Issue Date
1957-11-22
Volume
19
Issue Number
24
Plaintext
Vol. XIX
No. 24
• -l
-0A
» OFFICIAL 0R6AN OP TH6 SEAFAR6RS INTERNATIONAL UNION ' ATLANTIC AND 6ULF DISTRICT « APL.CIO
NLRB Orders Blection:
Story On Page 3
Int'l Labor Backs Canada Strike :%\
M\
Story On Page 2
F. McKinney^ engineer; R. Harris, AB; C. Howerin, engineer; L. Willis
Jr., oiler; J. Gaskill, captain, and M. Jordan, captain. (Story on Page S.)
SlU-Contracted
Willis Tugboats
Fight NMU Raid
USING TAFT-HARTLEY in an effort to wreck an SlU-HiWD pact,
the National Maritime Union has opened a raid on Willis tugs in
Philadelphia. The NMU-affiliated United Marine Division has
called the union shop and other phases of the contract "illegal"
in efforts to get a foothold in a fleet won by the SlU-HfWD by a
69 to 2 count over the UMD last year. NMU President Curran has
repeatedly "vowed" he would "never" use the Taft-Hartley Act
against another union.
: Story On Page 3
Storm Casualty
Neatly split in two by a storm
a week ago, the Norwegian
motors hip Belleville lies
aground on Seal Rock off New
port, RI, where she's been
stuck since September. Val
ued at $1^4 million before the
wreck, she was sold for $52,-
000 Monday to a marine sal
vage outfit which will cut up
the hulk for scrap. Most of
the cargo has already been
taken off. The Belleville was
a prime tourist attraction for
^ time, since she grounded
within hailing distance of the
golf course where President
Eisenhower spent part of his
recent vacation in Newport.
1
Pac* Two SEAFARERS LOG November 22, 1957
LOG Visits Port
Baker & Whiteley tug dock, Copt. Sam
White of the tug Scandinavia, and deckman Al
Jutchets, SlU-HIWD shop steward for B&W's
unlicensed men, stand by. In SlU hall (right,
top), Andrew Suech, deck engineer, shows fit
for duty slip-^o SlU welfare rep. John Arabacz.
Below them, Walt Sibley stamps shipping cards
of C. Prasso, cook, and James Archie, steward,
before membership regular meeting got under-
way last week.
(Future issues of the SEAFARERS LOG will tarry special features on Baltimore
port activities and a 3rd anniversary round-up on the Baltimore hall.)
World Sea Labor
Vows Ftili Aid To
Canadian Strike
MONTREAL—^Maritime labor throughout the world is ral
lying to support the SIU Canadian District in its fight bgainst
strike-breaking by the government-owned Canadian National
Steamships, Ltd. ^—— —
Two planeloads of seameit
being flown here from Jam
aica last Sunday reversed
course about 200 miles north
BULLETIN
MONTREAL — Five CNS
•lilps slipped out of this port
late this week under cover of
darkness and manned by offi
cers only. They were pre
sumed to be heading for the
West Indies.
of Bermuda and returned to
Kingston. The chartered
Trans-Canada airliners carried 100
men recruited to man some of the
strike-bound ships. They turned
back after receiving new Instruc
tions by radio. Local unions in the
West Indies have expresed concern
over possible strikebreaking.
Earlier, eight licensed engineers
brought in from Britain refused to
turn to on the ships. They re
turned home also after learning of
the SIU strike.
ITP' Pledges Support
Formal world-wide support cf
the District's strike against CNS
was received in a telegram from
Omar Becu, General Secretary, In
ternational Transportworkers Fed
eration to SIUNA vice-president
Hal Banks of the Canadian District.
Becu protested the "transfer for
eign" of the ships as a strikebreak
ing move to bar Canadian sea
man's claims for just wages and
offered the entire support of the
ITF behind the strike.
"If you can advise of any riiove-
ments of ships hereto strikebound,
we will appeal to affiliated unions
concerned to endeavor to prevent
crewing or handling of cargo,"
Becu pledged.
CNS took steps to break the four-
month-old strike by transferring
its eight ships to Trinidad registry
after Canadian Seafarers rejected
the company's take-it-or-leave-it 15
percent wage offer last month. The
Canadian government has already
approved the runaway transfer al
though it will cut Canada's already-
small deepsea merchant fleet by
one third.
In a wire to SIUNA president
Paul Hall on Monday, Carlton
Blanche, secretary of the seamen's
union in Port of Spain, Trinidad,
indicated West Indian seamen will
not support any of the company's
union-busting efforts. The "change
of registry to Trinidad (is) seen
here as (a) move to break (the)
strike," he declared.
$204 For ABs
The Canadian District originally
asked a 30 percent wage increase
to bring the lagging wages of CI^
men up to standard when negotia
tions began more than a year ago.
ABs on the ships were getting $204
per month in base pay. The union
cut its demands to 20 percent after
a government conciliation board
proposed a ten percent rise.
SIU men on the ships struck
July 4 to enforce the 20 percent
demand and the fleet has been tied
up ever since. The company finally
came up with an offer of 15 per
cent on October 15, and then
moved ,to transfer the ships out
right when the unioii rejected it.
CNS actually offered a percent
rise retroattive to the expiration
(iJ t I -i- <• -C*-.
date of the old agreement in Sep
tember, 1956, and 71^ percent
more once a new pact would be
signed.
CNS la a government - owned
company operated by a subsidiary
of Canadian National Railways.
The ships run between Canada and
the West Indies.
Reaction to the strikebreaking
move has been quick in Canada.
The powerful Canadian Labor Con
gress, representing 1,110,000 mem
bers, has pledged full support to
the Canadian SIU in the beef. CLC
president Claude Jodoin met with
Banks last week to assure all pos
sible CLC assistance In the beef.
Hall had previously cabled Becu
in London urging full support of
the Canadian SIU strike and world
protests against government-ap
proved efforts to break the strike.
Hall said the transfers "would in
stitute depressed wages and non
union, inferior conditions on the
company's ships."
The CNS fleet is now the only
major fleet left under Canadian
deepsea registry. The remaining
deepsea ships Include ten cargo
vessels and eight tankers. The bulk
of the Canadian fleet was switched
to British registry several years
ago under an arrangement between
the Canadian and British govern
ments.
No information can be obtained
on the number of ocean-going mer
chant ships, if any, already under
Trinidad registiy. Trinidad is pres
ently a British colony and will be
part of the Federation of the West
Indies under the British Common
wealth starting next year.
New 'Wreck'
Plan On WC
Plans are being formulated for a
big 1958 "scab" drive in the state
of Washington. One of the major
moves was the resignation of Ash
ley E. Holden, political writer for
the dally Spokesman-Review for
the past 21 years, to become ex
ecutive director of a "right-to-
work" committee. Tl^e proposed
law, Holden said, will be in har
mony with similar laws now in
effect in 18 states.
"This is in no way a fight against
unions, but in fact will help them,"
he theorized.
Such a proposal was defeated in
the 1956 election by a vote of
704,903 to 329,653.
SEAFARERS LOG
Nov. 22, 1957 Vol. XiX, No. 24
PADL HALL, Secretary-Treasurer
HERBERT BRAND. Editor. BERNARD SEA*
Art Editor. HERMAN ARTHUR, IRWIN
SPIVACK, AL MASXIN, JOHN BRAZIL. Stair
Writers. BILL MOODT. CUU Area Repre
sentative.
MAN,
Publiihed blw««kly at tha headquartara
of tha Seafarars Intarnatlonal Union, At
lantic A Cuif District, AFL-CiO, *75 Fourth
Avenua. Brooklyn 32, NY. Tel. HYacinth
*-«600. Entered as second class matter
at the Post Office in Brooklyn, NY, under
ha Act of Aug. 24, 1912.
Norember tZ, 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Face Thre*
SlU Wins First Robin Bailot
Sherwood Kicks Off
Vote By 25-5 Margin
Happy over the newt about
the NLRB election on Robin
Line ships, SlU crewmembers
from the Robin Gray gather
in the SlU cafeteria at the
Baltimore hall to talk over the
pending vote. Pictured (I to r
are Mrs. Alice Werns, wife o
Seafarer Harold Werns, DM
(2nd from right); A. Bagley,
oiler; Peter Choplinski, OS;
W. A. Aycock, AB; Tom Har
mon, DM, and L. C. Clark,
carpenter. The group got a
rousing ovation when it was
introduced at the Baltimore
membership meeting last
week. At right is the Robin
Sherwood, which voted SlU
25-5 Wednesday. It was first
vessel polled in eight-ship
election ordered by NLRB.
The Gray will vote today.
ballot election and freedom of
choice of a collective bargaining
agent was "anti-labor" and a "re
turn of jungle law."
(Curran's antipathy toward col
lective bargaining election contests
may derive from repeated defeats
suffered in such contests both in
NMU Raiding Willis F/eef
PHILADELPHIA—Making full use of the Taft-Hartley Law for a new raid against
the SIU, the NMU's United Marine Division filed a petition for an election in the
C. G. Willis fleet, operators of tugs and barges in the intracoastal waterway. Crewmembers
of this fleet are under contract —
to the SIU's Harbor and In
land Waterways Division.
The Willis petition was filed by
Local 333 of the United Marine
Division on the eve of a contract
reopener. The HIWD had obtained
a first-time contract in the fieet last
year after it won an election over
the United Marine Division by a
count of 69 to 2. Prior to the vote,
the boats had been a non-union
operation.
Now, despite the thumping de
feat they were subjected to last
year, the NMU affiliate is back in
the picture at contract-negotiation
time. A UMD representative has
been hitting the Willis boats up and
down the coast between here and
Jacksonville in efforts to raid the
SIU membership.
Ironically, NMU harassment
against the SIU-HIWD in WiUis
has taken the form of an attack
via the Taft-Hartley Law upon the
union shop clause and other items
In the existing SIU-HIWD agree
ment.
Only a month ago. In the "Presi
dent's Report" to the 11th national
NMU convention, NMU president
Joseph Curran had piously de
clared: "We do not use anti-labor
laws against other unions or legiti
mate union contracts." This was
published In the NMU "Pilot" as
recently as Nov. 7, 1957. Curran, in
fact, called for an amendment to
the AFL-CIO's "ethical practices"
codes to deal with unions using
T-H against each other.
In addition, the NMU affiliate is
making efforts to stir up action
among the local harbor tug fleets
which are under contract to the
SlU-affiliated Brotherhood of Ma
rine Engineers and the AFL-CIO
International Brotherhood of Long
shoremen.
SIU Philadelphia port officials
view the move as an effort to dis
rupt at a time when the HIWD Is
preparing pew contract demands.
The UMD local here represents a
handful of men on coal barges.
Before affiliating with the NMU,
the United Marine Division had
been part of the AFL-pusted Inter
national Longshoremen's Associa
tion, and after that, of United Mine
Workers District 50.
Willis boats are employed In
the haulage of bulk paper from
Georgetown and Charleston, SO,
and Savannah, Ga., to Philadelphia,
as well as general cargo between
here and Jacksonville, Fla.
ir-'V
Shorjfchanded?
If a crewmember quits while
a ship is in port, delegates
are asked to contact the hall
immediately for a replace
ment. Fast action on their part
will keep all jobs aboard ship
filled at all times and elimi
nate the chance of the ship
sailing shorthanded.
Forced to work under a National Maritime Union
contract against their will, Seafarers on the Robin
Sherwood gave the NMU a thumping setback Wednes
day, casting all 25 of their ̂
ballots in favor of the SIU
in the first National Labor
Relations Board election
on Robin Line ships. The
Sherwood was the first to
vote after the Board issued an
election order from Washing
ton November 8, following an
SIU petition in the fieet.
The SIU petition was made
necessary after 17 years of collec
tive bargaining relationships by a
National Maritime Union raid on
Seafarers' jobs. In their desperate
efforts to raid the SIU, the NMU
made the most extravagant pro
mises including assurances of full
NMU books minus initiation fees,
plus other privileges. No less
than 15 NMU top officials scur
ried around the ship on election
day. The elaborate NMU pitch
was signed personally by Joseph
Curran.
The Seafarers unanimously re
jected the blandishments. Not the
least of the reasons for their
thumbs down on NMU are the
terms of the NMU contract under
which they have been compelled
to work.
Machinery for conducting the
election was discussed at a confer
ence of all parties concerned on
Tuesday, November 19. The Ro
bin Gray will vote today.
The Board's action was proceed
ed by frantic NMU efforts -to get
the NLRB to reconsider, with NMU
even going to the courts in a last
ditch try to stop the men on the
ships from getting the union of
their choice.
The election order prompted an
hysterical outburst from NMU
President Joseph Curran whose at
tempts to raid Robin Line have
been frustrated by the refusal of
Seafarers to get off the ships and
make way for replacements hired
out of NMU halls. Curran declared
that the NLRB ruling for a secret
A fevered, near-irrational out
burst by NMU President Joseph
Ciu-ran followed the NLRB's
announcement that it would
hold an election in Robin Line.
In a statement issued to 'the
press Curran fumed: "It is crimi
nal that a government agency"
(the NLRB) "will team up with
bankrupt union officials . . ."
Elsewhere in his statement
Curran charged that the. elec
tion order was "hitting ait sea
men . .. The Board is asking for
return of jungle law in this in
dustry . . ." He also called it an
"anti-labor" decision.
Evidently in the Curran dic
tionary, any action which he
does not favor becomes "anti-
labor" even if it means giving
working seamen the right to
choose their own union by secret
ballot, as in this instance. Even
the English language is twisted
out of its true meanings in the
Curran scheme of things, just
as it was once fashionable for
him to characterize opponents of
the Stalin-Hitler pact as "war
mongers."
offshore ships and on inland water
ways.)
The Robin Line election devel
oped out of the purchase of tha
fleet by Moore-McCormack last
spring. At that time Mooremack
announced that the Robin Lino
would be operated as a division of
Mooremack, maintaining service on
its subsidized route to South and
East Africa. Mooremack officials
(Continued on page 15)
MTD, SIU Sessions Set
On Eve Of AFL-CIO Meet
The first week of December is convention week in the
merged labor movement. The Maritime Trades Department,
AFL-CIO, and the SIU of NA executive board are scheduled
for get-togethers prior to the"^
Confident of SIU election victory, SIU-HIWD crewmen on the
Willis tug Evelyn catch up on Union news. NMU tug division is
seeking new election despite 69-2 SIU-HIWD win lost year.- Pic
tured (seated, I to r) are R. Pake, OS; B. Ireland, OS; C. O'Neal,
mate; Obed O'Neal, captain; standing, J. English, cook; R. Tate,
relief chief engineer; J. G. Wade, chief engineer, and D. O'Neal,
OS. Engineers belong to BME.
opening of the AFL-CIO con
vention in Atlantic City on
December 5.
The Maritime Trades Depart
ment's two-day session is sched
uled for December 3rd and 4th
and will be attended by all the
deepsea, harbor, shoreside and
fresh water unions affiliated with
the department. Among the major
items to be discussed at the ses
sion will be the impact of the St.
Lawrence Seaway on union organ
izing.
AFL-CIO President George
Meany will address the MTD on
December 3.
Membership in the MTD in
cludes all the affiliates of the SIU
of North America, plus unions of
licensed mates, engineers, radio
operators, and harbor outfits, as
well as longshoremen in the States
and Puerto Rico. Shoreside unions
whose members are involved in
maritime are also part of the De
partment.
On December 5th, the AFL-
CIO's first convention since tha
merger will open with several sig
nificant items on its agenda, among
them the fate of the Teamster and
Bakery Workers unions. At pres
ent, both unions stand suspended
from the Federation and it appears
that their expulsion is likely on
the grounds that they have failed
to institute necessary reforms in
their operations.
Another gathering at convention
time is that of the International
Labor Press Association at whicli
the annual awards to outstanding
AFL-CIO union newspapers will
be announced.
• :•
' - 4!
Page Four SEAFARERS LOG November 22, 1957
Port
Boston
New York ...
Philadelphia
Baltimore ..
Norfolk ....
Savannah ...
Tampa
Mobile
New Orleans
Lake Charles
October 30 Through November 12
Registered
SUP oldtimers Lincoln Nordby (left) and Carl Landberg look like
men of leisure while en oying shore leave from the ACS vessel
Thomas Paine in Norfolic. Members of the deck gang, the two
West Coasters boast of more than 90 years seatime between them.
Fifth Coal Beef Ship
Headed For Lay-Up
NORFOLK—Once advertised as a $50 million shipping
operation, American Coal Shipping is scheduled to become a
two-ship fleet when the 88 Harry Glucksman arrives in port
this weekend. The Clucks-
man is expected to join four
other American Coal ships in
lay-up leaving just one vessel, the
Thomas Paine, on the coal run.
The Paine is one of six Govern
ment-owned ships under charter to
the company. The other vessel; the
company-owned Coal Miner, Is car
rying tramp cargoes and has not
Total
Oack DacK' Ens. Ens. Staw.
A B A B " A
7 1 6 1 . 2
63 . 23 52 19 54
23 2 20 3 14
55 12 42 18 28
6 4 . 4 6 5
4 1 3 2 0
8 1 6 2 5
22 3 25' 10 22
49 10 38 11 33
9 3 6 4 3
33 16 21 16 9
16 9 12 20 13
23 11 20 10 21
30 9 17 14 13
Deck OacR ens. Ens. stew.
A B A • \ A
348 105 272 136 222
stew. • '
2
5
3
4
3
0
2
7
13
4
7
11
6
7
stew.
B
74
Tetal
A
15
169
57
125
15
7
19
69
120
18
63
41
64
60
Total
A
842
m p»vip. »
Ask Federal
Health Plan
For US Aged
WASHINGTON—An amendment
to the Social Security Law to pro
vide adequate hospitalization pro
tection for retired persons is the
aim of the AFL-CIO at the next
session of Congress.
In an interview on the radio pro-
gi'am, "As We See It," Andrew J.
Biemiller, director of the Federa
tion's Department of Legislation,
said that these people are at an
age when such protection is most
needed but not available practi
cally.
Protection Too Costly
"Regardless of how great the
growth has been in recent years of
these voluntary health associations
and the like, there has not been
adequate provision made for the
older person. Now, furthermore,
even where it is technically pos
sible for him to get this kind of
protection, the cost is generally
beyond anything he can pay."
But although the cost is prohibi
tive to an individual 65 or over, he
pointed out, such protection could
be provided at a minimum of cost
when spread out over an entire
lifetime, as in Social Security.
"The Social Security system ?s
the only way to ."pread the costs
this way," he said. "The result is
that all of the increases of benefits
. . . can be paid for by an addi
tional one percent of payroll, split
between employer and employee."
The heed for such protection is
Indicated by the fact that hospital
utilization for persons 65 and over
Is two and one-half to three times
is great as during the earlier
periods of life.
been in the coal trade for some
months now.
The scheduled lay-up of the
Glucksman reflects the failure of
coal shipping rates to make any
kind of a comeback from their
summer lows. Previously laid up
were the Cleveland Abbe, Martha
Berry, Walter Hines Page and
Casimir Pulaski.
Meanwhile, the National Labor
Relations Board is still processing
a group of unfair labor charges
filed by the SIU against the com
pany. The charges relate to dis
crimination over hiring and also to
firings of Seafarers off the coal
ships.
Requested 30 Ships
When American Coal was formed
in 19.56, it requested 30 Govern
ment-chartered vessels as part of
its long-range program to build a
eoal-carrying fleet. At that time,
it looked like the US would have
a big stake in the coal export trade
to Europe, and so far, 1957 has
been a record year in that prospect
but for foreign ships only.
Subsequently, the company
boosted its request to 80 ships. The
first 30 were granted by the Mari
time Administration but only six
were broken out because of the
company's Involvement in beefs
with three maritime unions.
''•T Otek Deck Deck
ABC
Boston 3 0 0
New York 46 12 4
Philadelphia 3 0 0
Baltimore 70 19 2
Norfolk 15 7 i
Savannah 2 2 0
Tampa 2 1 1
Mobile 14 1 3
New Orleans 49 13 1
Lake Charles 13 3 0
Houston 9 3 0
Wilmington 7 1 0
San Francisco 9 0 0
Seattle 16 10 0
Deck Deck Deck
ABC
Total 258 72 12
Shi
2
43
6
42
4
3
3
11
32
7
11
4
11
12
Bnt.
A
191
ipp ed
[ne.
2
12
8
20
8
. 2
1
2
9
8
0
5
1
4
V
82
imt.
0
2
0
4
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
^1.
Stew.
A
3
48
4
31
6
1
2
15
24
1
7
3
7
9
Stew.
A
161
stew.
B
0
6
0
18
7
1
1
3
15
6
3
1
5
4
stew.
B
70
Stew,
c
0
.4
O
4
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
• 0
0
0
stew.
C
10
Tetel
A
8
137
13
143
25
6
7
40
105
21
27
14
27
37
Tetel
A
610
Tetel
B
2
30
8
57
22
5
. 3
6
37
17
6
7
6
18
Tetel
B
224
Tstal Total
B Hag.
4 19
47 216
8 • 65
34 159
13 28
3 10
5 24
20 89
34 154
11 29
39 102
40 81
27 91
30 90
Total Total
B Rag.
315 , 1157
Total Total
c Ship.
0 10
10 177
0 21
10 210
1 48
0 11
1 11
3 49
3 145
3 41
0 33
0 21
0 33
0 55
Total Total
C Ship.
31 865
8hipping took a sharp dip once again during the last two weeks. Job activity fell off to
the lowest point in almost three years, while registration rose slightly. The dispatch figures
listed 865 men shipped; 1,157 were registered. However, the coming period promises a pick
up in most ports. —
The unexplained falioff in
Seattle Thanks
Robin Crews
SEATTLE—News of the ordering
of the election on the Robin ships
was weli received by the member
ship here; They went on record as
extending a vote of thanks to the
brothers who stuck by their jobs
on those ships.
Although last period's spurt of
activity died down in this port,
shipping continued to be fair. The
Producer (Marine Carriers), Fair-
port and Maiden Creek (Water
man) and the Ocean Dinny (Ocean
Trans.) paid off and signed on.
All are heading for the Far East
and India.
There were only three in-transit
ships here during the period. They
were the Armonk (NJ Industries),
Pennmar and Losmar (Calmar).
There were no beefs of importance,
most of them being minor, repairs
and a few hours disputed overtime.
All wei'e settled before, payoff;
jobs was the worst since Janu
ary, 1955, affecting all coasts in
much the same manner. Only-
Norfolk and Wilmington showed
increased shipping over the last
pei'iod, and these represented only
slight boosts. Boston, Baltimore
Savannah, Mobile - and Lake
Charles-remained "as is"—with no
marked change cither way.
In the case of Baltimore, ship
ping was very good and stayed that
way. This period also marked the
first time since June that Baltimore
has topped New York in jobs.
Lake Charles remained fair, and
the other three "status quo" ports
continued to be slow. All others
declined to some extent.
Most SIU ports are expected to
bounce back in the current period,
however. Vacation pile-offs for
Thanksgiving and the year-end
holidays should also help.
The temporary shipping lull did
turn up a small gain in jobs for
class B men. Class B accounted
for 26 percent of the total shipped,
as class A dropped off to 71 per
cent of the total. Class C shipping
also fell off, and half of all the
ports shipped no class C men at
all. This was especially notable on
the West Coast, which shipped
about half the jobs it normally
does, and none of them in class C.
Of all the shipping, deck depart
ment jobs still accounted for the
largest proportion, and black gang
and steward department activity
followed in that order.
The following is the forecast
port by port: Boston: Slow . . .
New York: Good; electricians
needed . . . Philadelphia: Fair '. . .
Baltimore: Good . . . Norfolk: Fair
. . . Savannah: Slow . . . Tampa:
Slow . . . Mobile: Fair ... New Or
leans: Good . . . Lake Charles:
Steady , . . Houston: Fair ... Wil
mington: Slow , . , San Francisco:
Fair . . . Seattle: Good.
Seatrain Readies Trailer
Service For '58 Tryout
8eatrain Lines is readying a new innovation after more
than a quarter century as a pioneer in moving railroad box
cars by ship.
The company is expected to
introduce a system called
"Seamobile" sometime next
year. This will combine the ship
ment of railroad flatcars and loaded
truck trailer bodies. The experi
mental system was demonstrated in
Houston last month and will be
tried out eventually on some of the
company's six specially-built ships.
"Seamobile" would add greater
flexibility to the Seatrain opera
tion, since the ships could."than
carry not only conventional boxcars
but also 27-foot truck trailers
loaded on flatcars. Several rail
roads are already experimenting
with carrying truck trailer bodies
overland.
Cost Advantages
The Seatrain program would
combine the reduced handling
costs of piggyback operations with
the low costs of water transport.
Once the flatcars and trailers were
unloaded and moved as far inland
as they could go by rail, the trailers
could be hooked up to truck cabs
and driven right to their final
destinations.
Each of the present Seatrains,
all manned by Seafarers, can carry
100 loaded boxcars on tracks built
Asriw Kiowi,.
right into the ship on deck and in
the holds. However, the operation
requires^ specialized terminals for
service between the company's
main facility at Edgewater, NJ, and
Texas and Gulf ports. Some me
chanical changes will probably be
required to enable the ships to
handle the projected trailer-flatcar
operation.
Extends Trailorship Service
"Seamobile" will be a natur.il
extension of the service already in
effect for Pan-Atlantic which first
carried truck trailers on platform
decks built onto conventional tank
ers, and now has specially-con
verted C-2 freightships to take
trailer bodies in the holds as well.
TMT Trailer Ferry also utilized
these principles on the first true
US "roll-on" ship, the Carib Queen.
In this case the trailer trucks were
driven right onto the ship via spe
cial ramps and then detached from
their cabs.
The Pan-Atlantic ships use built-
in traveling deck cranes for the
modified C-2s and dockside cranes
for the tankers to carry the trailer
bodies only. Seatrain also uses
heavy-lift dockside cranes for its
operation.
The company last Spring- an
nounced the acquisition of addi
tional water-front properties at
Savannah and Edgewater as part
of its expansion program. It has
still not disclosed plans for a new
type of freightship proposed earlier.
November ZZ, 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Pace Fivo
QUESTION: Which US and foreign ports do you think rat* at the
best for seamen?
Walter Gustavson, AB: New York
It the best US port tor here a sea
man gets a fair
deal and is not
looked down
upon. To me the
best foreign port
is Yokahoma, Ja
pan. I was hospi
talized there not
long ago and can
vouch for the
treatment the
people gave me. They were very
friendly and courteous to me and
the other Seafarers there.
i t i
Idelfanso Galindez, bosun: I
think New York City is the best
US port. New
Yorkers are
much more con-
siderate and
friendly while in
other cities a sea
man is fair game
for anyone to
take. As for a
foreign port, I
like Dunkirk,
France. You can't beat the treat
ment you get there, especially at
the Seaman's Home.
t i i
J. Colpe, 3rd cook: Maybe it's be
cause I'm a New York boy, but I
- think this is the
best town for sea
men. The people
are more under
standing and ac
cept a person as
he is. The nicest
foreign port I
have been in was
Genoa, Italy,
where I really
enjoyed myself. In fact I am learn
ing some of the language for who
knows, I may get back there.
Robei;^ McCutcheon, AB: Social
ly I think San Francisco and Balti
more are the best.
In fact San Fran
cisco is just like
a second New
York. There is
always plenty to
do and see in
that town. As to
a foreign port, I
would take any
town in Northern
Europe, especially Copenhgen. It's
not too expensive, the people are
•friendly and you can really enjoy
yourself.
Stanley H. Vernuz, OS: I think
the biggest are the best—NY, Bal
timore, and New
Orleans. They
have better ship
ping, and are
great if you want
to have a iling. I
think that nearly
everyone will
agree with . you
that Japan rates
very high al
though European ports are more
interesting for a seaman.
4" 1" 4"
Mike Mayoski, oiler: On the West
Coast I would pick San Francisco.
It is a good town
for shipping or
for a social'Visit.
While here in the
east there is only
one, Baltimore.
As to Europe,
Hamburg is tops
while Yokahoma
is best in the
east. I like all of
these cities because the people
treat a guy right, and are always
friendly.
Informed Members Best
Union Safeguard'— Hall
Responding to a communication sent recently to all international union presidents by
AFL-CIO President George Meany asking their vievys on proposed legislation in the area
dealt with by the Senate Select Committee on labor and management, SIUNA President
Paul Hall has forwarded an-* ——— ———
Supertanker Unloads Oil:
Never Touches A Dock
Offshore unloading of supertankers became a reality last
week when the 26,500-ton Esso Havana discharged more than
eight million gallons of oil while moored a mile and a half
at sea.
^The Havana pulled into the
offshore "station" unassisted
to discharge her cargo through
steel-reinforced pipes. The oil was
then pumped into a terminal in
Northville, Long Island.
The Northville anchorage is lo
cated a mile and a half out In Long
Island Sound. The vessel is secure
ly moored to bUoys attached to
twenty-five ton concrete blocks
embedded in the bottom of the
sea. The 12-inch reinforced pipes
are hauled from the sound's floor
and attached to the ship's pumps.
The oil is pumped into twin pipe
lines buried in the bottom.
The Long Island terminal is the
only one on the Atlantic and Gulf
coast capable of handling fully-
loaded vessels of unlimited draft
and tonnage. Up to this time
vessels carrying only four to five
million gallons of oil could use the
terminal.
Answer To Supertankers
Offshore discharging is the only
ai.swer to unloading tankers In the
supertanker class, short of costly
dredging of existing waterways. In
order to provide for tankers which
will be running into the 100,000-
ton class, the oil industry is con
sidering plans for the construction
of 40 such offshore stations along
the US and Canadian coasts.
A major problem in offshore dis
charging is the question of shore
leave for the crews. Most of the
vessels, because of their size, will
take on and discharge oil cargoes
in the same manner. According to
seme of the plans, the offshore rigs
will also be equipped to supply the
ship with fuel and water, thus
relieving her from actually hitting
any port.
Miles From Broadway
In the case of the Havana, not
only did the vessel discharge her
cargo a mile and a half at sea, but
also into a terminal located more
than IQO miles from New York
City. That's a long way from
Broadway in any man's language.
Tankers traditionally pull into
out of-the-way terminals requiring
crewmembers to hop a cab to reach
town. Under the new system, tan-
kermen will be required to wait
for a water taxi, and then try and
find some other means of traveling
the additional mileage.
answer to Washington.
In his reply to Meany, Hall
declared that in his opinion
there was no need for further Fed
eral legislation to deal with the
conditions which have been the
subject of the Senate committee
hearings, except for that legisla
tion supported by the AFL-CIO,
which would call for full disclosure
of union financial transactions.
Hall stressed strongly in his com
munication that an informed, alert
union membership is the best safe
guard against any abuses.
He pointed to the existence of
numerous state and local statutes
dealing with misappropriation of
funds, bribery and other misdeeds
and the use of these laws against
individuals already cited by the
committee as proof that additional
legislation is not necessary.
On the contrary, he warned, Fed
eral legislation, particularly in the
area of granting union charters,
could lead to Federal dictation and
control of the trade union move
ment.
Raised At Meeting
Before replying to the AFL-CIO
president on the subject. Hall
raised the issue as a topic for mem
bership discussion at the SIU At
lantic and Gulf headquarters meet
ing in his capacity as A&G secre
tary-treasurer. His report to the
meeting reiterated: "There are am
ple laws on the books to cover the
violations disclosed by the commit
tee. For example, the Taft-Hart
ley law provides penalties for
abuses on the national level. On
the state level, practically every
state has statutes on the books to
deal with problems arising out of
misconduct in union affairs.
"It appears to us that the real
answer to the abuses which have
been spotlighted in limited sections
of the union movement is an alert
and interested trade union mem
bership . . .
"We, in our organization, have
long recognized the essentialness
of a membership well-informed on
all phases of their union's opera
tion and activity and we have
accepted our responsibility to
provide this information."
He pointed out as well, that the
last SIU of NA convention went
on record as fully supporting and
endorsing the AFL-CIO ethical
practices code and that the Atlan
tic and Gulf District membership
had ratified the convention's ac
tion.
Turning to the impact of the
hearings on the coming AFL-CIO
convention. Hall said, "There may
be some differences of opinion, of
course, in the labor movement as
to how best to deal with problems
confronting the movement. Every
body, of course, has full right and
piivilege to express their views and
act upon them accordingly. But
tlie fact remains that President
Meany, by meeting the problem
head on has taken a sound position
with a view toward the welfare of
the entire trade union movement."
Hall pointed out that the Fed
eration has indicated it is
aware that the organizations
under fire on the interna
tional level for failing to meet
AFL-CIO standards include in
their memberships a great many
local affiliates who do meet the test
of solid trade unionism. "The
AFL-CIO's findings do not mean
that all affiliates of affected union.?
aie responsible for the plight of
their internationals. However, the
Federation, under its constitutional
powers, can deal only on the prob
lem at the international level.
Support of the Federation's posi
tion by no means involves con
demnation of the international's
entire membership or all of its
officials on the local levels."
Turning to Meany's past expres
sions on the subject of legislation.
Hall told the A&G membership:
"From all indications, Meany has
stood four-square in his desire to
protect the movement against anti
union forces on the state and na
tional level who are seeking to
exploit the uproar raised against
some sections of the movement.
On the contrary, by showing that
the movement can handle its own
problems, Meany is providing what
is pfobably the best guarantee
available against further legal
restrictions on union activity."
When the current situation be
comes history, he concluded, "it
will be proven that the Federation
position was clearly the proper
move to protect the best interests
of the trade union movement."
By removing, of its own accord,
any blot on the movement, the
AFL-CIO will be able to maintain
freedom of action and internal
health necessary for further
growth. Hall said.
