Issue Date
1970-01-01
Volume
23
Issue Number
12
Plaintext
SEAFARERS^LOC OMMiibar
1961
^ - imt .
0Mike Crawford, son of Seafarer J.
Itecover/. Crawford (left), chats with SIU
agent Buck Stephens in New Orleans. The youngster is
recovering from open-heart surgery. (Story on Page 16.)
:;'S
• Another successful SIU lifeboat class
EiffCOOCIff* takes-to the water near headquarters
with instructor Dan Butts at the tiller. Classes are part
of the union's training and upgrading program.
A J McCabe (right) receives 2nd annual
AWOfO* TJSPHS sanitation award for 24-ship
Isthmian fleet from G. O'Brien. SIU food plan's C. Wil
son (center) looks on. (Story on Page 2.)
FOURTH MTD
CONVENTION
MIAMI—The largest Maritime Trades Department convention
in history concluded a busy three days of sessions here on Decem
ber 6. Delegates adopted a wide-ranging program of action to
rebuild the US merchant fleet and called on the Government to
accept its maritime responsibilities.
(Stories on Pages 2, 3; Photo Feature in Centerfold.)
SIU, MEBA Fight
Job Loss, Tie Up
British-Flag Ship
Story On Page 2
US Ships Assured
Half Of Congo Aid
Story On Page 3
Operators
Seek New
Cargo Rule
story On Page 7
Seafarers Man
New, King-Sized
US Oil Tanker
^ Story On Page 2
Pare Two SEAFARERS LOG Doeoiober, IMl
SlU, MEBA Picket
British 'Pirate Ship'
In La, Job Action
LAKE CHARLES—Members of the Marine Engineers Bene
ficial Association, supported by the Seafarers International
Union, are picketing the British-flag freighter Salvada he-
cause its use in carrying a US Government-financed aid cargo
is depriving American seamen of job opportunities.
The picketing started when the Salvada was chartered to
carry rice to Indonesia for the^
US Department of Agricul
ture although a US-flag com
pany—Cargo Ships and Tankers-
was the low bidder for the cargo.
The American company had
offered its cargo ship, the SS Rain
bow, which was available to carry
the cargo. Turned down on the
charter, the Rainbow is now laid
up and its crew of 37 American
seamen is unemployed.
MEBA and SIU pickets appeared
at the ship the night of December
SCHEDULE OF
SIU MEETINGS
SIU membership meet
ings are held regularly
once a month on days in
dicated by the SIU Con
stitution, at 2:30 PM in
the listed SIU ports below.
All Seafarers are ex
pected to attend. Those
who wish to be excused
should request permission
by telegram (be sure to
include registration num
ber). The next SIU meet
ings will be:
New York January 8
Philadelphia January 9
Baltimore January ID
January 12
January
January
Detroit
Houston
New Orleans
Mobile
15
January 17
14. Within 48 hours, the Salvada's
attorneys appeared before a Loui
siana District Court and obtained
an order restraining the picketing.
At the December 18 hearings.
Union attorneys succeeded in hav
ing the temporary order set aside
when the judge upheld evidence
that the pickets were protesting
the loss of job opportunities plus
the use of foreign crews at lower
wages and substandard conditions.
Union attorneys cited a US Su
preme Court decision issued last
year in the case of the SlU-affili-
ated Marine Cooks and Stewards
versus a Panamanian-ilag company.
The judge here ordered both
parties to return for a' further
hearing on December 20.
Latest developments in the legal
maneuvering was a request by the
Salvada's attorneys for a postpone
ment until December 21 and, as
the LOG went to press, the hear
ing was in progress.
The Salvada had been scheduled
to complete loading and sail at
midnight December 19, but the
picketing, which was respected by
members of the International
Longshoremen's Association, kept
the vessel immobilized at the dock.
Isthmian Fleet Awarded
Another USPHS Citation
Seafarers manning Isthmian's 24-ship fleet have earned
high praise for their efforts in spearheading the company's
second consecutive citation from the US Public Health Serv
ice for excellence in vessel-*^
sanitation.
Four other SlU-contracted
lines, Bloomfield, Ore, Calmar and
Alcoa received similar awards
earlier this year.
Isthmian qualified for the cita
tion when each of its 24 vessels
scored a 95 percent or higher
rating during official USPHS
sanitation inspections during 1960.
These inspections cover 166 aepa-
rate items of sanitary construction,
maintenance and operation.
The citation was presented on
behalf of Dr. Luther L. Terry,
US Surgeon General, by George
O'Brien, assistant regional director.
Department of Health, Education
and Welfare.
In accepting the award. Isthmian
vice-president J. J. McCabe praised
the SIU crews for making it all
$25 Christmas Bonus
For Hospitalized Seafarers
The SIU kept its own holiday traditions up to date as arrange
ments were completed to provide special $25 Christmas bonus
checks for all Seafarers in the hospital between December 24-30
who have at least one day's seatime in the past year.
The Yuletide bonus is in addition to the regular hospital benefits
payable in each case. A carton of cigarettes is Included in the
traditional holiday gift. Last year total bonus payments reached
almost $9,000, not counting the smokes.
Christmas dinner will also be served in all halls or at nearby
restaurants where the hall does not have its own dining facilities.
LOG Wins 2 More Labor Press Awards
'An Incredible Volume of News'
MIAMI—The SEAFARERS LOG added two more International Labor Press Associa
tion awards to its string at the ILPA convention here this month. The LOG won first prize
for the best single editorial in an internationa I labor paper plus a citation for general edi-
itorial excellence.
Competing with several
hundred AFL-CIO national
and international union news
papers in various categories, the
LOG was cited by a panel of pro
fessional newsmen for giving its
readers "an almost incredible
volume of well-written news. In
the best sense (and pardon the
pun)," the judges commented, "it
covered the waterfront."
One other maritime union paper
won an ILPA award in the contest.
The "Marine Engineer" of JHEBA
District 2 received a second prize
this year for editorial excellence
among newspapers published by
individual local unions.
The editorial in the LOG which
took first-place honors was in the
January, 1961, issue and pointed
out the impact of American owned
and operated runaway shipping
here in the US and abroad. It cited
the damaging impression foreign
nations received of the American
way of life due to the exploitation
of foreign seamen by American
ru:iiaway operators.
Press recognition of this edi
torial reveals the sharp interest
William F. Scbnitzler, AFL-
CIO secretary - treasurer
(left), presents award to
LOG editor Herb Brand.
in maritime and in the runaway
ship issue, primarily a maritime
concern, as it affects the economy
of the whole country and the
American image overseas.
Top honors in editorial excel
lence among international union
newspapers went this year to "The
Record" of the Retail, Whole and
Department Store Union and to
"The Machinist" of the Inter
national Association of Machinists.
They took the first and second
place honors, respectively. The
LOG won the "honorable mention"
citation.
It earned the first prize In 1953
and 1955 and has been among
the three top winners in five of
the past seven years. The SIU
newspaper has also won awards in
every poSsible contest category
across the board. This year's prizes
bring the LOG'S total to 27 awards
since 1947 when the SIU first
entered the labor press competi
tion. More than half of them have
been won since AFL-CIO merger
in 1955 when the competition was
broadened.
possible. Cliff Wilson, director of
the SIU food and ship sanitation
program, was on hand for the cere
monies held late last month.
The Public Health Service
maintains its inspection program
as a control against disease and
contamination aboard ship and
among the shoreside population.
These inspections cover prepara
tion and serving of food and drink
aboard ship as well as control of
food and drink sources in port.
Bloomfield, which gained its
third consecutive vessel sanitation
award in April, earned a 100 per
cent score in 1960 inspections
covering its four-vessel fleet.
Alcoa Steamship received its award
in January, chalking up a 97 per
cent rating for its 16-ship fleet. •
In July, Ore received its fifth
straight annual citation covering
its nine vessels and Calmar earned
its fourth commendation in a row
for eight ships.
The largest US-flag super
tanker, Colonial's 67,100-
ton Orion Hunter is now
being crewed by SIU men
and is shown during trials
in Massachusetts Bay. She
was christened' Dec. 20.
SIU Crews
Biggest US
Oil Carrier
BOSTON—Seafarers are now
crewing up the biggest commer
cial vessel ever built in the US,
the 67,100-ton supertanker Orion
Hunter, built at Bethlehem Steel's
yards in Quincy, Mass,
The huge oil carrier is current
ly the largest supertanker under
the US ffag and carries an $18
million pricetag. The Orion Hunter
is 850 feet in length, 104 feet'at
the beam and has a draft of just
under 40 feet. Her 38 cargo tanks
hold 23 million gallons of petro
leum products.
Speed of the turbine-driven ship
is 16Vi knots. She was built for
the SlU-contracted Colonial Tank
ers Corp, and is under five-year-
charter to the Military Sea Trans
port Service,
MTD Resolutions
MIAMI-^pecific action to strengthen the US-flag mer
chant marine, protect the jobs and security of maritime in
dustry workers and to assist free trade uniCn movements
elsewhere In the world in their struggle against anti-democratic forces
were strongly endorsed at the 4th biennial convention of the Maritime
Trades Department, >
Delegates adopted a wide-ranging program to implement the rec
ommendations of the MTD's officers and executive board members.
Among the major resolutions enacted were those calling for the
following:
• Elimination of Federal tax exemptions for runaway-flag
operations,
• Construction subsidies for all sections of the US merchant fleet
and operating subsidies for all segments competing with foreign
shipping,
• Approval of a construction subsidy for two Bethlehem Steel ore
carriers to stimulate greater US-flag participation in the offshore bulk
trades, where 87 percent of the cargo i.s now carried in foreign bottoms.
• Restrictions on Military Sea Transport Service operations and a
return to the principle of private enterprise.
• Reporting by the seagoing MTD unions of any case in which Arab
League nations blacklist or deny freedom of the seas to American
vessels calling at Israeli ports.
• Assistance to Latin-American maritime unions in their struggle
against communists and other anti-democratic forces . . , Promotion of
closer relationships between the MTD and other maritime labor or
ganizations throughout the free world.
• Opposition to proposals which would establish, certain physical
requirements as a condition of employment ifor seamen and thereby
ci'eate arbitrary blacklists governing employment,
• Adequate fimds to maintain USPHS hospitals and waiver of the
80-day eligibility rule for treatment.
• Support of legislation to extend full unemployment compensation
to Great Lakes seamen and licensed officers.
• Effective safety programs for maritime workers,
• Federal legislation to provide medical care for the aged under
the Social Security system , , , Improvements in Social Security bene
fits , , , Low-cost drugs and medicines , , . Additional low-cost bousing
and reduced mortgage rates , , . Continuing aid to depressed areas.
• Support for Canadian Seafarers against the runaway-flag vessel
SS Northern Venture , , , An end to intervention by Federal and State
agencies, on behalf of management, in this labor dispute.
• Support for the enactment of realistic tariffs on the importation
of seafood , . , Increased Federal aid for the fishing industry,
• Reversal of the NLRB rule barring self-employed American fish
ermen from the benefits of union organization , , , Support for legisla
tion to provide these workers with the right io seek union protectioa
D«eeiiiber, 1981 SEAFARERS LOG Paga Threa
6ov*t Urged To Accept Responsibilifiet
MTD CALLS FOR US FLEET REVIVAL
MIAMI—Mapping out a vigorous program to meet the problems of the maritime industry and protect the job security of maritime
worker^, delegates to the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department convention here called on the Federal Government to accept its share of;
the responsibility for developing a strong US-flag merchant fleet. The convention was the largest since the inception of the department.
The program of action was laid out during a three-day convention December 4-6, attended by 150 delegates from 29 AFL national
and international unions with a maritime membership of over 400,000 workers throughout North America and the Caribbean. The Fourth
biennial sessions of the MTD immediately preceded the regular AFL-CIO convention also held at the Americana Hotel.
Keynote of the MTD convention was its stress on the urgency to overcome the
effects of runaway-flag shipping and reverse the industry's steady decline. This
year's gathering was unique since, for the first time, top Government and industry
Heading SlU Pacific District delegation at MTD sessions
was Morris Weisberger (right), SiUNA executive vice-
president and secretary-treasurer of the Sailors Union of the
Pacific. SIUNA vice-presidents Ed Turner (left), secretary-
treasurer of the Marine Cooks and Stewards, and William
Jordan, president of the Marine Firemen's Union, completed
the delegation.
50-50 is Upheld
On Congo Cargo
WASHINGTON—The State Department has reversed itself
and decided that the 50-50 law does apply to US foreign aid
cargoes shipped to the Congo under United Nations auspices.
An "unfortunate" snap de-"^
cision was given as the reas'on
spokesmen appeared to
present their views of the
problems facing the mari
time industry.
Convention delegates en
thusiastically echoed the
views expressed by MTD presi
dent Paul Hall and other speakers
that maritime must take its case
to th«i Government and fight for
the support essential to preserve
the industry and Jobs of maritime
labor.
In opening the convention, Hall
emphasized the critical conditions
confronting the industry and the
labor movement generally. He
particularly cited attempts by
Communists and other anti-dem
ocratic forces to take over mari
time unions in Latin America and
elsewhere.
The report to the convention by
officers of the MTD pinpointed
the serious plight of US-flag ship
ping arising out of the need for
dealing with the runaway-ship
SlU rep. Earl Sliepard and
Jesse Callioon, MEBA sec
retary-treasurer (right).
for an earlier lopsided ruling.
This is not the first time that
the State Department has taken
a similar position that would be
Injurious to American-flag ship
ping as well as contrary to existing
law.
A parellel position by the De
fense Department was evident in
a recent exchange of letters be
tween Deputy Secretary of De
fense Roswell L. Gilpatrick and
Senator Warren Magnuson (D-
Wasb.), chairman of the Senate
Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce.
Sen. Magnuson had asked the
department what led it to rely on
the availability of runaway ship
ping In the event of an emergency.
Gilpatrick's response was that the
Pentagon regarded the runaways
as an "expedient" since there
weren't enough US-flag sbip.«
around.
What the Defense Department
could do to insure a vital American
merchant fleet may be found in
« Navy Department reply to a
question posed by Senator John
M. Butler (R.-Md.) regarding
Navy shipping proposals.
Citing the "responsibility of the
Maritime Administration, under
the direction of the Secretary of
Commerce, to foster the develop
ment and maintenance of an
American Merchant Marine," the
Navy Department said it is "ready
and willing to provide every prac
ticable assistance to those agencies
charged with this development
and maintenance."
SEAFARERS LOG
Dec., 1961 Vol. XXIII, No. 12
PAUL HALL, President
HERBERT BRAND, Editor; BERNARD SEA
MAN, Art Editor; IRWIN SPIVACK, Man
aging Editor; ALBERT AMATEAU, ARTHUR
MARKOWITZ, STEVE LICHTENSIEIN, JEROME
GREENBERC, Staff Writers.
I .
Published monthly at the headquarters
of the Seafarers International Union, At
lantic, Guif, Lakes and Inland Waters
District, AFL-CIO, <75 Fourth Avenue,
Brooklyn 32, NY. Tel. HYaclnth 9-«00.
Second class postage paid at the Post
Oftlce In Brooklyn, NY, under the Act
of Aug. 14, 1*11.
120
INDEX
To Departments!
The Pacific Coast Seafarer I
—Page 5|
I The Great Lakes Seafarer 4
I —Page 7ii
; A&G Deep Sea Shipping
^ Report —Page 6;i
4 The SlU inland Boatmon
-Page 81
SlU Safety Department
;• —Page 10 f
The SlU Industrial Worker
4 —Page 14 j
The Fisherman and
Cannery Worker
—Page 15I
The Canadian Seafarer
—Page 101
Editorial Cartoon —Paie 111
SlU Food, Ship Sanitation
Dep't —Page 15;
SlU Social Security Dep't
—Page 17i
SlU Medical Department
—Page 181
Shipboard News
-Pages 19, 20, 21. 22)
m
Top Labor^ Gov'ts Industry
Leaders Stress MM Needs
MIAMI—Major spokesmen for labor, Government
and industry attended and addressed the Maritime
Trades Department convention. Here are some of tlieir
+• comments:
ARTHUR J. GOLDBERG, Secre
tary of Labor, called for an ex
panded US merchant marine "to
provide jobs and carry out our in
ternational responsibilities" . . .
Said he was convinced US could
not depend on foreign ships in an
emergency, and must look to a US
merchant -fleet for security.
HYMAN H. BOOKBINDER, spe
cial assistant to Secretary of Com
merce Luther Hodges, said that
the Administration, in deciding
transportation policy, must be
"ever-mindful that it is not only
the ships of our merchant marine
that make it strong but the men
who sail and build them as well."
DONALD W. ALEXANDER,
Maritime Administrator, said the
best interests bf US merchant ma
rine can be achieved only through
cooperation of labor, management
and Government. "You can depend
on the Maritime Administration to
put everything we have into carry
ing out the Government's responsi
bilities in this field."
MAX HARRISON, president of
the American Maritime Associa
tion, said merchant marine prob
lems could not be resolved through
a piecemeal approach, and that
AMA was establ'shed as a medium
thi-ough which all segments of in
dustry could work cooperatively for
the well-being ot the entire in
dustry.
TROY BROWNING, president
elect of the Propeller Club, stated
that management and labor have a
joint responsibility to improve the
industry and pledged Propeller
Club efforts to this end,
RALPH E. CASEY, president of
the American Merchant Marine In
stitute, cited shipping competition
at home and abroad and said "unit
ed we would be a formidable op
ponent for any and all adversaries;
disunited, we are sitting ducks for
almost anyone who wants to knock
us off."
JOHN L. WELLER, president of
Seatrain Lines, Inc., urged man
agement and labor to work to
gether for realistic solutions to
merchant marine problems. He
cited labor-management coopera
tion to maintain domestic shipping
in the face of selective rate-cutting
by railroads.
MTD President Paul Hall
thanked the speakers for appearing
at the convention and asked 1-
Government spokesmen to convey
to the President and tnelr respec
tive department heads that mere
understanding of th® problems of
the US merchant marin® is not
sufficient.
Army Base
Stays Open
Protests by marltima labor, busi
ness and civic groups, spearheaded
by the Maritim® Port Council of
Greater New York, have apparent
ly killed off plans to shut down the
giant Brooklyn Army Terminal.
A Defense Department spokes
man stated there were no plans to
close the base and "no adjustments
are imminent" in operations of the
100-acre military shipping termi
nal. He said the Port of New York
would continue to be heavily used
for shipments of military cargo.
The rumored shutdown of the
Brooklyn terminal was the basis
for a spirited public hearing at
the base on November 1.
problem, modernizing the subsidy
program, eliminating Government
competition with private shipping
and reviving coastwise and inter-
coastal shipping. They recommend
ed specific action on all issues in
calling for greater maritime re
search and development, ship
building and trade legislation
plus steps to meet the problems
created by automation.
In the final day of the con
vention, delegates unanimously
adopted more than 20 resolutions.
A 40 percent increase in unions
affiliated with the department was
reported since the 1959 conven
tion, representing a rise from 20
to 29 affiliates. Hall also noted
that three unions, the National
Maritime Union, American Radi9
Association and the United Steel-
workers, had withdrawn from the
department during the sam*
period.
He noted that since the MTD
was the official maritime depart
ment of the AFL-CIO, these unions
should have remained and resolved
within the framework of the de
partment whatever problems may
have existed.
Chief speakers and guests of th®
convention included the following:
US Secretary of Labor Arthur
Goldberg, Hyman K. Bookbinder,
special assistant to US Commerc®
Secretary Luther Hodges; Mari
time Administrator Donald S.
Alexander; Gordon Chapman of
the US State Department and
Donald Geoffrion, Navy Depart
ment;
Troy Browning, pEcsident,
Propeller Clubs of the US; Max
Harrison, president, American
Maritime Association; Ralph E.
Casey, president, American Mer
chant Marine Institute, and John
Weller, president, Seatrain Lines.
AFL-CIO President Georga
Meany headed the list of labor
speakers. Other labor movement
representatives included Nelson
Cruikshank, director, AFL-CiO
Social Security Department; 'Neil
Haggerty, presidftiit. Building and
Construction Trades Department,
and Joseph Lewis, secretary-treas
urer, Union Label and Servica
Trades Department. David Cole,
labor arbitrator and former direc
tor of the US Mediation and Con
ciliation Service, also addressed
the convention.
MMP president Charles
Crock® (l®ft) and Pat King
represented deck effiears.
SMAFAMMttS 19U
VISIT to the
OUTPORTS
Seafarer Robert Mcodowcroft's daughter Sheila, 19, and stepson
George, 12, chat with nurse Shirlee Dubbs at SlU clinic in Balti
more hall. George doesn't look too happy; he's due for an exam.
The morning mail is checked out at the Philadelphia hall by Seafarers
G. Barrman, FWT, and Bernard Coreo. wiper. Port Agent Ray Oates,
dispatcher Jim Doris and IBU representative Joe Trainor are behind counter.
''riM
K/fuIIing over the day's news at the Baltimore hall (l-r) are Howard
Crecbiro and John Choitow, oilers; Levi Warner, FWT, and CRftoit
Webb, oiler, as Bernio Jagodziiiskt, AB, checks his paper.
On the beach in.Philly as outpatient, Leo Gillis gets
assist on filing forms for weekly sickness and acci
dent benefits from Welfare rep. Joe Campo.
There's no better place for a bull session than a handy card table. Seated (Ur) around
this one, proving the point, are Charles Bright, Waiter BirfFerton, Moe Jones and Pete
Price. Site of all this yarn-swapping is the SlU hall in Norfolk.
There are two TV sets in the Philadelphia hall to
keep down the "Let's watch this—No, let's watch
that" arguments. G. B. Williams tunes one of them.
For the straight information about shipping, the man to check with Is the dispatcher.
Looking In on the counter in Norfolk (l-r) are J. D. Jones, AB, and Louis Everett, wiper.
B. F. Coley, a visitor to the hall, listens in on the. rundown of ships due in port.
A man who knows his coffee, WiHiam Rosonioi
steward, tries the brew at refreshment counter in
Ifililadeiphia. H. Peterbaugh it the messman.
All three shipboard departments have a hand in this game to while away some time.
The eardplayers gathered 'round the table, in Norfolk hall, are C. O. Christie, black gang;
Andy SotMbeo* deck gang, and John Dolan, representing the galley contingent.
SffifF^REICf i.OC Page five
SlU Boosts
Optical Aid
For Family
SIU families are nov/ enjoying
complete optical care—free exam
inations and eyeglasses—recently
won by the Union. Arrangements
to extend the coverage .Seafarers
have had since 1958 to wives and
«ther dependents were completed
last month.
Optical facilities are provided
In nine port cities to date: New
York, New Orleans, Mobile, Bal
timore, Houston, Philadelphia,
San Francisco, Boston and Chi
cago.
New $25 Benefit
In addition, Seafarers and their
families who live in areas with
out SIU optical centers can now
receive up to $25 in benefits when
they visit optical facilities closer
to home. This feature had been
available previously only for SIU
pensioners.
