladelphia 28 28 20 stewards of these ships a little 29 127 260 52 ^ 46 slory, claiming the coffee they are Baltimore 107 88 65 asking him for is for the coffeepot 10 1 50 4 5 Norfolk 18 18 16 at the Union hail. Everyone knows 31 9 41 13 9 Savannah 9 20 12 we don't have any pot here, so be 2 51 1 0 1 Tampa 15 23 13 on guard against this practice. 128 196 46 45 37 Mobile 72 , 65 59 In-transit ships were the Steel 195 65 198 72 58 Executive of Isthmian; the Pelican New Orleans 62. 60 76 Mariner of Bloomfieid;. the Calmar 21 82 116 32 29 Galveston • 42 38 36 of Calmar; Azalea City, J. B. 21 92 28 30 79 Seattle 40 32 20 Waterman and Hastings of Water­ 26 113 24 " 18 68 San Francisco 38 40 35 man, and the Barbara Erietchie of 69 5 2 5 12 .^Wilmington ..v...i• 25 18 • T6 Liberty Navigation. The only tbing that has been Total* '.''T'v.'. «r-fi679''-' '..vfC.HlWfcW;,,...468 • goo^^fl|ippnd,ijh% .ppft In the past lit'J'.; -rimtH « New York: Transporialion Beef Is Settled By Unien Tanker Grew Receives Leng Distance Payoff No Trouble On Docks; Ship Activity Wanes Hoosier Mariner Idle Status Saddens Crew Shipping Piclnre Fuzzy Duwu In Texas Port Shipping Poor Bnl Is Expoclod To Pick Up f Southwind Has Water Beef, Chief Treuhle % San Francisco: Port Expects To Crew Two Strips In Lay.up Shipping has been slow for the past two weeks, with a lot of intransits stopping by this port. We expect to crew two Water­ man ships, the Jean LaFitte and the Madaket, both of which are laid up at present. Ships paying off were the Jean LaFitte and Madaket and the Sea Comet H of Ocean Carriers. The latter vessel signed on again. In-transit ships were the Raphael Semmes. J. B. Waterman, Gate­ way City, Hast­ ings and Azalea City of Water­ Goglas man; Calmar's Calmar; Isthmian's Steel Execu­ tive; the J. B. Kulukundis of Martis and the Sea Comet II. It seems that Harry Bridges and Hugh Bryson are still spreading their propaganda around here as the NLRB election for stewards is going into its last days. Bridges has already taken the stand that if the election goes "no union." he will ask to represent the stewards on the PMA ships. As we see it now, more and more companies are trying to get foreign flags for their ships, thus reducing our US fleet to a small fleet, probably one of the smallest merchant marines the US has had in a long time. It could end up smaller than before the war. Along these lines we can take a look at the shipbuilding program here and find it is next to nothing. With the men in this field mostly advanced in age, and drop­ ping out rapidly because of the scarcity and uncertainty of employ­ ment. there is sure to be a shortage of skilled workers in the ship­ building field. Young men won't want to enter it in an era of uncer­ tainty. We have lots of ships in various boneyards. but they will become obsolete about the same time because they were built with­ in a few years of each other. It would be better to spread it around a bit, chronologically, so we would have an up-to-date fleet of ships in service for ready use in any emergency. Oldtimers on the beach include M. Pappadakis, S. Mavromichalis, F. Curtis, B. Gapse. J. Goglas, W. Vause, J, Parks, W, Pennington, W. Kramer, C. McKee, W. Hunt, C. Nie, R. Mulholland, J. Pulliam, G. Dunn, G, King and R, Parady, In the marine hospital are T. Finerty, O. Gustavesen, P. S. Yuzon, J. Childs. H, Y, Choe, W. Singleton, M. Wilson, E. G. Plah, W. T. Center, J. Perreira, S, Sue and G. C. Eller, Tom Banning San Francisco Port Agent Quitting Ship? Notify Union A reminder from SlU headquarters cautions all Seafarers leaving their ships to contact the hail In an.ple time to allow the Union to dispatch a replacement Fail­ ure to give notice before paying off may cause a de­ layed sailing, force the ship to sail short of the manning requirements and needlessly make their work tougher for your shipmates. • J �SEAFARERS Pare Twehr* April 2. 1954 LOG i<" MEET THE SEAFARER IN THE WAKE Naval stores is a trade name for the products obtained from the pine tree, whose old stumps and branches are as useful for this pur­ pose as newly-cut trees. Naval is derived from the Latin navis, meaning ship, and in the old days these products were used for caulking and waterproofing vesse.s and for protecting rope against deterioration. At one time, naval • stores included all the material employed in building and main­ taining sailing ships, even masts 'and cordage, but it is now applied only to such materials as rosin, tar, pitch, turpentine and pine oil, regardless of how fGey're used. TEX METTING, messman of liberty, who was glad to con­ tribute to the cause." ' 3^ 3. t Fresh-water springs in the ocean Question: What is the most an­ have been noted by travelers and noying beef you run into aboard navigators for centuries. They ship? are caused by underground streams which discharge their Richard Adell, wiper: Who's waters into the ocean beneath the surface. The fresh water rises to going to clean up the laundiy room? That's the the surface 'because of its rela­ big question tive specific lightness as compared aboard any ship. with the sea water. These springs There's always a occur only in coastal waters, sev­ discussion about eral of them in the sea near Cuba. it. Tied in with One of the best known of these that is the recre­ submarine river outlets is in the ation room and Atlantic oft the coast of Florida library clean-up. near Miami. 3. 4.' t Nobody is direct­ 3> i i ly responsible for Mi. Desert Island, which lies off Boxing Day in England, which the Coast of Maine, was discov­ has nothing to do with prize-fight­ them. There should be a utility ered in 1604 by Champlain, who ing, is a survival of an old cus­ man aboard to.do the jobs. 3i 3i t named it LTsIe des Monts Deserts tom. In medieval times the monks Miguel Diaz, OS: The food situa­ —the island of desert mountains— of certain orders used to offer because from where he saw them, mass for the safety of vessels and tion is the most annoying beef any­ the mountains appeared bare, wild at the same time place a small one can have and solitary. In 1916, part of the box on each ship to receive con­ aboard a ship, Island was set aside by President tributions from the sailors. Car­ when it your only Woodrow Wilson as the Sieur de rying a box from door to door for source of food Monts National Monument to com­ the collection of Christmas money supply. There are restaurants memorate the founding in 1604 of wasy an early custom and, in the no handy and you've the first European settlement in course of time, alms boxes were North America north of the Caro- placed in churches for donations got to take what "linas by Pierre de Cast Sieur de to be distributed to the poor on you get. Some Monts. It was the first national Christmas morning. Eventually, say the food is monument created east of the Mis­ the day after Christmas became bad and some say sissippi and is the only one bor­ Boxing Day because on that day it is good, but the big thing is that dering on the Atlantic. The name the Christmas boxes placed in the it differs from ship to ship. X t. has since heen changed to Acadia churches are opened. Abraham Ruiz, oiler: I never en­ National Park. t t » When the Spaniards took pos­ countered any trouble or annoying i 3. 3^ beefs aboard session of Haiti after its discovery ship.. Everything Oars are muffled by wrapping by Columbus, they copied the prac­ always went something around them where tice of the natives, and built ele­ smoothly for me, they come into contact with the vated frameworks in which to sleep, but I've heard oarlocks in order to deaden the as a protection against prowling some of th^ men noise. According to one histori­ animals. The natives used a simi­ beef mostly about cal account, a petticoat was used lar framework, with a fire beneath, the inadequate to muffle the oars of the boat in for drying or smoking fish, and launch service which Paul Revere crossed the meat, and called all of these struc­ they get when in Charles River on his famous mid­ tures, no matter what their use a foreign port. night ride to Lexington during the was, a barbacoa. Thus when the Revolution. The incident is men­ Spaniards themselves roasted meat 3l' 3^ t tioned in "The Battle of April 19, upon a spit over an outdoor fire, Michael Collins, FWT: What an­ 1775," by Frank Coburn, as follows: they fell into the habit of using noys me most aboard ship are the "Fearing that the noise of the oars the native name. The name was guys who cry all In the oarlocks might alarm the carried later to North America, the time about sentry. Revere dispatched one of giving us the present word barbe­ shipboard condi­ his companions for something to cue, also an all-purpose word re­ tions and never muffle them with, who soon re­ ferring either to the food being stand up at the turned with a petticoat, yet warm cooked, the place where the cook­ meetings to voice from the body of a fair daughter ing is done or the process itself. their opinions to the rest of the membership. They do all their yelling in the foc'sle and expect the delegates to ACROSS DOWN 17. Kind of tree Members of carry the ball for them without 20 Large water glee club 1. This should be How union men knowing their beef. animals 39. Trojan kept up should be 23. Secret agent 40. From Cape 3^ 3^ 3> «. Western sea­ Tenderly 25. Small cat farers group Tricks 28. Part of head Town to Cairo Jasper Anderson, 3d cook: I find Predecessor of 29. Exist 41. Man's title s. Appropriate DDE 33. Years that the men beef mostly about the 43. Annam 12. Man from' Looks 34. SIU member measure Norway night lunch. Jet planes 35. 25 lbs in 47. Old boat 13. Black bird of One: Fr. Nothing seems to Mexico 49. Food Florida He des 36. Our Chief 52. Culebra satisfy them Social party 54. Bolivian Indian Justice 14. Monk's title Rupert. BC when it comes to 15. Angry (Puzzle Answer On Page 25) Made lace that pet gripe. 16. What the SIU provides Most of them 18. A number want a greater 19. Pronoun for a variety of night ship 21. Angle lunches. Some 12. BPOE members want them hot, 24. Annoy 26. Rodents some want them Indigestion 27. cold and some want them more 20. He's not wanted in SIU often and more numerous. SI. 32. 34. 87. 42. 44. 45. 46. 48. «0. SI. 63. 65. 66. 67. 68. 68. 90. Pacific island Attempt Cut wood Port near Schiedam Periods of time Call, in poker Port SW of Casablanca City near Lille Bearing of the Phillipines from Borneo Railroads Where Rabat is What a CPA makes Mr. Lincojn Pronoun Follow Girl's nickname Weights: Abbr. The Ptltish call U "asdlclf,/, There are two good reasons why Tex Metting is called "Tex" by his shipmates. For one thing he was born in Texas 30 years ago. For another, it is a lot easier to say "Tex" than it is to yell Gott­ fried Caesar Richard Metting, Jr. when it's time to call a guy to eat. That jaw-breaking handle is Tex's real name, although not many peo­ ple know it, outside of the shipping commissioner and the Coast Guard. "Everything grows bigger in Texas;" says Tex, "even names." Typically Texan, the strapping, soft-spoken 200-pounder has been popular with his shipmates since he first went to sea in 1943. Metting was born In Southwest Texas, near the coast, in the vicinity of Corpus Christi. It was only natural then, that when it^ became obvious that a healthy young man of 19 must choose a spot to serve his country in World War II that he should turn to the sea. With Tex, though, the idea of a sea-going career appealed to him and unlike many wartime seamen who turned to shoreside occupa­ tions after hostilities ceased, Met­ ting has made seafaring his life's work. Rode Ammo Ships "I was lucky, though," Tex re­ called. "I sailed in and to the war zones. Pacific and Atlantic, all through the war and never was in real action but once. That was in the Philippine zone aboard a Robin Lines ship thai crewed up in New Orleans. There were a couple of air raids on our convoy. Our ship didn't get hit . . . good thing, too. She was an ammunition carrier. As a matter of fact, I rode nothing but ammunition carriers through­ out the war and with the excep­ tion of that one time, every trip was as quiet and peaceful as any­ one could ask for." Metting started sailing in the deck department and sailed AB, deck maintenance and bosun until four years ago when he switched to the steward department. "We were making port in New Orleans in a rain storm one day," Tex explained. "Man, it was wet and it was cold. When we finally got tied up and I got down out of the bow and down below what did I find but the steward's depart­ ment guys all warm and cozy as you pleased, schooner rigged in; their best gear and ready to go ashore. That did it. I said to ray- ' self, 'Tex, from now on, this is for you.'" Metting went ashore that day and changed departments. Never­ theless, he heartHy endorses the new co'.nstitutional provision that' requires a man now to take it to the membership for approval if he wants to change departments. "We used to have men flopping from department to department, wherever they thought pickins' were better," Tex said. "This way, a man thinks about all the angles before he decides where he wants to sail. Then, after he has made up his mind, the fact that it isn't easy to change encourages him to take a sincere interest in his job.'' Delta Lines Man When he first started sailing, Tex sailed out of New York and San Francisco, and occasionally New Orleans. Since 1949, however, he has sailed out of New Orleans exclusively; most of the time aboard Delta Lines (Mississippi Shipping) passenger ships. Metting finds conditions much more stable today than when he started going to siea—union-wise and in the industry in general. "The SIU has done so much to establish seafaring as a stable, profitable profession that I think it is tops among occupations," he said. "The progress we have made as a union in the last 10 years is almost unbelieveable. I think it is a great thing, too, the effort the Union has put into establishing the membership in the minds of the public shoreside as the re­ spectable, hard-working citizens we have always known ourselves to be. While I'm not married, I know that SIU welfare and SIU security mean a great deal to our many family men who, without the secur­ ity that has been built up through our Union, certainly would feel a great deal more burdened by their shoreside responsibilities." Germany began military occupa­ tion of Hungary ... A fleet of US warships attacked Japanese posi­ tions in the Palau Islands, 550 miles due east of the Philippines . . . Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., known in the field as "Old Blood and Guts," was replaced by Maj. Geil. Alexander M. Patch, a veteran of the Pacific fighting, as commander of the American Sev­ enth Army . . . Finland rejected the six-point terms of an armistice offered by Russia. recommended a solid program for membership action. The first battie of the Indian campaign raged at the edge of the Manipur Plain, where one of four Japanese invasion columns 4" 3^ 3i launched assaults to break through Casmir Kaust, bosun: I think everything is fine aboard ship. The British defenses guarding the northeastern approaches to Imphal, guys ought to be key supply center for Allied forces thankful for the on the Burma border ..front . . . conditions they The epic battle around Cassino, have aboard the Italy, continued, as the Germans, ships of the by infiltrating into the ruins of Union without the town via subterranean passages, letting the little recaptured one-fourth of the city things bother . . . An SIU-A&G agents' confer­ them. They ence, held in New Orleans follow­ should remember ing the wind-up of the SIU of NA what it was like ,tp sail before they had a strong convention there, charted 'the fu* tflre course of the SIU-A&G and ;pbnt«MhFi<;fi /. 3> 3^ 3> 3^ 4 Two decisions by the US Su­ preme Court affirmed the power of the Office of Price Administra­ tion (OPA) to enforce price ceil­ ings and regulate rents . . . Allied planes bombed the French inva­ sion coast, hitting Calais and Cher­ bourg, as well as airfields around Paris and port facilities in Holland . . . The SIU and SUP launched a fight to regain the cuts in war bonus rates ordered by the Mari­ time War Emergency Board (MWEB) ... In Algiers, Pierre Pucheu, former Vichy Interior Minister, was executed for treason. Soviet forces crossed the Prut River frontier of Rumania, com­ pleting an 800-mile march from Stalingrad which recovered all biit 60,000 square miles of pre-1939 Russian ' territory, and captured Cemauti, the third largest city df that country, in a drive that took them within 15 miles of the border of Czechoslovakia . . . SIU Secre­ tary-Treasurer John Hawk waa named to attend the conference of . the International Labor OrganizaMbhrih'THiliadelphlaj^ April 29. :m. �April S, 1954 SEAFARERS SEAFARERS « LOG Vol. XVI. April 2, 1954 Page Thirteen LOG 'Whaddya Read ?' No. 7 Published biweekly by the Seafarers International Union. Atlantic & Gulf District, AFL, 675 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn 32, NY. Tel. HYacinth 9-6600, Cable Addi-ess: SEAFARERS NEW YORK. PAUL HALL, Secretary-Treasurer Editor, HEBBERI BRAXD, Managing Editor, RAV DENISON; Art Editor, BERNARS SEAMAN; Photo Editor, OAMXEL NIEVA; Staff Writers, HERMAN ARTHUR. IRWJN SPIVAK, JERRV REMER. AL MASKIN; GUU Area Reporter, BILL MOODY; Staff Assistants. LYMAN GAYLORO. MILTON HOROWITZ. Panamanians All For a number of years now the SIU and other sea unions have protested strongly against the transfer of US ships to foreign flags, particularly the runaway flags of Panama and Liberia. Yet every time they have the opportunity, the shipowners will slip one through with the benevolent ap­ proval of Government agencies who are supposed to protect our merchant marine. The latest instance is the Yarmouth, the passenger ship owned by the Eastern Steamship Company. It's no secret that shipowners love the Liberian and Pana­ manian flag because they mean coolie wages, crimp hall hir­ ing and no union contract. And since the transfer usually involves setting up a dummy corporation in the country in­ volved, it also means a neat and legal job of tax evasion. "Things have reached the point where even some European countries who are considered low-cost operators are com­ plaining about the competition. . ' ^ Along these lines the "New York Times" came up with an interesting suggestion. The newspaper proposed that may­ be the United Nations should take up the question of uni­ form regulations on ship registry. It sounds like a pretty good 'idea, but knowing the US State Department's attitude toward US-flag shipping, it would be a big surprise if this country ".were to take any action on this score. ie 4" 4" New Dock Vote fJ Another step towards resolution of the New York dock tangle was taken last week when the National Labor Rela­ tions Board upheld its examiner's recommendation and threw out the December dock election. The examiner found so much evidence of intimidation and violence that he deemed any election conducted under those circumstances as worthless. The Labor Board is now taking steps to assure that the next electibn will be held in a peaceful atmosphere. No date will be set imtil the ILA calls off its current political strike and permits the port to get back to normal. Under such cir­ cumstances, and given the proper protection, there is no question as to how longshoremen will vote. Meanwhile though, it appears that the dockworkers are not waiting for the Board to act but are. taking matters in their own hand by going back to work in increasing numbers despite an ILA-sponsored "strike" which is exclusively politi­ cal in nature. The strike has only one purpose in mind—to blackjack the Federal Government into issuing an election decision in their favor. It appears now that in the end the old ILA will have to throw in the sponge, letting the port get back to normal again. The CaU Of The Sea . The Jure of the sea beckons people from all walks of life, and there are always those ready to make a fast buck on them. An outfit of this caliber is the so-called "Davenport Seamen's Service" of New York City which, for a minimum $2 fee, will provide anyone interested in a sea job with a slick brochure containing the same information they could get out of any telephone book. Guaranteeing romance, adventure, plenty of sea air, in short everything but the job itself, these outfits prey on peo­ ple eager to turn to the sea as the place to start a brand-new life. If nothing else, however, the fact that they can sfay in business at least proves once again that Seafarers are members of a very desirable profession. School Bells Only Fanatics Snpport Old ILA To the Editor: The waterfront situation that we have been facing since the last few days of 1953 has created nu­ merous problems among longshore­ men and seaman alike, not to men­ tion the teamsters, but it is my profound belief that if this ends the so-called tactics followed by some so-called unions on the wa­ terfront, it is more than worth putting up with this situation a little longer. . Wage earners and business will gain if this matter is settled in a decent way. Since the longshore­ men make their living working Unemployment is spreading in goods picked up. Durable goods the ships, as we nearly all cities and industries, the suffered most, including metal and do, it is natural Bureau of Employment Security metal products, household items, for us to watch reported. The Bureau said that 85 machinery and military equip­ that a clean un­ percent of the nation's 149 major ment. Auto production climbed ion is brought labor market areas now have labor slightly and construction activity to and enforced surpluses, and that at least six per- was at an unusually high level. cent of the labor force is unem­ among them. 4" 4" 4' Ramirez I have been ployed in 34 areas, double the The Eighth Region of the United talking to old longshoremen on number a year ago. The bureau re- Automobile Workers of America, both sides In Manhattan and ported that in no area is there now | AFL, won bargaining rights at the Brooklyn (in a neutral way, of a shortage of workers, while there Hardy Manufacturing Company of course), and 1 believe we are right were five such a year ago. Union City, Indiana, in an NLRB in giving the new AFL-ILA a hand, 4i 4^ 4' election affecting 650 plant em­ helping them to know everything Local 281 AFL United Textile ployees. that they should have known long Workers won five to 121,^ cents an 4 i 4 ago, including better conditions hour, more for employees of the Layoffs have thrown 7,800 steelthat they are missing all around, Charles S. Field Corporation in workers out of jobs in the Youngsthe democratic way to hire, spell­ Passaic, NJ, retroactive to last De­ town, Ohio, district, while another ing out to them the welfare condi­ cember 3, through a wage reopen­ 11.000 are working less than 40 tions and monetary gains that we ing clause in the union's last con-1 hoiirs a week, a Steelworkers ' Union survey revealed. There are enjoy in the SIU and that they tract with the company. would have with the AFL-ILA. 65.000 steelworkers in the area. 4" 4' 4" A bill to raise the Federal min­ It's not for me to say how dirty 4 4 4 the old set-up was or still is, but I imum wage to $1.25 an hour and Unemployment cycles are apknow that everyone hears about to reduce the standard work week , parent in other parts of the world the ILA hiring practices and ru­ to an eventual maximum of 35 as well as in the US. In Canada, hours was introduced in Congress the number of persons seeking mors of other evil conditions. I find every day men working by Rep. Sam Yorty (D.