Cal. Fed Issues
'Wreck'Booklet
Over one million copies of the
"Right-to-Work" pamphlet pub
lished by the California State Fed
eration of Labor have been dis
tributed in the last month, C. J,
Haggerty, Federation Secretary-
Treasurer, announced.
The pamphlet was issued to stem
the rash of /'right-to-work" laws
which hve broken out on the
county level throughout the state.
The distributions, Haggerty said,
are a part of a continuing "right-to-
work" education program.
Cigs Plus Liquor Equal
Cancer, Doctor Reports
Those killjoys, the medics, have more bad news for people
who like to enjoy themselves. After shaking up cigarette
smokers with their dire announcements about cigarettes and
cancer, the doctors now have-* —
their sights leveled on those
who take a nip pretty regu
larly.
A report to the American Cancer
Society's 44th annual meeting by
Dr. Ernest L. Wynder said that
studies indicate heavy drinking,
plus heavy smoking, increase ten
dencies towards cancer of the
mouth and voice-box. Dr. Wynder's
studies were made at the Sloan-
Kettering Institute of Cancer Re
search, one of the nation's leading
cancer research centers.
For purposes of the study, the
heavy drinker was defined "as one
who admits to regular daily con
sumption of seven or more shots,
or ounces, of hard liquor." Drink
ing to this degree, coupled with
heavy smoking, multiplies the
chances of mouth or voice-box
cancer tenfold.
Dr. Wynder had no report on
what happens to those who drink
the required amount of whisky but
leave the smokes alone. He said
he couldn't find enough heavy
drinkers who didn't smoke to make
an adequate test survey. Nor did
he have figures on those who stick
to wine or beer and pass the whis
key by.
Reason Lacking
Right now there is no evidence
as to why the combination of drink
ing and smoking should have such
dire effects. One small comfort for
the saloon set is the fact that al
cohol seems to have no effect on
lung cancer.
Of course, one point of view
holds that seven or more shots a
day, day in and day out, will do
plenty of damage to the system on
its own, cancer or no cancer.
SIU Co. Eyes Tidelands field
WASHINGTON—The growing offshore oil exploration industry in the Gulf may pro
duce still another use for the much-sought-after shallow-draft N3 ships in Government
lay-up fleets. ^* —
An SIU contracted-company,
Boston Shipping Corp., has
applied to the Federal Mari
time Board for bareboat charters
on two N3-M-A1 type vessels for
use in servicing oL rigs operating in
the Gulf of Mexico. The N3s
would be restricted to service as
floating workshops and crews'
quarters, apart from the actual
drilling rigs. They would carry
neither . commercial cargo- nor
passengers.
A hearing notice is expected to
be issued soon by the on the
company's application. Boston
Shipping proposes to subcharter
the ships on bareboat to a wholly-
new corporation which it would
organize with Spade Drilling Corp.,
a Texas enterprise.
Boston Shipping presently has
two ships under SIU contract, the
Samuel Miller and Omar. Chap
man, both Libertys, The .Chapmqn ^qut.yet,.
was in Baltimore last week getting
ready to go into the shipyard.
The demand for the N3s has up
until now centered mostly on their
use for limited operations in the
St. Lawrence Seaway. The shal
low-draft vessels are considered
ideal for this service and a number
of them have been sought by vari
ous operators for use on the Sea
way. None of the N3s available iq
US reserve fleets have been broken
£ j
a
•3
I
m
'I
Nl
'.I
^1 11
Pare Six SEAFARERS LOG NeTembcr 22. 1997
Grounded Tanker Hangs On
SUP pumpman Dole Busse and an unidentified seaman rest up on
the deck of one of the salvage ships working to refloat the grounded
West Coast tonker Mission Son Miguel in the mid-Pocific. All
hands were rescued by the LST 664 ofter the tanker (background)
went aground on^Moro Reef lost month. She is hung up, stern un
der, while solvoge work continues.
RRs Open New War
On Coastwise Ships
Stung by the apparent success of Pan-Atlantic's trailer-
carrying operations in the coastwise trade, eastern railroads
have declared war on the coastwise steamship industry. The
railroads have proposed a rate
cut on their own "piggy-back"
freight car operations which,
in the view of the steamship op
erators, is designed to destroy
their business.
The proposal for a rate cut is
being fought before the Interstate
Commerce Commission by Pan-
Atlantic and also by Seatrain
Lines. Seatrain is a veteran of
legal wars with the railroads since
it first began its sea-going freight
car lift.
Carry At Loss
Both companies charge that the
railroads' proposed new rates
would involve carrying trailers
"piggy-back" at a loss to the rail
roads. The railroads are doing this,
they charge, so as to take business
away from Pan Atlantic and Sea
train and cripple their operations.
Once this has been accomplished,
the roads would be free to jack
their rates up again to profitable
levels.
Government regulations frown
on carrying cargo at a loss for the
purpose of destroying a competi
tor's ability to stay in business.
The railroads filed a new sched
ule of rates between Texas and
North Atlantic ports which are
identical with rates now charged
by Pan-Atlantic and Seatrain. The
two companies called upon the
Interstate Commerce Commission
to suspend the new rates because
they do not maintain the tradi
tional cost difference between
steamships and railroads. Steam
ship rates are set at a lower level
as a general rule because of the
Send Documents
On Baby Benefit
All Seafarers who expect to
apply for the SlU $200 mater
nity benefit and are currently
eligible for it—having one
day's se^atime in the past !)0
days and 90 days in 1956—are
u-ged to send in all necessary
documents when filing for the
h?nefit. Payment will be
"snde speedily when the Sea-
-r rs Welfare Plan receives
h baby's birth certificate, the
>-:;/farer's marriage certificate
a-J discharges showing eligi-
iiiiity seatime. Photostats are
aecepthble in pl^ce of originals.
cheaper costs of water transporta
tion.
As a result, the ICC has sus
pended the proposed rates pend
ing an investigation.
. J I V.f tJtli
Mobile Sees
Big Poland
Grain Run
MOBILE—Seafarers from this
area will be getting a first hand
peak behind the Iron Curtain soon
as the Northwestern Victory left
this week on a regular grain run
to Gdynia, Poland. It is expected
that other ships will carry grain
from the port of Mobile to the
•Baltic countries.
Shipping, although dragging
somewhat during the past period,
is expected to pick up soon. Water
man plans to crew up the Ideal X
and the Coalinga Hills which were
in the yards for repairs. In addi
tion to them, the Fairland has just
about completed conversion into a
trailership and is to make her
maiden run around the first of De
cember. This will be the third
trailership to enter Pan-Atlantic's
sea-land trailer service. Three
more vessels are undergoing con
version and are to come out of the
yards at monthly intervals.
According to the stories being
told around the hall, a lot of the
men on the beach here are taking
advantage of the opening of the
duck and deer hunting season.
There have been reports of "enor
mous" killings being made, but
very little by way of proof has been
offered. The season will remain
open until .January 7?
During the past period the Alcoa
Pioneer, Polaris, Corsair, Clipper
(Alcoa); Ideal X (Pan-Atlantic);
Monarch of the Seas, Claiborne
(Waterman), and the Northwestern
Victory (Victory Carriers) paid off
while the Pioneer, Polaris and
Northwestern Victory signed on.
In transit were the Del Mundo,
Del Viento (Mississippi), Hilton
(Bull) and the Natalie (Interconti
nental). - '
» i J ' I ( ).»n01 { V1af ct
How to HATCH
an Accident
Falling down through on open hatch is the kind of
accident that Seafarers are mentally-geared to Ovoid.
But if the hatch opening is partially-covered by a tar
paulin, a crewmember would naturally tend to assume
that underneath the tarp there was a fully-closed hatch
cover. He would then discover his error too late.
The sensible procedure to follow is to leave an open
hatch fully-open. Where for protection of cargo or some
other reason the hatch has to be closed temporarily, the
only proper way is to put strongbacks and covers back
in place and take them off again when the occasion
calls for it.
y
ToOi ,8 < i t f t-OS • i a i« -s.'.fld -'(» :?
NttT^ltabei!1987 SEAFAkEkS td^ Page Seven
YOUR DOllAR'S WORTH
Seafarer's Guide To Belter Buying
Bu Sidney Margoliut
Buying A Car Battery
Over 12 million car batterierfail each year, a great many of them
In mid-winter and mid-srummer. Both excessive cold and heat are hard
on batteries.
Even when they don't expire completely, malfunctioning batteries
are responsible for many weaknesses of car performance. Some bat
tery conditions may even cause damage to other components and start
a chain reaction that eventually can lead to engine failure itself.
Nowadays, manufacturers' guarantees sometimes are so exaggerated,
for competitive reasons, that they are no longer by themselves a re
liable index of value. Some manufacturers conservatively guarantee
their medium-duty batteries for 24 or 30 months and their heavy-duty
grades for 36. Others guarantee much the same grades for 36 and 48
months. Some now go up to five years, and there are even "ten-year
guarantees."
Actually a manufacturer risks little in pushing up his guarantee.
The guarantee merely means he will give you a proportionate allowance
on a new battery. Many batteries last beyond the guarantee anyway,
especially if properly serviced and the car is operated under not-too-
severe conditions. But even if a battery doesn't last the guarantee
period, the manufacturer merely sells you a new battery at what, in
effect, is a small discount from list pride.
Take a 36-month battery bought, say, for $20. Assume you get 32
months' use before It quits. You will get a credit of $3^.33. Deducting
the junk value, all you really get is $1.33 to $1.83 off on a new battery.
This you can generally get anyway.
Sometimes manufacturers up
their guarantees when they raise
prices. The obvious purpose is to
make buyers think they're getting
more because the guarantee is now
longer.
As for "lifetime" and "ten-year"
guarantees, in one case the Fed
eral Trade Commission recently
prohibited Life-Long Battery Mfg.
Co. of El Segundo, Calif., from
claiming its batteries "are guaran
teed ten years or for any period
unless the conditions of the guar
antee are stated. The FTC order
also prohibited claims the battery
is self-charging, contains silver or
nuclear cells, or is similar to the
nickel-cadmium or alkaline bat
teries used in Europe.
The more you understand your
battery, the better you'll be able to
avoid trouble and expense.
Lead-acid batteries are subject to a number of problems. Not
only is there a constant loss of charge, but the battery gradually loses
its ability to store and deliver power. In fact, it is wearing out even
when your car is not in use. In a properly-operating electrical system,
this wear is gradual. But if the voltage regulator is set too high so
that the battery is continuously overcharged, or the electrolyte is not
maintained at the required level, or any of a number of other condi
tions occur, the ordinary life exepectancy of a battery can be shortened
considerably.
One manufacturer reports that post-mortem examinations of thou
sands of batteries show 62 percent of the failures were caused by over
charging and 20 percent by sulphation. This results when a battery is
operated for a long time at a low rate of charge, or subjected to other
abuses as filling with water that has a high mineral content. In very
cold climates batteries sometimes also die prematurely because the
electrolyte freezes, especially when the battery is only partially charged.
In cold weather it's desirable to maintain a lower water level than in
warm weather so the electrolyte is more concentrated for faster starting.
Batteries roughly divide into light, medium, and heavy-duty grade.
Medium-duty batteries are equivalent to the original-equipment grade.
The SAE ampere-hour rating is one of several specifications you can
check to compare different grades and brands. Most batteries show
this rating right on the container. It indicates the battery's ability to
deliver power continuously over 20 hours. Thus a lOO-amp. battery
ordinarily can be expected to deliver five amperes continuously for 20
hours. One manufacturer explains that this test in a sense is a meas
ure of the number and size of the lead plates put into the battery.
Most brands of light-duty batteries rate 70 to 80 amps.; medium-duty
batteries range from 90 to 105, and heavy-duty, from 107 to 130. Nor
is the price any reliable criterion of quality. We have found lOO-amp.
batteries listed as high as $22, and 105-amp. batteries as low as $13,
both under well-known brand names.
Another test manufacturers use is the 20-minute ampere test, which
results in a higher rating. A battery with a rating of 100 ampere hours
may rate 125 on the 20-minute test. Sellers who list the 20-minute
rating before the hour test niay or may not do so to confuse buyers.
But whatever the intent, don't be misled by the 20-minuttf rating. ~
Light-duty batteries are recommended only for temporary use, or
In a mild climate. For most motorists driving under average condi
tions, the medium-duty grade gives best value. While there is a no
ticeable difference between typical amp-hour and cold-start ratings of
light and medium-duty batteries, the difference between medium and
heavy-duty grades is less sharp. Moreover, some manufacturers exact
an extra profit on heavy-duty batteries, charging more thjui the addi
tional manufacturing cost warrants.
A heavy-duty battery may be desirable under extreme conditions,
.as habitual stop-and-go driving In crowded traffic, very cold or hot
climates, or much over-the-road driving, which results in overcharging;
A tt * * "t.* a*" nnMmAe as mi^mnrnem- » • - A
Gathering Of The Morris Cian
Seafarer Harvey Morris proudly introduces twin additions to the Morris clan. Mrs. Lillian Morris
holds James Paul while Harvey holds' Harvey Jr. Outnumbered 5-to-1 by the boys is daughter Sarah,
17, with younger brothers Frankie, Preston and sharpshooter Patrick sitting in front. Twins brought
Morris $400 in StU maternity benefits plus two $25 US bonds from Union.
Dads Count Too, Docs Soy
A' h^tfvyiddtSr-BftfA^r'ddeV stand "up befter iihSer excVssive 'cTiargi'ng."
bar an international officer from
receiving extra compensation from
local unions or subordinate bodies,
and the election of a new Presi
dent, Karl Griepentrog, who insti
tuted an investigation of the un
ion's locals in California. The
union also ordered the withhold
ing of payments to former Sec.-
Treas. Anthony Doria, and efforts
were being made to regain some
$25,000 already paid to him.
Rap Old Sea Disaster Rule
Two New York psychiatrists who were aboard the lie de France at the time of tha
Andrea Doria disaster have criticized the time-honored rule of the sea—"women and chil
dren first." The lie de France rescued several hundred survivors from the Doria after it
was sunk in collision with the-
Swedish liner Stockholm in
July, 1956.
The psychiatrists suggested that
instead of a blanket "women and
children first" rule, it should be
"children and one parent first"
even if the parent happens to be
the father. In this way, orphaning
of the children or long separation
from the parents could be avoided.
The^ believe that such action
would minimize or prevent disas
trous effects on the child.
Parent Stops Shock
Drs. Paul Friedman and Louis
Linn studied the impact of separa
tion effects at first hand aboard the
He de France and repoi-ted their
findings in the American Journal
of Psychiatry. They declared that
during World War II studies had
shown that children who stayed
with at least' one parent were far
better able to withstand disasters
and other shocks than those who
were separated from their parents.
When the family is broken up, the
shock becomes too great, with dis
astrous long-term effects.
The doctors' conclusions drew a
fast rebuttal from shipping repre
sentatives. Captain Hewlett R.
Bishop, of the Maritime Adminis
tration said that "seamen . . .would
never allow a man to step into a
lifeboat with women and children
standing by ... if a father does not
want his child separated from him
he can always keep the child be
hind until it's time for the adults
to leave."
Brand-New Papas
Another sea captain put it more
bluntly when he declared, "You'd
have an awful lot of men claiming
children that didn't belong to
them." The best doesn't always
come out in people during disas
ters, he pointed out.
The "women and children" rule
has been standard on ships for
hundreds' of years, although In
practice it has not always worked
out that way. Records of many
historic maritime disasters show
instances of male passengers stam-
pedinjl the lifeboats in panic situ
ations.
Members of the International
Typographical Union have approv
ed a $1 million strike benefit fund.
Strike benefit rates will be pro
vided at 60 percent of normal
earnings for married printers and
40 percent for unmarried. Benefits
will be paid' for striking printers',
for "locked out" printers- and for
fnembers deprived of work by other
unions' strikes. An initial three-
month assessment of one percent
of earnings is expected to raise
$1,200,000 for the fund, with pro
visions for renewal should the
fund go below a certain level. The
official tally for the proposal was
36,729 to 36,342.
The first edition of "Solidarity,"
the new weekly newspaper which
will be the official organ of the
United Auto .Workers, will come
out the first week in December.
TThe eight-page paper will replace
the union's two monthly publica
tions, "The Auto Worker," and
"Ammunition." Ken Flester, form
erly editor and publicity director
for the Textile Workers Union,
will be editor of "Solidarity" and
director of the UAW's newly-or
ganized Publications Department.
The new w.eekly will be published
in several geographical editions
with four pages covering regional,
national and -international news
and four pages devoted largely to
a magazine section.
ti t> t
A one-year probationary period
levied on the Allied Industrial
Workers last May by the AFL-CIO
Executive Council was lifted last
week following receipt of a moni
tor's report that the union had
complied with the council's orders
to clean up. Among the affirmative
actions taken by the union's spe
cial convention was the adoption
of the Ethical Practices codes, a
closer check on finances of local
unions, the adoption of an aqnend-.
ment to the AIW's constitution to
Union 'License'
Ruled Illegal
FLORENCE. SC—A general ses
sions court judge has declared un
constitutional an act requiring the
licensing of union organizers in
Florence County and threw out an
indictment against an organizer
who failed to procure such a per
mit.
The act required that applicants
for the permit be residents of the
county for a year before they apr
ply, and that they list their places
of residence for the last ten years.
The authorities, under the law,
bad the right to refuse to issue a
permit in any case, and if they did
issue one, it was valid for only 60
days and had to be renewed.
Violated Constitution
Judge James M. Brailsford held
that the act, which applied only to
Florence County, was unconstitu
tional since it violated the state
constitution which barred the legis
lature from enacting local or spe
cial laws. Sucli laws must have
general application {hroughout the
state in order to be valid.
Brailsford dismissed an indict
ment against Irving Lebold, a Re
tail .Wholesale and Department
Store Union representative who
had failed to secure his permit
before" "orgariizingr
i • •
•'J. .
• ''i i
'3 I
•VJ
"'5
Page Eight * ' SEAFARERS LOa
.•r- • '•'
November'22. 195T
NEW UNIOI
Construction workers "dope a joint" in the last phase of the sealing process
as pipeline is laid from rear of barge. The device on top of the pipe, called
a "jeep," is used to test completed seal and can de.tect even pinhole leaks.
Self-propelled dragline barge on treads crosses Vermilion River to
start digging a pipeline ditch through the marsh.
'-v; f-
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^1
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Aerial view of Glaser Construction Company's big pipe yard and slip on
Bayou Delcambre near Delcambre, La. Miles of pipe ̂ re stored here in ad->
vanceof new pipeline project&.v ',r ; i J;;,
NATember 22, M5f • SEAFARERS LOG Pafc Nin*
..-•'4 •• i.'---
:.:'"X;;
-OONTRACTED PIPELINE OPERATION :
SIU-HIWD
-1- • : . U-ri . - .
.,_ ^ •
ji-iiS JK I
£W ®
New addition to SIU-HIWD-contracted fleet, the quarter boat Jim
houses about 30 operators, welders and laborers on a job.
Bayous
•"I-.--' •
.' -'
Teamwork between AFL-CIO construction trades
unions and the^SIU Harbor & Inland Waterways Division
exists under a Frst-time union agreement for marine per
sonnel of the G/oser Construction Co., of Lafayette, La.
The company is the biggest independent contractor in the
Gulf petroleum pipeline-laying industry.
, SIU-HIWD men crew tugs, barges and quarter boats
housing construction workers who lay the actual pipe
lines, which are used largely for the transportation of
natural gas. The pipelines wind inland from the Gulf
through assorted natural and man-made waterways until
ultimate delivery of the gas to industrial and residential
users. (See story on page 16.) ^
Cooks Alie Soileau (left) and Robert Joubert appear mighty chipper as
they ready evening meal in galley on the Jim,
New Glaser tug Helen stands on ways as SIU patrolman Tom Gould
(left) discusses operation with SIUtHlWD members Gerard and Alberie
Hebert, brothers who will be captain and mate of tug.
Details of SIU-HIWD welfare plan are studied on the Jim (1 to r) by
: tugmen G. Hebert, A. J. Boutte, A. Hebert and W. Quebedeaux; patrol-
• ... man Tom Gould, and cooks A. Soileau, R. Joubert and F. Benoit Jr.
. • m
Passe Ten ^EAFA^RS'ibbG Novediber 22, 1957
Last Rites For A Seafarer
Last rites ore administered to Seafarer Chester M. Shivery, 47, dur
ing burial service at Bahrein in the Persian Gulf. Shivery died of
heat prostration on the tanker Queenston Heights.
Boston Still
Faces Slack
BOSTON—Sliipping stayed fairly
steady for this port during the past
two weeks. There were no vessels
paying oif, and only one, the John
B. Waterman (Waterman), signed
on.
Port agent James Sheehan said
that most of the activity for the
period came from a number of in-
transit vessels. The Michael (Car-
ras), Robin Gray, Robin Kirk
(Robin), Council Grove, Bents Fort
and the Bradford Island (Cities
Service) called during the last
period.
The doctors at Brighton Marine
Hospital would like to extend their
thanks to the sister of Seafarer
Pete Jomides for helping them out
in a pinch. They had called the
hall asking for a man to act as in-
texpreter for an ill Greek seaman
who was taken olT his ship.
Pete was not home and his sister
volunteered to bring a friend to
handle the job. Everything worked
out fine and the medics were able
to get the information they needed
from the man.
NY-Montreal 'Seaway' Sought
The grudging acceptance by East Coast shipping interests of the inevitability of the I
St. Lawrence Seaway may actually pave the way for a little "seaway" linking Canada |
to New York City.
This alternate water route
could cut out 75 percent of
the mileage from the head
of the St. Lawrence into the At
lantic and around to New York.
The present route is a roundabout
1.700 miles that could be slashed
to under 450 at an estimated $90
million cost.
It would enable small freighters
to make their way from the vi
cinity of Montreal through the
Richelieu River and the Chambly
Canal, on through to Lake Champ-
lain and the Champlain Canal,
thence ^south via the Hudson to
New York. The principal costs in
volved would cover the deepening
of the Richelieu RiVer and the
six-foot Champlain Canal to 14
feet.
A 14-foot depth would make it
possible for 2,500-ton ships to
come all the way down from Can
ada instead of the 250-ton barges
now under use. Deep-sea service
is already in effect from New York
as far north as Albany, and trailer-
ship operations on the Hudson
River route may come to life soon.
Heavy Opposition
The major stumbling block
against the little "seaway" had
been the earlier bitter opposition
to the now-half-com^leted St. Law
rence waterway. This was finally
authorized by Congress in 1954,
some 40 years after it had orig
inally been proposed. The St.
Lawrence Seaway itself will be
ready by 1959, opening up a fourth
US "coast" stretching 2,200 miles
from the Atlantic to Duluth, Minn.,
at the head of Lake Superior.
Canadian roadblocks against the
Champlain "seaway" fell part
once the long-sought St. Lawrence
waterway began approaching reali
ty. In Washington, the Senate has
already authorized a study of the
plan and a drive for House ap
proval will be made next year.
Vermont, which has a common
border with NY on Lake Cham
plain, is especially Interested in
the potential of the proposed all-
water shortcut.
A meeting at Sorel, Quebec, at
tended by Canadian, New Yorl
and Vermont officials last monC
explored the possibilities of th
little "seaway" in connection wiC
its potential for Eastern Canad;
New England and the Hudson. Val-
Jey area. More than half the work
to be done calls for dredging on
the Canadian side, so that Canada
would wind up committed to more
than half the bill.
An adjunct to the Champlain
waterway would be an additional
route south from Canada to the
CAXAPA
CHAMBLY
CANAL
LAKZ CHAMPtAm
il', . •
'.'7 •
-YOEK.'^-
jSTATE-
f§»
h'
CHAMPLAIN
CANAL
ryfALBANY
Map shows proposed route of
new New York-Montreal "sea-
• way." .
Hudson, then westward via the
main Erie Canal to Buffalo and
Rochester. This would open the
way for exploitation of the vast
untapped resources of Eastern
Canada, such as Labrador ores,
and new industrial expansion not
only for the Hudson Valley but
for areas utilizing Niagara power,
Robin Men
Get Rousing
Hand in Bait.
BALTIMORE—The membership
gave a rousing ovation to crew-
members of the Robirf Gray at the
last meeting in this port. These
laen, port agent Earl Sheppard
said, are doing a top notch job un
der adverse conditions and a sub
standard NMU contract in order to
keep the Robin ships under the
SIU banner until the vote is held
in the fleet.
Petitions have been filed call
ing for a vote on the NBC Line and
it is expected that an election will
be held soon. In the meantime
organizing is still going on among
the smaller outfits in the bay area.
Although shipping continued to
improve during the last period,
there was a drop in registration.
However, Seafarers are advised
not to give up fairly old cards in
outports to come here and ship.
There were 13 vessels paying off,
10 signing on and 12 in-transit
ships in the port during the pasf
two weeks. The Feltore, Santore,
Oremar, (Ore); Portmar, Texmar,
Bethcoaster (Calmar); The Cabins
(Terminal Tankers); Westport
(Transportation Util.); Barbara
Frietchie (Liberty Nav,); Omar
Chapman (Boston Shipping); Eve
lyn, Jean, and the Emilia (Bull) paid
off while the Massmar, Marymar,
Bethcoaster (Calmar); Santore,
Oremar, Ffeltore (Ore); John B.
Waterman (Waterman); Seagarden
(Penn, Nav.); Edith (Bull) and the
Westport (Boston Shipping) signed
on. Among the vessels in transit
were the Alcoa Runner, Puritan
(Alcoa); Robin Gray (Robin); Steel
Admiral (Isthmian) and the Citrus
Packer (Waterman),
PLYMOUTH VICTORY '(••thmUn),
t«pt. IS—Chtlrman, R. McCatkeyi
Saeratary, J. Gaidar. Latter to NY
re; repalra and anawer read-' td^'inein'-
bership. No one to go topslda without
busineii there. No drinking on board.
Few petty beefa In black gang. Dele
gate requested men to read agree
ment. Some disputed ot. Reports ac
cepted. New delegate to be elected
at special meeting.
WILLIAM H. CARRUTH (Trsns-
fual), Sept. If—Chairman, B. Baa;
Saeratary, P. McNabb. Headquarters
notified re: men hospitalized. Two
men short, two men promoted.
Foc'slea need' painting,^ Bad odors
from en^. dept shower to be cor
rected. Vote of thgnks to steward
dept. for fine Job despite shortage of
two men. Ship laid up in Brazil for
60 dayst one matt paid oif on mutual
Complaint about seasoning In food.
Suggest meeting with patrolman prior
to payoff.
>LVMOtltH" VICTORY (Isthmian),
Oct. ,27-^balrman, S. Thayer; Saera
tary, J. Ooldar. AU delegates to get
together and prepair repair list and
submit snmTe. Items ordered by stew
ard to be checked and Information
sent to N'T. Discussion on repalra:
schedule for sanitary work. Sehedula
to be posted In recreation room.
JOHN B. WATERMAN (Waterman),
Oct. 2S—Chairman, J. Quinnt; Secre
tary, O. Thornhill. Delegatp spoke of
men missing ship in Japan. Ship's
fund $15.75. Have new steam Iron.
Report accepted. Suggest depart-
ihental repair list. Oven door to be
repaired—other repalra to be made In
crew's quarters. Steward to see that
sufficient milk la ordered and deliv
ered promptly.
SEATRAIN GEORGIA (Saatrain),
Oct. 27—Chairman, 5. Charles; Secre
tary, ,A. Lambert. Safety meeting
held with 14 members present:, two
men missed ship. One man hospi
talized In Texas City—headquarters
notified. Letters to be sent to Wash
ington protesting closing of Savannah
hospital. Ship's fund $20.57. Reports
accepted. Cigarette butts to be placed
in ash trays not on deck. Place gar
bage In trash cans: place cups In
sink. Letter to be sent to Social Se
curity office requesting Information
on security payments. Vote of thanks
to Sir Charles for supplying free
Cokes. Vacation blanks can be ob
tained from Sir Charles.
DEL VIENTO (Mlis), Oct. 24—Chair
man, C. Johnscn; Secretary, I. Brown.
Vote of thanks to deck dept. for fine
cleaning job on ship. One man fired.
Ch. eng. asked all other men to stay
for another trip. Subsistence for two
days wUl be paid at payoff. Vote of
thank's to Brother Spears for Job well
done. Few hours' disputed ot. New
washing machine ordered. Cleaning
list for laundry to be made up next
trip. Union books to be turned over
to patrolman. Check of all books to
be made by delegates before payoff.
- ORION COMET (Orion), Sept. 2t—
Chairman, M. Bruno; Secretary, B.
Stark. Cleaning schedule made for
laundry room. Old washing machine
will be rigged to wash oily clothing
only. Capt. to have port discharges
ready before arrival In Persian Gulf.
Slop chest wlU be open one week for
cigarettes: next for general merchan
dise. Mall to be given to captain be
fore arrival. Delegates warn brothers
to keep personalities out of work. No
beefs. All letters to headquarters to
be bandied through delegates only,
•with their signature, then typed by
secretary. New secretary - reporter
elected. Each crew member to donate
50c. to ship's fund. New treasurer
elected. Request cooperation In keep
ing washing machine clean. Discus
sion re; securing movie projector for
ship. Delegate to check . captain on
draw. Cook asked men to consult him
on beefs concerning food. Steward
asks crew to make suggestions for
menu preferences.
WILD RANGER (Watermen), Oct. 21
—Chairman, W. Tregembe; Secretary,
D. Ruddy. Communications from
he'idquartert read. Need paint for
engine dept. Ship's fund $22.31. Few
houre disputed ot. Motion to take
hand vote on choice of Job calls—IB
for present hourly basis: IT for two
calls a day—one in morning and one
In aftemoon. Entire crew put In for
ot due to lack of draw on arrival at
, Pusan. Need aew washing^ inael^e.
ANGELINA (Bull), Oct. 10—Chair
man, P. Parker; Secretary, W. Walsh.
Report accepted. Bound for Spain-
will fiy light to Norfolk or Baltimore.
Oct. 25—Chairman, D. Hubbard;
Secretary, W. Walsh. TV antenna to
be removed from deck and stored.
Vote of lhanks to mcssman and pantry
man for good service rendered dur
ing voyage: Snrings In bathrooms to
be renewed. Snidine.s, beans and po-
,t.ato salad to be put out for night
lunch. Cooperation urged In keeping
ship clean.
CAROLYN (Bull), Oct. 31—Chair
man, A. Seda; Secretary, J. Shendock.
Take care of w.isliing machine. Cups
not lo l)e left on deck.
CITRUS PACKER (Wattrman), Oct.
<—Chairman, A. DeLaneyr Saeratary,
W. Harper. Washing machine to be
ro.iewod in NO. Laundry room paint
ed —everyone urged to keep It neat at
all limes.
consent: four men hospitalized and
flown home.
ARYLN (Bull), Oct. 4—Chairman, J.
Badnay; Saeratary, F. Collins. Some
repalra made. Request American
money for draw. Ship'i fund $1.30.
Discussion on food, menus, linen.
CHIVVAWA (Cities Service), Oct. 31
—Chairman, R. Coe; Secretary, A.
Casey. Delayed s.-Tiling Tampa & Port
Everglades—all okay. Discussion on
sanitary work. Vote of thanks to
stewards dept. for Job well done.
Men to put in full two hrs. when on
sanitary work.
ALCOA RUNNER (Alcoa), Oct. 27-
Chairman, R. Hall; Secratary, C. Da-
Mc/patl:!**. Ship'a fund $5.50. Re-
p jvta accepted. Same delegate elected.
I ' •'"oto of thanks to delegate for Job
well done. Delegate to contact Union
about contribution for longshoremen.
Request more assortment of fruits and
cookiea.
GATEWAY CITY (Pan Atlantic),
Oct 27—Chairman, E. Yates; .Secre
tary, J. Austin. Ship's fund $1.25.
Two hegfs—concerning call back and
few hours disputed ot. Sufficient
lights to be put on before cranes are.
unlashcd prep.yratory to being put
into operation on arrival in port. An
tennas to be put up. Ship to be ex
terminated for roaches and powder
put on board for same.
ALICE BROWN (Bloomfiald), Oct. S
—Chairman, S, Rothschild; Secratary,
J. Logfsliow. One man missed ship
in Galveston and one In BrownsvUle.
Repair list to be checked. Report ac
cepted. To elect new delegate. Beef
on fiesh fru'.t—should be left In lea
box In day time.
ALCOA POINTER (Alcoa), Oct. 24
—Cheirman, I. Romo; Secretary, L.
Bruce. One m.in mi.s.sed ship in Oki
nawa—cable sent asking delegate to
put o/T his gear at first US port. Dele
gate requested sober payoff. To see
patrolin.an at payoiT concerning diffi
culty in obtaining hospital slip for
one brother. Ship's fund $26. Twb
men getting olT. Suggestion to have
shades for lamps which can be
screwed on at black-out time. Vote
of thanks to steward dept. for Job
well done. Suggested voluntary con
tribution at payoff to help ship's fund.
MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Car
riers), Oct. 27—Chairman, J. Altstatt;
Secretary, A. Espeneda. New delegate
elected. Batliroom door locks to be
repaired. Beef on hot water.
SANTORE (Ore), Oct. 27—Chairman,
W. Reid; Secretary, J. Lamb. Need
new wa.sliing'jjiachine—to see patrol
man about same. Delegate gave re
port on pay raise pending disputed
ot—referred to NY. Crew warned
about c.xce.ssive drinking on board.
Surrender books to delegates. Ship's
fund $12.26. Discussion on PHS Clinic.
Write lettei' to Sen. Butler about sav
ing PUS. Beef about cups being left
on deck. Vote of thanks to steward
department.
WACOSTA (Waferman), Oct. 13 —
Chairman, E. Fain; Secretary, E. Ray.