One of the most widely-used
popular benefits established for
SIU men, the optical program now
provides that Seafarers, their
wives, children and dependent
parejits are entitled to complete
eye examinations plus regu
lar or binfocal glasses, where re
quired, once every two years. The
coverage also provides that glass
es will be provided more fre
quently if required for special
medical reasons.
Clinic Eye Examinations Available
Eye examinations are also avail
able separately through the pet-
work of SIU clinics in tlie major
ports of New York, Baltimore,
Mobile, New Orleans and Ifouston.
In the nine ports where the
optical centers are established,
appointments can be made
through the Union haU. After the
examination, it usually takes only
a few hours for the glasses to be
made. Special lenses, ef course,
require- more time.
Fanwood Cargo Fans Out
Splattered all over the deck, lumber cargo on the Fanwood
broke loose while the ship was crossing a Columbia River bar
and forced a return to Astoria, Oregon, to secure cargo lash
ings. Fanwood was one of foqr SIU vessels involved in recent
mishaps, all with no injuries reported. (See story on page 15.)
RRs Courting State Help
For Anti-Ship Campaign
Governors of 14 states have been urged by the Labor-Man
agement Cpastwise Conference not to subsidize rate-cutting
campaigns by Eastern railroads at the expense of the
domestic shipping industry.'*'
The conference was estab
lished recently to seek means
to revive the once-prosperous do
mestic trade.
A joint memorandum Issued on
behalf of the group by SIUNA
president Paul Hall and John L.
Weller, president of Seatrain
Lines, stated the Industry's case.
It pointed out to the governors
that cut-throat competition by the
railroads has virtually killed off
coastwise and Intercoastal ship
ping.
The chief executives of the 14
states met with railroad officials
Nassau Shifts To 'Jinx Run'
WASHINGTON—The 15,043-ton liner Nassau is moving in two directions at once.
On one hand, a court case involving the Nassau has moved from the NY Court of Ap
peals to the .US Supreme Court. On the other hand, the Caribbean tour ship has been sold
by Incres Steamship, an*' ;
Italian outfit which had the
ship registered under a
Liberlan flag, to a Mexican com
pany, Naviera Turistica Mexicana.
The split personality of the
liner is bulging with complexities.
In 1960 the Nassau and the Vic
toria, both owned by Incres, were
picketed by the International Mari
time Workers Union formed in
1959 by the SIU and the NMU.
The Jointly-sponsored union had
been set up to organize crew-
members on runaway ships.
Court Order
The IMWU's picketing of the
ships was ordered stopped by
New York courts, but the lower
court decisions were revei'sed by
the Court of Appeals, the highest
court in the State. Now, more Than
a year later, the case has found
its way to the US Supreme Court.
The high court has agreed to re
view the NY Court of Appeals
decision.
Meanwhile, the liner has been
refitted for about $1 million in
order to get it ready for regularly
scheduled cruises between Aca-
pulco, Mexico, and Los Angeles.
She will be renamed the Acapulco.
Shifting the liner from its regu
lar Atlantic run to Pacific service
recalls the story of the Mazatlan,
an Alaskan ship that was also
switched to an Acapulco run in
1955.
Too Much Change
The change rrom a cold to a
warm weather run proved too much
for the ship. While the service
lasted, cabins became so hot most
of the passengers got off the ship
and took airplanes back. Then a
propeller bent, reducing speed so
much that boiler trouble developed.
All this came after damage to the
refrigeration system had caused
a lengthy drydock period.
Back Wages
At the same time, the "jinxed"
ship was being hounded for back
wages by SIU Canadian District
seamen. An original attempt to sail
with a scab crew had been halted
by the Sailors Union of the Pacific
and the ship was finally crewed
by the Canadian SIU out of Van
couver. Plagued by a load of un
paid bills, the vessel was ultimately
seized by a US marshall and the
Canadian crew had to sue for
wages.
For the Nassau, this may point
the way to some rough seas ahead.
two months ago and promised to
consider special tax legislation- and
other measures to relieve their
near-bankrupt condition.
Weller and Hall cited the selec
tive rate-cutting policies of the
railroads, under which rates are
slashed where there is water com
petition and losses are made up ia
areas where no competition exists.
They noted that if the railroads
had carried their 1960 volume of
freight at 1958 rates, revenues
would have been an estimated $367
million higher than they were.
Meanwhile, the SIU Pacific Dis
trict - contracted American Ha
waiian Steamship is making a bid
to re-enter intercoastal shipping
by seeking Government mortgage
to construct three ships.
The Pacific coastwise trade faces
a possible upsurge since another
company, Olympic - Griffiths, has
called for bids on the constructioa
of two fast van and freight vessels.
This operation is scheduled to get
underway by the middle of 1963.
Shipping Rules
Being Revised
Seafarers are reminded that
the actions of the Seafarers Ap
peals Board under the contract
between the SIU and the oper
ators are available and posted
in all shipping halls. The ac
tions of the SAB amend and
clarify the seniority and ship
ping rules from time to time.
The latest SAB action, number
58, went into effect last month.
The revised shipping rules, in-
jorporating all actions of th«
SAB to date, will be published
in the next issue of the SEA
FARERS LOG.
SUP, Firemen Now Voting
To Elect Union Officers
SAN FEANCISCO—It's election time for two SIU Pacific
District affiliates. Secret, unlonwide balloting is on right now
among, members of both the Sailors Union of the Pacific and
the Marine Firemen's Union,.*.
The SUP reports 106 mem
bers—the largest number of
candidates In its history—running
for union posts. Voting began
December 1 and will continue
through January 31.
In addition to 88 members seek
ing 18 regular offices; nine are run
ning for SUP Building Corpora
tion trustees and another nine are
competing for the five delegate
spots for the next SIUNA conven
tion.
In the Marine Firemen's elec
tion, 48 candidates are trying for
the 16 regular jobs and seven
more for posts on a four-man board
of trustees. Voting In the MFOW
began November 6 and also con
tinues until January 31.
MFOW positions are being filled
for one-year terms while SUP
offices run for two years. In addi
tion to top executive Jobs, both
unions will also elect outport busi
ness agents, port agents, and head
quarters dispatchers.
Leo J. White, ex-President
Monroe, casts secret ballot in
SUP eiectior^*Sfter voting in
New York.
WC Talks Eye Floating Hotel
but they have been slow, the SIU
affiliates reported, because of the
shipowners' problems with other
unions, the necessity of settling
issues covering the fast-turnaround
ships and the time-consuming task
of revising the basic offshore con
tract in its entirety. Problems in
volving the fast-turnaround con
tainer ships have already been
resolved.
Pacific District Shipping
SEATTLE—SIU Pacific District unions have had some
owners of the liner Liberie to discuss manning of the ship
hotel at the World's Fair here next year.
The Sailors Union of the^
Pacific, Marine Firemen's
Union and the Marine Cooks
and Stewards were meeting with
the Northwest Leasing Company, a
hotel firm which purchased the
Llberte from the French Line for
an estimated $3.2 million. The oper
ator plans to move the ship here
from LeHavre by the end of Jan
uary.
Plans are to use the former
trans-Atlantic vessel as a 1,500-
guest hotel, combining its facili
ties as a nightclub, restaurant,
movie theater and general attrac
tion during tlie six month fair
running from April to October,
1962. The 51,839-ton Liberte would
be berthed at the Bell Street Ter
minal, a short walk from the fau-
site. The berth is now used occa
sionally for cargo ships.
Other Talks Continue
In separate contract talks, nego
tiations are continuing in San
Francisco on terms of the three-
union basic offshore agreement. A
temporary recess in the bargaining,
protecting the retroactivity already
agreed on, was called in order to
permit the executive heads of the
Pacific District unions to attend
the Maritime Trades Department
and AFL-CIO conventions in
Miami. ^
It had been anticipated earliei'
that the negotiations would have
been over with before this time.
preliminary talks with the
when it becomes a floating
The unions listed agreement so
far, regarding the offshore agree
ment, on vacation benefit provi
sions, improving the pension pro
gram to establish $150 monthly
payments and a variety of other
items. Agreement also has been
reached on an industry-wide joint
union shipowner committee to go
into the problem of quarters, feed
ing and safety.
Port
SUP MFOW MC&S
10/17 to 11/14 11/1 to 11/31 11/3 to 11/30 TOTAL
San Francisco 587 148 294 1029
Seattle 145 59 39 243
Portland 123 32 29 184
Wilmington 389 (no hall) 71 460
New York 81 41 43 165
New Orleans 33 — 2 35
"••Honolulu 13 27 4* 44
San Pedro (no hall) 101 (no hall) 101
TOTAL 1371 408 482 2261
"^Honolulu totals for 11/17 to 11/30 only.
Pace Six SEAFARERS LOG Deeeml^er, 1961
SEAFARERS
ROTARY SHIPPING HOARD
(Figures On This Page Cover Deep Sea Shipping Only In the SW Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District.)
From November 1 Through November 30, 1961
A downward trend was evident in both deep-sea'shipping
and ship movements in November. The number of men
shipped across the board in November dropped off by 298
from October's total of 2,741. Ship movements were off 78
from October's 532.
While the total number of men shipped was off from last
month, the November figures are a slight improvement over
shipping activity a year ago. Compared to last year, shipping
for Seafarers in 1961 has held steady. If the trend holds
true for December, then 1961 will be recorded as a very good
shinping year for the professional, top seniority SIU seaman.
Two factors contributed to the drop in shipping during
November. One was the desire of many top seniority men
to make "just one more trip" before the Christmas holidays.
Thi*^ was evident by the fall-off in Class A men registered
during the month and those remaining on the beach by the
end of November. As compared to October, these totals were
300 less "A" men registered and 100 less "A" men on the
beach.
In fact, the total number of class A top seniority men re
maining on the beach at the end of November was less than
100 over the number of men shipped during the month. This
indicates that virtually every Class A seaman could have got
ten a job if he wanted to throw in for one. As-a group, Class A
men took only 60 percent of the jobs available during the
month. Class B men filled 30 percent of the open positions
while class C newcomers shipped in the remaining 10 percent.
The second factor leading to the decline in shipping was
the reduction in ship movements in almost all ports (see
right). New York again serviced the greatest number of ves
sels, but the total amount of ships it handled was down 51.
Sign in
Oni Tram. TOTAL
Ship Acfivify
Pay
Offt
Beiton ....... 3
New Yerk ....44
Philadelphia ..13
Baltimora .... 13
Norfolk 4
Jacksonville ... I
Tampa 3
Mobile 13
New Orleans ..12
Housfon .13
Wilmington ... 0
San Francisco.. 2
Seattle 6
1
8
8
B
2
1
, 1
7
13
3
1
2
5
7
40
12
30
12
16
16
8
43
56
16
8
7
11
92
33
48
18
18
20
28
68
72
17
12
17
TOTALS .126 67 271 454
DECK DEPARTMENT
Port
Boston
New York ..
Philadelphia..
Baltimore
Norfolk
Jacksonville..
Tampa
Wobjie
New Orleans..
Houston
V/:!mington . .
San .'•"rancisco.
Sr -•
Tot Md
Registered Registered Shipped Shipped Shipped TOTAL Registered On The Beech
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C SHIPPED CLASS A CLASS B
GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP CLASS GROUP GROUP
ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A B C ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL
4 13 4 21 0 3 2 5 3 2 1 6 0 1' 0 1 0 2 0 2 6 1 2 9 7 24 17 48 0 2 6* 8
36 70 18 124 3 12 34 49 32 61 . 19 112 2 8 21 31 1 21 13 35 112 31' 35 178 82 133 31 246 3 24 56 83
5 9 3 17 0 7 3 10 9 11 7 27 2 7 6 15 1 1 3 5 27 15 5 47 6 13 4 23 0 5 3 8
18 34 12 64 3 5 17 25 24 37 18 79 2 10 12 24 0 2 3 5 79 24 5 108 33 63 9 105 3 11 31 45
9 4 0 13 0 3 7 10 7 9 0 16 1 3 8 12 1 1 3 5 16 12 5 33 12 12 4 28 0 9 8 17
11 11 5 27 1 5 3 9 5 . 6 1 12 1 4 2 7 1 4 3 8 12 7 8 27 12 14 2 28 0 6 4 10
2 5 3 10 0 2 1 3 2 3 1 6 0 2 1 3 0 0 0 0 6 3 0 9 1 7 1 9 0 1 0 1
18 16 2 36 0 3 4 7 8 17 4 29 0 1 4 5 0 0 0 0 29 5 0 34 35 27 6 68 0 4 9 13
41 72 15 128 4 20 21 45 37 71 14 122 3 15 11 29 0 7 4 11 122 29 11 162 69 92 15 176 6 28 38 72
40 64 17 121 0 22 34 5C 33 52 12 97 8 15 33 56 3 7 1 11 97 56 11 164 54 86 16 156 5 17 26 48
6 18 3 27 0 8 4 12 6 18 4 28 0 5 4 9 0 3 7 10 28 9 10 47 15 13 2 30 0 10 3 13
19 23 4 46 2 7 7 16 6 21 7 34 3 8 6 17 0 • 1 0 1 34 17 1 52 25 •25 9 59 2 4 3 9
12 17 5 34 1 13 5 19 5 21 8 34 2 8 7 17 0 1 1 2 34 17 2 53 20 15 6 41 3 16 6 25
221 356 91 1 668 14 110 142 1 2661177 329 96 1 602 24 87 115 1 226 7 50 38 1 95 602 226 95 1 9231371 524 122 11017 22 137 193 1 352
ENGINE DEPARTMENT
Registered Registered Shiooed Shipped Shipped TOTAL Begisfered On The Beach
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C SHIPPED CLASS A CLASS B
Port GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUB CLASS GROUP GROUP
Port 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 - 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A B C ALL 1 2 S ALL 1 2 S ALL
Boston 3 7 1 li 1 5 0 6 2 1 0 3 1 2 1 4 0 0 1 1 3 4 1 8 2 14 1 17 2 4 3 9
New York '.... 19 69 12 100 10 29 33 72 27 62 11 100 12 22 27 61 3 15 15 33 100 61 33 194 33 126 15 174 12 88 87 87
Philadelphia 0 10 5 15 0 2 4 6 3 15 7 25 0 7 7 14 0 3 3 6 25 -14 6 45 0 11 2 13 0 3 4 7
Baltimore 10 33 9 52 2 17 22 41: 6 40 6 52 0 14 22 36 0 2 6 8 52 36 8 96 6 60 9 75 3 19 21 43
Norfolk 0 12 3 15 1 3 5 9, 2 7 2 11 0 1 3 4 1 1 2 4 11 4 4 19 3 14 0 17 4 5 6 15
Jacksonville 1 10 3 14 1 4 8 13' ' 1 7 2 10 0 1 4 5 2 5 0 7 10 5 7 22 2 10 3 15 1 2 11 14
Tampa 1 3 1 5 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 3 3 6 1 10 0 0 2 2
Mobile 4 20 3 27 0 6 9 15 3 15 7 25 0 6 7 13 0 0 0 0 25 13 0 38 9 35 4 -48 0 7 5 12
New Orleans 19 58 10 87 5 19 21 45 22 66 13 101 3 19 27 49 3 7 6 16 101 49 16 166 29 80 9 118 5 48 43 96
Houston 13 55 6 74 5 25 31 61 15 42 6 63 5 30 32 67 1 8 0 9 63 67 9 139 25 77 8 110 3 23 23 49
Wilmington 4 12 1 •17 1 9 3 13 9 11 1 21 1 5 3 9 0 1 3 4 21 9 4 34 4 12 2 18 1 8 3 12
San Francisco 9 16 3 28 2 4 3 9 .5 9 5 19 0 3 1 .4 0 0 0 0 19 4 0 23 15 40 6 61 2 2 5 9
Seattle 4 27 2 33 2 .8 1 11 2 22 6 30 1 7 5 13 0 0 0 0 30 13 0 43 5 23 2 30 1 11 3 15
TOTALS "87 3?,^ 59 l~478 30 131 141 r302 97 297 66 1 460 23 118 139 1 280 10 43 37 1 1 90 460 280 90 830 136 508 62 706 34 170 166 1 370
STEWARD DEPARTMENT
Registered Registered Shipped Shipped Shipped TOTAL Registered On The Beach
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C SHIPPED CLASS A CLASS B
Port
GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP CLASS GROUP GROUP
Port 1-s 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1-s 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A B C ALL 1-8 1 2 8 ALL 1 2 8 ALL
Bos 0 2 0 4 6 "o" 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 2 2 1 2 5 3 4 2 6 15 1 2 4 7
NY 13 18 18 56 105 3 7 30 40 4 18 11 47 80 5 4 18 27 3 2 11 If •80 27 16 123 26 43 38 89 196 2 0 43 45
Phil 2 2 1 4 9 1 1 7 9 3 2 3 9 17 4 0 12 16 0 0 7 7 17 16 7 40 3 5 1 6 15 0 1 6 7
Bal 7 21 8 31 67 2 4 14 20 4 19 7 25 55 2 0 18 20 0 0 5 5 55 20 5 80 9 26 12 35 82 2 4 15 21
Nor 1 5 2 2 10 3 3 4 10 - 1 3 0 2 6 2 2 • 4 8 0 2 5 7 6 8 7 21 1 7 5 6 19 3 4 14 21
Jae 1 8 1 1 11 1 2 1 4 1 3 2 1 7 1 0 3 4 2 0 13 15 7 4 15 26 3 2 1 1 7 2 2 4 8
Tam 1 4 2 3 10 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 3 3 1 3 7 3 5 1 6 15 0 0 0 0
Mob 0 8 5 14 27 1 0 7 8 1 8 1 13 23 0 0 7 7 0 0 0 0 23 7 0 30 7 17 10 19 53 1 0 27 28
NO 5 15 12 75 107 2 5 36 43 6 25 9 64 104 1 3 28 32 2 6 19 27 104 32 27 163 18 38 25 98 179 2 7 71 80
Hou 7 26 14 21 68 3 4 20 27 3 26 11 17 57 0 1 36 37 0 0 11 11 57 37 11 105 17 42 21 24 104 5 6 20 81
Wil* 4 5 6 8 23 3 2 8 13 1 4 2 4 11 1 1 5 7 0 0 8 8 11 7 8 26 5 5 6 6 22 2 1 6 9
SF 11 7 3 14 35 0 0 5 5 0 6 3 8 17 0 0 5 5 0 0 1 1 17 5 1 23 15 9 8 30 62 0 0 10 10
Sea .... 1 12 3 11 27i 2 1 15 18 3 5 3 14 25 2 1 9 12 0 0 4 4 25 12 4 41 3 11 5 9 28 4 3 15 22
TOT At! 53 133 75 244 1 505 21 30 149 r200 27 123 52 205 1 407' 18 12 147 1 "177 8 10 88 1 106 407 177 106 690 113 214 135 335 1 797 24 30 235 1 289
SUMMARY
WCK __
ENGINE
STEWARD
GRAND TOTALS
Registered
CLASS A
GROUP
1 2 ALL
221 356 91 1 (^8
87 332 59 I 478
186 75 244 | 505
494 763 394 |1651
Registered
CLASS B
GROUP
123 ALL
14 110 142 I 266
30 131 141 IJ02
21 30 149 I 200
iS5 271 432 I 768
Shipped
CLASS A
GROUP
1 2 3 ALL
177 329 96 I 602
97 297 66 | 460
150 52 205 I 407
424 678 367 |1469
Shipped
CLASS B
GROUP
123 ALL
24 87 115 I 226
23 110 139 I 280
18 12 147 I 177
65 217 401 I 683
Shipped
CLASS C
GROUP
1 28 ALL
7 50 38 I 95
10 43 37 90
8 10 88 I 106
25 103 163 I 291
TOTAL
SHIPPED
CLASS
ABC ALL
602 226 95 I 923
460 280 90 I 830
407 177 106 I 690
Registered On The Beach
CLASS A
GROUP
123 ALL
371 524 122 |1017
136 608 62 I 706
327 135 335'I 797
1469 683 291 |2443 834 1167 519 |2520
CLASS B
GROUP
12 3 ALL
22 137 193 I 352
34 170 166 I 370
24 30 235 I 289
80 337 594 |1011
* Includes One 1-S Class B Registered and Shipped.
DeeHBbtf, 19tl SEAFARERS LOG Pai:« SeTMi
Solid Union Votes Sweep
Westcott, Becker Boats
DETROIT—Boat operators and crewmembers of th» fa
miliar J. J. Westcott launches here and at Port Huron—^voted
for representation by the Allied Marina Section of the SIU
Inland Boatmen's Union in"^
balloting conducted by the
National Labor Relations
Board last month.
In earlier NLRB voting, the
Becker Towing Company came un
der the banner of the IBU Great
Lakes Tug and Dredge Region. The
union defeated the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters in the
Becker election covering crewmen
on the two towboats operated by
the company. Becker also has a
third vessel under construction.
Well-known to all seamen on the
Lakes, the Westcolu operation is
unique In the area. The two
Lakes Welfare
In Good Shape
DETROIT—Winding up its first
seven months of operation, the new
Great Lakes Seamen's Welfare
Plan has paid Lakes sailors and
their dependents a total of $112,-
836.75 in benefits.
At their November meeting, the
plan's trustees reported that the
young plan was in "robust shape
to go through the coming winter
when vessels are idle and the con
tributions are reduced to a trickle."
Benefits paid to date were listed
as follows: $24,000 in death bene
fits for six eligible members; $7,090
covering benefits for hospitalized
seamen, $11,235.60 in sickness and
accident benefits and $200 for spe
cial disability cases.
New Arrivals
The remainder of the money
paid out went for the hospital-
surgical expenses of seamen and
dependents plus maternity bene
fits amounting to $12,300. All told,
82 babies were born during the
seven-month-period.
Seamen and thetr families
throughout the Lakes have loudly
praised the plan and its speedy
payment of benefits. Letters of
credit to hospitals have been is
sued immediateljr on request, and
hospitals up and down the Lakes
have become familiar with the new
plan's procedures and benefits.
launches carry mall on and off
vessels as they transit the Detroit
River. The launches also carry
crewmembers, packages, laundry
and even television sets to the
freighters and other vessels pass
ing through. Union patrolmen are
also frequent passengers as they
move about the Detroit River area
to service crews on contracted
boats and vessels in the area.
Summer Attraction
The Westcott operation is a sum
mer attraction for visitors to the
Detroit River near the Ambassador
Bridge where they watch the
launch scurrying out to meet ves
sels and transfer their passengers
and material on and off while the
vessels continue to move at their
regular speed.
Many times the launch must
meet and service as many as five
or six vessels passing within min
utes of the launch service area.
The launches were slated to dis
continue operations, due to the
close of the current shipping sea
son, until the 1962 vessel fit-out
begins. The operation at Port
Huron employs three men and at
Detroit six.
Where's Santa?