-Cal.). The jobs during February at national the docks whose fanatic devotion Californian's bill eliminates over- employment offices rose to 558,to the old ILA is hard to believe. time exemptions in so-called sea- | 969. This was an increase of more Why? They figure that under old sonal industries, and raises the j than 35,000 in a month and nearly union procedures they can always floor for learners, apprentices, the 1160,000 since the previous year, get the bigger share of the work handicapped and messengers to $1 according to a survey reported by the Bureau of Statistics and the as long as they keep their leaders an hour. Labor Department. 4 4 4 happy. For the first time in history, 4 4 4 Abolish Shape-Up shipping clerks in the dress indus­ AFL Office defeated It is my humble opinion that if try will be covered by a union con- the. BrotherhoodWorkers of Railway Trainthe proper Government authorities tract. Local 60-A of the ILGWU men for bargaining rights for the assured the longshoremen that, no and five employer dress associa- Baltimore Transit Company office matter which union will represent tions agreed to a pact that recog­ workers, formerly held by the them, the Government intends to nized the union, increased wages BRT. Out of 129 votes cast. 111 make sure that the old, evil hiring for 4,000 workers by $3 a week, went to the office workers union practices will be abolished, the provided them with an employer- while the BRT garnered only new AFL-ILA would win clearly financed health and welfare fund seven. Eleven voters chose no any future electipn. and granted vacation and holiday union representation. Let us cooperate with this new benefits. 4 4 4 organization in every way, so that Agreements between five plants 4 4 4 in the near future every longshore­ Nine weeks before their old of the Robert Gair Company and man can enjoy all the good condi­ agreement expired, 6,000 employ­ the International Brotherhood of tions and advantages of democratic ees of the airplane propeller plant Pulp and Paper Mill Workers were hiring, whether he knows the boss of the Hamilton Standard Division renewed with a two percent in­ or not, besides having the privilege of the United Aircraft Corporation crease and several improvements of belonging to an authentic AFL in Windsor Locks, Conn., began in fringe benefits. The two per­ union.* getting nine cents an hour more in cent raise gives the workers an -If the longshoremen would only their pay envelopes under a new average increase of five cents or look the facts in the face and real­ two-year agreement negotiated by better. ize that, finally, after so many Machinists Lodge 743. Besides the 4 4 4 years, somebody is trying to help general wage increase, the agree­ Strike idleness in February was them without getting anything out ment provides for the freezing in­ at its lowest point for the month of .it for themselves in the way to basic rates of a 19-cent-an-hour in more than five years, the l^ureau of monetary gain. With the AFL, cost-of-living adjustment. of Labor Statistics reported. Feb­ the Federal Government and the ruary strikes, totaling 350, in­ 4 4 4 State of New York behind them, Total output bf the nation's fac­ volved 100,000 workers and caused the longshpremen cannot lose if tories has dropped for seven 750,000 man-days of idleness. This they will only rid themselves of Straight months, accor^ng to a re­ compared with 400 strikes in Janutheir shackles. port by the Federid Re^^e Board, ai;^, .involving 150,000 workei-s and The lights are burning late again at the offices of the SIU Scholarship Plan. By September, the Plan will grind out four new $6,000 scholarships and present them to the success­ ful applicants, the list of which already includes three Sea­ farers competing for this year's awards. The children of four Seafarers won the highly-rated awards in 1953. Naturally, with so much at stake the administrators of the SIU awards are still feeling ^heir way cautiously in check­ ing the records op thb achievement and ability of each applicant. " When all procedures are completed, there's the promise of a $6,000 all-expense-paid college education over the hori­ zon for Ahose^wjior aare'successfuj., i uv 4 ) ) U I'f r ^ Luis A. RamlMS oBfe^tlinillion. man-idays. "a| /•I �Face Fonrteca SEAFARERS LOG April t, 1954 L' ' .;'•' • • Close-up I heat W£ recognitij Th| than 1 Castll and Just M menll ••\,'( led tol made 1 livings mii Yetl I'l If it vl life AfJ inspea lives Thefl GoverA chaO'V1' Out 'oil Btructil tightefl down • petus 11 emphil for bol discovlI i propefl unusuH shipbcl discoul1 1 The!H 1 It waiH ''1, disastfl ii while fl 1 H 1 near jS TheB of thSH ij attackl out, 1«I 'l, sequeiS1 i'l for tMW •i I':! At m 1934, •|;t HavanH1 'S tioneiS for hacT JH I '< equippH ilghtinHlii ly, altHWP rain oH asleepH never^lI'll It m l>.i A f(1 ductec the dt was or 6j| sections of the ship, the fire-gutted luxury liner Mprro Castle is shown after it ran aground off Asbury hnt^' nf^ 1^, +rt « curious onlookers swarmed to the beaches, the boardwalk and the windows of the famed Berkeley-Carteret hotel (left rear) to gape at the smoldering vesseL By this time the passengers were off the ship* or had perished* ' J.. repoS by C ] newspl of thef Act �shot of scorched deck shows tremendous extent of fire damage. Terrific rped and twisted steel beams, fittings and deck fioor supports beyond |;0n. ;re have been many worse disasters at sea the burning of the passenger liner Morro le in 1934, but few have been more needless it the same time productive of more good, as the Titanic tragedy led to the establishof the iceberg patrol, the Morro Castle blaze a considerable tightening up of regulations that has life far more safer for those who go to sea for a or for pleasure. with all that went wrong with the Morro Castle, ere not for a few ironic tricks of fate, not a single ' )uld have been lost. It was a combination of loose , tion, bungling, bad weather and fate that cost the »f 124 people aboard. obvious fact of a. needless disaster spurred the iiment into action to remedy conditions so that i . of such disasters would be reduced in the future. • the Morro Castle ^came new rules on fireproof conon, seamen's certificates, lifeboats and equipment, * inspection procedures and a host of other changes through the years that received their original imfrom the disaster. Not the least of these was greater sis placed on tightening up fire-fighting training th unlicensed crew and officers, as a result of the ery that many in the crew were green hands imly qualified for the emergency. This was not an jal situation in the depths of the depression when \ard wages were so low and conditions so poor as to rage the development of professional seamen. I most Ironic part of the Morro Castle story is that j just four hours from safe berth in New York when |!r overwhelmed the ship. And the fire blazed on ithe vessel was just six miles off the Jersey shore, '.•sbury Park. j vessel's run of bad luck began when the skipper ship. Captain Robert Willmott, died of a heart , at 8:45 FM, a few brief hours before the fire broke !;aving the chief officer in charge of the vessel. Subi'v'ly the latter was brought to trial and imprisoned '3 years for his behavior during the emergency, •he time of the fire, the morning of September 8, the Morro Castle was enroute to New York from a, The popular cruise ship was crowded with vaca(iii including ia large quota of honeymooning couples Aom the short cruise was a favorite run. The ship good reputation for speed, comfort and safety, •ed as it was with what was considered a good fireg system and steam-smothering system. Consequent|hough it ran into very heavy weather and pouring iff Cape May, all was quiet aboard with passengers in their cabins—a sleep from which some of them iad a chance to wake. Started in Locker-Room ill-dress Federal investigation of the tragedy, conby the Department of Commerce! confirmed that ,e started in a locker in the ship's writing room. It Ver determined whether a carelessly-lit cigarette iineous combustion was responsible. Fevered press •it the early days spoke darkly of incendiary action hiunists, and a Cuban official interviewed by a Aper reporter said he was convinced it was the work Third International. Jtlly, the facts brought out subsequently show that Failure to launch lifeboats was one of contributing reasons toward heavy loss of life on the ship. Portside photo of the burning Morro Castle shows three lifeboats still on davits. the fire was discovered by the night watchmen at 2:50 AM in the morning, by which time it had spread into the library. He in turn notified the second officer, who in­ stead of sounding an alarm, attempted to put out the fire with a hand extinguisher! After five minutes of this, he gave up the attempt and turned in an alarm. But the fire grew with increasing rapidity, feeding on the wood panel­ ling, the heavy drapes and carpeting in the library, lounge and.recreation room. Apparently, no attempt was made to confine the fire in the first instance by closing off any of the rooms and cutting off air to the flames. The ignor­ ance of elementary fire-fighting principles shown by offi­ cers and crew throughout was later traced to a very good cause—the fact that fire and boat drills were a rarity on board the ship. From her>" one mistake piled on top of another in dizzy fashion. A leading culprit in the subsequent trend of events was the ship's chief engineer. Only twenty minutes after the alarm was turned in and the crew had gotten to fire stations power failed, and the water-pumps stopped functioning. Smoke had driven the crew from the engine room in confusion. The inquiry board found that the chief engineer had never gone to his post when the alarm was sounded, but headed straight for a lifeboat after a pre­ liminary look at the situation on deck. 3rd Assistant Action Things might have been worse were it not for the action of the 3rd assistant who braved the smoke to shut down the plant. He rigged the pumps to run on steam remain­ ing in the boilers so that passengers at the stern of D-Deck had some water power in the hoses with which to fight the flames. In rapid order the flames roared through passageways trapping many passengers in their bunks. Many who were seasick were unable to escape. Although the ship was close to shore within easy reach of dozens of small craft and Coast Guard stations, the first SOS was not sent out until 4:23 AM, an hour and a half after the first small blaze in the locker began. By 6 AM, when rescue ships were at hand, the blaze had burned right through midships, separating passengers and crew on the fore and aft sections of the ship. All lifeboats on the port side were burned before an attempt was made to launch them. When it was all over, the empty boats sitting on the burned-out deck were mute testimony to their uselessness. In response to the SOS large numbers of rescue ships converged on the scene, the Mon:irch of Bermuda and City of Savannah leading the flottila. The Monarch of Bermuda approached within a hundred feet of the blazing Morro Castle to pick up survivors, and that ship's pas­ sengers watching the awesome spectacle in the rain-swept seas, could feel the seai'ing heat of the flames. Steel Beams Twisted Those who boarded the smoldering ship the next day found the decks littered with shoes and clothes discarded by passengers who had jumped into the sea. The heat of the fire had fused glass to the portholes and twisted steel beams completely out of shape. SuiYivors, who flooded hospitals in New Jersey shore resorts added to numerous eyewitness accounts of the tragedy. Of five couples who had jumped into the water together in an attempt to swim ashore, two survived after six hours in the water. Two 72-year-old twins who were separated during the blaze were rescued separately and reunited ashore. One woman told of being kept afloat for hours by her husband, only to have him collapse and die as rescue arrived. The fact that the fire had taken place so close to shore under the eyes of thousands of witnesses added to public interest and to demands for action. The acting captain and chief engineer as well as the company were brought to trial in a Federal court. After lengthy proceedings, the jury concluded that the company was negligent be­ cause the ship was not kept in port long enough for thor­ ough inspection, and fire drills were rare. Firefighting equipment had deteriorated for lack of maintenance and the crew was untrained and disorganized. The acting captain was found guilty of delay in send­ ing out an SOS while the chief was rapped on the charge of fleeing to the first lifeboat. The results were jail terms for the two officers and a $5,000 fine for the company. However, the trials were the least of that which fol­ lowed. Far more important were investigations condutted by the Commerce Department and subsequently by the Senate Committee on Commerce. The outcome was significant new legislation, which has led to Ameri­ can ships being the safest afloat today. Among the changes that resulted were the following: • Engine joom unlicensed crewmembers had to get rat­ ings just as ABs did, via passage of tests. The practice of getting lifeboat tickets was encouraged in all three departments. • Woodwork and inflammable material in upholstery and drapes was ruled out in new passenger ship construc­ tion, a practice which extendied to all large ocean-going vessels under the US flag. • All passenger vessels had to be divided vertically by flametight steel bulkheads from deck to deck, insulated and stiffened to prevent spread of fire through the bulk­ head. Similar bulkheads were required on stairways, boundaries of galleys, cargo spaces, engine rooms and storerooms. • Regular fire patrols, steam smothering systems, suit­ able fire extinguishing apparatus, gas masks and emer­ gency equipment were required of all passenger vessels. • New specifications were written as to hull construc­ tion, engine room installations, pumps, windlasses and winches, etc. • Minimum life-saving needs were specified including a minimum number of davits per vessel and minimum ca­ pacity of the boats. The construction of lifeboats was minutely specified. • Regular crew fire drills before departure and at sea were required. Passenger fire drills and station bills were also written into law. • Annual inspections by qualified inspection men were called for. • Ships had to be built wittt watertight bulkheads and, watertight doors. Regular drills were ordered for oper­ ating the watertight doors, air ports, valves and scupper closings. The above, in brief, represents some of the main changes that resulted from the Morro Castle fire. Through the years they have been added to and improved so that the danger of fire, while nfever completely absent, could be reduced to a minimum. •I dl . I -II'jlI • "I M •| • ';sl 1 AI .:"i| •ll �Fiicc Stxfeea SEAFARERS LOG April S. 1954 SEAFARERS Forty-one member shipping lines of two trans-Pacific conferences inplan to set a minimum rate of $12 a ton for most goods transported Shipboard Accident Survey from Japan to Atlantic Coast ports in the US and $9 a ton on ship­ The SlU-manned Waterman Steamship Company has worked up a ments to the West Coast. The new tariffs are expected to he placed survey of all the causes of shipboard accidents on their ships during in effect April 1 .. A ship without a crew of seamen, the Diitch freighter the entire year of 1953, in order to find out what constituted the great­ Amstelstad, docked in Vancouver, BC, recently from Japan after 10 est shipboard hazards. The survey, based on accident reports from the officers and six stewards had turned sailors to make the voyage after 19 crewmembers had deserted the ship in Japan in a protest against The consideration shown by Frank various ships, showed a total of 1,147 accidents throughout the fleet Airey, night cook and baker for the well distributed among a variety of causes. But the greatest single a hard-driving mate, had food, unclean bedding and too much work. four-to-eight watch on the Ocean t 4 cause of accidents was under the heading of slipping, tripping and The Argentine Merchant Marine will inaugurate a new service to Lotte was duly noted and com­ falling. Black Sea ports shortly when the tanker Islas Orcadas sails with mended in the ship's minutes. All in all, 325 men were hurt because of obstacles underfoot or poor 10,000 tons of linseed oils for the European ports. The vessel will re­ Airey got the thanks of the men for serving them an early breakfast sea legs. Padeyes and chain lashings, door sill's, lines, wet decks due turn from Soviet ports with an equal tonnage of fuel oil .. Salvage ships raised the 1,740-ton Soviet steamer Ligovo from the Kiel Canal and making things a little easier to weather conditions contributed. Unsecured ladders and rolling of and towed it into the harbor. The Ligovo sank January 22 after col­ for the men on that watch. the ship were also responsible for a number of such accidents. On the Airey, who Is a native of Panama, liding with a Danish vessel...The 7.000-ton British freighter Triland other hand there was only one accident involving a man falling from was towed into Halifax, NS, harbor 14 days after the ship's fuel was has been sailing SIU ships for the rigging and overhead stages, where most people would assume that last three years. He makes his exhausted battling huge waves 385 miles east of the mty. Gales ham­ home in the Canal Zone where he most of the danger lies. pered the rescue operation. can watch the ships go by when The other major cause of mishaps involved handling of objects on if ICi not aboard one. board ship. Including strains and sprains from lifting objects, being Unloadings of railroad freight cars for export and coastal shipment hit by a falling object, bruised or cut against machinery and equip­ 4, 41 last year at the port of Charleston, SC, showed a 19 percent Increase ment, hurt by slipping wrenches, knife cuts and the like. over 1952 figures, with 11 Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf ports showing gains Being treasurer of the ship's fund Half of Total in this field. Twenty-nine ports showed decreases and the over-all is an added responsibility that can drop was 12 percent . . The shipping industry will participate in safety be a little bit of a Between them, these two general categories accoimted for half of conferences Aprii 5-9 at the 24th annual convention and exposition of heaidache. It also all shipboard accidents. In other words, the accidents were of the the Greater New York Safety Council. Ship operators, shipbuilders means a little ely­ kind that could happen in any industrial installation anywhere, with and stevedores will discuss topics including safety engineering tech­ tra work for a shipboard weath'er conditions being an extra added hazard. niques, material handling, shipbuilding and repair yard safety and crewmember on 4 4 4 safety for oil tankers, passenger vessels and dry cargo ships. his own time, keeping track of New Seasickness Cure? 4. 4. t the money in the The John D. McKean, the city's newest fireboat, was launched re­ Seamen don't like to talk about it too much, but when the going cently by Mrs. Robert F. Wagner, wife of the mayor of New York City. fund. really gets rough, some of the more experienced hands will get as Richard Paw­ It was launched in Camden, NJ, and is the first addition to the metro­ seasick as the rawest newcomer. In recent, years quite a few seasick­ Pawlak politan fleet in 14 years...The first Uruguayan ship to call at New lak, treasurer of ness pills have been tried out with indifferent success. the fund on the York in several years is expected here sometime this month. The ves­ Seatrain Louisiana, apparently did Now the Navy has come up with a new combination called Bonamine, sel is the 3,805-ton freighter Carrasco, American-built, and owned and a good job, because the ship's crew which. It is claimed, will give 24-hour protection against seasickness operated by the Uruguayan Government. gave him a vote of thanlu when in a single dose in "most cases." Tests conducted aboard a troopship i ^ » he ended his term of service and showed that only six of 115 soldiers given the drug experienced the The first vessel to bring foreign iron ore to the Pennsylvania Rail­ turned over his duties to another usual symptoms of seasickness. Soldiers who received dummy tablets road's new $10,000,000 ore pier in the Delaware River in Philadelphia, Seafarerer selected by his ship­ that contained no real medication were seasick in much larger num­ Pa., was the Andre, carrying 10,000 tons from Peru.. A fioating ma­ mates. bers. The same tests were conducted with paratroopers to combat rine repair shop, belonging to the Army, was launched at Bethlehem's airsickness. Sails On Deck Staten Island yard. It is designed for repairs to small craft, such as The new medication is now being sold commercially for use by Pawlak, who has been an SIU landing ships, at advanced bases. Germany is adding five tankers, all travelers, but seamen can't be blamed if they are skeptical of its vir­ member since February, 1949, sails large vessels, to its fleet this year, raising it considerably. At the be­ tues and stick to the old tea and cracker routine, or whatever their regularly in the deck department. ginning of the year. West Germany had a fleet of 74 vessels of ap­ own personal remedy happens to be. . He's a native New Yorker, 27 years proximately 270,000 deadweight, tons in service. old. He now makes his home in 4 4 4 t 4. t Bayonne, New Jersey. The completion of a new $750,000 river barge terminal at Chicago, A New Trade, Chemical Carriers 4 4" 4" 111., was announced by the American Waterways Operators, Inc. The A new type tanker industry under development now is carrying of new installation, which has a 2,000-foot dock and provides unloading A good job as ship's delegate was space for 25 box cars, . 