http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/de2114817fa0eace0538ac3286f17d95.PDF 1306953bea81e7364ff4e0a8afbcc093 PDF Text Text Official Organ of the Atlantic and Gulf District^ Seafarers International Union of North America Seatrade Enters tanker Field, Signs SlU Pact Seatrade Corporation, an al­ ready SlU-contracted dry cargo company, which has now en­ tered the tanker field, signed a full tanker agreement with the Seafarers International Union this week. Announcement of the signing was made by Director of Organization Lindsey Wil­ liams. The new addition to the everlengthening list of SlU-contracted tanker companies first came^ into the SIU fold last Novem­ ber when the company signed a regular dry cargo agreement. Now the company has entered tanker operations with the pur­ chase of the SS Ramapo, a pre­ war tanker. The Ramapo, presently on the West Coast, will sail to tlie East Coast the latter part of this month. It is expected to operate from ports along the Atlantic Coast. No. 29 NEW YORK, N. Y« FRIDAY. JULY 16. 1948 VOL. X CG To infora Law (h ABs On July IS. the Coast Guard commenced rigid en­ forcement of the legal qualifications for signing ABs on American ships. Under the law. two-thirds of the ABs on any ship must hold green tickets. In other words, two-thirds of the ABs must show three years of deck time. The remaining third may hold blue tickets which require only a year of deck time. On the average ship calling for six ABs. four will have to have green tickets after July 15. All ABs are urged to check their tickets. If you hold a wartime AB ticket, terminating six months sifter the end of the war. you should go to the Coast Guard and get your blue ticket, or get your green ticket if you have the three years. And if you have a blue ticket and the three years, you should get it upped to green, whether you got your papers during the war or some time earlier. CG Cuts Alien Quota For Subsidized Ships By JOSEPH VOLPIAN Special Services Representative Labor Board Hearing Doflnes Voting Unit For Cities Service NEW YORK — The first in­ formal hearing on the SIU's petition for a collective bargain­ ing election on nine Cities Ser­ vice vessels was held this week at the regional National Labor Relation Board office here. -Although formal hearings are to follow, one of the most impor­ tant matters—the composition of the voting unit—was settled sat­ isfactorily to the SIU. At the hearing, held on July 9, the NLRB examiner and the Union agreed that the same con­ ditions applied to the other elec­ tion held in Cities Service would apply to the coming election, except for the wording of the clause covering the voting unit. Instead of naming the ships to be voted, the clause calls for the polling of all unlicensed per­ sonnel on vessels of the com­ pany's marine division, except those on vessels already certified by the NLRB. In other words, the new tei-minology makes clearer the SIU's position in the event the com­ pany acquires more vessels once the election has been called. The clause reads: "All unli­ censed personnel on board ves­ sels owned or operated by the marine division including deck, engine and stewards, excluding radio operators, pursers and un­ licensed personnel aboard those vessels of which the Union has been certified by the NLRB." Absent from the discussions on the voting unit was the com­ pany's attorney, who walked out when told he was not allowed to ha\;e his own stenographer take notes. According to Ben Sterling, at­ To bolster their case, the CG On July 15, the proportion of can also point to the fact that aliens permitted in crews of sub­ man.v more aliens have obtained NEW NEGOTIATIONS sidized American ships was re­ visas legalizing their entry into Representing the company at duced from 25 percent to 15 per­ the United States, permitting the signing was Mr. James Pohl, cent by the Coast Guard, which them to sail coast-wise or work Director of Seatrade Corpora­ tion. The Seafarers was repre­ is gradually moving toward ashore. Certainly the pressure sented by the regular SIU Ne­ stricter interpretation and en­ has been eased. gotiating Committee. The Com­ forcement of federal statutes The point ought to be made pany's offices are at 44 White­ governing aliens and other mat­ again right here, though it has been made many times before, ters within its jurisdiction. hall Street, New York. that when an alien is trying for In announcing the signing of If the Coast Guard were to in­ a job on a subsidized, ship he Seatrade, Brother Williams also terpret the law exactly, ho aliens must have at least one discharge disclosed that the SIU will at all would be permitted to sail covering service on an American shortly enter into negotiations subsidized ships except the 10 vessel during the war to get it. with the New London Tanker percent allowed in the Stewards He must have sailed under the Company, a new outfit at present Department of passenger vessels. having one tanker, the T-2 New The Coast Guard for a number American flag at some time be­ tween Pearl Harbor and V-J London. of good reasons has waived this Day. law in some degree. HAVE MAJORITY URGES STEPS Following a brief, but con­ However, on unsubsidized centrated, organizing drive on ships, the CG says that aliens The trend of Coast Guard pol­ the New London, the Union pre­ may still constitute 25 percent icy proves that the SIU has been sented the company with evi­ of the crews. Since only a few correct in urging its alien mem­ dence of having SIU pledges of the ships contracted to the bers to take every possible meas­ from a majority of the crew and SIU are subsidized, the CG's new ure to. improve their legal status asked the operators to enter in­ restriction on aliens may net be (Continued on Page 15) to contract talks covering wages quite so bad as it sounds, but the trend should be a warning. and working conditions. The company has signified its The Coast Guard has been willingness to begin negotia­ waiving the law to some extent tions, which will probably com­ in this alien question, because mence shortly. The New Lon­ it long ago. recognized that there NEW ORLEANS—A clear-cut SIU walked away with better don Company's home offices are were so many aliens in the victory for the Seafarers Inter­ than 75 percent of the total in Philadelphia. American merchsmt marine that national Union was predicted by tally. The rapidly-increasing list of it rrfight be hard to find enough Union observers, following the The other Cuba Distilling ship, tanker companies contracted to men experienced in the proper voting of the SS Carrabulle, the Catahoula, voted late this the Seafarers is especially note­ ratings to keep the ships crewed. Cuba Distilling Company, in a week in Deepwater, New Jersey worthy when it is recalled that National Labor Relations Board —too late for details to be car­ PRESSURE EASED a little over a year ago not a election held in this city this ried in the SEAFARERS LOG. single tanker outfit was operat­ During the war, aliens were week. An equally strong vote for the ing under an SIU agreement. allowed to constitute as much as The voting of the Carrabulle SIU was expected on this ship. The progress made since the 50 percent of a crew. After the took place Monday, July 12, Announcement of the voting SIU organizing department be­ war the percentage, was cut to and was witnessed' by Director results on the two ships is _ of Organization Lindsey Williams expected from the NLRB with­ gan devoting its attention to the 25. tanker field points up the effec­ Meanwhile, so many aliens, and New Orleans Port Agent in a couple of weeks. With an SIU victory in Cuba Distilling, tiveness of this phase of the have become naturalized that the Earl (Bull) Sheppard. Although the vote count was negotiations with the company Union's program, in addition to CG feels that it is justified in aiding the emplojnnent situation cutting the percentage allowed not announced, both observers for a contract will only await expressed confidence that the certification of the SIU. on the subsidized vessels. for Seafarers. torney for the Union, the formal hearings on the SIU petition will begin in about two or three weeks. The SIU's present petition be­ fore the NLRB was made neccessary when the board ruled that the SIU represents only those seven ships voted in a previous election. The company acquired eight more after the election was underway and one ship, the Lone Jack, was not voted. In order to represent all the seamen in the Cities Service fleet it was necssai-y for the SIU to petition for an electiori on the remaining nine ships. ; In the meantime, progress is being made toward securing a contract covering the crews of the seven ships for which the SIU has been certified. Company representatives are now studying the Union's de­ mands and a meeting of both the Union and the company is ex­ pected shortly. Miners Win About 50,000 striking coal miners, representing 10 per­ cent of the bituminous coal­ mining industry, went back to work in the "captive" mines when the owners fin­ ally signed a contraxt with the United Mine Workers of America on July 13. The miners struck on July 6 when the steel companies, which own the captive mines, refused to grant the union shop that the UMW had wrung from the commercial mines. SIU Victory Seen In Cuba Distilling Vote s. This week's elections on the Carrabulle and Catahoula, both Liberty type tankers, came two weeks after an NLRB order for the elections was handed down. The SIU first petitioned for an election on March 18, after securing sufficient pledge cards from the seamen of the com­ pany's two ships. When a contract is^ signed with Cuba Distilling it will bring this company under the banner of the SIU once more. The company had a contract with the Union untili all its ves­ sels were lost to enemy action during the war. �Two ARER 5 V EO G Friday. July 1948 M' SEAFARERS LOG Published Weekly ^ the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 Entered as second class matter June 15, 1945, at the Post Office in New York, N. Y., under the Act of August 24, 191^. 267 Saving Seamen's Lives In a Tampa hospital this week are three Seafarers painfully recuperating from scalding burns suffered when live steam shot from what was obviously a faulty line aboard, the SS John Bartram. One of the men is in a critical condition. A fourth victim was already beyond the reach of medical aid. He died in agony shortly after being scalded from head to foot as he sought to escape from the spraying inferno. •. It is believed that a faulty elbow and excessive • pressure in the line was responsible for the tragedy. So far, no official reason for the accident has been advanced. ' Regardless of the verdict, however, it will be of little comfort to the sufferers and their families. It will ,sound just as hollow as the thousands of other postaccident reports that have been filed before. " Some will say that seafaring is a tough life, and that ..accidents like those aboard the Bartram this week are part of the risk a man runs when he goes to sea. j Sure, seafaring is tough. There are mighty few occu­ pations that are more. hazardous. Many of the hazards, however, can be traced to negligence, inadequate inspec- tion regulations, and outmoded construction and equipimeAt, none of which is pardonable. On the John Bartram, for example, in addition to the' faulty line, another hazard was discovered—one that gt any. time might prove to be loaded with tragedy. "" As on other early Liberties and prewar-biiilt vessels^ the portholes are too small to serve as an escape for ^ nprmal-sizcd man. Many of the occupants of rooms off iherBartram's steam-choked passageway tried to pass through these ports and failed. They were able to keep the steam from seeping into the rooms by packing mat" Cresses" and other materials against the doors. Hospital Patients When entering the hospital notify the delegates by post­ card, giving your name and the number of your ward. Mimeographed postcards can be obtained free at^the Social Service desk. JUeo Now In The Marine Htapitals Stat en Island Hospital If fire had been licking at the doors, it would have You can contact your Hos­ been a different story, written off with an even greater These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, pital delegate at the Staten cost of life. It would have been ironic that men of the as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging Island Hospital at the follow­ ing times: U.S; merchant fleet, which prides itself on the fact that hWvily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by Tuesday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Its standards are far and away the highest of any in the writing to them. (on 5th and 6th floors.) iW^orld, would have been helplessdly trapped and doomed MOBILE HOSPITAL RALPH PIEPHET Thursday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. because a few inches of porthole prevented their escape. V. R. NORTH A. C. McALPIN (on 3rd and 4th floors.) V. P. SALLINGS Certainly all the life-saving appliances advocated by JOSEPH BENNETT C. GREEN Saturday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. the recent International Convention of Safety of Life at CHARLES R. VORN C. R. GRIMES (on 1st and 2nd floors.) Sea, which the U.S. attended, would have been worthless. JOSEPH BLANCHARD W. H. COLBOURNE O. M. RAYNOR M. C. GADDY Immediate steps should be taken by the Maritime 4* 4» 4* ' H. L. SEYMOUR Commission, the steamship companies and the government SAN FRANCISCO HOSPITAL STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL JAMES FARRIOR inspection service to see that the potential threats to the J. HODO E. MULHOLLAND A. JENSBY lives of seamen, such as the one pointed up by the Bar­ W. WATSON A. SYLVERA F. NERING tram tragedy, are removed from American vessels. EDWIN MAXWELL R. J. CAVANAUGH E. MELLE V* FRANK WAGNER F. O. FONDULA D. P. GELINAS Resolutions and protests are not enough to eradicate P. TRASMIL P. E. CUMARE J. E. BURNS these unnecessary perils. H. FERDRICKSSON E. BULIK ^ a. H. MASON G. D. FINKLEA SAVANNAH HOSPITAL The only way to demonstate a sincere determination G. L. DUXWORTH S; HEIDUCKI to reduce the hazards of shipboard life is by action. No TROY THOMAS ED MILLER C.E.BRADY amount of talk or good intentions can substitute for more F. T. ALKOFER J. McNEELY S it R. BROWN Stringent construction regulations and the much-needed M. T. TARING J. L. ROBERTS BALTIMORE HOSPJTAL D. DeDUISEN overhaul of the ships now sailing with standards far short W. ROBERTS LOYD E. WARDEN J. BONYEA of reasonable protection for the crews aboard. E. CAHOON M. J. LUCAS , J. PRATS 4. -4. E. T. JANASJAK Whatever monetary costs might be involved in mak­ NEW ORLEANS 4. 4. 4 » HOSPITAL HAROLD H. SPENCER . ing our comparatively safe merchant marine even safer GALVESTON HOSPITAL STELLY C. FORMAN GEO. H. SkEBERGER would be insignificant, when measured in terms of the E. LIPARI THOS. A. BENSON A. E. MOULTON • I saving in human lives. R. F. BLACK EDWARD L. PIERCE WARREN W. CURRIER JOSEPH WING J. M. DOONER To those who hold the power to provide greater J. DENNIS L. C. MASON LAPERHOUSE WILLIAM T. ROSS shipboard security for American seamen, the Seafarers A. LOOPER FOSTER MATTHEW LITTLE say, "Get going!" C. ANDERSON COMMANDER BYRON C. BARNES �Friday. July II. IMt ERP Ruling Aids Panama Tanker Ships TBE SEAF AHEBS tOG Say Your Say! Now that the Hiring Hall issue has been hurdled, the SIU Negotiating Committee is preparing for discussions with the operators on clari­ fications in the Union's standard freighter agree­ ment. So that the membership can actively participate in Although there is still a joker or two in the picture, it looks as if the people running the Marshall Plan are going to ad­ here pretty closely to the provi­ sion calling for half the ship­ ments to go under the Americarr flag. Arthur G. Syran, Marshall Plan transportation director, an­ nounced the other day that Am­ erican carriers of bulk cargo clarifying the working rules, would be paid higher rates than the Committee urges all Sea­ their low-cost foreign- tramp farers to submit their views. competitors, thus assuring them Any member wishing to their rightful 50 percent of the make suggestions for changes bulk business by permitting in the working rules for any them to operate at a profit. of the three Departments There has been some legitimate should write them out and fear among American ship ope­ mail them immediately to rators that they wouldn't get the SIU Negotiating Com­ much of the grain, coal, phos­ mittee, 51 Beaver Street, phate and other bulk business— New York 4, N. Y. because the law reads that half This is your opportunity to the cai-goes are to go in Ameri­ help clarify any section of can ships when they are avail­ your working rules. able at the market rate. If the "market rate" for bulk cargoes were lower than the American rate, U.S. bulk cargo carriers figured they might lose all the bulk business. As it now appears, shipping will be checked at six-month in­ tervals, so that U.S. officials will be certain that Americans are By JOE getting at least their half of the cargoes. The biggest and most obnox­ In last week's LOG, there was ious joker is in the manner in a mighty good article on a Bosun's which tanker space will be al­ duties. What is said about let­ lotted. ting the crew do crew's work Tankers under the Panamanian is particularly true when all flag which are judged to be un­ der "effective American control" hands are turned to, or on a pas­ will be considered to be Ameri­ senger ship or other ship with a can ships. number of day workers. This means that, while at But it is a cinch that on a least 50 percent of the liner and Liberty which only carries one" bulk cargoes yill assuredly be carried in American ships, any Deck Maintainence, and has only American who owns a Pana­ one or two watchmen on deck at manian tanker wiU be able to sea, the Bosun has got to pitch muscle into the American half in and do a little work himself. of the tanker trade with his low Furthermore, as the most ex­ standards of pay and bad con­ perienced man, there are lots of ditions. Who thought this one jobs coming up—such as sewing up has not been revealed. canvas, and special splicing jobs, or going aloft in bad weather— that most Bosuns feel better doing themselves, and really ought to do themselves unless there is an oldtimer in the crew who is equally capable of doing it. P«f»^ThNa Break In Steam Line Kills Bosnn; Three Other Seafarers injured One Seafarer was killed and three others were injured when a steam line connected to the deck machinery blew up aboard the SS John