'61 Seaway
Season Ends
MASSENA, NY—Bad weather
and a late rush in grain traffic
delayed the closing of the St. Law
rence Seaway early this month.
The waterway had been officially
closed to traffic on December 3.
Six Lakes grain ships unloading
at Montreal past the original dead
line were locked through the Sea
way two days later to enable them
to get back to their home ports.
Otherwise they would have been
stranded for the winter.
The last ship transitted the locks
here on December 5. Bad weather
stalled navigation for a time, caus
ing operations to keep on in day
light hours only as US and Cana
dian patrol boats continued to pick
up buoys from shipping channels.
April 15 is the scheduled reopen
ing date in 1962.
Standing under the Christ
mas tree at SIU headquar
ters is Peter Sorensen,
3-1/2, visiting the hall with
dad, Seafarer Ejvind Soren
sen, NOB.
New Export-Import Rule
Urged To Spur Shipping
WASHINGTON—Proposals to expand the US merchant
fleet by amending foreign trad^ legislation have been ad
vanced by the American Maritime Association at hearings of
a House subcommittee. The"*"
House labor group is studying
the impact of US import-ex
port policies on employment.
A spokesman for the AMA
urged enactment of new trade leg
islation requiring more than 50
percent of all strategic import-
export materials to be caipried in
privately - owned American - flag
merchant ships. He also called for
administration of the existing SO-
SO law "as written and intended by
its sponsors."
The AMA is a new steamship
management organization com
posed of operators holding con-
Organizing Gets Top
AFL-CIO Priority
MIAMI—Despite gloomy press predictions to the contrary,
the unity of the American trade union movement held fast
and was strengthened at the AFL-CIO's fourth biennial con
vention here. Delegates rep
resenting 12.5 million workers
charted a wide-ranging pro
gram on legislative and political is
sues.
Top priority was placed on "the
major unfinished business" of the
labor movement—organizing the
unorganized. The Federation also
called for higher wages and shorter
hours as collective bargaining
goals to help eradicate unemploy
ment and increase buying power.
President Kennedy was featured
speaker at the December 7 open
ing session of the five-day conven
tion, and pledged a new campaign
to keep the US economy moving
ahead.
Unity The Keynote
Unity was the keynote of the
gathering as a new constitutional
plan for settlement of internal dis
putes within the Federation was
given overwhelming approval. It
provides for mediation, determine-
In the hospital?
Gall SIU Hall immediately!
Membership
Meetings Set
in WO Ports
Beginning in January, 1962,
monthly Informational and educa
tional meetings for the SIU mem
bership will be held in the West
Coast ports of Wilmington, San
Francisco and Seattle.
The meetings were authorized
by the Executive Board of the SIU
Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland
Waters District, in the interest of
all members, so that Seafarers on
the West Coast can be better in
formed about the activities of their
Union and participate more ac
tively in the Union's affairs.
The meetings will be held dur
ing the last full week of every
month, starting at 2 PM, local
time. The Wilmington meetings
will be on Monday, San Francisco
on Wednesday and Seattle on Fri
day.
The Executive Board also di
rected that when a meeting day
falls on a day officially designated
as a holiday by the state or munici
pal authorities where the port is
located, the meeting wilT "be held
the following day, as is the prac
tice in. other SIU ports, according
to the couslitulion.
tion by an impartial umpire if
mediation fails and the imposition
of sanctions by the AFL-CIO's Ex
ecutive Council for non-compli
ance.
In other actions, the convention
approved full reinstatement for
the International Longshoremen's
Association, ending a probationary
period established at the last con
vention in 1959. Delegates unani
mously rejected attempts to gain
readmission to the Federation by
the International Brotherhood of
Teamsters.
tracts with the SIU and the Marin#
Engineers Beneficial Association.
It was established as an outgrowth
of the contract beef which tied up
Atlantic and Gulf Coast shipping
last summer.
In pressing the case for new
foreign- trade policy, the AMA
pointed out that the US fleet, un
like the fleets of other maritime
powers, carried a very small per
centage of US foreign commerce.
According to the latest availai)le
figures, it was stated, in 1959 thii
amounted to 9.7 percent. By com
parison, British vessels carried 53.3
percent. West Germany carried
41.2 percent, Japan 53.2 percent
and Spain 73.7 percent of their
own national foreign commerce.
The Department of Defens#
maintains that a merchant marine
adequate for purposes of national
defense must be capable of trans
porting at least 50 percent of our
foreign commerce.
"Therefore, with respect to both
our economy and defense, we have
fallen far short of living up to our
announced and often - proclaimed
policy. As things stand today, "the
AMA spokesman declared, "even
if we were only to carry 25 percent
of our foreign commerce, we would
need a merchant fleet of at least
twice the present size."
These figures "simply show that
the deterioration of our merchant
fleet and loss of employment to
seamen has now reached the point
where our national planning seems
to lean toward eventual elimina
tion of our maritime capabilities,"
he added.
An important job security agree
ment has been won by the Rail
road Telegraphers from the South
ern Pacific RR. Telegraphers are
now guaranteed 40 hours' pay each
week for the remainder of their
careers. Assurance was also won
by the union that not more than
two percent of existing jobs can
be eliminated in any one year . . .
The United Rubber Workers have
set up seven special courses de
signed to meet the needs of mem
bers as part of a "Chance to
Leaim" program. The series was
set up jointly by the union and the
University of Akion.
4" i it
Two separate actions in different
parts of the country put the spot
light on management drives to push
new "right to work" laws. A lead
ing Idaho daily urged lawmakers
not to make Idaho "that kind of
state" by imposing an anti-union
law on its citizens; in Maine, a
clergyman called sponsors of such
laws totally irresponsible and
warned that a ban on union .shop
provisions would "reverse years of
real progress in labor-management
relations" ... A Royal Canadian
Mounted policeman was caught
posing as a press photographer at
a meeting addressed by Prime
Minister Diefenbaker of Canada.
He was' taking pictures of union
men passing out leaflets to get the
unemployment problem before the
people.
4. 4 4
The Amalgamated Clothing
Workers and the International
Glove Workers, both AFL-CIO in
ternational unions, have merged.
The glove workers, with 2,500
members, were formerly In the
AFL; the Amalgamated, listing
385.000 members, was a former
CIO union . . . Street Car and Rail
way Employees in Kansas City
have challenged Missouri's King-
Thompson Act, which permits the
governor to seize utilities, ban
strikes and fine unions and their
officers up to $10,000 a day for
defying a strike ban. A US District
Court judge has granted the union's
request that a three-judge panel
be set up to study the constitu
tionality of the law.
4 4 4
In the first collective bargaining
election in the history of the NY
Board of Education, the AFL-CIO
United Federation of Teachers was
elected by New York teachers to
represent their interests. Early
bargaining talks covering over
40,000 teachers are being set up
with the board ... The AFL-CIO
Horseshocrs Union is launching a
drive to unionize some 100 men
who shoe horses at the nation's
harness tracks. Tiie union's pres
ent membership is about 300.
4 4 4
A Gallon, Ohio, company which
said it.would fire any employee
who wore bowling shirts with the
initials "U.\W" (for United Auto
Workers) was held guilty of an un
fair labor practice by the National
Labor Relations Board . . . An iron
workers strike by Cleveland Local
17 ended when a contract formula
was reached to provide an "adverse
weather expense allowance" of $5
whenever a man turns up for work
and is sent home due to bad
weather.
Page Eight SEAFARERS LOG Dceemhw, 1961
Seatrain Back, Ends
RR Haul To Africa
The Seatrain New York arrived back in the States this
month following a special offshore run to Africa. The voyage
marked the first time a Seatrain vessel has been overseas
since an epic war-time trip to"*
OUESTION; Radioactive fallout from recent Russian A-bomb
tests in the atmosphere teems to be drifting into various shipping
routes. Is this likely to make you think twice about sailing into
these areas?
North Africa in 1942 to de
liver a load of tanks for the
8th Army.
On the latest run, the New York
carried 207 different pieces of roll
ing stock plus 100 tons of rail and
track for construction of two small,
complete railroad systems. A spe
cial stacking system was devised to
carry the cargo on deck and in her
holds.
A company spokesman reported
(Ed. note: The iollowing ac
count is another in a series which
will appear in the LOG on Sea
farers who serve as ship or de
partment delegates. Future issues
will carry interviews from other
SIU vessels.)
James Hale, fireman, and
formerly ship's delegate
aboard the Orion Star
(Colonial), typifies the new breed
of Seafarer now sailing with the
filU.
He's young, 32 years old, and has
been sailing with the SIU for ten
years now. He likes to sail and, al
though he feels he could find work
ashore if he had to, he's not too
keen on the idea. Each man has
a job to do aboard ship and
shouldn't run away from responsi
bility.
Brother Hale was born and
raised in Portland, Oregon. He is
married, and he
and his wife, Lu
cille, now make
their home in
Los Angeles. "I
don't mind re
sponsibility," he
says. "Some guys
turn the other
way when they're
faced with It."
H e apparently
he preaches, and
has served as black gang delegate
on a number of ships. His dele
gate's job aboard the Orion Star
was his first trick as a ship's dele
gate.
'"This was a real happy crew,"
Hale reported. "There was plenty
of discussion at the meetings, and
that's a fine thing. But we didn't
have any loudmouths or rough
necks sounding off just to hear
themselves talk.
"The only beefs we had were
minor ones," he continued, "but
when they came up, I tried to get
them out of the way as soon as
possible. I didn't want them devel
oping into anyttiing really big.
That's the best way to l^ndle these
things.
When the ship paid off in New
York, Hale met with the Union
patrolman and reported the minor
Items he thought should be done
before the next crew came aboard.
"1 won't be on the ship, he noted,
"but I don't want the new guys
coming aboard with ready-made
beefs waiting for them."
Hole
practices what
that the 13-day trip to Liberia
"went smoothly and without a
hitch." Upon arrival, the _New
York was discharged by a heavy
duty floating derrick which lifted
the heavy cargo off. The SIU
crew manned the winches for
other items.
Ore Deposits
The rails, trade and rolling
stock, including a dozen locomo
tives, will be used to develop one
of the world's richest iron ore de
posits in Liberia. The project is a
joint effort of the Liberian govern
ment and Swedish and United
States interests. Two separate rail
trunk lines will be built, one lead
ing from a new ocean port at Bu
chanan, Liberia, to link up with a
remote inland area where rich ore
deposits lay.
The discharging operation ran
into a few snags now and then, ac
cording to the company. "The
ship had to be turned around a
couple of times," it was reported,
"to allow the derrick to get at all
sides of her and, on a few occa
sions, the derrick bumped a little
harder than it should have. As a
result, some minor damage to the
ship resulted."
Despite the damage, the special
voyage was a coup for Seatrain,
since it involved a record $2 mil
lion railroad shipment. The ship
was also able to load, deliver and
discharge in record time because
of her specialized construction.
On the 15-day return run, the
New York headed to New Orleans,
and picked up her regular coast
wise operation again.
Juan M. Cjollazo, chief cook: I'll
go anywhere the
ship sails. The
danger of fallout
is relatively un
important as com
pared to the
other things that
can happen to a
ship at sea. What
I am concerned
about is my fam
ily ashore. I think the Government
should provide some protection
for the people living in cities.
4 t 4"
Earl Cronsell, AB: I sailed during
the last war afid
1 don't think that
fallout will pre
sent any more of
a hazard than the
kind I faced then.
I'm more worried
about my family
back home. After
all, they can't
move once the
fallout starts coming down. At sea
we can.
4i 4i
Nicholas Bechulivanis, ABi 1
think there is
some danger and
would hesitate to
ship out if there
is too much fall
out. Right now
I'm concerned
for my family on
shore. The Gov
ernment seems to
have money for
everything else. 1 think something
ought to be provided for people
ashore.
BOATMAN
IBU Rivers Drive Scores
17-0, Gains New Support
HOUSTON—Organizing by the Inland Boatmen's Union in
the nation's great Mississippi River system took a big step
forward when the union won a unanimous decision in a Na
tional Labor Relations Board-*
election among employees of
the Inland River Company.
All 17 ballots cast in the voting
were solidly for the IBU.
Inland River, which employs 20
boatmen, now runs two boats, the
Inland Pilot and the Inland
Trader. The Pilot runs between
New Orleans and Florida and the
Trader works on the Mississippi
from St. Louis north.
The tally was conducted here
late last month following separate
votes earlier on each of the com
pany's boats. Hearings on the
Union's election petition were held
in October. Inland River is a sub
sidiary of Dixie Carriers, a com
pany based at Harvey, Louisiana,
which has been under IBU con
tract for some time.
Campaigning in several other
river's fleets at the s-ame time.
Union representatives expect
NLRB balloting procedures to be
underway shortly In a number of
areas.
Union halls have been opened
in St. LoulSj Missouri; Point Pleas
ant, West -Virginia; Port Arthur,
Texas, and Tampa, Florida, to or
ganize workers on boats in the
Mississippi, Ohio River and intra-
coastal systems.
John Liston, AB: Maybe 1 have
a fatalistic atti
tude but, if you're
going to die,
that's it. You can
get bit with fall
out even on
shore, so why
should 1 have any
more worry while
at sea. Wherever
the ship goes, I
go. That's my job.
% % %
J. L. Gomez, bosun: As long as
I'm in the indus
try, and I've been
a seaman for a
good many years,
I'll sail wherever
the ship is sched
uled to go. I'm
more concerned
for my family
ashore. I think
the Government
should provide some protection for
them the same way England did
for its people during World War 11.
Union* Mas
Cable Address
Seafarers overseas who want
to get in touch with headquar
ters in a hurry can do so by
cabling the Union at its cable
address, SEAFARERS NEW
YORK.
Use of this address will assure
speedy transmission on all mes
sages and faster service for the
men involved.
US Tax Bite
Up $6 More
On January 1
WASHINGTON—Seafarers will
And Social Security taking a slight
ly larger, bite from payoffs stert-
ing January 1st.
New rates which take effect in
1962 will cost Seafarers $150 on
the first $4,800 they earn. This is
more than the $144 now de
ducted for Social Security.
The rate change is an increase
from three to three and one-eighth
percent. The increased deductions
will be applied to wages paid on
or after January 1st, ;Bven if the
money was earned before then,
the Social Security Administration
points out.
That means, for example, that
if e ship sailed on November I
but does not pay off until after
January 1st, the new higher rates
will be applied to the full payoff.
As in past years, if a Seafarer pays
more than the maximum required
in Social Security deductions dus
to work for more than one em
ployer, he can claim the overage
as "income tax withheld."
The 1962 Increase is the first
step in a gradually increasing rate
schedule. The present law calls
for a four-and-five-eighths percent
tax on the first $4,800 of salary by
1968 or a $232 Social Security de
duction.
The increased Social Security
deductions, which are matched by
the employer, will be used to pay
for increased Social Security bene
fits undel- legislation passed by
Congress last summer.
This provides for expanded dis
ability benefit insurance. Social
Security retirement coverage at
age 62, increased payments for
widows and faftillles and a general
increase in monthly benefits.
New Coastal Roll-On Ship
On* of two converted LSTs that began overnight roll-on
service between Baltimore and Norfolk this fall, the IBU-con-
tracted Maryland Clipper takes on vehicles via loading ramp
In bow. The company, the Norfolk, Baltimore and Carolina
Line, has been operating other vessels for many years.
Norfolk Win Is IJth Straight
NORFOLK—The Inland Boatmen's Union has just scored its 11th straight election victory
in this area, winning at M. L. Hudgins & Son by margin of 14-2. The non-union company
employs some 24 marine workers on small tankers and tugs which transport oil to various
harbor outlets. The National-"
Labor Relations Board voting
was held recently.
Earlier, boosting its string of im
portant wins in the Hampton
Roads area, the IBU brought an
other tug fleet under its banner
with the signing of a contract cov
ering the R. K. Davis Transporta
tion Co.
The 30 tugmen who operate the
seven Davis boats from Newport
News bring the overali IBU mem
bership in the Norfolk area to 400.
Organizing campaigns earlier
this year scored important suc
cesses with victories in the Curtis
Bay, McAllister and GATCO fleets
where the IBU routed District 50
of the United Mine Workers.
Follow-up drives to organize
smaller non-union tug fleets were
won when the IBU was recognized
as bargaining agent for employees
of Capitol Transportation and
Marine Oil Service. The victory at
R. K. Davis came after employees
voted for IBU representation in an
NLRB election held in Septen\ber.
Contract negotiations between
the union and R. K. Davis came to
a successful conclusion in Novem
ber with the signing of a threer
year agreement. It sets up wage
scales, working rules and job
security provisions In the seven-
boat fleet.
The new pact provides for auto
matic wage increases during the
life of the contract. Another
major gain for Davis employees is
coverage under the Seafarers Wel
fare Plan completely financed
through company contributions.
The company also agreed to a dues
check-off provision.
December, 19(1 SEAFARERS LOG Pacre Nlii|
Thanksgiving of the Sill
Traditionally, the SIU
has extended an invita
tion to its family to join
together in marking the
holiday that comes
around on the fourth
Thursday of November.
This year was no excep
tion in every SIU city.
Once again last month,
it was time to pass the
drumstick and cranberry
sauce at SIU halls in all
ports for Seafarers, their
families and friends. For
all hands, the belt-pop
ping meal Included tur
key and all th^trimmings
as everyone shared in the
traditional Thanksgiving
table fare.
The photographs on
this page do not represent
all SIU ports, although
dinners were held in
every case. Pictured
here are scenes from the
affairs in New Orleans,
Houston and New York.
Seafarers, families and guests jam New Orleans hall for
holiday dinner. That turkey mi:st have been good. Scenes
at right and directly below are all from New Orleans.
Fruit table (left) gets a
careful inspection from
Robert and William Ranew,
sons of Irvin Ranew, 2nd
cook. Above, Harry L.
Toal and family, with Carl
W. Grages, engine depart
ment, and his wife and chil
dren, enjoy dinner to
gether.
Here (l-r) are B. Rydlander, AB; L.
Gotherd, OS; R. Viloria, B. O'Con-
ner, steward; Mrs. O'Conner; G.
McCarter, SUP.
Angel M. Ortiz, oiler, and his fatb-
ily get together for Thanksgiving.
Ortiz just came off the Margaret
Brown for the affair.-
It's dinner for six at this table .as
Mrs. Lloyd "Johnny" Johnston and
guests are on camera here. John
ston is at sea on the Del Mar.
Over 600 diners sampled the holiday tare at the turkey day
gathering'in the New York hall. The staff here and in other
•ports really turned to on providing the tiaditional menu
and all the trimmings for tne Thanksgiving diners.
A big SIU family made the dinner at Houston,
as the wife and seven children of Seafarer William
Sehoffer gathered 'round the table. Mrs. Ray Queen
and her son are at rear, center.
Pace Tn 5 £00 •. INl
Cara Sea Pays A Call To Baltimore
All's well on fhe Cara Sea, in Baltimore,
(above, l-r), as Seafarers W. Tayfor, J.
Bereczky and C. Ellen, enjoy some chow and
conversation. Right, gangway watchman
E. Broadus- (center) welcomes A. Severe
and T. Frazier aboard.
Laud SlU Blacklist Fight
Commending the SIU's dong fight to insure freedom of the seas,' the American Trade
Union Council of the National Committee for Labor Israel (Histadrut) has urged the US and
the United Nations to renew efforts to have the Suez Canal opened to ^11 shipping.
The council charged that^
the United Arab Republic, in
continuing to ban Israeli ship
ping from the canal and blacklist
ing ships of other nations which
trade with Israel, was violating
traditional maritime law and "its
own solemn commitments" to the
principle of freedom of navigation.
"Discrimination against the
shipping rights of any nation is a
threat to the freedom of the- seas
for everyone, everywhere," it de
clared.
A resolution adopted by the
council commended the "unequiv
ocal stand of American maritime
workers" in seeking to maintain
freedom of navigation for all ship
ping through the Suez.
The SIU's fight to protect the
jobs and rights of American sea
men were brought-to the fore in
Joe Aigina, Safety Director
Progress Can Be Made On Safety
There was a time when a man who'd talk safety would be classed
as a "beefer" or troublemaker among the crew. He's reckoned as an
asset today when he makes a .suggestion, either good or bad. He's
thinking about safety and that's really half the battle.
There was a question on some of the container ships, for example.
A turnbuckle device was being used to secure the erane and make it fast,
but the crew had only a small place to stand on in order to get it
done. Working on one leg without a proper platform, a couple of
men had taken bad spills trying to do this job. It's a six to eight foot
fall down to a hard deck.
Needless to say, this kind of accident is avoidable when there's a
proper, railed platform to work from. It took a while to get this
done, but that's what we have now. A fixed platform and a 42-inch-
high railing is being tried out on these ships and we haven't heard
about an accident since then. No complaints either.
On another type of vessel, with containers as deck cargo, a narrow
space between the stack of containers and the bulkhead was mostly
taken up by a large vent. The men had to crawl under the overhanging
vent in order to go forward and usually got a bump on the head while
they were at it. This kind of boobytrap had to go, providing we didn't
cut down on the ship's payload at the same time. The solution was
to cut down the size of the vent so that everybody could walk around
right side up without getting bruised.
All the suggestions and recommendations regarding shipboard con
ditions don't i-equire the same kind of effort. Very often, an extra
coat of non-skid paint, a brighter light bulb in a dark corner or just
careful housekeeping make the difference. Plain common sense is im
portant too.
Over the years, it's been the responsibility of SIU operators to main
tain their vessels in a safe working condition within reasonable, rec
ognized standards. In the same way, the Union has had the responsi
bility of indoctrinating Seafarers in safe working practices and to seek
their full cooperation in the aims of our joint, program with the ship
owners.
At this point, five years since the program began, we can't say we've
eliminated shipboard accidents period. We never expected we or any
one else could do that. We'll always have accidents to contend with.
The unpredictable is what makes an accident, whether it affects sail
ors aboai-d ship or the man who slips and falls in his bathtub at home.
What we have done through the joint program is spotlight the causes
of accidents, bring them out in the open and cut down on hazards
wherever possible.
The program hasn't been used to whip anybody or try to take away
anyone's livelihood just because he might have an accident. The em
phasis continues to be on prevention through education and regular
training. In all, the companies, the Union and Seafarers aboard ship
have something worthwhile going and conditions throughout the SIU
fleet bear this out. There's still plenty to be done, but at least today
we feel we're on the way to doing something, instead of just talking
about it.
(Commentg and suggestions are inviter^ by the Department and can
be submitted to this column care of the SEAFARERS LOG J
April, 1960, when Seafarers and
members of the International
Longshoremen's Association pick
eted the Egyptian-flag SS Cleopa
tra in New York Harbor. The un
ions protested mistreatment of
seamen and loss of job opportuni
ties due to the UAR blacklist.
An earlier blow for freedom of
navigation was struck by an SIU
ship in April, 1957, shortly after
the Suez War, when the SIU-
manned Kern Hills pulled into
Elath, Israel, at the head of the
Gulf of Aqaba. The tanker was
the first ocean-going vessel to pass
into the Gulf to deliver cargo to
Israel.