20 open cars and 20 large trailer trucks, is done on the Shinnecock Bay (Mar liquid chemicals in specially-built ships. The SlU-manned Val Chem located on the Chicago River section of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Trade) by Clifton and Excello are two of a growing fleet of such ships. Ships like these > Canal, It will help to serve river traffic on the Illinois Waterway, G. McLellan. The carry a variety of products such as inorganic acids, caustics aqd syn­ which last year exceeded 18,500,000 tons. ship's minutes re­ thetic organic compounds. New Chemical Tanker ported that Mc­ 4" t , 4" » Lellan got the Recently Dow Chemical built the first tanker designed from the start The world's first mastless liner, the $16.8 million Drient Lines Orcaptain to lift for this kind of operation, since all chemical carriers previous to that sova, sailed from London, England, recently on her maiden voyage to logs he had im­ were converted tankers or bulk carriers. The new ship, the Marine Australia. Designers eliminated the conventional mast and planned a posed against Dow Ghem looks like a conventional T-2, but is able to carry up to 11 streamlined funnel that could be rigged to carry the radio antenna and three of the crew- different chemicals at the same time. This is made possible by the halyards The Navy announced that eight additional Governmentmembers, and fact that the tanks, pumps and vents are separated, so that there can owned ships of the MSTS fleet would be inactivated and placed in the handled other be no intermixing of chemical products. In addition, the chemical McLellan reserve fleet. The vessels will be overhauled and inactivated in private beefs in satisfac­ tankers can carry a certain amount of petroleum should the demand shipyards before being laid up in both Atlantic and Pacific reserve tory fashion. warrant. fleets. Easier Payoff In the Marine Dow Chem, four tanks are designed to carry corrosive 4^ t The Public Works Superintendent of New York State, Bertram D. His prompt shipboard represen­ caustic soda and are made accordingly out of pure nickel or steel cov­ Tallamy, announced the state barge canal opening schedule for the tation meant that there was that ered with nickel to prevent corrosion. The caustic soda has to be 1954 navigation season, weather and water conditions permitting, to much less for the boardiiig patrol­ kept at a rather high temperature, so that heating coils of nickel are be: the Champlain Canal to open April 5, and the Erie, Oswego and man to deal with at the ship's ar­ built in. This product is used widc-y in making soap, pulp, paper, Cayuga-Seneca Canals on April 12... The Chilean Government de­ rival, making for a smoother and rayon and other industrial items. Tanks * designed for carrying hydrochloric acids are lined with clared the country's principal ports emergency zones because of a speedier payoff for all concerned. strike of merchant marine officers. The walkout tied up more than 40 McLellan, a deck depertment rubber, and other tanks especially adapted accordingly. All chemical coastal vessels .. Finnish seamen, incensed at the "reactionary social man, has been an SIU member cargoes are isolated from the shell of the ship and any other steel policies" of a shipping company owned by the Soviet Union, recently since September, 1948, joining the surfaces which they would corrode, or from which they would get con­ called a successful strike against the line and forced Russia to give in union in San Francisco. The 35- taminated. to the workers. The seamen were members of the Finnish Seamen's year-old Seafarer Is k native of Other products carried by the chemical tankers include formalde­ Union . . . The Socony-Vacuum tanker Eclipse demonstrated the navi­ the Keystone state, Pennsylvania, hyde, liquid fertilizers, sulphates and simifar items. They can be ex­ gability of the Hudson River by going up to Albany even though she but now has home and family In pected to play a more important role in coastwise shipping in the next displaces 25,000 tons. It was the largest tanker ever to dock at Albany. Phoenix, Arizona. few years. ACTION Burly Dry Run By Bernard Seaman �SEAFARERS April 2. 1954 LOG Pare SeTenteea Yarmonth IShows Law Loopholes (Continued from page 3) responsible for the scheme would soon be telling his cellmates all about it in a Federal pen. When the shipowner does it, he gets the blessing of the Maritime Adminis­ tration and the Department of Commerce. No fJnifonn Requirements ^ The trouble is, as the "New York Times" put it in a recent article on transfers, "it is a surprising fact that the nations of the world have failed to develop any uniform pre­ requisites for granting maritime nationality to a vessel. Each coun­ try has the right to determine for itself the requirements which do­ mestic or foreign-owned ships must meet to fly its flag. Any country, may, if it desires, grant this right to foreign owned and operated vessels ..." The article goes on to point out "Not only may a ship owner avoid his national legislation by the de­ vice of foreign registration, but the foreign state is free under pres­ ent international law, to grant its flag to the vessel without demand­ ing more than the filing of an ap­ plication and the payment of a pre­ scribed fee . . . the flag-state has no effective control over the ves­ sel, which may not even touch the ports of the flag state. In this situ- going to bother to check the Yaration neither the flag state nor ' mouth to see if men sailing as any other country is in a position AB's, firemen, electricians, etc., to control the ship on the high are qualified ratings. Nor will these men, sailing regularly in and out seas ..." of Boston need port security cards It concludes by suggesting that steps should be taken through the and Coast Guard clearances to man UN for effective control of such the ship, unless they happen to be US citizens. ships. Hired Through Office The newly-created Boston-LiberMen on such ships are usually ians, who fall exactly within the category described above, have hired the old-fashioned way, been operating the Yarmouth un­ through the company office. Or der the American flag ever since else they are referred to the com­ the ship came out in 1927. Each pany by the consulate with no spring when the ice goes out, the questions asked. Yarmouth provides direct-access One thing about the latest Yar­ service between Boston and Nova mouth development is quite cer­ Scotia, a run that has been main­ tain though—the new Liberian tained steadily except during the ship and its owners will never get war years. within radar-hailing distance of Eastern was one of the first Liberian shores. companies under contract when In defending ship transfers re­ the SIU was organized in 1939 and cently before a Congressional its ships have been manned by Sea­ Committee, Maritime Administra­ farers ever since. One of the bene­ tor Louis Rothschild said that fits the company gains through the transfers were preferable to lay­ transfer is the privilege of hiring ing up or scrapping the ships. aliens at whatever wage it feels What Rothschild failed to say was like paying. Wages on Panamanian that each such transfer further and Liberian ships vary widely, but tightens the noose around Ameri­ it is not unusual for such ships to can flag shipping by putting exist­ hire men for $60 to $80 a month ing shipping operations in jeopardy and 40 cents an hour for overtime. through cut-throat competition. In Further, nobody from Liberia is most instances it is the existence of such cut-throat competition that makes it unprofitable for American-flag ships to operate. Maritime people would readily agree that removal of Panamanian and Liberian operations and their ilk from the high seas would make it possible for ships to operate profitably under the American The AFL-ILA's pointed out that flag. the "wildcat" strike"" was merely a political pressure device and had no connection with any legitimate economic beef. As the days wore on and the (Continued from page 6) "wildcat" weakened, the old ILA attempted a variety of smokescreen were lots of football, "pools" for diversions which had little effect big prizes. cn the waterfront. Since Curacao was close by They went so far as to dispatch Venezuela and many Seafarers several busloads of men to Wash­ take part in the big South Ameri­ ington where they picketed the can lotteries each year, the next NLRB offices and the White House. possibility checked was whether Observers were puzzled as to just Venezuela had just held a big what they hoped to gain through sweepstakes. The answer was neg­ these tactics, reminiscent of those ative here also. The prize was used by the Civil Rights Congress much smaller and the last one and other organizations generally was held in the fall of 1953. considered Communist-dominated. New Orleans was advised from Meanwhile, other Atlantic Coast headquarters that Hals couldn't ports like Boston, Philadelphia and have won the Irish Sweepstakes, Baltimore hummed feverishly in an even though there are two of them attempt to handle Iraffic diverted each year. The one prior to this was from New York. Longshoremen in held last fall before Hals bought those ports, still affiliated with the his "winning" ticket; the latest one old ILA, were busy unloading cargo wasn't due to be run off until that normally would be handled by March 27, and Hals had already New York longshoremen currently "won" it early in March. being kept from their jobs by the Since the Del Norte was still in port. Inquiries were started among old ILA. NLRB Throws Out Dock Vote, Orders New Pier Election (Continued from page 2) of the old ILA and further weaken­ ing its finances. Beatings and Knifings The NLRB examiner's report placed heavy stress on the pres­ ence of known waterfront hoods in and around polling places, on beat­ ings Inflicted on several longshore­ men and on the knifing of three men in Brooklyn by a mob led by Albert Ackilitis. Further substantiation of the AFL's charges of violence and in­ timidation came in the course of the so-called "wildcat" strike which the ILA called In a desperate at­ tempt to blackjack the NLRB into a decision it wanted. There were several instances of attacks on working longshoremen, their cars, telephoned threats to families, rock-throwing and the like. In one Instance ILA enforcers went so far as to invade a longshoreman's home and threaten his wife and children. Despite all the old ILA's tactics, each day saw larger numbers of longshoremen working the docks. VOLUMES OF THE Seafarers Log 1947-1953 ( Inclusive) kdittfr, SEAFARERS LOG ,lroeUyn 32, N»w York - 67S Fourth AVMUU PUuM itnd mo tho following: U) • • . I I I I I I I lb) .bound volumM of tho 1953 LOG ® $S ooch. comploto tots of bound volumoi of tho LOG for 1947 through 1951 ® $25 ooch. Encloiod li 0 totof of l., NAME •t««00f«0«*«»0«*0»«f0009*«t00090«0ft00 ADDRESS « • g • 0 # 0 • • .• V A." • 0 b« 0 0 f 9,4 *'4 0 ,g i • 0 .Lr::;:- M •• The carcass of a whale is scattered all over the foredeck of the whale factory ship Ulysses where massive.chunks of%halemeat and bone are cut up and prepared for processing. Work on another whale is already going forward on the afterdeck (rear). Sea Lif eToday^Tame' To Whaleship Baud (Continued from page 9) has about 30 years sailing time un­ der his belt, about equally split be­ tween foreign and US ships. His last SIU ship was the Robin Ket­ tering (Seas), which he had to leave in Africa due to illness. Later he repatriated back to the States on the Robin Locksley, an­ other Seas Shipping Company ves­ sel. Jacobsen reported that this Did He Win $140G's? NOW AVAILABLE BOUND iEiiliiilii ttooo^iooo . ' $25 was the first time in all his yean of sailing that he had to be hos­ pitalized. The way the whaling operation worked, the whales were hunted down and harpooned from small boats, then towed to the ship and secured aft, where they could be hauled aboard one by one with the aid of giant booms located amid­ ships. Whenever the ship was car­ rying whales aft, it moved slowly to avoid catching one of the mon­ sters in the propeller. On the afterdeck, the whale was cut up and the blubber removed so that the carcass could be moved to the foredeck where the meat and bone was retrieved. Although the familiar cry "She blows!" was always an exciting one on a whaling ship, especially when luck was poor and a catch was few and far between, Jacobsen ac­ knowledged that he'd had some ex­ citing times during World War II also. He made 21 trips across the North Atlantic, about a half dozen more between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean and spent some eight months shuttling along the English coast. The only ship he lost during this period was a Swedish freighter, which went down off the coast of England. the crewmembers. The Seafarer who was with Hals when he bought his ticket didn't remember what lottery it was on. The problem was to locate some­ body on the ship who had actually seen or spoken to the man who came aboard the Del Norte in Cu­ racao. This was established by a deck department man who said he talked with the guy, who had said a wire was being held for Hals in the steamship company agent's of­ fice informing Hals that he had a winning ticket. However, the doubting Thomases again entered the picture here, noting that in the case of the Irish Sweepstakes at least, the winners are informed directly by cable. Since Hals lives in New Orleans and obviously planned to make only one trip on the ship he would certainly have given his New Or­ leans address. Spoke To Two Others Two other crewmembers then appeared to volunteer the inform­ ation that they too had spoken to (Continued from page 3) the company representative and were told Hals had the winning lay-up fleets. Industry spokesmen, ticket. One of them said he knew however, urged that prior consider­ it wasn't the Irish Sweepstakes ation be given to those operators that was involved, but that it was with surplus freighters originally the "English Sweepstakes" instead. bought from the Government. They contended that the private opera­ However, there just isn't any. There the matter stands. The tors with idle ships of the desired LOG contacted the agent in Cu­ type should have priority to sell racao, but has gotten no answers them to Brazil. In other legislative action on as yet. The winners of the Irish Sweepstakes have already been maritime matters, a House unit also announced and Hals is definitely aired the question of the competi­ tion with private shipping posed not among them. Hals, meanwhile, is still upset by the Military Sea Transporta­ over the whole thing because he tion Service, which both union and thinks he is out a big wad of dough industry officials charge with offer­ and now all sorts of people are ing unfair competition in the after him to help him collect the carriage of both cargoes and loot—^for a price, in advance. He passengers. Opposition to the said he'd been buying all kinds of MSTS operation hinges on its lottery tickets for 20 years and movement of freight and passen­ the biggest prize he ever won pre­ gers which private shippers conviously was $30 in a Venezuelan fend could be just as easily moved pool. Now he's poorer by $140,000 by idle private tonnage. MSTS of­ that he never had anyway, unless ficials have defended the agency further inquiries at Curacaq can OQ the groM.nd that private operaestablish what, if anything, lie ^tors do not have the proper vessels flS'liandle tfie disputed shipments. ' ' won, and on whatT- ^ Unions Leading Transfer Fight �Pare Eirhten SEAFARERS LOO Shark Fishing Chief Attraction Aboard Vessel On Far East Run That one man was both the son and the father of a President of the United States? John Scott Har­ rison, bom in 1804 at Vincennes, Indiana, was the son of William Henry Harrison, ninth President of the US, and father of Benjamin Harrison, the twenty-third Presi­ dent. His only activity in politics was the four years he spent as a member of Congress from Ohio. tub was installed in the home of a Cincinnati, .Ohio, grain dealer in 1842. It was made of mahogany lined with sheet lead. 4 4 4" lb"* (be greatest source of tax revenue for the Federal Govern­ ment in the fiscal year which ended last June, aside from Income taxes, was from liquor taxes? A total of more than $1.8 billion in liquor t taxes was collected by-the Govern­ That if you're dealt a perfect ment during the period, an average hand in gin rummy, you've beaten of $11.50 for every man, woman odds of 13,629 to 1 against you? and child in the US. IliHiff "'liiHa =1 April S. 1954 4- ; 4" t That when an SIU ship is due to lay up for a period of more than ten days but comes out again within ten days, wages and sub­ sistence are payable to all mem­ bers of the crew entitled to return to the vessel who were laid off? When ships are inactive for less than ten days, the crew must be kept on at regular pay. t li I kr: if it \i Very dead shark hanrs limply on deck of the Robin Locksley as two of the crewmembers stand alongside it to have their pictures shot by the shipboard photographer. It was a 12-footer. The shark was taken after a fierce running battle. James Byrne, a mighty fisher­ man he, shows what a shark's dental work looks like without the rest of it. That Thomas A. Edison did not invent the incandescent electric lamp? Edison, however, was the first man to invent ap, incandescent electric lamp whlCn^was not only successful but which could be man­ ufactured commercially. Attempts by others to use electricity for lighting purposes were made with arc lights as early as 1800, nearly 80 years before Edison succeeded. 4> 41 4 4 4 4 That the SIU films "This Is The SIU," "The Battle of Wall Street" and the newest one—"The Sea­ farers: The Story of The SIU," in color, are available for showings on all ships? If the crew on your ship hasn't seen these Union films, prints can be obtained through SIU headquarters or any SIU hall. 4 4 4 That when billiard champ Willie Hoppe retired at the age of 65 in 1952, he had won the record num­ ber of 51 world billiard titles in a career dating back to his teens? To top things off properly, Hoppe cap­ tured the three-cushion crown for the sixth time in a row the year he retired. 4 4 4 That an edition of the Bible printed in London in 1631 was called the "Wicked Bible" because it appeared to sanction adultery? The unintentional omission of the word not in the edition made the Seventh Commandment read "Thou Shalt commit adultery," and all copies of the edition were or­ dered destroyed. "The few copies which escaped this edict are val­ uable collectors' items today. Just in case there is any doubt about who caught that 12-foot shark aboard the Robin That the first bathtub used in Locksley of Seas, reported in the February 19 issue of the LOG, Seafarer James Byrne America was imported from Eng­ wants it cleared up here and now. The intrepid worm-strangler said it was he and no other land about 1820 by Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin? Since who should get credit for the 4^ snare, and this is the way it force of its weight on the line. A of the tyro, or some brand of as­ it was an object of much curiosity, happened: call to arms brought the bosun and sorted relative at the very least. it is said Whitney kept it in the With the vessel anchored off the carpenter post haste. The duo The shark was hauled level with front yard of his home in New Tamatave, Madagascar, the junior quickly took hold of the line and the rail and suspended there for a York City when it wasn't in use thii'd assistant engineer dropped a pulled with all their strength, but­ time while the lens addicts took so that passersby could examine it. The first American-made' bath­ quarter-inch line over the aft end tressed by the strong coffee bean. shots to satiate their desires. of the ship one evening after din­ Byrne, in the meantime, was tak­ Top Shark ner. It was all in pursuit of some ing hitches on the line around the Lowering the denizen, of the diversion while the ship lay in rail. deep on the deck on a previously Bulbs Popping port. The line had a three-inch prepared foot scale, the shark , was steel hook on the end of it, baited The trio got the head out of the measured to be a 12-footer, weigh­ with a hunk of meat. water so that the air might stifle ing in at around 800 pounds on Nothing happened all that night the sea monster, taking some, of the fin. The fish was 42 inches or the next morning, but develop­ the fight out of it before they had around at its widest girth and had Seafarer^ true to the tradition of the sea, take their ship­ ments occurred apace soon after. to meet it head-on. By this time, a mouth span of 18 inches across. Around coffeetime on that Sunday the news had spread all over the It looked like a dental advertise­ board duties seriously, reported Seafarer Edwin Roop re­ morning, while the bosun and ship, with the amateur photog­ ment. It was the largest caught in cently aboard the Cubore (Ore),, In addition to the normal ship's carpenter were relaxing in raphers among the crew having s these waters, and one of the largest exigencies occurring aboard-^— — :— the shade of a nearby awning with field day. Bulbs kept popping, sharks snared anywhere in the ship, every Seafarer is ready the time being, the crew radioed their caffein in hand, Byrne went shutters kept clicking, and the trio waters of the world. to lend a hand in unforeseen ashore for further orders. After to try his hand at the line still kept hauling away. The electrician circumstances. Just silch a thing some time had passed, the ship re­ Letting pride fall where it may, hanging limply over the side of the put power on the winches, while the bosun hung the shark over the occured on the last trip of the ceived a message dfrecting that the ship. After reeling in one foot of the bosun and carpenter fashioned side the people on shore could Cubore when the captain crossed captain be buried at sea and his the line, Byrne was sorry he start­ a noose down the cable and ran take so a gander. The launches were the bar. body consigned to the deep. ed the whoie thing, because things it under the main fins. The ship was one-^ay out of running all day, with the crowd Weigh Down Body reaily began to happen. As the monster started up the coming out in droves. The next Sparrows's Point, Maryland, On a side of the ship, four pilot fish Acting on the orders, the bosun, , return run when, A Call To Amu Si" with the assistance of several mem-dropped off its sides and slid into day the line was cut and the car­ according to Something snapped the bait on the waters alongside a three-foot cass was consigned to the sea once Roop, the captain bers of the crew, sewed the skip­ the end of the line as if it were a baby shark which accompanied the more, but not before its jawbone, of per's body in canvas. Four pieces the vessel left teeth and all, were removed as a tidbit, and in the process trapped catch. The shark the men had of steel, each about four feet long, this earthly Byrne's hand to the rail with the caught was apparently the mother trophy. Were placed in the canvas next to world., He was Just about that time the^xliscusthe body to give weight to the sion arose as to who was the right­ buried at sea one sack and to sink the corpse. In ad-, day out of port ful claimant' to the finny, prize. dition, two buckets Of iron ore, in Friday, The bbsuh and carpenter each put on ip rock form, were emptied into the March 12, 1954, in their claim, disputing ^ Byrne's. Si#- canvas to help'weigh it down as^ But that was not ail, as the en- but not before Roop it plunged to the bottom. his Seafarer crew (1) What percent of ships owned by US citizens is now sailing gineerJ^ho started the whole thing saw to it that he wore all the ap­ •Ceremonies were held on the, claimebljt was, his line' and hook. propriate regalia. under foreign flags? stern of the vessel, with full The ar^ment was still raging at (2) Working together, Harry and John can do a certain repair job last report, but Byrne stuck stead­ Captain Mason, reported Roop, honors paid the captain by his was 53-years-old when he set sail crew. The chief officer, after the in 12 hours. Harry can do the whole job himself in 20 hours. How fastly to h^ line: on his final voyage. The mastor of captaii's demise, read the services. long, would it take John to do the job alone? OS'Over Side the vessel passed away during the The' deceased was then consigned (3) What famous news commentator devoted his television pro­ The daring devotee of iMak Wal­ 12-4 morning watch aboard the to the waters of the' Atlantic gram to an attack on Senator Joseph McCarthy and attracted nation­ ton had other news to report from Cubore after being io> Ul-healtb Ocean as the skipper made hie wide attention? , the vessel. He claims there was a most of the voyage to Venezuela. final voyage. balmy OS aboard who jumped Once the initial' shock had sub­ (4) Who is "Nick The Greek?" over the side of the ship and, swam sided, the crew got to work <5) What was the Ludlow massacre? to the beach and back. Of course, quicidy. • CrosB River Styx (6) A certain formation of clouds helps to form what is called a that was before the shark was If a cbewmember quits while The captain's body was bathed "Mackerel Sky." What is the name of the cloud formation? caught. That little bit of action a ship is in port, delegates and otheiwise prepared for its seemed to put a damper on any t7) Where does the New York Giants baseball team conduct are asked to contact,the hall repeats of the Same; aquatorial journey across the river Styx, with spring training? immediately for a replaceall hands pitching in to help. Then valor. .ment. Fast action on their part (8) Why are grooves placed around the edges of most coins? In one, English pub, said Byrne, one cfewmember covered the body will keep all jobs aboard ship with vaseline to exclude air and he saw a sign above the bar, writ­ (9) Leningrad's name in pre-Communist Russia was (a) Oathfilled at all times and elimi­ ten in typical British jargon; "We Wrapped-the body in a sheet before erinegrad, (b) St. Petersburg, ><c) St. Sophia? nate the chance of the ship severaUthuskles carried the body haves, cold, beers we haves, here,^' (101 What was the Battle of Zama? ' ' ' The beer, Byrne reported, was below and placed it in an iceboxV sailing shorthiuicled. ,much fbfttar, tbajpi! ,the-^f5ainnvyr,a:., j iSifith r, ' • ! v-J'i ' Sti #- Seafarers Mourn For Skipper on Final Trip W: m- Corner Fill That Berth i �April 2. 