Bartram, a Water­ man vessel, as she lay in the Port of Tampa early July 3. The injured men are still in the hospital, one of them in critical condition. The dead Seafarer was Mo­ hammed A. Elsayed, the Bartram's Bosun, who was scalded when the steam shot from a break in the line directly outside his foc'sle. He died shortly after being admitted to a Tampa hos­ pital. In critical condition is George Griffin, OS, who is suffering from Because his home is in Tam­ first, second and third - degree pa. Nevin Ellis, Deck Main­ burns of the body. The other two tenance (above), escaped the men, Arthur W. Baker and A recent photo of George casualty list. He occupied same James L. Jones, both Firemen, Griffin, OS. who was badly room as the man who was were burned less severely and killed, but had spent the night their condition was described at burned when a steam line burst aboard the SS John preceeding the accident at the hospital as "not serious. home. Bartram in Tampa last week. POSSIBLE CAUSES Disaster also resulted in the Although no official version of death of one Seafarer and in­ the tragedy has yet been issued, it is believed that a faulty elbow jured two others. and excessive pressure may have been the causes. The broken line had been left ajar when Walker had left about five minutes ear­ was repaired immediately. An eye-witness account of the lier. Griffin, like Jones and Ba­ tragedy was related to the LOG ker, was burned by steam and WREAD by Frederick Walker, AB on the scalding water, when he made done right, or to make sure that Bartram, which arrived in New his escape through the allyway. The men in the adjacent foYork this week. no one gets hurt. c'sles packed mattresses and bed Then, too, once in a while you Walker, who occupied the same clothing against the doors of run across a Bosun who will let foc'sle as Griffin, had stepped out their rooms to keep the steam a couple of men strain on a line just a few minutes before- the from seeping throu^. blast. He returned to find the and won't jufnp in and give a Attempts to escape through the passageway choked with live hand himself. steam shooting from the broken portholes failed as the trapped In general, though, we have line mider 200 pounds of pres­ men could not squirm througl • a mighty good bunch of men i sure. the small openings. Most prewarsailing the SIU ileet in all rat­ Walker said what probably, built vessels and early Libertys, ings. And the Union's require­ happened was the following: jbke the Bartram, do not have ments for men shipping Bosun ports large enough for a normalto have three years out of SIU SCALDED I sized man to pass through. Halls, give us a mighty high When the blast came, Elsayed Shortly after the explosion standard. opened the door of his foc'sle to steam was cut off in the fidley Now, if the registration ruling see what was going on. Steam by the First Assistant and the is established up and down the shot through the doorway and Deck Engineer. Meanwhile an coast whereby men shipping as filled his room. He then ran ambulance, which had been sum­ Bosun must register as Bosun through the steam-fiUed passage­ moned by other crewmen, arriv­ and not AB-Bosun, only men way and was fatally burned by ed. The injured were taken to the hospital immediately. who can handle the job are the time he got out on deck. apt to go on the Bosun's list and Steam also poured into Grif­ LUCKY MAN fin's foc'sle, the door of which wait for that job. But for the fact that he makes his home in Tampa, Nevin Ellis, Deck Maintenance, probably would have been included in the If the railroads serving the Philadelphia will retain the half- casualties. Ellis, who shared ElU.S. East Coast have their way, cent per 100 pounds advantage, sayed's foc'sle, spent the night at there won't be many cargoes of which makes them more econ­ home and reached the Bartram bulk graiii leaving North Atlan­ omical to ship through at pres­ just about the time of the ex­ tic ports .for Europe this fall. ent than New York and the plosion. The cargoes will move, all rest of the East Coast outlets. Elsayed, who carried Book No. right, but they won't be going - In addition, the railroads wish ,'26123, had been a member of the from New York, Albany, Boston, to raise the basic freight rates'siU since June 22, 1943, when Philadelphia and Norfolk. They'll on shipments to the East Coast he joined in New York. He was be going from Gulf ports in­ for rye, wheat, oats and barley^bom in Egypt March 2, 1909, and stead. to the level charged for more Wived his citizenship papers It looks as if the eastern rail­ expensive products sueh as sorg-'after serving in the U.S. Army roads are preparing to cut their hum, although this is not re-during the late war. own throats. They have called ported to be on the agenda of Funeral services for the late a meeting in Buffalo on July 20 the Buffalo meeting. Seafarer were held in New York to consider freight rate increases So far as the SIU is concern­ Bartram crewmembers contribut­ of 20 to 30 percent on grain be­ ed, the only difference would ed a floral wreath. ing carried to East Coast eleva­ be that there would be more bulk cargoes of grain moving tors. If the railroads get what they from Mobile, New Orleans and want, the cost of moving wheat the Texas coast as most of them from Buffalo and Erie to New now are than from the northeast If you have a beef or a York will be upped five cents ports — imless grain shippers for each hundred pounds. The decided to send their cargoes problem when you're on the same increase would apply on down the St. Lawrence River West Coast, contact SIU. AftG District Hq.. 105 Mar­ corn, rye and oats, and a smaller under the Canadian flag. The Port of New York Au­ ket Street. The tel^hone increase to barley. The same raises would be thority and New York shipping number is. DOuglas 2-5475. tacked "on rail shipments to other interests have asked the rail­ Drop in between ships, and eastern ports, if allowed. How­ roads to equalize grain export get acquainted. ever, Albany, . Baltimore and rates to all North Atlantic ports. >liiy Good Bosun Must Pull His Own Weight Abourd Ship Philadelphia is Second Port In Total Tonnage GREEN MAN PHILADELPHIA — This city Take the character who sent has i-egained its old position as fairly green men up the mast the nation's second port in the to lash the booms to the crosssheer tonnage of commerce hand­ treee during the war. It was an led, according to figures released old ship, and didn't have boomr by the Department of Commerce. collars attached, so it took a In March, the latest month for which figures are available, Phil­ pretty good job to hold them. adelphia handled about 100,000 "You guys shipped AB," he more tons of import and export said, "Now go up and lash it!" cargo than Baltimore, which They wound a lot of manila knocked the Quaker City from around the booms and the top­ its traditional second place last mast, but it came loose on a wild year. New York is still first. day in the North Atlantic with One spokesman explains Phil­ ice- all over the mast, and the adelphia's temporary lapse into ship pitching and rolling. third place last year as follows: '"Philadelphia's temporary loss The Mate called the Bosun and of its second position was due the Bosun called out all Deck entirely to the vast unnatural hands. movement of relief coal and "Two or three of you ABs grain which flowed through the chip the ice off of the ladder and other ports in greater volume." lash those booms right," he said. However, when the value of "I told you to do it right in the shipping is considered instead first place." of the tonnage, Philadelphia is definitely third, trailing New Of course that's an extreme York, which is first, no matter; case, but still there are a lot of how you figure it, and New jobs a Bosun has pretty much got to do to be sure, they are Orleans. Rail Hike May AiJ Cuff Ports On The Coast �?• • -;;: -» Page Four THE S£AFARERS LOG Friday. July 16. 1H8 Seafarers And Their Ships Are News Aboard Tbe Rdbin Kirk... vv^X;:-:; -y-l^y- Robin Kirk crewmen secure the gangway for sea. Crouching is B.o^un Ostling; Arnold is at the davits, while A. Smith watches operation. Man with back to camera is K. Petersen. Aboard most SlU-cOntracted vessels plying the sev­ en seas are scores of alert Seafarers with noses for news and eyes for interesting shipboard shots. Each week the LOG receives evidence that these Union-news minded men are on the job, jotting down and sending in reports and stories of Seafaring activity. The LOG is anxious to receive reports—in words and pictures—^from all SIU crews. Seafarers and their ships are news. Perhaps at the first shipboard meeting a re­ porter may be elected to handle this function. Many men will be glad to handle it voluntarily, as were Seafarers on the Robin Kirk and the Meseck tug Dorothy Ann, pictures of which appear on this page. Crewmen who were on the Robin Kirk when it left New York for South Africa recently, were destined for a first-class trip^ according to the three department dele­ gates, P. Sudia, Engine; A. T. Arnold, Deck, and Michele Amato, Stewards. They gave much of the credit to Joe Miller, Chief Steward, whose sumptuous menus were ably prepared by three crack SIU cooks. Chief Cook J. Bove, Baker D, E. Jessup and Second Cook F. G. Rocafort. The delegates also happily reported that the Skipper was cooperative and not one logging was aiecessary throughout the three months. A view of the ship-shape Robin Kirk, one of several Robin Line vessels which make the South African run. She's a good feeder, too. In Dar es Salaam. Tangan­ yika. Robin Kirk men saw this sailboat setting out for on evening saiL The South Afri­ can run includes calls at some of the ^world's most 'Coloriul spots. In Durban. Seafarers J. Micjunas (lefl). OS. and J. JFlynaC AB. pose with local steve­ dores. who earn seven shillings, a day. Food and clothing costs there axe as high as in U.S. A -crewmember photographed this scene of Capetown harbor. In the background is the famed Table Top Jdountadn, a brequent -i^jiration to Seafarer cameramen and artists. ...And The Tug, Dorothy Aim I b', K Chester Chezna turns to on /'the winches aboard the Meseck lug Dorothy Ann. This shot and others of Dorothy Ann crewmen were submitted to ^ LOG recently by John A. Bersen, Oiler, after he paid ' the seagoing tug. He liked working aboard the small craft/ he said^ Here are three Seafarers who were shipmates of Bersen's. They are Kenny Wright (left), E. Brown, and «a crewmember whom Bersen was imable - Proof that fishing was good off the Dorothy Ann is held up by crewmen. They're tuna, hauled in off Cape Hatteras. Weight was John Bersen takes ' his turn before the lens. He hails from New. Jersey and is a pretty capable artist. Several sketches of vessels he's sailed on have appeared in recent issues of the LOG. Bersen was inspired to submit his work after see— of other Seafarers �Friday, July 16, 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Five Book Members Find That Shipping fs Quite Fair In Port Tampa TAMPA — Shipping in this Florida port remains fair this week, with job prospects best for the bookmen, who can always make a job within a few days. Things are a bit rough for permitmen, however. Baltimore Continues Ups-Downs: Shipping Is Fair — This Week Unclaimed Gear By WILLIAM (Curly) RENTZ BALTIMORE — Shipping re mains a little better here than it was a while back but don't get the idea that things are booming, because they are not. We paid off seven and signed on the same number. In addi­ tion we had a number of ships in ti-ansit and we had a few stillto-be-contraeted tankers to hit. SIU way before long, if he doesn't already as the result of what we told him the other day. One ship whose topside is more than willing to see that things are done SIU style is the Nathaniel B. Palmer. The Cap­ tain, the Chief Mate and the Second Mate all carry SIU books, and "Dutchy" Moore is a member of the crew. Members whose gear has been held for more than three months in t^ fourth floor baggage room of the New York Hall are advised to call for it immediately, or notify' the Hall where they wish it sent. Crowded conditions make it impossible to hold gear longer than three months. All effects remaining unclaimed after three months will be lent to the owner's home via express collect. Gear without addresses will be disposed of otherwise. We still get several ships in here on coastwise runs. The SS Robert McBurney was scheduled to arrive on July 12 for a pay­ off and signon. This vessel is op­ erated by Overlakes. The Bull Steamship Line still has a few phospha(f ships touch­ ing Port Tampa and Boca Grande. Waterman Steamship Corporation is the big noise on the, coastwise runs, however. MAIN TOPIC As is natural, the Hiring Hall agreement our Union won is the main topic of conversation here. All hands are very happy* and are thankful that our negotiating committee was able to go ahead with things before some irre­ sponsible union fouls things up. All hands were saddened by the death of Brother M. A. (Turk) Elsayed, Bosun, who was killed in the explosion aboard the John Bartram in port here last week. The blast that took his life also severely, injured three others—^George Griffin, OS, and James L. Jones and Arthur Baker, Firemen, and they are still in a local hospital. The steam line running to the deck machinery exploded right outside the Bosun's focsle. A faulty elbow and too much pres­ sure were believed to be the. 'causes. On the local laboi- scene, there was a beef between the ILA in Miami and the P&O Steamship Company. However, everything has been ironed out to the satis­ faction of everyone concerned. The beef never got to the stage where real trouble was expected. The sailing of the SS Florida wasn't halted. The payoffs were on the Na­ UPS AND DOWNS thaniel B; Palmer, the Marore, There still are too many men the Cubore, the Monroe, the on the beach, since we haven't Robin Kettering, the Edith, the been able to dispel the rumor Minot Victory, and the Cape that shipping is easy here in By LLOYD (Blackie) GARDNER Baltimore. Of course it's easy REPAIRING HALL to catch a ship in Baltimore— PHILADELPHIA — Shipping There are plenty of big doings some weeks. But, like all ports is still on the slow bell here. scheduled in Philadelphia. Right A contractor is now at work these days, we are having our We paid off one A&G ship, the rejpairing and modernizing our now the Democrats are putting ups and downs. And some weeks SS Angelina, Bull Lines, and on their pow-wow in the wake building here. Work has been Baltimore is plain dead. So don't one SUP ship, the McGarner. of the Republicans. Hank Wallace progressing for the past few come in here counting on a job We signed on the SS Bessemer and the comrades aie due in days and the noise is terrific, but right away. well-worth bearing. Victory, a Waterman ship which shoi-tly. Everything will have the New One thing that is heartening had been lying here on idle ALL SPORTS PROGRAM Look in a few days. The Dis­ hei-e is the way the boys go for status. And we also shipped a those tanker jobs. Thej"- know cx-ew to the SUP ship whose Moi'e important, this week patcher's office has been "moved we need those jobs to maintain Skipper boasted that he seldom sees Beau Jack try to regain from the front io the back of the Union's strength and they're had sailed with such a fine crew the lightweight title from Ike glad to take them. as the one that paid off. Williams. They are fighting at HARDEST WOOD X JI That was a good payoff, even Shibe Park, home of Connie Getting that Hiring Hall set­ E\/ER CAME ACROSS// Mohican. We expect still more tled in tirst-rate style set pretty if wc did have to handle it in Mack's "Amazing Athletics," and in the week to come. well with the men around this the evening. There were no they will have to put on one The Monroe, the Edith, the port, you can be sure. They send beefs at all, and the Old Man hell of a fight to satisfy those Cubore, the Nathaniel B. Pal­ their thanks to the Negotiating asked us to be sure and send sport fans who have been fol­ mer, the Marore and the Cape Committee for winning it and him as good a crew as he had lowing some of the ball games Mohican signed on again and keeping the SIU a mile ahead before. We obliged him, yoq can we've had this summer. (Ed. the Calmar also took a crew. of the rest of the maritime un­ bet. note: Williams won in six The ships in transit were Wa- ions. But there are plenty of men rounds.) tefmans and Alcoas which had The members do quite a bit on the beach here, which means The labor front is about as crewed up in the Gulf. of speculating on how the NMU that we couj^use a few more quiet as we've seen it around There was nothing much in is going to make out. And we payoffs and complete crew re­ the Quaker City. There are no the way of beefs on any of guess that the members of the placements. Of course, we've had major beefs at all in town that a few ships in transit, namely we've heard of. We don't mind the building and things are shap­ these ships, but we ought to NMU are wondering, too. ing up nicely. In general, the labor scene in the SS John Bartram and Winmention that the Chief Engineer a little quiet in that direction, We had Brother Shuler down on Isthmian's Minot Victory still Baltimore is very quiet these slow Homer, both Watermans, here last week to check out but we sure hope we can report thinks he is pretty high and days. To make things still better, Bull's SS Jean and the SS Robin Agent Simmons, who is retixdng, mighty. However, we are going the weather cooled off enough Trent. Naturally we hit them an upsurge in shipping pretty and to check in a new man. soon. all. to get him to see things the to let a man sleep at night. Shuler i-an into the streak of hot weather, which sent the therhiometer up to 92 degi-ees for a 15day stretch. Now we ax-e in the middle of our rainy season, with The Cavaliex-—first of the Al­ out. A bookman in Mobile can Among the oldtimers to be the skies opening up and re­ By CAL TANNER coa passenger ships to hit this usually get out in a week, but it found on the beach at the pres­ leasing as many as a dozen MOBILE—Shipping in the Poi-t port under the new schedule, takes permits considerably long­ ent are J. Jones, R. Bunch, J. downpoui's a day. of Mobile for the past week can came in Julj' 4. She took only er, now that shipping is slow. Sure is a good thing we had W. Demouy, T. Bernsee, F. be described as fair. There were one i-eplacement, owing to the x-epaix's made to the roof, after Swendson, J. E. Baker, G. J. The Towboat Division of the nine payoffs and six signons