Imposition of the blackli.st
against the Kern Hills led to a
renaming of the vessel and touched
off a series-of incidents as addi
tional US vessels and ships of
other flags were barred from Suez
for doing business with Israel.
The Cleopatra action followed last
year and continued until the State
Department pledged to seek an
end to blacklisting.
Book Review:
Furuseth Role
Highlight Of
New Sea Book
A two-ctiapier portrait of An
drew Furuseth, one of the pio
neers of the maritime labor move
ment, highlights "Shanghaiing
Days," a new book by author-lec
turer Richard H. Dillon of San
Francisco.
The .350-page volume should
provide some exciting, interesting
and informative reading for Sea
farers interested in what things
were like when ships were run
under sail, with a belaying pin
and a cat-o-nine tails as auxiliary
power. Steam was just beginning
to boil over onto the sea lanes
at the time.
Dillon paints a grTm picturfe of
the American merchant marine in
the last quarter of the nineteenth
century. Seamen were exploited
in wholesale fashion and whole
crews jumped ship when a vessel
hit port to avoid further brutali
ties. The book includes a detailed
description of shanghaiing methods
used to pad out short crews.
The author aiso wrDes of the
men who attempted to defend sea
men when everyone else had for
gotten. Here, Furuseth's life and
work are dealt with in some de
tail and for those interested in
the birth of maritime unionism
these chapters are invaluable. The
publisher is Coward-McCann of
New York.
Courts Reject Ban
On Runaway Pickets
MONTREAL—Shipowner attempts to force a halt to pick
eting by unemployed Canadian seamen against the runaway-
flag Wheat King have been rebuffed in court again. A motor-
ship owned by Island Ship--*
ping of Bermuda, the vessel
was originally manned by
SIU of Canada seamen.
Crewmembers were locked out
this fall after they protested sub
standard conditions. The com
pany, a subsidiary of the Canadian
and American-owned Norris Grain
Company, then hired non-union
aliens and shipjumpers to man the
vessel.
It has since been picketed by
unemployed seamen at several
Great Lakes porta in Canada and
the US.
In November, the Wheal King
docked at Halifax, NS, and was
again met by pickets who tied up
the vessel. The company secured
Lake Ship
Aid Stalled
OTTAWA—No reply by Great
Britain is reported to Canada's
notification of plans to limit do
mestic shipping on the Great
Lakes to Canadian-flag vessels.
At the time of the original an
nouncement in May, the move was
hailed by the SIU of Canada and
the SIUNA as a much-needed step
to aid the hard-hit Canadian-flag
industry. Canada acted under pro
visions of the British Common
wealth merchant shipping agree
ment.
Unless there Is unanimous ap- j
proval on the part of the 11 signa
tories of the Commonwealth
agreement, Canada will be forced
to go along with the clause which
requires a year's notice to be
given before any change can be
made. At the present time, ap
proval doesn't seem to be forth
coming.
Canadian government spokes
men note that an amendment to
the Canada Shipping Act will also
have to be made, with the result
that the restriction move would
be delayed still further.
The ban, affecting transport
along the inland route, will apply
to ports within the Great Lakes
and along the St. Lawrence. It
would be similar in nature to US
rules restricting its domestic
trades to US-flag vessels. By limit
ing this trade only to Canada-flag
ships, the move is expected to sub
stantially increase job oppor
tunities for Canadian seamen.
Canadian Seafarers, members
the SIU of Canada,
are a lital clement In the mari
time picture generally and in
the SIU family of unions. They
man ships under tiie Canadian
flag across-the-board—deep sea
off the Atlantic Coast, on the
Great Lakes and the Seaway.
The Canadian SIU also repre
sents large groups of Canadian
tugboatmen, dredgemen and al
lied crafts. The Canadian Dis
trict works closely with the
other sru unions throughout
Nortii America and the mutual
relationship has been of great
advantage to all SIU members.
a temporary injunction against the
pickets, and the Wheat King sailed
partially loaded.
However, a court hearing in Hal
ifax ended with a ruling against
continuation of the temporary re
straining order. It is expected that
Canadian seamen will be able to
picket the vessel if it reaches Hal
ifax again.
A picketline also met the ship
at Three Rivers, Quebec, after it
left Halifax, and the operators
again tried to secure a court order
against picketing. The judge, how
ever, granted only a temporary
injunction with notice being pro
vided to the pickets. Later, when
representatives of unemployed
Canadian seamen testified at a
hearing, the Three Rivers court
also refused to issue a permanent
restraining order.
The picketline delayed the
Wheat King at Three Rivers for
more than a week, and the vessel
sailed only when its non-union
crew did the work of longshore
men who had honored the picket-
line.
Canadian seamen are pledged
to continue action against tha
Wheat King and other runaway-
flag ships throughout Canada as
part of a broad drive to protest
cut-rate operations.
SIU 'Polices'
Police Boat
VANCOUVEE — Seafarers in
this West Coast port have volun
teered their services in maintain
ing an historic vessel in the Van
couver Maritime Museum.
The SIU has pledged to take
care of the maintenance and gen
eral upkeep of the Royal Cana
dian Mounted Police vessel St.
Roch. Donated to the Vancouver
museum by the Mounties, the ves
sel was the first to circumnavigate
North America and was the first
to run between Halifax and Van
couver through the Northwest
Passage.
The ship had been allowed to
deteriorate lately, but the SIU
membership here Intends to
change this situation. Canadian
seafarers pledged to get the ves
sel in topnotch shape by rerigging,
repainting and overhauling her
gear and equipment. / The volun
teer effort amounts to some two
thousand man-hours of work.
It has been suggested that busi
ness firms in the city donate mate
rial and finance the cost of struc
tural repairs to the vessel.
SIU Canadian
Disfricf Halls
FORT WILLIAM.. 408 Simpson St.
Ontario Phone: 3-3221
HALIFAX, N.S 17S% HoUis St.
Phone 3-8911
MONTBBAL 634 St. James St. West
Victor 2-81S1
QUEBEC 44 Sault-au-Hateiot
Quebec LAlontaine 3-1S69
TROROLD. Ontario 52 St. David St.
CAnaJ 7-5212
TORONTO. Ontario 272 King St. E.
EUpiie 4-5719
VANCOUV!?®, EC 298 Wsin St.
ST. JOHN. NS in PriBOO William St.
OX 3-543J
Deeeabor. INl SEAFARERS LOG Pace Eleren
'Now Is The Time For All Good Men,..'
A strong American merchant marine, capa
ble of fulfilling its role as an integral part of
the total US transportation industry, and as
an instrument of national policy, is an
absolute necessity. Certainly no one with the
Interests of this nation at heart could ques
tion the validity of this statement.
Yet today the US-flag fleet has been allowed
to dwindle to a point described by maritime
observers as constituting "a national dis
aster." At the end of World War II, the num
ber of our merchant ships—and our capacity
to build them—was greater than in all the
rest of the world combined. Now we rank
fourth as a maritime nation, behind Great
Britain, Norway and Liberia. In shipbuilding,
we rank tenth among the nations of the
world.
Our ships carry only a tiny fraction of the
Imported commodities essential to our pros
perity and national defense and perhaps ten
percent of our total foreign commerce. US-
flag vessels handle only about 20 percent of
our outbound foreign aid cargo, and this
despite a Cargo Preference Act requiring at
least half these cargoes to be carried in Amer
ican bottoms.
Throughout the period since the war, a
number of Government agencies have pur
sued policies largely responsible for the de
terioration of our fleet, beginning with the
approval of wholesale ship transfers to run
away registries and other flags. We need only
cite the failure to enforce the Cargo Prefer
ence Act, the acceptance of the unrealistic
"effective control" theory advanced by the
Defense Department and the State and Agri
culture Departments' overseas arrangements
which sacrifice the US merchant marine as a
matter of diplomatic expendiency.
Nor has the political complexion of the Ad
ministration in Washington ever significantly
altered the general course of Government
policy with respect to the merchant fleet.
Consequently, those concerned with mari
time were heartened by the ray of hope ,
Implicit in the new Administration's recogni
tion of the industry's problems. At the recent
Maritime Trades Department convention.
Government spokesmen acknowledged the
need for an adequate US-flag fleet and the
fact that we should not depend, in these times
at least, even upon our allies to serve this
nation's maritime transport needs.
Still, as the MTD's officers pointed out, the
industry can judge the Administration's in
tentions only by' its performance to date.
While we have had the Administration's pro
fessions of concern about maritime and US
dependence on the merchant fleet for reasons
of security and the national economy, these
statements do not square with the record.
Right now, instead of aiding the industry,
the Commerce Department, which has critical
influence over its future course, has been
guilty of policies further endangering US
maritime development.
If the Administration sincerely desires to
insure a merchant fleet that can meet the na
tion's needs—and we believe it has a re
sponsibility to do so—this is a time for action,
it 4" 4-
MSTS-A Hot Issue
The completion of the Military Sea "Trans
portation Service's 12th year of operation
finds it becoming a hot issue due to a number
of its practices and policies. As an agency
engaged in the transport of troops, the MSTS
can perform a useful function.
Over the years, however, the agency has
become increasingly involved in other areas
that affect the over-all stability and welfare
of the privately-owned merchant marine.
More and more, MSTS has been stifling and
competing directly with private shipping,
contrary to the principle of free enterprise.
One of the big question marks about MSTS
also arises out of the fact that it's involved in
awarding cargoes and that it often serves as
a stepping stone to top management jobs
right in the industry. Perhaps now is the
occasion for a good hard look into the opera
tions of this agency.
Xiegrislative
Department
MARITIME STATISTICS. MA has announced that as of November
1, 1961, there were 926 vessels of 1,000 gross tons and over in the
active oceangoing US merchant fleet. This is 23 more than the num
ber active a month earlier. There were 32 Government-owned and
894 privately-owned ships in active service. Figures also showed an
increase of 24 active vessels and a decrease of 27 Inactive vessels in
the privately-owned fleet. One freighter, Meteor, and a tanker. Little
John were transferred back to US from foreign flag. Five freighters,
the Valiant Faith, Hawaiian Logger, Gulfwater, Eldermere and Sea
Mist, were sold foreign. The total privately-owned fleet decreased by
3 to 977. Of 83 privately-owned inactive vessels, one combination ship,
8 freighters, and 4 tankers were undergoing repair, conversion or
reactivation. The total of large merchant ships on order or under con
struction in US shipyards decreased by 5 to 74.
SUBSIDY. Judge Alexander Holtzoff of the US District Court for
the District of Columbia has ruled that a finding of the Maritime
Subsidy Board that no affiliation exists between a domestic steamship
operator and Waterman Steamship Corporation, the latter an appli
cant for operating-differential subsidy, is not subject to an adminis
trative hearing but is a question which the Court will review on trial.
The Judge said that on reaching a determination on domestic affilia
tion, the Maritime Subsidy Board may not transcend the limitations
of the statute. In order to reach such a determination. Judge Holt
zoff stated, the Court has the duty of reviewing questions of fact. The
case stems from an action brought by Bull seeking to enjoin the ex
ecution of an operating-differential subsidy contract between Water
man and the Maritime Administration, and to enjoin Waterman from
taking steps to eliminate all relationship between itself and domestic
carriers which operate in competition with Bull.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. MA has announced the com
pletion -of fuel loading on the NS Savannah. A core of uranium-bear
ing fuel elements containing enough latent energy to power the
world's first nuclear cargo-passenger ship for SVz years without re
fueling was assembled inside the vessel's reactor. The reactor will be
put through zero and low power tests and will be brought to 10 per
cent of power at Camden. New Jersey. Reports on operations will then
be filed with and reviewed by the AEC. The Savannah will then be
moved to Yorktown, Virginia, under auxiliary steam for full power
reactor operation and for initial sea trials. Upon successful completion
of these trials the ship will be delivered to the Government.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION. The Luckenbach Steam
ship Company has told the ICC that the ship line was denied a fair
hearing in a case involving a transcontinental canned goods rail rate
reduction, which the water carrier claims contributed to its demise
from the intercoastal trade. Luckenbach asserts that Uie rail rate re
duction, effected in 1958, was an unlawful attempt by allegedly collud
ing Eastern and Western railroads to drive it out of business. The
railroads claim that the reduction was brought about at the insistence
of West Coast carriers. Luckenbach has taken issue with the exam
iner's report, arguing that although the ICC granted it a "discovery"
order, the right to examine the railroad's books and records for pos
sible incriminating evidence, the grant was too late and the evidence
too little. Luckenbach accused the examiner of being "unsophisti
cated" by "buying the railroad witnesses' euphemisms 100 per cent."
The company asked the ICC to overrule the examiner and restore the
balance of interests between transcontinental railroads and inter
coastal water carriers.
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD. During October the NLRB
Issued decisions in more contested unfair labor practice cases than in
any other month of its 26-year history. Eighty-two cases involving dis
putes over the facts or the application of the law went to decisions by
the five-member board, or by three-man panels of the board. As of
November 1, 402 unfair practice cases in both the contested and stipu
lated classifications were awaiting the board's decision in various
stages of consideration. The Board has been able to reduce its back
log of representation election cases to 148 from a peak backlog of 695
on May 1. This has occurred as a result of the Board's delegation of
decision-making powders to NLRB Regional Directors in certain cases.
A year ago 90 days were required to proceed from the filing of an
election case petition to issuance of a decision and direction of elec
tion. The average is now 44 days . . . From July, 1960 to June 30, lg61,
approximately 73 percent of ali elections conducted by the NLRB were
as a result of voluntary agreements between labor and management
to proceed to an immediate election, without recourse to the inter
mediate steps of a hearing and formal decision. In fiscal year 1961
there were 6,613 elections conducted.
LONGSHORE SAFETY. The Department of Labor has announced
the amendment of safety and health regulations with a view to re
ducing hazards in the longshore industry. The amendments seek to
strengthen testing requirements to insure adequate ventilation in the
holds of vessels, revise specifications for testing special stevedore
gear, and set up new requirements for guarding mechanically-powered
vehicles aboard ve.ssels. posting weights on cargo containers, and
grounding portable blowers.
„ /
IF I.
Pare Twelve. SEAFARERS LOG Dceeaber, ust
The growth of the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades
Department was physically apparent at* the 4th
biennial convention held December 4-6. Dele
gates representing 29 international unions and
32 maritime port councils throughout the United
States, Puerto Rico and Canada came together
to deal with-issues affecting the welfare of work
ers in maritime and allied industries. Out of the
convention—with top representatives of Gov
ernment, industry and labor present—came a
program designed to build a strong maritime in
dustry and strengthen the job security of over
400,000 trade union workers whose livelihood
depends on aggressive development of mari
time. On these pages are photos of some of
the 150 delegates and their invited guests from
Government, industry and the AFL-CIO who
addressed them.
/'
MTD vice-president Jack McDonald, Steve Leslie,
Richard Nolan, Jay Turner and^Gene Reardon headed
up delegation representing Operating Engineers.
Carpenters secretary R. Livingston presents
union-made gavel to MTD president Hall. A.
Young, Boilermakers, offers report,^
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Pecmbcr, INl SEAFARERS LOG Page Thirteen
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•
Delegates heard represenfaHves
AFL-CIO discuss motters of
important concern to the Anner-
ican worker and his family. In
photos at right are AFL-CIO
President George Meany and
AFL-CIO department heads as
[hey addressed the convention.
V
op Government representatives
nvolved in maritime affairs,
hown at right, explained the
jolicies of their departments
md the Administration itself,
rhe convention called on Gov
ernment for positive action in
iupport of maritime.
ads of major maritime Indus-
groups, in photos ^t the
ht, presented their views of
> problems confronting the
ritime industry. They cited
' major steps which must be
en to expand the industry in
) interests of all concerned.
/
AFL-CIO president George Ivleany discussed
major Issues facino the labor movement today.
MTD meet preceded AFL-CIO sessions.
Building & Construction Trades president Neil Haggerty (left), Union
Label Trades secretary Joseph Lewis offer fraternal greetings. Social
Security director NeUon Cruihshanic (right) reported on proposals.
At top, David Cole, former US Conciliation Service director, and
Donald Geoffrion, Navy Department. Above, Hyman Bookbinder, Com
merce Departmenti Donald Alexander, new Maritime Administrator.
US Secretary of Labor Arthur Goldberg re
ported on program of his department, dis
cussed bargaining issues affecting maritime.
Great Lakes operator Troy Browning, new
president of the Propeller Club, urged more
joint action In maritime.
Domestic and offshore shipping Issues were cited by John Weller, presi
dent, Seatrain (left); Max Harrison, president, American Maritime As
sociation; Ralph Casey, president^ American Merchant Marine Institute.
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Page Fonrfees SEAFARERS LOG V IMl
Food Unions Launth New Dept.
BAL HARBOUR, Fla.—SIUNA representatives assisted in the launching of a brand-
new AFL-CIO trade union organization here early this month. The occasion was the found
ing convention of the Food and Beverage Trades Department. Nine separate AFL-CIO af
filiates, including the SIUNA,•
are charter members of the
new department.
Patterned after other, long-
established union groupings with
in the Federation, such as the
Maritime Trades, Building Trades
and Metal Trades, the Food and
Beverage Trades Department rep
resents some 800,000 workers en
gaged In the manufacture, process
ing, sale and distribution of food
and beverage products.
Participation by the SIUNA cov
ers the entire membership of its
Pacific District affiliate, the Ma
rine Cooks & Stewards (MCS), as
well as steward and culinary de
partment members, fishermen and
fish cannery workers on all coasts.
Approximately a third of the
SIUNA's 80,000-plus membership
is involved. It is the only mari
time union organization in the new
group.
Established to coordinate activ
ities of member international un
ions within the overall food indus
try, the department, in its constitu
tion, lists the safeguarding and
protection of consumer interests as
one of its chief aims.
Harry R. Pooie, executive vice-
president of the Amalgamated
Meat Cutters, was elected presi
dent of the department by the 55
delegates at the convention, Dan-
lei E. Conway, president of the
American Bakery & Confectionary
Workers, was chosen secretary-
treasurer.
The new AFL-CIO unit will
function through local food and
beverage union councils to be set
up in major cities for the coordina
tion of area-wide activities. Fi
nances will be provided by a per
capita arrangement calling for one
cent per member per month to be
paid by each affiliate for the por
tion of its membership engaged
in food and beverage trades. The
local councils will pay yearly dues
of $25.
The department's vice-presi
dents and the unions they repre
sent, in addition to Paul Haii and
the SIUNA, are: Max Greenberg,
Retail, Wholesale tc Department
Store Workers; Russell Lasley.
Packinghouse Workers; James A
Suffridge, Retail Clerks; Mort
Brandenburg, Distillery Workers;
Harold A. Schneider, Grain Mil
lers, and Cliarles Paulsen, Hotel &
Restaurant Workers.
CS Norfolk
Lauded For
Rescue Aid
The SlU-manned supertanker
Cities Service Norfolk has re
ceived a "Well Done" commenda
tion from the US Coast Guard for
its support in the rescue of the
crew of the Hess Mariner which
sank in October off the. Florida
coast.
Together with other ships in the
area, the Norfolk stood by to as
sist while another tanker closer to
the Hess Mariner steamed to the
sinking vessel and picked up all
survivors. Although one man was
hurt, no one was killed in the acci
dent.
The rescue operation was co
ordinated by the Coast Guard's
AMVER (Atlantic Merchant Vessel
Report) system.
The 10,500-ton Hess Mariner
had an engine room explosion on
its passage from Houston to Bos
ton. Crewmembers were picked
up by the Texaco Nevada and the
injured man was treated by a doc
tor from the SS Brazil which had
also turned to and assisted in the
rescue.
In a commendation directed to
all the vessels which participated
in the rescue, the Coast (Juard
said in part: "The backup support
by . , . Cities Service Norfolk,
while perhaps not causing news
headlines, was nevertheless an im
portant factor, in keeping with
sound damage control procedure.
Such teamwork is extremely grati-
f.ving. 'Well Done' to all con
cerned."
By SIDNEY MARGOLIUS
DonH Be Fooled By Puffed-Up Claims
Some of the country's largest stores and manufacturers use exag-
-gerated list prices to try to convince you that they are offering tre
mendous values when they sell below "list." Sometimes the cut prices
do represent good values, but nothing like the savings claimed.
In reality, not many retailers charge full list price any more. The
"list prices" do have some usefulness to us consumers in identifying
models so we can compare actual prices in various stores. But you can
get seriously fooled if you believe the list price is the actual going price.
There even are some instances in which manufacturers deliberately set
their list prices higher than normal, so that all retailers—even the
most expensive one—can claim to offer you a cut price.
This practice is notorious in the watch, jewelry and luggage busi
nesses, and also frequently occurs in the sale of mattresses, electric
broilers, rotisseries and percolators.
One of the most revealing recent Federal Trade Commission hear
ings examined claims made by the S. Klein discount department stores
in the New York-New Jersey area.
Klein's had advertised "aluminum and frosted glass tub enclosures"
for $39.95 plus $10 for installation, and claimed they were "$89.95
value." But other dealers testified that the bathtub enclosures usually
sold for $60 to $70 including installation. Thus Klein's price of about
$50 with installation was good value, offering a legitimate saving of
of $10-$20, but nothing like the claimed $40 saving.
We have no wish to pick on Klein's, which has many good values.
But additional information developed at other hearings can be useful
to you in knowing how to evaluate sale ads. In another case, Klein's
advertised 15-cup percolators and electric skillets at $8 and claimed
they had "list prices" of $25 and $20 respectively. But testimony in
dicated that the two appliances often were sold by other discount
chains like Korvette, Master's and Davega, for $8 to $12. In this case
it was the manufacturer—^Merit Enterprises—who claimed the percola
tor had a $25 list price. Although Klein's sale price again was a good
value, the list price was wildly exaggerated, with both the manufac
turer and "the store responsible.
One of the most exaggerated instances of pre-ticketed prices involved
Rayex sunglasses. This manuracturer pre-ticketed its sunglasses with
a $4.95 price. But a wholealer testified that he bought the sunglasses
from Rayex for 75 cents, resold them to retailers for $1.20 and re
tailers generally sold then to the public for about $2.50. Thus even at
the so-called "reduced" prices these glasses obviously were overpriced.
In other recent cases, the manufacturers of Leeds luggage and bowl
ing bags, Waltham and Helbros watches, and Son-Chief appliances were
charged wijh supplying retailers with exaggeratecT price tickets and/or
printed material. Even when a retailer shows you a manufacturer's
price list or catalog to support his daim that he is giving you a bargain,
you can't take ti:3 printed list for granted. A Ne>v Jersey jeweler tes
tified that Helbros watches tagged $62.50 actually cost him $17.50 and
were resold by him for $35.
Only house-to-house canvassers and credit jewelers testified that
they actually sold these watches for the full "list price." This itself
should prove to families who buy from such canvassers and credit
stores how much extra they pay.