1954 SEAFARERS LOG Page Nineteen Brother Trio Goes Prospecting For What-Have-You In Colorado By SEAFARERS LOG Photo Editor There's nothing like getting away from the sea for a little relaxation, according to a report from Seafarer Chester Hughart, Hughart, it seems, got as far away from the sea as is possible for almost any man, so he should know whereof he speaks. Vacationing far from th^-*^' coasts on which he sails, the Union, invaded the prospecting his brothers were prospecting for, Hughart, along with two country in the hills of Colorado. but it can safely be concluded that The search for a satisfactory still camera that will take photographs In rapid sequence ("rapid" in this case meaning as fast as the photogra­ pher can press the shutter release) has grown in intensity during the past few years. The most urgent demands have come from the army of photo journalists who have designated themselves the vanguard of American photography. . brothers of the flesh rather than Hughart didn't say what he and This group has, in turn, been motivated by the editorial direction of many current periodicals. Editors more and fRore want photographers to preserve the precise sequence of events with all the sense of excitment and movement in the original situation. Sometimes this series of dramatic images is molded into a form called the "picture story." At other times action is published for its own sake because of some in­ trinsic point of observation or clear insight. Since one medium already exists in everyday life that dods this job beautifully—namely, the mov­ ies—much editorial thinking is actually an attempt to recreate with still photographs a similar illusion of motion. German Ditto 99 As a result photographers and. editors have turned hopefully to the rapid sequence camera with its motorized film transport and portability. Any or all of these interested parties would probably agree that the ideal sequence camera has not yet been invented. Nevertheless the German-made "Ditto 99" which has recently appeared on the American market has many features which make it a rapid sequence camera to be regarded with sei'ious consideration. The Ditto 99 is a full frame 35mm camera with a spring-operated motor that automatically transports the film and cocks the shutter up to 12 times in each winding. (The earlier Robot operated up to 24 times). It has a distinctive appearance with its body of satin chrome finish metal and light grey ribbed body covering. While not so compact as some 35mm cameras which do not have its spring drive motor, it is well designed and light in weight (22 ounces) considering the problems of fitting this kind of mechanism into a small precision caniera. Film loading is an important part of the proper functioning of the Ditto. The bottom and back of the camera are removed entirely by twisting a single knob. Because the film moves so rapidly, it is es­ pecially important that the rewind knob interfere in no way with the film magazine during operation. The conventional sprocket threading of a 35mm camera is eliminated in the Ditto. Instead, the film is gripped by holding pins that are built directly onto' the barrel of the spring motor, which actually serves as a take-up spool. A scratch-proof hinged pressure plate attached to the camera body serves to keep the film in exact alignment as it is sped through the camera. When the spring runs down there is no danger of partial exposure since only the transport is dependent on the drive spring; the shutter operates as usual only on pressure from the shutter release and this cannot be re­ leased if the film has not been fully transported to the next frame. Shutter speeds from 1/25 to 1/1000 a second plus B are set with a clearly marked dial on top of the camera body. The shutter is synched for all flash delays. The standard Ditto 99'lens is the 45mm Dittar 2.8. Because of the. great depth of field and the nature of the work usually done with a sequence camera, it has no rangefinder. The lens is interchangeable with telephoto lenses of 70 and 105mm focal length. Also available is a focussing head for distance from 8 to 24 inches. Price of the Ditto 99 with standard lens is $99.00 including tax, less carrying case and flash. The manufacturer has recently announced a new version of the camera with a slightly higher price which will provide a slow shutter Prospecting trio taking time out for a coffee break Include, left to speeds below the l/25th, also the ability to focus down to 8 inches right, Chester, James and Roger Hughart, above, while below, without any supplementary accessories. | Roger, left, watches Chester take rock scraping at cave entrance. Galley Crew Makes It Hot For Chow Hounds it fell somewhere alphabetically between aluminum and zinc. Using Lakewood, Colorado, as a base of operations for their dual project, the brothers Hughart fanned out throughout the state until they came to a campsite about 35 miles west of Denver, the capital of said state. Despite pros­ pecting and vacationing in the dead of winter, early last Febru­ ary, the touring trio found plenty of occasion to doff their shirts and bask in the hot winter sun. All that about two miles up. Packing all their mountain climbing and prospecting equip­ ment, Hughart and his brothers, James and Roger, set out for the wilds of the countryside. Armed only with pots, pans, coffeemaker and beer, as well as less important provisions, the trio made their way up and down those red hills for which the state is justly famous. Aware of ever-present danger, the brothers brought along their trusty flashlights as well as their what-have-you counters, just in case they ran across any what,have-yous while they were out prospecting. In addition, they brought along the only thing that was loaded on the trip, a camer>, to record the events of their ep­ ochal tour. . Otherwise, no one would have believed that they could have gotten sunburned in Colorado in the middle of winter. ^ew lumbers For Hq. Phones The telephone numbers of all New York headquarters phones were changed recently by the telephone company. All Seafarers calling headquarters are asked- to use the new num­ bers to get faster service. The new headquarters tele­ phone number is HYacinth 9-6600. Seafarers Pay Tribute To Shipmate's Memory Seafarers the world over, in storm and strife, in fair weather and foul, in good and bad times, have proven their worth many times over. Once again evidence is at hand to prove that Seafarers, like the-*^celebrated pachyderm, never Before it arrived, impatient as they forget a friend or a shipmate. were to honor Wilson's memory, The latest case concerns Sea­ farers aboard the Del Sol of Missis­ sippi who did not forget a former shipmate, the late and lamented Charlie Wilson. Wilson, who died in January, 1952, was buried in the port of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, French West Africa. Clean Up Grave Making a recent run to the port aboard the Del Sol, crewme'mbers wqnt out of their way to see that everything was in tip-top shape in Wilson's last port of call. Some of the men made a special trip out to the grave to see that it was cleaned up and fresh flowers placed on it. Some foliage had overgrown the grave, but the boys got to work and it was cleaned up in no time at all. After it had been cleaned up a bit, fresh stones were placed around the periphery of the last resting place. When all-that was done, the Members of the jgalley crew making it hot (and :old) for the chow hounds aboard the Jean LaFitte ' Seafarers had to wait a bit until (WateVman) above, are, left to right, Wilson Davis, night cook and baker; Robert Revira, 2nd cook; \ the morning plane came in with a Cajt«ncii;.JHawkiiB!%TChigf. iCWriryJSboffi^lA' N^ftt. "jaHey^ Utility,' 'and Georige Cra^sl, chibf- st^wklrd.'" load of fresh flowers for the gi'ave. the crew took a photo of the refurbished resting place. Satis­ fied with their work, the crew headed back for the ship, knowing they had done their job well. They intend to look after it on every trip. The grave of the late Sea­ farer. Charlie Wilson, rests in Abidjan, Africa, where his for­ mer shipmates cleaned it up eU'lheir last run. �';' Pate Tweety F,'7 ,• ':'^'«r^77*r-^?srf SEAFARERS tOG AprU 2, 1»H ^Were You Caught In Raid Too?' Said The Seafarer To The Judge By Spike Marlin A few Friday evenings back a Some pretty good fighters, notably scant couple of thousand onlook­ Sandy Saddler for one, had their ers who were foolish enough to troubles. with him in the past. It liappened in a southern port, Seafarer Louis Aragues reports to the LOG, that he pay their way in saw a reasonably- However, he had been beaten almost got in trouble just by having a good time, content in his innocence. It was just successful club fighter by the three times in the past year by name of Paddy De Marco take the other ranking lightweights, which that innocence, however, he says in the "Del I^orte Navigator," a shipboard publication, lightweight championship away is probably the reason why the from James Carter in Madison Carter .management chose to fight which almost compounded his Square (l^rden. The results of the him in the first place. "crime" and landed him in fight, while mildly surprising, ex­ the local lockup. cited nobody except Mi». De Mar­ Stripped Of Talent Now DeMarco is supposed to Aragues had just come back co and the Idddies. meet Carter in a return. It would from the evacuation of Huranang, That's because few people took surprise nobody if Carter won the Carter seriously as a champion, Korea, in 1950 early in the Korean title back again. Nor would it and even fewer will have any dis­ War and he was ready for bear, or make much difference. For the position to classify De Marco in bear hug. Fun was what he wanted. lightweight class in the last couple the same, breath as such light­ of years has become almost as What he got was something of weights as Henry Armstrong, Bar­ another sort, but it ended up not stripped of good fighters as the ney Ross, Lou Ambers nnd Tony heavyweights, even though there too unpleasantly. Canzoneri to name a few outstand­ are a few men around who can Taking off on the town with the ing performers in the past two second assistant engineer, who was handle both Carter and DeMarco. decades. of a like mind with Aragues in the Through the years, the light­ search of amusement, the duo was Lost It Before weight class has had more than i^s feeling no pain after making As a matter of fact, once before share of great champions. The nodding acquaintance with a pint Carter lost the title, that time to cracker-barrel set will wax rhap­ Seafarer Louis Aragues, reporter for the "Del Norte Navigator," and of gin. They drank a staggering an awkward, clumsy Mexican sodic over such names as Joe Gans, his wife, Juanita, left, drop in to compare notes with the LOG. amount and it was transported fighter by the name of Lauro Salas. Battling Nelson and Benny Leon­ At right, itinerant journalist looks 'over a copy of his work. completely unchanged into their They had a return bout and Carter ard. But nobody has to go back walk. The engineer's name was won it back easily. Before and that far. Steve Brodie, which, Aragues for another trip riding high on his officers ranged up beside him with after, he has been ducking out on The last man who held the title upraised clubs, l^t the sergeant other hip. noted, figured later in the tale. After getting through a few non­ stymied the move for the present. the better men in the division, pre­ before Carter took it from him, Beating Two to a Bar Ik? Williams, could have taken descript pedigrees, the desk ser­ There was some allusion to "the ferring to fight set-ups. Wending their way through .town geant came to Aragues. The seamen back room" when Aragues quietly DeMarco figured as another one both Carter and DeMarco on suc­ like a musical note, from bar to showed him his seaman's papers, stole away. of the same, although he had a rec­ cessive nights when he was in his bar, the pair came upofi a street and told him a few truths and halfBack on the ship, conscience got ord for being a tough customer to prime. We don't think he would square which had a pub on each truths. The latter-were told with the best of the Seafarer and he handle mainly because he hit very have needed a total of 15 rounds to comer. Consternation set in until such an unwavering eye an^un- told the chief engineer what had hard with the top of bis head. do it in either. it was decided which bar to choose, faltering voice, that the sergeant transpired. Overwrought at the and having chosen, passing on to took them for the gospel. Making indignity visited upon an officer it. Brodie was so full of spirits at like the hero he claims he was not, of the vessel, the chief stepped the time that he was slouched over Aragues-claimed he was just back into the breach immediately, send­ the bar like a damp rag. The bar­ from the battlefront of fiumnang, ing down the first and third as­ tender used him to wipe a few hoping the association would place sistant to rescue the second. Any glasses before he realized what he him in a favorable light. Also, the more assistants, said Aragues, and had in hand. Then, out of the night, seaman implied that he was a the police would have been out­ came the gendarmes, and before political power in New York City. numbered. he could do a Steve Brodie off the The sergeant dealt with him gin­ Coming back the next week to rim of a glass into the liquid gerly after that. Payment of $20 answer the charges, Aragues was contents, Brodie, along with Ara­ bail made him a free man again, confident of their acquittal despite gues, was picked up on a vagrancy until the trial the following week Brodie's despondency. Seeking di­ charge. once again demanded his presence. rection to the court of the presiding The next thing the strolling Brodie, however, did not fare so judge, the pair got nowhere until troubadours knew they were in the well with the three-striper at the they encountered a kindly gentle­ pie wagon and heading for the desk. When asked his name, Brodie man who said he would lead the upper crust of the police force. blared out the truth. Naturally, as way, since he was going there, too. After a ride of short and vituper­ befits any minion of the law, the The man in question was dressed ative duration, the pair arrived at officer doubted him as much as if to the teeth, but ini a dignified old bailey, in company of others, he had said "Queen Elizabeth." manner, and Aragues felt drawn and greeted the desk sergeant with Asked again, Brodie became ada­ to him. Fire and Ice dark and glowering looks. Aragues mant and reiterated his nomencla­ Enjoying a brew at Kacjde's Bar in Houston, Texas, are Bert During the course of the asceht was the most lighthearted of the ture at the top of his voice, for Manifold, left, and Jimmie George,' second from left, along with group, however, knowing he was which he almost got the top of his in the elevator which was convey­ night mate and engineer, both of whom are unidentified. in the right with signed articles skull bashed in on the spot. Two ing them to the courtroom, the elevator operator mentioned that 22 people had been caught in a raid. Aragues, for some unfathom­ able reason, thougl^t the other man in the elevator was one of those snared in the trap. "Were you caught in the raid?" he directed The LOG opera thia column os on exchange /or stewards, cooks, his question to the kindly gentle­ man, who froze at the thought. bakers and others who'd like to share favored food recipes, little-known From then on things got much cooking and baking hints, dishes with a national flavor and the like, chillier in the elevator. suitable for shipboard and/or home use. Here is Sigmund Rothschild's To make a long story short, the recipe for pot roast. • chilly elevator rider turned out to cedure goes this way: Pot roast is more than an ordi­ be the presiding judge and Aragues nary American staple in the right Season the meat with the salt turned white. Of course; he laughed and pepper as hot as the tongue hands, according to Seafarer Sig­ it all off as a joke once the color allows. Then, dredge it in the flour, came back to his face. What else mund Rothschild, cook and steward keep bacon fat hot by having it for many years in and out of could he do, he reasoned to Brodie, maritime circles. The 39-year-old simmering in a frying pan on top who was too sick at the thought To BE CW "IWE SAFE SIDE, steward says he likes to cook on of the stove, then braise the beef commiserate with anyone. It any ship, pot roast or otherwise, in the bacon fat until it |s brown APPLY FD/e YOUR YACAVtON ended merrily when both Aragues but he prefers the European runs all over. and Brodie got off when the case YOU for pleasure. The next step is to dice the vege­ was dismissed, going to sea the next ACCUMULAYB OYBR tables and half a stalk of celery, For a full crew of 47 men, Roths­ day. Bar Boys Drink Skoal To Shipmates f: ... APPLY FOR YOUR. VACAVON DOUSHi Vf- :v«\,.- 90 PAYS OF SEA-TIME. THE VACATION OFFICE CAMNOTHOA/CX^ V\Sa4AJR.GBS ivnw ^ -PAYOFF DATES OV^/^J ONB YEAifL OLD. i,; .