for fact that she had crewed up in Espalla, M. Shipley, M. H. Caten. it was struck by lightning a few the seven-day period, with 128 New York. On her next trip, we Marine Allied Workers here is C. Jowers, W. E. Simmons, F. L. weeks ago. bookmen and 63 permitmen be­ are expecting to get the usual beginning to feel the i-esults of Bartlett, Leroy Nicholas, C. R. slow shipping, too. A' couple of ing shipped out. turnover. The Cavalier operates tugs from each of the companies Simmons and L. Williams. Ships paying off were the .on a 17-day schedule. are laid up because of a lack of OLDTIMERS AROUND Beauregard, Bienville, Morning The Clipper, another of the business. Light and Ponce de Leon, Water­ Alcoa passenger cruise ships, is Some of the Brothers in the lo­ To all members who have However, the companies seem man; the Cape Romaine, Pointer, due here Monday. She will be cal Marine Hospital who are re­ checks held for Ihem at Diamond Hitch and Roamer, Al­ followed by the Corsair the fol­ to think things will be back to ceiving their SIU benefits are A. branch mail rooms: normal in a very short time. C. McAlpin, Joseph Bennett, coa; and the John Wanamaker, lowing Monday. Port Agents will not give out Isthmian. As these ships are coming in When this happens, the tugs will |Chi-les Vorn, Joseph Blanchard any mail containing checks, The payoffs for the week were I from the islands we expect to again be placed in operation. and O. M. Raynor. unless the addressee shows mostly smooth, with only I9ie have some jobs on them. Several Meanwhile, repairs are being Conversation around the Hall sufficient evidence of his usual run of small beefs that of the men on the beach inspect­ made on the tugs in idle status. indicates that the membership is idratity. such as Union book, were easily settled by the Patrol­ ed the Cavaliei* while she was Prospects for the coming weeks now intex-ested in what the ship­ seaman's papers, discharges, men. Of the nine ships paying hei-e, and all of them appeared appear pretty fair. Both major ping rules committees, elected by etc. off, two of them are slated for to be anxious to get aboard. companies are expecting from the various branches, will do An instance has been re- ' the boneyard, which won't be five to seven payoffs and signons. when they bleak down the sug­ ported of an envelope con­ MAW HELPS OUT helping shipping at all. Waterman has thi-ee C-2s and gestions for registration of men taining a check being picked SIGNING ON Our affiliate, the Marine Al­ thi-ee Libei;tys undeigoing re­ in all departments. by a phony who later A good many members have forged a signature and cashed The signons took place aboard lied Workei-s, helped the boys on pairs at the moment, because of it. To prevent a recurrence, the Beareguard, Morning. Light, the beach quite a bit this week the lack of cargoes, which should expressed their views to the com­ checks will be given only to Bienville, Pointer, Roamer and by shipping about a hundred men be arriving in the near future. mittee elected here, and are now the person to whom it is the-Patroit, another Aldba ship. to clean-up jobs during the week. Alcoa, however, has the usual awaiting the final recommenda­ This part-time work takes up bauxite ti-ade for the coming tions that are to be submitted addressed, and the only after Reports were made prior to the full identification is made. signings and all slopchests were the slack for the permitmen week, so all in all, we should to the membershin for a x-eferwhile they ai-e waiting to ship have a fair week ahead. endum vot^. likewise checked in advance. Shipping Still Shw In Philly Tt Mobile Manages Satisfactory Week As MAW Lends Hand Prove Identity I: ' • J' ' 1 , 3 : 1 t-.l.i i...: ^t ) :.x , D.', i J..I 3.1 -I t i : 1M » V 'I . : i : . J X f a c ' V 1., j .. £ ii . ^ t t i-'.ix .1 ^ ' '?.i ^ i E i.x.il �r«* SEAFA R EES LOG Pag» Six fMdar, Julr l«4f HA Demands Monkey Quits Seafarer When *Jungle'Goes Texas Shipping is Fair And Wage Increases, Should Stay So iDther Changes Two souvenirs of the Far East voyage which crewmember Jose Reyes, AB, proudly dis­ played when the SS William Tilghman retiuned to Frisco last week were a spreading growth of whiskers that would have made Rip Van Winkle seem hairless by comparison, and a pet monkey. Joe's pride in his facial foliage was matched only by his fondness for his young sirhiam charge, which he adopted during a stopover in the Isthmian ship. Both By KEITH ALSOP In a meeting with the New were short-lived. .York Shipping Association, the Joe decided to throw GALVESTON — Shipping con­ negotiating committee of the In­ attend the payoff and then tinues to be quite fair, and we" ternational Longshoremen's As­ step off to see Frisco's famed sights and let Frisco expect it to continue that way. sociation (AFL) presented the for a while. L , . ^ . see him and his monkey. tmion's demand for a 50-cent an However, we actually paid off Aided by billowy blobs of soapy lather and hour wage increase and a new only one ship, the SS Bull a brand new razor blade. Brother Reyes chopped method for calculating overtime Run, a Mathiasen tanker. She's ' " . ^ ~; avfay his wilting whiskers. That marked the pay. going into the shipyard, but ' 5. parting of the ways—in more respects than one. The ILA is also asking for just for a month. For when Joe stepped up to his monkey Iwger vacations, a welfare fund What beefs we found aboard friend, who had never seen his guardian stripped and other improvements to be the Bull Run were minor and down to his bare face, there was an explosion of written into a new contract. The we settled them rather easily jungle gibberish. By the time the echoes died present contract expires Aug. 21. on the ship at the payoff. down. Joe's pet was long gone. And he hasn't been The ILA committee repi-sents There's a good bit of talk , .- - . seen since. come 45,000 longshoremen on the about the SIU's new Hiring Hall ~ But sturdy Seafarer that he is, Joe Reyes Atlantic coast in all ports from clause. The papers in Galveston ^ takes such setbacks in stride. Portland, Maine, to Hampton and Houstoh gave the story a ' Jose is one of the original 14 Reyes brothers pretty impresive play. Roads inclusive. ssiiii who carried full books in the Atlantic and Gulf The demand for a new method Naturally the SIU story broke ^ ' District. One of the Reyes boys was lost during of calculating overtime pay is while the ruckus between the World War 11 and two have retired their booksthe result of a recent Supreme commies and the anti-commies but the remaining 11 are still carrying* on the Court decision granting a group in the NMU was co'ntinuing. family's seagoing tradition. of longshoremen what the bosses Our story looked a lot better in Once during the war, the entire comple­ cay is ovei'time on overtime. the papei-s than did the NMU ment of Seafaring Reyes attempted to ship as the Further talks between repre­ story. Deck Department aboard an SlU vessel, ' with sentatives of the unon and the The membership reaUy went Jose as Bosun. companies will be scheduled The U.S. Shipping Commissioner, acting un­ for the Himg HaU clause. They shortly, ILA officials said. Jose Reyes, beardfore he shaved der the regulation adopted after the loss of the know what a great victory the The ILA is a member of th,e powerful AFL Maritime Trades five Sullivan brothers aboard a Navy warship, prohibited the Reyes boys from shipping out on Negotiating Committee gained. They know what that clause one vessel. Department. means for the Union collectively and individually. As usual, the SIU is setting the pace in the maritime in­ dustry. That's the way it.'s been the Governor Kilby and the sound like a lot of giun beating They know we will abide byi for a long time and that's the By JOE ALGINA NEW YORK-^Thanks to the Topa Topa, both returning from but a look at the record will the agreement and we will see way it always will be. that they do likewise. arrival of several Isthmian, Wa­ trips to Europe. Both ships paid show otherwise. , ^, off in good shape and what min­ The SIU is now in its tenth terman and Bull Line scows FOR A REASON or beefs that cropped up were year (I feel the rheumatism shipping in this port maintained dealt with right there aboard the creeping up on me) and is now Whenever a word of advice a fair pace, just about the tempo ship. or caution appears in the LOG its held for the past two or BuU Line's Evelyn and Suz­ it's for the good of the entire By an overwhelming vote three weeks. anne, too, were found to be membership. No rating or in­ on the Referendum Ballot, Isthmian's James Turner and dividual is singled out for a the membership of the Sea­ Steel King tied up here during clean and sweet by the Patrol­ tongue-lashing, unles he is foul­ the past week and made for men. farers International Union, A couple of lone wolves, the ing up the gains of the rest of rather smooth payoffs. The King the Union. That's the one way A&G District, went on rec­ settled up at the payoff in short Russell Alger (South Atlantic) and the Algonquin Victory (St. of keeping our contracts on the ord to protect itself in the order; the Turner had a few Lawrence Navigation) paid off top of the heap. hard days to come by build­ beefs which were held over to| Last week's accident on the ing up a strike fund and the next day, but they, too, were in this port with but few beefs and happy crews aboard. These, John Bartram, where one man settled with little trouble. along with several other port was killed and three others se­ by providing shoreside oper­ Worth pointing out about Isth­ verely . burned (See story on ating bases. mian ships is the fact that there callers, were the Patrolmanpleasers of the week. page three), points up a long Thai means a $10.00 Strike is a different contract on these To do a quick switch from standing need on these Liberties. Assessment and a $10.00 ships. While it isn't too much If the portholes had been just Building Assessment. Al­ different from the General ships to those who sail them, a enjoying the best contracts ^ in word of caution is in order for a little larger, chances are that the industry. We have set the Agreement, there are some things I ready many members have pace time after time. This may no one would have been injured. paid these sums. which cause a lot of confusion Stewards. Although Stewards ship off the sound like breast beating, but All of the men were trapped in and bitter feelings. The operators will move boards in the SIU, this does not it is all true. their foc'sles and were unable Some crews dissatisfied with without warning. It is our mean that the Union protection to escape until the steam was A good reason for'our leading the contract just ignore it and duly to be prepared. proceed according to the Gen­ given them extends to covering the field and gaining these con­ 4;umed off. Pay the assessments im­ eral Agreement. Instead of being up for them when they foul-up tracts is due to the fact that we If the portholes had been the dui-irig a trip. mediately. It is our insur­ size of those on Victory ships, aU have not tolerated performers, militant they're screwing up the Once in a while a ship comes ance for the future growth could have piled out through gashounds or foulballs trying to works. This agreement was signed by in where the Steward is found push a bum beef. The companies the side. Maybe this accident and strength of the Union. the Union and ratified by the! to be short on stores and linen. have come to respect the SIU. will wake up those responsible. member^ip. It should be lived Naturally, he wants the Union up to. The next time the Nego­ to go to bat for him, but what tiating Committee locks horns can be done for a guy where with Isthmian, they'll bring the the records show he's short contract as much in line with thousands of items? ed short an AB and an OS you quorum together we have had to By SAL COLLS HE'S RESPONSIBLE the regular agreement as possi­ can be sure we handled her cor­ pass our last three regular meet­ ble. There are times—this would SAN JUAN — Not only has rectly. The boys on her were ings. But, in special meetings In the meantime, to strengthen be one of them—when the Un­ shipping picked up a bit here, looking forward to the election and gatherings between calls, the the Committee's hand, obey the ion can do little for a man. A but last week we actually had wh^h they figured would go the members have really cheered present agreement. It's, hard for Steward must remember that he a payoff—the SS Ponce. SIU way. the SIU for helping to organize the Negotiating Committee to re­ has responsibilities aboard the In fact, shipping is* good the Port Council here and for HAIL HIRING HALL but the company when they ship and the company has a enough to permit us to complain winning the Hiring Hall. The say, "What's the use of signing right to hold him accountable of a real shortage of ABs, OS The news of the Hiring Hall day we lose the Hiring Hall will victory sure tickled the mem­ a new contract, the crews don't for shortages. and Deck Maintenancemen, and be a dark day indeed, and every­ pay any attention to it any- There's only one way to keep to say that we just don't have bership in this port. We're hit­ body knows it. in the clear. When stores come any rated men around in either ting every ship with the good -way." We have contacted the Marine TRANSPORTATION TIP aboard, he should check every the Stewards Department or the news,- handing out the broad­ Hospital, and we are glad to re­ sheets reproducing the stories Incidentally, here's a tip on item before signing a receipt. Engine Department. port that the SIU patients say that appeared in the New York the Isthmian transportation rid­ Special vigilance should be ex­ There were a few routine beefs newspapers. The crews read the that they are getting fine treat­ er: If you're going to actually ercised when in a foreign port. ment. We hope some of the travel, take the ticket instead Also, when linen is being count­ on the Ponce concerning disput­ reports and feel better. ed hours for the Deck and Black Brothers who are over there will The new Maritime Trades Port of the money. By taking a ticket ed the Steward should be there gangs, but we managed to settle be looking for ships soon. Council is a going concern now, you receive subsistence while to supervise. He's signed for them without much trouble. and two groups of longshoremen Oldtimer Loncho Calderon is traveling — you don't get this them, and it's his neck if there On the organizing front we are working harmoniously. It still waiting for a ship, but Vila when you take a cash settle­ is a shortage. Beating out these words of ad­ had one of the Cuba Distillery looks as if things in the port Angel, the Seafarer who never ment. goes to sea, caught his first ship Waterman's gifts to the Port, vice, caution, warning or what­ ships in and we naturally took wUl stay that way. of New York this week were ever you want to call them, may a look at her. Although she sail­ Becautie we couldn't get a in two years. Old Standbys Keep New York Shipping In Fair Shape Do It Now San Juan Seafarers Find Shipping is Good •n. '• �Friday, July 16, 1948 T H £•• S EAPARERS L OQ Page Seven Seafarers' Guide To The Far East 4 By ERNEST BOSSCRT children in their teens. ^ They A.t one time the body becam^s. also have women working on jammed against the rudder of al!| Aboard the Isthmian Steamship Company's SS The Steel Architect is now the docks as draft animals, pull­ small boat. A woman in the homeward bound from its first Steel Architect on her first voyage under the SIU ing freight around in carts or boat pushed it clear with a .stick Union voyage around the world, to go floating on its way to the,, f contract was Seafarer Ernest Bossert, a careful much of which you already know sea and the sharks, no one pay-,. about from previous articles sent observer of social and economic detail. Among the ing anymore attention to it than to the LOG. In this article it vice-ridden, poverty-stricken peoples of the Far if it were a piece of driftwood might be interesting and inform­ floating along. jJ! Eastern ports he visited Brother Bossert had ample ative to give you a brief sketch Incidentally, we were bring4 of the places we have been, and opportunity to record some striking observations, ing home the corpse of an Amer- TS: the conditions we found. which begin on this page. ican woman, who is one of two a At Manila, our first, foreign Americans murdered in Saigon. port, conditions at least on the The LOG feels that in addition to the general These two women were assui'face, seem prosperous. Of interest of Brother Bossert's report, it should have sociated in secretarial capacities a course, they have by no means with consulate offices in Saigon, yr recovered from the destruction much practical value because it exposes many of They were riding in a jeep which of the war, but the people are the pitfalls awaiting^ unwary Seafarers who make carrying it between two of them was riddled by machine gun fire, well-clothed and well- fed and on a pole over their shoulders. then set fire to. The bodies were. the Far East run. apparently happy. The adults are most likely out almost burned beyond recogniThings are expensive there, the^ hills, fighting with the Brother Bossert's revealing roundup on his re­ in tion. fr but the city is clean, orderly, and rebel army. well governed, and a seaman can cent ports of call will be continued in a subsequent i A revolution has been going NATIVES IMPOVERISHED have a fairly good time ashore issue of the LOG. on here for three years and, al­ Makassar, onr next port, is in v/ithout being robbed—too much. though there is no fighting in There is no black market in the immediate vicinity of Saigon, the southern part of the Dutch- j About the best place to get it is dangerous to be out alone Island of Celebes, one of the- >) money there. The exchange is were kept out entirely, or kept Netherlands East Indies group. - rj. steady at two pesos to one Amer­ under control. Today it is un­ souveniers in Shanghai—in all after dark. We were there only a few hours,^^,. 