Ship'a delegate resigned. New dele
gate elected. Ship's fund donated.
One man mi.s.sed ship In San Pedro.
Some disputed ot. One man hospital,
Ized In .San Pedro. Some repairs
made. Ship expected to go to Tampa,
NO & Mobile to load, but this Is not
official.
WARRIOR (Waterman), Oct. 21 —
Chairman, D. Mclnnis; Secretary, M.
Elliott. $20 draw to be put out and
more If ship does not pay off In Tamr
pa. Discussion on Bull Line beef.
Letter written to Washington on Pub-'
11c Health service cut down. Soma
disputed ot. Four men getting off.
Communlc.-itions read and general dis
cussion held on same: also on closing
of Public Health hospitals.
ALCOA POINTER (Alcoa), Sept. 2t
—Chairman, T. Connall; Secretary, L.
Bruce. No beefs—clean payoff—most
repairs made. 'When ship returns to
Gulf, will make extensive repairs.
Beef on penalty cargo—to be referred
to headquarters. Ship's fund $26.10.
Vote of thanks to officers and com
mittee for handling Bull Line beef.
New delegate elected. Use washing
machine, with care. Confine use of
laundry room to half an hour. Brother
asked permission to run a pool to help
ship's fund. Crew to discuss business
down below and not topaida with
officera.
STEEL TRAVELER (Isthmian), Nov.
2—Chairman, W. Wantling; Saeratary,
M, Sosplna. Ship's fund $24. New
delegate elected. One man left in
Wilmington. Drinking water is rusty.
Medicine chest to be checked. Fumi
gate ship for roaches. Suggest pur
chase of soft ball equipment. Return
soiled linen.
YAKA (Watarmsn), Oct. 1»—Chair
man, C. Burns; Saeratary, E. Wright.
Good cooperation between crew and
captain. One man hospitalized; Reso
lution—shall Union establish a new
hall in Portland Motion lost. Preg-
•uro on water cooler. No trading with
Koreans except on deck. Discussion
on whether to place a union repre-
•entative in Portland—carried.
KoTcmbcr 22. 19S1 SEAFjtRERS LOG Page Elevea .•
'Grounded'
BME Plans
Amendments
Referendum
Members of the SlU-affiliated
Brotherhood of Marine Engineers
will start voting by referendum bal
lot December 1 on a new Union
constitution. BME Engineers will
be polled at the same time on the
proposed merger plan with the Ma
rine Engineers Beneficial Associa
tion. Both questions will be cov
ered in a secret referendum ballot
covering a two-month period.
The new constitution was ap
proved by membership meetings at
the BME's headquarters and Phila
delphia branches last month.
The document was drafted by a
membership committee in consulta
tion with the BME's lawyers and
auditors.
Greater Membership Control
The new constitution provides for
greater membership control over
BME activities and more adequate
functioning of the union in its day-
to-day operations. Some of the ma
jor changes involve procedures for
more regular membership meetings
in all ports, revision of the trials
and appeals-procedures to permit
speedier handling of charges and
appeals, and endorsement of the
AFL-CIO code of ethical practices.
• The degree to which runaway flags are used to avoid union
conditions is being demonstrated today in Canada with the
Canadian government itself willing to pull down its own flag
rather than do business with the SIU Canadian District. The
government's action in threatening to transfer Canadian Na
tional Steamships' vessels amounts to nothing more or less
than government-sponsored strikebreaking.
It is to the credit of waterfront union representatives in
Trinidad, the flag of convenience which Canada has chosen,
that they want no part of these ships if the jobs come to them
at the expense of Canadian seamen.
The current strike of Canadian Seafarers is "the outgrowth
of six months' futile negotiations on a new contract. The
operators, apparently with the full backing of the Canadian
government, put their backs up and are ready to run to the
nearest low-wage haven they can find.
Fortunately, the entire Canadian labor movement and the
international trade union movement as well, is protesting this
arrogant move. It remains to be seen whether Canada will
carry out its threat.
i 4" 4"
'Can-Shakers'
Have No OK
The membership is again cau
tioned to beware of persons
soliciting funds on ships in be
half of memorials or any other
so-called "worthy causes." No
"can-shakers" or solicitors have
been authorized by the SIU."
Browning Arranging
Lakes-Atlantic Run
DETROIT—An SIU Great Lakes District operator has re
vealed plans to open a new "coast-wise" run with a lift-on lift
off trailership service between the Great Lakes and southern
Atlantic ports.
Troy S. Browning, president
of the T. H. Browning Steam
ship Company, said he plans to
convert two 8,500-ton vessels into
trailerships for service between
Detroit and Cleveland in 1958.
The service will later be extended
to Buffalo, Milwaukee, Chicago and
Duluth, and on the opening of the
St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959, to
the south Atlantic ports. This is
the first Great Lakes-coastwise
freight service using the Seaway
planned so far. Cost of converting
the ships. Browning said, would
run about $3 million each.
The SlU-contracted operator said
that the ships would caiTy about
400 specially-constructed vans each
in an operation similar to that now
employed by Pan-Atlantic in the
coastwise trade.
The opening of the St. Lawrence
Seaway, he continued, will be a
"shot in the arm" to the present
depressed coastwise service and
would go far In reviving a trade
which was once the backbone of
the American-flag shipping in
dustry."
Women Last?
The proposal of two psychiatrists to abandon the old "wom
en and children first" rule has stirred up the expected rebut
tal from various sections of maritime, an industry which has
its cherished traditions. The psychiatrists, who witnessed the
Andrea Doria rescue operation, feel that preserving the fam
ily unit—keeping children and parents together whether fa
ther or mother is involved—should be the primary objective
of marine rescue operations.
Somehow the sailor, who is sitting at anchorage in Vizaga-
patam, for instance, is liable to have more gallant feelings
towards women than a psychiatrist who does battle with
neutrotic females during his working hours. Perhaps the
whole issue can be neatly sidestepped by providing for a
little more shipboard safety in the international regulations.
^ 4» 41 4"
Libertys To Scrap Heap
kews that the Maritime Administration is going to start
scrapping some of the Libertys in the reserve fleet indicates
the beginning of the end for the trusty warhorse of World
War II. About 100 of the ships are going into the scrap heap,
but undoubtedly there will be more to come.
The Libertys were good when they had it, and some of them
are still performing yeoman service. But the fact that a
batch of them is about to be scrapped points up the need for
replacing exisiting Libertys in service with ships more suited
to present-day shipping need^, i-.issi.
NY Looks
Ahead To
Ship Vote
NEW YORK — Headquarters
wishes to extend its thanks to the
Seafarers who remained on their
jobs on the Robin Line ships and
enabled the Union to call for an
election. Bill Hall, assistant secre
tary-treasurer declared. It will be
through their continuing efforts
that the jobs on these ships will
be back on the boards in SIU halls
after the vote Js taken, he added.
The NLRB has ordered an elec
tion on the ships within the next
few weeks.
Shipping for the past period has
held its own. With the exception
of those men who are waiting for
a special ship or run, the dispatch
er reported, class A men can ship
most anytime they want.
There were 19 ships paying off
during the past two weeks, three
signed on and 10 were In transit.
The vessels paying off were the
Alcoa Puritan, Runner, Pegasus
(Alcoa); Seatraln New York and
Georgia, (Seatraln); Almena, Gate
way City (Pan-Atlantic); Morning
Light, Citrus Packer (Waterman);
Suzanne, Frances (Bull); Wellesley
Victory, Steel Traveler (Isthmian);
Robin Gray, Robin Sherwood, Rob
in Kirk (Robin); Pan Oceanic
Transporter (Penn. Nav.); CS Bal
timore (Cities Service). Signing on"
were the Steel Traveler (Isthmian),
Suzanne (Bull) and the Alcoa Run
ner (Alcoa).
The In-transit vessels were the
Portmar (Calmar); Steel Seafarer,
Steel Flyer, Steel Admiral, Welles-
ley Victory (Isthmian); Seatraln
Texas (Seatraln); Wacosta (Water
man); Val Chem (Heron) and the
Warrior (Pan-Atlantic).
Walton
"Everyone gets Into the act," Is
the motto on the Iberville accord
ing to Robert N. Walton, ship's re
porter. It took a little time, he
said, but with all
of the men coop
erating matters
have been ar
ranged so that
they can enjoy all
of the conven
iences of home.
First of all they
squared away a
movie program to
help pass away
the hours. Then, for those who like
to eat to music, or the ball game,
a short wave radio was set up In the
messhall. Luxury? "This is just
the start. We then Installed a tele
vision set, and for the bookworms,
built up a modern library."
Now most crews would be over
joyed to have this much, but there
is more to come, he said. "To in
sure a sound running ship, we
picked up five good engineers, all
from the 'Frisco Bay area, and a
new chief cook who does justice to
the title." He, in turn, brought
along a couple of top-notch help
ers for the department.
Of course, he continued, we have
some "leftovers." Among them Is
our baker, James McGill and his
"chief suggestion expert," Anthony
Nottage, chief electrician. Be
tween the two of them we never
know what will be served, but we
do know It will be good.
Now tell me, he asked, what more
could a' seaman want?
4. 4. 4.
"This is the first meeting for this
trip," writes B. Winborne, meeting
chairman on the Hastings, "for the
ship has been idle for a couple of
weeks. Although
there Is a new
crew aboard,
there are quite a
few old-time Un
ion men who are
taking care of the
delegate jobs. As
long as these jobs
are In good
hands," he said,
"we can look for
ward to a good trip, for any beefs
that arise will be settled in SIU
fashion by these delegates."
Winborne
Tanker Action
Slow In Gulf
LAKE CHARLES—It has been a
very slow shipping period for this
port. Although there were quite a
few class A and B men registered,
they were not around for the calls
and a couple of C cards were
shipped In the engine and steward
departments.
The Cantlgny, Chiwawa, Council
Grove, Government Camp, CS
Baltimore, Bents Fort, Royal Oak,
(Cities Service); Del Campo, Del
Vlento (Mississippi); Petro-Chem
(Valentine); Val Chem (Heron)
and the Pan Oceanic Transporter
(Penn. Nav.) were In port during
the last two weeks. All were In
t o . 1 > i i J.» - • 11 <
-'1
1
1 :-^l
V'''^
Par* Twelv* SEAFARERS LOG November 22, 1957
1 •.
/
SOT i^
cv.-.
A SEAFARER'S SKETCHBOOK
V
J- is
A"
V
Some of the items of interest seen in Africa by the MV Del So! ore pinpointed
by Seafarer Eddy Smith. At top (left) is a portrayal of a breadseller in Talco-
radi, "a city in the brand-new republic of Ghana apparently muddling along
in the fashion of the departed British . . The procession of a native chief
tain's wife (above) on the way to her husband's inauguration odds contrast.
At left, a view from Luanda, Angola, "an engaging Portuguese city . . . Th*
old fort overlooking the harbor it a 'must' for visitors.' A traffic cop took the
spotlight (above, right) in Lobito, Angola, as he directed things from his sun-
protected island on a busy avenue.
Member Action
Bolsters Union
To tlie Editor:
All members are urged to
keep up witli all current labor
news in the papers to compare
our Union with the ones that
are having a lot of Inside trouble.
Any union can go bad unless
the members within take an
active part. We think we have a
pretty good Union and want to
keep it that way.
Robert N. Walton
SS Iberville
c3i» t
Union Assist
Appreciated
To the Editor:
This is to express my grati
tude for the kind efforts and
cooperation by the SIU welfare
Services Department following
my telephone appeal regarding
my husband's readmission to
the US Public Health Service
hospital.
My husband, William, was re
admitted on the day that he re
ported as an outpatient after
being almost eight days without
medication. We both thank you.
Mrs. Camilla B. Serrano
4 4 -J.
Wants Pension
Age Cut to 55
To the Editor:
I am writing in regard to the
question in the "Inquiring Sea
farer" column in the LOG
(August 2, 1957) on what you
would like to see as the next for
ward step -of the Seafarers Wel
fare Plan.
My interest is in two particu
lar items. One I am very much
in favor of, is lowering the age
limit for retirement to. 55. with
20 years' seatime. I would also
like it to be made possible for
Seafarers' dependents to have
their teeth extracted, even if
Welfare would not put them
back in.
Kenneth A. Hunter
4 4 4
Surveyor's For
Job Call Change
To the Editor:
On the matter of changing
the system of hourly job calls,
which has been under discus-
Letters To
The Editor
All letters to the editor for
publication in the SEAFAR
ERS LOG must be signed
by the writer. Names will
be withheld upon request.
sion, the crew of the Steel Sur
veyor has taken the following
position;
By a hand vote, the crew voted
14-2 against the present system.
We voted 10-4 against two calls
a day at 11 AM and 4 PM.
Unanimous support was given
to a proposal for three calls a
clay at 10 AM and 1 PM and 4
PM. The Vote on this was 18-0.
C. Jensen
Ship's delegate
4 4 4
Hospital Assist
Reassures Wife
To the Editor:
I wish to express my thanks
to the SIU welfare .department
for its action in assuring my
wife of prompt and adequate
medical assistance for her past
and forthcoming operations.
I never doubted that such as
sistance would be forthcoming
but she, being both ill and
alone, was somewhat apprehen
sive. The letter of credit to the
hospital was most reassuring for
her and even though the opera
tion was postponed due to other-
illness, she is well aware that
she'll have all possible care.
I am deeply grateful and
proud of our SIU welfare plan.
We are in Durban, South
Africa, on our way back from
what has been a fine trip. I hope
to see you all soon and thank
you personally.
Bill Hand
4 4 4
Hurricane Crew
Sends Greetings
To the Editor:
I'm at present aboard the SS
Hurricane, on which we're due
to start the long voyage home
from Inchon, Korea, soon.
One of our crew, the 12-4 OS,
lost his mother during the
voyage but, due to sympathetic
consideration on the part of our
crew, was able to make th*
funeral in time to tender his
last respects,
We are ably represented by
a couple of good delegates and
enjoy good relations with top
side. The bosun is Manuel San
chez who, with the aid of three
good daymen, has accomplished
much during his brief stay
aboard to date.
From all indications, we shall
be in New York once again
come January 1st.
, C. L. "Bud" Cousins
Applauds Help
In Bereavement
To the Editor:
I write at this time to express
my thanks and sincere apprecia
tion to the SIU, its officers and
members for their sympathy and
help in my recent bereavement.
My husband, August Schroter,
died on Sept. 24 in Funchal,
Portugal.
To the members, I say thanks
for the formation of this Union
that is so generous to the fam-
ilies'bf its members. To the offi
cers of the Union and its Wel
fare department. I also express
my deepest thanks for the mari
ner in which they carry out with
such speed and efficiency the
wishes of the members.
Thanks also, to the LOG for
its interesting, educational and
recreational material which for
many years has kept me in close.
contact with my husband's way
of life.
I would also like to take this
opportunity to thank the Bull
Steamship Co. and the officers
and crew of the SS Arlyn for
their kindness and great assist
ance, inasmuch as my husband
passed away in a foreign coun
try.
I would love to greet each and
every one of you to express my
deepest thanks for all that yoti
have done and have meant to me
and my husband, not only Injliis
recent bereavement but for*the
many years that we have known
and loved you.
Mrs. Johanna Schroter
Clean-Up Detail
V
.'V
MS
MS:
ill
Wipers Quintilano Zambrano (left) and Ken Kirwin team up
to wipe up' oil tpilli from the deck of the Cities Service tanker
Fort Hoskins. Chester Coumos handled th* camera work.
. J « • • • B I
November 22, 1957' SEAFARERS LOG Pafe Tfilrteca
Ct NORFOLK (CItItt Sarvle*), Oct.
II—Chalrmaiv P. Hammal; Sacratary,
0. Nlalaan. Na baefa. Talafram acnt
t« unlan re: wiper hospitalized in
Japan. Captain te speak to crew
about smoking on deck when aions-
dde dock in Bahrein. Ship's fund
las.M. Motion te air condition all
abips running to tropics.
OCEAN DEBORAH (Maritime Over-
teas), Sept 9—Chairman, S. Stover;
Secretary, P. St. Marie. One man
hospitalized in Rotterdam. Few
hours disputed ot to be referred to
patrolman. Patrolman to see ch.
mate about unsafe working conditions
on deck and check same before
signing on. Need clothes line
below. Vote of thanks to steward
dept. for job well done.
GATEWAY CITY (Pan-Atlantic),
Sept. 29—Chairman, C. Lee; Secre
tary, J. Austin. Ship to pdy off,
payroll ending Tues. midnight. New
reporter elected. One man missed
ship in Mobile—to be referred- to
patrolman. Report accepted. Requets
hooks in crews' quarters and new
washing machine. Hooks ordered,
wUl be installed.
JOHN B. WATERMAN (Wate.'man),
Sept. 22—Chai^rman, B. Butterten;
Secrenry, C. Thornhill. Ship's fund.
$15.75. Vote of thanks to all.
LUCILLE BLOOMFIELD (Bloom-
fleld), Sept. IS—Chairman, R. Brown;
Secretary, P. Sheldrake. One man
missed ship in Texas. Ship's fund
$1.16. Shower to be cleared; wringer
and washing machine to be fixed.
Move fan in messhall.
MARGARET BROWN (Bloomfield),
Sept. 79—Chairman, J. Buckley; Sec
retary, F. NIgro. Most repairs made.
Messman moved to old hospital. One
man missed payoff—turned in to
patrolman. "Do not slam doors. Any
infractions against SIU constitution,
agreement and general misconduct
by any members wiH not be toler
ated. Ship's fund $27. Re-elect
ship's delegate. New feeding pro
gram explained to crew and general
discussion held on subject. Beefs to
be taken up with Headquarters. Vote
of thanks to Brother D, Hell for work
on ndw feeding program.
MAI (Bull), Sept. IS—Chairman,
P. BIschoff; Secretary, J. Jakleskl.
New ladder ordered. Repair list dis
cussed. Ship's fund $40.46. Purchased
lead-in wire for TV. Suggestion to
air-condition aU SiU ships running
to the tropics. Motion made not to
patronize non-union bars, especially
ones on Charles it E. Baltimore St.
Motion that ships carrying bulk car
goes, such' as sulphur, phosphate,
coal, bauxite-, etc., allow sanitary men
four hoiira time to do sanitary work
on day of departure. Take better
care of TV set. Food has improved
since last trip, l Vote of thanks to
delegate for Job/ well done.
STEEL VOYAGER (Isthmian), Oct.
19—Chairman, J. Hunt; Secretary, J.
Serrane. Keys to messreom and pan
try to be left with gangway Watch.
Ship's fund $20. Menus to be varied.
Bad milk to be condemned, need more
juices; shortage of fresh milk. Laun
dry to be kept clean. -Need plugs for
sink.
SHINNECOCK BAY (Tankthip),
Sept. 29—Chairman, - E. Czotnowtki;
Secretary, G. Skendelas. Repair list
to be made up. Chief engineer non-
cooperative—to be turned over to
patrolman.. Few hours disputed ot.
Motion not to sign on untU repairs
are made and newwashing machine
purchased. Fumigate ship for roaches.
Vote of thanks to steward dept.
Laundry room to be cleaned after
using. Bathrooms to be kept clean;
GOVERNMENT CAMP) (Cities Serv
ice), Oct. IS—Chairman, M. McNabb;
Secretary, ,-. Ruse. Men (jving in
south to be able to draw on ot. No
results. Ship's delegate elected. Dis
cussion on sailing board time—ship
has been loading in less than 12 hrs.
and sailing" board has not been posted
on arrival as per agreement.
VALLEY FORGE (Penn. Nav.),
Oct. 13—Chairman, M. Hitchcock;
Secretary, F. Barry. Letter and
photos sent to headquarters show
ing condition of ship. Repair list
turned in. Patrolman to see that
sufficient American money is put
aboard for draws in foreign ports.
Some disputed ot serving captain's
guests in saloon. Report accepted.
Stores to be checked by patrolman
in Norfolk as last trip stores were
inadequate. Port discharges in Bos
ton all fouled up,' also ones for pres
ent voyage, new ones to be de
manded.-
TOPA TOPA (Waterman), Oct. 4—
Chairman, L. Wing; Secretary, F.
Kustura. To pick up bunkers in San
Pedro. Captain will try to get shore
leave for crew; also give $25 draw
per man. Ship's fund $27. Disputed
ot and beefs to be taken care of at
payoff. Discussion on steam lines in
foc'sles aft—rooms get too hot. Mem
bers to pay for arrival chances at
draw. Discussion on refrigerator in
pantry. Vote of thanks to steward
dept.
DEL MAR (Miss.), Sept. 29—Chair
man, R. Stough, Jr.; Secretary, C.
Dowllng. Good trip. Some disputed
ot collected. New delegate elected.
Movie machine repaired and films
purchased. Will run few pools and
get donations for ship's fund. New
delegates elected. Report accepted.
Motion to give $50 from ship's fund
to any one setting off foreign for
hospitalization. Motion to- transfer
athletic fulid to ship's fund. Return
cups to pantry.
DEL NORTE (Miss.), $ept. 27 —
Chairman, J. Connors; Sacratary, H.
Crane. Everything running smoothly.
No beefs. Two men hospitaUzed in
Buenos Aires. Each given $50. Lay-
up pendinci this voyage. Ship's fund
$98.03. Some disputed ot. One man
Injured in faU. Request that prices
on slop chest be checked. $37 in deck
fund. Movie fund 100 percent. Vote
of thanks to baker for fine produc
tion. To purchase spare parts and
new films $56. To donate $10 to or
phan's cause in Brazil, for a total of
$200.
IRENESTAR (Triton), Sept. 29—
Chairman, B. Hay; Secretary, L. Rob
erts. One man missed ship in Brazil.
Beefs to be di.scusscd at meeting-
ail beefs to bg handled by patrol
man in proper manner. Ship's fund
$11.52. , One man paid off by mutual
consent—new man shipped aboard.
AU rooms painted. Question
about cooking of potatoes served
at breakfast time. To see pa
trolman about passageway which
black gang takes care of which could
not be painted by wipers so they
could obtain ot instead of deck
gang. All potatoes left over to be.
utilized. Also any leftovers must be
used before 48 hours. Beef dropped.
Vote of thanks lo steward dept. for
fine cooperation. Vote of thanks to
delegates for job well done.
WACOSTA (Waterman), Oct. 4—
Chairman, H. Graham; Secretary, F.
Wasmer. Ship's fund $17.25. Some
disputed ot. Repair list turned in.
Report accepted. Submit repair list
so that repairs. can be made before
payoff. Water tanks to be cleaned—
water rusty. Observe quiet in passage
ways when men are sleeping.
ALCOA ROAMER (Alcoa), Oct. 13—
Chairman, E. dsBsuttc; Sacratary, A.
Klamose. One man hospitalized in
Ponce. Agent notified. Motion for
payoff per agreement. Letter to C.
Simmons signed by all delegates. Gear
locker needed for deck dept.
ALCOA CORSAIR (Alcoa), Sept. 29
—Chairman, J. Prestwood; Secretary,
T. Costal lo. $64 coUected for mem
ber's wife. Messman missed ship in
Trinidad. Check with union haU if
wife needs hospitalization. Delegate
to check with patrolman about wash-
•ing machine. Ship's delegate requires
operation—necessitating new delegate
for two trips. Ship's movie fund $133.
New delegate elected. Keep Trinidad
shore-gang out of ship's housing if
no business there. Mess hall to be
kept clean. ^
MARYMAR (Calmar), Oct. 17—Chair
man, T. HIrsh; Secretary, A. Wile.
Ship's fund $13.50. Discussion on ot
or hours to be shown on pay slips.
Vote of thanks to steward dept. for
job well done.
CS MIAMI (Cities Service), Oct.
Chairman, B. Anderson; Secretary, T.
Nelson. Foc'sles to be painted. Vote
of thanks to steward dept.
CHILORE (Ore), Oct. 12—Chairman,
K. Hatglmlslas; Secretary, E. DeBar-
delaben. New delegate elected. Ship's
fund $21.50. Few minor beefs. Ob
serve quiet in passageways. Turn off
washing machine after use. Keep
recreation room clean. Keep feet off
chairs and benches in recreation
room. Vote of thanks to baker and
steward dept. Order deodorizers for
bathrooms.
EVELYN (Bull),-Oct. 13—Chairman,
J. Tutwiler; Secretary, E. Allen. Wash
ing machine to be repaired or re
placed. Ship's fund $64. Radio is to
be raffled off. Take better care of
washing machine—it is going to be
difficult to get a new one.
STEEL SCIENTIST (Isthmian), Oct.
I—Chairman, R. Adams; Secretary, K.
Collins. Minor beefs settled. Submit
repair list. Ship's fund $84. Few
hours disputed ot Jo be settled at
payoff. Report accepted. See patrol
man about medical aid given on ship.
Discussion on food not being cooked
enough and not enough variety of
dishes. Return cots after using.
DEL MUNDO (Miss.), $ept. 19 —
Chairman, P. Tatsen; Secretary, J.
,Brady. No beefs. Everything run
ning smoothly. Pleasant trip—some
new ports added to itinerary. Expect
to be out few weeks longer than
usual. Estimated day of arrival NO,
Nov. 1. New treasurer elected. All
donations to be given to dept. dele
gate and turned in to treasurer. One
man hospitalized—to be fiown to
States. No beefs, no disputed ot.
Union to see that ail ships signing on
foreign articles to have at least 90
days' stores. Vegetables running
short—claim is there are none avaU-
able. Steward, requests all ships
should be supimed with more fresh
frozen vegetables due to shortage.
Gives It Back To The Indians
in
states will forever remain un
der tribal control. Joy, jlso
known as "Cherokee Charlie" from
his old pro wrestling days, figures
he's salted away about $20,000 just
for the purchase of land and addi
tional amounts for various Indian
causes over the years.
He was honored in August by
the Mesquakie Indians of Tama,
Iowa, for willing his 186-acre farm
to the tribe. Joy will also turn
over 20 acres he owns near a
North Carolina Cherokee settle
ment in the Great Smoky Moun
tains in the same way.
Joy views the smaller tract as a
potential intertribal headquarters
"to further the relationship be
tween the Mesquakies and the
Eastern Cherokees, once ancient
and deadly enemies, as all will
know who have read the biography
of the great Fox chief Black
Hawk." He has returned from
time to time to participate in the
annual Cherokee pageant staged
there by the local settlement to
commemorate eai'ly Cherokee his
tory. .
All of the present Indian land
at Tama adjoins the oi-iginal
acreage bought by a handful of
Mesquakies in 1857, and held in
trust by the governor. The Tama
settlement marked its 100th anni
versary this year with a big pow
wow at which Joy was tendered
special honors.
The Mesquakies at Tama are also
k;iown as the Sac-Fox Indians, and
Joy was formerly married to the
granddaughter of Pushetonequa,
one of the last great chiefs of the
tribe. They had three children,
who speak both English and the
native Mesquakie language. Joy
claims Cherokee as well as Scotch-
English ancestry for himself.
An SIU man since 1938, he cel
ebrated his high school graduation
in 1926 by spending a month in
the Ozark Mountains living with
a bow and arrow just as his ances
tors did. Joy said this didn't work
out too well because the supply of
game wasn't as plentiful as it used
to be in the old days. He wound
up finding a lot of an-owheads and
stone axes on an old Osage camp
site near the White River.
Joy later went on to Drake Uni
versity at Des Moines, where he
made a name as an all-around ath
lete and won several track and
field titles in national meets. He
traveled about for ten years as a
professional heavyweight wrestler
before he began sailing, and has
been shipping ever since.
He had two ships torpedoed un
der him during World War 2, the
Alcoa Pathfinder and the Flora
McDonald, a Calmar liberty. On
'Sea-Spray' B/ Seafarer "Red" fink
Notify Union
About Sick Men
Ship's delegates are urged to
notify the Union immediately
when a shipmate is taken off
the vessel in any port because
of illness or injui-y. Delegates
should not wait until they send
in the ship's minutes but should
handle the matter in a separate
communication, so that the Un
ion can determine in what man
ner it can aid the brother.
• It would also be helpful if
the full name, rating and book
number was sent in. Address
these notifications to Welfare
Services at headquarters.
• G • • G
ADDRESS
CITY ZONE. ..
STATE
Dedicated to the cause of his brother Indians, Seafarer Jesse Joy (left) is shown at Mesquckie Indian
powwow in Tama, Iowa, where h» was honored for willing over 200 acres of land to tribal use, Joy
credits SIU earnings since 1938 with providing the cash for land purchases. He's shown with Jessup
Lasley, 1957 champion dancer at the Mesquakie powwow (center), and John Popakee.
Part Indian himself. Seafarer Jesse Joy takes the slang expression about "giving it
back to the Indians" pretty seriously.
Thanks to his SIU earnings of the last 19 years, title to over 200 acres of land adjoining
Indian settlements in two-^
the Flora McDonald, which wae
torpedoed about 100 miles from
Freetown, Sierra Leone, in 1943, he
lost a brother Cherokee, Austin
Wahnetah, who had sailed with
him since he began sailing. "I
still recall that day and remember
it vividly each time our meetings
ashore or at sea pause to honor
our departed brothers. He was a
great friend," Joy added.
Editor,
SEAFARERS LOG.
675 Fourth Ave.,
Brooklyn 32, NY
I would like to receive the
SEAFARERS LOG — please
>ut my name on your mailing
ist. (Print Information)
^l^^hdE .................
STREET ADDRESS
CITY ZONE ...
STATE
TO AVOID DUPLICATION: If you
•ro on eld lubicribei tnd have a
change ef addreit, please give your
former address beiowi
•••1
- ,i
1
P«r« Fourteen SEAFARERS LOG NoTember 22. 195T
What's For Chow, Boys?
ii
I ii-y. • m
h
I ,t 14
Four members of a happy galley force aboard the Steel Naviga
tor, where there is always something good for coffeetime, says
G. F. Abundo, pose in the galley. Pictured while on the US Gulf-
Far East-Hawaii run (I to r) are Louis Santos, 3rd coolc; Pedro Ibar-
dolas, galleyman; John Pastrano, chief cook and G. Ebon, 2nd
cook and baker. Abundo sent in the photo.
USPHS HOSPITAL
STATEN ISLAND. NY
Oscar Adams Robert Qulnn
Robert Anderson Artemo Quinonei
Allie Andron C. Reyes
George Chaudoin Paul W. Seidenberg
Irving Denobriga Benedikt Smoljan
David Furman William Susikari
Burt Hanback Stanley Swienekiski
D. Hetherington Dominick Trevisano
William Kenny William Vaughan
Phillip Mack Aniello Verdamare
Marcel Makatangay Frank Villacorta
Joaquin Miniz WiUie Walker
Robert Parker Jack Williams
USPHS HOSPITAL
SEATTLE, WASH.
A. A. Franklin
USPHS HOSPITAL
BOSTON, MASS.
George D. Rourke Wm. J. Powers
Harry S. Murray
USPHS HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MD.
Talmadge Barbour Mariua Rank
Francisco Bueno Stanley A. Rodgers
Jose Garcia Joseph RoU
Gorman Glaze John A. Smith
Thomas F. Gaivin Wm. J. S ;ephens
Sam Hacker Peter TriantaRUoa
Walter L. Jackson William Williams
Wm. Kovamees Andrew Suech
James McFarlin Clarence Gardner
John Ossman Alejandro Lopei
Francis O'Laughlin Walter Mitchell
USPHS HOSPITAL
MANHATTAN BEACH
BROOKLYN, NY
Manuel Antonana Patrick McCann
Eladio Aris ' Archibald McGuigan
Fortunate Bacomo H. C. Mclssac
Jose°ph J. Bass Albert MartinelU
Melvin W. Bass Vic Milazzo
Juan Denopra Joseph B. Murphy
John J. Oriscoll C. Osinski
Fabin Furmanek George G. Phifer
Joseph M. Gillard G. A. Puissegur
Bart E. Guranick Luciano Ramos
Everett Haislett Winston E. Renny
Wade B. Harrell G. E. Shumaker
Percy Harrelson Kevin B. Skelly
Taib Hassen Henry E. Smith
Billy R. Hill Michael Toth
Antonio Infants Harry S. Tuttls
Ira H. Kilgore VirgU E. WUmoth
Ludwig Kristiansen Pen Wing
Frederick Landry Dexter Worrell
USPHS HOSPITAL
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
William Bargone Robert McCulloch
Marlow C. Barton Alvie L. Means
James Beasiey - Gregory Morejon
John W. Bigwood Michael Muzio
Claude Blanks Charles Nicholson
John Brooks Wesley A. Palmer
Rozelio Castillo Jerry Pontiff
Thomas Caylor Jr. Winford PoweU
Cloise Coats Randolph Ratcliff
George Curry Toxie Sanford
Leon Dilberto H. Leonard Shaw
Ben Foster Irwin Sherman
AdeUn Fruge Toefll SmigielskI
Dennis Gomez Wert A. Spencer
Leon Gordon Chas. H. Summerell
Alvin Henderson Nicholas Tala
James Hudson Gerald L. Thaxter
Eugene B. Hunt Liicien Theriot
Edward G. Knapp Frank Unger
Antoine Landry Ruben Vanes
Leo Lang James E. Ward
William Lawless Roy Warren
Thomas White CUfford Wuertz
Charles Williams Jacob Zimmer
USPHS HOSPITAL
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
B. F. Deibler W. E. Orzechowski
Siegfried Gnittks John C. Palmer
Vares R. Hodges August J. Panepinto
USPHS HOSPITAL
MEMPHIS, TENN.
Charles Burton
VA HOSPITAL
HOUSTON, TEXAS
John P. WUliamson
MONTEBELLO
CHRONIC DISEASE HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MD.