One of the most exaggerated Instances of prc-ticketed prices involved
conspiracy between the Korvette discount chain and several famous
men's shops in Beverly Hills and Palm Springs, California, and ten
clothing manufacturers. The FTC found that Korvette made agree
ments with these men's shops to buy a small quantity of clothing from
them and also to buy other clothing right from the manufacturers with
the labels of the California stores attached to the garments.
Korvette then advertised it was offering merchandise which had
been stocked by these well-known men's shops, at reductions from
their prices. The FTC charged that the "original prices" advertised
by Korvette were fictitious since the California men's shop which per
mitted the use of their labels never did stock or offer these garments
for sale.
Right now a hot area of exaggerated list prices is cameras and photo
equipment. The Federal Trade Commission is investigating retailers'
"list-price" claims for movie and other cameras.
You can learn three money-saving shopping principles from these
cases:
(1) Some "list prices," as shown in the example of the watches, are
deliberately inflated to permit very high-cost sellers like canvassers to
get high markups, and these "pre-ticketed" and "catalog" prices are
especially dangerous.
(2) Other list prices, while not deliberately inflated, nevertheless do
not represent actual going prices, since most stores nowadays sell below
the li.st.
(3) The 6nly real protection you have is to compare prices among
several retailers, since prices vary even among low-cost sellers, as ob
served in the case of the luggage, percolators and broilers. Too, even
when a store exaggerates the list price, it may still be offering you a
good value, as in the case of the bathtub enclosures.
UIW Shop Produces For Defense
One of almost 100 UIW members at Schaevltz Engineering,
Camden, NJ, which turns out parts used by America's missile
men, wireman Horence Benedict is pictured soldering a con
nection for an accelerator. The pressure this machine gen
erates tests parts which must hold up during rocket launch-
ings and are very complex to handle.
New Oil Contract Fuels
UIW Shop, Member Gains
Over 1,300 members have been added to the United Indus
trial Workers during the' past year, contributing added
strength to the SIU. Aggressive organizing campaigns by
the UIW in the Atlantic and"^
Gulf areas have brought the
benefits of union representa
tion to employees of more than
two dozen companies which a year
ago were non-union.
The membership Increases were
across the board, covering all areas
where the union has been active
in unorganized shops.
A key sector of the UIW organ
izing campaign, the Staten Island
oil distribution industry, was the
scene of a significant victory in
November.
.The UIW and the Staten Island
Petroleum Company (Sipco), larg
est fuel distributor in New York's
borough of Richmond, signed a
first contract which brings the
best working conditions and wages
in the industry to emrployees. The
pact is the first signed by a bona
fide labor union with any oil com
pany on the island and is expected
to set the • pattern.
A second victory on Staten Is
land, scored when employees of
Richmond Burner Co. voted for
UIW representation earlier this
fall, was clinched last month when
the National Labor Relations
Board certified the UIW as bar
gaining agent for Richmond Burn
er employees. .
Moving ahead on another front
in the battle to organize Staten
Island oil companies, UIW repre
sentatives attended NLRB hear
ings In New York investigating
Union charges that two companies,
Fiore Bros, and Salmirs Oil, con
spired with "independent" Amal
gamated Local 355 to block the
legitimate desires of employees to
join the UIW.
Local 355, expelled from the
AFL-CfO for signing backdoor
sweetheart agreements with em
ployers, has suffered several de
feats at the hands of the SIU, in
cluding Sipco and Jay Kay Metals
in Long Island City, NY, Jay Kay's
600 workers joined the UIW last
year after a long campaign which
involved ousting Local 355 from
the shop.
Yard Pact
Tops Cult
HOUSTON — United Industrial
Worker members employed by
Southern Rigging Co. here have
won one of the highest wage scales
in the Gulf Coast area under the
contract signed for the first time
by the UIW and the company.
The ship rigging firm employs
17 persons who service ships in
Houston and other Gulf ports. The
agreement will run for two years
retroactive to July 31, 1961 and
provides that either side may re
open on wages after the first year.
UIW members at Southern Rig
ging won full welfare and pension
plan protection, plus unequaled
overtime rates in the new contract.
Double time will be paid for all
work over eight hours a day and
all holiday work.
The pact also provides for hour
ly wages to be paid while em
ployees are traveling, from one
port to the other plus a sub
sistence rate for food and meals
for employees working outside of
Houston. Under the new UIW
agreement Southern Rigging work
ers will be among the most secure
and best-paid workers in the whole
Gulf area.
• 1 i
l»ceeiiAcr. IMl SEAFARERS LOG Fare FiftccH
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Seine Fishing Booms
Pacific Tuna Fleet
SAN DIEGO—Lightweight nylon nets, a mechanical de
vice called a "power block" for hauling nets aboard ship, and
airplanes for finding fish have caused a complete revolution
in the San Diego tuna fleet.
Traditionally, bait, hooks
and poles were used to catch
tuna In Eastern Pacific waters.
But In recent years the fleet had
run onto economic shoals as lower-
cost foreign fish undersold the lo
cal product. Clippers often lay
Idle at the dock for weeks at a
time, with fish in their holds, due
to the overloaded market.
Idleness of the boats was shared
by their unionized crews from the
•SIUNA-affillated Cannery Workers
and Fishermen's Union. Many men
left the boats to seek employment
ashore. Then came two simultane
ous developments which salvaged
the fleet from what seemed to be
possible disaster.
First was development of extra-
tough, light-weight nylon seine
nets. Second was introduction of
the power block, a roller with a
self-contained and completely en
closed hydraulic motor. Block and
motor are fitted at the end of a
vessel's boom.
This meant that a huge seine
could be brought aboard through
the block mechanically, saving a
vast amount of manual labor and
enabling a ship to make many
more sets than were previously
possible. Boat owners realized
that these changes enabled them
to go in for the seihe method of
catching tuna—a method which
seemed to offer good possibilities
but which was economically un
feasible for big vessels hereto
fore.
First to try it was Capt. Lou
Brito with his clipper Southern
Pacific in 1958. The union-manned
Southern Pacific went out and
caught 220 tons of fish in 21 days.
This sparked a boom in conver
sions. Clippers went into the ship
yards as fast as the yards could
take them. It meant a big gamble
by owners, for each conversion
cost from $100,000 up. The huge
seines alone cost upwards of $35,-
000 and can cover an entire city
block.
But the gamble has paid off.
The seiners have caught more fish
in 8horter*trips, which means that
income-has gone up for both own
ers and crews. Diversion of some
Japanese tuna production to new
European and Japanese- markets
has helped to some exte>nt, too.
In addition, the new fortunes
of the tuna fleet have been helped
by scouting planes working out of
bases on the West Coast of Cen
tral America. These spotting
planes help to find fish, saving
many hours of scouting by the
tuna boats. One plane will work
for a group of vessels, which share
the cost of hiring it.
Seining has also done away with
the time-consuming and expensive
chore of hunting and netting live
bait, a prerequisite for a tuna trip
when the boats fished with hooks
and poles.
Les Balinger, secretary-treasur
er of the Cannery Workers and
Fishermen's Union, says the union
now has 38 seiners under contract
and ten of the older style bait
boats. About 1,100 union fishermen
are employed at the present time.
Atlantic Mate
In the wheelhouse of the
Atlantic Fishermen's Union-
contracted scalloper Sea King
is mate Walter Jaggard, pho
tographed at New York's
Fulton fish market.
Cunard Hints Small Queen
Suitable For Panama Use
LONDON—Cunard Steamship is now reported to be ex
ploring the idea or replacing the Queen Mary with a smaller
vessel that could be used for Pacific passenger service as well
Alaska Union
Shifts Halls
SAN FRANCISCO —Sailors
Union of the Pacific officials wel
comed their fishermen brothers
when offices of the Alaska Fisher
men's Union, an SIUNA. affiliate,
moved' into space at SUP halls
here and in Seattle.
The fishermen voted to move
.after the old jointly-owned SUP-
Alaska Fishermen's Union hall on
Clay Street was sold to the San
Francisco Redevelopment Agency.
Union officials -said the move
would be both an organizational
and financial aid for the two
SIUNA affiliates.
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Converted for lelne fishing, the Conte Bianco, a former
baitboat in the San Diego tuna fleet, has modern power blocic
(at end of boom) and big seine skiff on her stern.
as the Atlantic trade.
Two months ago, the com
pany turned down over $50
million in British government aid
and postponed building a new su-
perliner to replace the aging
Queen Mary. In passing up the un
precedented government subsidy,
Cunard said it faced heavy loses
on the Atlantic liner service and
was reassessing the future of such
operations.
Possible construction of a small
er "Queen" suitable for two-ocean
service via the Panama Canal' is
hinted by the presence of a com
pany representative in Panama in
vestigating the size of ships able
to navigate the waterway.
Extension of Cunard service to
the Pacific is given additional
weight by reports that the com
pany plans a merger with P&O
Orient Lines, a leading British
shipping company now operating in
the area.
At the time Cunard announced
postponement of plans to build a
new superliner, it also denied hold
ing any mergqf talks with P&O,
citing the dissimilar trading inter
ests of the two concerns. The
rumors of a corporate marriage
have continued, however, and now,
with a possible extension of
Cunard service into the Pacific, are
being circulated again.
Meanwhile, Cunard's attempt to
cash in on the increasingly-profit
able trans-Atlantic air service by
launching Cunard-Eagle Airways
has met a setback. Air travel is a
prime cause of the decline in the
Atlantic passenger liner trade.
When Cunard first received per
mission to begin this service next
May, the decision by the British
Air Transport Licensing Board was
appealed by British Overseas Air
ways on the ground that the com
petition would be injurious to
BOAC and could cause the com
pany to default on payments for
new jetliners it had ordered.
The BOAC appeal was upheld
by the Minister of Aviation and
Cunard-Eagle Airways will not bo
able to fly a North Atlantic route.
Cunard has not Indicated what it
plans to do with the two jets al
ready on order.
SIU FOOD and
FOUR MISHAPS-NO INJURIES
Three unrelated mishaps and one safe return marked SIU shipping during recent
weeks, all with no injuries reported. The Miami (Citie.s Service), Jean (Bull), Fanwood
(Sea-Land) and the Venore (Ore) each made the news on their own.
Empty at the time, the^
supertanker Miami collided I occurred aboard
with the Liberian ore carrier while crossing a
Melvin H. Baker in fog on the
Delaware River and is now back in
service after replacing damaged
plates in a Mobile shipyard. Com
pany spokesman reported damage
to both ships was slight. There
were no injuries to either crew.
Trouble broke out on the Jean
when cargo came loose in the
North Atlantic's heavy seas. The
ahip was on MSTS charter, carry
ing army cargo from New York to
La Pallice, France, when the acci
dent occurred. Manhole covers
were ripped off mjln fuel tanks
and some damage was reported to
the number three hatch. The ship
came in to St. Johns, Newfound
land, for repairs and is already
back in service.
Another case of shifting cargo
the Fanwood
Columbia river
bar. Due to a heavy roll, chains
holding a deck load of plywood
snapped and forced the vessel to
return to Astoria, Oregon, to right
the ramshackle load. When every
thing was squared away, the Fan-
wood left again for San Juan,
Puerto Rico.
Venore Returns Home
In separate action, following an
earlier report in the SEAFARER'S
LOG, the Venore returned home
to Baltimore with a full SIU crew
still aboard after 17 days at sea
without any power of its own. The
ship was enroute to New Orleans
to pick up a cargo of grain when
the propeller "made a big noise
and was gone."
The vessel was returning from
Spain and was about 600 miles east
of Bermuda when it happened No
vember 6 in the course of Hurri
cane "Hattie." Crewmembers re
ported the most difficult time as
the first 30 hours until the Coast
Guard tug Absecon arrived on the
scene and threw the disabled ship
a line.
However, on the third day under
tow, the Absecon had a minor ex
plosion and lost its own fire room,
which meant the loss of one en
gine. The crippled Absecon and
the powerless Venore thereafter
limped along toward Bermuda un
til met by a commercial tug 300
miles off the coast of Bermuda.
After the rendezvous, the Venore
was towed into Bermuda for re
fueling and then to Baltimore for
repairs, arriving a week later. All
hands remained aboard throughout
the incident
Cliff Wilson, Food and Ship Sanitation Director
Spices Can Be Useful 'Food Magic'
An Important parrof any well-stocked galley aboard ship is the spice
shelf. Often, just a pinch of "something" from one of the containers
on the spice shelf makes a meal a true culinary delight. There is no
mystery or secret in using spices. By keeping some simple facts In
mind, in time every cook can make spices work for him and make
meals livelier.
The word "spice" covers a multitude of dry, natural seasonings that
are the main flavorings used in cooking. Five different types of season
ings are included. These are spices, seeds, herbs, vegetable seasonings
and blends.
Spices are the part of plants that usually grow in the tropics. Seeds
are actually seeds or fruits of plants that grow either in tropical or
temperate zones. Herbs are always the leaves of temperate zone plants.
Vegetable seasonings are usually dehydrated, ground vegetables. Blends
are a mixtui-e of various spices, seeds, herbs and vegetable seasonings
used according to some time-honored formula. The manner in which
these different items are used generally determines both the taste and
the color of a dish.
While spices are primarily used to impart flavor to foods, some also
add color to the dishes being prepared. This extra factor can be used
to help dress up a meal. The flavor that is tiansfcrrcd to foods naturally
depends on the spice being used. Only certain spices, such as curry
or cayenne (curry is a blend, cayenne is a spice', actually are "hot."
Many other subtle and distinctive flavors can be added depending on the
spices used. Barbecue spice 'blend) has a piquant flavor with "smoke"
overtones; savory (herb) has a distinctive pleasant and mild flavor,
while fennel 'seed) has a sweet licorice flavor.
When a cook first starts out using spices, there may be a tendency
to use too much. This is based on the belief that the flavor will be
enhanced in direct proportion to the amount used. Actually the
desired flavor-tone comes about through delicate and restrained use
of spices and by letting one spice tone predominate. The best way to
gain a spice-touch is by becoming familiar with the different shades
of the spices.
By dissolving some spice in water for ten minutes and then tasting it,
you can get some Idea of its flavor. Sniffing the aroma and then com
paring this with the taste the spice gives when used in a recipe also
helps. It's all a matter of trial and error; however, the "experimenf*
should be tried out prior to -the actual meal. Too much spice or too
little can make the taste just as awful as if none at all were u.sed.
Spices, herbs and seeds, come in two forms, whole or ground;
vegetable seasonings come either in flake or powder form; blends are
always in powder form. One variety or another of all spices, herbs
and seeds can be added to soups, vegetables, meats, sauces, poultry
and fish. The number that can be used with appetizers, salads, dress
ings, eggs, cheeses, desserts and baked goods is more limited. Blends
and vegetable seasonings are generally used for specific dishes.
Although it's not a spice, Monosodium Glutanate is also included
on shipboard spice, stielves. This is a chenscal that has no taste of its
own but enhances the flavor of other foods and spices. Spice shelves
also include fniit flavor extracts which are used in cakes, desserts and
beverages. Each extract has a specific taste and is used to improve the
flavoring of fruit dishes.
(Comjncnts Ofld suppc.sHotis are invited by this Department and can
be submitted tc this column in care of the SEAFARERS LOG J
*) '
:! fi
Paffe Sixteen SEAFARERS LOG Deeember, 19<1
South American Visitors
A delegation of trade unionists from Ecuador visited SlU
headquarters on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7. Fittingly
enough, the photographer snapped them in front of the me
morial plaque listing Seafarers lost in World War II. The
visitors are in the US on a labor study mission.
Clinic, Surgeons Team
To Save Seafarer's Son
NEW ORLEANS—Thanks to the alert attention of the Sea
farers Welfare Plan Medical Department and the skill of
Tulane University Medical School surgeons, ySung Michael
Crawford is looking forward"^
to playing football next sea
son instead of the dim pros
pect of a life of semi-invalidism,
or worse.
The 14-year-oId son of Seafarer
James P. Crawford is recuperat
ing at his Violet, La., home follow
ing a delicate open-heart operation
pereformed here last month at
Touro Infirmary.
"This probably was the most
dramatic case we have had at the
Seafarers Clinic in New Orleans,"
Dr. A. N. Houston, SIU medical
director here, stated.
Mike was brought to the SIU
clinic for an initial examination
early in October. He had been
turned down in a physical check
up of candidates for his school
football team because of a heart
murmur. He also had a history of
"blacking out" on occasions, which
were increasing in frequency.
Convinced of the seriousne.ss of
the youngster's condition after a
preliminary examination, SIU clin
ic medics referred him to one of
the consulting specialists' associ
ated with the SIU program for
further diagnosis. The need for an
operation was confirmed and Mi
chael's mother chose the Tulane
doctors to perform the complicated
surgery.
The operation was performed
by a five-man team of surgeons
"under total cardiopulmonary by
pass with moderate hypothermia."
In laymen's language, this means
Mike's heart was completely closed
off for 53 minutes. During this
time, blood was circulated through
his body by a mechanical heart
and his body temperature was re
duced to 88 degrees to minimize
the danger of hazardous physical
chemical reactions.
In addition, 14 pints of blood,
drawn from this port's blood bank,
were used during the operation,
which corrected a congenital de
ficiency of one of the main heart
valves,
"Young Mike was a brave and
model patient and contributed a
great deal on his own part to his
recovery," Dr. Houston said. The
entire cost of the operation was
paid for by the SIU Welfard" Plan.
James Crawford has been a
member of the SIU since 1941,
joining In Mobile. He ships as a
bosun and was last on the Del
Sud (Mississippi).
John DriscoH's
Long TB Fight
Comes To End
Driscoll
with
find-
Searfarer John Driscoll died
last month at his Brooklyn home
at the age of 52.
For Driscoll, It meant the end of
a long struggle with tuberculosis,
a disease which
had kept him
hospitalized for
fully 12 years
until last August
11.
Since 1949,
when he was
taken off a tank
er, the Cabins, In
Panama, Driscoll
had battled TB
all the tools doctors could
-surgery, drugs, special treat
ments, even forcing Incite balls
("a little bigger than a ping pong
ball") into his rib cage.
By the time he was released last
summer from the Veterans Admin
istration's West Haven, Conn., hos
pital, surgery had made it impossi
ble for Driscoll to return to sea.
There was no SIU Welfare Plan
at all in 1040 when Driscoll was
drydocked but, when the Plan
went Into effect, he and other long-
term patients were retroactively
covered. As a result, he received
SIU. benefits totalling $10,446.
Driscoll had been an SIU member
sailing in the engine department
since 1947.
During his long period of hos
pitalization, Including ten years at
the now-closed Manhattan Beach
USPHS facility, Driscoll helped
publish a newspaper for the pa
tients, "The Porthole," and served
for years as hospital delegate. He
is survived by his wife, Mary.
SEAFARERS IN DRYDOCK
The following is the latest available list of S.eafarers in hospitals around the country:
USPHS HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
Charles Noble
Enos OU
Truman .Patriquin
Emmet Phelan
Voldemar
Gordon Plica
Thomas Riley
Harold Rivera
Harry Rost
Herbert Shartzer
George Shifflett
Edgar Smith
Wm. Strickland
Joseph Stuntebeck
Samuel Tate
Lawrence Tryon
William Weise
Martin Yager
Frank Bane
Miiiiael Rirrnna
Arthur Botelko
Arthur Brown
Kenneth Brown
G. Buscigiio
Dan Cherry, Jr.
Roscoe Conklin
Henry Davis. Jr.
Edward Denchy
Louis Firlie
Gorman Glaze
James Helgoth
W. Holbrook, Jr.
Paul Huggins
Charles Kellogg
Leon Lowe
Oliver Myers
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAVANNAH. GEORGIA
Delaware Eldemire Clarence Murray
Thomas Jones H. White
USPHS HOSPITAL
GALVESTON, TEXAS
F. A. Cuellar
G. A. J. Gedra
Walton GiRlam
Biirl Haire
H. F. Holmes
C. L. Hippard
Emilia Lerma
Pedro Moreno
David McDuflie
George Meltzer
USPHS HOSPITAL
NEW ORLEANS. LA.
Robert P. Adams Carl Koziol
Chalmers Anderson Clyde Leggett
Hans Peterson
C. M. Parker
Jesse W. Puckett
S. M. Plash
B. B. Pardo
William M. Sliaw
A. G. Sigler
Harold White
Gerry W. Hurst
Jennings Long
A. Lykiardopuulas
Joseph McCabe
Adam McDiarmid
Frazier McQuagge
William Moise
John T. Norton
Robert Oriel
Peter Prestia
John J'reston
Robert Ray
Albert Richoux
Joseph Roy
Daniel Rucker
Donald Sander
William Scarlett
Harold Scott
Morris D. Seigel
T. Simmonds
Murray Smith
Francis Sperry
Ashton Stephens
Joseph Taylor. Jr.
Julius Thompson
William Thornton
Vincent Tividad
Hewie C. Torry
William Wade
Howard Waters
Fritz Widegren
Joesia Wilson
USPHS HOSPITAL
STATEN ISLAND. NY
Antilla Arvo
Paul Arthofer
Robert Bardot
W. J. Barrilleaux
John Blaising. Jr.
Earbie Bracewell
CiilTord Brewster
Clyde Brown
Albert Canter
A. Caragiorigio
John Chapman
Adie Coleman
Thomas Dailey
Thomas Deale
C. Denonden
Joaquin S. Dimas
Albert Doty
G. Edmondson
Harry Emmett
.Tames Finley
William Fleming
Theodore Fortin
Needem Galloway
Giles Glendenning
Alphonse Gonzales
Dale Groves
Carle Harris
Andrew Howard
C. F. JePfers
George Kasprzyk
Edward Knapp
Omar All
Allie Androh
Hurts Binemanis
Joseph Blake
John Bloom
Gorham Bowdre
Cecil Hughes
Rupert .Tackson
.Tames P. .Tones
Charles KInnke
Charles Kirkland
Ralph Knowles
Fructuoso Camaeho Joseph LaPadula
Daniel Cerment
Ho Yee Choe
Thomas Connell
William Connolly
•Tohn Coughlln
George Crabtree
Sidney Day
Napoleon Douglas
Fred Fondila
John Garrison
Nick Gaylord
Stylianos Goumas
Hemsley Guinier
Frank Hanacheck
Francis Hannaford
.Tamn Helms
John Hoffman
Michael Lubas
Herman Meyer
A. Mohamed
Robert. Murdock
John Pasko
Donald Peterson
Theodore Phillips
Eugene I>lahn
John Murphy
Harry Price
Isaac Romero
Herman Sampson
James Sherlock
Edward Sherris
Erich Sommer
Nick Taska
John Williams
Hospital Visit
A welcom# tonic any time.
Thanksgiving Day was the oc
casion for a hospital visit by
Seafarer Al RidS to dry-
docked ex-shipmate Pete
Prestea. They're showii on
the lawn of the New Orleans
USPHS facility.