3; safe to be on tKe streets, day or the Far East, in fact, is the Army ican dollar. However, under the From what could be learned, it PX. But don't try to walk from seems that during the Jap oc­ consequently there isn't much surface, one feels that there is night. . something mysterious going on, Mobs of hoodlums roam the the PX to the docks or you will cupation, the natives were treat­ to write about. As we came to the dock, we 1' other than what appears-on the strefets all over the city. They ed far better by the Japs than surface. Nearly everyone carries will attack you and kill you for they were treated by the French again saw natives picking lice i a gun either openly or concealed, a dime. Young ruffians—mere when they re-occupied; and the out of each others hair. Most and you can hardly brush up children—will surround you and rebellion is a fight to the finish of us were ble to get ashore: for'- i a short time at least. We found I against anyone in a crowded try to get into your pockets. for their independence. the conditions of the natives thoroughfare witliout feeling a All the natives are for the If you sock one of them they weapon. From conversations held all pile on you, and even chil­ revolution, either openly or sec­ deplorable, but the Dutch, who*with longshoremen-and checkers dren can inflict serious injury retly, and they kill all French­ rule the place, live a compara-; on the docks, and with taxi driv­ when they pile on like flies. men they catch alone and un­ lively luxurious existence. ers, bartenders, prostitutes, busi­ Their main purpose is not to armed after dark. The Dutch section is clean and ness men, etc., it was learned injure you particularly, but to orderly, with nice hotels and WELL ARMED that Manuel Roxas, the first rob you. dining places. Here, as almost president of the Philippines Re­ everywhere, there is the black Except in the main part of the They pick a quarrel with you >;• public, was a former guerilla market in money. The legal rate and, while your attentions are lose jmur souveniers ta the hood­ city, which is well guarded, all who was elected to office by a distracted fighting some of them lums. Go in groups and use cabs Frenchmen go in groups, armed is 2.60 Guilders to the US dolpolitical organization of former with pistols in hand, ready for lar. The black market rate is off, others are into your pockets —not rickshaws. guerillas under his command to instant "use. The French Foreign from 13 to 15. stealing your wallet, fountain There is sure to be serious Legion is here, also many other whom he made all sorts of prom­ There is very little In the way '^^ pen, and anything they can get trouble in Shanghai sooner or ises, before election, of war bonof souvenirs and everything is ^.. French military units. The their hands on. As soon as they later. American seamen are not tises, etc. After his election he expensive. They have a silver"\^ French go in for elaborate mili­ have you cleaned out, they scat­ going to submit passively to be' was either imable or unwilling ornament industry there which" tary uniforms and you can see ter in all directions. ing pushed around by these about everything conceivable in is world famous for its fine' •t to fulfill these promises, and Other hoodlums, usually grown­ hoodlums. Eventually, a whole the former guerillas were organ­ handwork. We saw some of it ^ military dress. ups, make a practice of following crew will go ashore in a body, izing in the mountains and a at other places, but did not have/^^ The first day I went ashore, I revolution was expected momen­ you wherever you go, and no armed, and prepared to take got tangled up in the native time to do much looking around matter what yoii do, you cannot care of themselves and they will tarily. section of the town and the filth at Makassar. The stores "W'ere get rid of them. If you stop to clean up these fellows and there Since that time, Roxas died and squalor I found so disgusted closed when we arrived" in of a heart attack and his sue- shop to make a purchase, they'll will be trouble. me that I had no further desire town, and we left early next cessor, Mr. E. Quiruio, vice pres­ tell ' the shopkeeper that the3' morning. There are over a million pros­ to go ashore again in Saigon. ident, has tried to reconcile these guided you there and demand a titutes in Shanghai — most of Thei-e is an officers club there ] ' However, some of the boys forces and to promote harmony, commission on your purchase. and, if you can get in there, the'"" them diseased—A word to the went to the French section and and avoid, if possible, the impen­ charges for beer and refresh"-^", wise is sufficient. found things far different—in POLICE INADEQUATE ding revolution. From what little ments are about half as much"'^ At Hong Kong, our next poi-t, fact, delightful. Fine, wide streets All the shopkeepers are in­ we were there only a short time, and boulevards, beautiful parks, as at other places in town. news we are able to get, his eflorts have been fairly successful. timidated by those hoodlums and had only one night's shore leave, fine hotels, beautiful modernisticRATA VIA CLEAN say that if they refuse to pay the consequently could not learn ly decorated sidewalk cafes t .1 SHANGHAI JEST commission their places of busi­ very much. with dance bands, fine dance Batavia, our next port, is just. , • At Shanghai, our next port, ness are wrecked. across the Java Sea from Mak-. Hong Kong is under British floors and beautiful girls. The police force is inadequate, "we all became miDionaires over­ There are also man>' fine hous­ assar, and is the capitol of the , rule and is a nice clean city, night. Inflation is rampant there. and what police there are just with many fine hotels, dining es, many of which have been island of Java. This also is n The legal rate of exchange was look, on with indifference or and drinking places, many nice commandeered and used as mil­ Dutch possession. The seaport for 190,000 Chinese dollars for one amusement and do nothing. itary barracks. Batavia, however, is some ten The Second Mate on our ship shops and stores-where souven­ American dollar. The black mar­ i"nilcs from Batavia at a small . There is not much to buy there iers may be purchased, but at ket rate was from 400,000 to was born and raised in Shanghai considerably higher prices than in the way of souvenirs, and al­ village called Tandjoeng Priok.,,. 560,000 to one, and since that and still h^ a family there. His at Shanghai. There is a black most everything is expensive. Batavia is a nice city: clean,, .. time, I understand it has gone brother came dov^n to the ship market,- but not nearly as bad The legal rate of exchange is 12 orderly with nice shops, picture to visit him, and was attacked Up to about 1,300,000 to one. piastres to one US dollar. The shows, hotels and restaurants. by a gang of these hoodlums, as Shanghai. If you change $20 or $30 US Again the Dutch have it very > The legal rate is four Hong black market rate is 30 or 40 nice, while the natives have very . F for Chinese money, you need a held up, beaten and robbed. piastres to one US dollar. There is s Seamen's Club in Kong dollars to one US dollar. You can have a nice time poor conditions. Shanghai which we found to be The black market rate was 5.50 The shops at Batavia have a ; about the only place in Shanghai or 5.60 to one US dollar. The there and things are not expen­ large variety of beautiful souven- • .HEpe.KiPnot ready to clip the seamen. British, at least, maintain order sive if you can get the black irs but prices are prohibitive. (So Bw/iO(JRYou can get good American beer and it is safe to walk the streets market rate of exchange, but SEIF SDMB, At Tandjoeng Priok, the small there and soft drinks, coca cola at any time without fear of being when you have to accept the village where the ships dock, . dAfWY"/ etc., at 100,000 per bottle, which molested except, perhaps, from legal rate, you pay two or three you can do just as well and the . is about fifty cents and compar­ an occa-sional harmless beggar. times as much for everything you price.s are much lower. They - • And where can yuu go without buy. atively very moderate. have some fine wood carvings ... While we were there, on two They have dances there, and encountering beggars—eveq in here at reasonable prices. occasions, dead bodies of natives hostesses and free coffee and our o3vn prosperous country? A Dutch Seamen's Club is near came floating down the river lunches. Also a Canteen, where SAIGON SOCIETY the docks and semen of all na- past the ship, in and out be­ souveniers may be purchased at tionalities are welcome. Here ' moderate prices. They also give Saigon, our next port is in tween hundreds of small boats the seaman gets the best deal ' suitcase to carry it around. honest and reliable advice about French Indo-China. When we in the river. in town. They have a restaurant Change $100 and you need a the best places to do your shop­ arrived there, the longshoremen The thing that impressed me with good food at moderate • horse and wagon. ping. They sell postage stamps were sitting along the dock, as remarkable was not tlie body prices, music, beer and refresh--' Shanghai, when it was an in­ and have some arrangements many of them busily engaged in itself, but the indifference and ments at about half the prices ' ternational settlement, was an or­ with the US Armed, Forces to picking lice out of each other's unconcern with which the people at other places in town. r-'" derly and well-governed city, miail liters for us at the US hair. in the small boats beheld the and the undesirable elements mail rate. The longshoremen were mere scene. (Continued next week) "-'I-. �4.. Page Eight THE SE AF AREHS LOG Friday, July 16, 1948 SHIPS' MINVTES AMD MEWS Seafarer's Cool Seamanship Saves Vessel Cleared By Customs; Bremen Army Cops Run Wild, Boatload Of Crewmen Throw Book At Webster Crew It was a "fine display of seamanship and cool thinking by Able Seaman The port of Bremen is fast becoming a distasteful Walter Perry" that saved a dozen of the crew of Waterman's SS Wacosta from disaster one afternoon in mid May, according to Donald Rood, Deck place to American seamen. Hard on the heels of a report by Brother Philip Reyes of vague and costly military Maintenance. When the forward releasing gear on one of the ship's boats januned as five stowaways were being transferred to the SS Raphael Semmes, Perry worked at it until he got it loose while the 50-pound after block was swinging past his head. The stowaways were discov­ ered a day out of Le Havre when the Wacosta was ploughing through the North Atlantic tow­ ard New York. The Master ra­ dioed New York and the return message ordered the Wacosta to stop off at New York beyond the three-mile limit and wait for the Raphael Semmes which would take the Frenchmen back across. That's when the trouble be­ gan. In the first place, there was a heavy sea running when the Wacosta arrived at the ren­ dezvous, In the second place, the Mate fouled up the launch­ ing of the lifeboat. rules in Bremen (LOG July* guilty of having cigarettes in 2) fomes a similar warning his possession. Naturally, the from the crew of the Noah crew reports, the Army men found several sets of prints on Wehster. the cigarette cartons. The crew of the Waterman The CID search and finger­ vessel reports that when their printing took three days. At the ship arrived in Bremen on June end of their search they took 13, the ship was searched anc all shore leave passes from the cleared by the Geiman Customs. crew. However, they report, two days Two days later arrest reports later the U.S. Army CID (Crim­ arrived at the ship and the men inal Investigation Department) accused were held over for trial boarded the ship and confiscated by a military government court. several cartons of cigarettes. Both licensed and unlicensed Military rules governing the personnel stood trial. But, state port of Bremen, published in the Webster men, it appeared the SEAFARERS LOG April that partiality was shown the 23, state: "Maritime personnel ship's officers. are authorized two hundred cig­ In several cases men of the arettes or one pound of pipe to­ unlicensed departments were bacco or fifty cigars per week fined and the officers acquitted. while they are in the Bremen In one case" a bookmember of Enclave. the Stewards Department was "All excess tobacco will be sentenced to eight months in a put in bond aboard ship by the Bremerhaven prison. German Customs. German cus­ The Webster men, in con­ toms' seals wiU not be broken cluding their report, urge that ' until the vessels are past the crews hitting Bremen take no Weser pilot vessel going to sea." chances. They point out that if According to the military rules, the German Customs overlook the limit of tobacco which may undeclared goods, the CID men be carried ashore for personal will cover the ship with a fine use in any one twenty-four pe­ tooth comb and impose very TOO QUICK riod is 3 packages of cigarettes strict pehalties. While the Wacosta was circl­ or 5 cigars or 1 page of pipe ing so that the boat would drop It was a near thing for the dozen men in this lifeboat tobacco and 3 bars of candy and Member's N.O. Inn in the ship's lee, the Mate let dropped from the SS Wacosta when the forward releiuiing gear 3 packages of chewing gum. FINGERPRINTED CREW jammed and the 50-pound after block swung free the length her go. The after releasing gear Caters To Seafarers of the boat. Seafarer Walter Perry is working on.the jammed Following the confiscation of worked fine, but the forward Seafarers on the beach in New gear froze. - The 50-pound after gear at the forward end, while Donald Rood, who told the the Webster men's cigarettes, the Oi-leans are invited by Seafarer block began swinging from the story to the LOG, reaches for the swinging block amidship. CID men then proceeded to L. E. Wessels to make their home the entire crew, at the Wessels Hotel, 226 Bour­ davit up and down the boat's The picture was snapped by the Second Assistant Engineer. fingerprint length. Meanwhile, the boat and The Wacosta was transferring five stowaways to the SS Raphael claiming that by this metho< bon Street, which is, he points the ship were under way at Semmes outside the entrance to New York harbor. they would find out who was out, only two and a half blocks about four knots and the boat from the SIU Hall. was plunging madly in the while the boys worked on the motor. Brother Wessels, the proprietor heavy seas. Finally they got it running and an oldtime SIU member still All in all, t^e situation was and headed for the Semmes "Three girls to every man!" the cowboy type. Young_ re­ carrying book No. G-1, says, remini^ent of some of the quick which took the stowaways reported Brother Frank T. vealed. "When in need of a place to stay getaways from torpedoed ships aboard. But the whole transfer Young, who is operating Mooser If you have your own car and while waiting to ship out of the / dining the war. The difference process which should have taken pac, a woods and lake resort are in New York, drive out on port of New Orleans, this is the was that in this case there was half an hour consumed an hour near Oak Ridge, N. J. "What Route 23 to Newfoundland, N. J. place to hang your old white no excuse for dropping a boat and a half instead. I need is some virile SIU men Otherudse grab a Northeast cap," in a heavy sea while the ship What really annoyed every­ to lend a hand! As paying guests Coach Line bus from the Dixie Following up his invitation was still under way. body, however, was the fact of course!" Bus Depot, 241 West 42nd St. with a short speel on the hotel's "Everybody was getting out that the transfer took place on He looked as though he was and get off at Newfoimdland, qualifications. Brother • Wessels from under that block," Rood Saturday afternoon. The result bearing up pretty well under where Brother Yoimg will ar­ points out "We keep our hotel on says. Perry, however, moved for­ was that the Wacosta didn't the Strain, though, when he blew range to pick you up and take the up-and-up—)-and no monkey ward to release the frozen gear reach quarantine until after six into the New York Hall the you to the resort. business. It's a place where a and stuck to his job as the big o'clock- and the real disaster was other day to tell his old friends But you'd better make res­ Seafarer can make hi^elf at , blodc swung perilously close. To that nobody got ashore until 11 about it, and incidentally to ervations well in advance by home." . make matters worse, if they o'clock Sunday morning. leave a pack of folders in the calling Newfoundland 9-4936, as According to Brother Wessel's could be worse, the boat's motor "We lost a weekend," Rood Baggage room giving aU parr the pack of office girls currently jusiness card, which, incidentally says, "and that's what hurt." ticulars. had conked out. vacationing out there keeps the jears the printers union label. For Perry it was the second Things are run strictly SIU Moosepac's log cabins and bun­ Seafarers checking in will find Finally, the sailors with a brush with danger this year. In clean, airy rooms and, what's little help from the stowaways, Januai-y, he was Bosun on the style. Young said, with no per- galows pretty weU filled up. who were a mighty worried five- SS Adrian Victory, an American- forniing allowed. But if you'd There is a three-piece orches­ more, if you like a romantic some by then, caught the block Hawaiian ship, carrying bulk like a real vacation m the lakes tra and dancing in the messhall. sounding mailing address — the Wessels Hotels is in the heart of with a rope, holding it until phosphate loaded by the Army and woods, all you need is a Perry got the forward gear un- in Tampa for Germany. It was bathing suit and old clothes for Yoimg insists that life ashore the Vieux Carre^ is wonderful. Except for a hikmg, he added. * fouled. a bum loading job and when the The fare is from $42.50 to spell working in the mines out Even with the danger of the Adrian ran into a storm 700 $45.50 per week, but it includes of Jo-berg, South Africa, before swinging block averted the boat­ miles at sea the cargo shifted room, meals, boats on the lake, the war,. YOung sailed from load of Seafarers and stowaways and she developed a 50-degree hay-rides and picnics. 1929 until embarking on the Check the slop chest be­ was not much better off, since list. Situated on fourteen square Moosepac venture. He sailed out fore your boat sails. ' Make it took another half hour to get Heroic measures by the crew miles of vh-gin hardwood tim­ of SIU halls £is a Bosun after sure that the slop chest con­ the motor going. The tiller got saved the ship which finally ber-land, and fronting on three 1944. tains an adequate supply of away from the Mate and he limped back into Charleston. lakes, Moosepac has good fishing "If I can just get some guys all the things you are liable tried to steer with a sweep oar Perry got 33 hours overtime on right now, hunting in season, up there to help me take care to need. If it doesn't, call the which was too short for the that occasion—and a letter of miles of hiking trails, bridal of those women, everything will Union Hall immediately. heavy seas. The boat jiist drifted thanks from the company. paths and horses, if you are be all right," he declared! Offers Gay Times At Jersey Camp Cheek It—But Good �PHday, July 16, 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Nine Digested Minutes Of SlU Ship Meetings (came aboard ship. He reported M. V. DEL VIENTO. April 4— that the Captain had changed Chairman Bill Mitchell; Record­ men around in the Steward De­ ing Secretary Fred Miller. En­ partment and he requested that gine and Steward's Department the Patrolman be contacted in Delegates reported plenty of dis­ next port tp see about putting puted overtime. New Business: men back on the jobs in which Motion by Fred Miller, second by they had shipped.