Francisco Bueno
USPHS HOSPITAL
GALVESTON, TEXAS
Marvin P. Bennett Nighbert Straton
B. F. Grice Vivian E. Wilkerson
SAILORS SNUG HARBOR
STATEN ISLAND, NY
Victor B. Cooper
TOURO INFIRMARY
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
Louis D. Bernier
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
D. Bartol B. Pritiken
J. H. Berger L. Ready
C. Ferregna • S. H. Sun
S. J. Guiffre A. O. Vallejo
F. Kostelic N. I. West
Jose Marso A. A. Plzarro
J. McCann
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAVANNAH, GA.
B. B. Blanchard Angelo Martins
Grover Duncan Fred Miller
Charles E. Joyner WiUie C. Sanders
Jimmie Littleton
USPHS HOSPITAL
NORFOLK, VA.
Frank T. Campbell Prescott Spinney
Tommle Parker
EASTERN SHORE STATE HOSPITAL
CAMBRIDGE. MD.
Thomas R. Lehay
Throw In For
A Meeting Job
Under the rules of the SIU,
any member can nominate him
self for meeting chairman, read
ing clerk or any other post that
may be up for election before
the membership, including com
mittees, such as the tallying
committees, financial commit
tees and other groups named by
the membership.
Since SIU membership meet
ing officers are elected at the
start of each meeting, those who
wish to run for those meeting
offices can do so.
sni HAIJ,
DIRECTORY
SIU, A&G District
BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St.
Earl Sheppard. Agent EAstern 7-4900
BOSTON 278 State St.
James Sheeh'an, Agent Richmond 2-0140
HOUSTON 4202 Canal St.
Robert Matthews, Agent
Capital 3-4089: 3-4080
LAKE CHARLES, La. . 1419 Ryan St.
Leroy Clarke, Agent HEmlock 6-5744
MOBTLE "1 South Lawrence St.
Cal Tanner, Agent HEmlock 2-1754
MORGAN CITY 912 Front St.
Tom Gould, Agent Phone 2156
NEW ORLEANS 523 BlenvUle St.
Lindsey Williams, Agent Tulane 8626
NEW YORK 675 4th Ave., Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6600
NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St.
Ben^Rees, Agent MAdison 2-9834
PHILADELPHIA 337 Market St.
S. CarduUo, Agent Market 7-1635
PUERTA de TIERRA PR 101 Pelayo
Sal CoUs,. Agent Phone 2-5996
SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St.
Marty Breithoff. Agent Douglas 2-5475
SAVANNAH 2 Abercorn St.
E. B. McAuley, Agent Adams 3-1728
SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
Jeff Gillette, Agent ElUott 4334
TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St.
Tom Banning, Agent Phone 2-1323
WILMINGTON, Calif ... 505 Marine Ave.
Reed Humphries, Agent Terminal 4-2874
HEADQUARTERS. . 675 4th Ave., Bklyn.
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Paul HaU
ASST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS
J. Algina, Deck C. Simmons, Joint
J. Volplan, Eng. W. HaU, Joint
E Mooney, Std. R. Matthews, Joint
SUP
HONOLULU 16 Merchant St.
Phone 5-8777
PORTLAND 211 SW Clay St.
CApital 3-4336
RICHMOND. Calif....510 Macdonald Ave.
BEacon 2-0925
SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St.
Douglas 2-8363
SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
Main 0290
WILMINGTON 605 Marina Ave.
Terminal 4-3131
NEW YORK 678 4th Ave., Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6165
Canadian District
HALIFAX. N.S 128V4 HoUig St.
Phone 3-8911
MONTREAL 634 St. James St. West
PLateau 8161
FORT WILLIAM 408 Simpson St.
Ontario Phone: 3-3221
PORT COLBORNK ..103 Durham St.
Ontario Phone: 5591
TORONTO. Ontario 272 King St. E.
EMpire 4-5719
VICTORIA. BC 61714 Cormorant St.
EMpire 4531
VANCOUVER. BC 298 Main St.
Pacific 3468
SYDNEY. NS 304 Charlotte St.
Phone: 6346
BAGOTVILLE, Quebao 20 Elgin St.
Phone: 545
THOROLD, Ontario 52 St. Davids St.
CAnal 7-3202
QUEBEC 44 Sault-aU-Matelot
Quebeo Phone: 3-1569
SAINT JOHN 177 Prince WUliam St.
NB OX 2-5431
Great Lakes District
ALPENA. 1215 N. Second Ave.
Phone: 713-J
BUFFALO. NY 180 Main St.
Phone: Cleveland 7391
CLEVELAND 734 Lakeside Ave.. NE
Phone: Main 1-0147
DETROIT 1038 3rd St.
Phone: Woodward 1-6857
DULUTH 621 W. Superior St.
Phone: Randolph 2-4110
SOUTH CHICAGO 3261 E. 92nd St.
Phone: Essex 5-2410
Urges Broader
Pension Benefit
To the Editor:
A couple of weeks ago I wrote
a letter (LOG, NOv. 8) discussing
at length the broadening of the
retirement feature of our wel
fare plan.
Since then I have read Broth
er James Eichenberg's letter in
a recent copy of our Union's
paper (LOG, Sept. 27). I think
his proposal has sounder merits
and is more equitable to the
Letters To
The Editor
All letters to the editor for
publication in the SEAFAR
ERS LOG must -be signed
by the writer. Names will
be withheld upon request.
membership's needs than the
one I stated.
Eichenberg proposed we
Ehould keep our present total
disability set-up at any age,
providing the applicant has 12
years' seatime. (Ed. note: Broth
er Eichenberg actualiy urged a
cut to ten years' seatime for a
disability pension.) He also said
that with 20 years' seatime a
m'an should have the choice to
retire with a pension if he so
desires.
This pension should be deter
mined, I would say, by what the
plan could bear from year to
year as time progresses. After
all, 20 years at sea is a long
time. It would take probably 25
to 30 years of steady sailing to
accumulate 20 full years in sea
time. Life at sea, at its best, is
hard. It's wearing, no doubt.
I think we should have a third
provision that a man reaching
55 and wishing to retire be
given two-thirds of a pre-deter-
mined amount and, upon reach
ing 60 years of age, be given a
full pension. After all, the
armed services do not go by a
man's age but by his actual time .
spent in,service.
Why should a man sweat all
his life to draw a pension or
work toward attaining one and
then having but six or eight
years of his life left, be so worn
out he can't enjoy either the
pension or what's left of his life?
One has but to look at the
"Final Dispatch" column In the
LOG to see that seamen, on the
whole, do not live to a "ripe old
age." There are exceptions, but
consistently I've noticed few
reach even-65 years of age.
I wrote this as just one mem
ber to let you know v/hat I and
others think on this subject.
While I'm still on this, here is
another facet of this self-same
subject: The computation and
acceptance of seatime.
What about the many of us
who Wave sailing time accumu
lated while employed aboard
SUP ships? . I have ran into at
least six or eight men, myself
included, who have-this time.
I myself have between two
and three years; others I have
met have equal amounts. We
took these ships in good faith
during World War' II, never
dreaming then of anything such
as a welfare plan. Please print
this letter.
Paul Arthofer
SS Del Mar
4" 4«
Union Welfare
HeSp Applauded
To the Editor:
I wish to express my sincere
thanks for the two checks sent
by the Seafarers Welfare Plan
to cover my surgical and hos
pital bill.
We ourselves had a hospital
plan which as yet has not lived
up to its agreement in its entire
ty. This disappointment was
certainly offset by your help.
In the face of other unions'
unfair practices your generosity
is outst'anding. Thank you
again!
Mrs. Luther Roberts
i 4« 4-
Fishing's Great,
Says 'Pop' West
To the Editor:
Here are a couple of pictures
taken at Lake Dexter, Florida.
A friend and myself stayed
there five days and averaged 40
speckled perch a day.
We could have caught even
more, but we didn't want to rub
it in too much on "Blackie"
"Pop" West shows off what
he calls an "average"
catch down at Lake Dexter,
Pla.
Farreil of Tampa. "Blackie" was
supposed to have taken his vaca
tion with us, but didn't get off
the Madaket after all.
The fish sure are biting down
here and I am sure getting my
share. It's too bad "Blackie"
couldn't be with us, as we have
been living on big fat. roe, mul
let, etc., and you know what
kind of chow that Is.
Greetings to the best Union
and the best bunch of men In
the world.
C. R. "Pop" West
November 22, 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Pare Fifteen
ORION COMIT (Orion), Oct.
Chairman, L. Frailtrf' lacratary, W.
•tark. Captain baa limited drawa.
Crew cautioned a a a 1 n a t mlsalng
watchea without perralaaion and pre
vious arrangements. Each dept. to
take care of their respective beefs.
Launch schedule to be posted on ar
rival. Ship's fund fS.SO. One man
hospitalized. Report accepted. Crew
to cooperate on coffee consumption—
now using 9 lbs. daily—should be
approx. 7 lbs. Crew urged to take
care of linen and cots. Crew agrees
on 4;30-5;30 supper in port. Chairs to
be returned after using on deck. Urge
cooperation In keeping laundry clean.
ORION STAR (Orion), Sept. 19 —
Chairman, W. Taffner; Secretary, R.
Mills. Captain has cut down on draws
as much as possible, also slop chest
prices are much higher than usual
KATHRYN (Bull), Nov. 4—Chair
man, H. Beekar; Secretary, W. Ortiz.
One man hospitalized In Ponce. Refer
list delayed sailing to patrolman.
Ship's fund $6. Report accepted. To
see patrolman, about information
about Bull Line beef. Request infor
mation on negotiations.
. HASTINGS (Waterman), Oct. 27—
Chairman, C. Oglesby;/Secretary, J.
Weils. Few hours disputed ot. Good
trip, few minor beefs. Rooms to be
left clean when getting off Ship. Men
asked to be sober-'at payoff. Keep
feet, off tables and chairs; Vote of
thanks to steward dept. for good food
and line Job done. Repair list to be
submitted. Good trip, Bne coopera
tion, no loggins and no foul-ups. All
delegates did good Job in keeping
things running smoothly. .Good crew.
SUZANNE (Bulk, Oct. M-^Chalr-
man, C. Babick; Sscratary, C. Gill.
Chief cook hospitalized; few logs, all
else okay. Few hours disputed ot.
Report accepted. Motion to have com
pany put out agents' addresses in for
eign ports for mail purposes. Motion
to have bus service from Sunny Point
to Wilmington. Make up repair list
soon as possible, turned over to car
penter so that repairs can be made
before arriving in port. Vote of
thanks to steward dept. for good
phow. Need library, logs and ot
sheets.
PORTMAR (Calmar), Oct. 27—Chair
man, R. Campbell; Secretary, R. Sa
vior. Keep clotheslines clear of dry
clothes. Ship's fund G11.30. Few
hours disputed ot. Reports accepted.
Washing machine wringer to be re
placed. Suggestion to increase ship's
fund. Glasses not to be placed in
sink: leave sink dry.
EVELYN (Bull), Nov. 3—Chairman,
Okray; Secretary, W. Golf. Washing
machine needs repairing or replace
with new one. Hot water to be fixed.
Ship's fund 931. Purchased new
radio. See steward about milk re
ceived in NJ. Check on repair list.
. OREMAR (Ore Nav.), Nov. 2 —
Chairman, H. Moon, Jr., Secretary, P.
Essman. Ship's fund 933.76. Porthole
dogs to be freed and oiled. Less noise
in passageway. Members asked not to
upset food for men standing watch
at night.
9TEEL CHEMIST (Isthmian), Oct. 22
—Chairman, H. Kaufman; Secretary,
E. Starns. Some disputed ot. Re
ports accepted. Crew asked to keep
ali main deck screen doors locked in
port, except those at gangway. Crew
warned about American money in,
Indonesia.
Nov. 3—Chairman, W. Worthlngton;
Secretary, C. Starns. Delegate had
several minor beefs—asked coopera- .
tion from crew.
CITY OF ALMA (Waterman), Oct.
24—Chairman, M. LIbby; Secretary, H.
Fitzgerald. Majority of major re
pairs made. Slojf chest inadequate;
will be stored completely on west
coast before departure for overseas.
New reporter and treasurer elected.
Sliip's fund 917. Communication re:
950 deductible surgical paymgnt dls-
ousMd. Retained lame delegate.
Library to be replenished In Long
Beach. Vote of toanke to steward
dept. for Job well done,.
BARBARA PRIRTCHIi (Liberty),
Nov. 3—Chairman, A. Oregofre; Sec
retary, M. Kramer. Everything run
ning smoothly. Communications read.
Repair list submitted. Some dis
puted ot. Report accepted. Ship to
be fumigated. Votp of thanks to
Stewards dept.
COALINGA HILLS (Pen-Atlantic),
Oct. 27—Chairman, P. Leonard] Sec
retary, H. Orlando. One man missed
ship.. Repair list submitted. Reports
accepted.
DEL ALBA (MIss.), Nov. 2—Chair
man, C. Oarter, Jr,; Secretary, C. Ell-
zey. New delegate elected. Ship's
fund 931.39. Library put on board—
crew asked to return books when fin
ished. Discussion on 2at-walk not
being safe at night; will be taken up
with mate.
PAN OCEANiC TRANSPORTER
(Penn Nay.), Nov. I—Chairman, 9.
Stockman; Secretary, P. Nealy. Four
men missed ship. Ship's fund 94.80.
Some disputed ot—to be referred to
patrolman. New delegate elected.
Something to be done about rusty
water; getting rooms painted; colder
water in fountain.
except cigarettes. Some disputed ot.
Request cigarettes be put in box in
recreation room—ali cups be returned
to pantry. Vote of thanks to steward
dept., cook and baker.
Oct. 27—Chairman, D. Barry; Secre
tary, R. Mills. Beef about draws—
amount allowed by captain. One man
hospitalized In Singapore. Captain to
post copy of letter from Bahrain
government restricting liberty. Some
disputed ot. Had argument to get
medical attention for injured man.
Captain stopped ship at Singapore for
doctor to come aboard. Disputed time
for restriction. New reporter and
treasurer elected. Members asked to
donate to ship's fund. To purchase
new reading material. Discussion on
draws and withholding tax, slop chest
prices, beefs In general, income tax
of licensed personnel, restriction in
Bahrain. Use more care in handling
dishes and glasses, also washing' ma
chine.
AZALEA CITY (Pan-Atlantic),
Oct. 20—Chairman, B. Jones; 9ecre-
tary, R. Elliott. New delegate elected.
Two men ill. One nian short. No
beefs. Water backs up in laundry
room. Discussion on repairs. Showers
to be repaired.
IBERVILLE (Waterman), 9ept. 30—
Chairman, J. Housel; gecretary, R.
Walton. Laundry to be returiled
amidships. 930 movie fund deficit. Re
pair list to be submitted. Formgr
and present crewmembers endeavor
ing to maintain movie program, ra
dio, television and good library for
enjoyment of all. Some disputed ot.
New cook and good baker on this
trip. All members urged to keep up
with current labor news and com
pare SlU with ones having a lot of
Inside trouble. Members urged to take,
active part in Union. Manhole cover
and hatch needs repairing. Money
due on projector—all hands asked to
cooperate In payments. New porthole'
gaskets needed in engine & steward
dept. Landing stages needed for bot
tom of gangway.
WESTPORT (World Tramp.), Oct. 13
—Chairman, G. Gage; Secretary, R.
Mitchell. Discussion on men who
wish to pay off in PR. Delegate dis
cussed news from sparks with cap
tain—can do nothing about It. Few
hours disputed ot. Steward to accept
only good grade of meat. New report
er elected. Discussion on chow and
soap powder—to check with agent.
No loud, boisterous talk or swearing
aboard ship. Wiper to be turned In
to patrolman for neglecting sanitary
duties. Scuppers to be cleaned.
Sparks endeavor to get MTD News.
THE CABINS (Terminal Tankers),
Oct. 21—Chairman, L. PInella; Secre
tary, O. Kane. Shower to be scraped
and painted. Insufficient stores or
dered. Reports accepted.
STEEL FABRICATOR (Isthmian),
Oct, 13—Chairman, C. Chandler; Sec
retary', E. Klingvall. Captain run
ning . out of travelers' checks—^last
draw Penyang. Ship's fund 9138.90.
Repair list to be submitted. SIU
mail to delegate should be handled
only by delegate. Everything running
smoothly. No beefs.
STEEL SURVEYOR (Isthmian), Aug.
t—Chairman, J. Robinson; Secretary,
P. Shala. Men warned about fighting
and Ibgglngs; contracting diseases.
Ship's fund 952. Radio repaired; pur
chased two movies. Some disputed ot.
Reports accepted. Suggestion that
ships on tropical run should supply
four bath towels and three face
towels per week. To write letter to
negotiating committee and bring to
company's attention. Motion that
company should distribute American
money Instead of travelers' checks In
Nassau. Foc'sle locks to be checked by
locksmith and replace same with
tumbler locks. Take better care of
washing machine—no spare parts
aboard. Thanks to affiliates for help
in ACS beef. Drinking water rusty—
to see patrolman about same.
Sept. 4—Chairman, J. Robinson; 9sc-
rstary, F. Shala. Captain to pay In
jured man off in Colombo. Ship's
fund 941.50. Some disputed ot. Re
ports accepted. Hand vote taken re
garding method of Job calls. 940 to
be given to injured man from fund.
. Will have arrival pool to replenish
fund.
RION (Actlum), Oct. «—Chairman,
H. Mooney; Secretary, J. Hopkins.
Two men missed ship in Casablanca;
clothes packed and listed. Took one
replacement. Two men promoted in
kteward dept. Vote of thanks to dele
gate and steward dept. for Job well
done. Few hours disputed ot. Two
students left ship to return to school.
Two men short. Suggestion that dis
patchers try to confine these men to
coastwise vessels or ships making
regular run. Ice box needs repairs
or replacing. Ship to be sprayed for
roaches. Dry cereais contaminated
with weevils should be discarded.
ORION PLANET (Orion), Oct. 19—
Chairman, R. Perry; 9ecretary, T.
Yablonsky, Next draw to be In yen
or money order. Latter re: vacation
pay read to membership. One SUP
and one ex-NMU replacements picked
up In Japan. No beefs. Motion to
have special launch In port for
watch changes. Proper dress to he
worn In messhall. Discussion on
special launch for watch changes In
Japan.
Robin Vote
(Continued from page 3)
indicated ttiat the status quo would
be observed on contractual rela
tionships as well.
Subsequently, the SIU was noti
fied by Mooremack that it was
placing the ships under the juris
diction of the NMU contract, dis
regarding the wishes of the SIU
membership aboard the ships. The
company then ordered all its re
placements from the NMU hiring
haU.
SIU headquarters was convinced
that this step was undertaken at
the instigation of the NMU which
was anxious to get its hands on
the jobs. This conviction was rein
forced when the NMU began a
campaign in the fleet which in
cluded a letter signed by Curran
urging Seafarers to switch their
union affiliation in the fleet. It
became clear then that the NMU
had embarked on a raid against
the SIU. (Curran, incidentally, has
beei^uoted profusely as support
ing no-raiding agreements.)
The SIU countered by filing its
election petition with the Labor
Board, while Seafarers on board
the ships resisted heavy NMU pres
sure to quit their jobs or to turn
in their SIU membership books.
This is the second time that the
NMU has attempted a raid on the
Robin Line. In the first instance,
back in 1940, the SIU won an elec
tion by a count of 199 to one. The
NMU was unable then to muster
sufficient strength in the fleet to
even get on the ballot.
J. N. Fusilier
Your gear, papers and Union
book were left aboard the Pan
Oceanic Transporter. Get in touch
with the company, Penn Naviga
tion, 25 Broadway, NYC.
4" 4 4"
Ilmari B. Valimaki
Some of the former members of
the 95th Field Hospital would like
to hear from you. Contact Homer
C- Cooper at the Montana State
University, Missoula, Montana.
it 4 4
George Baugh, Sr.
Please contact Sadie at 5805
Third Avenue, Brooklyn 20, NY.
4 4 4 *
Larry Connor
ex-Robin Kettering
Frank has checked your shoe.s
from Mombasa in the baggage room
at headquarters.
4 4 4
Anthony Carcopa
Plea^ get in touch with your
mother, Mrs. Carrie Gualano, at
616 West Nesq. St., Easton, Pa. It
is important that she hear from
you soon.
4 4 4
Harold L. Loll
It is important that you contact
your draft board, No. 161, Green
Building, 1243 Liberty Street,
Franklin, Penn. Your mother would
like you to get In touch with her
at RD 2, Oil City, Penn.
4 4 4
Carlo V. Carlsen
Ex-Steel Apprentice
Joseph Raymond is holding a
package from customs for you.
Contact him at 135 W. 115 St.,
NYC, Apartment ID.
4 4 4
William H. Anderson
Your brother is ill. Please con
tact your sister, Mrs. Audrey Hoff
man, at 2496 Mullolly Street, Pitts
burgh 57, Pa., immediately. The
SIU Welfare Services Department
is holding a note for you from your
sister at Union headquarters.
RECENT ARRIVALS
All of the follotoing SIU famillet have received a $200 maternity
benefit plus a $25 bond from the Union in the baby's name:
Tracy Kim Adamson, born Octo
ber 25, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Richard R. Adamson, Mahwah, NJ.
4 4 4
Daisy Ayala, born September
16, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Jesus Ayala, Bronx, NY.
4x4 4
Norman Joseph Blanchard, Jr.,
bom September 11, 1957, to Sea
farer and Mrs. Norman J. Blanch
ard, New Orleans, La.
4 4 4
Peter Jon Bowley, born October
26, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Robert R. Bowley, Warwick, RI.
4 4 4
Colirtney R. Carter, born Sep
tember 25, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Courtney R. Carter, Savan
nah, Ga.
4 4 4
Anthony Michael Cunningham,
born August 7, 1957, to Seafarer
and Mrs. Anthony Cunningham,
Baltimore, Md.
4 4 4
Gay Ann Maas, born September
6, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Henry J. Maas Jr., New Orleans,
La.
4 4 4
. Judith Clare Osborn, bjonn Sep-,
tember 27, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Manfred Osborn, New Or
leans, La.
4 4 4
Charles Anthony : Pogozelski,
bom October 3, 1957, to Seafarer
and Mrs. Anthony Pogozelski,
Detroit, Mich.
4 4 4
James Dickens, Jr., born August
4,1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. James
V. Dickens, Baltimore, Md.
4 4 4
Charles John and Jack James
DeLatte, bom October 27. 1957, to
Seafarer and Mrs. Nolan W. De-
Latte.-tSretna, La.
4 4 4
Harvey and James Morris, born
October 18, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Harvey W. Morris, Brooklyn,
NY.
4 4 4
Alicia Darlene Caine, born Sep
tember 3, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Francis £. Caine, Mobile, Ala.
4 4 4
Leader Hughes, borii September
26, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Wil-
bert Hughes, Baltimore, Md.
4 4 4
William Richard Johnson, born
July 4, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
William H. Johnson, Baltimore, Md.
4 4 4
' Ray Franklin McVey, born Sep
tember 23, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Ray F. McVey, Baltimore, Md.
4 4 4
Hank Vernon Cox, born October
9, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Adron
Cox, Flatlick, Ky.
Charles A. Carlson
Would you please get in touch
with your grandmother, Mrs. Jessie
Culver, R-1, Himrod, NY.
4 4 4
John Whisman
Please contact your wife at 719
Castro, St., San Francisco, Califor
nia.
4 4 4
Wilbur Coutant
Contact Bushberg at 72 Spring
field Ave., Newark, NJ.
The deaths of the foilowing Sea
farers have been reported to the
Seafarers Welfare Plan and the
SIU death benefit is being paid to
their beneficiaries.
Francisco L. Perez, 58: A heart
aliment caused the death of Broth
er Perez on Au
gust 16, 1957, in
Bombay, India.
He became a full
member of the
Union on August
14, 1947, and was
sailing in the
steward depart
ment. Brother
Perez is survived
by his wife, Gloria Perez, of Brook
lyn, NY. Place of burial is un
known.
4 4 4
Leslie Swift Joyner, 49: On Octo
ber 6, 1957, Brother Joyner died"
of a heart ailment in Mobile, Ala
bama. He became a full member
of the Union on December 28,1938,
and sailed In the deck department.
Brother Joyner is survived by his
wife, Irma Joyner, of Mobile,
Alabama. He was buried in Pine
Crest Cemetery, Mobile, Ala.
4 4 4
Louis Franken, 56: Brother Fran-
ken died on March 28, 1955, in
Le Havre, France
of a heart ail
ment. He became
a full member of
the Union on July
24, 1943; and
sailed in the deck
department. Bur
ial took place in
Antwerp, Bel
gium.
4 4 4
Emlllo L. Belle: Brother Bello
was lost at sea while sailing aboard
the SS Del Sud on June 20, 1956.
He is survived by Inez Volpi of'
New Orleans, La.
SCHEDULE OF
SIU MEETINGS
SIU membership meet
ings are held regularly
every two weeks on Wed
nesday nights at 7 PM in
all SIU ports. All Sea
farers are expected to
attend; those who wish to
be excused should request
permission by telegram
(be sure to include reg
istration number). The
next SIU meetings will be:
November 27
December 11
December 26
January 8
1
I %
51
••51
.-.'Oijivi :•:;•••
'm
Vol. XIX
No. 24 SEAFARERS LOG
•OFFICIAL ORGAN O F TH E S E A FA R E RS INTERNATIONAL UN ION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL-CIO •
SlU-HIWD Signs
Pipeline Boats
NEW ORLEANS—^Union representation in a new maritime
field was established by the SIU's Harbor and Inland Water
ways Division last week with completion of a collective bar
gaining agreement covering"^
marine workers of the Glaser
Construction Co., Inc., of La
fayette, La. The contract Is an
other In a series of SIU successes in
organizing in the southern tide-
lands.
Glaser Construction is the Gulf
Coast's biggest independent con
tractor in the petroleum pipeline-
laying industry and is reputed to
be one of the world's largest. SIU-
HIWD members covered by the
For pictures of Glasey pipeline
operation, see centerfold.
agreement man tugboats, barges
and quarter boats employed in lay
ing pipelines used principally for
the transportation of natural gas
from Louisiana's extensive coastal
and offshore natural gas fields to
industrial and city residential
users in Southeastern and Atlantic
Seaboard states.
In tlie initial stages, the pipelines
are laid on the bottom of the Gulf,
through coastal marshes, across
deep rivers and along Louisiana's
myriad bayous and man-made
waterways. It is at this point that
marine equipment and skilled in
land waterways workers are neces
sary to the operation.
Covers Marine Personnel
The SIU-HIWD's pioneer agree
ment, thf first maritime labor docu
ment of its kind, provides the bene
fits of SIU representation for all
marine personnel employed on the
tugs, barges and quarter vessels
which provide housing and feeding
facilities for pipeline construction
workers. These workers, in turn,
are represented by the AFL-CIO
Operating Engineers, Pipeline
Welders and Laborers Unions,
whose members encouraged the
marine personnel in their organiza
tional efforts.
The SIU contract won for the
marine workers included: wage in
creases ranging up to $90 a month
in one classification, full SIU-HIWD
Health and Welfare Plan coverage
for employees and their families,
increased manning scales, improved
working conditions, paid holidays,
job security guarantees, the union
shop, seniority provisions govern
ing layoffs and promotions, and a
tightly-worded grievance and ar
bitration procedure to assure
prompt and satisfactory settlement
of beefs.
"Establishment of this first col
lective bargaining relationship
opens an avenue for extending the
SIU-HLWD's top benefits to many
other maritime workers engaged in
pipeline . construction and relatecf
industries," Lindsey J. Williams,
New Orleans SIU port agent, said.
"Full credit should be given to the
enthusiastic endorsement of the
SIU by the Giaser employees in
volved and to the support given by
the Operating Engineers, Pipeline
Welders and Laborers Unions
toward the successful negotiation of
this agreement."
SlU-HIVVD members Gerard Heberj (left) and Alberie Hebert
(right) discuss new pact benefits and welfare coverage with SIU
patrolman' Tom Gould at Delcombre, La., main plant site for the
Glaser Construction Co. The Hebert brothers will serve, as cap
tain and mote of the new Glaser tug Helen to be launched soon.
Second Cooper
Article Delayed
Because of the press of news
developments In Robin Line,
Canada and elsewhere in mari
time and the union movement,
the second of a series of SEA
FARERS LOG article dealing
with Herman E. Cooper has
had to be postponed. Prep
aration of this material is now
going forward and the articles
will appear in subsequent edi
tions.
- The LOG appreciates the in
terest shown by its readers in
this and other LOG features
and apologizes to them for im
posing on their patience. Fu
ture articles, as promised, will
deal with Mr. Cooper's role
within the trade imion move
ment and other relevant mrt-
ters.
Useful Atom Ships 10 Years Off
CHICAGO—Still another authority has cast doubt on the possibility of commercial
usefulness of atomic energy in shipping. Dr. Harry B. Benford, of the University of Mich
igan's Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, declared it would be
at least ten years, and possibly '
more, before an atomic mer
chant ship could compete com
mercially. Even then, he said, it
would take a considerable reduc
tion in costs of a nuclear reactor,
more than is deemed possible at
the present time.
Speaking at an American Petro
leum Institute meeting, Dr. Ben-
ford agreed with previous estimates
that atomic energy could best be
applied in supertankers where the
saving in bunker fuel can be trans
lated into bigger payloads.
The last issue of the SEAFARERS
LOG reported on similar views by
Dr. Edward Teller, leading physi
cist iff the atomic research field.
Dr. Teller expressed considerable
Panama Has
Water Again
BALBOA, CZ—A ten-inch deluge
of rain has restored normal ship
passage through the Panama Canal,
but disrupted land transportation
and communications throughout
the zone while it lasted.
The rains, which set a new high
for the month of November, ended
a long drought which had cut elec
tric power generation in the Canal
Zone and shipping through the
Canal. But the welcome rains also
caused a number of slides and
washouts along the banks of the
canal. In the Gatun area three
slides and a washout on the Pan
ama Railroad caused delays to six
passenger and several freight
trains.
Eight other slides were reported
on the Trans-Isthmian highway
breaking communications between
the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts for
four hours. Telephone communi
cations on the Atlantic side were
down and several power failures re
ported.
The shortage of rainfall had
threatened to reduce water depths
in Gatun Lake below levels needed
by ships.
skepticism about the commercial
usefulness of atomic reactors in
sizes producing less than 100,000
kilowatts: far more power than
needed by a cargo ship.
"A nuclear ship, to be commer
cially feasible, must prove as good
an investment as a conventional
cargo ship and not merely carry
cargo as cheaply," Dr. Benford de
clared. He also added that for com
mercial purposes, a nuclear vessel
would not be able to travel at faster
cruising speeds than present-day
cargo vessels.
The only advantage then, would
be in dispensing with bunkers,
which is a small one at best for dry
cargo ships which are frequently
in port anyway.
Canada Opens Lake Pacts;
Coast Pay Up To $345
MONTREAL — Notice has been served by the, SIU.
Canadian District of the union's intention to make certain
changes and improvements in the contracts covering Lakes
Dinners Set
In All Ports
Hundreds of Seafarers and their
families will be sittihg down to
Thanksgiving dinners in all of the
SIU ports next week. Thanksgiving
and Christmas dinners have been
the traditional SIU holiday treat to
Seafarers for many years.
Last year more than 500 Seafar
ers, wives and children "attended
the holiday feast in the headquar
ters cafeteria alone, while many
more celebrated in the Baltimore
cafeteria. Mobile snack bar and
other facilities In the various ports.
The meal in headquarters this
year will feature the traditional
Thanksgiving turkey, complete with
soup, cranberry sauce, candied
yams and hot mince pie. A-so on
the menu are shrimp cocktails,
prime ribs of beef and baked select
Virginia ham, with special side sal
ads. Rum-fiavored fruit cake,
mixed nuts, home baked pumpkin
pie and chilled apple cider will also
be on hand. Dinner will be served
in the headquarters cafeteria from
10 AM to 3 J>M.
The Marine Cooks and Stewards
Union has announced that it will
hold its holiday dinners in conjunc
tion with the Sailors Union of the
Pacific, as has been dpne for the
past several years on the West
Coast.
5F Looks
For Pick-Up
SAN FRANCISCO — Shipping
during the past period has been
fair but promises to pick up
within the next few vveeks. The
Alcoa Pointer (Alcoa) and the Re
becca (Ocean Carriers) paid off but
only the Pointer signed on.
The ships in transit were the
Ocean Eva (Ocean Clippers), City
of Alma, Fairport (Waterman),
Pacific Cloud (Pegor), Steel Scien
tist (Isthmian) and the Alamar
(Calmar).
freighters.
Action on the contract re
opening viras voted on at the
regular meetings in the District's
headquarters and branches. Only
the freighter agreements are af
fected by this action since the
dredging agreements are not sub
ject to review until June, 1958.
Meanwhile, following two months
of negotiations, a contract has been
signed between the District and the
British Yukon Navigating Com
pany, a West Coast operator, pro
viding for increased wages and
penalty rates, a welfare plan, paid
annual vacations and statutory hol
idays. The agreement, which went
into effect this month, was the first
signed in the District's current ne
gotiations being carried on through
out Canada.
Wages under the new contract
are considered precedent-setting in
Canadian maritime. Pay for ABs
was increased from $228 to $345
per month while cooks' wages
jumped from $258 to $35511 month.
All wages will now be based on a
forty-hour week with overtime
rates paid for work in excess of
eight hours a day or forty hours
a week.
Overtime rates are $2.50 an hour
for ABs and oilers and $3.50 an
hour for cooks and pursers.
New Terminal For Alcoa
Aerial view of new Alcoa Steamship terminal at Port Newark, NJ,
following shift from Brooklyn piers the company formerly occupied.