Physical Exams-r All SIU Clinics
October, 1961
Port Seamen Wives Children TOTAL
Baltimore 10 6 122
Houston 8 0 121
Mobile 16 5 66
New Orleans .. 14 17 254
New York 13 21 429
TOTAL 61 49 992
USPHS HOSPITAL
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
James Case, Jr. Frank McCloud
Myron Ganiah WiUiam MerriU
Joseph Howell A. J. Murden ,
Fenton Kimball Robert Singleton
USPHS HOSPITAL '
SEATTLE. WASH.
Louis Bernier C. P. Thompson
John Eaton AUred Yarborough
Henry Keano ,
USPHS HOSPITAL
BRIGHTON, MASS.
George Brazil Chas. Robinson
William Dyer John Santos
Ammon Page Alfred Duggan
MOUNT WILSON STATE'HOSPITAL
MOUNT WILSON, MD.
George Lesnansky
CULLEN STATE HOSPITAL
CULLEN, MD.
Alvino Terrazas
CHARITY HOSPITAL
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
Carl'S. Gibbs
USPHS HOSPITAL
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Benjamin Deibler James Rist
Abe Gordon David Sperry
Thomas Lehay Bozo Zelencle
Max Olson
USPHS HOSPITAL
MEMPHIS. TENNESSEE
Albert DeForest George Graham
SAILORS' SNUG HARBOR
STATEN ISLAND. NY
Alberto Gutierrez Thomas Isaksen
VA HOSPITAL
WEST HAVEN. CONN.
James Gorman
VA HOSPITAL
KERRVILLE, TEXAS
WUlard T. Cahlll
VA HOSPITAL
IOWA CITY. IOWA
Eric L. Hoffman
PINE CREST HAVEN
COVINGTON. LA.
Frank Martin
US SOLDIERS HOME
WASHINGTON. DC
William Thomson
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAN FRANCISCO. CALIF
Stokes Ayers
Charles Bush
Wm. Mcllveen
Lucien Elle
Harold Ferguson
L. Knickerbocker
Charles Lane
TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL
TAMPA, FLORIDA
Dennis H. Brazell
Harry Lowther
Phillip Mason
Chas. Neukirchner
Winford Powell
Richard Ripley
William Williams
/'
SIU Blood Bank Inventory
November, 1961
Previous Pints Pints TOTAL
Port Balance Credited Used ON HAND
Boston 0 5 0 9
New York 93 32 28 97
Philadelphia 38 50 4 84
Baltimore 39 12. 8 43
Norfolk 16 0 0 18
Jacksonville 28 4 0 32
Tampa 0 2 0 2
Mobile 32 0 2 30
New Orleans 20 15 28 17
Houston 3Vi 5 • 5 3V4
Wilmington 20 0 0 20
San Francisco ' (7)'* 0 7 (14)•
Seattle ...15 . 0 0 15
TOTAL 297V4 125 ^ 82"" 350V9
* Figures in parenthesis ( ) indicate shortage to be made up
To obtain SIU Blood Bank information or a donor card,
contact any SIU hall. All emergency needs anywhere in the
US can be serviced via local SIU banks or headquarters.
SIU Welfare, Vacation Plans
Cash Benefits Paid
October 16-November 15, 1961
CLAIMS AMOUNT PAID '
Hospital Benefits (Welfare).... 10481 $51,249.28 (
Death Benefits (Welfare)..... 8 28,500.00 ^
Disability Benefits (Welfare) .. 217 32,400.00
Maternity Benefits (Welfare) .. 56 11,200.00
Dependents Benefits (Welfare). 198 52,854.80
Optical Benefits' (Welfare).... 221 2,031.99
Outpatient benefits (Welfare).. 314 25,370.00
Summary (Welfare) 11495 $203,606,07
Vacation Benefits 1310 $207,119.34
TOTAL WELFARE, VACATION
BENEFITS PAID THIS PERIOD... 12805 $410,725.21
DcMMfctr, Iffl SEAFARERS LOG Pate Seventees
Seafarers Konstant M. Kain, 72 (left), and Eriing Hansen, 71,
flank Joe Volpian, SlU social security director, as they show
off checks marking first $150 pension payments.
Six More Veteran Seamen
Join SlU Pension Ranks
Six more veteran Seafarers—three with seatime extending
back to the 1920's—have been added to the ranks of Union
oldtimers retired on SIU pensions by trustee action.
Latest to receive the life-^ receive
time $150 monthly pension
payments are: Jose G.
Galarza, Eriing Hansen, Kon-
Btant Kain, Walter T. Noel, Ernst
O. Ohlsson and David Russell.
Born in Argentina 65 years ago.
Brother Galarza started sailing In
1924 and joined the SIU when it
Golana Noel
Ohlsson Russell
was organized In 1938. Generally
chipping as an AB from Gulf ports,
bis last vessel was the Del Norte
(Mississippi) in August. A son,
Joseph, of New Orleans, La., is
bis next of kin.
Hails From Norway
Brother Hansen is now 71,
originally from Norway and his
sailing days also go back to 1924.
A member of the SIU since 1941,
be's a black gang member and paid
off his last ship, the Seatrain New
York (Seatrain), in October. He
has a brother, John Hansen, in
Branchville, NJ.
Another 20-year-veteran of the
SIU, Joining in Baltimore in 1941,
Brother Kain first went to sea in
1928 from his native Estonia. Sail
ing in the engine department, his
last ship was the Ocean Deborah
(Ocean Transport) in November,
1960. He has been beached since
then due to Illness. He makes his
home with an uncle, Jack Idlas, in
Florham Park, NJ.
Two Yean Continuous Service
After almost two years of con
tinuous service on the Monarch
of the Seas (Waterman), Brother
Noel signed off in February. The
49-year-old black gang member
now lives with a brother, Ben, in
Mobile, Ala. He first started sail
ing with the SIU in 1944.
Born in Sweden, Brother Ohls
son, 65, joined the SIU in 1939
after six years of sailing in for
eign bottoms. He signed off his last
ship, the Alcoa Partner (Alcoa) in
April while in the engine depart
ment. Listed as next of kin is a
sister, Hildur Ohlsson, of Kalmar,
Sweden.
A member of the SIU since 1944,
Brother Russell paid off his last
ship the Robin Gray (Moore-Mc-
Cormack), in May. The 63-year-old
steward department member, who
was born in Jamaica, BWI, now
resides with his-wife, Gwendelyn,
in New York City.
Fifth Pint
Off the Steel Worker, Sea
farer R. j. Landry takes a nip
of medicinal spirits after do
nating his fifth pint of blood
at SIU clinic in Brooklyn.
Eddie Field is the technician.
300 Receive Benefits
S&A Aid Tops $50,000
With the launching of the Sickness and Accident program successfully completed, the
SIU Welfare Plan has so far paid over $50,000 in cash benefits to some 300 Seafarers idled
by off-the-job illness or injury. The new benefit program began in October.
A major advance for SIU"*"
men, the S&A plan provides
the first benefits of amy kind
for outpatients not receiving main
tenance and cure. Payments are
provided for up to 39 weeks in any
combination of inpatient and out
patient time for a single illness
or injury during the year.
Outpatients released from a hos
pital automatically qualify for the
$56 weekly benefit for the rest of
the combined 39-week-period. Sea
farers who have not been hos
pitalized must accumulate a full
week on outpatient status and, if
not receiving maintenance and
cure, collect S&A benefits retro
active to the fifth day of disability.
Benefits are paid up to the 39-
week-iimit from then on.
The successful operation of the
program in all ports adds im
portant new protection for Sea
farers. Typical of such instances is
the example of Seafarer Alfred L.
Yarborough Abualy
Yarborough, on the West Coast,
who recently underwent a bunion-
ectomy at the Seattle U5PHS hos
pital. Unable to return to work,
Yarborough drew S&A payments
as an outpatient until he received
his "fit for duty." Shipping with
Joseph Volpian, Social Security Director
Labor Presses Fight For Social Goais
While it, is to be expecred that progressive social legislation will face
a tougher fight in state capitals than in Washington, the record of
the states in the past legislative year was a dim one Indeed. Even more
difficulties are indicated in the months ahead. A report to the recent
AFL-CIO convention bears this out.
Only 19 states raised jobless benefits during the latest legislative
session. Most of the gains were modest ones conditioned on higher
eligibility requirements. At the same time, only four states extended
the duration of benefits, despite continuing high unemployment in
many sections of the country.
No state as yet has met what the AFL-CIO considers to be minimum
goals in the way of unemployment protection. If Federal aid Is not
forthcoming, few. If any, states will ever offer average benefits equal
to two-thirds of normal wages, which is the AFL-CIO's suggested mini
mum goal for a period of up to 39 weeks.
To insure the continued vitality of the state jobless program, the
convention called for nationwide Federal standards to correct "basic
deficiencies" In the state programs. It noted that only a minority of
workers covered by state unemployment laws are now eligible for
benefits equal to as much as half their wages. "This falls far short
of the standards Incorporated when the system began," the Federation
said.
In the minimum wage area—and improvements In this field can be
made without Federal help by the simple passage of state minimum
wage laws—only three states reported increases over their past basic
rates. Two states, Washington and Connecticut, followed the Federal
pattern mid raised minimums to $1.25 in two steps. New York State
adopted a $1 minimum, with provisions for higher rates to be set by
wage boards in different Industries.
On the Federal front, the convention proposed a number of measures
to achieve full recovery and full employment. It urged an attack on
the "hard core" long-term unemployment problem along the lines of
an area redevelopment program. This would include a Federal project
of retraining the jobless and updating work skills plus Government
payments during training. Aid would be provided for relocating work
ers in new job areas.
Health care for the aged was described as "a very definite must" on
the AFL-ClO's legislative program as the convention voted a strong
endorsement of the Anderson-King bill.
The resolution declared that neither private insurance nor the pub
lic assistance approach of the Kerr-Mills Act of 1960 has met the test
of providing "the broad protection required for the great majority of
the aged who have low incomes."
The only practical way to handle this sort of a situation is to place
It under social security where people will build up over the years the
equity that is needed when they get on in years and have these serious
illnesses."
An economic and legislative conference has been summoned by the
AFL-CIO to urge the 87th Congress to move on the unresolved prob
lems facing the country, including health care for the aged. Tlie con
ference will be held January 22 in Washington to "dramatize the im
portance of the economic and social problems, led by unemployment,
which confront our nation today."
{Comments and suggestions are invited by the Department and can
be submitted to this column care oj the SEAFAREHS LOG.) .j
the SIU since 1945, he paid off at
a BR on the Vivian (Maritim*
Overseas) during October.
Last aboard the Cities Servic*
Miami in August, Edmund Abualy,
DM, jammed his right hand against
the wheel of a car while driving in
Woodbury, NJ, and fractured a
finger. He received treatment at
Underwood Hospital in Woodbury
and began receiving S&A payments
after filing at the Philadelphia
hall. Abualy has been sailing with
the SIU since 1941.
Both agree with all Seafarers
that the new program is "a big^
help" and a welcome gain in SIU*
welfare benefits.
Chatting in the Wilmington
hall after filing S&A forms,
steward department members
John Pllapil and William Blair
(with cane) both have re
ceived $56 weekly benefits.
Urge Early Bid
On SGholarship
Seafarers still have time to apply
on behalf of themselves or their
children for one of the five $6,000
SIU scholarships to be awarded in
1962, but they must act soon to
be eligible.
So far, 42 scholarship applica
tions have been received by the
Seafarers Welfare Plan. Applicants
must have all forms completed and
submitted before the Scholarship
Awards Committee meets in May.
The awards cover four years of
study in any field. Forty-three
have been granted since 1953.
An important factor in the com
mittee's determination of the an
nual scholarship winners is each
candidate's score on the College
Entrance Examination Board tests.
Only two CEEB tests are sched
uled before the committee meets.
Arrangements to take the tests,
which are to be given throughout
the country on January 13 and
March 3. must be made early to
fulfill eligibility requirements.
Other requirements include
three years' SIU seatime by a Sea
farer applying on his own behalf
or for a child; three letters of ref
erence; an autobiographical state
ment and completion of a scholar
ship questionnaire.
Application forms plus informa
tion on taking the CEEB test is
available from the SIU Welfare
Plan. 17 Battery Place, New York
4, NY.
/
VI
Par* Eighteea SEAFARERS LOG D««emb«r, 19ffl
DEPiLRTMBNT
night before, and .many good re
solves are sworn to during the
trying hours of the hangover, but
I'm sure it will happen again.
There may not be any pockets
in a shroud, Ifht If you have money
to burn, you "can take It with
you."
{Comments and suggestions are
invited by the Department and can
be submitted to this column care
of the SEAFARERS LOG).
65 Years At Sea
Hansen, 88,
Passes On
Joseph B. Logae, MD, Medical Director
Beware Of The Holiday Hangover
As the holiday season approaches, we naturally think of gifts, pres
ents, religious activities, Santa Claus perhaps, as well as many other
traditions of Christmas and the New Year. These ere usually all very
pleasant, even though oftentimes very expensive.
But what about the "hangover"—not the financial one which is
usually a sufficient headache, but the hangover from the excessive
consumption of alcohol during these celebrations.
There has been much progress In the treatment and eradication
of diseases which have plagued mankind during the centuries. How
ever, there has been little progress in the treatment of the hang
over since man first discovered alcohol. It's like the weather—
everybody knows and talks about the hangover, but no one seems to
do much about it.
Doctors do not give much consideration to hangovers; neither do
your friends, as they apparently feel that It is self-induced and that
^ou should also pay the piper. Despite the old wives' tales, there also is
no sure cure for the hangover.
What happens to you when you wake up with a hangover Is very
definite. Your metabolism has been knocked off balance due to excess
consumption of alcohol. The alcohol has been distributed throughout
your entire body where 95% is completely oxidized, mainly in the
liver. As a result of this rapid oxidation, the glucose-insulin balance
in the blood Is disturbed with other end-products of metabolism which
produce the toxic effects experi
enced the morning after.
Not A Stimulant
Although alcohol appears to
stimulate a person, it is as a mat
ter of fact a depressant or in
hibitor. What the average person
assumes to be stimulation is really
the depressant effect on the in
hibitory brain control of behavior.
Thus, there is an increase of the
pulse rate; a flushing of the face
and an abolition of inhibitions,
with am increase in activity both
vocal and otherwise, so that one
exhausts himself both physically
and psychologically. Thus, the
tired and exhausted feeling on
the morning after.
According to some authorities,
there are at least 2,000 different
drinks, and at least that many
cures for the hangover, none of
them very efficient. There is an
interesting story published about
a young man who had a "sure
cure." The young man would go
Into the bathroom, turn on the hot
water and, as the steam would
accumulate, he would jump up and
down like a demon. After this, he
would think himself cured and go
to the office. This worked for a
while, but one morning during this
treatment, he dropped dead.
Many other "cures" fpr the hang
over can be listed. These include
the Turkish bath and exotic con
coctions such as clam juice. Bugle-
week and wild lettuce.
The "hair of the dog" Is prob
ably one of the most universal
cures of the hangover. A friend
of mine thought this the best, but
he had to modify his method. He
would take it straight, and If the
first few bounced, he was not too
perturbed because, once he was
abie to retain one, he had it made.
Probably the most popular cure
for the hangover, and of fairly
recent vintage, are the Bloody
Mary, the Screwdriver, or some
of the many combinations of
Vodka, fruit juices and bitters or
Worcestershire sauce.
Other remedies for the hangover
include a wide variety of medica
tions containing vitamins, combi
nations of amphetamines and amo-
barbital which are supposed to be
excellent in weight reduction
regime, but are probably better
as a hangover remedy.
There is the other school of
hangover fadist who believes an
ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure; who load them
selves with everything from olive
oil to steaks and fruit juices. This
probably at least slows the ab
sorption of the alcohol.
An ice pack and the usual head
ache remedies are all good, but
let's face it: It takes time and
fluids to repair the damages of the
DEPARTURES
All the following SIU families have received a $200 maternity benefit plus a $25
bond from the Union in the baby's name, representing a total of $7,200 in maternity
benefits and a maturity value of $900 in bonds:
Veteran Seafarer Edward K.
"Pop" Hansen, 88, who probably,
set some kind of record by sailing
for 65 years, died on October 28
at the Lutheran Medical Center in
Brooklyn, NY. Hansen last shipped
in 1952 at the age of 79 and retired
on an SIU pension. Burial was in
Evergreen Cemetery, Brooklyn.
i> t> i-
The sea was Edward Hansen's
life.
His romance with the deep
started in 1887 when he began
sailing the cold
fjords of his na
tive Norway on
fishing boats at
14 years of age.
In those days,
sailing meant
wind power and
long hard climbs
aloft to haul
down the yards
of canvas.
In the tradition of his Viking
forbears, he later sailed on coast
ers and then deep-sea ships. For
35 years he sailed foreign-flag
ships, first in sail, then steam. In
1925 he began shipping in Ameri
can-flag vessels, and when the
SIU was founded in 1938, he threw
in with the new union and joined
up in New York.
He shipped out as a carpenter
and continued to sail for 14 more
years until, after 65 years of sea-
time, he was permanently beached.
"I'd go back tomorrow If the doc
tors would let me," he said after
he signed off his last ship, the
Robin Mowbray, at Baltimore in
1952.
One of the first Seafarers to go
on an SIU pension, Hansen re
mained close to the sea thereafter.
He made his home in Brooklyn
where he could watch the ships
entering and leaving New York.
Hansen
Carla Gomez, born September
16, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Francis Gomez, Mobile, Ala.
Michael Wayne Annis, born May
22, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
George F. Annls, New Orleans, La.
Wade Fuller, born July 18,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Jerry
Fuller, Houston, Texas.
Mary Beth Perry, born Septem
ber 20, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Raymond Perry, Jr., Salem, NJ.
Allen Brown, born August 6,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Albert
B. Brown, Brooklyn, NY.
Catherine Bellando, born August
2, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Adolph Bellando, Kenner, La.
Hilda T. Patingo, born July 29,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Eddie
A. Patingo, Sr., New Orleans, La.
Christopher Sullivan, born July
31, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
John V. Sullivan, New York, NY.
Louis Duracher, born September
9, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Louis Duracher, New Orleans, La.
Carol Ann Huszar, born July 81,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Steve
Huszar, Albany, La.
Vance Jaks, born September 26,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Edward
Jaks, El Campo, Texas.
John Wise, born September 26,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Jack
D. Wise, Kill Devil Hills, NC.
Tamara Fraone, born September
19, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Francesco Fraone, Bayonne, NJ.
Darla Fillingim, born September
27, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. 01-
lice Fillingim, Mobile, Ala.
Joan Edmonds, born March 4,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Robert
Edmonds, Baltimore, Md.
Jennie Boyd, born September
28, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Robert Boyd, Houston, Tex.
Nora Garcia, born August 20,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Victor
Garcia, Brooklyn, NY.
Claude Bankston, born April 12,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Claude
Bankston, Jr., Metairie, La.
Vern Gibson, born September
14, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Vern D. Gibson, Mobile, Ala.
Ronald Zaniewski, born July 12,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Edwin
Zaniewski, Akron, Ohio.
John Bramble, born September
28, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Charles Bramble, Atlantic City,
NJ.
Roberta Ladnier, born June 1,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. William
Ladnier, Sr., Coden, Ala.
Krugar Donald, born September
24, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Wil
liam Donald, Norfolk, Va.
Christine Bernhard, born August
15, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Her
bert Bernhard, Pelham, NY.
Tanela Faircloth, born October
13, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. John
Faircloth, Mobile, Ala.
Jonnie Benedict, born Septem
ber 23, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
John Benedict, New Orleans, La.
Kenneth Wallace, born Septem
ber 23, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Edward Wallace, Brooklyn, NY.
Eddrice Webb, born September
7, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Ed
ward Webb, Mobile, Ala.
Michele Consoli, born August
26, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Wal
ter Consoli, Clifton, NJ.
Richard Wilbum, born August
17, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs,
Richard Wilburn, Galveston, Texas.
Chery Ann Goodnick, born Oc
tober 15, 1961, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Robert Goodnick, Houston,
Texas.
Louis Landa, born September 9,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Carlos
Landa, Dallas, Texas.
Robert Garza, born September
5, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. An
tonio Garza, Sr., Gretna, La.
Mirtha Ann Bonura, born Oc
tober 22, 1961, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Victor T, Bonura, New Or
leans, La.
Adam Carpenter, born July 27,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Fred
eric Carpenter, New Orleans, La,
Angela Benitez, bom October 6,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. John
Benitez, Tampa, Florida.
The deaths of the following. Seafarers have been report
ed to the Seafarers Welfare Plan and a total of $19,000
in benefits was paid. (Any apparent delay in payment of
claims is normally due to late filing, lack of a benieficiary
card or necessary litigation for the disposition of estates.)
Frederick L. Comerford, 48: A
heart attack was fatal to Brother
Comerford
on October 23,
1961 on the SS
Michael at sea.
He sailed in the
deck department
and joined the
SIU in 1953. His
widow, Mrs.
Hilda D o w n e 8
Comerford, o f
Baltimore, Md., survives. Burial
-was at sea. Total benefit: $4,000.
Mark Hroncich, 63: Brother
Hroncich died of natural causes on
November 1,1961
at St. Clares Hos
pital, New York
City. Ha had
been sailing with
the SIU since
1960. Surviving is
his widow, Mrs.
Milka Hroncich,
of Union City,
NJ. Burial was in
Madonna Cemetery, Fort Lee, NJ.
Total benefit: $4,000.
Peter King, 52: Brother King
died of an intestinal ailment on
October 28, 1961
at the USPHS
Hospital, Boston,
Mass. Ha was a
member of the
SIU since 1938
and shipped in
the steward de
partment. Surviv
ing is his widow,
Mrs. May King,
of Boston, Mass, Burial was at Mt.
Hope, Boston, Mass. Total benefit:
$500.
Walter S? Si^th, ^4: Brother
Smith died of a heart attack on
July 11, 1961
while aboard the
SS Timber Hitch
at Capetown,
South Africa. Ha
had sailed with
the SIU in tha
en gin a depart
ment since 1950.
His widow, Mrs.
Agnes H. Smith,,
of Dade City, Florida, survives.
Burial was in the Dade City "Ceme
tery. Total benefit: $4,000.
4" 4" 4"
John F. Dixon, 52: Brother Dixon
died of burns suffered in a house
fire on Septem
ber 5, 1961 in Co
lumbia, SC. He
was a member of
the SfU since
1943, sailing in
the engine de
partment. Sur
viving is his
mother, Mrs. Em
ma P.. Dixon, of
Lykesland, SC. Interment was in
Columbia Cemetery at Columbia,
SC. Total benefit: $500.
Edward Boyle, 51: Brother Boyla
died in an accident ashore at Bos
ton, Mass., on
November 6,
1961. He joined
the SIU in 1953
and had shipped
in the steward
department. No
survivors were
listed. Burial was
in St. Josephs'
Cemetary, West
Roxbury, Mass. Total benefit: $fO«i.