^ Engine Dele­ Bill Olney that the company be gate, J. Sullivan reported all in requested to install cooking faci­ order. Under Education, Brother! lities and water fountain aft ior Grice spoke on the meaning and use by native crews in West importance of the motto: "An Africa. Also that locks be put 'SIU ship is a clean ship." on all doors on main deck. Mo­ ft ft ft tion by Miller, second by Doug­ lass Dominque that the Company M. V. DEL SOL. June 12 — be instructed to put on stores for Chairman. * Lassiter; Recording at least four months when ships man would not get it, have his lecrelary. Bradley. No overtime are sent on the West African permit revoked. Carried. One beefs reported by the Delegates. run, as the Del Viento has twice minute of silence for Brothers Old Business reguarding electric run short of food down there. lost at sea. washing machine, new refriger­ JOLD OM TO YOUR U/V/ON RECEIPTS, 4. t 4. Motion by Kelley, seconded by ator, and potato peeler was dis­ ^DISCHARGES, PAlP BILLS,^SIMILAR Douglass Dominque that exhaust CORAL SEA. May 22 —Chair­ cussed, and it was decided to re­ PROOF OF MOA/EV PAID OUT OR JOBS fans be installed in all foc'sles. man not given); Secretary. James fer it to the Patrolman in New Armstrong. Delegates reported HELP . IM MAMW CASES -jue ?A,?£RS Motion by Duffy, seconded by Orleans. Under Good and Wel­ Bill Olney that Delegates accom­ everything in order. Reports ac­ fare it was decided to ask the CAA/AJOT BE DUPLICATED AAID GAN pany patrolmen when contacting cepted. Under New business First Assistant to have the coffee CAUSE AAUCM TRCUeLE IF LOST OR, ship's officers. Good and Wel­ time was taken for the Engine urn fixed. The Messman was in­ AAlSLAID . fare included recommendations Department to elect a new Dele­ structed to remove coffee bag by Brothers Miller. Binnon. and gate^ Brother Singer. In Good from urn after making coffee. Olney that foc'sles be left clean and Welfare there was discussion The StewarcJ agreed to put out and the bunks stripped, that the on the necessity of making less more night lunch. The Mates on Pursers be required to familiarize noise in the passage way in or­ watch would be asked to keep themselves with the tropical dis­ der to let the watch below get the ship's radio tuned in. One eases and their treatment endemic some sleep. Also' discussion on minute of silence for Brothers to the West African ports, and cleanliness of the laundry. One lost at sea. that the Patrolman instruct the minute of silence for Brothers By HANK Chief Mate to have the gear lost at sea. 4 ft overhauled before another trip as With all these pillars of high finance around us not one OLIVER LOVING. June 13— the guys and blocks are unsafe. half-way decent ocean breeze (poets call it the tang of the sea) Chairman, J. L. Grimes; Re­ familiar to the brothers ever sails through our Beaver Street cording Secretary. P. J. Wilkin­ ft ft ft home. And this town is sure getting heated up something awful, son. Engine Delegate reported too. Must be because of all that political hot air cooking down in that Lindseed Oil had been found BESSEMER VICTORY. June convention-town Philadelphia. in the deck-lacquer used in the 13 — Chairman. F. Gibbons; Re­ ft ft ft 8-12 black gang foc'sle, and that cording Secretary, R. Weaver. GOVERNOR MILLER. AprU Well, last week a happy, big-sized Seafarer sailed into two bunks were missing from the Under Old Business the Ship's 25—Chairman Bankston; Secre­ same foc'sle. Motion made by town. Waving his cigar and laughing heartily. Brother "Straw­ Delegate reported that the Chief tary Ballard. Delegates report J. Oliver, and seconded by J. berry" Hutchins. the Steward, merrily barked away eibout Engineer had given his okay for all beefs ironed out with Captain. O'Sullivan that any member strawberries, watermelons, conditions while he's on that the crew to hang their gear in New Business: Motion 'by Bank­ caught molesting company prop­ "ferryboat" (as he calls it), the Seatrain Havana, shuttling the fidley to dry. The matter of ston that everyone be in sober erty be put in the 99- year club. between New York and Gulf ports. painting out crew's quarters was condition at payoff. Motion by Carried. ft ft ft to be referred to the Patrolman Bankston. and amended by BarOldtimer Roderick Smith (this time we didn't forget his first in Coos Bay. The Steward Dele­ barin that five copies of repair gate reported a dispute in over­ name), the Bosun, sailed into town recently from a trip ... Steward list be made up and the crew time for the shift to Alemeda. Vic Milazzo writes he'll be up in Brighton, Massachusetts for press for their completion either The Union Constitution and By­ hospitalization for a few months. Smooth recovery, Vic, and in Houston or the following port. laws were discussed under Ed­ we hope some shipmate of youi;s in any port writes a letter or A 23-item list was submitted. two to cheer you up. It helps a lot. ucation. ft ft ft Good and Welfare: Donations ft ft ft ft ft ft OLIVER LOVING. May 1— will be accepted by Brother Sam Lulfrell, another Seafarer with a sense of humor and Spahn to be forwarded to SIU Chairman. J. L. Grimes; Re­ ROSARIO. May 30 — Chair­ a, portable slopchest of huiitorous incidents, is drydocked in Delegate at Fort Stanton, New cording Secretary. Paul Wlkin- man. Harry H. Spurlock; Record­ town without any "heaves ahead" for awhile. Those LOGS are Mexico. It was suggested that son. Ships Delegate reported the ing Secretary. Robert L. Brain. on the way to you. Sam... Brother John Ward and his mus­ crewmembers not take sides in Captain had asked for draw No overtime beefs reported. tache is on a ship right now down around the rum and top-sided arguments where dog- lists. Department delegates re­ Motion carried to have Delegates calypso islands. eat-dog arguments are in prog­ ported all in order. Motion un­ make up repair lists. Under Good ft ft ft ress. One minute of silence for der New Business to have alley­ and Welfai'e the Steward Depart­ Here are most of the oldtimers in town: Chief Cook F. Guinways sougeed. Brother Grice ment was complimented as being paya, Juan Arroyo, John Flynn, Abe Sprung, A. McRobertson, departed Bi'others. talked vmder Education upon the best feeding ship afloat. It Steward L. D. Neill, Steward G. A. Allen, J. De Gilberto, A. the responsibility of the mem­ was suggested that the minutes Sanchez, J. Sotomayor, V. J. Tabarrini, A. Partner, Sykes O'Neal, bership in taking care of the be sent directly to the LOG. One R. McQueen, John Mikalnonas, E. P. O'Brien, W. Renny, Bosun equipment put aboard by the minute of silence observed for J. Patrick, Eddie "Skippy" Guszcynsky, K. Korneliosen, J. T. company. He explained that most Brothers lost at sea. tighe, A. Remijn, M. R. Dorfman, Ed Robinson, Fred Lukiv and s, i i of this was put aboard through J. J, Flynn. 01IEENS VICTORY — Chair- the efforts of the Union, through­ ft ft ft man. Jack Green; Recording out the years, to improve con­ Still looking for that shipmate? Here are some more: Secretary. John Risbeck. Motion ditions. A repair list was made A. Armand. J. A. Morris. Bosun 'Tex" Suit, M. Landron. V. under new business .to elect a up from suggestions of the Gustaaf, H. V. Nelson, M. Confusione. E. Greaux. R. Butler •- V ^ P committee to draw up a fine list membership under Good and (from the Gulf). J. J. Murphy. M. C. Jensen. V. Aviles. J. for messroom cleanliness. Motion Welfare. GEORGE D. PRENTICE — Sharp. W. De Long. J. Denopra. G. P. Thurmer. J, H. Pape. carried to bring men on chai-ges Chairman, McMillian: Recording ft ft ft R. Teets. John Bigwood. N. Gilligan, W. A. Beyer (from the who missed ship in Baltimore. ZEBULON PIKE. April 19 — Secretary. Bkraes. Deck Delegate Gulf). Walter Pritchett. C. Jurewicz. Fred Travis. V. McMahon. One minute of silence for de­ Chairman. Walter Patten; Re­ reported all full books except C. Torres. A. Amelia. T. F. Waller. J. Clamp. parted Brothers. cording Secretary. James Clinton. one GS picked up in Panama: ft ft ft ft ft ft Delegates reports accepted—all Engine and Steward Delegates The weekly SEAFARERS LOG will be sailing free of cost OREMAR. June 27—Chairman. in order. Motion that one head reported all full books. Motion all over the nation to the following brothers: Charles Schrunk of W. Fields; Reco/ding Secretary. be assi^ed to the longshoreman, that a fine list be drawn up cov­ Florida, George Raby of Ohio, Norman Adams of Georgia, Henry L. Garabedian. Ship's Delegate, and that they be exclude(^ from ering infractions of orderliness Gillikin of Georgia, Louis Paul of South Carolina, Lee Harvey of E. Thompson reported all mem­ the messhall. Cax-ried. Motion and cleanliness, and that moneys Louisiana, Joseph Mesta of Pennsjdvania, John Michaelis of New bers ip good standing. C. Omo- to elect a ship's Delegate did collected be sent to Brother Joe York, George Knox of Mississippi, Wilfred Dunlap of New York, Lightfool at the TB -Hospital in Daniel Fitzgerald of New Jersey, William Lamb of Maryland, hundro. Deck Delegate, reported not carry. Arizona. Carried. A. E. Thomp­ Galen Arey of Maine, Chester Wilson of West Virginia, Ralph that the sanitary work was not ft ft ft OLIVER . LOVING, June 10— son elected Ship's Delegate. Mo­ Stahl of Ohio. being paid for on Sundays and holidays, and recommended that Chairman, J. L. Grimes; Re­ tion that a better brand of soap ft ft ft the time be turned in to the cording Secretary. P. J. Wilkin­ be obtained in Honolulu. Motion Brother John "Bananas" Ziereis is back in town again— Patrolman. Engine Delegate, V. son. Ships Delegate, J. Oliver, that the Captain be asked, to this time without thtit big beard. John says he met Bosun Rackley reported all in order, as and Deck Delegate D. Chestnut have the quarters painted. Mo­ Mike Rossi and lots of other brothers while ashore in Rouen. did the Steward Delegate, E. reported everything running tion that anyone found carrying France when there were about five SIU ships in port... Troy. Motion by E. Thompson smoothly. Steward Delegate, O. tales to the Skipper be brought Tommie "Beachie" Murray sailed into town this week as that the Brother who tried to S. Scheuermann reported that up on charges of action unbe­ Bosun... Brother Frank Waller should be in New York one ship aboard through a "fink every man shipping out of an coming a Union man. All. mo­ of these hot days... Brothers, keep your ship clean and happy— herder" on the excuse that he SIU Hall was expected to know tions carried. One minute silence and have those big beefs settled at the payoff with the patrol­ took the job so that a non-union his job ahd to do it when he observed for Brothers lost at sea. man aboard. Don't foul up the contract or the SIU! 440LD Oti TO / -''f YOUR RECEIPTS.' CUT and RUN '• ^ ^ �Pe^e Ten T B E S B AF ARE RS Friday. July 16, 194a . LOG tHE MEMBEBSmP SPEAKS fi- •i; Found Excellent Crew On Edwin Markham, ButCharges Topside Played CompanyGame To the Editor: Mere are a few words to let the membership know that there still are some good ships and Amazed Seafarer Finds Own Rescue Pictured In Log To the Editor: r am one of the 18 survivors of the Richard Caswell shown being rescued from a raft in the picture you ran on page seven of the LOG for July 2nd. I remembered seeing the Navy taking pictures of us as they pulled along side to pick us up; and I have often wondered since how I could get hold of some of these pictures. it would mean a great deal to me if I could in-ocure this pic­ ture and any others that were made at that time. Could you tell me whom I could write for copies? You can imagine how sur­ prised I was after all this time to see the picture of my rescue aiipear in the LOG! Any as­ sistance you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Douglas J, Acker, Jr. (Ed. Note: A copy of the picture printed in the LOG is on its way to you. For in­ formation concerning other iHctures of the rescue, contact Mr. Imlay. South Atlantic Steamship Company. Savannah Bank Building. Savannah. Georgia.) good crews afloat. Believe me. shipmates. The galley force has Brothers, this bunch on the SS been tops. The Messmen have Edwin Markham, South Atlantic, been right on the badL Most of the crew are from is a good one. I mean that it's a good bunch Norfolk. We have visited Le with the exception of two char­ Havre and Rouen, where we are acters—^the Master and the Mate, now, and soon will be headed of course. Both of them are com­ for Dingwall, Nova Scotia, to load gypsum. Watch for a good pany men. The Captain just doesn't put payoff in Baltimore around the any stock in the SIU slogan, middle of July. "An SIU ship is a clean ship." To put this whole thing in a nutshell, let me finish by say­ He holds the opposite view. ing this crew is tops with me. Moreover, he says "If it's ov­ Fred R. Hicks ertime, don't do it." Chief Steward The crew's passageways have not been painted in over a year, at least. The Bosun says maybe SUP Member two years. Wants The LOG As for sougeeing! The Captain Sent To Home says if we are good boys we might be allowed to do a little To the Editor: sougeeing on the way home. But I would like to have the LOG painting is strictly out. mailed to me, but being as I am a member of the SUP I do WILL SEE ABOUT IT not know whether I can re­ We'll see about aU this when ceive it or not. I usually sail we hit the States sometime in SIU ships and enjoy reading the July. It is very possible that we LOG when and if I am able to will go into Baltimore for the pick up a copy. However, I'd payoff. If we do I'm sure the like to receive it at my home Baltimore Agent will straighten so I can catch up on numbers out these two South Atlantic I've missed while being away. stiffs—^just as he did that Mas­ John Washburn ter on the SS Joshua Slocum (Ed. Note: All members of last year. I guess he remembers the Seafarers International Un­ that one. Well, so much for the bad ion, be they members of theSUP, Great Lakes Dislricf or parts of the voyage. I would like to express my Marine Allied Workers, are en­ gi-atitude for the cooperation this titled to receive the LOG at crew has given me throughout tfaeir homes free. Brother the entire voyage. I can say Washburn's name has been truthfully that I never have added to the LOG mailing mailed with a better bunch of Ust.) Log'A-Rhythms If She Could Talk By CARL WILSON Out of Baltimore and down Chesapeake Bay, Sailed the John Hanson on a wintery day, With her holds full of coal she rounded the Cape, And bid farewell to the last landscape. With a brand new bottom on her for'd peak. She was sound as a drum and had not a leak. She pushed her nose into the deep ocean brine, As she rose and fell with a smooth even rhyme. Across the ocean and through the channel. She humped along like an old desert camel, While most of her crew were still dreaming, alas, About their fun in Baltimore with some unsavory : lass. While her Third Assistant was trying to learn. Why the God-damn light on her stern wouldn't burn, The First and the Second would sit by-a beer. And would hunt and kill all the black bear and deer. Then into Goteborg one morning she steamed, And moored to some buoys out in the stream, The agents informed us, "you're not wanted here," But to Malmo you must go when the ice is clear." . No one seemed to mind that part, in fact, They were perfectly willing to leave the city intact; We sailed from there and everything was nice. Until we encountered some floating ice. Two days of this and the fog set down, Then one day we heard a deep-throated sound. At first we thought a fog horn we were meeting. But later we learned it was only porn porri's greeting. * The Pursej: and Sparks to a dance did go. And by their return they were not so slow, For three belles they had, with eyes full of love, And Sparks strutted around like a turtle dove. ' | , ; The Third Ass't found a place very soon, Where you could bend your elbow till like a flower you'd bloom, TTien he and a "friend" to the ship would saunter, • And the first thing he'd ask, "Have you got any Kroner." Our Chief Engineer not to be outdone. Bought radios, watches and Ughters by the ton; When the ship returns to the payoff port. He can walk up the street like a Broadway sport. .4 • V I don't know what our skipper did, For to me he was under a very tight lid, But I'm willing to bet he wasn't so idle, When he got ashore with that high-pressure title. |r . ,' ) ' T• The First Engineer some French walnut wanted. And around town every place he haunted, Till by hook or crook he gathered some sticks, To make a fine stock for his 30-06. • f These smiliiq Seafarers are from the Stewards and Deck Department of the SS Edwin Markham. Soutb Atlantic. Front row (left to right): Fred Hicks, the Chief Steward who wrote the accompanying letter and who seems to favor fancy sweaters; Dikens. AB. with head in lifering; Eddie Anderson, Crew Mess; Mike Prochak. Night Cook; Smitty. AB; and Vincent KuhL Ship's Delegate, Back row: Bruce, AB; Kenneth Rice, Chief Cook; Foster, AB; Chicko, Officers Mess; Gus Kuknuas. Bosun; Jim Maness, AB; Curley Jordan, OS; and Wright, AB. in front of Jordan. Picture was snapped on a sunny June day in Rouen, France, while the Black Gang was ashore. The First Mate, poor boy, he seems very sad, As he looks over the payroll that is to be had, He's wondering now if love really pays, But he knows the price of a few gay days. ' This ship is only a few years old, My God, if she could talk what stories would be told. But from now until the day she will die. She'll have more such times, and that's no lie. V �THE SEAFARERS Friday. July 16. 