Both Alcoa and Waterman-Pan-Atlantic, located nearby, now
have all terminal operations in New York area concentrated at
Port Newark.
r
liK
No. 24
• -l
-0A
» OFFICIAL 0R6AN OP TH6 SEAFAR6RS INTERNATIONAL UNION ' ATLANTIC AND 6ULF DISTRICT « APL.CIO
NLRB Orders Blection:
Story On Page 3
Int'l Labor Backs Canada Strike :%\
M\
Story On Page 2
F. McKinney^ engineer; R. Harris, AB; C. Howerin, engineer; L. Willis
Jr., oiler; J. Gaskill, captain, and M. Jordan, captain. (Story on Page S.)
SlU-Contracted
Willis Tugboats
Fight NMU Raid
USING TAFT-HARTLEY in an effort to wreck an SlU-HiWD pact,
the National Maritime Union has opened a raid on Willis tugs in
Philadelphia. The NMU-affiliated United Marine Division has
called the union shop and other phases of the contract "illegal"
in efforts to get a foothold in a fleet won by the SlU-HfWD by a
69 to 2 count over the UMD last year. NMU President Curran has
repeatedly "vowed" he would "never" use the Taft-Hartley Act
against another union.
: Story On Page 3
Storm Casualty
Neatly split in two by a storm
a week ago, the Norwegian
motors hip Belleville lies
aground on Seal Rock off New
port, RI, where she's been
stuck since September. Val
ued at $1^4 million before the
wreck, she was sold for $52,-
000 Monday to a marine sal
vage outfit which will cut up
the hulk for scrap. Most of
the cargo has already been
taken off. The Belleville was
a prime tourist attraction for
^ time, since she grounded
within hailing distance of the
golf course where President
Eisenhower spent part of his
recent vacation in Newport.
1
Pac* Two SEAFARERS LOG November 22, 1957
LOG Visits Port
Baker & Whiteley tug dock, Copt. Sam
White of the tug Scandinavia, and deckman Al
Jutchets, SlU-HIWD shop steward for B&W's
unlicensed men, stand by. In SlU hall (right,
top), Andrew Suech, deck engineer, shows fit
for duty slip-^o SlU welfare rep. John Arabacz.
Below them, Walt Sibley stamps shipping cards
of C. Prasso, cook, and James Archie, steward,
before membership regular meeting got under-
way last week.
(Future issues of the SEAFARERS LOG will tarry special features on Baltimore
port activities and a 3rd anniversary round-up on the Baltimore hall.)
World Sea Labor
Vows Ftili Aid To
Canadian Strike
MONTREAL—^Maritime labor throughout the world is ral
lying to support the SIU Canadian District in its fight bgainst
strike-breaking by the government-owned Canadian National
Steamships, Ltd. ^—— —
Two planeloads of seameit
being flown here from Jam
aica last Sunday reversed
course about 200 miles north
BULLETIN
MONTREAL — Five CNS
•lilps slipped out of this port
late this week under cover of
darkness and manned by offi
cers only. They were pre
sumed to be heading for the
West Indies.
of Bermuda and returned to
Kingston. The chartered
Trans-Canada airliners carried 100
men recruited to man some of the
strike-bound ships. They turned
back after receiving new Instruc
tions by radio. Local unions in the
West Indies have expresed concern
over possible strikebreaking.
Earlier, eight licensed engineers
brought in from Britain refused to
turn to on the ships. They re
turned home also after learning of
the SIU strike.
ITP' Pledges Support
Formal world-wide support cf
the District's strike against CNS
was received in a telegram from
Omar Becu, General Secretary, In
ternational Transportworkers Fed
eration to SIUNA vice-president
Hal Banks of the Canadian District.
Becu protested the "transfer for
eign" of the ships as a strikebreak
ing move to bar Canadian sea
man's claims for just wages and
offered the entire support of the
ITF behind the strike.
"If you can advise of any riiove-
ments of ships hereto strikebound,
we will appeal to affiliated unions
concerned to endeavor to prevent
crewing or handling of cargo,"
Becu pledged.
CNS took steps to break the four-
month-old strike by transferring
its eight ships to Trinidad registry
after Canadian Seafarers rejected
the company's take-it-or-leave-it 15
percent wage offer last month. The
Canadian government has already
approved the runaway transfer al
though it will cut Canada's already-
small deepsea merchant fleet by
one third.
In a wire to SIUNA president
Paul Hall on Monday, Carlton
Blanche, secretary of the seamen's
union in Port of Spain, Trinidad,
indicated West Indian seamen will
not support any of the company's
union-busting efforts. The "change
of registry to Trinidad (is) seen
here as (a) move to break (the)
strike," he declared.
$204 For ABs
The Canadian District originally
asked a 30 percent wage increase
to bring the lagging wages of CI^
men up to standard when negotia
tions began more than a year ago.
ABs on the ships were getting $204
per month in base pay. The union
cut its demands to 20 percent after
a government conciliation board
proposed a ten percent rise.
SIU men on the ships struck
July 4 to enforce the 20 percent
demand and the fleet has been tied
up ever since. The company finally
came up with an offer of 15 per
cent on October 15, and then
moved ,to transfer the ships out
right when the unioii rejected it.
CNS actually offered a percent
rise retroattive to the expiration
(iJ t I -i- <• -C*-.
date of the old agreement in Sep
tember, 1956, and 71^ percent
more once a new pact would be
signed.
CNS la a government - owned
company operated by a subsidiary
of Canadian National Railways.
The ships run between Canada and
the West Indies.
Reaction to the strikebreaking
move has been quick in Canada.
The powerful Canadian Labor Con
gress, representing 1,110,000 mem
bers, has pledged full support to
the Canadian SIU in the beef. CLC
president Claude Jodoin met with
Banks last week to assure all pos
sible CLC assistance In the beef.
Hall had previously cabled Becu
in London urging full support of
the Canadian SIU strike and world
protests against government-ap
proved efforts to break the strike.
Hall said the transfers "would in
stitute depressed wages and non
union, inferior conditions on the
company's ships."
The CNS fleet is now the only
major fleet left under Canadian
deepsea registry. The remaining
deepsea ships Include ten cargo
vessels and eight tankers. The bulk
of the Canadian fleet was switched
to British registry several years
ago under an arrangement between
the Canadian and British govern
ments.
No information can be obtained
on the number of ocean-going mer
chant ships, if any, already under
Trinidad registiy. Trinidad is pres
ently a British colony and will be
part of the Federation of the West
Indies under the British Common
wealth starting next year.
New 'Wreck'
Plan On WC
Plans are being formulated for a
big 1958 "scab" drive in the state
of Washington. One of the major
moves was the resignation of Ash
ley E. Holden, political writer for
the dally Spokesman-Review for
the past 21 years, to become ex
ecutive director of a "right-to-
work" committee. Tl^e proposed
law, Holden said, will be in har
mony with similar laws now in
effect in 18 states.
"This is in no way a fight against
unions, but in fact will help them,"
he theorized.
Such a proposal was defeated in
the 1956 election by a vote of
704,903 to 329,653.
SEAFARERS LOG
Nov. 22, 1957 Vol. XiX, No. 24
PADL HALL, Secretary-Treasurer
HERBERT BRAND. Editor. BERNARD SEA*
Art Editor. HERMAN ARTHUR, IRWIN
SPIVACK, AL MASXIN, JOHN BRAZIL. Stair
Writers. BILL MOODT. CUU Area Repre
sentative.
MAN,
Publiihed blw««kly at tha headquartara
of tha Seafarars Intarnatlonal Union, At
lantic A Cuif District, AFL-CiO, *75 Fourth
Avenua. Brooklyn 32, NY. Tel. HYacinth
*-«600. Entered as second class matter
at the Post Office in Brooklyn, NY, under
ha Act of Aug. 24, 1912.
Norember tZ, 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Face Thre*
SlU Wins First Robin Bailot
Sherwood Kicks Off
Vote By 25-5 Margin
Happy over the newt about
the NLRB election on Robin
Line ships, SlU crewmembers
from the Robin Gray gather
in the SlU cafeteria at the
Baltimore hall to talk over the
pending vote. Pictured (I to r
are Mrs. Alice Werns, wife o
Seafarer Harold Werns, DM
(2nd from right); A. Bagley,
oiler; Peter Choplinski, OS;
W. A. Aycock, AB; Tom Har
mon, DM, and L. C. Clark,
carpenter. The group got a
rousing ovation when it was
introduced at the Baltimore
membership meeting last
week. At right is the Robin
Sherwood, which voted SlU
25-5 Wednesday. It was first
vessel polled in eight-ship
election ordered by NLRB.
The Gray will vote today.
ballot election and freedom of
choice of a collective bargaining
agent was "anti-labor" and a "re
turn of jungle law."
(Curran's antipathy toward col
lective bargaining election contests
may derive from repeated defeats
suffered in such contests both in
NMU Raiding Willis F/eef
PHILADELPHIA—Making full use of the Taft-Hartley Law for a new raid against
the SIU, the NMU's United Marine Division filed a petition for an election in the
C. G. Willis fleet, operators of tugs and barges in the intracoastal waterway. Crewmembers
of this fleet are under contract —
to the SIU's Harbor and In
land Waterways Division.
The Willis petition was filed by
Local 333 of the United Marine
Division on the eve of a contract
reopener. The HIWD had obtained
a first-time contract in the fieet last
year after it won an election over
the United Marine Division by a
count of 69 to 2. Prior to the vote,
the boats had been a non-union
operation.
Now, despite the thumping de
feat they were subjected to last
year, the NMU affiliate is back in
the picture at contract-negotiation
time. A UMD representative has
been hitting the Willis boats up and
down the coast between here and
Jacksonville in efforts to raid the
SIU membership.
Ironically, NMU harassment
against the SIU-HIWD in WiUis
has taken the form of an attack
via the Taft-Hartley Law upon the
union shop clause and other items
In the existing SIU-HIWD agree
ment.
Only a month ago. In the "Presi
dent's Report" to the 11th national
NMU convention, NMU president
Joseph Curran had piously de
clared: "We do not use anti-labor
laws against other unions or legiti
mate union contracts." This was
published In the NMU "Pilot" as
recently as Nov. 7, 1957. Curran, in
fact, called for an amendment to
the AFL-CIO's "ethical practices"
codes to deal with unions using
T-H against each other.
In addition, the NMU affiliate is
making efforts to stir up action
among the local harbor tug fleets
which are under contract to the
SlU-affiliated Brotherhood of Ma
rine Engineers and the AFL-CIO
International Brotherhood of Long
shoremen.
SIU Philadelphia port officials
view the move as an effort to dis
rupt at a time when the HIWD Is
preparing pew contract demands.
The UMD local here represents a
handful of men on coal barges.
Before affiliating with the NMU,
the United Marine Division had
been part of the AFL-pusted Inter
national Longshoremen's Associa
tion, and after that, of United Mine
Workers District 50.
Willis boats are employed In
the haulage of bulk paper from
Georgetown and Charleston, SO,
and Savannah, Ga., to Philadelphia,
as well as general cargo between
here and Jacksonville, Fla.
ir-'V
Shorjfchanded?
If a crewmember quits while
a ship is in port, delegates
are asked to contact the hall
immediately for a replace
ment. Fast action on their part
will keep all jobs aboard ship
filled at all times and elimi
nate the chance of the ship
sailing shorthanded.
Forced to work under a National Maritime Union
contract against their will, Seafarers on the Robin
Sherwood gave the NMU a thumping setback Wednes
day, casting all 25 of their ̂
ballots in favor of the SIU
in the first National Labor
Relations Board election
on Robin Line ships. The
Sherwood was the first to
vote after the Board issued an
election order from Washing
ton November 8, following an
SIU petition in the fieet.
The SIU petition was made
necessary after 17 years of collec
tive bargaining relationships by a
National Maritime Union raid on
Seafarers' jobs. In their desperate
efforts to raid the SIU, the NMU
made the most extravagant pro
mises including assurances of full
NMU books minus initiation fees,
plus other privileges. No less
than 15 NMU top officials scur
ried around the ship on election
day. The elaborate NMU pitch
was signed personally by Joseph
Curran.
The Seafarers unanimously re
jected the blandishments. Not the
least of the reasons for their
thumbs down on NMU are the
terms of the NMU contract under
which they have been compelled
to work.
Machinery for conducting the
election was discussed at a confer
ence of all parties concerned on
Tuesday, November 19. The Ro
bin Gray will vote today.
The Board's action was proceed
ed by frantic NMU efforts -to get
the NLRB to reconsider, with NMU
even going to the courts in a last
ditch try to stop the men on the
ships from getting the union of
their choice.
The election order prompted an
hysterical outburst from NMU
President Joseph Curran whose at
tempts to raid Robin Line have
been frustrated by the refusal of
Seafarers to get off the ships and
make way for replacements hired
out of NMU halls. Curran declared
that the NLRB ruling for a secret
A fevered, near-irrational out
burst by NMU President Joseph
Ciu-ran followed the NLRB's
announcement that it would
hold an election in Robin Line.
In a statement issued to 'the
press Curran fumed: "It is crimi
nal that a government agency"
(the NLRB) "will team up with
bankrupt union officials . . ."
Elsewhere in his statement
Curran charged that the. elec
tion order was "hitting ait sea
men . .. The Board is asking for
return of jungle law in this in
dustry . . ." He also called it an
"anti-labor" decision.
Evidently in the Curran dic
tionary, any action which he
does not favor becomes "anti-
labor" even if it means giving
working seamen the right to
choose their own union by secret
ballot, as in this instance. Even
the English language is twisted
out of its true meanings in the
Curran scheme of things, just
as it was once fashionable for
him to characterize opponents of
the Stalin-Hitler pact as "war
mongers."
offshore ships and on inland water
ways.)
The Robin Line election devel
oped out of the purchase of tha
fleet by Moore-McCormack last
spring. At that time Mooremack
announced that the Robin Lino
would be operated as a division of
Mooremack, maintaining service on
its subsidized route to South and
East Africa. Mooremack officials
(Continued on page 15)
MTD, SIU Sessions Set
On Eve Of AFL-CIO Meet
The first week of December is convention week in the
merged labor movement. The Maritime Trades Department,
AFL-CIO, and the SIU of NA executive board are scheduled
for get-togethers prior to the"^
Confident of SIU election victory, SIU-HIWD crewmen on the
Willis tug Evelyn catch up on Union news. NMU tug division is
seeking new election despite 69-2 SIU-HIWD win lost year.- Pic
tured (seated, I to r) are R. Pake, OS; B. Ireland, OS; C. O'Neal,
mate; Obed O'Neal, captain; standing, J. English, cook; R. Tate,
relief chief engineer; J. G. Wade, chief engineer, and D. O'Neal,
OS. Engineers belong to BME.
opening of the AFL-CIO con
vention in Atlantic City on
December 5.
The Maritime Trades Depart
ment's two-day session is sched
uled for December 3rd and 4th
and will be attended by all the
deepsea, harbor, shoreside and
fresh water unions affiliated with
the department. Among the major
items to be discussed at the ses
sion will be the impact of the St.
Lawrence Seaway on union organ
izing.
AFL-CIO President George
Meany will address the MTD on
December 3.
Membership in the MTD in
cludes all the affiliates of the SIU
of North America, plus unions of
licensed mates, engineers, radio
operators, and harbor outfits, as
well as longshoremen in the States
and Puerto Rico. Shoreside unions
whose members are involved in
maritime are also part of the De
partment.
On December 5th, the AFL-
CIO's first convention since tha
merger will open with several sig
nificant items on its agenda, among
them the fate of the Teamster and
Bakery Workers unions. At pres
ent, both unions stand suspended
from the Federation and it appears
that their expulsion is likely on
the grounds that they have failed
to institute necessary reforms in
their operations.
Another gathering at convention
time is that of the International
Labor Press Association at whicli
the annual awards to outstanding
AFL-CIO union newspapers will
be announced.
• :•
' - 4!
Page Four SEAFARERS LOG November 22, 1957
Port
Boston
New York ...
Philadelphia
Baltimore ..
Norfolk ....
Savannah ...
Tampa
Mobile
New Orleans
Lake Charles
October 30 Through November 12
Registered
SUP oldtimers Lincoln Nordby (left) and Carl Landberg look like
men of leisure while en oying shore leave from the ACS vessel
Thomas Paine in Norfolic. Members of the deck gang, the two
West Coasters boast of more than 90 years seatime between them.
Fifth Coal Beef Ship
Headed For Lay-Up
NORFOLK—Once advertised as a $50 million shipping
operation, American Coal Shipping is scheduled to become a
two-ship fleet when the 88 Harry Glucksman arrives in port
this weekend. The Clucks-
man is expected to join four
other American Coal ships in
lay-up leaving just one vessel, the
Thomas Paine, on the coal run.
The Paine is one of six Govern
ment-owned ships under charter to
the company. The other vessel; the
company-owned Coal Miner, Is car
rying tramp cargoes and has not
Total
Oack DacK' Ens. Ens. Staw.
A B A B " A
7 1 6 1 . 2
63 . 23 52 19 54
23 2 20 3 14
55 12 42 18 28
6 4 . 4 6 5
4 1 3 2 0
8 1 6 2 5
22 3 25' 10 22
49 10 38 11 33
9 3 6 4 3
33 16 21 16 9
16 9 12 20 13
23 11 20 10 21
30 9 17 14 13
Deck OacR ens. Ens. stew.
A B A • \ A
348 105 272 136 222
stew. • '
2
5
3
4
3
0
2
7
13
4
7
11
6
7
stew.
B
74
Tetal
A
15
169
57
125
15
7
19
69
120
18
63
41
64
60
Total
A
842
m p»vip. »
Ask Federal
Health Plan
For US Aged
WASHINGTON—An amendment
to the Social Security Law to pro
vide adequate hospitalization pro
tection for retired persons is the
aim of the AFL-CIO at the next
session of Congress.
In an interview on the radio pro-
gi'am, "As We See It," Andrew J.
Biemiller, director of the Federa
tion's Department of Legislation,
said that these people are at an
age when such protection is most
needed but not available practi
cally.
Protection Too Costly
"Regardless of how great the
growth has been in recent years of
these voluntary health associations
and the like, there has not been
adequate provision made for the
older person. Now, furthermore,
even where it is technically pos
sible for him to get this kind of
protection, the cost is generally
beyond anything he can pay."
But although the cost is prohibi
tive to an individual 65 or over, he
pointed out, such protection could
be provided at a minimum of cost
when spread out over an entire
lifetime, as in Social Security.
"The Social Security system ?s
the only way to ."pread the costs
this way," he said. "The result is
that all of the increases of benefits
. . . can be paid for by an addi
tional one percent of payroll, split
between employer and employee."
The heed for such protection is
Indicated by the fact that hospital
utilization for persons 65 and over
Is two and one-half to three times
is great as during the earlier
periods of life.
been in the coal trade for some
months now.
The scheduled lay-up of the
Glucksman reflects the failure of
coal shipping rates to make any
kind of a comeback from their
summer lows. Previously laid up
were the Cleveland Abbe, Martha
Berry, Walter Hines Page and
Casimir Pulaski.
Meanwhile, the National Labor
Relations Board is still processing
a group of unfair labor charges
filed by the SIU against the com
pany. The charges relate to dis
crimination over hiring and also to
firings of Seafarers off the coal
ships.
Requested 30 Ships
When American Coal was formed
in 19.56, it requested 30 Govern
ment-chartered vessels as part of
its long-range program to build a
eoal-carrying fleet. At that time,
it looked like the US would have
a big stake in the coal export trade
to Europe, and so far, 1957 has
been a record year in that prospect
but for foreign ships only.
Subsequently, the company
boosted its request to 80 ships. The
first 30 were granted by the Mari
time Administration but only six
were broken out because of the
company's Involvement in beefs
with three maritime unions.
''•T Otek Deck Deck
ABC
Boston 3 0 0
New York 46 12 4
Philadelphia 3 0 0
Baltimore 70 19 2
Norfolk 15 7 i
Savannah 2 2 0
Tampa 2 1 1
Mobile 14 1 3
New Orleans 49 13 1
Lake Charles 13 3 0
Houston 9 3 0
Wilmington 7 1 0
San Francisco 9 0 0
Seattle 16 10 0
Deck Deck Deck
ABC
Total 258 72 12
Shi
2
43
6
42
4
3
3
11
32
7
11
4
11
12
Bnt.
A
191
ipp ed
[ne.
2
12
8
20
8
. 2
1
2
9
8
0
5
1
4
V
82
imt.
0
2
0
4
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
^1.
Stew.
A
3
48
4
31
6
1
2
15
24
1
7
3
7
9
Stew.
A
161
stew.
B
0
6
0
18
7
1
1
3
15
6
3
1
5
4
stew.
B
70
Stew,
c
0
.4
O
4
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
• 0
0
0
stew.
C
10
Tetel
A
8
137
13
143
25
6
7
40
105
21
27
14
27
37
Tetel
A
610
Tetel
B
2
30
8
57
22
5
. 3
6
37
17
6
7
6
18
Tetel
B
224
Tstal Total
B Hag.
4 19
47 216
8 • 65
34 159
13 28
3 10
5 24
20 89
34 154
11 29
39 102
40 81
27 91
30 90
Total Total
B Rag.
315 , 1157
Total Total
c Ship.
0 10
10 177
0 21
10 210
1 48
0 11
1 11
3 49
3 145
3 41
0 33
0 21
0 33
0 55
Total Total
C Ship.
31 865
8hipping took a sharp dip once again during the last two weeks. Job activity fell off to
the lowest point in almost three years, while registration rose slightly. The dispatch figures
listed 865 men shipped; 1,157 were registered. However, the coming period promises a pick
up in most ports. —
The unexplained falioff in
Seattle Thanks
Robin Crews
SEATTLE—News of the ordering
of the election on the Robin ships
was weli received by the member
ship here; They went on record as
extending a vote of thanks to the
brothers who stuck by their jobs
on those ships.
Although last period's spurt of
activity died down in this port,
shipping continued to be fair. The
Producer (Marine Carriers), Fair-
port and Maiden Creek (Water
man) and the Ocean Dinny (Ocean
Trans.) paid off and signed on.
All are heading for the Far East
and India.
There were only three in-transit
ships here during the period. They
were the Armonk (NJ Industries),
Pennmar and Losmar (Calmar).
There were no beefs of importance,
most of them being minor, repairs
and a few hours disputed overtime.
All wei'e settled before, payoff;
jobs was the worst since Janu
ary, 1955, affecting all coasts in
much the same manner. Only-
Norfolk and Wilmington showed
increased shipping over the last
pei'iod, and these represented only
slight boosts. Boston, Baltimore
Savannah, Mobile - and Lake
Charles-remained "as is"—with no
marked change cither way.
In the case of Baltimore, ship
ping was very good and stayed that
way. This period also marked the
first time since June that Baltimore
has topped New York in jobs.
Lake Charles remained fair, and
the other three "status quo" ports
continued to be slow. All others
declined to some extent.
Most SIU ports are expected to
bounce back in the current period,
however. Vacation pile-offs for
Thanksgiving and the year-end
holidays should also help.
The temporary shipping lull did
turn up a small gain in jobs for
class B men. Class B accounted
for 26 percent of the total shipped,
as class A dropped off to 71 per
cent of the total. Class C shipping
also fell off, and half of all the
ports shipped no class C men at
all. This was especially notable on
the West Coast, which shipped
about half the jobs it normally
does, and none of them in class C.
Of all the shipping, deck depart
ment jobs still accounted for the
largest proportion, and black gang
and steward department activity
followed in that order.
The following is the forecast
port by port: Boston: Slow . . .
New York: Good; electricians
needed . . . Philadelphia: Fair '. . .
Baltimore: Good . . . Norfolk: Fair
. . . Savannah: Slow . . . Tampa:
Slow . . . Mobile: Fair ... New Or
leans: Good . . . Lake Charles:
Steady , . . Houston: Fair ... Wil
mington: Slow , . , San Francisco:
Fair . . . Seattle: Good.
Seatrain Readies Trailer
Service For '58 Tryout
8eatrain Lines is readying a new innovation after more
than a quarter century as a pioneer in moving railroad box
cars by ship.
The company is expected to
introduce a system called
"Seamobile" sometime next
year. This will combine the ship
ment of railroad flatcars and loaded
truck trailer bodies. The experi
mental system was demonstrated in
Houston last month and will be
tried out eventually on some of the
company's six specially-built ships.
"Seamobile" would add greater
flexibility to the Seatrain opera
tion, since the ships could."than
carry not only conventional boxcars
but also 27-foot truck trailers
loaded on flatcars. Several rail
roads are already experimenting
with carrying truck trailer bodies
overland.
Cost Advantages
The Seatrain program would
combine the reduced handling
costs of piggyback operations with
the low costs of water transport.
Once the flatcars and trailers were
unloaded and moved as far inland
as they could go by rail, the trailers
could be hooked up to truck cabs
and driven right to their final
destinations.
Each of the present Seatrains,
all manned by Seafarers, can carry
100 loaded boxcars on tracks built
Asriw Kiowi,.
right into the ship on deck and in
the holds. However, the operation
requires^ specialized terminals for
service between the company's
main facility at Edgewater, NJ, and
Texas and Gulf ports. Some me
chanical changes will probably be
required to enable the ships to
handle the projected trailer-flatcar
operation.
Extends Trailorship Service
"Seamobile" will be a natur.il
extension of the service already in
effect for Pan-Atlantic which first
carried truck trailers on platform
decks built onto conventional tank
ers, and now has specially-con
verted C-2 freightships to take
trailer bodies in the holds as well.
TMT Trailer Ferry also utilized
these principles on the first true
US "roll-on" ship, the Carib Queen.
In this case the trailer trucks were
driven right onto the ship via spe
cial ramps and then detached from
their cabs.
The Pan-Atlantic ships use built-
in traveling deck cranes for the
modified C-2s and dockside cranes
for the tankers to carry the trailer
bodies only. Seatrain also uses
heavy-lift dockside cranes for its
operation.
The company last Spring- an
nounced the acquisition of addi
tional water-front properties at
Savannah and Edgewater as part
of its expansion program. It has
still not disclosed plans for a new
type of freightship proposed earlier.
November ZZ, 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Pace Fivo
QUESTION: Which US and foreign ports do you think rat* at the
best for seamen?
Walter Gustavson, AB: New York
It the best US port tor here a sea
man gets a fair
deal and is not
looked down
upon. To me the
best foreign port
is Yokahoma, Ja
pan. I was hospi
talized there not
long ago and can
vouch for the
treatment the
people gave me. They were very
friendly and courteous to me and
the other Seafarers there.
i t i
Idelfanso Galindez, bosun: I
think New York City is the best
US port. New
Yorkers are
much more con-
siderate and
friendly while in
other cities a sea
man is fair game
for anyone to
take. As for a
foreign port, I
like Dunkirk,
France. You can't beat the treat
ment you get there, especially at
the Seaman's Home.
t i i
J. Colpe, 3rd cook: Maybe it's be
cause I'm a New York boy, but I
- think this is the
best town for sea
men. The people
are more under
standing and ac
cept a person as
he is. The nicest
foreign port I
have been in was
Genoa, Italy,
where I really
enjoyed myself. In fact I am learn
ing some of the language for who
knows, I may get back there.
Robei;^ McCutcheon, AB: Social
ly I think San Francisco and Balti
more are the best.
In fact San Fran
cisco is just like
a second New
York. There is
always plenty to
do and see in
that town. As to
a foreign port, I
would take any
town in Northern
Europe, especially Copenhgen. It's
not too expensive, the people are
•friendly and you can really enjoy
yourself.
Stanley H. Vernuz, OS: I think
the biggest are the best—NY, Bal
timore, and New
Orleans. They
have better ship
ping, and are
great if you want
to have a iling. I
think that nearly
everyone will
agree with . you
that Japan rates
very high al
though European ports are more
interesting for a seaman.
4" 1" 4"
Mike Mayoski, oiler: On the West
Coast I would pick San Francisco.
It is a good town
for shipping or
for a social'Visit.
While here in the
east there is only
one, Baltimore.
As to Europe,
Hamburg is tops
while Yokahoma
is best in the
east. I like all of
these cities because the people
treat a guy right, and are always
friendly.
Informed Members Best
Union Safeguard'— Hall
Responding to a communication sent recently to all international union presidents by
AFL-CIO President George Meany asking their vievys on proposed legislation in the area
dealt with by the Senate Select Committee on labor and management, SIUNA President
Paul Hall has forwarded an-* ——— ———
Supertanker Unloads Oil:
Never Touches A Dock
Offshore unloading of supertankers became a reality last
week when the 26,500-ton Esso Havana discharged more than
eight million gallons of oil while moored a mile and a half
at sea.
^The Havana pulled into the
offshore "station" unassisted
to discharge her cargo through
steel-reinforced pipes. The oil was
then pumped into a terminal in
Northville, Long Island.
The Northville anchorage is lo
cated a mile and a half out In Long
Island Sound. The vessel is secure
ly moored to bUoys attached to
twenty-five ton concrete blocks
embedded in the bottom of the
sea. The 12-inch reinforced pipes
are hauled from the sound's floor
and attached to the ship's pumps.
The oil is pumped into twin pipe
lines buried in the bottom.
The Long Island terminal is the
only one on the Atlantic and Gulf
coast capable of handling fully-
loaded vessels of unlimited draft
and tonnage. Up to this time
vessels carrying only four to five
million gallons of oil could use the
terminal.
Answer To Supertankers
Offshore discharging is the only
ai.swer to unloading tankers In the
supertanker class, short of costly
dredging of existing waterways. In
order to provide for tankers which
will be running into the 100,000-
ton class, the oil industry is con
sidering plans for the construction
of 40 such offshore stations along
the US and Canadian coasts.
A major problem in offshore dis
charging is the question of shore
leave for the crews. Most of the
vessels, because of their size, will
take on and discharge oil cargoes
in the same manner. According to
seme of the plans, the offshore rigs
will also be equipped to supply the
ship with fuel and water, thus
relieving her from actually hitting
any port.
Miles From Broadway
In the case of the Havana, not
only did the vessel discharge her
cargo a mile and a half at sea, but
also into a terminal located more
than IQO miles from New York
City. That's a long way from
Broadway in any man's language.
Tankers traditionally pull into
out of-the-way terminals requiring
crewmembers to hop a cab to reach
town. Under the new system, tan-
kermen will be required to wait
for a water taxi, and then try and
find some other means of traveling
the additional mileage.
answer to Washington.
In his reply to Meany, Hall
declared that in his opinion
there was no need for further Fed
eral legislation to deal with the
conditions which have been the
subject of the Senate committee
hearings, except for that legisla
tion supported by the AFL-CIO,
which would call for full disclosure
of union financial transactions.
Hall stressed strongly in his com
munication that an informed, alert
union membership is the best safe
guard against any abuses.
He pointed to the existence of
numerous state and local statutes
dealing with misappropriation of
funds, bribery and other misdeeds
and the use of these laws against
individuals already cited by the
committee as proof that additional
legislation is not necessary.
On the contrary, he warned, Fed
eral legislation, particularly in the
area of granting union charters,
could lead to Federal dictation and
control of the trade union move
ment.
Raised At Meeting
Before replying to the AFL-CIO
president on the subject. Hall
raised the issue as a topic for mem
bership discussion at the SIU At
lantic and Gulf headquarters meet
ing in his capacity as A&G secre
tary-treasurer. His report to the
meeting reiterated: "There are am
ple laws on the books to cover the
violations disclosed by the commit
tee. For example, the Taft-Hart
ley law provides penalties for
abuses on the national level. On
the state level, practically every
state has statutes on the books to
deal with problems arising out of
misconduct in union affairs.
"It appears to us that the real
answer to the abuses which have
been spotlighted in limited sections
of the union movement is an alert
and interested trade union mem
bership . . .
"We, in our organization, have
long recognized the essentialness
of a membership well-informed on
all phases of their union's opera
tion and activity and we have
accepted our responsibility to
provide this information."
He pointed out as well, that the
last SIU of NA convention went
on record as fully supporting and
endorsing the AFL-CIO ethical
practices code and that the Atlan
tic and Gulf District membership
had ratified the convention's ac
tion.
Turning to the impact of the
hearings on the coming AFL-CIO
convention. Hall said, "There may
be some differences of opinion, of
course, in the labor movement as
to how best to deal with problems
confronting the movement. Every
body, of course, has full right and
piivilege to express their views and
act upon them accordingly. But
tlie fact remains that President
Meany, by meeting the problem
head on has taken a sound position
with a view toward the welfare of
the entire trade union movement."
Hall pointed out that the Fed
eration has indicated it is
aware that the organizations
under fire on the interna
tional level for failing to meet
AFL-CIO standards include in
their memberships a great many
local affiliates who do meet the test
of solid trade unionism. "The
AFL-CIO's findings do not mean
that all affiliates of affected union.?
aie responsible for the plight of
their internationals. However, the
Federation, under its constitutional
powers, can deal only on the prob
lem at the international level.
Support of the Federation's posi
tion by no means involves con
demnation of the international's
entire membership or all of its
officials on the local levels."
Turning to Meany's past expres
sions on the subject of legislation.
Hall told the A&G membership:
"From all indications, Meany has
stood four-square in his desire to
protect the movement against anti
union forces on the state and na
tional level who are seeking to
exploit the uproar raised against
some sections of the movement.
On the contrary, by showing that
the movement can handle its own
problems, Meany is providing what
is pfobably the best guarantee
available against further legal
restrictions on union activity."
When the current situation be
comes history, he concluded, "it
will be proven that the Federation
position was clearly the proper
move to protect the best interests
of the trade union movement."
By removing, of its own accord,
any blot on the movement, the
AFL-CIO will be able to maintain
freedom of action and internal
health necessary for further
growth. Hall said.