$• t> 3i>
John G. Gregory, 54: A liver ail
ment caused the death of Brother
Gregory on Sep
tember 19, 1961
while aboard the
Penn Transporter
in Brindisi, Italy.
He had been sail
ing in the SIU
steward depart
ment since 1953.
Surviving is a
daughter, Mrs.
Anilee Doska Irvine, of Santa Ana,
California. Burial was in Brindisi.
Total benefit: $500.
t 4"
James Brasfield, 43: Brother
Brasfield died of bronchial asthma
on November 7,
1961 in South
Baltimore Gen
eral Hospital,
Baltimore, M d.
He had been sail
ing SIU ships
since 1942 in tha
steward depart
ment. His wife,
Mrs. Ida M. Bras
field, of New York City, survives.
Burial was in Ferncliff Cemetery,
NY. Total benefit: $4,000.
4 4 it
Eugene B. Hunt, 64: Heart dis
ease was fatal to Brother Hunt on
October 31, 1961
at the USPHS
Hospital, Galves
ton, Texas. H e
Joined the SIU in
1951, sailing in
the steward de
partment. His
widow, Mrs. Nora
Hunt of Basile,
La., survives.
Burial was in Basile Cemetery,
Eunice, La. Total benefit: $500.
4 4 4
Clarence Morehead, 29: Brother
Morehead died of a long ailment
on September 22,
1960 at the
USPHS Hospital,
New Orleans, La.
He had sailed for
a short time with
the SIU during
1960 in the deck
department. His
mother, Mrs.
Dulcle Lee Yates
Vaiden, Mississippi, survives. of
B:;ri8l was in Kosciusko,
Total benefit: $500.
Miss.
December, 1901 SEAFARERS LOG Paee Nineteea
Gang on the Erna Elizabeth who got a vote of thanks' for a
job well done, include (l-r) P. Franco, 2nd cook; Samuel
Doyle, steward; P. Foster, chief cook; G. Parker, 3rd cook.
LOG-A-RHYTHM:
Old-Fashioned
Christmas
By Roy Fleischer
Giuc me an old fashioned Christ
mas
With holly and mistletoe
And Santa Clous in the chimney
As reindeers wait in the snow,
Give me tinsel, red and green.
And logs that glitter like gold.
No pastel shad-es, no modern art,
Just colors bright and bold.
Candles and wreaths in the
vnndows,
A Christmas tree in the den,
A couple of starry-eyed children
To open the gifts I send.
While the cold weather and the holiday season Is at hand a number of Seafarers are
off on the other side of the equator enjoying sunshine and high temperatures.
The crew of the Sword Knot (Suwannee) sent the following report from Capetown,
South Africa: "We enjoyed a^
21-day-stay in Capetown;
many love affairs blossomed,
but as yet there are no /narriages
to report. We all enjo^d cordial
relations with the South African
port authorities, and the ship's
chandler worked smoothly with the
cooks in getting 120 days worth of
•tores stowed away.
"We had what has to be called
an excellent berthing area at the
Union-Castle docks. We recom
mend it to all our brothers be
cause it affords crewmembers with
an excellent view of pretty passen
gers leaving other ships."
They finished off by asking:
"How is the weather in the
States?" Anybody care to answer?
t -it 4"
Making the most of an idle
•hip's fund while the Atlas (Tank
ers & Tramps) was tied up in
Mobile recently, the gang voted to
present the entire treasury to the
local chapter of the Salvation
Army. Ship's reporter H. G. Horo
witz recorded the event, comment
ing on the crew's general feeling
that the "money would then be put
to some good use." A Salvation
Army representative accepted the
gift with many thanks.
4" 4- t
Aboard the Coastal Crusader
(Suwannee), the crew is looking
forward to an old-time barbecue.
They've already donated $l-a-maA
to finance a supply of charcoal. All
they need now are the franks and
they're all set. Don't forget the
mustard, fellas. '
4" 41 4"
The crew of the Frances (Bull)
has had a serious wave of "bulb-
snatching" aboard ship. Things
weren't too bad until someone
snatched the bulb from the head.
John Chlaramonte, pantryman,'was part of the Sword Knot
crew that enjayed the warm weather during a visit to Cape
town, South Atrica. An unidentified vessel and famed Table
Top Mountain make up the background.
It was recommended at this point
that crewmembers ask the electri
cian for another bulb instead of
snatching what was available. "A
head without a bulb is like a ship
without a rudder," someone re
marked.
4> 4" 4«
The Panoceanio Faith (Pan-
oceanic) is having hot water
troubles. Everyone enjoys lots of
hot water, but not when it's coming
out of the water cooler. At last
report, the crew was laying in a
good supply of teabags.
4" 4" 4-
The gang on the Coe Victory
(Victory Carriers) has voted to do
a good turn for an old shipmate.
Following a request by the ship's
bosun, the crew voted unanimously
to supply disabled oldtimer Char
lie Rogers with an old TV set to
work on. "It will keep him occu
pied," the crew noted, "and do
some good at the same time.
4" 4" 4^
Thanksgiving must have been
quite a day for the crew of the
Fairland (Sea-Land). The men
voted to use the ship's fund» to
supply rum for a large bowl of
egg nog. When this crew talks
about turkey and all the fixings,
it means what it says.
4" 4" 4"
Aboard the Hurricane (Water
man), the crew reports that it
donated the old books from the
ship's library to the Seaman's Club
in Rotterdam, Holland. The books
were warmly accepted by a repre
sentative of the club with grateful
thanks to the SIU crew.
ROBIN KIRK (Robin- Line), Septem
ber 25—Chelrman, T. M. Hedlund;
Secretary, A. Perklnt. S15.50 in treas
ury. No beefs reported by depart
ment delegates. T. M. Hedlund elected
ship's delegate. Discussion on use of
voting machines in aU future SIU
elections.
LUCILE BL00MF1ELD (Bloomfteld),
August 4—Chairman, Joe Compon;
Secretary, H. Huston. $18.00 in treas
ury. Sime OT di.sp'Jted. No beefs re
ported by delegates. The next nego-.
tiating committee should try to get
some action on time off in continental
US ports. Discussion on the continued
use of fish oil on decks in place of
prepared deck coating that has been
IP
Ita
furnished. Letter to be sent to safety
director Joe Algina. See the patrol
man on arrival to find out why more
small bills are not put in the ship's
bank. There is never enough small
bills for draws in foreign ports.
PETROCHEM (Valentine), Sept. 4—
Chairman, K. Hatgimisisios; Secretary,
J. R. Prestwood. Ship's delegate re
ported three men missed ship from
Port Neches to Pasadena: sailed two
men short from Pasadena. No beefs
and no disputed OT. S17.50 left in
ship's fund. See about fumigating for
roaches and bedbugs. Request 4-8
watch's supper be served a little
earlier. Crew asked to keep messhall
cleaner at night and bring cots off
deck in port.
GLOBE PROGRESS (Maritime Over
seas), no date—Chairman, Stanley F.
Schuyler; Secretary, Andy Noah. Some
repairs being taken care of aboard
ship; others will be brought up to the
captain again. Andrew Lutaves
elected new ship's delegate. No money
in ship's fund. No beefs reported.
Bunks and bunk lights to be repaired,
but cannot be repaired aboard with
out welding equipment. Too much
chlorine in the fresh drinking water.
JOSEFINA (Liberty Navigation),
July 29—Chairman, J. P. Ahern; Sec
retary, C. L. Shirah. R. Dariey was
elected ship's delegate. No beefs re
ported. Discussed repair list from
previous voyage.
ROBIN LOCKSLEY (Robin Line),
Aug. 20—Chairman, Paul M. Meth;
Secretary, Harry Harrison. Subsistence
beef will be taken up with patrolman.
Four men misscu shin (iur-n -. (he irip.
Reported $16.?.=) in s'lin s fund: S'O to
be repaid to the bosun. Union to see
what can be done to get more experi
enced men aboard these ships. Crew
not receiving the LOG or other Union
data regularly. Find out from mem
bers of the food committee ashore
how long leftovers can be kept in the
meat box. Discussion on whether pas
sengers were getting Koolaid while
the crew was not getting same.
BIENVILLE (Sea-Land), Aug. 6—
Chairman, J. Henry; Secretary, R.
O'Rourke. Ship's delegate reported
one man left in hospital in Houston.
$24.71 in ship's fund. No beefs re
ported by department delegates. Crew
asked to take care when using wash
ing machine. Steward to order auto
matic timer for same.
MOUNT VERNON VICTORY (Mt.
Vernon Tanker), October 8—Chair
man, Louis W. Pepper; Secretary,
Jack Murray. Election held for a new
ship's delegate. No beefs reported by
department delegates.
THETIS (Rye Marine), September 9
—Chairman, W. Johnson; Secretary,
R. Schultz. Ship Is due to return to
New York and a complete slopchest
will be put aboard then. Any question
about transportation will be brought
up before the patrolman while in
Wilmington. Motion to collect $1 from
each crewmembcr for a ship's fund.
No beefs reported by department
delegates. Some sort of 3-way com
munication system should be installed
In the galley, as excessive noise and
vibration makes taking orders ex
tremely difficult. Bosun elected ship's
treasurer. Another fan promised for
the crew messroom. Return cups to
the pantry. Sanitary men to rotate
cleaning of laundry. Crewmembers
asked not to linger In messroom at
meal time: first three seats to be kept
open for the watch. Motion made to'
procure a softer brand of toilet tissue,
DEL ORG (Mississippi), September
30—Chairman, James Stewart; Secre
tary, Dick Grant. Ship's delegate re
ported everything running smoothly,
except air conditioner not functioning
properly. Suggested crew make up
list of items for the patrolman to
cover working rules for this ship, the
Del Sol and Del Rio. Motion to in.sert
provi.sions in new agreement re time
off in port and to make some chan.pes
regarding breaking of watches for
engine and deck departments. Negoti
ating committee should look into
present situation re oilers being
knocked off weekends in port. All
hands should cooperate to keep pan
tries and recreation room clean at
all times. Vote of thanks to steward
department.
MT. VERNON VICTORY (ML Vernon
Tanker), October 30—Chairman, Elmer
Lamb; Secretary, Louis Pepper. I.amb
was elected ship's delegate. No beefs
reported. Discussion re wage increase
for men on super tankers, based on
horsepower and tonnage of cargo, and
increase in manning scale. Will send
letter to headquarters and bring these
items to the attention of the negoti
ating commitce.
DEL SOL (Mississippi), September
10—Chairman, J. Catalanetto; Secre
tary, J. Zimmer. Retiring ship's dele
gate notified the brothers of captain's
request that if any member of the
crew decided to get off in Houston,
he shouldn't sign foreign articles. £29
in ship's fund. .No beefs reported. .Mo
tion to transfer m-vie fun'' into st-'n's
fund. Roy R. Thomas elected new
ship's delegate. Ice-making machine
and refrigerator to be put in order
and, if not done promptly by the chief
engineer, will refer directly to the
captain for action.
IBERVILLE (Waterman), October 22
—Chairman, Horace Carmichael; Sec
retary, William R. Cameron. Discus
sion on crew relation with topside.
Only 66 cents in treasury. No beefs
reported. Motion that better merchan
dise be put in slopchest. Launch serv
ice schedule to be checked with mate.
Suggestion to have hanger made for
the recreation room aft for hanging
winter gear. No gear to be hanging
in crew mess.
MASSMAR (Calmar), October 15—
Chairman, R. L. Morrow; Secretary,
none. Everything running smooth. .411
foc'sles painted except one in engine
dep.nrtment which will be sougeed.
Change in brand of canned milk re
quested; present brand has a tend
ency to sour. All mattresses need re
placing and have been ordered.
TITAN (Overseas Oil Transport),
September 17—Chairman, John Lamb;
Secretary, E. Hannon. Walter Pritch-
ett elected new ship's delegate. No
beefs reported. Ship is supposed to go
to Persian Gulf to load. Discussion on
status of class B & class C men. Crew
requests cold drinks be put on table
in one pitcher and ice in another one.
Fix hooks on screen doors aft to
keep them from swinging at sea.
Don't unplug boxes in pantry. Wring
er needs to , be nxed. New hose
needed.
ALCOA PILGRIM (Alcoa), October 8
—Chairman, A. H. Anderson; Secre
tary, S. T. Arales. No beefs reported
by department delegates. .Members
suggest that messroom needs painting.
Vote of thanks to the steward depart
ment especially for the superb baking
•by the baker.
DOROTHY (Bull), October 8—Chair
man, P. C. Johnson; Secretary, none.
No beefs reported by department
delegates. New faucets needed for
washroom.
SEATRAIN NEW JERSEY (Sea-
train), September 29—Chairman, Reii-
ley; Secretary, Walker. Ship's delegate
stated that there was a little disputed
overtime in the black gang. See
patrolman about weekend OT for
steward department re sougeeing
laundry room. Burkeen elected treas
urer. More milk should be put aboard.
Crew told that watch table is for
watch only. Request hotplate for soup
In messhall.
CITIES SERVICE NORFOLK (Cities
Service), July 12—Chairman, Ted
Jones; Secretary, Dan Beard. See cap
tain about ordering wind chutes. Call
hall for sufficient OT sheets and a
library. $1.63 in treasury. T. Ynr-
brough elected new ship's delegate.
Caps should be worn in galley; hair
•found in pot pie and soup. Smoking
by food handlers should be stopped.
Better grade of steak meat suggested.
No other beefs reported by depart
ment delegates.
HA/e you £vfee rhiOO^ffT/ —TO A PlBASAf^
COMING HOMBBVB/zy
NieMr..4ETc.,Brc
Pace Twenly SEAFARERS LOG BeeenAcr. Itfl
One of Sea-Land's infercoastal vessels, the SlU-manned
Chafhemi is pictured on the dock at Portland, Oregon.
Chatham Hit Cows
In Typhoon's Wake
{This article was submitted from the Chatham ship's reporter
David D. Backrak.)
The SS Chatham, operated by Sea-Land Service with
two other chartered vessels, represents another step for
ward in the maritime industry—a revival of intercoastal
service.
According to accounts previously published in the LOG, this
company plans to use containerships as soon as they are converted.
In light of this, intercoastal shipping seems to be picking up again,
and this is good news for all Seafarers who like to stick close
to a shoreside home.
In command of our vessel, the Chatham, we have Captain
Martin Soinordal, formerly of, the Chickasaw. Some Seafarers
also may remember him as the skipper of the Fairland before
she was turned into a trailership. Our chief mate is Vernon B.
MacFadden. Settling a beef with these two gentlemen is almost
• pleasure.
Chief steward Kris Nielsen runs his department without raising
his voice. It sure feels good to see the messhall spotless, the
pantry clean, and the galley operating efficiently without a lot of
griping and growling going on.
Bosun Harry Larsen, out of San Bruno, Calif., really knows his
Job, part of which is to give orders. This he does, but without
arousing hard feelings among the crew.
Now for a recent adventure the crew aboard the Chatham sailed
into. Two months ago, while we were sailing through the Pacific
bound for Los Angeles, a grove of palm trees appeared on the
horizon, with their leaves waving just like they do on Hawaii.
Then we began sailing through millions of coconuts bobbing in
the water, and banging against the hull.
This was soon followed by a herd of cows, calmly swimming off
our port side. And occasionally, we had to change course slightly
to avoid two or three log jams.
This isn't the sort of sight a Seafarer expects to run Into in the
middle of the Pacific. And you can be sure that a lot of the crew
suffered from eye-strain and cramped arms from shooting so
much film.
When we reached Los Angeles, we found out that these mid-
ocean mirages were real. They had been caused by a recent typhoon
which had swept trees, cows, coconuts, logs and all into the sea.
Typhoon or not, sights like we had are not seen every day.
"Fji-&raSeaf5fer!
TWe -FOOD AMI>
mr/Mof^sA^ m ymcSIu CAFer^/z/As
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Ailins Brother
Thanics Del Norte
To the Editor:
I wish to take this oppor
tunity to thank the delegates
and the crew of the SS Del
Norte <Misstssippi) for the help
and kindness extended to me
while I was in the hospital in
South America.
I was injured aboard the SS
Del Snd (Mississippi) and left
tlie ship for medical attention.
Upon finding out where I was,
the ship's delegates and the
rest of the crew came to my
aid. I want to express my thanks
to all concerned as part of our
great Union.
R. (Jitterbug) Smith
4' 4» 4"
Steel Designer
in Good Shape
To the Editor:
The SS Steel Designer is
presently on the Far East run.
I would like to report that all
hands are cooperating in the
interests of mutual safety, all
in true SIU style.
After the most recent survey,
one of the crew remarked that
this ship is "so safe, it's unbe
lievable." We hope things stay
this way.
Incidently, we came up with a
few ideas to offer, in line with
better conditions for unlicensed
personnel: Lower bunks could
have drawers in them for stow
age of personal effects and lug
gage. Mattresses should all b»
the innerspring type, thus do
ing away with torn sheets and
spreads.
Covers could be made of a
more colorful material to take
the place of the present drab,
grey variety. In addition, many
bunks are without shelves. A
man needs a place to put down
a magazine.
If possible, the addition of a
writing desk in a foc'sle would
be greatly epiH-eelated, even
though the apace la e little
cramped.
Clarence L. Ceedna
» t »
Hails Shipmates
For Past Help
To the Editor:
I wish to take the opportunity
at this time to thank all those
who knew me during the sev
eral years that I sailed on SIU-
All letters to the Editor for
publication in the SEAFARERS
LOG must be signed by the
writer. Karnes will be withheld
upon request.
contracted ships for the help
that they gave me during aU
that time.
I wish you all good luck and
smooth sailing or, as was once
set to music, a "Calm Sea and
a Prosperous Voyage." iSlerry
Christmas and a Happy New
Year to you all.
L. V. Gemghty
t 4. 4
Revised Vacation
Benefit Proposed
To the Editor:
A motion has been made and
carried by the crew of the
Cities Service Norfolk concern
ing a change in the present
ruling which now requires a
man to stay aboard ship one
full year to collect $800 vaca
tion pay.
This motion states that in
stead of serving out the full
year, a man should be allowed
vacation pay of $400 at the end
of six months' continuous sea-
time aboard a vessel. Upon
leaving eald ship, only a lO-day
waiting period Miould be man
datory before the man la al
lowed to re-ship.
Not only do we feel this to
be a more efficient ruling but
we believe it will serve to en
courage a greater turnover in
shipping and therefore offer
more jobs for men on the
beech. This seems more In line
with the original purpose of the
ruling to encourage men to
leave the ship. We are sure
that this proposal would prove
more effective.
David Edwards
B. E. Stockmoa
4 4 4
Savannah Draws
Family's Thanks
To the Editor:
I would like to express deep
thanks from my family and my
self to the crew of the Seatrain
Savannah for the floral offering
and many kind words of sym
pathy during our time of sor
row.
My shipmates and all others
concerned were most genei'ous
following the death of our be
loved mother, Mrs. Euiise E.
Lowe. Many thanks again to all.
Louis E. Lowe
4 4 4
Oldtlmer Sends
Season's Wishes
To the Editor:
Once more I must extend my
heartiest greetings to you, the
officials and directors of our
wonderful Welfare Plan, and
the membership in general.
To you ell a very merry
Christmas and happy New
Year, with wishes of greater
success to our wonderful and
powerful Union in the future.
God bless you all. l' am very
proud to be a part of this or
ganization, even though I have
retired.
George H. Seeberger
Capo under sail to her credit.
At the end of his letter to Miss
Northmore, Captain Peterson
asked," Any nice Aussie lassies left
for me?"
Miss Northmore replied: "Being
in your age group I don't know
what the trend is with the modern
lassies. But in my young days, all
the nice girls loved a sailor." If
such be the case. Captain Peter
son may be on his way to Australia
by now and may be heard from
again from the land "down under."
Scientist Has Face Lifted
Active LOG Contributor Still Active
A few months ago, it seemed that one of the LOG's most frequent correspondents had
lost the wind from his sails for good. This, it turned out, is far from the case for oldtime
skipper R. J. Peterson.
The captain has had his
tales of sailing ships and the
men who sailed them printed
in the pages of the LOG many
times during the past few years.
Thu-s, when a letter with his name
OH it arrived a short while ago, it
was thought that It brought still
another blood-and-thunder yarn
about "the old days."
Instead, Captain Peterson wrote
the following:
"I am nearing 70, so I'd better
get ready. When a wise old skip
per driving hli
ship 'round Cape
Horn is expect
ing a big blow,
with the barom
eter low, he will
shorten sail in
time — and not
keep on, hangin'
on, to gan's'ls
and royals.
I- don't want
to be caught by a black squall and
caught aback with all sail against
the masts, flat and put on beam
ends and turn turtle and go down
In dark night, unseen, xmheard,
unknown."
From this letter, it seemed that
Captain Peterson had reefed his
sails and his typewriter for good.
But, a few weeks later, he wrote
again to inform all hands that he
was now corre'sponding with a
Seafarers aboard the Steel Scientist (Isthmian 1 got out their
It develops that the lady in P-int cans and brushes during a run from the Orient t^he
question, a Miss Northmore, is a "S' CodSt via Panama and, shown at work (i-r), are Frank
certified Cape Horner like the A. Gages, AB, who's brushing the bulkhead, while Tung Foo
captain, with four trips 'round the Sing, AB, paints overhead.
Peterson
VlMl SEAFAnERS 10€ Twca^-Oa*
MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Cor.
rioro), Sept. 3—Chairman, J. 1. Loaton.
fihip'a delegata reported everytMntf
okay. Chief etectfieiart IiiedO motioB
that partolman contact ahip'i offlcera
and make sure wall fans are aboard.
Have ship fumigated.
ORV 1836 (Suwannte), Sept. 7—
Chairman, William G. Heater; Secra.
tary, Leopold Bruco. Ship's delegate
reported ship is going in and a pa
trolman should be on board. Cap^tn
requested replacements. Ship's dele
gate requests sober payoff. a4..!Kl in
ship's fund. Suggested crew should
donate $1 at payoff to fund.
ROCKY POINT (Bull) Sept. J —
Chairman, F. R. Hicks. H. W. Hall
elected new ship's delegate. Crew
to keep as quiet as possible in pas
sageways and. refrain from slamming
doors in order for men oft watch to
get proper rest. Sea patro'man about
having sufficient money on board lor
draws and to put out some before
arrival. This Is customary in the
coastwise trade.
YOUNG AIM ERIC A (Waterman),
Aug. 1»—Chairman, J. Goude; Secre
tary, A. S. Talsn. No beefs reported
by department delegates. Motion made
to remove all dented cans that were
put aboard.
ALCOA PIONESR (Alcoa), Aug. M
—Secretary, Cyril A. Scott. Every
thing running smooth. Crew request
ed to flush toilet after use, flll wash
ing machine to its proper level when
In use and do not wash one T-shirt
at a time. Close laundry door at night
and turn off light so as not to disturb
messmen sleeping.