1948 Late Seafarer's Kin Thank Union For Aid And Sympathy (This letter was addressed to pathy has been emphasized by Ben Bees. Norfolk Agent, who the cold attitude of others who are no doubt opposed to your forwarded it to the LOG.) Union. To the Editor. In regaid to the $150 which the Union allows a member for I received the American Flag under which my son, Paul Hunt, burial expenses; Mr. Joe Volwas buried in Nevitas, Cuba,, pian. Special Services Represen­ tative in New York, informed from the SS Noah Webster. I also received the check for me that the company paid for $225, which Paul's shipmates the funeral in Cuba, so the Un­ Bent me aftei' they deducted the ion cannot pay this money un­ cost of flowers and other funeral less we decide to have the body arrangements from the money returned for interrment here. This seems very fair to us. collected. We feel that you and his ship­ A full statement of eN^erything that happened in connection with mates and the SIU have done my son's death has also been all that you possibly could. If I could see all of you who received. My wife and I, and have been such real friends in Paul's brothers and sisters wish our time of trouble, I would like to extend to you, the SIU, and to personally thank you. It has his shipmates on the Noah Web­ ster, our sincere thanks for the done me and my family a lot Wonderful way in which you of good to know that my son have considered us in our time associated with such real people. We wish to thank you again of bereavement. We will never for all of your trouble. forget what you have done for Louis E. Hunt us. 4128 Linden Ave. No wonder Paul thought so Deer Park. Ohio much of the SIU! Your sym- Ship's Skipper, Engineers Laud Coral Stewards To the Editor: In reference to the SS Coral Sea and 1)he Stewards Department carried, those of us who have signed our names below wish to give our thanks to the Stewards Department (namely the cooks) for a good feeding ship and one hell of a fine gang. Special praise is due Steward J. JeUette. His fine cooks are H. Kahn, Add Gilham -and B. Tombosun. Signed by Master. Four Engineers and Radio Operator Waiting His Turn Brother Robinson stated in the LOG for July 2nd that men should pile off a ship' if given travel pay. I believe that is- already taken care of by the ruling that calls for permit men to get off after one trip or sixty days. So far as full book members are con­ cerned I think a man who has duly shipped under our rotary shipping sy.stem, which is fair to all, should be able to stay on or get off as he pleases. Why take the rights from a man that he now has? W. Gentry. Chief Cqpk on the Tulane Victory, shows im­ patience as an unidentified fellow crewmember takes his time in scanning the LOG. It looks- like the Brother is read­ ing the details of the SIU's signing up another tanker company. After a short trip a man may not have money enough to wait around the beach for another ship—especially when shipping is tough. Another thing: When a man writes to the LOG he should put down his book number. John R. Word (Ed. Note: Book numbers usually accompany articles re­ ceived by the LOG. These numbers are not printed, but the Headquarters files are checked in each case to see that the writer is a member in good standing.) The Mystery Of Minas Basin — Or How The Drain Was Plugged This is a notice to Mariners: Beware of Mimas Basin! I have just returned from a fabulous voyage up there. Short­ ly before our arrival a ship, for­ ever unknown, went down the drain with all hands. It happen­ ed like this: After sailing in circles for forty days and forty nights in a pea-soup fog, she finally drop­ ped the hook. When the fog lift­ ed she hove up anchor and un­ wittingly pulled the plug. Down the ocean-drain she went in a gigantic whirlpool! Though not far off, we evad­ ed the same fate by a miracle. The tide was dead low, and the water in the Bay of Fundy drained down the hole so rapidly that we were stranded high and dry in the tracks of a calm cart. The Captain rang full ahead. The twin-screws dug into the mud and we steered a course through the ooze as slick as an eel, right past the yawning hole but of which a great updrift of wind was carrying fish and spray high into the air with a dread­ ful roar. Finally we docked alongside a deck of logs (back issues, I think.) Almost at once the na­ tives of this inhospitable shore ran out onto the logs, and began throwing rocks down our hatches. They threw them so fast, that very soon there was no room left for cargo. The Mate explained it this way: These people feel thenbarren shore to be a holy place, and themselves without sin; so they feel that they, alone among men, are privileged to throw i-ocks. Besides, they don't have windows in their huts—^let alone glass houses. After sinking us to the plimsoli line in mud, these charming little people skated out to the BE USE.THE ?UiHG£R.T - hole and covered it with hatchboards to keep the incoming tide from running out. The water flowed around us and lifted us out of the mud with just our deck-housing above water. But as we cleared the dock, another fog set in. The Old Man figured he'd sail with the current, confident it would carry us out. But an­ other ship had entered the bay in the fog and she chose to sail against the current, sounding her fog horn. We answered with shipping. And there ai-e many thousands like me. You can as^ While spending a few days sure Elinore Herrick of that. .g with my wife here in Canada I In regard to her very wron^ received a copy of the LOG in statement that jobs can be pur; which was published an account chased in the hiring halls, 1 of Elinore Morehouse Herrick's might say that it would be pos­ ideas on how the maritime in­ sible—for a few million bucks a job—on the theory that every dustry should be run. man has his price. But the price Please, let me get my two in such an instance would be cents in. To put it in a nutshell, right out of every union seaman's Mrs. Herrick is off her nut if pocket. she believes what she wrote. I confess that I have seen one How anyone can make such or two attempts by phony punks statements is beyond me. It is to buy jobs, but they found it,, very obvious that she doesn't mighty costly. They are now know the first thing about unions hanging around fink halls look-r. or union hiring halls. I think ing for jobs and telling other that it would be a very good birds of the feather that union idea to send Elinore Herrick a hiring halls are no good. weekly copy of the LOG and let Mrs. Herrick is doubtless her see for herself just how far very happy woman since thej^ off the ball she is. say that ignoi-ance is bliss. (Ed. note; -A copy of the LOG I. 'W. Magarvy i for July 2, the Hiring Hall is­ sue, was sent to Mrs. Herrick.) T 'V- I To the Editor: Says Critic Of Hiring Halt Wants End Of Trade Unions To the Editor: Feds Bookmen Have Job Rights To the Editor: Page Eleven LOG ours as we passed. Soon there was another whistle ahead, "We must be going places," said the Captain, gleefully, "by the traffic we're passing!" We kept this up "for a week, and when the fog lifted we saw that we had been passing the same ship all the time, for the current was going around and around in a big circle—us sailing with it, and he against it. "Oh well," said the Skipper, "we've learned something about great-circle sailing." How long that jury-rigged plug will hold I can't say. I hear an international conference is draw­ ing up a plan to plug it with mud. But whether they do or they don't; my notice to Mariners is: Steer clear of Minas Basin! Joe Grimes Montevideo Nurse I I haven't been a m(?fiiber ever Wants To Contact since 1938 the way some of the u rest have, and I certainly can't Seafarer Husband JI say that I know first hand what conditions were in 1922 and 1923. To the Editor: But I can say that today seafar­ Many SIU members are treated ing is a pi'ofession which ranks in my ward in the British Hos-, as high as any in cleanliness and pital here. Fiom them I have respectability. learned of your SEAFARERS CG BRASS-HAPPY LOG, and would like to have it sent to me here where I could Our merchant marine today is what it is only because *\ve have i-ead it and pass it on to my fought and won against people Seafarer patients. like Elinore Herrick. The day But especially I would like ta that merchant seamen are put ask you to help me get in touch, under a hiring hall run by the with my husband, Michael Mich-, brass-happy Coast Guard will be old, who is an SIU member. I the day we start a backward have been out of touch with trend to where we were years him, for a couple of months and ago. That will be the day when think he maj' be on a long trip. thousands of men who believe In any event I know he will-, in democratic trade unionism see it if j'ou publish it in th®, will start looking for shore-side LOG. jobs. Mrs. Michael Michold i British Hospital f I'for one would not tolerate Montevideo, Uruguay £ any such bureaucratic rule over IN THE LAND OF RUM AND COCA COLA Membership Rules I Membership rules require every man entering the Un­ ion Halls to show his Union book, pro-book, permit card or white card to the Door­ man. Nothing else will be recognized. This is for the membership's protection. Don't waste the Doorman's — or • your own — time by arguing this point. Observe the rules you make. After a refreshing swim at Maxacas Beach, Trinidad, three Alcoa Cavalier crewmen partake of coke and sandwiches from the trunk of a cab they hired for the occasion. Left to right— Arne Bonner, Bob Larsen and Frank Boyne. .: ••'.r .i �THE SEAF ARERS Page Twelve Patrolmen, Heads-Up Crew Put Seaton In A-1 Shape LOG Frida?. July 16. 1948 FINAL RITES FOR A DEPARTED SEAFARER IN DURBAN 1 "Attention! All performers are hereby invited to membership in i^iWhen I joined this Alcoa scow, the famous 99-year club. Rum the SS Williani W. Seaton, in and Coke will be served till eter­ i^Itimore, I fbund the deck nity. Your names will be printed ^ng in a big beef with topside. in whisky on the social register. The Patrolman was on board No tripcards, permits or books straightening things out. And he are required. All super-per­ ^d a good job, too. We are 22 formers will have special privi­ d^ys out, and there hasn't been a leges. The address is 99 West single word of trouble. Fink Street, Crimpville." But we can understand now As a result, we are having no what. was the matter before: trouble with performers this trip. There wasn't a guy-block in Once again, let me say "hats working order, the tools had off" to the Baltimore Patrolmen bipen lost, and all the gear was for the swell job they did in run-down. The Mate explained straightening up this wagon. these conditions by saying that V. Perez he had not had a compatent crew for three trips. Anyhow, we have this old "rustbucket" in A-1 shape now. Plenty of overtime for everybody (about 100 hours), and some time-off. Everybody is lending a -hand and we are keeping things "steady as she goes." Here is what was Posted on To the Editor: the blackboard a few days ago: Thanks very much for the LOG. And, especially, for the MEMBER'S MOM NOW issues that I had missed. The entire crew of the Governor Houston, Waterman, shown at the funeral for Seafarer I read every issue from cover Reginald Bordeaux. Brother Bordeaux, Decic Engineer on the Houston, was killed: when he fell UNDERSTANDS SEA, to cover, and there is never any­ from the ship's gangway while the ship was in Durban. Flowers and the headstone were paid SHIPS VIA LOG for by the Houston crew. thing dull in it. Incidentally, many of my buddies here in col­ To the Editor: lege find the LOG interesting and My son, Harold W. Simmons, educational reading too — even has the LOG sent to our home though none of them is a seaman. weekly. I'd like to tell you how could pay my own transportation 'misery without any improvement J] Many who wei'e prejudiced to­ To the Editor: much we enjoy it. to the hospital. aboard ship, I finally obtained an, This is another episode in the Before getting the LOG I was ward unions, have changed their Captain Hiles refused, saying X-ray which showed that my often at a loss to rmderstand minds after reading the LOG. career of "Warden" Morgan Hiles, that I would only get drunk and skull was fractured. An Army things about the ships and the The LOG is an ambassador of the infamous Skipper of the try to lick the whole town. That Doctor put me in the hospital. sea that he would tell me on good wiU for labor wherever it Maiden Creek, who is digging his is an example of the sarcasm I So that is the last I saw of: my visits to New York; but now, goes. own grave on the Waterman endured from him during the "Warden" Hiles. No money. No I am enclosing $30.00 to cover ships. through reading the LOG, I am days my head was bursting with ship. But the payoff is yet to the strike assessment, the build­ able to keep up with him. I am in St. Paul's Hn.spita], pain untjl I finally got to this come, both for me and for Cap­ My husband, who works for ing assessment, and the hospital Iloilo, Philippine Islands—thanks hospital. tain Hiles. the New York Central, is a assessment. to God and not to Mr. Hiles, who Finally, after thirteen days of Frank Ploppert great Union man. We are both I wish to comment on the 1948 thinks a fractured skull and very proud that Harold is a Assessments— other head injuries are big jokes member of the SIU. I think that the Building As­ that can be treated with aspirin. Mrs. W. H. Simmons After being robbed and beaten sessment has already proved its Reading, Ohio worth quite well. But the Strike iit Manila, I was only permitted Assessment was the most im­ to go to a hospital in Negros portant of the two, in my esti­ after an urgent request; and then was provided no transportation mation. The SIU may have to fight for by the Captain. I had to walk By AUSSIE SHRIMPTON the rights of all seafaring men four miles in the blazing sun, If you don't find linen in the near future. It is good with my head splitting, only to when you go aboard your sound logic that we be prepared find that the "hospital" was a ship, notify the Hall at once. 1. for any eventuality; therefore, I first-aid station with no X-ray A telegram from Le Havre or endorse the 1948 Strike Assess­ equipment. Singapore won't do you any I shall "get a new contract to give to the guys, When we got to Iloilo, I asked ment 100 percent. good. It's your bed and you And thus earn their vote as 'Curran the wise;' for a five Peso draw so that I Jack S. White have to lie in it. For in these dark days of Hartley and Taft, Farragut. Idaho To the Editor: Log Breaks Down Union Prejudice In Idaho School Injured, Denied Aid Brother Raps Skipper Log-A -Rhythms 'No Coffee Time JeeV Dilemma ATTENTION! THREE HAPPY EVELYN CREWMEN To work with no contract rhost surely is daft. FARM STRIKERS THANK SIU MEN FOR DONATIONS 2. To the Editor: m:-' IllPf:.' l->.- •' irs;:;' Out on declr for a breather between meals, three of the Evelyn's Stewards Department manage a smile for George Swift's camera. Left to right—^Bob Beavers, Bill Bridewell and Larry Langan. In last week's LOG Brother Swift described the enjoyable time had by. the crew when the ship stopped at Boca Grande. . v' J . 1 C * J f J A,ei?i I.ij M.iA,., i - In behalf of the strikers at Di Giorgio Farms I wish to extend our thanks to the crew of the SS Kelso Victory for the dona-J tion of $65.00 and to the crew of, the SS San Angelo Victory for $50.00. We wish to thank both crews and to state that with such people back of us we can't possibly lose, and have no in­ tention of losing the fight we are in. Jim Price, our president of Local 218, has not fully recovered from the shooting, but he is coming out of it all right. Again we thank you people for your kindness and generosity. W. A. Swearigen. Sec.-Treas. Kern County^ Farm Labor Union Local 218 (Ed. Note: The shooting mentioned- occurred in May when anti-labor elements raid­ ed a meeting of strike leaders and shot Local President Price.) >•: \ t } • i r i ' A 3 ,1, , 1J ; , ' J (,-:l .i, Yet this is a course that's most hard to pursue, For I'm paddling around in political stew. And Smith of the commies says, "Peddle your bike. To hell with Taft-Hartley, we're going to strike." 3. Yes I'm paying the price for trade union sin. And have lost all control to the reds from within, When I rise at a meeting to give with a speech, They pelt me with pennies and holler and screech. 4. We are running around like a lot of stray goats. The 'commies' and 'caucus* fly at their own throats. There's murder, mayhem and rebellion too; . Oh, wharhas become of my loved N.M.U.? 5. We are scrapping ourselves as^ the shipowners grin; Ac the gosh-darnest, awfulest mess^ that we're in; They have issued injunctions and called out the law. To crack down on my union as never before. 6. Perhaps- King Solomon could explain upon oath. How a much worried guy is to satisfy both; If things get much tougher there's nought I can do^ But grab noe a trip card and ship S.I.U. .1 i .. I ) ' I : i �THE Fritiay, July l«. 