Cal. Fed Issues
'Wreck'Booklet
Over one million copies of the
"Right-to-Work" pamphlet pub
lished by the California State Fed
eration of Labor have been dis
tributed in the last month, C. J,
Haggerty, Federation Secretary-
Treasurer, announced.
The pamphlet was issued to stem
the rash of /'right-to-work" laws
which hve broken out on the
county level throughout the state.
The distributions, Haggerty said,
are a part of a continuing "right-to-
work" education program.
Cigs Plus Liquor Equal
Cancer, Doctor Reports
Those killjoys, the medics, have more bad news for people
who like to enjoy themselves. After shaking up cigarette
smokers with their dire announcements about cigarettes and
cancer, the doctors now have-* —
their sights leveled on those
who take a nip pretty regu
larly.
A report to the American Cancer
Society's 44th annual meeting by
Dr. Ernest L. Wynder said that
studies indicate heavy drinking,
plus heavy smoking, increase ten
dencies towards cancer of the
mouth and voice-box. Dr. Wynder's
studies were made at the Sloan-
Kettering Institute of Cancer Re
search, one of the nation's leading
cancer research centers.
For purposes of the study, the
heavy drinker was defined "as one
who admits to regular daily con
sumption of seven or more shots,
or ounces, of hard liquor." Drink
ing to this degree, coupled with
heavy smoking, multiplies the
chances of mouth or voice-box
cancer tenfold.
Dr. Wynder had no report on
what happens to those who drink
the required amount of whisky but
leave the smokes alone. He said
he couldn't find enough heavy
drinkers who didn't smoke to make
an adequate test survey. Nor did
he have figures on those who stick
to wine or beer and pass the whis
key by.
Reason Lacking
Right now there is no evidence
as to why the combination of drink
ing and smoking should have such
dire effects. One small comfort for
the saloon set is the fact that al
cohol seems to have no effect on
lung cancer.
Of course, one point of view
holds that seven or more shots a
day, day in and day out, will do
plenty of damage to the system on
its own, cancer or no cancer.
SIU Co. Eyes Tidelands field
WASHINGTON—The growing offshore oil exploration industry in the Gulf may pro
duce still another use for the much-sought-after shallow-draft N3 ships in Government
lay-up fleets. ^* —
An SIU contracted-company,
Boston Shipping Corp., has
applied to the Federal Mari
time Board for bareboat charters
on two N3-M-A1 type vessels for
use in servicing oL rigs operating in
the Gulf of Mexico. The N3s
would be restricted to service as
floating workshops and crews'
quarters, apart from the actual
drilling rigs. They would carry
neither . commercial cargo- nor
passengers.
A hearing notice is expected to
be issued soon by the on the
company's application. Boston
Shipping proposes to subcharter
the ships on bareboat to a wholly-
new corporation which it would
organize with Spade Drilling Corp.,
a Texas enterprise.
Boston Shipping presently has
two ships under SIU contract, the
Samuel Miller and Omar. Chap
man, both Libertys, The .Chapmqn ^qut.yet,.
was in Baltimore last week getting
ready to go into the shipyard.
The demand for the N3s has up
until now centered mostly on their
use for limited operations in the
St. Lawrence Seaway. The shal
low-draft vessels are considered
ideal for this service and a number
of them have been sought by vari
ous operators for use on the Sea
way. None of the N3s available iq
US reserve fleets have been broken
£ j
a
•3
I
m
'I
Nl
'.I
^1 11
Pare Six SEAFARERS LOG NeTembcr 22. 1997
Grounded Tanker Hangs On
SUP pumpman Dole Busse and an unidentified seaman rest up on
the deck of one of the salvage ships working to refloat the grounded
West Coast tonker Mission Son Miguel in the mid-Pocific. All
hands were rescued by the LST 664 ofter the tanker (background)
went aground on^Moro Reef lost month. She is hung up, stern un
der, while solvoge work continues.
RRs Open New War
On Coastwise Ships
Stung by the apparent success of Pan-Atlantic's trailer-
carrying operations in the coastwise trade, eastern railroads
have declared war on the coastwise steamship industry. The
railroads have proposed a rate
cut on their own "piggy-back"
freight car operations which,
in the view of the steamship op
erators, is designed to destroy
their business.
The proposal for a rate cut is
being fought before the Interstate
Commerce Commission by Pan-
Atlantic and also by Seatrain
Lines. Seatrain is a veteran of
legal wars with the railroads since
it first began its sea-going freight
car lift.
Carry At Loss
Both companies charge that the
railroads' proposed new rates
would involve carrying trailers
"piggy-back" at a loss to the rail
roads. The railroads are doing this,
they charge, so as to take business
away from Pan Atlantic and Sea
train and cripple their operations.
Once this has been accomplished,
the roads would be free to jack
their rates up again to profitable
levels.
Government regulations frown
on carrying cargo at a loss for the
purpose of destroying a competi
tor's ability to stay in business.
The railroads filed a new sched
ule of rates between Texas and
North Atlantic ports which are
identical with rates now charged
by Pan-Atlantic and Seatrain. The
two companies called upon the
Interstate Commerce Commission
to suspend the new rates because
they do not maintain the tradi
tional cost difference between
steamships and railroads. Steam
ship rates are set at a lower level
as a general rule because of the
Send Documents
On Baby Benefit
All Seafarers who expect to
apply for the SlU $200 mater
nity benefit and are currently
eligible for it—having one
day's se^atime in the past !)0
days and 90 days in 1956—are
u-ged to send in all necessary
documents when filing for the
h?nefit. Payment will be
"snde speedily when the Sea-
-r rs Welfare Plan receives
h baby's birth certificate, the
>-:;/farer's marriage certificate
a-J discharges showing eligi-
iiiiity seatime. Photostats are
aecepthble in pl^ce of originals.
cheaper costs of water transporta
tion.
As a result, the ICC has sus
pended the proposed rates pend
ing an investigation.
. J I V.f tJtli
Mobile Sees
Big Poland
Grain Run
MOBILE—Seafarers from this
area will be getting a first hand
peak behind the Iron Curtain soon
as the Northwestern Victory left
this week on a regular grain run
to Gdynia, Poland. It is expected
that other ships will carry grain
from the port of Mobile to the
•Baltic countries.
Shipping, although dragging
somewhat during the past period,
is expected to pick up soon. Water
man plans to crew up the Ideal X
and the Coalinga Hills which were
in the yards for repairs. In addi
tion to them, the Fairland has just
about completed conversion into a
trailership and is to make her
maiden run around the first of De
cember. This will be the third
trailership to enter Pan-Atlantic's
sea-land trailer service. Three
more vessels are undergoing con
version and are to come out of the
yards at monthly intervals.
According to the stories being
told around the hall, a lot of the
men on the beach here are taking
advantage of the opening of the
duck and deer hunting season.
There have been reports of "enor
mous" killings being made, but
very little by way of proof has been
offered. The season will remain
open until .January 7?
During the past period the Alcoa
Pioneer, Polaris, Corsair, Clipper
(Alcoa); Ideal X (Pan-Atlantic);
Monarch of the Seas, Claiborne
(Waterman), and the Northwestern
Victory (Victory Carriers) paid off
while the Pioneer, Polaris and
Northwestern Victory signed on.
In transit were the Del Mundo,
Del Viento (Mississippi), Hilton
(Bull) and the Natalie (Interconti
nental). - '
» i J ' I ( ).»n01 { V1af ct
How to HATCH
an Accident
Falling down through on open hatch is the kind of
accident that Seafarers are mentally-geared to Ovoid.
But if the hatch opening is partially-covered by a tar
paulin, a crewmember would naturally tend to assume
that underneath the tarp there was a fully-closed hatch
cover. He would then discover his error too late.
The sensible procedure to follow is to leave an open
hatch fully-open. Where for protection of cargo or some
other reason the hatch has to be closed temporarily, the
only proper way is to put strongbacks and covers back
in place and take them off again when the occasion
calls for it.
y
ToOi ,8 < i t f t-OS • i a i« -s.'.fld -'(» :?
NttT^ltabei!1987 SEAFAkEkS td^ Page Seven
YOUR DOllAR'S WORTH
Seafarer's Guide To Belter Buying
Bu Sidney Margoliut
Buying A Car Battery
Over 12 million car batterierfail each year, a great many of them
In mid-winter and mid-srummer. Both excessive cold and heat are hard
on batteries.
Even when they don't expire completely, malfunctioning batteries
are responsible for many weaknesses of car performance. Some bat
tery conditions may even cause damage to other components and start
a chain reaction that eventually can lead to engine failure itself.
Nowadays, manufacturers' guarantees sometimes are so exaggerated,
for competitive reasons, that they are no longer by themselves a re
liable index of value. Some manufacturers conservatively guarantee
their medium-duty batteries for 24 or 30 months and their heavy-duty
grades for 36. Others guarantee much the same grades for 36 and 48
months. Some now go up to five years, and there are even "ten-year
guarantees."
Actually a manufacturer risks little in pushing up his guarantee.
The guarantee merely means he will give you a proportionate allowance
on a new battery. Many batteries last beyond the guarantee anyway,
especially if properly serviced and the car is operated under not-too-
severe conditions. But even if a battery doesn't last the guarantee
period, the manufacturer merely sells you a new battery at what, in
effect, is a small discount from list pride.
Take a 36-month battery bought, say, for $20. Assume you get 32
months' use before It quits. You will get a credit of $3^.33. Deducting
the junk value, all you really get is $1.33 to $1.83 off on a new battery.
This you can generally get anyway.
Sometimes manufacturers up
their guarantees when they raise
prices. The obvious purpose is to
make buyers think they're getting
more because the guarantee is now
longer.
As for "lifetime" and "ten-year"
guarantees, in one case the Fed
eral Trade Commission recently
prohibited Life-Long Battery Mfg.
Co. of El Segundo, Calif., from
claiming its batteries "are guaran
teed ten years or for any period
unless the conditions of the guar
antee are stated. The FTC order
also prohibited claims the battery
is self-charging, contains silver or
nuclear cells, or is similar to the
nickel-cadmium or alkaline bat
teries used in Europe.
The more you understand your
battery, the better you'll be able to
avoid trouble and expense.
Lead-acid batteries are subject to a number of problems. Not
only is there a constant loss of charge, but the battery gradually loses
its ability to store and deliver power. In fact, it is wearing out even
when your car is not in use. In a properly-operating electrical system,
this wear is gradual. But if the voltage regulator is set too high so
that the battery is continuously overcharged, or the electrolyte is not
maintained at the required level, or any of a number of other condi
tions occur, the ordinary life exepectancy of a battery can be shortened
considerably.
One manufacturer reports that post-mortem examinations of thou
sands of batteries show 62 percent of the failures were caused by over
charging and 20 percent by sulphation. This results when a battery is
operated for a long time at a low rate of charge, or subjected to other
abuses as filling with water that has a high mineral content. In very
cold climates batteries sometimes also die prematurely because the
electrolyte freezes, especially when the battery is only partially charged.
In cold weather it's desirable to maintain a lower water level than in
warm weather so the electrolyte is more concentrated for faster starting.
Batteries roughly divide into light, medium, and heavy-duty grade.
Medium-duty batteries are equivalent to the original-equipment grade.
The SAE ampere-hour rating is one of several specifications you can
check to compare different grades and brands. Most batteries show
this rating right on the container. It indicates the battery's ability to
deliver power continuously over 20 hours. Thus a lOO-amp. battery
ordinarily can be expected to deliver five amperes continuously for 20
hours. One manufacturer explains that this test in a sense is a meas
ure of the number and size of the lead plates put into the battery.
Most brands of light-duty batteries rate 70 to 80 amps.; medium-duty
batteries range from 90 to 105, and heavy-duty, from 107 to 130. Nor
is the price any reliable criterion of quality. We have found lOO-amp.
batteries listed as high as $22, and 105-amp. batteries as low as $13,
both under well-known brand names.
Another test manufacturers use is the 20-minute ampere test, which
results in a higher rating. A battery with a rating of 100 ampere hours
may rate 125 on the 20-minute test. Sellers who list the 20-minute
rating before the hour test niay or may not do so to confuse buyers.
But whatever the intent, don't be misled by the 20-minuttf rating. ~
Light-duty batteries are recommended only for temporary use, or
In a mild climate. For most motorists driving under average condi
tions, the medium-duty grade gives best value. While there is a no
ticeable difference between typical amp-hour and cold-start ratings of
light and medium-duty batteries, the difference between medium and
heavy-duty grades is less sharp. Moreover, some manufacturers exact
an extra profit on heavy-duty batteries, charging more thjui the addi
tional manufacturing cost warrants.
A heavy-duty battery may be desirable under extreme conditions,
.as habitual stop-and-go driving In crowded traffic, very cold or hot
climates, or much over-the-road driving, which results in overcharging;
A tt * * "t.* a*" nnMmAe as mi^mnrnem- » • - A
Gathering Of The Morris Cian
Seafarer Harvey Morris proudly introduces twin additions to the Morris clan. Mrs. Lillian Morris
holds James Paul while Harvey holds' Harvey Jr. Outnumbered 5-to-1 by the boys is daughter Sarah,
17, with younger brothers Frankie, Preston and sharpshooter Patrick sitting in front. Twins brought
Morris $400 in StU maternity benefits plus two $25 US bonds from Union.
Dads Count Too, Docs Soy
A' h^tfvyiddtSr-BftfA^r'ddeV stand "up befter iihSer excVssive 'cTiargi'ng."
bar an international officer from
receiving extra compensation from
local unions or subordinate bodies,
and the election of a new Presi
dent, Karl Griepentrog, who insti
tuted an investigation of the un
ion's locals in California. The
union also ordered the withhold
ing of payments to former Sec.-
Treas. Anthony Doria, and efforts
were being made to regain some
$25,000 already paid to him.
Rap Old Sea Disaster Rule
Two New York psychiatrists who were aboard the lie de France at the time of tha
Andrea Doria disaster have criticized the time-honored rule of the sea—"women and chil
dren first." The lie de France rescued several hundred survivors from the Doria after it
was sunk in collision with the-
Swedish liner Stockholm in
July, 1956.
The psychiatrists suggested that
instead of a blanket "women and
children first" rule, it should be
"children and one parent first"
even if the parent happens to be
the father. In this way, orphaning
of the children or long separation
from the parents could be avoided.
The^ believe that such action
would minimize or prevent disas
trous effects on the child.
Parent Stops Shock
Drs. Paul Friedman and Louis
Linn studied the impact of separa
tion effects at first hand aboard the
He de France and repoi-ted their
findings in the American Journal
of Psychiatry. They declared that
during World War II studies had
shown that children who stayed
with at least' one parent were far
better able to withstand disasters
and other shocks than those who
were separated from their parents.
When the family is broken up, the
shock becomes too great, with dis
astrous long-term effects.
The doctors' conclusions drew a
fast rebuttal from shipping repre
sentatives. Captain Hewlett R.
Bishop, of the Maritime Adminis
tration said that "seamen . . .would
never allow a man to step into a
lifeboat with women and children
standing by ... if a father does not
want his child separated from him
he can always keep the child be
hind until it's time for the adults
to leave."
Brand-New Papas
Another sea captain put it more
bluntly when he declared, "You'd
have an awful lot of men claiming
children that didn't belong to
them." The best doesn't always
come out in people during disas
ters, he pointed out.
The "women and children" rule
has been standard on ships for
hundreds' of years, although In
practice it has not always worked
out that way. Records of many
historic maritime disasters show
instances of male passengers stam-
pedinjl the lifeboats in panic situ
ations.
Members of the International
Typographical Union have approv
ed a $1 million strike benefit fund.
Strike benefit rates will be pro
vided at 60 percent of normal
earnings for married printers and
40 percent for unmarried. Benefits
will be paid' for striking printers',
for "locked out" printers- and for
fnembers deprived of work by other
unions' strikes. An initial three-
month assessment of one percent
of earnings is expected to raise
$1,200,000 for the fund, with pro
visions for renewal should the
fund go below a certain level. The
official tally for the proposal was
36,729 to 36,342.
The first edition of "Solidarity,"
the new weekly newspaper which
will be the official organ of the
United Auto .Workers, will come
out the first week in December.
TThe eight-page paper will replace
the union's two monthly publica
tions, "The Auto Worker," and
"Ammunition." Ken Flester, form
erly editor and publicity director
for the Textile Workers Union,
will be editor of "Solidarity" and
director of the UAW's newly-or
ganized Publications Department.
The new w.eekly will be published
in several geographical editions
with four pages covering regional,
national and -international news
and four pages devoted largely to
a magazine section.
ti t> t
A one-year probationary period
levied on the Allied Industrial
Workers last May by the AFL-CIO
Executive Council was lifted last
week following receipt of a moni
tor's report that the union had
complied with the council's orders
to clean up. Among the affirmative
actions taken by the union's spe
cial convention was the adoption
of the Ethical Practices codes, a
closer check on finances of local
unions, the adoption of an aqnend-.
ment to the AIW's constitution to
Union 'License'
Ruled Illegal
FLORENCE. SC—A general ses
sions court judge has declared un
constitutional an act requiring the
licensing of union organizers in
Florence County and threw out an
indictment against an organizer
who failed to procure such a per
mit.
The act required that applicants
for the permit be residents of the
county for a year before they apr
ply, and that they list their places
of residence for the last ten years.
The authorities, under the law,
bad the right to refuse to issue a
permit in any case, and if they did
issue one, it was valid for only 60
days and had to be renewed.
Violated Constitution
Judge James M. Brailsford held
that the act, which applied only to
Florence County, was unconstitu
tional since it violated the state
constitution which barred the legis
lature from enacting local or spe
cial laws. Sucli laws must have
general application {hroughout the
state in order to be valid.
Brailsford dismissed an indict
ment against Irving Lebold, a Re
tail .Wholesale and Department
Store Union representative who
had failed to secure his permit
before" "orgariizingr
i • •
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• ''i i
'3 I
•VJ
"'5
Page Eight * ' SEAFARERS LOa
.•r- • '•'
November'22. 195T
NEW UNIOI
Construction workers "dope a joint" in the last phase of the sealing process
as pipeline is laid from rear of barge. The device on top of the pipe, called
a "jeep," is used to test completed seal and can de.tect even pinhole leaks.
Self-propelled dragline barge on treads crosses Vermilion River to
start digging a pipeline ditch through the marsh.
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Aerial view of Glaser Construction Company's big pipe yard and slip on
Bayou Delcambre near Delcambre, La. Miles of pipe ̂ re stored here in ad->
vanceof new pipeline project&.v ',r ; i J;;,
NATember 22, M5f • SEAFARERS LOG Pafc Nin*
..-•'4 •• i.'---
:.:'"X;;
-OONTRACTED PIPELINE OPERATION :
SIU-HIWD
-1- • : . U-ri . - .
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ji-iiS JK I
£W ®
New addition to SIU-HIWD-contracted fleet, the quarter boat Jim
houses about 30 operators, welders and laborers on a job.
Bayous
•"I-.--' •
.' -'
Teamwork between AFL-CIO construction trades
unions and the^SIU Harbor & Inland Waterways Division
exists under a Frst-time union agreement for marine per
sonnel of the G/oser Construction Co., of Lafayette, La.
The company is the biggest independent contractor in the
Gulf petroleum pipeline-laying industry.
, SIU-HIWD men crew tugs, barges and quarter boats
housing construction workers who lay the actual pipe
lines, which are used largely for the transportation of
natural gas. The pipelines wind inland from the Gulf
through assorted natural and man-made waterways until
ultimate delivery of the gas to industrial and residential
users. (See story on page 16.) ^
Cooks Alie Soileau (left) and Robert Joubert appear mighty chipper as
they ready evening meal in galley on the Jim,
New Glaser tug Helen stands on ways as SIU patrolman Tom Gould
(left) discusses operation with SIUtHlWD members Gerard and Alberie
Hebert, brothers who will be captain and mate of tug.
Details of SIU-HIWD welfare plan are studied on the Jim (1 to r) by
: tugmen G. Hebert, A. J. Boutte, A. Hebert and W. Quebedeaux; patrol-
• ... man Tom Gould, and cooks A. Soileau, R. Joubert and F. Benoit Jr.
. • m
Passe Ten ^EAFA^RS'ibbG Novediber 22, 1957
Last Rites For A Seafarer
Last rites ore administered to Seafarer Chester M. Shivery, 47, dur
ing burial service at Bahrein in the Persian Gulf. Shivery died of
heat prostration on the tanker Queenston Heights.
Boston Still
Faces Slack
BOSTON—Sliipping stayed fairly
steady for this port during the past
two weeks. There were no vessels
paying oif, and only one, the John
B. Waterman (Waterman), signed
on.
Port agent James Sheehan said
that most of the activity for the
period came from a number of in-
transit vessels. The Michael (Car-
ras), Robin Gray, Robin Kirk
(Robin), Council Grove, Bents Fort
and the Bradford Island (Cities
Service) called during the last
period.
The doctors at Brighton Marine
Hospital would like to extend their
thanks to the sister of Seafarer
Pete Jomides for helping them out
in a pinch. They had called the
hall asking for a man to act as in-
texpreter for an ill Greek seaman
who was taken olT his ship.
Pete was not home and his sister
volunteered to bring a friend to
handle the job. Everything worked
out fine and the medics were able
to get the information they needed
from the man.
NY-Montreal 'Seaway' Sought
The grudging acceptance by East Coast shipping interests of the inevitability of the I
St. Lawrence Seaway may actually pave the way for a little "seaway" linking Canada |
to New York City.
This alternate water route
could cut out 75 percent of
the mileage from the head
of the St. Lawrence into the At
lantic and around to New York.
The present route is a roundabout
1.700 miles that could be slashed
to under 450 at an estimated $90
million cost.
It would enable small freighters
to make their way from the vi
cinity of Montreal through the
Richelieu River and the Chambly
Canal, on through to Lake Champ-
lain and the Champlain Canal,
thence ^south via the Hudson to
New York. The principal costs in
volved would cover the deepening
of the Richelieu RiVer and the
six-foot Champlain Canal to 14
feet.
A 14-foot depth would make it
possible for 2,500-ton ships to
come all the way down from Can
ada instead of the 250-ton barges
now under use. Deep-sea service
is already in effect from New York
as far north as Albany, and trailer-
ship operations on the Hudson
River route may come to life soon.
Heavy Opposition
The major stumbling block
against the little "seaway" had
been the earlier bitter opposition
to the now-half-com^leted St. Law
rence waterway. This was finally
authorized by Congress in 1954,
some 40 years after it had orig
inally been proposed. The St.
Lawrence Seaway itself will be
ready by 1959, opening up a fourth
US "coast" stretching 2,200 miles
from the Atlantic to Duluth, Minn.,
at the head of Lake Superior.
Canadian roadblocks against the
Champlain "seaway" fell part
once the long-sought St. Lawrence
waterway began approaching reali
ty. In Washington, the Senate has
already authorized a study of the
plan and a drive for House ap
proval will be made next year.
Vermont, which has a common
border with NY on Lake Cham
plain, is especially Interested in
the potential of the proposed all-
water shortcut.
A meeting at Sorel, Quebec, at
tended by Canadian, New Yorl
and Vermont officials last monC
explored the possibilities of th
little "seaway" in connection wiC
its potential for Eastern Canad;
New England and the Hudson. Val-
Jey area. More than half the work
to be done calls for dredging on
the Canadian side, so that Canada
would wind up committed to more
than half the bill.
An adjunct to the Champlain
waterway would be an additional
route south from Canada to the
CAXAPA
CHAMBLY
CANAL
LAKZ CHAMPtAm
il', . •
'.'7 •
-YOEK.'^-
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CHAMPLAIN
CANAL
ryfALBANY
Map shows proposed route of
new New York-Montreal "sea-
• way." .
Hudson, then westward via the
main Erie Canal to Buffalo and
Rochester. This would open the
way for exploitation of the vast
untapped resources of Eastern
Canada, such as Labrador ores,
and new industrial expansion not
only for the Hudson Valley but
for areas utilizing Niagara power,
Robin Men
Get Rousing
Hand in Bait.
BALTIMORE—The membership
gave a rousing ovation to crew-
members of the Robirf Gray at the
last meeting in this port. These
laen, port agent Earl Sheppard
said, are doing a top notch job un
der adverse conditions and a sub
standard NMU contract in order to
keep the Robin ships under the
SIU banner until the vote is held
in the fleet.
Petitions have been filed call
ing for a vote on the NBC Line and
it is expected that an election will
be held soon. In the meantime
organizing is still going on among
the smaller outfits in the bay area.
Although shipping continued to
improve during the last period,
there was a drop in registration.
However, Seafarers are advised
not to give up fairly old cards in
outports to come here and ship.
There were 13 vessels paying off,
10 signing on and 12 in-transit
ships in the port during the pasf
two weeks. The Feltore, Santore,
Oremar, (Ore); Portmar, Texmar,
Bethcoaster (Calmar); The Cabins
(Terminal Tankers); Westport
(Transportation Util.); Barbara
Frietchie (Liberty Nav,); Omar
Chapman (Boston Shipping); Eve
lyn, Jean, and the Emilia (Bull) paid
off while the Massmar, Marymar,
Bethcoaster (Calmar); Santore,
Oremar, Ffeltore (Ore); John B.
Waterman (Waterman); Seagarden
(Penn, Nav.); Edith (Bull) and the
Westport (Boston Shipping) signed
on. Among the vessels in transit
were the Alcoa Runner, Puritan
(Alcoa); Robin Gray (Robin); Steel
Admiral (Isthmian) and the Citrus
Packer (Waterman),
PLYMOUTH VICTORY '(••thmUn),
t«pt. IS—Chtlrman, R. McCatkeyi
Saeratary, J. Gaidar. Latter to NY
re; repalra and anawer read-' td^'inein'-
bership. No one to go topslda without
busineii there. No drinking on board.
Few petty beefa In black gang. Dele
gate requested men to read agree
ment. Some disputed ot. Reports ac
cepted. New delegate to be elected
at special meeting.
WILLIAM H. CARRUTH (Trsns-
fual), Sept. If—Chairman, B. Baa;
Saeratary, P. McNabb. Headquarters
notified re: men hospitalized. Two
men short, two men promoted.
Foc'slea need' painting,^ Bad odors
from en^. dept shower to be cor
rected. Vote of thgnks to steward
dept. for fine Job despite shortage of
two men. Ship laid up in Brazil for
60 dayst one matt paid oif on mutual
Complaint about seasoning In food.
Suggest meeting with patrolman prior
to payoff.
>LVMOtltH" VICTORY (Isthmian),
Oct. ,27-^balrman, S. Thayer; Saera
tary, J. Ooldar. AU delegates to get
together and prepair repair list and
submit snmTe. Items ordered by stew
ard to be checked and Information
sent to N'T. Discussion on repalra:
schedule for sanitary work. Sehedula
to be posted In recreation room.
JOHN B. WATERMAN (Waterman),
Oct. 2S—Chairman, J. Quinnt; Secre
tary, O. Thornhill. Delegatp spoke of
men missing ship in Japan. Ship's
fund $15.75. Have new steam Iron.
Report accepted. Suggest depart-
ihental repair list. Oven door to be
repaired—other repalra to be made In
crew's quarters. Steward to see that
sufficient milk la ordered and deliv
ered promptly.
SEATRAIN GEORGIA (Saatrain),
Oct. 27—Chairman, 5. Charles; Secre
tary, ,A. Lambert. Safety meeting
held with 14 members present:, two
men missed ship. One man hospi
talized In Texas City—headquarters
notified. Letters to be sent to Wash
ington protesting closing of Savannah
hospital. Ship's fund $20.57. Reports
accepted. Cigarette butts to be placed
in ash trays not on deck. Place gar
bage In trash cans: place cups In
sink. Letter to be sent to Social Se
curity office requesting Information
on security payments. Vote of thanks
to Sir Charles for supplying free
Cokes. Vacation blanks can be ob
tained from Sir Charles.
DEL VIENTO (Mlis), Oct. 24—Chair
man, C. Johnscn; Secretary, I. Brown.
Vote of thanks to deck dept. for fine
cleaning job on ship. One man fired.
Ch. eng. asked all other men to stay
for another trip. Subsistence for two
days wUl be paid at payoff. Vote of
thank's to Brother Spears for Job well
done. Few hours' disputed ot. New
washing machine ordered. Cleaning
list for laundry to be made up next
trip. Union books to be turned over
to patrolman. Check of all books to
be made by delegates before payoff.
- ORION COMET (Orion), Sept. 2t—
Chairman, M. Bruno; Secretary, B.
Stark. Cleaning schedule made for
laundry room. Old washing machine
will be rigged to wash oily clothing
only. Capt. to have port discharges
ready before arrival In Persian Gulf.
Slop chest wlU be open one week for
cigarettes: next for general merchan
dise. Mall to be given to captain be
fore arrival. Delegates warn brothers
to keep personalities out of work. No
beefs. All letters to headquarters to
be bandied through delegates only,
•with their signature, then typed by
secretary. New secretary - reporter
elected. Each crew member to donate
50c. to ship's fund. New treasurer
elected. Request cooperation In keep
ing washing machine clean. Discus
sion re; securing movie projector for
ship. Delegate to check . captain on
draw. Cook asked men to consult him
on beefs concerning food. Steward
asks crew to make suggestions for
menu preferences.
WILD RANGER (Watermen), Oct. 21
—Chairman, W. Tregembe; Secretary,
D. Ruddy. Communications from
he'idquartert read. Need paint for
engine dept. Ship's fund $22.31. Few
houre disputed ot. Motion to take
hand vote on choice of Job calls—IB
for present hourly basis: IT for two
calls a day—one in morning and one
In aftemoon. Entire crew put In for
ot due to lack of draw on arrival at
, Pusan. Need aew washing^ inael^e.
ANGELINA (Bull), Oct. 10—Chair
man, P. Parker; Secretary, W. Walsh.
Report accepted. Bound for Spain-
will fiy light to Norfolk or Baltimore.
Oct. 25—Chairman, D. Hubbard;
Secretary, W. Walsh. TV antenna to
be removed from deck and stored.
Vote of lhanks to mcssman and pantry
man for good service rendered dur
ing voyage: Snrings In bathrooms to
be renewed. Snidine.s, beans and po-
,t.ato salad to be put out for night
lunch. Cooperation urged In keeping
ship clean.
CAROLYN (Bull), Oct. 31—Chair
man, A. Seda; Secretary, J. Shendock.
Take care of w.isliing machine. Cups
not lo l)e left on deck.
CITRUS PACKER (Wattrman), Oct.
<—Chairman, A. DeLaneyr Saeratary,
W. Harper. Washing machine to be
ro.iewod in NO. Laundry room paint
ed —everyone urged to keep It neat at
all limes.
consent: four men hospitalized and
flown home.
ARYLN (Bull), Oct. 4—Chairman, J.
Badnay; Saeratary, F. Collins. Some
repalra made. Request American
money for draw. Ship'i fund $1.30.
Discussion on food, menus, linen.
CHIVVAWA (Cities Service), Oct. 31
—Chairman, R. Coe; Secretary, A.
Casey. Delayed s.-Tiling Tampa & Port
Everglades—all okay. Discussion on
sanitary work. Vote of thanks to
stewards dept. for Job well done.
Men to put in full two hrs. when on
sanitary work.
ALCOA RUNNER (Alcoa), Oct. 27-
Chairman, R. Hall; Secratary, C. Da-
Mc/patl:!**. Ship'a fund $5.50. Re-
p jvta accepted. Same delegate elected.
I ' •'"oto of thanks to delegate for Job
well done. Delegate to contact Union
about contribution for longshoremen.
Request more assortment of fruits and
cookiea.
GATEWAY CITY (Pan Atlantic),
Oct 27—Chairman, E. Yates; .Secre
tary, J. Austin. Ship's fund $1.25.
Two hegfs—concerning call back and
few hours disputed ot. Sufficient
lights to be put on before cranes are.
unlashcd prep.yratory to being put
into operation on arrival in port. An
tennas to be put up. Ship to be ex
terminated for roaches and powder
put on board for same.
ALICE BROWN (Bloomfiald), Oct. S
—Chairman, S, Rothschild; Secratary,
J. Logfsliow. One man missed ship
in Galveston and one In BrownsvUle.
Repair list to be checked. Report ac
cepted. To elect new delegate. Beef
on fiesh fru'.t—should be left In lea
box In day time.
ALCOA POINTER (Alcoa), Oct. 24
—Cheirman, I. Romo; Secretary, L.
Bruce. One m.in mi.s.sed ship in Oki
nawa—cable sent asking delegate to
put o/T his gear at first US port. Dele
gate requested sober payoff. To see
patrolin.an at payoiT concerning diffi
culty in obtaining hospital slip for
one brother. Ship's fund $26. Twb
men getting olT. Suggestion to have
shades for lamps which can be
screwed on at black-out time. Vote
of thanks to steward dept. for Job
well done. Suggested voluntary con
tribution at payoff to help ship's fund.
MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Car
riers), Oct. 27—Chairman, J. Altstatt;
Secretary, A. Espeneda. New delegate
elected. Batliroom door locks to be
repaired. Beef on hot water.
SANTORE (Ore), Oct. 27—Chairman,
W. Reid; Secretary, J. Lamb. Need
new wa.sliing'jjiachine—to see patrol
man about same. Delegate gave re
port on pay raise pending disputed
ot—referred to NY. Crew warned
about c.xce.ssive drinking on board.
Surrender books to delegates. Ship's
fund $12.26. Discussion on PHS Clinic.
Write lettei' to Sen. Butler about sav
ing PUS. Beef about cups being left
on deck. Vote of thanks to steward
department.
WACOSTA (Waferman), Oct. 13 —
Chairman, E. Fain; Secretary, E. Ray.
Ship'a delegate resigned. New dele
gate elected. Ship's fund donated.