|s :• fcs; ;• v/iihlvKf^-r:-- Be Sure to Get Buee Receipts Headquarters again wishes to remind all Seafarers that payments of funds, for what­ ever Union purpose, be made only to authorized A&G repre­ sentatives and- that an official Union receipt be gotten at tfiat time. If no receipt is offered, be siure to protect* yourself by immediately bringing the mat­ ter to the attention of the see.xeta|ydxeaiin»r'% child says, take the following Ingredlents to tickle their palates: threequarters of -a pouhd of bacon fat; one dozen large onions; five to six cloves of gafiip: salt and pep^r ' to seakon; flour for Botfaschild dredging; ap­ proximately two gallons of beefstock; 10 . iu®diu'n-slz®d carrots; 16 pounds, of round or chuck beef and a roasting pan. Rothschild's step-by-step pro- place the vegetables on top of the beef, or mixed in, -and then put the concoction in the roasting pan. Cooks In Gravy At this point the beefstock comes into play by being poured over the beef and vegetables, which results in the pot roast be­ ing cooked in its own gravy. Place the dish in an oven registering 350 degrees for a period of about three hours, depending on the size of the meat. Turn the roast as it is warming in the pan every 10-15 minutes. All .that is left to do, says the Seafarer who has been cooking with ./he SIU ,a^ce. 1943, Is to serve it while it ia piping: hot ; . �April X. 1S54 SEAFARERS VMS VOG Taie In Classroom To the Editor: The SEAFARERS LOG. which comes to me through your courtesy, is one of the most valuable labor papers that I have known, and my thanks are long overdue. Many cdpies have been passed on, and especially those that had stories on well known historical events, like your story on the sink­ ing of the Titanic. It so happens that a teacher of mine, in litera­ ture, uses that episode as an assign­ ment for each new class, ^nd he was glad to add the SIU account of the disaster to his collection.. (I had brought an extra copy of the LOG from the New York conven­ tion at the time of my visit with all of you good friends at the SIU hall.) All of the endeavors sponsored and especially the scholarships are valuable to the better understand­ ing of the labor movement. I wish that I might be of use; would some old cards with photo­ graphs of German Lloyd liners, taken around the turn of the cen­ tury, be acceptable? Louise R. Hoocker (Ed. note: Thank you very much for your offer of the pictures; we will be very glad to have them.) 4" 4 "4 Pelican Mariner Hun Just Fine To the Editor: Amid the ringing of her ship's bell and the clanking of her chains, the spanking-new Mariner, the Pelican Mariner, has announced her arrival here in Yokohama, Japan. The trip across has been one of the most pleasant trips across I have ever had the good fortune to make. The untiring efforts of the entire steward department have made this trip so far a gourmet's delight. It is with regret that I add that almost all ships could not or cannot be the feeders that this one is. Fine Bakldg What with the exceptionally fine baking of our steward, J. Byrd and P. A. Shackelford, the expert cu­ linary efforts of the unmatchable George Crabtree and Wade Mor­ ris, the galley force is one of the best Pve ever encountered. Our crew here is a comparative­ ly happy one and the total lack of beefs aboard gives a somewhat ex­ hilarating 'feeling to any ship's delegate. I regret to inform you that Brother D. Thompson has become ill and will be removed to the hos­ pital here in Yokohama. He sure will be missed and the boys and I earnestly hope for his quick re­ covery. W. J. (Red) HolUgan Ii 4 4 4 Enjoys Heading Vnion Paper To the Editor: Just a few lines to let you know how much I appreciate and enjoy your LOG. I really look forward to it, as all the items in it are in­ teresting, amusing, informative and diversified. Keep it up and good luck to all of you. Lisa M. Prejos 4 4 4* Wants Hospital Forms On Ships To.the Editor: Brother Stewart Hanks,. who wrote the "Letter of the Week" in the March 5th-issue of the LOG, is to be commended. I agree with him that printed forms should be placed on board every SIU ship by the Welfare Department, this form to be filled out by the ship's dele­ gate with all pertinent informktioif about any brother who has to be hospitalized in a fdreign port. This form should contain such information as \^t the captaiir and coiBiway'agents did for tho Pac« Tweaty-«n« L E T r E JR S ailing brother, proper-medical care given and, if possible, a statement by the captain or agents on the method of repatriation after dis­ charge from the hospital abroad. This form will be airmailed at once to the Welfare Department in New York so that the director, Walter Seikmann, can be kept infortned by the company in the States on the man's welfare at all times, along with the method of transportation, maintenance, port of arrival and date expected, so that a welfare man can meet the ship, if necessary and see that the company agents do so. As we know, many of our broth­ ers have been stranded when they arrived in the States a long way from home, with no funds to tide them over till payment and settle­ ment of their case. One thing struck me very for­ cibly in Brother Hanks' letter as something that happens quite fre­ quently: men being repatriated on freighters and company vessels if they are physically unable to care for themselves during the long voyage home, such as men who have suffered a stroke or other in­ jury. A man in that predicament should be sent home on a pas­ senger shipvwhere he can be under a doctor's care, and the company should make the necessary ar­ rangements on arrival for an am­ bulance and prompt admittance to a USPHS hospital. In cases of this sort, I feel, our negotiating committee should have a clause in­ serted in the agreement at the earliest possible opportunity cov­ ering this. John Jellette 2Vo Bliss In Bliss For Him MAIG's Onlg SMV Benefit In Army To Die Editor: I would" like to have the L(3G sent to me regularly, as it's one of the many things about the SIU that I miss; it's the only SIU bene­ fit I can enjoy at the present, too. I sailed SIU from 1945 until Oc­ tober, 1953, when I was drafted and held the rating of chief elec­ trician. I would like to send re­ gards to all my brothers. Pvt. C. F. McDowell US 54 136 167 Student Co. 8 Camp Gordon, Ga. (Ed. note: We are add'.ag your name to the LOG's mailing list, as you requested.) maif until the trip was over and we were back in San' Pedro—40 days after leaving the States. Nat­ urally, everybody griped. To date To the Editor: As you know, the Army life we haven't heard from the hall; doesn't agree with an SIU seaman. no LOGS, no nothing. The chow and pay are very poor. Greater Need Some of the food they feed us is From what I hear over the radio worse than what I threw to the and read, there soon will be a sea gulls, and that is no lie. I am greater necessity for more jobs on now"at Fort Bliss, Texas, going to these ships. Perhaps some deal nun mechanics school. I guess I will could be made whereby the fabu­ be a mechanic for a while. lous OT of some seamen could be I have told some of the boys spread out to keep another man here about the SIU and all the or men busy, for instance, a-bo­ good conditions we have and they sun's mate or another assistant for don't believe me. Even after they the pumpman or a painter. Looks 4 4 4 see the LOG. Oh, well, all of this to me like there is plenty of work propaganda the Army tries to feed for more hands, sacrificing the OT, you is eafbn up by some of the of course. However, I am not fa­ guys. miliar with the work in other de­ To the Editor: I would like a little information: partments and merely suggest this After reading the March 5 issue I have always understood that the as an opening wedge to discussion of the LOG I became aroused minimum wage per hour set by the along those lines. enough to write my first letter to Government was $.75. My wife has It seems like a lot of ships, you. been working at an El Paso depart­ especially tankers, leave the lines On behalf of the crew of the ment store: she receives $20 for a on deck until they arrive at the Alawai I want to thank S. Hanks, 48-hour week. next port, at the great inconveni­ steward, for com­ Tell Keith Terpe I send my best ence of the crew. The only reason ing up with such I can see for doing this is to save regards to him. a wonderful idea OT or working time on deck. Many Boyd Davis in his "Letter of (Ed. note: The Federal Govern­ men stumble and grumble and do the Week." ment's minimum wage scale of nothing about it. The lines are -If the Welfare $.75 applies only to those persons piled right outside the crew messServices Depart­ whose work comes under inter­ hall and galley door. If insui'ance ment would put state commerce jurisdiction. De­ companies saw the number • of accident reports partment stores are under local passersby stumble and trip over aboard ships it these lines, they would tear their controL) would mean an­ Ciabiboli hair out. , 4 4 4 other great step toward success. Brother Hanks has Recreation {Spot The fantail is our most im­ explained the idea so well that portant recreational outdoor place nothing can be added. It would cr. the ship, but there is no over­ mean that the Welfare Services To the Editor: would have only to walk over to 4 4 4 We have completed two trips head canopy provided there for their files when a brother comes aboard the Sweetwater from San our benefit.. There are ropes all in with a beef about an injury, Pedro, Cal., and one trip from the over the deck and it still needs a instead of starting from scratch Persian Gulf to Japan. We have hosing down. It gets an occasional and trying to dig up facts too old at least two more runs to go by— sweeping, but that doesn't elimi- to remember. To the Editor: pate the redolences which arise We could have the accident I am a member of the Union we hope—since this is an excep­ from the garbage in that area. tionally good ship. What makes it reports drawn up to include the and. would like very much to have The crew, of course. There were about 20 tankers wait­ mate's or engineer's signature and hiy name put on the mailing list. good? ing for cargo in the Persian Gulf I am on the beach, unable to sail They're a swell bunch of 'seamen, and every one of them had a cano­ questions which give the brother cooperative and well qualified in for a while, but still like to get the py over the fan tail. We were in an even break instead of tlie one­ LOG biweekly, and appreciate it their respective jobs and a very the Baltimore shipyard for 45 days, sided accident reports we have at happy bunch. very much. James D. Fasten with plenty of time for erection, this time. (Ed. note: We have placed your Luke Ciamboli Take my department, for ex­ but still no canopy. name on the LOG's mailing list.) ample. It is the hub of the wheel 4 4 • 4 Seamen spend a great deal of; for morale, greater contentment 4 4 4 and belly-robbing. There's Jimmie time reading and the demand for Grant, steward, who says: "I current literature is great, rather haven't a worry in the world. I than the second-hand stuff we've To the Editor:. know things are always going okay been getting in the past yeai-s. I To the Editor: Enclosed you will find a ticket in in my department." Ralph Mar­ can safely say that I average $5 a I am grateful to you for placing tini is chief cook and tliat's ship, along with a great many oth­ the amount of $.50 as a charge for boarding a ship in order to see me on your complimentary sub­ enough said for those who know ers, trying to keep up with the someone. Just who gets this money scription list. I anticipate many world in reading matter. How pleasant hours of reading the LOG. him. He's also ship's delegate and about having a library dues of $5 and what is it spent for? Is this Whatever else may be said about has the right personality to handle a year, more or less, to help cover Merchant Seamen's Charity a le­ sailors, it cannot be said of them both jobs with dispatch. He's a expenses of having a ship's library gally constituted one? that they are ungenerous. .1 have conscientious worker and he on all SIU ships that we could It has been sometime now since found sailors and fisher folk to be pleases all with his culinary ai-t. point to with much pride? I went to sea, but this sme:ls pretty prepared to share both their sub­ Frank Hall is second cook and I guess I can find room enough fishy to me. Does the SIU get any baker and Frenchy Blanchard i.«i stance and themselves. to throw a few orchids to topside. of this money? This charge^ was third cook. Never heard a beef Marius Hansome They all seem to be okay, sociable levied for boarding the Pa'ricia among them. and pleasant. The skipper, Andrew of the Swedish Lloyd Line. Hotter Than Hot If this money is for foreign sea­ Pratt, is really tops, which is only Glancing in the galley one natural since he was trained in the men- alone I am against it, but if might see Frenchy with the skillet, foc'sle. American seamen benefit then it Frank preparing night lunch plat­ is all right with me". That is, if a AI Sadenwater ters and the chief cook washing responsible body is behind it and 4 4 4 some pans or preparing vegetables. spends a minimum amount on op­ The radio is going full blast, every­ erating costs, not like the cliari y one is happy and it is hotter than gyps which have been exposed re­ cently. thS fidley room where we hang our clothes to dry. The black gang and To the Editor: Paul Tribble deck department, if they have any (Ed. note: The SIU has no con­ This letter is to inform you that beefs, never discuss them in the a pogm of mine, "New York—Port nection with the vessel in ques­ messhall.. In fact, you mostly hear Of Dreams," first published in the tion and does not have any infor­ Iiumorous remarks about one an­ SEAFARERS LOCJ, will soon be mation concerning the charity in­ other and that many of the dieters sold in stores in New York City on volved. ) are eating themselves out of shape. post cards. I have made some 4 4 4 There is also talji about the great changes in the' poem and added lovers or about how "Bobo" the two verses since you published it. wiper bosses the pumpmen and I am aware the poem was used engineers. That's why we look for­ on the Manhattao waterfront to To the Editor: ward with pleasure to a couple of garner votes foir the AFL in its ' Please send me the LOG, as I more shuttle runs. In fact, I heard longshoreman dispute with the old miss reading it. You sent it for a some of the; boys discuss what they ILA and was specifically asked by short period but not lately; I enjoy would do if offered another year's one man if I objected to such use. reading it. contract out here in Japan. Sign Baltimore was buzzing when do not. The SEAFARERS LOG Kioc W. EUiott up for another hitch, says they. these Seafarers all came home is also entitled to use my poems (Edi note: We have once again at the same time. Kneeling, One'4lifficulty we have has-been. for any purpose- it believes bene­ added your name to our mailing ' the mail. The otdy addrear we: ficial to seamen,, the-port or the Hst, mad apologize for the-mistaket. left-te^ rilAtt, are Dan BiolroniSid aad Bffl Wiley, with Adam haveisTthescoa^aav^a-in.New Teriu Unhta, Thank you for calling it to our at­ Biichaes and Fred La Flaiit. tention.1 On thf first trip ww-di(te!t'fiet any Wants Hevised Injury Heports Smooth Sailing On Sweetwater Wants To Head IMG On Heaeh Scores Charge To Go Aboard Thinhs Seamen Hest Of Souls Busy Baltimore VOG Poem To Be Sold In NY Misses Heading Seafarers.LOG • 1- «ir LOG ;oU riS-iftiittiUSild �Fare Twenty-twa Objects To Idea For Improvement f?v rv SEAFARERS IPG Gets AR Tiehet In Raltimore To the Editor: Last time 1 was around the hall in New York .was about my permit. Well, now I have my AB ticket, recoiving it in Baltimore. A lot of credit goes to thp good bosuns and ABs with whom I have sailed under the SIU banner. Every bit of seatime is with the SIU. There was never a time aboard an SIU ship that if I asked to be shown something I w^s refused. Everything was explained to me patiently and intelligently. Perhaps you could put the en- t> X To the Editor: During the war I sailed in the engine room of various Standard Oil tankers and made numerous trips to England, Iceland and Rus­ sia. I am going to return to sea in the future and woulji like to join your Union at that time. I am very interested in the ac­ tivities of the Union and news from the several ships, and have been fortunate enough to get a glimpse of the LOG occasionally In the past when I came across copies of it. I would be very grateful if you •would add my name to your mail­ ing list and send me the LOG whenever it is published. John A. Johnson (Ed. note: Your name has been added to the- mailing list and you will receive the LOG every two weeks, as published.) ^ ^ ^ $•' >$• Ex'Stewardess Enjops LOG To the Editor: Enclosed you will find a donation for the LOG, which you send me every two weeks. I am a stew^dess, and have retired my book for the time being, but keep up with many of my shipmates through the LOG, and others through meeting them in New Or­ leans. Thanks so much for your courtesy at' all times. Rosalie Rodrlguo m. SeaeUft Is Now A Happy Ship ^ w• If ^ i:'-'--. 'v.'/"-. To the Editor: This ship, the Seacliff (Coral), was the one that was so much talked of tip and down the coast, especially the West Coast. Over in , Pusan, Korea, we heard of no end of trouble aboard with the last crew, but believe me, things are ^different this trip. ' We upheld the true SItf way !of doing things and' long may .our banner w'ave; Our agent^ Tommy To the Editor: Recently you published an article I sent to you about the schoolboy mate on the Mankato Victory (Victory Carriers). The issue came aboard when we got to Mobile, Alabama, and the mate was the laughing stock of the ship after the article was read by all aboard. This article and what I had to say to the old man did do a lot of good, as Mr. McKeen is now second mate, and I'm looking for­ ward to the day when he will be sailing OS where he belongs. I didn't get to the hall as I hoped I would because our orders were changed while the ship was at sea. Lots or Sugar I was so fed up with everything on the Mankato Victory that I paid off and went back to the West Coast. I am now aboard the Bien­ ville (Waterman) and it looks like this one will go to New York with a load of sugar, so i will surely be able to drop in then, about the middle of April. Best wishes to you all and to the continued success of the LOG and all the brothers at headquarters. Charlie Mazur 4 Thanhs Union For Its Paper Ex-Railroad Man Is A LOG Rentier Pen Is Mighty On SHI Vessel the stack and make it an official hospital ship.',' I strongly recom­ mend the Union printing some forms to cover any questions which usually arise when a man goes to the hospital, so this information will be available to the Union welfare men and lawyers. We have had vei^ good coopera­ tion from the engine delegate. Jack Simison; deck delegate "Irish" Adams; Omar Ames, the steward delegate. Only by a united effort can a ship be kept on an even keel. Bosun Knafiick has been a great help with Union matters and lead­ ership. George Johnson 4 Harry Emmett, left, and George Lowe have their pic­ tures taken aboard the Trojan Se'aman. closed snapshot of George Lowe and myself in the LOG. I am the one with the Seafarers' stetson on my head. My mom lives way down in Kansas City, Mo., and sh6 gets the LOG: She would like to see my picture to show to the folks. Harry Emmett w t 4" Choctaw Expects 4 Smooth Payoff To the Editor: The Choctaw (Waterman) had a smooth trip around from Seattle to Philadelphia, and we expect a smooth payoff. We have had a most cooperative and understanding captain — Captain Knut Aastasted; any beefs that arose wqre settled swiftly and without bias. The steward, David Edwards, was unusually cooperative, combined good Union performance with ex­ cellent leadership. We had aTgood feeding ship, and without running the department ragged. When we got behind, he didn't raise hell as to why, but stepped in and helped out. The ship has had quite a few hospital cases of one sort or an­ other. The chief mate was supposed to have said, "Paint a red cross on Honor Guard At Seafarer's Funeral To the Editor: I am writing in regard to your paper, the "LOG. I have enjoyed the great way this paper is made up, the down-to-earth truth there­ in, and \/ritten in such a manner as to be easily understood. I was given the privilege of read­ ing this paper through the kind­ ness of Bud Deane. I know he is now back with his fellow ship­ mates. The LOG was stopped when Bud left. He may want to knpw about this. F hope to see him again in the near future, and to meet you per­ sonally. Until then, I will say thanks for the swell reading and the best of everything to you. Jack Guthrie 4 4 4 LOG Not Safe In Army Camp To the Editor: I would very much like to have the LOG sent to mq, over here. There are a couple of fellows here in Rochefort, France, who receive the LOG in this outfit, but as soon as they put it down, somebody picks it up. You just can't leave anything aroun(j in an Army barracks. I would like to-receive my personal copy for the next 11 month.s. Pvt. Thomas J. Keenan (Ed. note: Your name has been added to the mailing list. You will receive the LOG every two weeks, as published./ 4 4 4 Thanks Seafarers For Giving Rlood To the Editor: I am writing to express my gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the men who so willingly donated blood to my little girl. She was seriously burned and is a patient of St. Vincent's Hospital in New York City. As I do not know all of them personally, I am using this means of telling them how much I appre­ ciate their kind act. In tonclusion, may I wish them the best of luck and good sailing always. Mrs. Betty Keene 4 4 4 Wants Paper To Follow Her To the Editor; I have been receiving the LOG .at my present address' for some time now, but am moving soon, and am' sending you my new ad­ dress. I do not want to miss get­ ting any issue of the LOG, I enjoy reading, it BO much. 'i&y husband and I have been married for hine years; he was an SIU bookman then and I can't help but praise the progress of the iUhioh. Seafarers, friends and honor guard stand at respecHul attention ^: i»rs. W. W. Nichols as US Army, chaplain reads services at,'iji)n, fuiQ«irarpf Se.^,arer £ Cridlin. On left side of photo; Seafaters; ^ r- 'lEolft note; iVip' tfhanged Tarallo, J. Surles, E. C(>x, J. Broaddiis^ R. 'epllilns.m*! 1»54 Credit Where Oue^ Says He M, E T T E R S To the Editor: Just finished reading a piece in Banning in 'Frisco and Marty And the column, "Seafarers in Action," Dav4 and the representatives did concerning brother Paul Ulrich, a swell job. They straightened out In reference to speeding up the the ship so that this trip passed service between the messmen and with everybody happy and con­ chief cook. tented—much, different from the He seems to want a public ad­ last voyage. dress system installed for their Oldtimers On Board use. What the heck is his rush We have quite a few oldtimers for chow? Our on here, and if things did get a solid contract Itjtle out of line, as they sometimes specifies a com­ do, a meeting was called and those plete meal hour in the wrong were told and reprlfor the black nnanded. gang and the Plenty of stores were put on in deck department. Oakland--fresh and frozen vege­ However, there tables, plenty of everything, as our are no provisions agent was there to see everything whatsoever for was all right before we signed on. the steward deRyan The .captain. S. V. Syre, was as partment. We just have to eat whenever we get different from the last trip as day it and no one hears us squawk from night. Everybody is well sat­ about it. We don't care how fast isfied, happy and contented. E. Wallace we get it as long as we get it. The next thing these fellows will i it "t want will be for the cooks and messboys to be on roller skates at their very beck and call. Tell them to take it easy; they can get To the Editor: enough sack time off watch. Of course, I expect some reper­ I would appreciate it if you cussions about this, but I just got would place the name of a friend tired of reading all the time about of mine, Sam S. Hill, on the regu­ the other departments having so lar mailing list to receive the SEA­ many suggestions as to how to run FARERS LOG. He is a retired the steward department. If they railroad man and says the LOG is are so intelligent, why don't thoy one of the finest organized labor sail in the steward department and papers he has read. Thank you. see what it is like? Herbert R. Kreutz Joseph Ryan (Ed. note: The brother who (Ed. note: We have added Mr. made the siiggestufn in the first Hill to the LOG'S mailing list.) instance, Paul Ulrich, is a member K, i. i. of the steward department himself and apparently felt it would make things simpler for his gang.) Veteran Sailor . Ashs For Paper APFU To the Editor: I was in New York once again and didn't even get a chance to get up to the Port O' Call, what with one matfe getting off and a new one getting on. I had to stay aboard trying to do what both wanted done and to take care of the stores and ^ many other things. I sent in a story and pictures to the LOG about a fire aboard the Steel Scientist in Calcutta, India. The story and photos ran in the paper with the notation that the pictures were taken by me. That's wrong. I know what some brothers would Bankston say about that, so please get it straight next time and give credit where it is due to the •photographers. Don't say anything about Blackie Bankston, the son of a mother who Ls al.so the wife, mother-in-law and grandmother of a Seafarer. .Everything is holding its own around here, as you can tell by the minutes. That's all for^ now. See you soon. Blackie Bankston 4 4 4 Asks Paper Re Sent To Tepee To the Editor: I would like very much to have you send my copy of the LOG to Wallace P. Anderson, Tuscarora Indian Reservation, Mt. Hope Road, RFD No. 1, Lewiston, NY. I am not living at 11 Karolyn Ct. anymore. I might add that I certainly look forward to reading and receiv­ ing the LOG. I am very proud of our paper and I take great pleasure in showing it off to my Indian and white frieiids. I artf living on the reservation right now and plan on getting a ship as soon as shipping picks up a little. Best regards to all my friends in the Union. Wallace "Mad Bear" Anderson (Ed. note: Your change of ad­ dress has been noted and you will continue to receive the LOG regu­ larly, as published.) 