1948 1947 Bound Logs On Band Bound volumes of the SEAFARERS LCXJ for the six-months from July through December 1947 have just arrived from the binders. Members may purchase them— as long as they last at the cost price, which is $2.50 per copy. Also available are some copies of previous bound editions at the same price. Bindings on all volunics are of sturdy buckram with dates lettered in gold. All Seafarers who wish to set up a permanent file with a minimum of effort should act promptly. The bound volumes may be purchased at the Headquarters baggage room, 4th floor, 51 Beav'er Street, New York City. Makes For Noose, Bosun Maintains To the Editor: You've had a number of stories about what we Bosuns should do, and shouldn't do in recent issues. I can go along with most of what you've printed; but there is one thing you've not touched at all. And now that the working copditions of the agreement have come up for review, I think now is the time to say it; for there is a loop-hole in the agreement that is a hangman's knot. Rofoin Trent Sports A Merry, Merry Crew; Homesteaders Invited To Stake Out Claim To the Editor: Claudi "The Wheel" Fulcher has recovered from the wounds he received while looking for his woman; it seems that he stuck his head in the wrong room. Yet George "The Champ" Harris, Well Seafarers, have you ever seen, heard of, or been aboard a yacht with 21 booms and plenty of keel? No? Well then, if you haven't you should get aboard the Robin Line ship, SS Robin CMIPP/AJG- AlbPeTrent, special-built C3. pAiAir? •STAICJAJG; Everyone from the Skipper, Kenneth "Playboy" Simpson, down to yours truly, had a won­ derful time and couldn't have had a better trip if we had been passengers ourselves. In fact, we had such a nice voyage that Ferola "Boston Blackie^' Spata promised all hands a ride in his 1948 Buick that he bought in 1946. . But then there were sad mo-, ments too, when Huddle "Black­ who is in damn good shape, will smith" Newbaker shed tears stage a comeback on his return, when he found that they had no in or about Norfolk. mules to shoe on board ship. OFF TO YUKON Back to Carolina with you, Incidentally, Arnold "Super "Blacksmith." And then there was the time Electro" Lucas who operates on when John "The Mad Russian" high frequency was sued for Treilibs lost his can-opener and breach of promise when he de­ we had to eat cold-cuts. They clined to marry in Durban, the didn't know that David "The city of love. Last heard of, he Beer Barrel" Gilmore was open­ was on his way to cool off in Alaska. ing beer. LOOKS LIKE A OCCrAL FLUSH Probably one of the reasons the crew described the Paul Shoup -as being a good ship is the cabbage being displayed by crewmembers Herb. Oiler and D. C. R«afro. Wiper. Page Thirieeu SEAFARERS LOG Warren "One Dish" Woodill got his orders straight as long as you ordered a full-house and you know what we mean. But that doesn't compare with Raymond "Aussie" Bell, who "can ring the Engine room telegraph to Stop and then Full Ahead for the hell of it and think nothing of it. Perhaps you might know that Jack "Pretty Boy" Hoi-ton had all the women till he lost that five pound note sewed in the lapel of his coat. Ah, such is love. George "Shickshinny Red" Leidemann, not to be outdone, went swimming in the East River after stxbjecting himself to the contagious influence of Singa­ pore Slings, clothes and all. Time and space will not allow to give each and every one his credit due, but in closing I would like to say that under the able supervision of Mr. Richard Ford, Chief Mate, and Brother Claudi Fulcher, Bosun, the deck depart­ ment brought in one of the clean­ est ships that Robin Line has seen in a long tjme—and that goes for New York Harbor as well. GOOD TEAMWORK How can it be to the benefit of the membership — Deck De­ partment, of course, I'm talking about—to have the agreement written in such a way that the Mate is practically invited to put the Bosun painting inside pas­ sageways, etc. at night, when this same work would otherwise be overtime for the men on watch in the daytime—or any­ body else doing it during reg­ ular working hours? It all centers around the highman overtime clause for the Bosun. On a good ship that is not too tight on overtime, with a good Mate, and a Bosim who knows his job, things usually work out okay. The Bosun does his job; and necessary work on week-ends, and is written in for the rest. But we are facing tough times; and here's what happens when the company puts the heat on the officers to cut overtime to the bone: About the middle of the trip the Mate tells the Bosun he hates to see him running so far behind in his overtime. "I'll tell you what you can do," he says. "You can paint the messroom, the rec­ reation room and the inside pas­ sageways going home. Work a few hours every night, and it'll just about bring you even with high man overtime." Of course that gives the Bosun a mere eleven or twelve hour day—^but the important thing is this: It puts him in the position of practically scabbing on his own crew, for aU of that would be overtime -for the men in the daytime doing the work on their regular watch! It undermines basic conditions all around. And if the Bosun re­ fuses, he loses all claim to higly man overtime which often rurc} to a hundred hours or more, j I think it ought to be cleared up now. Bill Caxringlon 1 PUTTING THE LUMPS TO TOP" iiiiiiiiiliifr "Pop" Kapor must have been up to one of his shipboard "kapors" (Yipes, bad pun) to draw this skull thumping by fellow crewmen on the John Hansen. "Pop" survived, however, and completed the trip to Greece, where the Hansen delivered her grain cargo. Others in the picture are; standing in front—Cecil. MM. Seated, left to right—Dave Hockaday. AB; Jack Arellanes. AB; Walter McLaughlin. Oiler and Ship's Delegate; Cliff. FWT. Nick Francos. OS and Philip, Wiper. Of course, all departments worked together, and that's the policy that has always been the byword on SlU-manned ships. There has ben no recfnt Home­ stead Act that we know of, but if you Brothers want to stake a claim, stake it now by throwing in your card for the Robin Trent Then you will find yourself settled down for life, liberty Arrow Passengers ashore, and the pursuit of over­ Praise Ability time. Well be seeing you. Of Ship's Baker Arnold Lucas. Ship's Delegate George Leidemann. Deck Del. To the Editor: We wish to do honor to the services of one of your members, BACKS SUGGESTION F. W. Brandenberg, Night Cook ON TRAVEL PAY and Baker, aboard the SS Marine Arrow en route to Capetown, To the Editor: South Africa, through the chan­ I am one Member that is in nels of your fine newspaper, the favor of Brother Henry Robin­ SEAFARERS LOG. son's letter in the July 2 LOG, We have all traveled exten­ in which he asks that the ship­ sively and have not yet found ping rules should require a man the equal of this baker on any paying off with transportation to ship upon which we have been register and get another job off privileged to travel. Particulai-ly the board. to be recommended are his In fact, I think that all mem­ pastries and bread. bers who have had a good trip We would be grateful if you should be willing to stay off a would print this in your SEA­ trip in order to give otl^er FARERS LOG, as we believe in Brothers on the beach a chance giving credit where credit is due. to get back to sea. Thank you. Don't forget that many Broth­ • Mr. & Mrs. H. Garber ers have families to take care of, and all of us have necessary ex­ S. Steinleuf penses. So when shipping is H. Daneman slow, if everyone gives and takes Charles Fiierstenberg a little, everyone will have a (Passengers) UNION THANKED FOR STRIKE HELP BY FOUNDRY MEN To the Editor: Local No. 164 wishes to thank the SIU for its donation which greatly assisted our members in winning the eight-week strike in the San Francisco Bay Dis­ trict. Your donation, and the dona­ tion from other sister locals, •materially helped in keeping up the morale of the members and winning the strike. All minimum rates were rais­ ed one dollar per day and the other fringe items, vacations and holidays, improvements were. conceded by the employers. We finally got negotiations with our outside towns settled June 21. It was a tough battle but thanks to the cooperation we had we made a satisfactory set­ tlement. Thank you again. This donation will help clean up the expenses; but we will not need any further donation now. A. T. -Wynn. Financial Secy. Inf. Meldeys and Fcwindrv �'Paig9 Fourteen TH E SE AE ArRE R S I O C Hiring Hall Victory Must Be Followed Up Frider. Julr 16. IMS FRANCIS BRENNAN BURIED' AT SEA Says SIU Win Will Inspire Other Unions ions on actual fact. What they To the Editor: '< say depends on the current ' I am not in the habit of commie line. .One of the biggest thrills of writing to the LOG, but I feel So it is no wonder that they my life came when I picked up that I have to say something don't like the SIU Hiring Hall a copy of the LOG and saw about our wonderful success in clause: it gives the commies one where the Union had saved the obtaining the new Hiring Hall less excuse to deliberately ci-eate Hiring Hall (LOG, July 2.) clause. beefs in the industry! For awhile it looked like the 'In my humble opinion, the Another thing I noticed was anti-labor gang had the unions SIU managed to pull something this. The waterfront section of on the ropes. After seeing other out of the fire that future his­ the communist party went out unions lose strikes, get stuck tories of the maritime industry of its way to twist the SIU Hir­ with injunctions and slowly start Tfrill paint as one of, the great­ ing Hall clause by leaving the toward ruin, the SIU Hiring Hall est victories ever obtained by all-important Section 7 out of victory comes out as the one any seaman's union. the version they published in clear-cut victory of the labor I read with great interest last the NMU Pilotmovement. week's issue of the LOG, in Section 7 allows the SIU to Not only does the SIU victory which iWwas stated that every­ re-open any part of the Hiring mean the preservation of thE body was greatly impre.ssed by Hall agreement at any time. The Hiring Hall, our one guarantee the victory except those mem­ commies left this out to pre­ Shipmates of Francis Brennan, who died aboard the SS of good working conditions and bers and stooges of the commu­ vent the average NMU reader Algonquin Victory on April 30, held funeral service on deck wages — it also stands out as a nist party who do their dirty of their sheet from knowing before committing his body to the waters. Burial took place guide for trade unionists all over work disguised as the National exactly what the SIU has won. as the ship was a day out of New York. Blackie Martin and the country who have been losCouncil of the NMU. Enough said about those bums, Aussie Wright. Algonquin crewmen, brought photo to LOG. ,ng heart. This is amazing when I con­ and now for a little more dis­ This, I'm sure, will give them sider the fact that among my cussion of the SIU contract. the boost to battle for the pres­ acquaintances are many NMU It looks to me as if the Un­ ervation of their unions. We've members who know their way ion established a precedent showed them that it can be done. aroimd. whereby this big issue, the Hir­ These men, rank-and-filers all ing Hall, can be settled with SOLID UNION of them, have read the new SIU all the remaining companies con­ drank and never took time off j t^ere was no reason Twin Beefs Hiring Hall clause carried in tracted to the SIU. during _ the four and a half ^^e SIU was the LOG, and they would do As the Negotiating Committee Two recent payoffs resulted in months trip. in for a tough battle on the almost anything to get the same pointed out, this will allow the practically the same beef. Here's But when the ship got to waterfront. After all, we went deal. Union to spend more time and the way it stacked up on one of Shanghai, China, _ he asked for a'^^t from scratch buUt a True to their past record, the energy preparing for the fights them: commies do not base their opin- that unquestionably are ahead The Mate insisted on doing little time to visit his parents solid Union. who were living there. He fur­ Surely nothing they throw at of us. Deck Department work during ther explained that he had not us from Washington could be It will also allow us to put the trip, which the Delegate been back to China for the last any tougher than the struggle more time and energy into the quite rightly put down on the nine year^. we went through to take the Organizing Program, which has overtime sheet. Nevertheless, the Mate refus­ hiring of seamen out of the SIU, A&G District been so successful in the past Then the Skipper took excep­ ed to give him the time, and the crimp joints and off the piers. BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St. three years. tion to the Delegate's actions and Skipper backed the Mate. Then Twenty years ago nobody William Rentz, Agent Calvert 4539 held it against him as a ^personal when the sailor took a day and could forsee that the Union Hir­ REAL PRIVILEGE BOSTON 276 State St. Walter Siekmann, Agent Bowdoin 4455 issue. Shortly after, the ship a half off, he was logged three ing Hall would come into being I might add that it is with was laid up for a few days, and days pay. GALVESTON 308 Vi—23rd St. —but it did. If we managed to Keith Alsop, Agent Phone 2-8448 a feeling of great pride that I Considering the man's reliabil­ get the Hiring Hall in the face MOBILE I South Lawrence St. recognize what a real privilege the Mate and the Skipper fig­ ured this gave them an oppor­ ity, and the fact that he had of all that opposition, there is Cal Tanner, Agent Phone 2-1754 not taken the time off deliber­ no reason why we can't survive NEW ORLEANS 523 Bienville St. it is to belong to an organiza­ tunity to get even. E. Sheppard, Agent Magnolia 6112-6113 tion that works continually for ately, without first asking the these days of anti-imion hysteria. When a crew was called for, NEW YORK 51 Beiver St. the benefit of its membership. Mate's permission, we asked the In closing I want to express Joe Algina, Agent HAnover 2-2784 Our achievements, and our the Delegate re-shipped, and was Skipper to ^ift the log. NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St. the thanks of this Seafarer to the policy of the membership mak­ refused by the Mate on a phony He refused flatly. Ben Rees, Agent Phone 4-1083 excuse, though it was obvious members of the Negotiating PHILADELPHIA. ..614-16 No. 13th St. ing the decisions in all matters, It is our opinion that such a Committee for the fine job they that he was being discriminated Uoyd Gardner, Agent Poplar 5-1217 give us our greatest asset—our Skipper and such a Mate rate did. against for Union activity. SAN FRANCISCO 105 Market St. internal unity. no respect as men, and that they fiteve Cardullo, Agent Douglas 2-5475 The SIU can tackle a program Needless to say, they didn't live up to the mark of being The Hiring Hall is still ours SAN JUAN, P.R 252 Ponce de Leon and the Union is still as strong get away with it. When the beef Sal Colls, Agent San Juan 2-5996 as a Union, dealing with a Union the meanest men on earth. as ever. Well done!SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St. problem for the benefit of the was settled, the Delegate was Louis Goffin Bill Scheran Charles'Starling, Agent Phone 3-1728 Union's members, without re­ still on the ship. TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St. sorting to name-calling and backJust remmbe'r, your Union or­ R. H. Hall, Agent Phone M-1323 HEADQUARTERS. .51 Beaver St., N.V.C. stabbing among ourselves ganization will back you all the In an organization of our type, way on a beef arising over legiHAnover 2-2784 SECRETARY-TREASURER the members should take every Paul Hall opportunity to discuss maritime ROBERT MYERS. St., Mobile, Alabama, is anxious DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION problems with members of other Cook and Baker to get in touch with you. Lindsey Williams Please get in touch with your maritime outfits such as the ASSIST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS tit Robert Matthews J. P. Shuler mother as soon as possible. NMU, the MCS and the rest. MAURICE BENAMOU Joseph Volpian As a Union man, I frequently t t. Your wife is anxious to hear talk unionism with members of GEORGE H. MESEROLE from you, at 507 N. 87th Street, SUP other maritime unions as well Your father, H. E. Meserole, is East St. Louis, 111. HONOLULU 16 Merchant St. as with members of shoreside in bad health and very anxious tit Phone 5-8777 unions and I find it very ento hear frcwn you. He asks that PORTLAND... 111 W. Bumside St. CHARLES ENGLISH Beacon 4336 lightening. you write him at 265 So. 67 Get in. touch with John G. Invariably the people to whom RICHMOND, Calif 257 Sth St. St., Birmingham, Ala. Luplin, Inspector, 197 Clarendon Phone 2599 I talk express amazement at i 4 * St., Boston, Mass. SAN FRANCISCO. 59 CUy St. what they read of our policies ALSON ET. SMITH Douglas 2-5475 tit CJet in touch with your father SEATTLE 86 Seneca St. and programs in the SEAFAR­ WILLIAM HOUGHTON Main 0290 ERS LOG. timate Union activity. But if it's as he is anxious to hear from WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Blvd. "I find it hard to believe," one Your friend William Bickowyou. Terminal 4-3131 of them said, "that any union a bum beef, it'll get you nowhere. sky, 13 N. Stiles Street, Phila­ 4. 4 S. When you are in doubt, see your can and does operate in the delphia 22, Pa., would like to CURTIS G. DOWDY Union official and you can't go Gt. Lakes District wide-open, democratic manner wrong. have you contact him. Contact your wife. BUFFALO 10 Exchange St. in which the SIU does." tit tit. Cleveland 7391 I might add, however, that MEANEST MAN RICHARD JOSEPH GRANT JOHN R. PALMER CHICAGO, III 3261 East 92nd St. Phone: Essex 2410 'you won't find any CP member Your brother, John, is anxious On the SS LaSalle, a Water­ to hear from you. Write him at Call or write your wife: 1904 CLEVELAND 2602 Carroll St. of any union saying anything Spring Garden, PhUadelphia 30. Main 0147 favorable about us. After all, man scow, we had the misfor­ P.O. Box 8| Walkill, New York. Phone: LOcust *7-4620. DETROIT 1038 Third St. what other position could the tune of running into what we betit Cadillac 6857 4" t i. commies take but blast us- — liev to be the lowest and mean­ DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St. SANTO PANEBIANGO RICHARD P. BARROW est Mate and Skipper that we Melrpse 4110 when the CP says that the SIU James G. Smith, Dornsife, TOLEDO 615 Summit St. is "the worst enemy of the have ever met. You have heard Penn,. is anxious to hear from Your moUier asks that you Garfield 2112 communist in maritime?" or read about the so-called you. write her at Frederick, Okla­ homa. meanest man. Well listen to a We should all continue our tit Canadian District 4> 4> 4> efforts in the direction in which little tale about these two guys: WILLIAM FRANK BISHOP MONTREAL 1227 Philips Square we are heading. If we do, we There was a Chinese AB on Get in touch with your mother. JACK BUNCH BICTORIA, B.C 602 Boughton St. Write your aunt, Mrs. Paid Empire 4531 wiU have a better and stronger this wagon and, according to the tit VANCOUVER 565 Hamilton St. SIU. CHARLES L. MEYERS crew (and -even the Mate), he Bunch, 207 Rodgers Ave., Fox Pacific 7824 Red Hallinger was a good worker, who never John S. Johnson, 1560 Luling Hall, Norfolk 2, Va. To the Editor; SIU HALLS PERSONALS �"Pridayi Jiily 18, 1948 T Hjs A F Anie n s ^L OV Page Fifteen Marine Hospitals Now 150 Years Old by the ,Diyision of Marine Hos­ The Federal system of Marine pitals and Relief, the predecessor hospitals is 150 years old today. of the Hospitals Division of the It was on July 16, 1798, that Public Health Service which John Adams, the second Presi­ runs them today. During World War I, the Pres­ dent of the United States, ap­ ident opened the hospitals to proved an act of Congress "for Army and Navy personnel.,^ In the relief of sick and disabled 1919, the treatment of benefi­ seamen." Under this act the first ciaries of war risk insurance, a hospitals were established. program compensating sick gnd Today the Marine Hospitals disabled veterans of the first are operated by the Public world conflict, was assigned; to Health Service which is, in the Public Health Service. , " turn, a part of the Federal Se­ A number of Army hospitals curity