One man mi.s.sed ship In San Pedro.
Some disputed ot. One man hospital,
Ized In .San Pedro. Some repairs
made. Ship expected to go to Tampa,
NO & Mobile to load, but this Is not
official.
WARRIOR (Waterman), Oct. 21 —
Chairman, D. Mclnnis; Secretary, M.
Elliott. $20 draw to be put out and
more If ship does not pay off In Tamr
pa. Discussion on Bull Line beef.
Letter written to Washington on Pub-'
11c Health service cut down. Soma
disputed ot. Four men getting off.
Communlc.-itions read and general dis
cussion held on same: also on closing
of Public Health hospitals.
ALCOA POINTER (Alcoa), Sept. 2t
—Chairman, T. Connall; Secretary, L.
Bruce. No beefs—clean payoff—most
repairs made. 'When ship returns to
Gulf, will make extensive repairs.
Beef on penalty cargo—to be referred
to headquarters. Ship's fund $26.10.
Vote of thanks to officers and com
mittee for handling Bull Line beef.
New delegate elected. Use washing
machine, with care. Confine use of
laundry room to half an hour. Brother
asked permission to run a pool to help
ship's fund. Crew to discuss business
down below and not topaida with
officera.
STEEL TRAVELER (Isthmian), Nov.
2—Chairman, W. Wantling; Saeratary,
M, Sosplna. Ship's fund $24. New
delegate elected. One man left in
Wilmington. Drinking water is rusty.
Medicine chest to be checked. Fumi
gate ship for roaches. Suggest pur
chase of soft ball equipment. Return
soiled linen.
YAKA (Watarmsn), Oct. 1»—Chair
man, C. Burns; Saeratary, E. Wright.
Good cooperation between crew and
captain. One man hospitalized; Reso
lution—shall Union establish a new
hall in Portland Motion lost. Preg-
•uro on water cooler. No trading with
Koreans except on deck. Discussion
on whether to place a union repre-
•entative in Portland—carried.
KoTcmbcr 22. 19S1 SEAFjtRERS LOG Page Elevea .•
'Grounded'
BME Plans
Amendments
Referendum
Members of the SlU-affiliated
Brotherhood of Marine Engineers
will start voting by referendum bal
lot December 1 on a new Union
constitution. BME Engineers will
be polled at the same time on the
proposed merger plan with the Ma
rine Engineers Beneficial Associa
tion. Both questions will be cov
ered in a secret referendum ballot
covering a two-month period.
The new constitution was ap
proved by membership meetings at
the BME's headquarters and Phila
delphia branches last month.
The document was drafted by a
membership committee in consulta
tion with the BME's lawyers and
auditors.
Greater Membership Control
The new constitution provides for
greater membership control over
BME activities and more adequate
functioning of the union in its day-
to-day operations. Some of the ma
jor changes involve procedures for
more regular membership meetings
in all ports, revision of the trials
and appeals-procedures to permit
speedier handling of charges and
appeals, and endorsement of the
AFL-CIO code of ethical practices.
• The degree to which runaway flags are used to avoid union
conditions is being demonstrated today in Canada with the
Canadian government itself willing to pull down its own flag
rather than do business with the SIU Canadian District. The
government's action in threatening to transfer Canadian Na
tional Steamships' vessels amounts to nothing more or less
than government-sponsored strikebreaking.
It is to the credit of waterfront union representatives in
Trinidad, the flag of convenience which Canada has chosen,
that they want no part of these ships if the jobs come to them
at the expense of Canadian seamen.
The current strike of Canadian Seafarers is "the outgrowth
of six months' futile negotiations on a new contract. The
operators, apparently with the full backing of the Canadian
government, put their backs up and are ready to run to the
nearest low-wage haven they can find.
Fortunately, the entire Canadian labor movement and the
international trade union movement as well, is protesting this
arrogant move. It remains to be seen whether Canada will
carry out its threat.
i 4" 4"
'Can-Shakers'
Have No OK
The membership is again cau
tioned to beware of persons
soliciting funds on ships in be
half of memorials or any other
so-called "worthy causes." No
"can-shakers" or solicitors have
been authorized by the SIU."
Browning Arranging
Lakes-Atlantic Run
DETROIT—An SIU Great Lakes District operator has re
vealed plans to open a new "coast-wise" run with a lift-on lift
off trailership service between the Great Lakes and southern
Atlantic ports.
Troy S. Browning, president
of the T. H. Browning Steam
ship Company, said he plans to
convert two 8,500-ton vessels into
trailerships for service between
Detroit and Cleveland in 1958.
The service will later be extended
to Buffalo, Milwaukee, Chicago and
Duluth, and on the opening of the
St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959, to
the south Atlantic ports. This is
the first Great Lakes-coastwise
freight service using the Seaway
planned so far. Cost of converting
the ships. Browning said, would
run about $3 million each.
The SlU-contracted operator said
that the ships would caiTy about
400 specially-constructed vans each
in an operation similar to that now
employed by Pan-Atlantic in the
coastwise trade.
The opening of the St. Lawrence
Seaway, he continued, will be a
"shot in the arm" to the present
depressed coastwise service and
would go far In reviving a trade
which was once the backbone of
the American-flag shipping in
dustry."
Women Last?
The proposal of two psychiatrists to abandon the old "wom
en and children first" rule has stirred up the expected rebut
tal from various sections of maritime, an industry which has
its cherished traditions. The psychiatrists, who witnessed the
Andrea Doria rescue operation, feel that preserving the fam
ily unit—keeping children and parents together whether fa
ther or mother is involved—should be the primary objective
of marine rescue operations.
Somehow the sailor, who is sitting at anchorage in Vizaga-
patam, for instance, is liable to have more gallant feelings
towards women than a psychiatrist who does battle with
neutrotic females during his working hours. Perhaps the
whole issue can be neatly sidestepped by providing for a
little more shipboard safety in the international regulations.
^ 4» 41 4"
Libertys To Scrap Heap
kews that the Maritime Administration is going to start
scrapping some of the Libertys in the reserve fleet indicates
the beginning of the end for the trusty warhorse of World
War II. About 100 of the ships are going into the scrap heap,
but undoubtedly there will be more to come.
The Libertys were good when they had it, and some of them
are still performing yeoman service. But the fact that a
batch of them is about to be scrapped points up the need for
replacing exisiting Libertys in service with ships more suited
to present-day shipping need^, i-.issi.
NY Looks
Ahead To
Ship Vote
NEW YORK — Headquarters
wishes to extend its thanks to the
Seafarers who remained on their
jobs on the Robin Line ships and
enabled the Union to call for an
election. Bill Hall, assistant secre
tary-treasurer declared. It will be
through their continuing efforts
that the jobs on these ships will
be back on the boards in SIU halls
after the vote Js taken, he added.
The NLRB has ordered an elec
tion on the ships within the next
few weeks.
Shipping for the past period has
held its own. With the exception
of those men who are waiting for
a special ship or run, the dispatch
er reported, class A men can ship
most anytime they want.
There were 19 ships paying off
during the past two weeks, three
signed on and 10 were In transit.
The vessels paying off were the
Alcoa Puritan, Runner, Pegasus
(Alcoa); Seatraln New York and
Georgia, (Seatraln); Almena, Gate
way City (Pan-Atlantic); Morning
Light, Citrus Packer (Waterman);
Suzanne, Frances (Bull); Wellesley
Victory, Steel Traveler (Isthmian);
Robin Gray, Robin Sherwood, Rob
in Kirk (Robin); Pan Oceanic
Transporter (Penn. Nav.); CS Bal
timore (Cities Service). Signing on"
were the Steel Traveler (Isthmian),
Suzanne (Bull) and the Alcoa Run
ner (Alcoa).
The In-transit vessels were the
Portmar (Calmar); Steel Seafarer,
Steel Flyer, Steel Admiral, Welles-
ley Victory (Isthmian); Seatraln
Texas (Seatraln); Wacosta (Water
man); Val Chem (Heron) and the
Warrior (Pan-Atlantic).
Walton
"Everyone gets Into the act," Is
the motto on the Iberville accord
ing to Robert N. Walton, ship's re
porter. It took a little time, he
said, but with all
of the men coop
erating matters
have been ar
ranged so that
they can enjoy all
of the conven
iences of home.
First of all they
squared away a
movie program to
help pass away
the hours. Then, for those who like
to eat to music, or the ball game,
a short wave radio was set up In the
messhall. Luxury? "This is just
the start. We then Installed a tele
vision set, and for the bookworms,
built up a modern library."
Now most crews would be over
joyed to have this much, but there
is more to come, he said. "To in
sure a sound running ship, we
picked up five good engineers, all
from the 'Frisco Bay area, and a
new chief cook who does justice to
the title." He, in turn, brought
along a couple of top-notch help
ers for the department.
Of course, he continued, we have
some "leftovers." Among them Is
our baker, James McGill and his
"chief suggestion expert," Anthony
Nottage, chief electrician. Be
tween the two of them we never
know what will be served, but we
do know It will be good.
Now tell me, he asked, what more
could a' seaman want?
4. 4. 4.
"This is the first meeting for this
trip," writes B. Winborne, meeting
chairman on the Hastings, "for the
ship has been idle for a couple of
weeks. Although
there Is a new
crew aboard,
there are quite a
few old-time Un
ion men who are
taking care of the
delegate jobs. As
long as these jobs
are In good
hands," he said,
"we can look for
ward to a good trip, for any beefs
that arise will be settled in SIU
fashion by these delegates."
Winborne
Tanker Action
Slow In Gulf
LAKE CHARLES—It has been a
very slow shipping period for this
port. Although there were quite a
few class A and B men registered,
they were not around for the calls
and a couple of C cards were
shipped In the engine and steward
departments.
The Cantlgny, Chiwawa, Council
Grove, Government Camp, CS
Baltimore, Bents Fort, Royal Oak,
(Cities Service); Del Campo, Del
Vlento (Mississippi); Petro-Chem
(Valentine); Val Chem (Heron)
and the Pan Oceanic Transporter
(Penn. Nav.) were In port during
the last two weeks. All were In
t o . 1 > i i J.» - • 11 <
-'1
1
1 :-^l
V'''^
Par* Twelv* SEAFARERS LOG November 22, 1957
1 •.
/
SOT i^
cv.-.
A SEAFARER'S SKETCHBOOK
V
J- is
A"
V
Some of the items of interest seen in Africa by the MV Del So! ore pinpointed
by Seafarer Eddy Smith. At top (left) is a portrayal of a breadseller in Talco-
radi, "a city in the brand-new republic of Ghana apparently muddling along
in the fashion of the departed British . . The procession of a native chief
tain's wife (above) on the way to her husband's inauguration odds contrast.
At left, a view from Luanda, Angola, "an engaging Portuguese city . . . Th*
old fort overlooking the harbor it a 'must' for visitors.' A traffic cop took the
spotlight (above, right) in Lobito, Angola, as he directed things from his sun-
protected island on a busy avenue.
Member Action
Bolsters Union
To tlie Editor:
All members are urged to
keep up witli all current labor
news in the papers to compare
our Union with the ones that
are having a lot of Inside trouble.
Any union can go bad unless
the members within take an
active part. We think we have a
pretty good Union and want to
keep it that way.
Robert N. Walton
SS Iberville
c3i» t
Union Assist
Appreciated
To the Editor:
This is to express my grati
tude for the kind efforts and
cooperation by the SIU welfare
Services Department following
my telephone appeal regarding
my husband's readmission to
the US Public Health Service
hospital.
My husband, William, was re
admitted on the day that he re
ported as an outpatient after
being almost eight days without
medication. We both thank you.
Mrs. Camilla B. Serrano
4 4 -J.
Wants Pension
Age Cut to 55
To the Editor:
I am writing in regard to the
question in the "Inquiring Sea
farer" column in the LOG
(August 2, 1957) on what you
would like to see as the next for
ward step -of the Seafarers Wel
fare Plan.
My interest is in two particu
lar items. One I am very much
in favor of, is lowering the age
limit for retirement to. 55. with
20 years' seatime. I would also
like it to be made possible for
Seafarers' dependents to have
their teeth extracted, even if
Welfare would not put them
back in.
Kenneth A. Hunter
4 4 4
Surveyor's For
Job Call Change
To the Editor:
On the matter of changing
the system of hourly job calls,
which has been under discus-
Letters To
The Editor
All letters to the editor for
publication in the SEAFAR
ERS LOG must be signed
by the writer. Names will
be withheld upon request.
sion, the crew of the Steel Sur
veyor has taken the following
position;
By a hand vote, the crew voted
14-2 against the present system.
We voted 10-4 against two calls
a day at 11 AM and 4 PM.
Unanimous support was given
to a proposal for three calls a
clay at 10 AM and 1 PM and 4
PM. The Vote on this was 18-0.
C. Jensen
Ship's delegate
4 4 4
Hospital Assist
Reassures Wife
To the Editor:
I wish to express my thanks
to the SIU welfare .department
for its action in assuring my
wife of prompt and adequate
medical assistance for her past
and forthcoming operations.
I never doubted that such as
sistance would be forthcoming
but she, being both ill and
alone, was somewhat apprehen
sive. The letter of credit to the
hospital was most reassuring for
her and even though the opera
tion was postponed due to other-
illness, she is well aware that
she'll have all possible care.
I am deeply grateful and
proud of our SIU welfare plan.
We are in Durban, South
Africa, on our way back from
what has been a fine trip. I hope
to see you all soon and thank
you personally.
Bill Hand
4 4 4
Hurricane Crew
Sends Greetings
To the Editor:
I'm at present aboard the SS
Hurricane, on which we're due
to start the long voyage home
from Inchon, Korea, soon.
One of our crew, the 12-4 OS,
lost his mother during the
voyage but, due to sympathetic
consideration on the part of our
crew, was able to make th*
funeral in time to tender his
last respects,
We are ably represented by
a couple of good delegates and
enjoy good relations with top
side. The bosun is Manuel San
chez who, with the aid of three
good daymen, has accomplished
much during his brief stay
aboard to date.
From all indications, we shall
be in New York once again
come January 1st.
, C. L. "Bud" Cousins
Applauds Help
In Bereavement
To the Editor:
I write at this time to express
my thanks and sincere apprecia
tion to the SIU, its officers and
members for their sympathy and
help in my recent bereavement.
My husband, August Schroter,
died on Sept. 24 in Funchal,
Portugal.
To the members, I say thanks
for the formation of this Union
that is so generous to the fam-
ilies'bf its members. To the offi
cers of the Union and its Wel
fare department. I also express
my deepest thanks for the mari
ner in which they carry out with
such speed and efficiency the
wishes of the members.
Thanks also, to the LOG for
its interesting, educational and
recreational material which for
many years has kept me in close.
contact with my husband's way
of life.
I would also like to take this
opportunity to thank the Bull
Steamship Co. and the officers
and crew of the SS Arlyn for
their kindness and great assist
ance, inasmuch as my husband
passed away in a foreign coun
try.
I would love to greet each and
every one of you to express my
deepest thanks for all that yoti
have done and have meant to me
and my husband, not only Injliis
recent bereavement but for*the
many years that we have known
and loved you.
Mrs. Johanna Schroter
Clean-Up Detail
V
.'V
MS
MS:
ill
Wipers Quintilano Zambrano (left) and Ken Kirwin team up
to wipe up' oil tpilli from the deck of the Cities Service tanker
Fort Hoskins. Chester Coumos handled th* camera work.
. J « • • • B I
November 22, 1957' SEAFARERS LOG Pafe Tfilrteca
Ct NORFOLK (CItItt Sarvle*), Oct.
II—Chalrmaiv P. Hammal; Sacratary,
0. Nlalaan. Na baefa. Talafram acnt
t« unlan re: wiper hospitalized in
Japan. Captain te speak to crew
about smoking on deck when aions-
dde dock in Bahrein. Ship's fund
las.M. Motion te air condition all
abips running to tropics.
OCEAN DEBORAH (Maritime Over-
teas), Sept 9—Chairman, S. Stover;
Secretary, P. St. Marie. One man
hospitalized in Rotterdam. Few
hours disputed ot to be referred to
patrolman. Patrolman to see ch.
mate about unsafe working conditions
on deck and check same before
signing on. Need clothes line
below. Vote of thanks to steward
dept. for job well done.
GATEWAY CITY (Pan-Atlantic),
Sept. 29—Chairman, C. Lee; Secre
tary, J. Austin. Ship to pdy off,
payroll ending Tues. midnight. New
reporter elected. One man missed
ship in Mobile—to be referred- to
patrolman. Report accepted. Requets
hooks in crews' quarters and new
washing machine. Hooks ordered,
wUl be installed.
JOHN B. WATERMAN (Wate.'man),
Sept. 22—Chai^rman, B. Butterten;
Secrenry, C. Thornhill. Ship's fund.
$15.75. Vote of thanks to all.
LUCILLE BLOOMFIELD (Bloom-
fleld), Sept. IS—Chairman, R. Brown;
Secretary, P. Sheldrake. One man
missed ship in Texas. Ship's fund
$1.16. Shower to be cleared; wringer
and washing machine to be fixed.
Move fan in messhall.
MARGARET BROWN (Bloomfield),
Sept. 79—Chairman, J. Buckley; Sec
retary, F. NIgro. Most repairs made.
Messman moved to old hospital. One
man missed payoff—turned in to
patrolman. "Do not slam doors. Any
infractions against SIU constitution,
agreement and general misconduct
by any members wiH not be toler
ated. Ship's fund $27. Re-elect
ship's delegate. New feeding pro
gram explained to crew and general
discussion held on subject. Beefs to
be taken up with Headquarters. Vote
of thanks to Brother D, Hell for work
on ndw feeding program.
MAI (Bull), Sept. IS—Chairman,
P. BIschoff; Secretary, J. Jakleskl.
New ladder ordered. Repair list dis
cussed. Ship's fund $40.46. Purchased
lead-in wire for TV. Suggestion to
air-condition aU SiU ships running
to the tropics. Motion made not to
patronize non-union bars, especially
ones on Charles it E. Baltimore St.
Motion that ships carrying bulk car
goes, such' as sulphur, phosphate,
coal, bauxite-, etc., allow sanitary men
four hoiira time to do sanitary work
on day of departure. Take better
care of TV set. Food has improved
since last trip, l Vote of thanks to
delegate for Job/ well done.
STEEL VOYAGER (Isthmian), Oct.
19—Chairman, J. Hunt; Secretary, J.
Serrane. Keys to messreom and pan
try to be left with gangway Watch.
Ship's fund $20. Menus to be varied.
Bad milk to be condemned, need more
juices; shortage of fresh milk. Laun
dry to be kept clean. -Need plugs for
sink.
SHINNECOCK BAY (Tankthip),
Sept. 29—Chairman, - E. Czotnowtki;
Secretary, G. Skendelas. Repair list
to be made up. Chief engineer non-
cooperative—to be turned over to
patrolman.. Few hours disputed ot.
Motion not to sign on untU repairs
are made and newwashing machine
purchased. Fumigate ship for roaches.
Vote of thanks to steward dept.
Laundry room to be cleaned after
using. Bathrooms to be kept clean;
GOVERNMENT CAMP) (Cities Serv
ice), Oct. IS—Chairman, M. McNabb;
Secretary, ,-. Ruse. Men (jving in
south to be able to draw on ot. No
results. Ship's delegate elected. Dis
cussion on sailing board time—ship
has been loading in less than 12 hrs.
and sailing" board has not been posted
on arrival as per agreement.
VALLEY FORGE (Penn. Nav.),
Oct. 13—Chairman, M. Hitchcock;
Secretary, F. Barry. Letter and
photos sent to headquarters show
ing condition of ship. Repair list
turned in. Patrolman to see that
sufficient American money is put
aboard for draws in foreign ports.
Some disputed ot serving captain's
guests in saloon. Report accepted.
Stores to be checked by patrolman
in Norfolk as last trip stores were
inadequate. Port discharges in Bos
ton all fouled up,' also ones for pres
ent voyage, new ones to be de
manded.-
TOPA TOPA (Waterman), Oct. 4—
Chairman, L. Wing; Secretary, F.
Kustura. To pick up bunkers in San
Pedro. Captain will try to get shore
leave for crew; also give $25 draw
per man. Ship's fund $27. Disputed
ot and beefs to be taken care of at
payoff. Discussion on steam lines in
foc'sles aft—rooms get too hot. Mem
bers to pay for arrival chances at
draw. Discussion on refrigerator in
pantry. Vote of thanks to steward
dept.
DEL MAR (Miss.), Sept. 29—Chair
man, R. Stough, Jr.; Secretary, C.
Dowllng. Good trip. Some disputed
ot collected. New delegate elected.
Movie machine repaired and films
purchased. Will run few pools and
get donations for ship's fund. New
delegates elected. Report accepted.
Motion to give $50 from ship's fund
to any one setting off foreign for
hospitalization. Motion to- transfer
athletic fulid to ship's fund. Return
cups to pantry.
DEL NORTE (Miss.), $ept. 27 —
Chairman, J. Connors; Sacratary, H.
Crane. Everything running smoothly.
No beefs. Two men hospitaUzed in
Buenos Aires. Each given $50. Lay-
up pendinci this voyage. Ship's fund
$98.03. Some disputed ot. One man
Injured in faU. Request that prices
on slop chest be checked. $37 in deck
fund. Movie fund 100 percent. Vote
of thanks to baker for fine produc
tion. To purchase spare parts and
new films $56. To donate $10 to or
phan's cause in Brazil, for a total of
$200.
IRENESTAR (Triton), Sept. 29—
Chairman, B. Hay; Secretary, L. Rob
erts. One man missed ship in Brazil.
Beefs to be di.scusscd at meeting-
ail beefs to bg handled by patrol
man in proper manner. Ship's fund
$11.52. , One man paid off by mutual
consent—new man shipped aboard.
AU rooms painted. Question
about cooking of potatoes served
at breakfast time. To see pa
trolman about passageway which
black gang takes care of which could
not be painted by wipers so they
could obtain ot instead of deck
gang. All potatoes left over to be.
utilized. Also any leftovers must be
used before 48 hours. Beef dropped.
Vote of thanks lo steward dept. for
fine cooperation. Vote of thanks to
delegates for job well done.
WACOSTA (Waterman), Oct. 4—
Chairman, H. Graham; Secretary, F.
Wasmer. Ship's fund $17.25. Some
disputed ot. Repair list turned in.
Report accepted. Submit repair list
so that repairs. can be made before
payoff. Water tanks to be cleaned—
water rusty. Observe quiet in passage
ways when men are sleeping.
ALCOA ROAMER (Alcoa), Oct. 13—
Chairman, E. dsBsuttc; Sacratary, A.
Klamose. One man hospitalized in
Ponce. Agent notified. Motion for
payoff per agreement. Letter to C.
Simmons signed by all delegates. Gear
locker needed for deck dept.
ALCOA CORSAIR (Alcoa), Sept. 29
—Chairman, J. Prestwood; Secretary,
T. Costal lo. $64 coUected for mem
ber's wife. Messman missed ship in
Trinidad. Check with union haU if
wife needs hospitalization. Delegate
to check with patrolman about wash-
•ing machine. Ship's delegate requires
operation—necessitating new delegate
for two trips. Ship's movie fund $133.
New delegate elected. Keep Trinidad
shore-gang out of ship's housing if
no business there. Mess hall to be
kept clean. ^
MARYMAR (Calmar), Oct. 17—Chair
man, T. HIrsh; Secretary, A. Wile.
Ship's fund $13.50. Discussion on ot
or hours to be shown on pay slips.
Vote of thanks to steward dept. for
job well done.
CS MIAMI (Cities Service), Oct.
Chairman, B. Anderson; Secretary, T.
Nelson. Foc'sles to be painted. Vote
of thanks to steward dept.
CHILORE (Ore), Oct. 12—Chairman,
K. Hatglmlslas; Secretary, E. DeBar-
delaben. New delegate elected. Ship's
fund $21.50. Few minor beefs. Ob
serve quiet in passageways. Turn off
washing machine after use. Keep
recreation room clean. Keep feet off
chairs and benches in recreation
room. Vote of thanks to baker and
steward dept. Order deodorizers for
bathrooms.
EVELYN (Bull),-Oct. 13—Chairman,
J. Tutwiler; Secretary, E. Allen. Wash
ing machine to be repaired or re
placed. Ship's fund $64. Radio is to
be raffled off. Take better care of
washing machine—it is going to be
difficult to get a new one.
STEEL SCIENTIST (Isthmian), Oct.
I—Chairman, R. Adams; Secretary, K.
Collins. Minor beefs settled. Submit
repair list. Ship's fund $84. Few
hours disputed ot Jo be settled at
payoff. Report accepted. See patrol
man about medical aid given on ship.
Discussion on food not being cooked
enough and not enough variety of
dishes. Return cots after using.
DEL MUNDO (Miss.), $ept. 19 —
Chairman, P. Tatsen; Secretary, J.
,Brady. No beefs. Everything run
ning smoothly. Pleasant trip—some
new ports added to itinerary. Expect
to be out few weeks longer than
usual. Estimated day of arrival NO,
Nov. 1. New treasurer elected. All
donations to be given to dept. dele
gate and turned in to treasurer. One
man hospitalized—to be fiown to
States. No beefs, no disputed ot.
Union to see that ail ships signing on
foreign articles to have at least 90
days' stores. Vegetables running
short—claim is there are none avaU-
able. Steward, requests all ships
should be supimed with more fresh
frozen vegetables due to shortage.
Gives It Back To The Indians
in
states will forever remain un
der tribal control. Joy, jlso
known as "Cherokee Charlie" from
his old pro wrestling days, figures
he's salted away about $20,000 just
for the purchase of land and addi
tional amounts for various Indian
causes over the years.
He was honored in August by
the Mesquakie Indians of Tama,
Iowa, for willing his 186-acre farm
to the tribe. Joy will also turn
over 20 acres he owns near a
North Carolina Cherokee settle
ment in the Great Smoky Moun
tains in the same way.
Joy views the smaller tract as a
potential intertribal headquarters
"to further the relationship be
tween the Mesquakies and the
Eastern Cherokees, once ancient
and deadly enemies, as all will
know who have read the biography
of the great Fox chief Black
Hawk." He has returned from
time to time to participate in the
annual Cherokee pageant staged
there by the local settlement to
commemorate eai'ly Cherokee his
tory. .
All of the present Indian land
at Tama adjoins the oi-iginal
acreage bought by a handful of
Mesquakies in 1857, and held in
trust by the governor. The Tama
settlement marked its 100th anni
versary this year with a big pow
wow at which Joy was tendered
special honors.
The Mesquakies at Tama are also
k;iown as the Sac-Fox Indians, and
Joy was formerly married to the
granddaughter of Pushetonequa,
one of the last great chiefs of the
tribe. They had three children,
who speak both English and the
native Mesquakie language. Joy
claims Cherokee as well as Scotch-
English ancestry for himself.
An SIU man since 1938, he cel
ebrated his high school graduation
in 1926 by spending a month in
the Ozark Mountains living with
a bow and arrow just as his ances
tors did. Joy said this didn't work
out too well because the supply of
game wasn't as plentiful as it used
to be in the old days. He wound
up finding a lot of an-owheads and
stone axes on an old Osage camp
site near the White River.
Joy later went on to Drake Uni
versity at Des Moines, where he
made a name as an all-around ath
lete and won several track and
field titles in national meets. He
traveled about for ten years as a
professional heavyweight wrestler
before he began sailing, and has
been shipping ever since.
He had two ships torpedoed un
der him during World War 2, the
Alcoa Pathfinder and the Flora
McDonald, a Calmar liberty. On
'Sea-Spray' B/ Seafarer "Red" fink
Notify Union
About Sick Men
Ship's delegates are urged to
notify the Union immediately
when a shipmate is taken off
the vessel in any port because
of illness or injui-y. Delegates
should not wait until they send
in the ship's minutes but should
handle the matter in a separate
communication, so that the Un
ion can determine in what man
ner it can aid the brother.
• It would also be helpful if
the full name, rating and book
number was sent in. Address
these notifications to Welfare
Services at headquarters.
• G • • G
ADDRESS
CITY ZONE. ..
STATE
Dedicated to the cause of his brother Indians, Seafarer Jesse Joy (left) is shown at Mesquckie Indian
powwow in Tama, Iowa, where h» was honored for willing over 200 acres of land to tribal use, Joy
credits SIU earnings since 1938 with providing the cash for land purchases. He's shown with Jessup
Lasley, 1957 champion dancer at the Mesquakie powwow (center), and John Popakee.
Part Indian himself. Seafarer Jesse Joy takes the slang expression about "giving it
back to the Indians" pretty seriously.
Thanks to his SIU earnings of the last 19 years, title to over 200 acres of land adjoining
Indian settlements in two-^
the Flora McDonald, which wae
torpedoed about 100 miles from
Freetown, Sierra Leone, in 1943, he
lost a brother Cherokee, Austin
Wahnetah, who had sailed with
him since he began sailing. "I
still recall that day and remember
it vividly each time our meetings
ashore or at sea pause to honor
our departed brothers. He was a
great friend," Joy added.
Editor,
SEAFARERS LOG.
675 Fourth Ave.,
Brooklyn 32, NY
I would like to receive the
SEAFARERS LOG — please
>ut my name on your mailing
ist. (Print Information)
^l^^hdE .................
STREET ADDRESS
CITY ZONE ...
STATE
TO AVOID DUPLICATION: If you
•ro on eld lubicribei tnd have a
change ef addreit, please give your
former address beiowi
•••1
- ,i
1
P«r« Fourteen SEAFARERS LOG NoTember 22. 195T
What's For Chow, Boys?
ii
I ii-y. • m
h
I ,t 14
Four members of a happy galley force aboard the Steel Naviga
tor, where there is always something good for coffeetime, says
G. F. Abundo, pose in the galley. Pictured while on the US Gulf-
Far East-Hawaii run (I to r) are Louis Santos, 3rd coolc; Pedro Ibar-
dolas, galleyman; John Pastrano, chief cook and G. Ebon, 2nd
cook and baker. Abundo sent in the photo.
USPHS HOSPITAL
STATEN ISLAND. NY
Oscar Adams Robert Qulnn
Robert Anderson Artemo Quinonei
Allie Andron C. Reyes
George Chaudoin Paul W. Seidenberg
Irving Denobriga Benedikt Smoljan
David Furman William Susikari
Burt Hanback Stanley Swienekiski
D. Hetherington Dominick Trevisano
William Kenny William Vaughan
Phillip Mack Aniello Verdamare
Marcel Makatangay Frank Villacorta
Joaquin Miniz WiUie Walker
Robert Parker Jack Williams
USPHS HOSPITAL
SEATTLE, WASH.
A. A. Franklin
USPHS HOSPITAL
BOSTON, MASS.
George D. Rourke Wm. J. Powers
Harry S. Murray
USPHS HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MD.
Talmadge Barbour Mariua Rank
Francisco Bueno Stanley A. Rodgers
Jose Garcia Joseph RoU
Gorman Glaze John A. Smith
Thomas F. Gaivin Wm. J. S ;ephens
Sam Hacker Peter TriantaRUoa
Walter L. Jackson William Williams
Wm. Kovamees Andrew Suech
James McFarlin Clarence Gardner
John Ossman Alejandro Lopei
Francis O'Laughlin Walter Mitchell
USPHS HOSPITAL
MANHATTAN BEACH
BROOKLYN, NY
Manuel Antonana Patrick McCann
Eladio Aris ' Archibald McGuigan
Fortunate Bacomo H. C. Mclssac
Jose°ph J. Bass Albert MartinelU
Melvin W. Bass Vic Milazzo
Juan Denopra Joseph B. Murphy
John J. Oriscoll C. Osinski
Fabin Furmanek George G. Phifer
Joseph M. Gillard G. A. Puissegur
Bart E. Guranick Luciano Ramos
Everett Haislett Winston E. Renny
Wade B. Harrell G. E. Shumaker
Percy Harrelson Kevin B. Skelly
Taib Hassen Henry E. Smith
Billy R. Hill Michael Toth
Antonio Infants Harry S. Tuttls
Ira H. Kilgore VirgU E. WUmoth
Ludwig Kristiansen Pen Wing
Frederick Landry Dexter Worrell
USPHS HOSPITAL
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
William Bargone Robert McCulloch
Marlow C. Barton Alvie L. Means
James Beasiey - Gregory Morejon
John W. Bigwood Michael Muzio
Claude Blanks Charles Nicholson
John Brooks Wesley A. Palmer
Rozelio Castillo Jerry Pontiff
Thomas Caylor Jr. Winford PoweU
Cloise Coats Randolph Ratcliff
George Curry Toxie Sanford
Leon Dilberto H. Leonard Shaw
Ben Foster Irwin Sherman
AdeUn Fruge Toefll SmigielskI
Dennis Gomez Wert A. Spencer
Leon Gordon Chas. H. Summerell
Alvin Henderson Nicholas Tala
James Hudson Gerald L. Thaxter
Eugene B. Hunt Liicien Theriot
Edward G. Knapp Frank Unger
Antoine Landry Ruben Vanes
Leo Lang James E. Ward
William Lawless Roy Warren
Thomas White CUfford Wuertz
Charles Williams Jacob Zimmer
USPHS HOSPITAL
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
B. F. Deibler W. E. Orzechowski
Siegfried Gnittks John C. Palmer
Vares R. Hodges August J. Panepinto
USPHS HOSPITAL
MEMPHIS, TENN.
Charles Burton
VA HOSPITAL
HOUSTON, TEXAS
John P. WUliamson
MONTEBELLO
CHRONIC DISEASE HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MD.