4 4 4' Says NMU Not Equal Of SIU To the Editor: , I remember reading an article I took out of the New York Sunday News concerning members who wrote to the News about the hospi­ tal funds the NMU doesn't have. I was a member of that so-called union from 1939 to 1946. I was ashore from 1947-1951 When I went back for a short stay before join­ ing the SIU. I sure am sori'y I didn't join in 1938 when I first went to sea, as my wife is more than pleased that I am in a good and strong Union. We had lots-of beefs'on ships of. the NMU and they were always re­ ferred io headquarters. I don't know where headquarters was or is, but It sure was not in this coun­ try because we never got any re­ sults from them. M. V. C^ampl 4 4 4 Rlood Donors Receive Thanhs. To the Editor: _ I wouM very much like to thknk the Seafarers who donated blqod rfop me. Although I do not know the names .of the donors,|deeply appreciate their kindness. • It is gratifying to have been the recipient, of the extreme generqs^ty of these men. -The doctors say- I am sailing along smoothly. Thanks again.'-.'". ^ ' s^ V*to AUeluia- �If54 ^Lrr '^'''" ""'I' •" i™- «£srsv;:, «'-•'->•• at thillimeZnllTbralX York City Last c.'^L"raSisreM^ °trr.r- "^^inliij •'"•- :•' "::M:-^,«^.r'^i ... .. ;r.s.s •nly the homrS of 'f '';C^:VS'::'--^' K---: :•••<; ^ ^'<... i rf.""-- "« on the American market ^11 r"-i « « .».po«, „„„ SU |;-.;-:i^3 oi" ptrid"Lr »-• bulk at piers. Package carenpT^ ^.... i to the stores, where fhe taJrr.T' the merchandise within 24 houJf Supervisor Couri is ascicfpj L sistant appraiser and a ritn • with more tha^s years ofT^- I I 1 s I < .1 •"> ® examined i * ^ach Backstopping Couri and his tlJrton^'^H®''"'®®- seven assistant appraisers ^ and a similar number of examiner^ fxaminers remainder of the sfa« oners' aides. The elerks, samplers, verifiers Tor^ recording laborers. eriiiers, police guards and . • I I^ * bave'£Tvoted"'to'Sf°"'' ">•« familiar with the merchanS''th One handles prcious examine, and fish, another musical Wn ""^ats and so on. Each is a resn® " and toys, importing world fnri authority in the down atfrSe Ste 7.1°°' F t: "« '""'d Now Yori: ttof idl? ,7°<l."S"S°p.m'S °"^°'''°"' if" op'e«rg''°?„s;mS'° S TU^ ^ " ports around the countJ? countrv. It will carry 'reigh and exdlamonds set In rings. I ' ' • ^ I' ^ f a "-i' aiiHi assessable. At left, a tuestion on h«» V®•' «« •riginal 6e* mis?' I conference. Sinpe the dut^dlffe??^ imported artiit'thV^flo?er.*£l2rSlna^^ "T ciSLn? �, f. • I »' • tr='- i:;^?4' SEAFARERS ?»(• Twenty-tour /St-, t: I" i^:. April se, 1954 .. . DIGEST of SHIPS' MEETINGS ... STEEL VENDOR (Isthmian), Novembar the next trip; the steward knew of this 7—Chairman, Johnnia Hoggia; Sacratary, and made no attempt to remedy the sit­ Earl J. Laws. There is $7 in the ship's lund left over from the last trip. Old repair list will be taken care of. John­ nie Hoggie wag elected ship's delegate. Any member fouling up will be brought to punishment. Each man will donate to tiie ship's fund. Men off watch will clean the messhall. Motor should be turned off when the washing machine is not in use. Each man will change his own linen, piece for piece. Sanitary men will clean or wipe dust from fans in ail rooms. February 1—Chairman, John Hoggia; Secretary, V. C. Orancio. It was agreed to leave $28 in the ship's fund for the next crew, after donating expenses, and to give the remainder to the Polio Fund <$30). Crew was asked not to foul up and to return to ship on sailing day. Vote of thanks went to the steward de­ partment. Eveiwone must keep the laun­ dry clean after use, and use the wash ing machine properly. February li—Chairman, John Hoggia; Secretary, L. W. Fessler. Routine crew disputes were settled by the crew. Drfor locks for crew's quarters should be re­ placed. Fan situation is OK. Boatmen must be fed after the crew when going through the Suez Canal. Steward de­ partment was thanked for special items bought from their own pockets. There was a general discussion of various in­ cidents. STEEL ADMIRAL (Isthmian), January 17—Chairman, V. D'Angelo; Secretary, C. Burns. First assistant said hC would fix the wash basin in the 8-12 foc'sle. No US money will be given in draws. Deck department 8-12 watch fixed the sink themselves. Cold water faucet needs re­ pairs, foc'sle door should have hooks. De­ partment delegates will check on all porthole screens and report to ship's delegate. February 21—Chairman, Charles Col­ lins; Secretary, Charles Burns. Water tanks have been cleaned. Temporary repair of the broken sink is satisfactory. |<epair list should be prepared for the next meeting. There was a discussion about varnishing the ice boxes: chief mate will be contacted by the ship's delegate on this. Vote of appreciation went to the chief cook and the rest of the steward department. s.- LOG uation. All delegates will turn in re­ pair lists. Voluntary contribotions will be accepted for the ship's fund. Ship's delegate should contact the company agent In these ports to see if there are any SIU men in the hospitals, so we ean visit them, bring cigarettes, etc. Three SIU films were shown by th^ electricians along with the regular movies. € ROBIN LOCKSLEY (Seas Shipping), Feb­ ruary 16—Chairman, M. Brightwell; Sec­ retary, J.-imes F. Byrne. Aubrey Parsons was elected steward delegate. Baker will be given the chance to improve. Stew aid will be treated ,in the same way. Stores will be checked by the steward and patrolman before the ship leaves for the deep sea. to make sure that stores are adequate, due to the shortages on the last voyage. STONY CREEK (Amer.-TrampI, Janu­ ary 3—Chairman, J. S. Barron; Secre­ tary, E. Black. Ship's delegate will con­ tact the chief engineer about getting messroom chairs repaired. There is a food beef on shortage of one item. A few repairs are needed. There are 14.000 yen in the ship's fund. Steward will act as ship's treasurer. February 12—Chairman, Elmer Black; Secretary, Reuben Ruttkay. Chief en­ gineer was contacted on repairing messhall chairs, but said there were too many repairs to be done. Mate is still doing sailor's work. John Francis was elected engine delegate. Steward department should dump garbage over the stern. En­ gine and fidley doors should be kept closed at all times. Better care should be taken of the washing machine, such as not overloading, turning the switch off, making sure there is plenty of water in the machine and leaving it clean for the next man. Chief mate sent the page of the LOG that was posted on the ship's bulletin board to New York. Captain, chief engineer, mate and first assistant are anti-SlU in their attitude. Use Only One Mail Address Seafarers with beefo regard­ ing slo>v payment of monies due from various operators in back wages and disputed over­ time should first check wheth­ er they have a proper mailing address on file with the com­ pany. SIU headquarters offi­ cials point otit that reports received from several opera­ tors show checks have been mailed to one address while a beef on~~the same score is ' sent from another, thus creat­ ing much difficulty in keep'ing accounts straight. Seafarers are urged to use one perma­ nent address for mail so that claims can be checked speedi­ ly and payment macfe right away. trician should try to repair the record player. Washing machine is too low to drain well. Ship's carpenter will be asked to install a platform under it. Sanitary work should be continued a.s before. AZALEA CITY (Watarman), January 24—Chairman, Ray Quean; Secretary, Red Brady. There is a spray painting beef. There is $32.40 in the ship's fund. Delegate wiU ask the Wilmington patrol­ man for help on the shower hot water beef. Repair lists will be turned in. There is a beef against the messman for poor service, but he is a young kid doing his best. Men going on watch will sit at two tables. February 14—Chairman, R. Brady; Secretary, O. L. Barber. One man who missed* ship will be reported to the pa­ trolman. Ship's fund and ship's iron will be turned over to Brother Brady, who is staying on the ship. Mattresses and bunk springs should be replaced. Steward asked that all extra linen, clean and soiled, be returned before the pay­ off. DE SOTO (WaUrman), February 4— Chairman, Phil Reyes; Secretary, James Murphy. Repairs are needed on water cooler and double-bottom tanks. Con­ tributions to cover the cost of movie films will be turned over to the stew­ ard. pangway watch was asked to main­ tain a good watch. Garbage must be dis­ ROBIN SHERWOOD (Seas Shipping), posed back aft where facilities for this ALCOA RUNNER (Alcoa), January 13 November 30—Chairman, William Wal­ is. Entire crew was thanked for close —Chairman, Charles E. Wells; Secretary, lace; Secretary, T. Williams. Broom- cooperation between departments. C. A. Crabtree. Stevedore's toilet needr head was elected ship's delegate by ac­ repairing. One man was logged for not clamation. One man missed ship in ALCOA PILGRIM (Alcoa), February 27 turning to in Trinidad. OT in the deck Savannah and rejoined in Jacksonville. —Chairman, D. L. Parker; Secretary, H. department will be cheeked with the Fia. Laundr.v should be locked in port. Sedgeway. Repair list should be made mate. Department will make Garbage should not be dumped aft of up before arrival in Trinidad. Delegates up repair lists and delegates submit them to the house. Fish should be cooked later. reported everything okay. steward who will turn them in at Mo­ There should be more variety in the night lunch. ALCOA RUNNER (Alcoa), February 14 bile. Kitchen utensils should be returned Dishes used at night January 2S—Chairman, W. Wallace; —Chairman, Leon Hall; Secretary, C. A. to the messroom. be secure in the sink to keep Secretary, Thomas Williams. One sick Crabtree. Most engine department re­ should them from breaking. Vessel needs ex­ man was left in Capetown. Money draws pair work was done, but none of the and the library books should should be in US currenc.v. All l^ht deck department or steward department termination be replaced. guards should be taken down in pas­ work was done. Men working topside sageways. No beefs on food, OT or per­ should dump all trash back aft and keep RACNAR NAESS (Seatransporl), March sonal questions. it off the deck. All cups and glasses 7—Chairman, J. Air; Sacratary, T. Novak. should be-returned to the messroom and If ships lays up. it was proposed that the ROBIN KETTERIN(3 (Seas Shipping), pantry. There should be better cut balance of the ship's fund ($15.03) be put February 14—Chairman, D. Whittaker; steaks in the future. into slopchest cigarettes to be donated to Secretary, V. J. Stefanick. One man was hospitalized in Lourenco Marques. Pa­ DEL ALBA (Mississippi), February •— men on the beach. There will be a draw­ for the iron. Steward should see trolman will be contacted about a new Chairman, C. F. Murree; Secretary, W. ing washing machine. Ships going as far as A. Van Dyne. Former ship's delegate that the. vessel is properly stored, and Mombasa should be supplied with at reported a very pleasant voyage with the crew will back him. Quarters should least four months' stores. Food supply, full cooperation from all. New washing be left clean. which is insufficient, will be brought to machine has been installed. There is a WINTER HILL (Cltias Sarvica), March the attention of the patrolman before $47.14 balance in the ship's fund. Elec3—Chairman, O. Fadarsan; Sacratary, B. F. Crica. One man missed ship in Tam­ pa. Ship's delegate will take care of the ship's radio and ship's fund. The radio was left in a Sulphur repair shop. Patrolman will Investigate the cause of the ship's delegate missing ship. Engine delegate spoke about painting the messhall and asked the crew to keep it in order. Thomas was elected ship's treas­ urers by acclamation. No money will be spent without an okay from the ship's delegate. It was decided to have an ar­ rival pool of $30 and to divide the money between the winner and the ship's fund. Dangerous condition of the windlass will be reported; this is to be repaired. signed by the entire crew. Washing ma­ chine should be cleaned after use. Clothes should only be left in the ma­ chine for half an hour, or the engine will conk out. Laundry will be sent out in Singapore; .there is enough linen for one more change. Steward will increase the amount of food on requisition. Bosun wants to know what is to be done about cracks on deck and stanchions. Captain refused to allow forepeak to be cleaned and stated he will not turn any deck men to except regular watch on deck. R. Godwin was elected ship's delegate by Washing machine will be fixed in Balti­ more. and a new library brought aboard. Joe Schink was elected ship's delegate. Steward was instructed to turn in . re­ pair on washing machine hereafter. Books of the new library will be brought to the lounge and not left In lockers. man, Samuel H. Mills; Secretery, George f: AT SIU HEADQUARTERS 4tii AVB, t 20th St. • BroeklyR Swap yarns or watch the fighti on television with your old shipinates at the Port O' Coll-YOUR union-owned and union-operated bar. Bring your friends — where you're always welcome. And the tab won't fracture that payoff. - g; • •ifr. .& OWNED AND OPERATED by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT AF.L '•S'. be requested in the port of payoff. $21S was given (a the ship's delegate, R. God­ win, to hold. GULF WATER (Metro), January 10— Chairman, Aaron Wilburn; Secretary, Frank NIgrol. Few repairs were dona from the last trip. Sanitary men aren't doing .their work too well. Mate is get­ ting out of hand on living up to the agreement. Delayed sailing is questioned in Brownsville. Crew is leaving messrooms dirty at night and should clean up as they mess up. Crew should cut out the drinking, as the captain may write in to the Union. Watch the water heater below on the washing machine, as it may blow up on someone. Find out how to use it before takifig a chance. Machine should be washed out after use. Mate stopped the bosun from putting a safety line up back aft. Deck depart­ ment shower Boor should be fixed for sure this trip. FAIRPORT (Waterman), February 21— Chairman, T. Brannon; Secretary, Jack Ross. Repair list was turned in; up to now nothing has been done on it. First assistant^ requested that clothes be kept off fidley railings. Only deck beef is that ail hands were not called in to handle lines in Canal Zone. All repairs will be put on a list. More pressure is needed on sanitary line aft and midship. Repair CHILORE (Ore), February 21—Chalrlist will be given to the Baltimore patroi- man.'Sohn R. Taurin; Secrelary, Edward jnan. Vote of appreciation went to the P. Mattlson. Ship's washing machine is steward department for a job well done. out of order; ship's delegate will see the chief engineer about repairs. New library ALICE BROWN (Bloomflald), Fabruary was written for. Books should be re­ 2t—Chairman, Rad Sully; Sacratary, H. turned to the library after they have D. Camay. H. Lopez was elected ship's been read." Vote of thanks went to the delegate. He will see the captain about steward department for excellent prepa­ putting some kind of buzzer in the ration of food and service. Warning was crew messroom so the standby could given to men who were gassed up on the hear the mate when he wanted him day of sailing and missed watches. Everything else seems to be under con­ MAE (Bull),. February 21—Chairman, trol. Bill Morris; Secretary, Al Bekan. There is $1.59 in the ship's fund and ever.vthing EDITH (Bull), February 32—Chairman, Robert Godwin; Sacratary E. G. Tasko. is running' smooth. A brief talk was Television set was purchased and in­ given on the care of the TV set and ar­ stalled. leaving a total of $9.84 in the rival pool. Each member will donate 25 ship's fund. New shower is needed for cents to the ship's fund. Money that black gang. Arrival pool will be used was collected for Brother Morrison was refused, and was donated to the ship's to build up the ship's fund. lund. OCEAN LOTTE (Ocean Trans.), Janu­ ary 10—Chairman, A. F. Waddle; Sacra­ tary, T. J. Dawat. Painting of crew's quarters will be completed before we reach port, whether permitting. Wash­ ing machine will be secured to a stand so that the ringers can be used over both tubs. Chairs in crew's messroom and recreation room will be cleaned; the MASSMAR (Calmar), February 14— scuttlebutt will be cleaned out. A record Chairman, B. Snow; Secretary, Karalunas. will be kept on the activities of the chief Repair list was sent in from the Canal engineer during the voyage. Repairs are Zone. Ship's delegate should contact the to be made on ail warped doors and Union about increasing the food supplies. hooks will be put on them, so they can Steward said the port steward ignored be secured to the bulkheads. Informa­ his requisition and stores were put tion will be posted in the laundry on aboard by the company as they thought who is using the machine, and when his them sufficient. Steward said he would wash will be finished. A vote of thanks order a complete supply of mattresses. went to the steward department for the Ship's delegate should see the chief mate food and services rendered. Steward about painting the shower room. asked all crowmembers to help keep the messroom and recreation room free of ROBIN DONCASTER (Seas Shipping), shoreside personnel in foreign ports. February 28—Chairman, S. Furtado; Sec­ No data—Chairman, Charlie Volk; Sec­ retary, Harry D. French. Suggestion was retary, A. F. Weddle. Beefs will be made to help with movie equipment taken up with the patrolman on arrival. after films have been shown. Books and Union will be notified about the drink­ magazines should be returned to the ing water situation. We" have been library after they have been read. Coffee drinking wash water. Before sailing the bag should be cleaned out after coffee ship should be supplied with ample linen has been made. There should be more for a round trip. The steward and BR hot cakes and french toast for breakfast. had to wash linen. Sheets and pillow Deck by No. 4 hatch should be kept cases are too small. Vote of thanks went -rlean. so as not to track dirt inside pas­ to the bosun and the DM for- their will­ sageway. Ship's delegate should see the ingness to help those who wanted to chief engineer about installing basin in learn mora about seamanship. Thanks bosun's foc'sle and about having the car­ went to the night cook and baker, Frank penter make some benches for men to Airey, for serving early breakfast to the sit on outside, rather than cots. 4-8 and to the crew messman for prompt and courteous service. WILD RANGER (Waterman), January iL Prote. .One oiler missed ship and was replaced by a man from the hall. Dele­ gates will_ make up repair lists. Ship's delegate will see the chief mate about keys for the crew's quarters. Empty cups should be returned. to the pantry, and' each man should clean up the messhall after himself. EDITH (Bull), January 31—Chairman, Jim Cochoran; Secretary, Louis S. Rlizo. CHILORE (Ore), no dale—Chairman, acclamation. There was a discussion on Pat Fox; Secretary, L. T. Williams. donations for a TV set. New library will SEAMAR (Calmar), no data—Chalrmin, John Marshall; Secretary, Norman Wax­ ier. Captain is trying to prevent sociable card playing. One man missed the ship in Aberdeen and a letter was sent to the Union. There is a $10 balance In the ship's fund. Detailed report will be made on the repair list about the flooded head on sailor's side. Investigation will be made to see if the captain is within his rights in trying to prevent card play­ ing. C. B. Ross was elected ship"s dele­ gate by acclamation. Men are to be properly dressed In the messhall. There are four men in one room in the steward department quarters; Union will -be asked to take action on this. Vote of ttianks went to the steward department BALTORI (Ore), February 37—Chair­ for doing a fine job. S-- he is sorry for fouling up due to a hang­ over, but he is really sick now, and if he is not better when the ship arrives at Port Said, he wants to see a doctor. Majority of the crew voted to continue the ship's fund, and agrdbd to a volun­ tary donation at the payoff. Laundry and ship's library should be kept clean. Chief steward will take care of the ship's fund. OREMAR (Calmar), February 31—Chair­ man, George Hinnani; Secretary, F. H. Houck. J'ohn Foley was elected ship's delegate by acclamation. Crewmembers holding parties after working hours dur­ ing sleeiping hours, pipe down. Crewmembers should promptly return bor­ rowed cups or glasses to the pantry or messhall. Vote of thanks went to the SEA CLOUD (Saatraders), February 21 steward department, especially the new Chairman, F. 