Agency. Historically the were also turned over to the Marine Hospitals are the foun­ Service at that time. But,, in dation on which all public health 1922, the Public Health Serv­ - activities in the United States ice transferred 57 of its hospi­ • have been built. tals to the brand new Veterans The present day Public Health Bureau, keeping only the Mar­ " Service is charged with the ine Hospitals themselves, whjich 6iany-sided functions of preserv­ already numbered 24, ing and pi-otecting the health The dental section was organ­ -of the American people. But ized in 1919, and projects in the Marine Hospitals constitute physiotherapy and occupational •one of its most important and therapy were commeflced '.at , most vital sections. about the same time. The spe­ There are 24 Marine Hospitals cial hospital at CarviUe, Louis­ now in operation. Of, these, 21 iana, for the treatment of lep­ are general hospitals, two are The U.S. Marine Hospital at Stapleton on Staten Island in New York Harbor is a far cry rosy was opened in 1921, and tuberculosis centers and one is from the first Marine Hospital which opened in 1799 in a barrack building on Castle Island, in the 1930's a large-scale build­ entirely devoted to the treat­ ing program was undertaken. Boston. Today the Marine Hospitals are celebrating their 150th anniversary. ment of leprosy. BIGGEST YET Most of them are located in his wages and turned over to major American seaports and In 1939, the "Public Health a collector of customs. along the most important in­ This 20-cent tax was assessed Service itself was transferred' to land waterways. On the aver­ against seamen until 1870—with the Federal Security Agency, the age, the hospitals have been the exception of one 12-month biggest organization yet to deal On this page appears a brief history of the Marine Hos­ taking care of about 6,000 men period in the late 1830's—and with public health and welfare pitals, which celebrate the 150th anniversary of their found­ a day including patients in all ing today. about half the time it carried the in the United States. It stems categories. full cost of rurming the hospitals. in a direct line from the first Nobody is more interested in the Marine Hospitals than When the tax was not suffi­ Marine Hospital in Boston. FIRST IN BOSTON the Seafarers Internationid Union, since the health of its cient, some additional monies Spokesmen for the Hospital members is largely dependent on the hospitals' efficient ope­ The Marine Hospitals were were obtained from the Govern­ Division of the Public Health ration. Accordingly, SIU Headquarters and Port Officials main­ founded to provide medical care ment's general funds and, after Service, one of whose major tain an unceasing watch on the hospitals t.o be sure that all for seamen regardless of their 1841, a number of deficiency ap­ jobs is running the Marine Hos­ Seafarers receive every care and treatment to which as seamen immediate financial condition, propriations were voted by Con­ pital.s, declare that the agency they are entitled by Federal law. and to provide an effectve gress. Money was also appropri­ hopes to furnish the best medic^ In addition, the SIU, through its Washington Representa­ quarantine for seamen suffering ated to build new hospitals. care possible to everyone eli­ tive, is constantly pressing for liberalization of hospital regu­ from contagious diseases. Their gible. To carry out its plan, the lations. At present, the Union is urging Congress to do away TAX DOUBLED history should interest all Sea­ Division has 7,000 employes with the restriction prohibiting a seaman from obtaining treat­ farers. who man the 24 Marine Hospitals In 1870 the tax against seamen ment if he has been away from the sea for more than 90 plus 120 out-patient clinics. .• The first Marine Hospital was days. The Union believes that there should be no such time was doubled to 40 cents a month. set up on Castle Island in Bos^ The monthly assessment, plus According to its spokesm^, limit on any man who is still in the industry. ton in 1799, Treatment was giv­ special funds voted by Congress, the Hospital Division ke^s en in an unimpressive barrack financed the hospitals until a abreast of all advances in medi­ building. The next one, the first and down all the coasts, along only providing medical care for tonnage tax- against all vessels cal science including medicine, real hospital, was at Norfolk the rivers of the west and on seamen, but they had taken on entering the United States re­ surgery, orthopedics, pathology, and was purchased from the the Great Lakes. Water-borne responsibilities concerning mari­ placed it in 1884. dentistry, physiology, neurolo^, state of Virgiiria by the Federal commerce increased rapidly and time and interstate quarantine, By the middle of 1906 the ton­ pharmacy, nursing, dietetics, Government in 1801. proved so hospital administration and re­ sometimes ho.spitals had to be the examination of immigrants nage tax finally Navy personnel received treat- set up in a hurry in boarding and surveys of public health. In thoroughly inadequate that it lated fields. at these and other hospitals in houses and private homes—and short, the whole public health was abandoned and, since then, The Seafarers Internatiori^ movement was beginning to the hospitals have been com­ Union, too, will continue its the early years including the even in lighthouses. period of the War of 1812. Dur­ During the War between the grow from the seamen's hospi­ pletely dependent on annual ap­ constant checking of Marine propriations by Congress. ing that war, British prisoners States, 1861-1865, military auth­ tals. Hospital operation, and wiU keep orities of both the Union and were also cared for. After the Public Health Serv­ pressing for liberalization of The Fort Stanton Hospital for As the United States expanded the Confederacy took over , the seamen and other Marine Hos­ ice was established in 1912, the hospital regulations for the ben­ in the 19th century. Marine Marine Hospitals then in exist­ pital beneficiaries 'suffering from Marine Hospitals were managed efit of the SIU membership. Hospitals were established up ence, but when the conflict end­ tuberculosis was just getting ed they were returned to civil started in 1900, and the studies control. on the origin and prevalence of As time passed. Congress as­ leprosy were beginning to ap­ The SEAFARERS LOG as the official publication of the Sea­ signed new responsibilities to the pear in the annual reports of the Marine Hospital Service, as it Surgeon General. In 1901, there farers International Union is available to all members who wish was then called, a trend that were 23 hospitals including one to have it sent to their home free of charge for the enjoyment of finally resulted in the .Public at Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and their families and themselves when ashore. If you desire to hav« the LOG sent j:o you each week address cards are on hand at every (Continued from Page 1) Health Service. Many of these 13,500 patients were treated. SIU branch for this purpose. responsibilities were devised to with the United States GovernHowever, for those who are at sea or at a distance from a SIU control communicable diseases. NEW NAMES ' . - ment, « hall, the LOG reproduces below the form used to request the LOG, Aliens with five years of seaSERVICE NATIONALIZED In 1902, in recognition of the which you can fill out, detach and send to: SEAFARERS LOG, 51 time on US ships are eligible to increased and diversified duties Beaver Street, New York 4 ,N. Y. In 1870, Congress for the first apply for immediate citizenship. of the service, its name was PLEASE PRINT INFORMATION If they want to stay on Ameri­ time put the Marine Hospital changed to the Public Health and Service on a national instead of can vessels they should apply Marine Hospital Service. At the a local basis. A Supervising Sur­ To the Editor: ^ow and not wait. geon, later to be called the Sur­ same time, the President was , Other aliens should apply for geon General, was provided for empowered to use the service I would like the SEAFARERS LOG mailed to the •visas. Hf these ineii obtain visas and, in 1872, the first overall during war in any way which address below: would benefit the general public they are legally within the Unit­ regulations were issued. ed States and find more jobs In the years immediately fol­ without impairing its basic Name open to them since they can sail lowing the above step, a regular function. In 1912 the name was oh coastwise runs, or work corps of medical officers who changed again—^to the U.S. Pub­ Street Address ashore. Moreover; they are no' had to pass examining boards lic Health Service. longer restricted to 29 days oh to be appointed was organized. From the begirming, the Mai-State the beach. Provision was also made for the ine Hospitals were imder the City The Union has been urging Surgeon General to be appointed jurisdiction of the Secretary of Signed alien members to take one or by the President and confirmed the "Treasury. Under the original another of these steps. The soon­ by the Senate. act of 1798, each seaman paid a Book No er alien members heed this ad­ By • the turn of the century, federal tax of 20 cents a month vice the better off they will be. the Marine Hospitals were not which the Skipper withheld from For Still Better Medical Care CoastGuardCuts Quota Of Aliens Notice To All SIU Members �: IM Page Sixteen THE SEAFARERS WHAT ttWNIC... :?5. •v J LOG Friday, July 16, 1946 New York City Reveals Plan For New Docks NEW YORK — This week. Mayor O'Dwyer made public a, 10-year program to modemizo and generally improve the NeW York waterfront. The progrant QUESTION: The SIU Negotiating Committee is presently preparing for discussions with was drawn up by the Commis­ the operators on clarifications in the Union's standard freighter agreement. What clarifica­ sioner Minetti of the Department tions do you recommend for your Department? of Maritime and Aviation. The Comnlissioner's plan ia HJALMAR V. NIELSEN. AB: GEORGE A. ALLENI Ch. St. admittedly much more limited in scope than previous plans sub­ Right now. I can't think of For one thing, the duties of mitted by the Port of New York any of the rules in the Deck i the Night Cook and Baker Authority and the World Trado should be clearly defined. An­ Corporation ., Department that need clarificaother thing that may need clari­ . tions. I believe the contract now fication in the Stewards Depart- However, city officials includ­ in effect covers the iield very , ment centers around the pulling ing the Mayor are believed t(^ well. I remember very clearly of ice. which I consider to be favor it, because it leaves tha the situation in maritime in the the duty of the Messman. With waterfront under direct city sup­ pre-Union days when we got the exception of the Night Cook ervision and because each of the 45 bucks a month and no over­ and Baker's. I think the hours other plans was opposed by so time. And we had "field days," of all Department members many influential and interested teo. When I compare those days should be clearly set forth. On groups. with the SIU contracts covering the whole, there is little to be Hearings on the plan have been •every phase of our work today. clarified in the present rules. scheduled to begin next weel^ I'm very satisfied. Another rea­ I think most of the Stewards are and when a final decision is son I don't see much need for oldtimers and familiar with the made the LOG will carry the dlarification is that most beefs rules. If all hands would live details. ' • \' are minor ones and easily settled to them, there'd be no prob THREE-PHASE PLAN by the Patrolman. lem. In its present form, the plaai falls into three phases—new con­ TRINIDAD VIGO. Utility: A. L. MILTNER. Wiper: struction, modernization of ex­ isting piers and rehabilitation of The Stewards Department I think that we ought to cleax existing piers. Over the 10-year rules should be clarified so they up the Engine Room rules so period, it would cost neai'ly $60 are clear to all. Something that I know what I'm supposed million. should be done to eliminate the to do and no questions left The plan calls for 11 brand possibility of confusion and ar­ over. We've got the best agree­ new piers or platform structures guments in the Department, which would J)e completely firewhich I believe aje caused most­ ment there is. but a couple of ly by the men not knowing who proofed. Another three piers things are cloudy. For instance, is to perform a particular job— would have new sheds or other painting the steering engine additions. and whether it is to be done on room is supposed to be the Deck regular time or on off time. One Department's job. But if the Other improvements are mostly of the Steward Department rules Deck doesn't do the job. is there those which have been suggested that should be further clarified any good reason why the Wipers by New York officials in recent is that concerning the pulling months. ^ shouldn't get the overtime? Once of ice. Personally. I think this two of us were spraying paint, I job should rate overtime when­ one man holding the can. They ever the Steward wants ice tried to make us split the over­ right away and there is none time claiming that one man in the box. However, this job could do the work. These things should be done well in advance. should be clarified. Boneyard Cuts Into US Fleet P. J. THOMPSON. FWT: There are a lot of misunder­ standings in the Engine Room rules about little things. For instance, should an FWT sweep down or not. It doesn't make much difference to me, but some say a FWT is stealing the Wip«r's job if he sweeps down. This ^ould be made clear. In port, a FWT has to run the evapo­ rator while watching the fires and the steam if the winches are run by steam. Maybe this should be changed. and cleeuly written that either an Engineer watches the Evaporator in port, or the FWT gets overtime for doing two tough jobs at once. But the agreement is okay in general. . :y. ••••• • m E. R. ASMUSSfiN. Wiper: We need more specific word­ ing in the agreement on what a Wiper can and cannot do. Cer­ tainly what is a Wiper's over­ time ought to be stated more clearly. On one ship we painted the steering engine room when the Deck boys didn't do it. The Patrolman said we could not collect. He said the day men in the Deck department were to do the painting if possible, the Deck watch men on overtime were to do it if the day men were unable to do it. It should be clear in the agreement that Engine men can't paint the steering engine room. But the agreement is a pretty fine agree­ ment right now. A. VALENTINE, Chief Steward: - The privately-owned Americem merchant 'fleet now consists of There are a couple of things 1,175 ships, an increase of 172 that ought to be straightened since the beginning of the year, out. The contract ought to be it was disclosed this week. much clearer on the Night Cook and Baker's duties, especially as However, the grim trek of ves­ regards breakfast. The NCB is sel after vessel to the boneyard, responsible for breakfast rolls, during the spring months, re­ muffins and items like that. He duced the number of Maritime is supposed to make them in his Commission ships chartered to eight hours, not on overtime. private owners to a mere 660 as Also, the contract should be clearer on just what a Utility of July 1, compared to 1,128 on should do under the Chief Stew­ January 1, the sgme report re­ ard's direction. It's not a matter vealed. The net result is a substantial of clarification, but I think that Chief Stewards ought to get decrease in overall shipping, overtime for doing the. highly attributeble partly to the post-f, responsible paper work on re­ war growth of foreign fleets and quisitions. partly to the spring decline in American exports, notably in bulk cargoes of coal and grain. FRED SOKOLOWSKI. Bosun: One basic cause of the decrease' The Alcoa ships are making a has been the dwindling of dollar practice of using shore gangs in accounts held by foreign coun­ the Islands. Not only are 20 or tries which has helped reduce 30 men used to cover and un­ the export volume. cover the hatches, and to paint The 172 ships which .have been outside, but they are doing the added to the privately owned same work inside. The whole fleet include 46 dry-cargo ships practice should be thrown out. and 126 tankers. As of the pres­ for the work they do would ent date, the privately owned mean extra overtime for the fleet consists of 689 dry-cargo Deck Department. But in any ships and 486 tankers. event the Bosun is entitled to extra money when working . Since 660 MC ships are run­ them. There should be a clari­ ning under charter, there are fication on Bosuns standing gang­ now 1,835 ships in the entire way watches. Furthermore. I American merchant fleet. would like to see the Carpenter As of July 1, there were .1,583. put back on the ships instead :hips laid up in the boneyard of^ of carrying only Deck Mainten­ which 1,519 were built during ances. the recent war. � 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 1939-1949 Description An account of the resource Volumes I-XI 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 July 16, 1948 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 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. X, No. 29 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES LAB OR BOARD HEARING DEFINES VOTING UNIT FOR CITIES SERVICE SEATRADE ENTERS TANKER FIELD SIGNS SIU PACT CGCUTS ALIEN QUOTA FOR SUBSIDIZED SHIPS SIU VICTORY SEEN IN CUBA DISTILLING VOTE ERP AIDS PANAMA TANKER SHIPS BREAK IN STEAM LINE KILLS BOSUN THREE OTHER SEAFARERS INJURED ANY GOOD BOSUN MUST PULL HIS OWN WEIGHT ABOARD SHIP RAIL HIKE MAY AID GULF PORTS PHILADELPHIA IS SECOUND PORT IN TOTAL TONNAGE SEAFARERS AND THEIR SHIPS ARE NEWS ABOARD THE ROBIN KIRK BOOK MEMBERS FIND THAT SHIPPING IS QUITE FAIR IN PORT TAMPA BALTIMORE CONTINUES UPS-DOWNS:SHIPPING IS FAIR- THIS WEEK MOBILE MANAGES SATISFACTORY WEEK AS MAW LENDS HANDS ILA DEMANDS WAGE INCREASES OTHER CHANGES MONKEY QUITS SEAFARER WHEN 'JUNGLE ' GOES TEXAS SHIPPING IS FAIR AND SHOULD STAY SO OLD STANDBYS KEEP NEW YORK SHIPPING IN FAIR SHAPE SAN JUAN SEAFARERE FIND SHIPPING IS GOOD SEAFARERS' GUIDE TO THE FAR EAST SEAFARER'S COOL SEAMAN SAVES BOATLOAD OF CREWMEN OFF WACOSTA VESSEL CLEARED BUT CUSTOMS;BREMEN ARMY COPS RUN WILD THROW BOOKT WEBSTER CREW MARINE HOSPITALS NOW 150 YEARS OLD NEW YORK CITY REVEALS PLAN FOR NEW DOCKS Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 07/16/1948 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1948 Periodicals Seafarers Log