Francisco Bueno
USPHS HOSPITAL
GALVESTON, TEXAS
Marvin P. Bennett Nighbert Straton
B. F. Grice Vivian E. Wilkerson
SAILORS SNUG HARBOR
STATEN ISLAND, NY
Victor B. Cooper
TOURO INFIRMARY
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
Louis D. Bernier
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
D. Bartol B. Pritiken
J. H. Berger L. Ready
C. Ferregna • S. H. Sun
S. J. Guiffre A. O. Vallejo
F. Kostelic N. I. West
Jose Marso A. A. Plzarro
J. McCann
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAVANNAH, GA.
B. B. Blanchard Angelo Martins
Grover Duncan Fred Miller
Charles E. Joyner WiUie C. Sanders
Jimmie Littleton
USPHS HOSPITAL
NORFOLK, VA.
Frank T. Campbell Prescott Spinney
Tommle Parker
EASTERN SHORE STATE HOSPITAL
CAMBRIDGE. MD.
Thomas R. Lehay
Throw In For
A Meeting Job
Under the rules of the SIU,
any member can nominate him
self for meeting chairman, read
ing clerk or any other post that
may be up for election before
the membership, including com
mittees, such as the tallying
committees, financial commit
tees and other groups named by
the membership.
Since SIU membership meet
ing officers are elected at the
start of each meeting, those who
wish to run for those meeting
offices can do so.
sni HAIJ,
DIRECTORY
SIU, A&G District
BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St.
Earl Sheppard. Agent EAstern 7-4900
BOSTON 278 State St.
James Sheeh'an, Agent Richmond 2-0140
HOUSTON 4202 Canal St.
Robert Matthews, Agent
Capital 3-4089: 3-4080
LAKE CHARLES, La. . 1419 Ryan St.
Leroy Clarke, Agent HEmlock 6-5744
MOBTLE "1 South Lawrence St.
Cal Tanner, Agent HEmlock 2-1754
MORGAN CITY 912 Front St.
Tom Gould, Agent Phone 2156
NEW ORLEANS 523 BlenvUle St.
Lindsey Williams, Agent Tulane 8626
NEW YORK 675 4th Ave., Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6600
NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St.
Ben^Rees, Agent MAdison 2-9834
PHILADELPHIA 337 Market St.
S. CarduUo, Agent Market 7-1635
PUERTA de TIERRA PR 101 Pelayo
Sal CoUs,. Agent Phone 2-5996
SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St.
Marty Breithoff. Agent Douglas 2-5475
SAVANNAH 2 Abercorn St.
E. B. McAuley, Agent Adams 3-1728
SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
Jeff Gillette, Agent ElUott 4334
TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St.
Tom Banning, Agent Phone 2-1323
WILMINGTON, Calif ... 505 Marine Ave.
Reed Humphries, Agent Terminal 4-2874
HEADQUARTERS. . 675 4th Ave., Bklyn.
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Paul HaU
ASST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS
J. Algina, Deck C. Simmons, Joint
J. Volplan, Eng. W. HaU, Joint
E Mooney, Std. R. Matthews, Joint
SUP
HONOLULU 16 Merchant St.
Phone 5-8777
PORTLAND 211 SW Clay St.
CApital 3-4336
RICHMOND. Calif....510 Macdonald Ave.
BEacon 2-0925
SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St.
Douglas 2-8363
SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
Main 0290
WILMINGTON 605 Marina Ave.
Terminal 4-3131
NEW YORK 678 4th Ave., Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6165
Canadian District
HALIFAX. N.S 128V4 HoUig St.
Phone 3-8911
MONTREAL 634 St. James St. West
PLateau 8161
FORT WILLIAM 408 Simpson St.
Ontario Phone: 3-3221
PORT COLBORNK ..103 Durham St.
Ontario Phone: 5591
TORONTO. Ontario 272 King St. E.
EMpire 4-5719
VICTORIA. BC 61714 Cormorant St.
EMpire 4531
VANCOUVER. BC 298 Main St.
Pacific 3468
SYDNEY. NS 304 Charlotte St.
Phone: 6346
BAGOTVILLE, Quebao 20 Elgin St.
Phone: 545
THOROLD, Ontario 52 St. Davids St.
CAnal 7-3202
QUEBEC 44 Sault-aU-Matelot
Quebeo Phone: 3-1569
SAINT JOHN 177 Prince WUliam St.
NB OX 2-5431
Great Lakes District
ALPENA. 1215 N. Second Ave.
Phone: 713-J
BUFFALO. NY 180 Main St.
Phone: Cleveland 7391
CLEVELAND 734 Lakeside Ave.. NE
Phone: Main 1-0147
DETROIT 1038 3rd St.
Phone: Woodward 1-6857
DULUTH 621 W. Superior St.
Phone: Randolph 2-4110
SOUTH CHICAGO 3261 E. 92nd St.
Phone: Essex 5-2410
Urges Broader
Pension Benefit
To the Editor:
A couple of weeks ago I wrote
a letter (LOG, NOv. 8) discussing
at length the broadening of the
retirement feature of our wel
fare plan.
Since then I have read Broth
er James Eichenberg's letter in
a recent copy of our Union's
paper (LOG, Sept. 27). I think
his proposal has sounder merits
and is more equitable to the
Letters To
The Editor
All letters to the editor for
publication in the SEAFAR
ERS LOG must -be signed
by the writer. Names will
be withheld upon request.
membership's needs than the
one I stated.
Eichenberg proposed we
Ehould keep our present total
disability set-up at any age,
providing the applicant has 12
years' seatime. (Ed. note: Broth
er Eichenberg actualiy urged a
cut to ten years' seatime for a
disability pension.) He also said
that with 20 years' seatime a
m'an should have the choice to
retire with a pension if he so
desires.
This pension should be deter
mined, I would say, by what the
plan could bear from year to
year as time progresses. After
all, 20 years at sea is a long
time. It would take probably 25
to 30 years of steady sailing to
accumulate 20 full years in sea
time. Life at sea, at its best, is
hard. It's wearing, no doubt.
I think we should have a third
provision that a man reaching
55 and wishing to retire be
given two-thirds of a pre-deter-
mined amount and, upon reach
ing 60 years of age, be given a
full pension. After all, the
armed services do not go by a
man's age but by his actual time .
spent in,service.
Why should a man sweat all
his life to draw a pension or
work toward attaining one and
then having but six or eight
years of his life left, be so worn
out he can't enjoy either the
pension or what's left of his life?
One has but to look at the
"Final Dispatch" column In the
LOG to see that seamen, on the
whole, do not live to a "ripe old
age." There are exceptions, but
consistently I've noticed few
reach even-65 years of age.
I wrote this as just one mem
ber to let you know v/hat I and
others think on this subject.
While I'm still on this, here is
another facet of this self-same
subject: The computation and
acceptance of seatime.
What about the many of us
who Wave sailing time accumu
lated while employed aboard
SUP ships? . I have ran into at
least six or eight men, myself
included, who have-this time.
I myself have between two
and three years; others I have
met have equal amounts. We
took these ships in good faith
during World War' II, never
dreaming then of anything such
as a welfare plan. Please print
this letter.
Paul Arthofer
SS Del Mar
4" 4«
Union Welfare
HeSp Applauded
To the Editor:
I wish to express my sincere
thanks for the two checks sent
by the Seafarers Welfare Plan
to cover my surgical and hos
pital bill.
We ourselves had a hospital
plan which as yet has not lived
up to its agreement in its entire
ty. This disappointment was
certainly offset by your help.
In the face of other unions'
unfair practices your generosity
is outst'anding. Thank you
again!
Mrs. Luther Roberts
i 4« 4-
Fishing's Great,
Says 'Pop' West
To the Editor:
Here are a couple of pictures
taken at Lake Dexter, Florida.
A friend and myself stayed
there five days and averaged 40
speckled perch a day.
We could have caught even
more, but we didn't want to rub
it in too much on "Blackie"
"Pop" West shows off what
he calls an "average"
catch down at Lake Dexter,
Pla.
Farreil of Tampa. "Blackie" was
supposed to have taken his vaca
tion with us, but didn't get off
the Madaket after all.
The fish sure are biting down
here and I am sure getting my
share. It's too bad "Blackie"
couldn't be with us, as we have
been living on big fat. roe, mul
let, etc., and you know what
kind of chow that Is.
Greetings to the best Union
and the best bunch of men In
the world.
C. R. "Pop" West
November 22, 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Pare Fifteen
ORION COMIT (Orion), Oct.
Chairman, L. Frailtrf' lacratary, W.
•tark. Captain baa limited drawa.
Crew cautioned a a a 1 n a t mlsalng
watchea without perralaaion and pre
vious arrangements. Each dept. to
take care of their respective beefs.
Launch schedule to be posted on ar
rival. Ship's fund fS.SO. One man
hospitalized. Report accepted. Crew
to cooperate on coffee consumption—
now using 9 lbs. daily—should be
approx. 7 lbs. Crew urged to take
care of linen and cots. Crew agrees
on 4;30-5;30 supper in port. Chairs to
be returned after using on deck. Urge
cooperation In keeping laundry clean.
ORION STAR (Orion), Sept. 19 —
Chairman, W. Taffner; Secretary, R.
Mills. Captain has cut down on draws
as much as possible, also slop chest
prices are much higher than usual
KATHRYN (Bull), Nov. 4—Chair
man, H. Beekar; Secretary, W. Ortiz.
One man hospitalized In Ponce. Refer
list delayed sailing to patrolman.
Ship's fund $6. Report accepted. To
see patrolman, about information
about Bull Line beef. Request infor
mation on negotiations.
. HASTINGS (Waterman), Oct. 27—
Chairman, C. Oglesby;/Secretary, J.
Weils. Few hours disputed ot. Good
trip, few minor beefs. Rooms to be
left clean when getting off Ship. Men
asked to be sober-'at payoff. Keep
feet, off tables and chairs; Vote of
thanks to steward dept. for good food
and line Job done. Repair list to be
submitted. Good trip, Bne coopera
tion, no loggins and no foul-ups. All
delegates did good Job in keeping
things running smoothly. .Good crew.
SUZANNE (Bulk, Oct. M-^Chalr-
man, C. Babick; Sscratary, C. Gill.
Chief cook hospitalized; few logs, all
else okay. Few hours disputed ot.
Report accepted. Motion to have com
pany put out agents' addresses in for
eign ports for mail purposes. Motion
to have bus service from Sunny Point
to Wilmington. Make up repair list
soon as possible, turned over to car
penter so that repairs can be made
before arriving in port. Vote of
thanks to steward dept. for good
phow. Need library, logs and ot
sheets.
PORTMAR (Calmar), Oct. 27—Chair
man, R. Campbell; Secretary, R. Sa
vior. Keep clotheslines clear of dry
clothes. Ship's fund G11.30. Few
hours disputed ot. Reports accepted.
Washing machine wringer to be re
placed. Suggestion to increase ship's
fund. Glasses not to be placed in
sink: leave sink dry.
EVELYN (Bull), Nov. 3—Chairman,
Okray; Secretary, W. Golf. Washing
machine needs repairing or replace
with new one. Hot water to be fixed.
Ship's fund 931. Purchased new
radio. See steward about milk re
ceived in NJ. Check on repair list.
. OREMAR (Ore Nav.), Nov. 2 —
Chairman, H. Moon, Jr., Secretary, P.
Essman. Ship's fund 933.76. Porthole
dogs to be freed and oiled. Less noise
in passageway. Members asked not to
upset food for men standing watch
at night.
9TEEL CHEMIST (Isthmian), Oct. 22
—Chairman, H. Kaufman; Secretary,
E. Starns. Some disputed ot. Re
ports accepted. Crew asked to keep
ali main deck screen doors locked in
port, except those at gangway. Crew
warned about American money in,
Indonesia.
Nov. 3—Chairman, W. Worthlngton;
Secretary, C. Starns. Delegate had
several minor beefs—asked coopera- .
tion from crew.
CITY OF ALMA (Waterman), Oct.
24—Chairman, M. LIbby; Secretary, H.
Fitzgerald. Majority of major re
pairs made. Slojf chest inadequate;
will be stored completely on west
coast before departure for overseas.
New reporter and treasurer elected.
Sliip's fund 917. Communication re:
950 deductible surgical paymgnt dls-
ousMd. Retained lame delegate.
Library to be replenished In Long
Beach. Vote of toanke to steward
dept. for Job well done,.
BARBARA PRIRTCHIi (Liberty),
Nov. 3—Chairman, A. Oregofre; Sec
retary, M. Kramer. Everything run
ning smoothly. Communications read.
Repair list submitted. Some dis
puted ot. Report accepted. Ship to
be fumigated. Votp of thanks to
Stewards dept.
COALINGA HILLS (Pen-Atlantic),
Oct. 27—Chairman, P. Leonard] Sec
retary, H. Orlando. One man missed
ship.. Repair list submitted. Reports
accepted.
DEL ALBA (MIss.), Nov. 2—Chair
man, C. Oarter, Jr,; Secretary, C. Ell-
zey. New delegate elected. Ship's
fund 931.39. Library put on board—
crew asked to return books when fin
ished. Discussion on 2at-walk not
being safe at night; will be taken up
with mate.
PAN OCEANiC TRANSPORTER
(Penn Nay.), Nov. I—Chairman, 9.
Stockman; Secretary, P. Nealy. Four
men missed ship. Ship's fund 94.80.
Some disputed ot—to be referred to
patrolman. New delegate elected.
Something to be done about rusty
water; getting rooms painted; colder
water in fountain.
except cigarettes. Some disputed ot.
Request cigarettes be put in box in
recreation room—ali cups be returned
to pantry. Vote of thanks to steward
dept., cook and baker.
Oct. 27—Chairman, D. Barry; Secre
tary, R. Mills. Beef about draws—
amount allowed by captain. One man
hospitalized In Singapore. Captain to
post copy of letter from Bahrain
government restricting liberty. Some
disputed ot. Had argument to get
medical attention for injured man.
Captain stopped ship at Singapore for
doctor to come aboard. Disputed time
for restriction. New reporter and
treasurer elected. Members asked to
donate to ship's fund. To purchase
new reading material. Discussion on
draws and withholding tax, slop chest
prices, beefs In general, income tax
of licensed personnel, restriction in
Bahrain. Use more care in handling
dishes and glasses, also washing' ma
chine.
AZALEA CITY (Pan-Atlantic),
Oct. 20—Chairman, B. Jones; 9ecre-
tary, R. Elliott. New delegate elected.
Two men ill. One nian short. No
beefs. Water backs up in laundry
room. Discussion on repairs. Showers
to be repaired.
IBERVILLE (Waterman), 9ept. 30—
Chairman, J. Housel; gecretary, R.
Walton. Laundry to be returiled
amidships. 930 movie fund deficit. Re
pair list to be submitted. Formgr
and present crewmembers endeavor
ing to maintain movie program, ra
dio, television and good library for
enjoyment of all. Some disputed ot.
New cook and good baker on this
trip. All members urged to keep up
with current labor news and com
pare SlU with ones having a lot of
Inside trouble. Members urged to take,
active part in Union. Manhole cover
and hatch needs repairing. Money
due on projector—all hands asked to
cooperate In payments. New porthole'
gaskets needed in engine & steward
dept. Landing stages needed for bot
tom of gangway.
WESTPORT (World Tramp.), Oct. 13
—Chairman, G. Gage; Secretary, R.
Mitchell. Discussion on men who
wish to pay off in PR. Delegate dis
cussed news from sparks with cap
tain—can do nothing about It. Few
hours disputed ot. Steward to accept
only good grade of meat. New report
er elected. Discussion on chow and
soap powder—to check with agent.
No loud, boisterous talk or swearing
aboard ship. Wiper to be turned In
to patrolman for neglecting sanitary
duties. Scuppers to be cleaned.
Sparks endeavor to get MTD News.
THE CABINS (Terminal Tankers),
Oct. 21—Chairman, L. PInella; Secre
tary, O. Kane. Shower to be scraped
and painted. Insufficient stores or
dered. Reports accepted.
STEEL FABRICATOR (Isthmian),
Oct, 13—Chairman, C. Chandler; Sec
retary', E. Klingvall. Captain run
ning . out of travelers' checks—^last
draw Penyang. Ship's fund 9138.90.
Repair list to be submitted. SIU
mail to delegate should be handled
only by delegate. Everything running
smoothly. No beefs.
STEEL SURVEYOR (Isthmian), Aug.
t—Chairman, J. Robinson; Secretary,
P. Shala. Men warned about fighting
and Ibgglngs; contracting diseases.
Ship's fund 952. Radio repaired; pur
chased two movies. Some disputed ot.
Reports accepted. Suggestion that
ships on tropical run should supply
four bath towels and three face
towels per week. To write letter to
negotiating committee and bring to
company's attention. Motion that
company should distribute American
money Instead of travelers' checks In
Nassau. Foc'sle locks to be checked by
locksmith and replace same with
tumbler locks. Take better care of
washing machine—no spare parts
aboard. Thanks to affiliates for help
in ACS beef. Drinking water rusty—
to see patrolman about same.
Sept. 4—Chairman, J. Robinson; 9sc-
rstary, F. Shala. Captain to pay In
jured man off in Colombo. Ship's
fund 941.50. Some disputed ot. Re
ports accepted. Hand vote taken re
garding method of Job calls. 940 to
be given to injured man from fund.
. Will have arrival pool to replenish
fund.
RION (Actlum), Oct. «—Chairman,
H. Mooney; Secretary, J. Hopkins.
Two men missed ship in Casablanca;
clothes packed and listed. Took one
replacement. Two men promoted in
kteward dept. Vote of thanks to dele
gate and steward dept. for Job well
done. Few hours disputed ot. Two
students left ship to return to school.
Two men short. Suggestion that dis
patchers try to confine these men to
coastwise vessels or ships making
regular run. Ice box needs repairs
or replacing. Ship to be sprayed for
roaches. Dry cereais contaminated
with weevils should be discarded.
ORION PLANET (Orion), Oct. 19—
Chairman, R. Perry; 9ecretary, T.
Yablonsky, Next draw to be In yen
or money order. Latter re: vacation
pay read to membership. One SUP
and one ex-NMU replacements picked
up In Japan. No beefs. Motion to
have special launch In port for
watch changes. Proper dress to he
worn In messhall. Discussion on
special launch for watch changes In
Japan.
Robin Vote
(Continued from page 3)
indicated ttiat the status quo would
be observed on contractual rela
tionships as well.
Subsequently, the SIU was noti
fied by Mooremack that it was
placing the ships under the juris
diction of the NMU contract, dis
regarding the wishes of the SIU
membership aboard the ships. The
company then ordered all its re
placements from the NMU hiring
haU.
SIU headquarters was convinced
that this step was undertaken at
the instigation of the NMU which
was anxious to get its hands on
the jobs. This conviction was rein
forced when the NMU began a
campaign in the fleet which in
cluded a letter signed by Curran
urging Seafarers to switch their
union affiliation in the fleet. It
became clear then that the NMU
had embarked on a raid against
the SIU. (Curran, incidentally, has
beei^uoted profusely as support
ing no-raiding agreements.)
The SIU countered by filing its
election petition with the Labor
Board, while Seafarers on board
the ships resisted heavy NMU pres
sure to quit their jobs or to turn
in their SIU membership books.
This is the second time that the
NMU has attempted a raid on the
Robin Line. In the first instance,
back in 1940, the SIU won an elec
tion by a count of 199 to one. The
NMU was unable then to muster
sufficient strength in the fleet to
even get on the ballot.
J. N. Fusilier
Your gear, papers and Union
book were left aboard the Pan
Oceanic Transporter. Get in touch
with the company, Penn Naviga
tion, 25 Broadway, NYC.
4" 4 4"
Ilmari B. Valimaki
Some of the former members of
the 95th Field Hospital would like
to hear from you. Contact Homer
C- Cooper at the Montana State
University, Missoula, Montana.
it 4 4
George Baugh, Sr.
Please contact Sadie at 5805
Third Avenue, Brooklyn 20, NY.
4 4 4 *
Larry Connor
ex-Robin Kettering
Frank has checked your shoe.s
from Mombasa in the baggage room
at headquarters.
4 4 4
Anthony Carcopa
Plea^ get in touch with your
mother, Mrs. Carrie Gualano, at
616 West Nesq. St., Easton, Pa. It
is important that she hear from
you soon.
4 4 4
Harold L. Loll
It is important that you contact
your draft board, No. 161, Green
Building, 1243 Liberty Street,
Franklin, Penn. Your mother would
like you to get In touch with her
at RD 2, Oil City, Penn.
4 4 4
Carlo V. Carlsen
Ex-Steel Apprentice
Joseph Raymond is holding a
package from customs for you.
Contact him at 135 W. 115 St.,
NYC, Apartment ID.
4 4 4
William H. Anderson
Your brother is ill. Please con
tact your sister, Mrs. Audrey Hoff
man, at 2496 Mullolly Street, Pitts
burgh 57, Pa., immediately. The
SIU Welfare Services Department
is holding a note for you from your
sister at Union headquarters.
RECENT ARRIVALS
All of the follotoing SIU famillet have received a $200 maternity
benefit plus a $25 bond from the Union in the baby's name:
Tracy Kim Adamson, born Octo
ber 25, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Richard R. Adamson, Mahwah, NJ.
4 4 4
Daisy Ayala, born September
16, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Jesus Ayala, Bronx, NY.
4x4 4
Norman Joseph Blanchard, Jr.,
bom September 11, 1957, to Sea
farer and Mrs. Norman J. Blanch
ard, New Orleans, La.
4 4 4
Peter Jon Bowley, born October
26, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Robert R. Bowley, Warwick, RI.
4 4 4
Colirtney R. Carter, born Sep
tember 25, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Courtney R. Carter, Savan
nah, Ga.
4 4 4
Anthony Michael Cunningham,
born August 7, 1957, to Seafarer
and Mrs. Anthony Cunningham,
Baltimore, Md.
4 4 4
Gay Ann Maas, born September
6, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Henry J. Maas Jr., New Orleans,
La.
4 4 4
. Judith Clare Osborn, bjonn Sep-,
tember 27, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Manfred Osborn, New Or
leans, La.
4 4 4
Charles Anthony : Pogozelski,
bom October 3, 1957, to Seafarer
and Mrs. Anthony Pogozelski,
Detroit, Mich.
4 4 4
James Dickens, Jr., born August
4,1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. James
V. Dickens, Baltimore, Md.
4 4 4
Charles John and Jack James
DeLatte, bom October 27. 1957, to
Seafarer and Mrs. Nolan W. De-
Latte.-tSretna, La.
4 4 4
Harvey and James Morris, born
October 18, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Harvey W. Morris, Brooklyn,
NY.
4 4 4
Alicia Darlene Caine, born Sep
tember 3, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Francis £. Caine, Mobile, Ala.
4 4 4
Leader Hughes, borii September
26, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Wil-
bert Hughes, Baltimore, Md.
4 4 4
William Richard Johnson, born
July 4, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
William H. Johnson, Baltimore, Md.
4 4 4
' Ray Franklin McVey, born Sep
tember 23, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Ray F. McVey, Baltimore, Md.
4 4 4
Hank Vernon Cox, born October
9, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Adron
Cox, Flatlick, Ky.
Charles A. Carlson
Would you please get in touch
with your grandmother, Mrs. Jessie
Culver, R-1, Himrod, NY.
4 4 4
John Whisman
Please contact your wife at 719
Castro, St., San Francisco, Califor
nia.
4 4 4
Wilbur Coutant
Contact Bushberg at 72 Spring
field Ave., Newark, NJ.
The deaths of the foilowing Sea
farers have been reported to the
Seafarers Welfare Plan and the
SIU death benefit is being paid to
their beneficiaries.
Francisco L. Perez, 58: A heart
aliment caused the death of Broth
er Perez on Au
gust 16, 1957, in
Bombay, India.
He became a full
member of the
Union on August
14, 1947, and was
sailing in the
steward depart
ment. Brother
Perez is survived
by his wife, Gloria Perez, of Brook
lyn, NY. Place of burial is un
known.
4 4 4
Leslie Swift Joyner, 49: On Octo
ber 6, 1957, Brother Joyner died"
of a heart ailment in Mobile, Ala
bama. He became a full member
of the Union on December 28,1938,
and sailed In the deck department.
Brother Joyner is survived by his
wife, Irma Joyner, of Mobile,
Alabama. He was buried in Pine
Crest Cemetery, Mobile, Ala.
4 4 4
Louis Franken, 56: Brother Fran-
ken died on March 28, 1955, in
Le Havre, France
of a heart ail
ment. He became
a full member of
the Union on July
24, 1943; and
sailed in the deck
department. Bur
ial took place in
Antwerp, Bel
gium.
4 4 4
Emlllo L. Belle: Brother Bello
was lost at sea while sailing aboard
the SS Del Sud on June 20, 1956.
He is survived by Inez Volpi of'
New Orleans, La.
SCHEDULE OF
SIU MEETINGS
SIU membership meet
ings are held regularly
every two weeks on Wed
nesday nights at 7 PM in
all SIU ports. All Sea
farers are expected to
attend; those who wish to
be excused should request
permission by telegram
(be sure to include reg
istration number). The
next SIU meetings will be:
November 27
December 11
December 26
January 8
1
I %
51
••51
.-.'Oijivi :•:;•••
'm
Vol. XIX
No. 24 SEAFARERS LOG
•OFFICIAL ORGAN O F TH E S E A FA R E RS INTERNATIONAL UN ION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL-CIO •
SlU-HIWD Signs
Pipeline Boats
NEW ORLEANS—^Union representation in a new maritime
field was established by the SIU's Harbor and Inland Water
ways Division last week with completion of a collective bar
gaining agreement covering"^
marine workers of the Glaser
Construction Co., Inc., of La
fayette, La. The contract Is an
other In a series of SIU successes in
organizing in the southern tide-
lands.
Glaser Construction is the Gulf
Coast's biggest independent con
tractor in the petroleum pipeline-
laying industry and is reputed to
be one of the world's largest. SIU-
HIWD members covered by the
For pictures of Glasey pipeline
operation, see centerfold.
agreement man tugboats, barges
and quarter boats employed in lay
ing pipelines used principally for
the transportation of natural gas
from Louisiana's extensive coastal
and offshore natural gas fields to
industrial and city residential
users in Southeastern and Atlantic
Seaboard states.
In tlie initial stages, the pipelines
are laid on the bottom of the Gulf,
through coastal marshes, across
deep rivers and along Louisiana's
myriad bayous and man-made
waterways. It is at this point that
marine equipment and skilled in
land waterways workers are neces
sary to the operation.
Covers Marine Personnel
The SIU-HIWD's pioneer agree
ment, thf first maritime labor docu
ment of its kind, provides the bene
fits of SIU representation for all
marine personnel employed on the
tugs, barges and quarter vessels
which provide housing and feeding
facilities for pipeline construction
workers. These workers, in turn,
are represented by the AFL-CIO
Operating Engineers, Pipeline
Welders and Laborers Unions,
whose members encouraged the
marine personnel in their organiza
tional efforts.
The SIU contract won for the
marine workers included: wage in
creases ranging up to $90 a month
in one classification, full SIU-HIWD
Health and Welfare Plan coverage
for employees and their families,
increased manning scales, improved
working conditions, paid holidays,
job security guarantees, the union
shop, seniority provisions govern
ing layoffs and promotions, and a
tightly-worded grievance and ar
bitration procedure to assure
prompt and satisfactory settlement
of beefs.
"Establishment of this first col
lective bargaining relationship
opens an avenue for extending the
SIU-HLWD's top benefits to many
other maritime workers engaged in
pipeline . construction and relatecf
industries," Lindsey J. Williams,
New Orleans SIU port agent, said.
"Full credit should be given to the
enthusiastic endorsement of the
SIU by the Giaser employees in
volved and to the support given by
the Operating Engineers, Pipeline
Welders and Laborers Unions
toward the successful negotiation of
this agreement."
SlU-HIVVD members Gerard Heberj (left) and Alberie Hebert
(right) discuss new pact benefits and welfare coverage with SIU
patrolman' Tom Gould at Delcombre, La., main plant site for the
Glaser Construction Co. The Hebert brothers will serve, as cap
tain and mote of the new Glaser tug Helen to be launched soon.
Second Cooper
Article Delayed
Because of the press of news
developments In Robin Line,
Canada and elsewhere in mari
time and the union movement,
the second of a series of SEA
FARERS LOG article dealing
with Herman E. Cooper has
had to be postponed. Prep
aration of this material is now
going forward and the articles
will appear in subsequent edi
tions.
- The LOG appreciates the in
terest shown by its readers in
this and other LOG features
and apologizes to them for im
posing on their patience. Fu
ture articles, as promised, will
deal with Mr. Cooper's role
within the trade imion move
ment and other relevant mrt-
ters.
Useful Atom Ships 10 Years Off
CHICAGO—Still another authority has cast doubt on the possibility of commercial
usefulness of atomic energy in shipping. Dr. Harry B. Benford, of the University of Mich
igan's Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, declared it would be
at least ten years, and possibly '
more, before an atomic mer
chant ship could compete com
mercially. Even then, he said, it
would take a considerable reduc
tion in costs of a nuclear reactor,
more than is deemed possible at
the present time.
Speaking at an American Petro
leum Institute meeting, Dr. Ben-
ford agreed with previous estimates
that atomic energy could best be
applied in supertankers where the
saving in bunker fuel can be trans
lated into bigger payloads.
The last issue of the SEAFARERS
LOG reported on similar views by
Dr. Edward Teller, leading physi
cist iff the atomic research field.
Dr. Teller expressed considerable
Panama Has
Water Again
BALBOA, CZ—A ten-inch deluge
of rain has restored normal ship
passage through the Panama Canal,
but disrupted land transportation
and communications throughout
the zone while it lasted.
The rains, which set a new high
for the month of November, ended
a long drought which had cut elec
tric power generation in the Canal
Zone and shipping through the
Canal. But the welcome rains also
caused a number of slides and
washouts along the banks of the
canal. In the Gatun area three
slides and a washout on the Pan
ama Railroad caused delays to six
passenger and several freight
trains.
Eight other slides were reported
on the Trans-Isthmian highway
breaking communications between
the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts for
four hours. Telephone communi
cations on the Atlantic side were
down and several power failures re
ported.
The shortage of rainfall had
threatened to reduce water depths
in Gatun Lake below levels needed
by ships.
skepticism about the commercial
usefulness of atomic reactors in
sizes producing less than 100,000
kilowatts: far more power than
needed by a cargo ship.
"A nuclear ship, to be commer
cially feasible, must prove as good
an investment as a conventional
cargo ship and not merely carry
cargo as cheaply," Dr. Benford de
clared. He also added that for com
mercial purposes, a nuclear vessel
would not be able to travel at faster
cruising speeds than present-day
cargo vessels.
The only advantage then, would
be in dispensing with bunkers,
which is a small one at best for dry
cargo ships which are frequently
in port anyway.
Canada Opens Lake Pacts;
Coast Pay Up To $345
MONTREAL — Notice has been served by the, SIU.
Canadian District of the union's intention to make certain
changes and improvements in the contracts covering Lakes
Dinners Set
In All Ports
Hundreds of Seafarers and their
families will be sittihg down to
Thanksgiving dinners in all of the
SIU ports next week. Thanksgiving
and Christmas dinners have been
the traditional SIU holiday treat to
Seafarers for many years.
Last year more than 500 Seafar
ers, wives and children "attended
the holiday feast in the headquar
ters cafeteria alone, while many
more celebrated in the Baltimore
cafeteria. Mobile snack bar and
other facilities In the various ports.
The meal in headquarters this
year will feature the traditional
Thanksgiving turkey, complete with
soup, cranberry sauce, candied
yams and hot mince pie. A-so on
the menu are shrimp cocktails,
prime ribs of beef and baked select
Virginia ham, with special side sal
ads. Rum-fiavored fruit cake,
mixed nuts, home baked pumpkin
pie and chilled apple cider will also
be on hand. Dinner will be served
in the headquarters cafeteria from
10 AM to 3 J>M.
The Marine Cooks and Stewards
Union has announced that it will
hold its holiday dinners in conjunc
tion with the Sailors Union of the
Pacific, as has been dpne for the
past several years on the West
Coast.
5F Looks
For Pick-Up
SAN FRANCISCO — Shipping
during the past period has been
fair but promises to pick up
within the next few vveeks. The
Alcoa Pointer (Alcoa) and the Re
becca (Ocean Carriers) paid off but
only the Pointer signed on.
The ships in transit were the
Ocean Eva (Ocean Clippers), City
of Alma, Fairport (Waterman),
Pacific Cloud (Pegor), Steel Scien
tist (Isthmian) and the Alamar
(Calmar).
freighters.
Action on the contract re
opening viras voted on at the
regular meetings in the District's
headquarters and branches. Only
the freighter agreements are af
fected by this action since the
dredging agreements are not sub
ject to review until June, 1958.
Meanwhile, following two months
of negotiations, a contract has been
signed between the District and the
British Yukon Navigating Com
pany, a West Coast operator, pro
viding for increased wages and
penalty rates, a welfare plan, paid
annual vacations and statutory hol
idays. The agreement, which went
into effect this month, was the first
signed in the District's current ne
gotiations being carried on through
out Canada.
Wages under the new contract
are considered precedent-setting in
Canadian maritime. Pay for ABs
was increased from $228 to $345
per month while cooks' wages
jumped from $258 to $35511 month.
All wages will now be based on a
forty-hour week with overtime
rates paid for work in excess of
eight hours a day or forty hours
a week.
Overtime rates are $2.50 an hour
for ABs and oilers and $3.50 an
hour for cooks and pursers.
New Terminal For Alcoa
Aerial view of new Alcoa Steamship terminal at Port Newark, NJ,
following shift from Brooklyn piers the company formerly occupied.
Both Alcoa and Waterman-Pan-Atlantic, located nearby, now
have all terminal operations in New York area concentrated at
Port Newark.
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