'Baron; Sacratary, S. Ful- PO messman. ford. Lee Banton was elected ship's delegate. All department delegates will STEEL NAVIGATOR (Isthmian), no list repairs that can be done aboard ship date—Chairman, Mack Chapman; Secre­ and turn in these lists as soon as. pos­ tary, Joseph CIrrlveau. Noise made by sible, so that as much can be done as the crew In the passageway is to be we are able, before returning to the stopped, in consideration of men who are States. Steward said menus would be sleeping. Shoreside personnel are being Improved; all were satisfied. > fed in the crew messhall; this will be reported to Jhe patrolman, as it should CAPTAIN NATHANIEL B. PALMER be discontinued. One man in the stew­ (American Waterways), February- 12— ard department lost all his papers and Chairman, Howard Rode; Secretary, Har­ his permit as well. Shoreside personnel ris Melbye. Few repairs were done by should be kept out of. passageways and the first assistant. There is no coopera­ quarters, and all business transactions tion from the captain on cleaning up the confined to PO messhall. E. Wasden was ship. First aid kit in the engine room elected ship's delegate. Vote of thanks is empty. Steward is doing a very good went to all steward department members job. Disputes will be taken up when the for good food and care. ship gets back. Steward Insists on hooks STEEL VOYAGER (Isthmian), Oecemfor screen doors to keep stevedores out of the passageway. Let^ will be sent ber 6—Chairman,'Aydley Fostel; Secre­ to the hall, and one cboY wilJ be posted, tary, Peter Van Wjrgerden. Locks still uo.trV4<r» repaired. , Thii;d ,eq^ eald tni^the fiUbihess of twg|g^afild'WUl be 10—Chairman, M. Sterne; Secretary, H. McAleen. Minor beefs will be settled by the patrolman. Joe Bracht was elected ship's delegate. Steward delegate was asked to explain the special chicken made for the captain. He was asked to serve chicken to the captain only if he requested it. Chief cook refused and served it to all the crew and the steward bawled, him out and said the chicken was for the captain only. Steward asked saloon messman not to'mention this spe­ cial food to the crew. Saloon pantry went to department delegate when food was placed on steam table and not menu. Ship's delegate suggested steward be brought before the patrolman. January 31—Chairman, A. D.t Aaron; Sscrstary, H. McAlser. Minor steward department beef straightened out to everyone's satisfaction. Delegate will get payoff receipt for money for port pay­ off. Transportation clarification will bo cleared up. Original NV crew got trans­ portation if payoff is in the South. Re­ pair lists will be turned in. CALMAR (Calmar), February 2S—Chairman, Thomas Lows; Sscrstary, Robert "N. Walton. Enough copies of the repair list for last trip were not made out for the East Coast. Thomas Lowe was elected ship's delegate by acclamation. Messhall fan will be repaired. Each delegate will make out a repair list for the West coast patrolman. Drinking fountain will be cleaned and painted. No glasses are to be left out at night. Laundry room should be cleaned after use. Wiper'g foc'sle was not painted out last trip. STEEL VOYAGER (Isthmian), February 27—Chairman, R. Nelson; Sscrstary, Peter Van Wygerden. Ship's delegate and patrolman saw the captain at the beginning qf the voyage about painting and sougeeing rooms. Captain promised ot have this matter attended to but did not keep his word. Rooms should be clean at ship's turnover. Not all repairs on the last voyage's repair list were attended to. There was a beet about the lack of room for the crew in the present (ContlfiHed. on page 25) �• ••'r-yvv' ' •• SEAFARERS A»ril f. 19S4 Pace Twenty-fiv* LOG ... DIGEST oE SHIPS' MEETINGS ... i-ii.i- If •' (Continued from page 24) in«Mroom. There wee a beef about the food, which wae all right going over. Chief took repUed that the food la the same. Suggestion was made that the messroom be souge^d more often. Hat­ ter of bringing a taxi, with luggage right to thw ship, and discrimination on this aaatter will be taken up with the Union. MADAKET (Waterman), January SiChairmen, Louis Frenken; Secretery, Don Collins. Clyde Clark was elected ship's delegate by acclamation: Don Collins was elected ship's treasurer. There was a special discussion on cleaning the ship. Anyone who needs new mattresses should ace the steward. Any suggestions on re­ pairs should be given to delegates. Ship's delegate wiU see about the movie pro­ jector. March 7—Chairman, Red O'Conner; •ecrefary, Don Collins. Vote of thanks went to the steward department for a Job well done. There was discussion on the washing machine, on the slopchest— which should be checked before the next trip, on medicine chest for the next voy­ age. and on general Union shipboard matters. There is a balance of $84 In the ship's fund. eULFWATER (Metre), February 71— Chairman, Aaron M. Wilburn; Secretary, Frank Nipro. Five men were logged for various causes. The deck department is having a lot of beefs with the chief mate, who seems to be getting worse as we go along. There is a beef about a man having to.pay for his own transportation PERSdNAt.S William R. Doyle Please contact Alfred Rezende «t 736 South Third Street, Phila­ delphia, Pa. i ' 4, Si Theodore Martens Please contact your brother Rev­ erend Paul Martens at the Bethle­ hem Lutheran Church, 119 East Watagua, Johnson City, Tennessee. 4 t Checks Waltlnc There are checks waiting for Walter J. Cousins, John J. Culeton, Russell E. Simmons, Steve Szanto, Jr., and Ben H. Faulk, which can be picked up by getting in touch with Michael J. Cousins, 4205 South Pi'ieur Street, New Orleans, La. Louis "Ellas" Stratlotls. Please contact -Paul Louloudes as soon as possible at 739 South Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut. Phone is 67-4857. 4 4 4 Earl Oppcl Please get in touch with Mar­ garet Oppel at 708 South Bond Street, Baltimore, Maryland. 4 4 4 Gustave W. Becbert Please contact your mother-inlaw, Mrs. Alma Garcia, 509 North Ensor Street, Baltimore, Md. It is a business matter. Your son Benny has been dead one year. to and from tho hotpital. Thore U a boef In overy port aa to draw, the cap­ tain acta aa if it'a a drain out of Itia own pocket. Repair list was turned in 6 days ago, to they have a lot of time to get on with the repairs. Chief mate tried to bribe the deck delegate. He never puta up a proper sailing board. There is over 200 hours' OT and some Is not accounted on the mate's record. All dirty linen should be turned in, as we are going into the shipyard and may lay up. Quarters should be kept clean. Vote of thanks went to the steward depart­ ment for feeding, menus and cooking for the entire ship. WINTER HILL (Cities Service), Febru­ ary 14—Chairman, N. M. Barry; Sscratary, e. Mlhalopoulls. N. M.^erry was unanimously elected new ship^ delegate Television set was repaired in Galveston. Tex., as requested by crewmembers, for $7.40. There is a balance of $15.65 in the ship's fund, which was turned over to the ship's delegate. March f—Chairman, Otto Pedcrsan; Sacretary E. F. Crica. Recreation room was painted and bulkheads sougeed. Messroom was painted out. Men off watch are entitled to delayed sailing from last voyage. Disputed OT wiU be taken up at the payoff. Other beefs were handled at Lake Charles. There is $3.32 in the ship's fund. Ship's treasurer wiU order cigarettes for the crew, and the difference between the cost and $2.00 per carton will go into the ship's fund. First assistant and chief engineer seem to have personal dislike and beef against the engine delegate. They refuse to put out OT as long as he remains delegate. Suggestion was made to get an ironing board. Ship's delegate will pick up the ship's radio from the repair shop in Sulphur, La. this trip. WILD RANGER (Waterman), February 11—Chairman, Widegraen; Secretary, Al­ fredo Aaron. Motion was passed to put a catwalk going aft for safety measures. Small pitchers are needed for water and juice. March <—Chairman, J. T. Hicks; Secratary, F. A. WIdagrean. Innerspring mattressea should be furnished all SIUcontractcd ships. Crew was asked to help keep the messroom clean and to return all coffee mugs and water glasses to tha messroom. Frank Adkins Canaugh Ex-Stoney Point Gear is still on the Stony Point. Write to US Petro Carriers, 655 Madison Avenue, New York City, and they will ship it COD to your home. 4 4 t 4 4 4 4 3^ 4 4 - Jacob Elizondo Tom Df George The LOG office has your dis­ Please get in touch with Mrs.' S. R. Melvinger, 1354 Jackson charge off the Chiwawa. Please pick it up. Street, Camden, NJ. 4 4 4 4 4 Salvage Awards Salvage awards earned by mem­ bers of the crew of the William M. ' Meredith in May and June of 1944, while rendering salvage service to .the Masaryk, can be obtained by communicating with Silas Blake Axtell, 15 Moore Street, New York City. 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Erie Hoffman Please contact Mrs. E, B. Hoff­ man at 284 Indian Hills, Quincy, 111. Henry Chrlstal Peace Please get in touch with yoiir wife, Mrs. Helen Peace, Rt. 1 Box 195, "Vidor, Texas. , YlcShliapln Send your present address to JE. J. Furst, 3913 Hall Avenue, Marinette, WisWnsln. , i ' New York or the patrolman wiU be con­ tacted. A new library is needed. Deck toilets need repairs as well as aft heat­ ing system. Cups should not be left on deck. Linen should be returned and hospital cleaned. March 11—Chairman, John Guntcr; Secretary, B. Kinter. There is $4.80 in the ship's list. Repair list was turned over to department heads: most of re­ pairs were not taken care of as prom­ ised. Crew went on record not to sign articles until plumbing is taken care of. Steward reported that meats are of grade A quality. There was a discussion on the lack of proper repair work. Keys should be turned in so replacements can be made. Ship's fund will be donated to the LOG. Rooms should be left clean for the next crew. There was a dis­ cussion on noise made by steam pipes aft. MARCARIT BROWN (Bloomfleld), February 21—Chairman, J. D. McGoldrick; Secretary, John E. Hands. Edwin C. Hill was elected ship's delegate by acclamation. It was agreed that the laundry and recreation room cleaning procedure would be carried on as in previous trips; engine and deck depart­ ment wUl take care of the laundry and the steward department would take care of the recreation, room. NOTICES 4 4 The membership is again cautioned to beware of persons soliciting funds on ships in be­ half of memorials or any other so-called "worthy causes." No "can-shakers" or solici­ tors have received authoriza­ tion from SlU headquarters to collect funds. The National Foundation for Infantile Pa­ ralysis is the only charitable organization which has re­ ceived membership endorse­ ment. Funds for this cause are collected through normal Union channels at the pay-off. Receipts are issued on the spot QUEENSTCN HEIGHTS (Saatrade), March 10—Chairman, T. Flaming; Sacratary, D. Shaahan. Letter was sent to the Boston Itall about disputed OT for shifting the ship, as well as a report on the man who made the ship on the pierhead last trip. Members should not go over the crew and delegates and send a letter on any beef to headquarters be­ fore consulting the crew. TBfc also applies to the agent who should handle the beef. Broken porthole glass will be put on the repair list to be taken care at at the shipyard this trip. Ail previous repairs were taken care of to the crew's PONCE (Puerto Rice), March 14— satisfaction. The second pumpman. Jack Chairman, Rey Holder; Sacretary, H. L. Farrand, took care of most of the re­ Millar. Leo Rentes was elected engine pairs and got a vote of thanks. delegate. Brother Gonzales thanked the crew for the flowers sent to his wife. MAIDEN CREEK (Waterman), January Tony Viera was elected new ship's dele­ 17—Chairman, J. Ountor; Secretary, B. gate. Captain did not order a replace­ Kinter. Some repairs were done. Cun­ ment for the OS, claiming that the ship ningham was elected ship's delegate by carries an extra man. and he would be acclamation. Engine department quar­ compelled to pay off a man if he had to ters should be cleaned and painted. All get another one. Each crewmcmber will repairs will be made before reaching donate $1 to the ship's fund at the next payoff. Patrolman wiU be notified of the captain's attitude toward the crew. Captain was on deck Interfering with or­ dinary routine deck work. Ship's dele­ gate will find out why the crew must wait for a draw in every port. Walter "Whitey" Craig Edward Nooney Please contact Leroy Clarke at Your mother is ill and worried about you. Contact her at 552 1413 Ryan Street,. Lake Charles, La. It is very important. Ocean Avenue, Jersey City, NJ. John R. Ramey Get in touch with Silas Blake Axtell, 15 Moore Street, New York • City, regarding your suit, ^Can'Shahers* Have No OK Quiz Answerg .(1) 15 percent. (2) Thirty hours.' Solution Is this equation: 1/20 plus 1/x equals 1/12, then 2x equals 60, X equals 30. (3) Edward R. Murrow of the Columbia Broadcasting System. (4) A famous gambler. (5) Struggle between striking mine workers, militia, and mine guards in Ludlow, Colorado, April 19, 1914. Twelve children and two women of the striking, work­ er's families were killed. ' (6) CiiTO - cumulus cloud s, which come in layers and patches. (7) Phoenix, Arizona. (8) Coins were once pared by peciple, who would then sell the accumulated gold and silver. Grooves help prevent this. (9) (h) St. Petersberg. (10) Battle, fought between Hannibal's Carthagiaians and Roman lei^cins on plains of Africa in 202 b.e. Hannibal lost, thus pavIhff wky'to irlsi'^ Of Rbaiafn: didpiriil. SEAMAR (Calmar), March »—Chair­ man, William Sibley; Secretary, T. Brennan. J. B. Bairnett was elected ship's delegate by acclamation. Washing machine will be repaired as soon as pos­ sible. There is a $10 balance in the ship's fund. Suggestion was made to buy magazines. Laundry will be cleaned by the engine department; recreation room by steward and deck departments. Repair list will be turned over to the ship's delegate. There was a discussion on the benefits of the SIU Sea Chest over the outmoded slopchest on this vessel. ' FRENCH CREEK (Cities Service), Jan­ uary 36—Chairman, Harry Jaynes; Sec­ retary, Dan Beard. Captain refuses to handle mail through the Singapore agent. Deck department is waiting clarification from New York on anchor watches in Yokdsulia. Motion was passed to mail outgoing mail through the ship's dele­ gate, using the ship's fund. Baker's of­ fer to donate cash to the ships fund was accepted. Baker got a vote of thanks for his generous offer. John the pantryman got a vote • of thanks for his cooperation in the mcsshall and the galley. The brand of washing powder Issued is not acceptable, and crew asked that a better brand be put aboard in the States. There should be a greater vari­ ety of iced drinks. Both toasters need repairing as well as the screen on the baker's door. Some mattresses do not Rt the bunks. Discussion on the use of imitation black pepper and dried apples will be referred to the next meeting. March 6 — Chairman, Harry Jaynes; Secretary, Dan Beard. There is $6.13 in the ship's fuhd plus S26 from the ar­ rival pool. There are a number of cases Puzzle Answer as they have been using our showers in Puerto Rico. Crew was asked to stay out of the pantry during meal hours. One table should be set aside for the watch. of dysentary almard, and It was sug­ gested that the dishwashing machine be checked and that glasses and mugs be carefully washed. Patrolman should see (he steward about getting a special cleaner for glasses. Linen washed at Suez came back filthy and smelted bad. Heads should be kept cleaner by the crew. Repair list must be turned in by Monday. Beef on the shortage of stores and the miserable slopchest will be turned over to the patrolman. ROBIN TUXFORD (Seas Shipping), March 9—Chairman, H. R. Cuymon; Sec­ retary, Charles C. Peters. Engineers have been very lax on repairs for this trip. One man missed ship twice. Drinking fountain outside crew messhall should be replaced. Three motors burned out this past trip. Ship should be fumigated for rats and roaches. New refrigerator is needed; old one is always on the blink. Galley exhaust fan does not operate prop­ erly; there is not enough power to suck fumes out when frying. This is an ex­ ceptionally hot galley. Patrolman will be contacted on these matters. Vote of thanks went to the steward department for the exceUent chow put out. MORNING LIGHT (Waterman), Febru­ ary 15—Chairman, Duke Wall; Secretary, Celuska. Galley drain was not fixed yet. First assistant told the steward today that he would get on this Job right away. George Llbby was elected new ship's dele­ gate by acclamation. Bosun told the deck department that all hands were to be sober on sailing day to avoid trouble. Dirty linen should be put by the spare room set aside for this purpose, and not thrown down below. Steward told the crew that the steward department would try to avoid any food beefs, but if there should be one, bring it out at the meet­ ings where it can be straightened out SIU fashion. All garbage should be placed in the can aft and not on deck. Laundry is to lie kept clean by each man u.sing it; each laundry will dump garbage and clean up for a week at a time. Crew uses the messhall as a recreation hail, and it should be cleaned up by those using it. Slop sink should be kept clean by ail three departments. March 14—Chairman, Duke Hall; Secre­ tary, L. Galus. The man logged for al­ coholism should be sent to the hospital for treatment as soon as we get in. Stew­ ard will order-more linen so that the ship is up to par. Union should take up the matter of innerspring mattresses with the company. Washing machine and ironing board should be fixed. Crew unanimous­ ly gave a vote of thanks to the steward and his department for the good service and the well done job performed this trip. All garbage should be dumped aft of No. 9 hatch and garbage pails should not be washed out in the slop sink. Chief cook said a few words aliout how well pleased he was with the galley force, and he hoped that there would be all the old faces in the galley next trip. INES (Bull), February 21—Chairman, Manuel Marines; Secretary, Ray Brown. Topside will be asked to return books to the library. There should be more variety on meats and menus. Food being left out at night should be inspected. Fruit should be kept away from the steam table. There should be coopera­ tion in keeping the library clean. Ship's fund will be used to buy a good washing machine. March 14—Chairman, Harry Gerle; Sec­ retary, Harold Long. Repair list will be turned over to the patrolman. W.-\shing machine needs repairing. There is $10 in the ship's fund. Vote of thanks went to the electrician and ship's delegate for procuring washing machine, changing motors, etc. This machine was bought by the crow, as the machine supplied by the company needs fixing. Recreation room. messhaU and heads for all depart­ ments were painted out this past December. MARORE (Ore), March 13—Chairman, Hank Shepeta; Sacretary, M. A. Rendweles. All rooms should be cleaned be­ fore leaving the ship for the next crew. D.M will keep the fan repaired. MAE (Bull), March 20—Chairman, Sid Burger; Secretary, Ed Carlson. There is S25.04 in the ship's fund. Porthole gas­ kets should be checked. .Extra elements will be bought for the TV antenna. Wash­ ing machine is to be cleaned and turned off after use. ELIZABETH (Bull), March 21—Chair­ man, F. Greet; Secretary, C. Oliver. One man was left in the hospital in San .luan. Ship's delegate will see the patroinian about getting milk in San Ju.-in, Puerto Rico. Motion was passed to get book shelves made in the laundry room. I'ote of thanks went to the crew messman for the good service. All new crewmembers should be on the ship an hour before sailing, as they stand a good chance of being left on the dock, as this skipper leaves when he is ready. Vote of thanks went to the steward department and baker for a fine job. New lockers should be installed in all crew's quarters. JEAN LAFITTE (Waterman), February 7—Chairman, Jack Thompson; Secretary, George Craggs. There was discussion about the contract. Ship's delegate win obtain contract information when the vessel pays off. Deck delegate will see the chief engineer about fixing the crew's coffee urn; incidentally, this urn is ready for the boneyard. March 13—Chairman, not listed; Secre­ tary, Wilson J. Davis. Patrolman will be asked to talk with the skipper about ' draws on arrival in Japan; he will also be asked by the patrolman to use a bit of courtesy ,in talking to men. Steward I desiai'tment got a vote of thanks. WorkI ing activities should go according to Union rule, not according to seniority. Patrolman should blast the mate about medical treatment on board. The crewmember who feels that he was mistreated will speak to the delegate. A committee consisting of Wilson J. Davis, Jack Thompson, and Peter Prevas was elected to draft a letter to-the Union on the captain's attitude toward men. Motion was made to make the hospital into a foc'sle for daymen on all C-2 vessels owned by Waterman. WILLIAM A. M. BURDEN (Western Tankers), January T1—Chairman, Ed Farrell; Secretary, W. Wright. Five replace­ ments are needed. G. Baker was elected I ship's delegate. Captain will be asked I abuot safe equipment for cleaning tanks. 1 Chief engineer will be contacted about : getting tank tops fixed; they cannot be i closed. i I i I I OCEAN ULLA (Ocean Trans.), March t — Chairman, Arthur Kavcl; Secretary, Vincent Maahan. Joe Cantin was elected ship's delegate. Each man will donate S.50 for an iron to the ship's fund. Ship's delegate will see the captain about a wringer and port discharges. STEEL AGE (Isthmian), March 4 — Chairman, Louis Johnson; Secretary, H. W. Clemens. Tom Duncan was elected new ship's delegate by acclamation. There is $21.17 in the ship's fund, which was turned over to tlie ship's delegate. Chief engineer and captain will he con­ tacted about heat. New washing machine i should be gotten before leaving the States. Motion was made to move the I checkers away from the house where the ; crew sleeps. One man from each de: partment will clean the laundry. Dcie> g.atcs will check the repair list. Crcw; members are to be dressed properly be­ fore entering messroom and pantry. I Standby buzzer was installed from bridge I to messroom. Screen doors should be i bolted in port to keep shoreside person­ nel out. WACOSTA (Waterman), March 11— Chairman, Pet. Loieas; Secretary, Luis ' A. Ramirez. A motion was made that an SIU patrolman at the next port be conI tacted to straighten up some matters and I repairs, especially the galley mixing ma] chine. The matter of individual distribu­ tion of linen to the engine dep.irtment will be referred to the patrolman through the ship's delegate. Meeting hours to be rotated as suggested. ROBIN KIRK (Seas Shippingf, March 7 —Chairman, Joe Selby; Secretary, John BEATRICE (Bull), March 21—Chairman, W. Clark. Two men missed ship In Cape­ J. Foti; Secretary, J. McLaughlin. Mate town: matter to be turned over to the pawill try and get lockers for the deck de­ I trolman. Bosun suggested that ship's partment, oilskins and working clothes. keys be turned over to the ship's deleWashing machine, as usual was discussed. ' gate for next voyage. A few minor beefs A new one is needed. Shoreside person­ i were reported on the food; crew asked nel should be kept out of passageways. for sardines and salmon. Editor, SEAFARERS LOG, 675 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn 32, NY I would like to receive the SEAFARERS LOG—please put my name on your mailing list. (Print Information) QSQBIS SBIS QSQ NAME QiaQSH QSin SSQ nQsas [i3[is]iisDiQ STREET ADDRESS aSB] SOS SHQSOD sraas DQO [iiiinas CITY BHSQSQSnQ BSQQ QSia Signed ...ZONE STATE TO AVOID DUPLICATION: It you art an old tubtcribar and hava a ehanf# of addratt, ploaio givo your formor addross belowi Hsa afflia asaas cisB! caaa earaas ADDRESS CITY ie6*606*B*«a66*e6***e*a***eeeee*«6*66**>**»*eeeeaeO«eeaeoa««66««at66«66 $$6BB*666O60b60OM6e66«6*e«6*i60$*G iBM6a«i48 66$66 • 40e«»0«ae0«*60066 ZONI 60a6BBB«BBBMgo .STATB �vmr, -Pace Twenty-slz SEAFARERS April t. 1954 LOG We/fore To The Rescue With $ .earn- A hurry-up requirement for money due was met by SIUWelfare Services when Sea­ farer Fortunato Bacomo was hos •pitalized in the Manhattan Beach USPHS hospital recently, Bacomo, who came off an Isth mian ship, had a considerable amount of money coming to him in wages but was hung up temporar­ ily because of the necessity of fill­ ing out vouchers and other forms. Got $200 Draw However, Welfare Services was able to make arrangements for a $200 draw which was delivered im­ mediately to the hospital by SIU "Welfare Services representative A1 Thompson, leaving one Seafarer a lot happier than he was before he got into the hospital. ' The quick action by the unioh helped Bacomo out of a tight spot in rapid order. It was his dough, after all. in the HOSPITALS The following list contains the names of hospitalized Seafarers who are being taken care of by cash benefits from the SIU Welfare Plan. While the Plan aids them financially, all of these men would welcome fnail and visits from friends and shipmates to pass away the long days and weeks in a hospital bed. USPHS hospitals allow plenty of time ./or visitors. If you're ashore and you see a friend's name on the list, drop in for a visit. It will be most welcome. Seafarer Fortunato Bacomo displays $200 draw arranged for by the Union and delivered at Manhattan Beach hospital by SIU Welfare Services Representative A1 Thompson. Nurse looks on. All of the following SIU families Mrs. Paul McBride, Box 525, will collect the $200 maternity Church Point, La. benefit plus a $25 bond from the 4" 4' 4 Union in the baby's name. Michael Joseph Schenk, bom February 9, 1954. Parents, Mr. Donald Arthur McNeil, bom and Mrs. Joseph Schenk, 3905 Fait March 5, 1954. Parents. Mr. and Avenue, Baltimore, Md. Mrs. William A. McNeil, 202 • 4* 4^ 4" Henly Avenue, Crichton Station, Sherri Lynn Baker, bom DecemMobile, Ala. br 24, 1953. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. 4" i 4" Conrad £. Baker, PO Box 177, William Charles Vogel, Jr., bom Petaluma, Cal. Febraary 20, 1954. Parents, Mr. 4> 4^ 4^ and Mrs. William C. Vogel, 1538 Sara Louise Knaflich, born Riverside Avenue, Baltimore 30, March 1, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Md. Mrs. Hanly V. Knaflich, 5704 East ^ 57th Street, Seattle 5, Wash. Teresa June Akins, bom Febm4> 4> t ary 23, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mary Jane Griffith, bora Janu­ Mrs. Marion J. Akins, Route No. 1, ary 16, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Nashville, Ga. Mrs. _Jesse Griffith, 1319 Linden 4i 4i t Avenue, Baltimore, Md. Joan Anna Tutwiler, bom Febt 4" 4J roary 25, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Lorene Marie Anderson, born Mrs. James H. Tutwiler, 1641 March 17, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Waverly Way, Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Richard A. Anderson, 191 4 4^ t Scott Street, Naugatuck, Conn. Kenneth Ray Bevell, bom Jan­ 4i t 4> uary 8, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Jose Antonio Pescador Lopez, Mrs. Arbie L. Bevell, PO Box 19, born March 5, 1954. Parents, Mr. Courtland, Miss. and Mrs. Jose Pescador Lopez, 1539 Hoe Avenue, Bronx 60, NY. 4" 4^ 4' Sally Ann McBride, bom Feb4. 4^ 4> mary 18, 1954. Parents, Mr. and William Charles Lee, Jr., born February 28, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Lee, Route 1, Tifton, Ga. Raymond Theodore V r a b 1 i c, born February 7, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond I. Vrabllc, 6727 Thruway, Dundalk. Md. t 4" 4' Carta Jean Freilich, bom March 12, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Selig S. Freilich, 261-79 Langston Avenue, Glen Oaks, LI, NY. 4^ 4 4« Herman Finhold Cox, born Feb­ ruary 16, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Cox, Jr., 223 St. Paul Avenue, Pass Christian, Miss. 4" 4 4" Delane Anna Yeats, born March 2, 1954. Parents, Mr. , and Mrs. Henry L. Yeats, 1237 Music Street, New Orleans, La. 4 4 4 Marcia Delores Kendrick, bom March 5, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Kendrick, Route 5, Box 20, Springhill, Ala. 4 4 4 Charlotte Rose Warning, bom January 19, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Warning, 64 Item Avenue, Crichton Station, Mobile, Ala. 4 4 4 Gary Ray Smith, born Febmary 23, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. George J. Smith, 312 Essex Street, Saugus, Mass. Let OS Know... h: It ii you're in trouiile 444 Mitzi Renee Flowers, born March 10, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde H. Flowers, 965 Church Street, Mobile, Ala. 4 4 4 4 4 4 Joseph Clyde 'Goude, bom March 13, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Goude, 634 Hudson Street, New York, NY. Mary Magdalen Gutierrez, bom January 19, 1954. Parents, Mr. ayid Mrs. Simon Qutierrez, 7105 Avenue N, Houston, Tex. How To Get Disabled Pay YOOK PROBLEM IS OUR BUSINESS W'^-' Ite- UE lUE no WEIFJUE SEimCES Eii!>UTMEIR Any totally disabled Sea­ farer, regardless at age, who has been employed for seven years on SlU-contracted ships is eligible for the $25 weekly disability benefit for as long as he is unable to work. Ap­ plications and queries on un­ usual situations should be sent to the Union Welfare Tmstees, e/o SIU Headquairters, 675 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn 32,. NY. USPHS HOSPITAL MANHATI^N BEACH. BROOKLYN. NY Percy D. Allred James R. Lewis Fortune Bacomo Francis F. Lynch Thomas Bryant Harry F. McDonald Joseph G. Carr Archibald McGuigan Julian Cuthrell David Mcllreath EmUio Deigado Frank Mackay Antonio M. Diaz Lloyd MUier John DriscoU Alfred Mueler M. W. Gardiner Eugene T. Nelson Robert T. Gilbert George Schumaker Bart E. Ouranick E. R. Smaliwood Thomas Isaksen Henry E. Smith John W. KeenanHarry S. Tuttie L. Kristiansen Renato A. Viiiata Frederick Landry VirgU E. WUmoth James J. Lawlor USPHS HOSPITAL STATEN ISLAND, NY Manuel D. Aguas John Mclnnes George Anderson Vic Miiazzo Thomas R. Bach Sau Mok Meivin Bass John Nemeth John Beckmann Warren Nielsen Marcie Boyles Emilio Ortiz Azhar Caram Edward PoUse Jar Chong Peter Prokopuk Pedro Claude Heinrich Rabba Fred A. Delpenha Robert Reynolds Raul Deiossantos Edwin T. Rushton Donald Dunn P. W. Seidenbergh Joseph Faircioth Robert Sizemore Brigidio Figueroa Frank Soriano Deforest Fry Jose Sousa Esteil Godfrey Walter Sudnick Hans R. Hanssen James Thompson John B. Hass B. F. Trottie Lyie Hipp Samuel L. Vandal Lars Hope Jan Vanos , Choo Chang Lai Louis WiUiams Alexander Leiter USPHS HOSPITAL BALTIMORE. MD. C. Adkins Alva W. MeCulIum K. K. Braaten Joseph D. McGraw Jessie A. Clarke Terral McRaney MUlard M. Cutler George Mattair Jos. Dallas W. Middendore James R. Dodson Paige A. Mitchell BolestaH J. Dzeiak Edward A. Morgan JameFw. Gordon Thomas Mungo G. E. Herrmann Raymond C. Myers J. B. Humphries Herbert Parks McConniey Jarrell Jimmie Priddy George Jerosimfch John C. Ramsey Alexander Johnson .Tohn Scott William Kenny J. T. Sigmon Karl Krlstensen W. J. Stephens William Kunak Ray B. Sunderland Dorsey J. Lambert Thomas Tlerno Clyke R. Leggett Frank Van Dusen L. G. Llnthicum Andrew Westerlund Peter Losado Henrlc N. Wlese David McCollum Clifford Womack U.SPHS HOSPITAL S.:ATTLE. WASH. O. E. Abrams S. Johannessen Sverre 1. Brenna V. K. Ming G. C. Famum Linus E. Twits William K. GuUey Otto R. Ware USPHS HOSPITAL NEW ORLEANS. LA. Vincent B. Arjona Clarence W. Cobb WiUiam D. Austin P. B. Cogley Leonard BaUey S. Cope Thomas Barracliff J. D. Dambrlno James J. Battle Andrew Danko Charles E. Brady Thomas J. Dawson WUIiam R. Burch Henry L. DUl P. J. Carpovich J. L. Diosco S. C. Carregal Gordon R. Oooley Richard W. Clark Thomas L. Dugan E. G. Knapp Robert T. Eider Leo Fontenot Leo H. Lang B. D. Foster James M. Lucky Hugh D. Fouche Grant Marzett Stanley A. Freeman C. E. McClarnan James E. Gardiner J. E. McEHreath Nathan L, Gardner James R, Miller John B. Geissler Otto H. Palsson Jack H. Gleason H. F. Paschall Harry M. Hankee Harry G. Peek F. Hauser Edgar A. Piatt H. C. Herring W. E. Reynolds WiUiam RocheU John L. Hinton Robert E. Hommel J. Santiago J. W. Howell Luthgr C. Seidea John N. Hull James T. Smith Thomas S. Johnson L. C. Smith Lonnle R. Tlckla William Johnson Leonard Kay J. E. Ward John E. Kennedy Louis W. WetzeU Michael V. Kicko US NAVY HOSPITAL KEY WEST. FLA. Thomas W. Atkins USPHS HOSPITAL NORFOLK. VA. John L. Griffin Manuel Martins John R. Henchey William H. Mason W. G. Keiswetter USPHS HOSPITAL SAN .FRANCISCO. CAL. Wayne T. Center Joe Perreirs Henry J. Childs Eugene G. Plahn Ho Yee Chow W. S. Singleton G. C. Eller V. W. Sorensen' T. C. Finntrty Sing Ah Sue Olav Gustausen M. B. WUson A. M. Keller P. S. Yuzon USPHS HOSPITAL SAVANNAH. GA. W. C. Bedgood R. B. McCorkel Paul B. Bland A. R. Norton C. E. Carkhuff F. S. Paylor G. O. Corbett James B. -Sellers Paul Jakubcsak Gilbert F. T/lIson .Toseph Kramer James F. Wilson Jimmie Littleton Paul M. Wood SEASIDE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL LONG BEACH, CAL. Ragnor A. Ericson BEEKMAN DOWNTOWN HOSPITAL NEW YORK. NY Bernard Jurkowski GRASSLANDS HOSPITAL VALHALLA, NY Arthur Lomas USPHS HOSPITAL DETROIT. MICH. Tim Burke Harry J. Cronin VA HOSPITAL BALTIMORE. MD. Leonard Franks SAILOR-S SNUG HARBOR STATEN ISLAND. NY Joseph Koslusky POTTENGER SANITORIUM MONROVIA. CAL. E. L. Prltchard USPHS HOSPITAL BOSTON. MASS. Frank Alasavlch Theodore Mastaler E. P. Belkner Robert A. Rogers Ralph M. ChurchiU Jose J, Valenzueln Lawrence Macnell USPHS HOSPITAL GALVESTON. TEX. ^ Mair C. Bunker J. E. Markopolo Claude L. Davis A. L. Miller M. DegoIIado Floyd C. Nolan Eugene R. Hall A. J. ScTievlng Harry E. Horn Denis C. Skousas Samuel S. Lyla ' Jack D. Strickland Ernest L. Magers Delegate's Letter Helps Win Quick Care For Injured Man The importance of meeting ships on which men are being repatriated because of illness was underscored recently by the case of Seafarer James Marker, fornfierly on the Robin Kirk. Marker and another crew- cab and sent home for rest and member were coming back recuperation. from Africa on another Robin In Harker's, cdse; the company ship, the Robin Sherwood, as re­ wanted him to stay on the ship patriates because there was a doc­ until It docked in Baltimore, be­ tor on board that particular vessel. cause that was where he had signed Earlier the ship's on In the first Instance. But Harkdelegate on the er wanted to get hospitalization Sherwood had Immediately. Consequently, notified head­ Thompson took him off the ship quarters Inform­ and over to Staten Island where ing the Union of because of his condition they ad­ the arrival of the mitted him as an inpatient right two men and ask­ away. ing that some­ Under the circumstances, it was body be at the a good thing that the delegate had dock to take care written headquarters because Bark­ Harker of them. er's condition was none too good Consequently, Welfare Services and It would not have been advis­ representative Al. Thompson met able for him to continue on to the ship when It docked on- the Baltimore. This case again points up the New Jersey side of the Hudson River, After discussing the matter advisability of having -delegates with company representatives. It notify headquarters well In adwas agreed that one of the repatri­ Vjance that tji^y^ coming - home ated men should be put In a taxl- with repatriated men aboard. �SEAFARERS April 2. 19M LOG Page Twenty-seven Can't Keep Good 5IU Man Down SEEDP THE SEAFARERS Now recovering from a fractured hip, a broken pelvis and other injuries at a US Public Health Service hospital is Seafarer Edwin L. Rushton. While faced with a long period of convalescense, Rushton is happy that the Union got him transferred out of a private hospital into a place where he" couid get free medical treat­ ment and enjoy the company With WALTER SIEKMANN of fellow-seamen. iNewa about men fn the hospitals and Seafarers receivtna SW Wel­ Rushton suffered his injury when fare Benefits will be carried in this column. It Is written by Seafarer Walter Siekmann based on items of interest turned up while he makes he fell off the gangway of the Val his rounds in his post as Director of Welfare Services.) Chem while the ship was at its terminal in the East River. He was Quite often Seafarers run into a little trouble collecting maintenance rushed to Lincoln hospital in the and cure from the shipping companies because they once had a child­ Bronx for emergency treatment. hood ailment and neglected to report it to the company doctor when Contacted Hospital they were examined and questioned. Then if they get sick on board tl^e ship, the insurance companies will look to connect their shipboard As soon as the Union received a sickness with their previous medical history as an excuse for not paying report of the injury, a Welfare maintenance. Services" Representative got in The insurance companies argue this way—if the man had reported touch with the hospital and made his previous ailment to the examining doctor, the doctor would have arrangements to transfer Rushgiven him a thorough check-up on that particular matter and then found ton to the more congenial climate of Staten Island. him not lit for duty. The injured Seafarer can pass Now its pretty obvious that if a man was sick once, many years be­ fore, and has been sailing fit for duty for a number of years, there the time of day regaling his ship­ Isn't much chance of connecting his shipboard sickness with what went mates with tales of an interesting on before. But If the man doesn't report it to the doctor, then the in­ past. At various times he has been surance people have the loophole they are looking for to deny main­ a wrestler, an infantryman, a food broker, a restaurant worker and a tenance. So make sure when the doctor asks questions about your past illness variety of other occupations. He to tell him all that has happened. If you are fit for duty, you will get comes from a long-line of seafarers cleared anyway, with the USPHS doctors having the final say on that on his mother's side. He was born score. That way, if anything happens on the ship the insurance people won't have ai loophole to deny you maintenance. On the beach over In Yokohama, Japan, are a couple of the boys who like that part of the world. Amadeo Fedele was taken sick on The Cabins and is now in that Oriental port awaiting repatriation. Max Lipkin, on the other hand, makes the town his home away from home. Now, however, he is there recuperating from a broken leg. One of the brothers, Glenn Curl, who hails from New Orleans down in the bayou country, is laid up In Manila, PT, at this time because of an auto acci­ dent. Harry Cronin is expecting to get out of the Seafarer-patients in the hospital In Cincinnati, Ohio, with a "fit for duty" Staten Island USPHS hospital slip before very much longer. never lack for immediate Vic Milazzo is now over at the Staten Island hos­ Milazzo pital after being transferred from the Manhattan service or company, under the well-organized system of hospital Beach hospital. He's hoping to get a "fit for duty" slip soon. delegates maintained by the SIU " Hugh Crawford, who hails from Tampa, Fla., was there. The delegates, working in fireman on the Abiqua when he came down with a conjunction with daily visits by hernia. He is getting out of the Staten Island hos­ SIU hospital representatives are pital and will head for New Orleans to do his con­ able to take care of all non-medi­ valescing. Quite a few of the boys do the same thing cal needs in short order. in order to recuperate in the southern sunshine, and Each floor in the ho.spital has its It has nothing to do with the good-looking women own delegate, who of necessity, down there, they say. must be an ambulatory patient. The Welfare Services Department, answering all Any time a new patient is admitted needs for Seafarers, got a strange request from Tim to the floor, the delegate notifies McCarthy aboard the Tagalam. Tim says there's a Fedele headquarters immediately and lets belly-robbing^ steward aboard the scow, so he wants Welfare Services to send him a package of good chow to tide him over Welfare Services know if there is anything the man needs. It might a rough trip. Of course, he's only kidding. be a matter of getting his gear off a ship, notifying his family of his whereabouts, or simply getting him some smokes. In addition, if any man is con­ fined to his bed, the word is passed through the hospital from floor to floor to see if he has any friends who could visit him. Of course, the delegates them­ selves keep changing since they get discharged from the hospital in due course and a new one has to be chosen to take their place. But there is always somebody on hand to represent the men and take care of all the little items that make a difference between a relatively pleasant hospital stay and a pretty unhappy one. SlU Delegates At Hospitals Always On Job Already A Lens Hound? iriliiplii? •y'f-'. in Swanipscott, Massachusetts, to the daughter of a sea captain. His grandfather operated a fivemasted sailing schooner that car­ ried coal between Hampton Roads and other Atlantic ports, and Rushton was often aboard the ship as an infant. However, a few years later, the ship was wrecked, ending his sea-going career for the time be­ ing. Non-Union Trip Sub.sequently he shipped as OS on a United Fruit vessel, but one trip under the non-union condi­ tions prevailing then convinced him that seafaring was not for him. He then worked in a variety, of jobs, but when the depression set in, he became part of a wrestling tour. He and a 280-pound ex-Holy Cross football tackle, Kewpie McCue, toured the tank tdwns wrest­ ling four or five nights a week for the local "championship." To at­ tract the local citizenry, Rushton went under the name of "Farmer" Rushton." After a while though, Rushton got tired of having his ears pinned back by McCue, so he left the wrestling- business. During World War II, Rushton found himself storming the beaches of Normandy with the infantry and picked up a bullet for his pains. Finally, in 1951, he decided to try his hand at seafaring again. His first ship was the SlU-manned Northwestern Victory, wdiich he found quite different from the United Fruit ship he once was on. Right now, Rushton sails regu­ larly in the steward department. He hopes to be back in action soon with his SIU shipmates. Knowles died on February 7, 1954, in Mobile, Ala., of a head injury. He sailed as a bosun in t'ne deck department. Burial took place at Wolf Ridge Cemetery. Whistler. Ala. Brother Knowles is survived Thomas E. Foster, 58: A skull •by his wife, Theima Doris Knowles, fracture received in an automobile Route 8, Box 171, Crichton, Ala. crash near Death Valley Junction. 4> 4 4 Gal., caused Brother Foster's death on February 18, 1954. A chief John Ira Waller, 38: On Decem­ steward. Brother Foster was buried in Jacksonville, Tex.; the estate is ber 29. 1953. Brother Waller was administered by Mrs. Minnetta B. drowned in Delaware River. New Hanrahan of 20197 Piccadilly Road, Castle Co., Del., and was buried at Middleboro Cenietery, MiddleDetroit 21, Mich. boro, Mass. He sailed as a wiper in !• t t the engine department. Simeon Layne, 64: On March 3. 4 4 4 1954, Brother Layne died at Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, Robert E. Halliday: While the and was buried in Evergreen Ceme­ Steel Designer was at latitude tery there. He sailed as a member 28-40N longitude 75-07W, on Janu­ of the steward department. ary 25, 1954, Brother Halliday fell overboard and was lost at sea. He 4" 4" 4» Lloyd C. Knowles, 37: Brother sailed as carpenter in the deck department. Any Seafarer who has become a father since April 1, 1952, can receive the $200 maternity benefit payment, plus the Union's gift of a $25 US Treasury Bond for the child. A copy of the mar­ riage certificate and birth certificate is i-equired. If possible, a discharge from his last ship should be enclosed. Duplicate pay­ ments and bonds, will be given in cases of multiple births. Disability; Any totally disabled Seafarer, regardless of age. Who has seven years seatime when companies participatinig in the Welfare Plan, is eligible for the weekly disability benefit for as long as he is totally unable to work. Applications and queries on unusual situations should be sent to the Union Welfare Trustees, c/o SIU Headquarters, 675 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn 32, NY. ' •• The deaths of the followinu Seafarers have been reported to the Seafarers Welfare Plan and $2,500 death benefits are being paid to beneficiaries. Mqternity; .b' l/oili y.\ ""'mti Convalescing happily in company of fellow-seamen. Seafarer Ed Rushton displays SIU hospital benefits in one hand while Seafarer Don Peterson offers a light for bis cigar. At right are Seafarers Robert Reynolds and Walter Sudnick. Who Geia SiU Reiiefits? Mrs. William Renter, wife of Seafarer William Reuter, shows off the new addition to the family, in the person of son William John, bom January 11, 1954. The New York City Seafarer was last on the ASalea City (Waterman). Junior doesn't seem bothered one bit by the photographic activities "•'M 4 4 4 Peter Sadowski, 41: A messman in the steward department, Brother Sadowski died of a heart ailment on February 25, 1954, at the Balti­ more, Md., USPHS hospital. He was buried at St. Stanislaus Ceme­ tery in that city. His estate is ad­ ministered by Stanley Sadowski, 120 Montford Avenue, Baltimore, Md. 4 4,4 Tedd R. Terrhigion, 50: On Feb­ ruary 8, 1954, Brother Terrington suffered a fatal hemorrhage in New Orleans, La. He sailed in the steward department. Surviving is his son, Tedd Phillip Terrington, Apartment F, 500 Felicitj', New Orleans, La. ' -1 I �• OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT •. AFL • fljv'-1 • Sf ?-:-' : L-. i Whether you've spent coffeetinne with a mermaid or merely plucked a lessjosty morsel out of the briny, the. place to tell about it is in the pages of the SlU's own newspaper, the SEAFARERS LOG. Letters detailing the exploits of Sea­ farers all over the world, in matters big or small, can be passed on to your friends, shipmates and posterity as well. Photographic records of events aboard ship and ashore, drowinqs, short stories, poetry and the like are always welcomed. Send them to the Editor, SEAFARERS LOG, 675 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn 32, New York. I" > I < F' r.-. 4.M � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1950-1959 Description An account of the resource Volumes XII-XXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource April 2, 1954 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. XVI, No. 7 Description An account of the resource Headlines: NLRB THROWS OUT DOCK VOTE; ORDERS NEW BALLOT THREE SEAFARERS, OTHERS SEEK SIU SCHOLARSHIPS MOBILE ASKS DEEPENING OF SHIP CHANNEL LAST 25 SHIPS TO BALLOT IN STEWARD VOTE UNIONS LEAD FIGHT ON TRANSFERS AS HEARINGS BEGIN NEW WATERMAN TERMINAL OPENS AT PORT NEWARK YARMOUTH SAILS THRU SEA LAW LOOPHOLES SIU DONATES BATCH OF NEW BOOKS TO USPHS HOSPITAL GULF SHORE GANGS WIN PAY INCREASE TOUTS SEA JOBS AT $2 A HAND PATIENTS CALL ON NMU FOR HOSPITAL AID EARLY POLL RETURNS BACK SHIPS' LIBRARIES; SOME CHANGES SOUGHT CONFERENCE TAKES UP MARITIME ILLS LOG ERRS IN PHOTO MIX-UP DID HE REALLY WIN $140,000? WATERMAN ASKS OKAY FOR GULF PASSENGER RUN ISRAEL SEA UNION ON SOLID BASIS EYE GIFT STORY ENDS IN REUNION ON SHIP SEAFARER RECALLS OLD WHALING DAYS; FINDS LIFE TODAY 'TAME' SEA CHEST TAKES TOP PRIZE IN CIGARETTE SALES CONTEST PANAMANIANS ALL NEW DOCK VOTE THE CALL OF THE SEA SCHOOL BELLS THE MORRO CASTLE FIRE SHARK FISHING CHIEF ATTRACTION ABOARD VESSEL ON FAR EAST RUN SEAFARERS MOURN FOR SKIPPER ON FINAL TRIP BROTHER TRIO GOES PROSPECTING FOR WHAT-HAVE-YOU IN COLORADO SEAFARERS PAY TRIBUTE TO SHIPMATE'S MEMORY 'WERE YOU CAUGHT IN RAID TOO?' SAID THE SEAFARER TO THE JUDGE WHAT'S THE TARIFF WELFARE TO THE RESCUE WITH $ CAN'T KEEP GOOD SIU MAN DOWN SIU DELEGATES AT HOSPITALS ALWAYS ON JOB Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 4/2/1954 1954 Periodicals Seafarers Log