STEEL ADVOCATE (Isthmian), Sept.
10—Chairman, George Pinkies; Secre
tary, John Reinese. No beefs re
ported. See patrolman in. Frisco about
hot water coming out of cold water
faucets, showers and sink bowls. Be
sure to contact patrolman in regard
to ice machine.
COEUR D'ALENE VICTORY (Vic
tory Carriers), Sept. 1—Chairman, M.
Woods; Secretary, R. McCullech. No
beefs. M. Woods elected new ship's
delegate. See chief engineer about
spigots in crew washbasins, also drain
hose in washing machine. Some mat-
tre.sses in poor condition, l.oik crew
pantry in port and give ke.v to ganff-
w.ny watch. Crew'.s toilet ventilating
system., was blanked oT and the galley
fan is operating at half voltage. This
ship is chartered to TIatson and is
considered by the .-rew as one <rf
the hottest and poorest ventilated
ships around.
MARORE (Ore), Aug. 8—Chairman,
John Mehalev; Secrefery, Wm. C.
Murphy. Chief engineer to order fans
for recreation room and PO mess.
Also repair old fans and give crew
full cooperation on repairs. We are
In need of a new washing machine:
vote of thanks to deck engineer loi
keeping old one operating. No beefs.
A. T. Harrison elected new .ship's
delegate. Request more night lunch
to be made availabl". Items such as
cherry peppers, horseradish and tea
bags requested to be Increased by
pan steward.
EVELYN (Bui!), Aug. 57—Chairman,
Parker Holf; Secretary, C. Conant.
Ship's delegata suggested all mem
bers who have not filled in bene
ficiary cards to do so and he would
mail them in. No beafs. Discussed
the shortage of pitchers in messltalls..
Pitchers ordered by last steward but'
were not on delivery Hat. Will be
re-ordered by new steward.
HEDGE HAVEN (Metro Petroleum),
Sept. 21—Chairman, E. Griffin; Sec
retary, W. J. Barnes. No beefs le-
porietl; by delegatea. Special vole of
thanks to a top-notch, cooperative
SIU crew by the -shin's deleg.sle Jo
seph P. LeBlanc. Motion by N R.
Wright to see patrolman about re
pairs before signing on foreign
articles.
EMILIA (Bull), Sept. 7—Chairman,
Jamas Manner; Secretary, T. W. Ku-
becha. Request chief engineer to sea
about the cold water being hot. No
beefs reported by department dele
gates. Recommendation by .nil hands
that patrolman make sure- ship has a
catwalk built over the deok cargo
before sailing on next trip.
StewarR department received • T«ta
•f thanbg and aroraaaad tta thaakg t«
tfep araw.
COUNCa GROVE (Cities Service),
Sept. 21—Chairman, 6. Swfit; Sacra-
tary, H. Darrow. O. Swift alected cew
shl^s delegate. No beefa reported
by department delegates. Motion
made to draw up repair list.
MGNTAUK (AmarFcsn Bulk), Sept.
36—Chairman, Charfes Jordan; See-
ratary, R. 1. Fagan. No beefs Re-
qucs. to have ship fumigated, see
patrolman about rooms and lockers
being repaired and abjut mall Have
had very bad service. Repair water
iciuntuin. Baking Is improving.
FLOMAR (Caimar), Aug. 9—Chair
men, Jiggs Jeffers; Secretary, Thomas
A. Jackson. No beefs. Reqne.st to
have old washing machine removed
from laundry. .Need toilet paper
holders in deck toilet. Spray In mess-
room to get rid of the flics.
USAF C-50-1816 (Pan American
World Airways), September 3—Chair
man. R. H. Bennett; Secretary, Joseph
Kornlg. Everything running smooth.
R. H. Bennett elected ship's delegate.
Delegate for each department will
turn in repair list to chief engineer.
Ship's delegate to check with chief
on getting crew a coke machine.
Crew had a wonderful time during
voyage: no friction at all.
FLORIDA STATE (Everglades), Sep
tember W—Chairman, Joeaph A. Lev
He; Secretary, Druwerd Moitar. Some
disputed OT, but no other beefs re
ported by department delegates.
Steward to see company about quality-
peaches.
FAIRLAND (Sea-Land), September
19—Chairman, A. T. Arnold; Secre
tary, Welter Newberg. Pete Serano
elected new ship's delegate. $11.09
In treasury. Steward asked to see if
ha could get mosquito repellent for
crew and also If sandwiches could be
improved.
OVERSEAS REBECCA (Maritime
Overseas), September 17—Chairman,
J. D. Mann; Sacretary, Joseph A.
Long. tl.OO in treasury. No beefs re
ported by department delegates. Let
ter to be sent to Union to ask penalty
for non-delivery of mall. Urge head
quarters In NY to look Into food
conditions on Maritime Overseas
vessels, especially the meats. Ask
the company for a better brand of
Ice cream. Need new Ice trays for
icebox, more pitchers for crew mess-
room. Request better toilet paper.
PENN TRADER (Penn Shipping),
September 3—Chairman, J. P. Austin;
Secretary, Daniel Parkman. Every
thing running smoothly, gl.gft In
trea.sury. AU hands should assist in
keeping pantry and messhall clean.
STEEL TRAVELER (isthmian),
August 20—Chairman, Antonio Schla-
vone; Secretary, J. L. Redgos. Ono
man missed ship in Sasebo, Japan,
and rejoined at Inchon. Korea. Three
men missed ship in Koe Haiung. Tai
wan; one oiler hoepitallzed In Hono
lulu. Crew requests that American
money be issued for draws in foreign
ports tnstaad of travelers ehecks.
S18.0B in ship's fund. No beefs re
ported by engine <jr steward depart
ments. Friction in deck department
will be taken up with patrolman at
payoff. Crew asked to flush toilets.
Stewards department given, a vote of
thanks.
Al-AMAR (Caimar), Eaptember. 8—
Chairman, F. Drazak; Sacratary, L.
Hall, Jr. Ship's delegate reported that
sink in crew pantry needs to be re
paired. Toaster i» also needed. Patrol
man In ports only bring 3 LOOS to
ship; crew requests that more LOGS
be put aboard. Discussion on new wel
fare and vacation benefits. No beefs
reported by department delegates.
BENTS FORT (Cities Service), Sep
tember 7—Chairman, J'. Gloyant; Sec
retary, E. A. Herd. Ship going to
shipyard this trip,'Crew will pay off
and sign on In Linden, NJ. No beefs
reported by department delegates.
Discussion on cooking and'serving of
food. Chief cook says 85% of meats
are not graded but merely stamped.
Patrolman should check on meats and-
fresh vegetables. Bunk repairs not
done. Gi-iritile and one plate on stove
not repaired since last request.
ROBIN GRAY (Robin Line), Sep-
tambar 8—Chairman, Receo J. Alba-
nese; Secretary, Robert Skloot. Ship's
delegate reported everything okay.
Two men hospitalized. $13.57 spent on
telegrams and $13.50 left In treasury.
Discussion on vacation and death
benefits.
DEL MUNDO (Mississlgpn, Sept. 17
—Chairman, J. Chastain; Secretary,
toyit tf. Amsberry. A vote of thanks
for a Job well done to the rjiiring
ahip's delegate. No beefs reported.
Robert L. Garriss elected new .ship's
delegate. Vote of thanks to the iinsun
for arranging for a p'.-ice to put gar
bage instead of going aft over the
catwalk. Keep off the chain rails un
til renewed. When using the washing
machine, fill it up to water mark.
NATALIE (Maritime Overseas), Sept.
24—Chairman-, J(Te McLaren; Secre
tary, Reberf W. FerrandlK Captain rv-
fused to lift logs. Some OT disputed
but no beefs reported by steuard
delegate. Locks on black gang's doors
need repair. Anyone needing a room
key should have one made and bring
captain the bill. Wiper says there- is
too much favoritism by the engineer.
CHILORB (Ore), Sttptamber 24—
Chairman, M. Jones; Secretary, C.
Bedell. No beefs reported by dbpart-
• nient delegates. Saw captain, about
icebox for pantry and water cooler
in port pas.sageway. See patrolman
about getting water tanks cleaned as
both potable and wash water have
been rusty ail trip. Slopchest list
slinuld be posted.
August 12—Chairman, M. H. .Jones;
Secretary, C. V. Bedell. No beefs re
ported. Could not get new icebox.
One man missed ship in Baltimore.
Have slopchest prices posted. Request
bench' for recreation room. Return
cups back to pantry. Turn off washing
machine after use.
CAPE HENRY (Northern), no date-
Chairmen, Cgrroll Quinnt; Secretary,
Robert Saunders. Some disputed OT
in engine and steward departments.
Crew not receiving any mail or LOGS
since company ban been In operation.
Will take matter up with patrolman.
Stewsrd' still using tun much onloir
In food.
Patterson KO's Fred Kretzler
In Non-Title Checker Match
\ m
Two weeks before heavyweight boxing champ Floyd Patterson successfully defended
his title, another Floyd Patterson defeated ex-US Navy checker champ and SIU member
Fred Kretzler in a non-title marathon checker match aboard th® City of Alma (Waterman).
Kretzler, shipping as deck"*"!
maintenance, lists himself as
"American Merchant Marine
checker champion." Beaten for the
first time In nine years, he report
ed that the game with Patterson
had its share of coincidences.
"First of all," he said, "I was
beaten by a certain type of strat
egy known to checker players as
the 'Alma Game,' and that's the
same as the name of the ship we
played on.
"Secondly," he went on to say,
"Patterson (who is third mate
aboard the Alma) comes from At
lanta, 111., and I come from At
lanta, Georgia. And on top of all
that," Kretzler concluded, "we
played the game on the thirteenth
day we had been on the ship."
Kretzler has been playing check
ers all over the world for the past
twenty years. He said that in about
a- year, he would be reatiy to put
his "title" on the line in champion
ship competition. He 1» presently
making a coastwise run on the
Seatrain Louisiana (Seatraln).
Speaking of Patterson, Kretzler
commented: "He's the best player
I ever came up against, and I'd
like to play him again some time."
«
I. tL em.:.
Pondering moves, Seafarers Thad Jackson, AB (left), and
Fred Kretzler are shown pairing off for a checker match at
SIU headquarters several years ago. Kretzler won this game
and ajl others of the past nine years before he met his match
In Floyd Patterson, 3rd mate on the City of Alma.
SIU Atrantic, Gulf
Lakes & Inland Waters
District
PRESIDENT
Paul Hall
BXECtrriVJ! VICE-PRESIDENT
Gal Tanner
VICE PRESlDEiNTS
Claude Simmons Lindsey Williams
Earl Shepard AI Tanner
8ECRETAR Y-THEASUR EB
Al Kerr
HEADQUARTERS REPR'ESENTATIVES
BiU Hall Ed Mooney Fred Stewart
BALTIMORE 1218 E. Baltimora St.
Rex Dickey. Agent EAstern 7-4900
BO.STON 276 State St.
John Fay, Agent Richmond 2-0140
DETROIT 10225 W. Jefferson Ave.
Vlnewood 3-4741
HEADQUARTERS ...679 4Ut Ave.. Bklyn
HYacinth 9-6800
HOUSTON 4202 Canal St.
Paul Drozak, Agent CApital 3-4089: 3-4080
JACKSONVILLE 2608 Pearl St.. SE.. Jax
WilUam Morris. Agent ELgin 3-0987
MIAMI 744 W. Flagler St.
Ben Gonzales. Agent FRanklin 7-3564
MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St.
Louis Neira. Agent HEmlock 3-1754
NEW ORLEANS 630 Jackson Ave.
Buck Stephens. Agent Tel. 529-7548
NEW YORK 673 4tb Ave., Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6600
NORFOLK 416 CoUey Ave.
Gordon Spencer, Acting Agent 625-6505
PHILADELPinA 2504 S. 4Ul St.
Ray Uates. Acting Agent DEwey 6-3818
SAN FRANCISCO ... 450 Harrison St.
Bill Hall, Acting Agent Douglas 2-4401
SANTURCE. PR 1313 Fernandez Juncos,
Stop 20
Keith Terpo, Hq. Rep. Phone 723-0003
SEATTLE 2305 1st Ave.
reti Babkowski. Agent Main 3-4334
TAMPA 313 Harrison St.
Jeff Gillette, Agent 24-3471
WILMINGTON. CaHf 505 N. Marine Avi.
Keed Humphries. Agent Terminal 4-2528
PHOtCS
^ 'S-ToRtes,
^3- ?0£-fRY
Ex-Cop Turned Seafarer
Prefers Ships To Bullets
Every once in a while Seafarer Sam Grandee is mistaken
for a policeman. In fact, sometimes policemen stop him and
start right out talking "shop." There's a reason for this often-
made mistake. Grandee real-"*'
ly was a police officer a few
years back, and the old habits
are kind of hard to break.
A native of Croton-on-Hudson,
New York, the 32-year-old Sea
farer has been sailing with the SIU
for about two years. His law en
forcement career took place out
west—Minot, North Dakota, to be
exact, and a highly-successful
career it was too.
Grandee was on the Minot police
force from 1955 through 1958, and
Pictured during police
force days, Sam Grandee
now sails in iTie black gang.
was involved In everyrhing from
a shooting duel with an escaped
bandit to rounding up a band of
hubcap thieves.
Magazine Story
In fact, one of his c-rvploits was
the subject of an article in "True
Police Stories" magazine in 1959.
Grandee was instrumental in cap-
turtng a bandit who was fleeing
from police in a nearby town.
The chase reached Minot and by
that time State Police were in
volved. Grandee recalls taking out
after the man and finally capturing
him after a 100 mile-per-hour auto
chase and a gun duel.
Police work also entailed lesB
exciting job.s, he says, and some of
the "little" jobs were really tricky.
Minot police had been plagued by
hubcap thefts which defied detec
tion. However, some patient in
vestigation and a lucky break re
vealed a gang which had been
making a small living stealing and
selling hubcaps.
In addition to practical work on
the Minot police force. Grandee
studied and practiced police
methods on his own and earned
FBI commendations.
Personal affairs back home in
New York brought Grandee back
east in 1959 and soon after he
began sailing with the SIU in the
black gang. He says life at sea
is fine but he intends to visit back
in Minot one of these days.
List Details In
Cables To Union
When notifying headquarters
by cable or wireless that a Sea
farer has paid off in a foreign
port because of injury or illness,
ships' delegates should include
the following information:
The man's full name, his SIU
book number, name of the ship,
the port of payoff and the hos
pital where he is being treated.
The response of ships' crews
to the Union's request for these
notifications has been very good.
Sometimes though, not all of
the above information has been
included. Be sure to list all of
this data so that the SIU can
act as promptly as possible.
Page Twenty Tw» SEAFARERS LOO Deeember, MM
Seafarer Doubles Up Line—
Mixes Stocks And Starlings
From seafaring to "bird proofing" and finance describes the- present career of former
SIU man Frank T. Young, who came to headquarters last month to visit old shipmates.
Young, who left the sea in 1957 after paying off the Coalinga Hills, is now engaged in
two businesses. He is a mutual"^
from roosting and creating a mess.
The whole thing Is harmless to funds representative, with
a Securities and Exchange
Commission license, and he also
operates the Electroscat Birdproof-
Ing Company.
The native of Scotland began
sailing on British ships In 1929,
_ when he was only
' 14 years old. Aft
er a few years at
sea he settled In
South Africa and
worked ashore.
But when the
second World
War was brewing
in 1939, Young
went back to sea.
During the early
years of the war he sailed under
several flags: British, Norwegian,
Panamanian.
"I sailed on any ship that I
could," Young says, "until I hit an
American ship, and then I stayed."
His first US-flag ship was the
Marie Melony, a Calmar vessel
which he caught in 1943.
Recalls First SIU Ship
"That was my first SIU ship and
my first American ship; it's one I
won't forget." Young was aboard
the vessel when it assisted the
Normandy Invasion. He recalls
when the ship struck a mine, and
sustained damage in a bombing off
Great Britain.
After the war. Young continued
sailing SIU, .mostly from the Port
of New York as AB, bosun, or deck
maintainance.
It was through a shipmate, who
had a relative in the bird proofing
business, that Young Decame ac
quainted with his new trade.
Shortly after he married, he left
the sea and began setting up his
business ashore.
Electroscat is an ingenious sys
tem of wiring cornices and other
ornamental projections of build
ings. The wires produce a mild
electric shock which prevents
pigeons, starlings, and other birds
LOC-A-RHYTHM:
SEAFARERS LOG
— By Harry Wolowitz _
The SEAFARERS LOG is the
very best,
I've read them all,
That's a real fair test.
We're proud of our paper,
It's tops in town;
None any better.
You can look around.
We have just about everything.
In this paper of ours.
Can't praise it enough.
It rates five stars.
News of interest, shipping galore,
We have the best in the field
And can't ask more.
Shopping guide, news of all sorts,
Friendly pictures,
A report of all ports.
Then a final dispatch.
And we bow our head.
While some go on living—
Others are dead.
I close with a wish
For your continued success.
May you live on forever.
And never stop your press;
Keep on doing your good work,
They all envy you.
From a brother member of SIU.
man and bird.
Early in 1961,
came interested
Young also be-
in the sale of
mutual funds, so he studied for an
SEC license and became a sales
man for a New Jersey investment
firm. Now, the Weehawken resi
dent is concentrating on both Jobs.
Shipboard Sketches by Ben Graham
'You say all this happened when you became a bosun?'
Your Gear...
for ship • • • for shore
Whatever you need, in work or dress
gear, your S!U Sea Chest hcst.it. Get top
quality gear at substantial savings by buy
ing at your Union-owned and Union-
operated Sea Chest store*
Sport Coats
Slacks
Dress Shoes
Work Shoes
Socks
Dungarees
Frisko Jeens
CPO Shirts
Dress Shirts
Sport Shirts
Belts
Khakis
Ties
Sweat Shirts *•
T-Shirts
Shorts
Briefs
Swim Trunks
Sweaters
Sou'westers
Raingear
Caps
Writing Materials
Toiletries
Electric Shavers
Radios
Television
Jewelry
Camera's
Luggage
the SEA CHEST
Widow Asks For
Continued LOGS
To the Editor:
My husband recently passed
away after a prolonged illness.
Until the time of his death,
even after he had dropped out
of the maritime industry, be
greatly enjoyed receiving the
LOG.
I am therefore notifying you
of his death so that you may
discontinue our LOG sub
scription if that is your policy.
However, I would like to add
that our son (who is 14 years
old) enjoys receiving and read
ing the LOG. _If you wish to
discontinue our subscription
It's okay but, if possible, we
would like to continue receiv
ing your paper.
Mrs. Fred Dial
(Ed. note: Subscriptionii to
the LOG are not cancelled for
any reason until requested.
We'll be glad to continue send
ing it to you.)
4. $1 4.
New US Citizen
Lauds Union Aid
To the Editor:
Oh November 13, 1961 I was
naturalized as a citizen of the
United States to make a 15-
year'-dream come true. I am
therefore writing to express my
thanks to our Union and to our
president, Paul Hall, for the
help and support given me over
the years.
The Union's continuing inter
est in the welfare of aliens who
are members of the SIU has
always made.it po.ssible for us
to pay off our respective ships
and to get extensions for our
necessary stays on the beach in
various US ports. Seafarers like
myself have always been treated
like every other member of the
Union, regardless of citizenship.
Thanks to the Union's help
and the never-ending interest of
our officials In some of the
problems that have developed
over the years, I am both hon
ored and proud to be a citizen
of the Unite:d States today. I
can't thank everyone involved
enough for the assistance given
me.
Eric Joseph
si
'm
All letters TO the Editor for
publication in the SEAFARERS
LOG must be signed by the
writer. Names will be withheld
upon request.
Oldtimer's Wife
Hails SIU, LOG
To the Editor:
You may discontinue sending
the LOG to C. F. Martinek as
he is having serious difficulty
with his eyesight. My husband
was a member of the old Inter
national Seamen's Union, and
manned picketlines at New Or
leans and Baltimore in 1921.
When the strike was over, he
chose to give up going to sea
and remained ashore for many
years after that.
However, in 1942 Mr. Mar
tinek returned to sea duty as a
member of the MM&P and re
tired as such. He often ex
pressed the opinion that the
SIU is the best labor organiza
tion in the world. Thank you
very much for the pleasure and
information that the LOG has
furnished us.
Mrs. F. Martinelr
Praises Union
Assist On Thesis
To the Editor:
I would like to thank the SIU
and the various officials at bead-
quarters for the kind assistance
given to me this past summer
and also during the previous
sumrher in my doctoral study on
"occupational choice."
I enjoyed every minute I
spent at the hall, and I appre
ciated the opportunity given to
me to talk with the seamen. I
sincerely hope that I can pro
duce a thesis worthy of tha
study.
Is it possible to subscribe to
the LOG? I have recently
moved to a new. address, and
because I am still some distance
from New York, I won't be able
to visit there as often as I
would like. My reading your
paper will therefore keep me
up to date.
Vincent Gagllarducci
(Ed. note: Your .name is
being added to our mailing list.)
4" 4" 4"
Urges Further
Pension Changes
To the Editor:
While looking over the result
of the recent negotiations, I
gave special attention to the
new pension plan. I am con
fident this plan, like others in
the past, will be improved upon
In the future. I feel, though,
that the plan as is isn't very
attractive to men who join the
Union at a young age.
Suppose a person starts sail
ing at 20. Under the present
plan he will Tiave to go to sea
for 45 years before he can be
pensioned. This total is based
on an average of eight months
of actual seatime per year. At
that average, a member will
have had 29 years of actual sea-
time when he, reaches 65.
Compare this to a person
starting to sail at 42 who will
go to sea for 23 years and still
have the required 15 years sea-
time to be peiisione'd.
I said, this hardly seems
fair to those brothers who start
sailing in their younger years.
I do not mean to suggest that
the plan be changed in any way
that would deprive the members
that make sailing a part-tim«
career.
What I do suggest Is that an
other plan be considered where
by a member will be pensioned
when he gets 18 or 20 years of
actual seatime regardless of his
age'. This plan would be an
addition to the present plan
and would. I think, round out
Union protection so that all
members would benefit mori
equally.
Union representatives are do
ing their all to get the compa
nies on the ball in forwarding
the mail. Yet some companies
still seem to hold back the
bulky packages that contain the
LOGS. News of Union activities
Is something Seafarers look for
ward to to keep us informed.
In this way we feel a part of
the Brotherhood.
I suggest, since headquarters
reports cover the important
happenings, that these reports
be made twice a month and be
mailed out in a different and
smaller package from the LOGs.
My final suggestion is that
three months before future ne
gotiations start, special forms
be mailed to all halls and ships
Informing the membership what
the Union is seeking. These
forms should also have space
for suggestions.
Thomas Alonzo Brown
1 ^ r
Peeember, 1961 SEAFARERS LOG Faff* Xventj-Thre*
Maritime Roundup
Allen crewmen applylnc: for
landinc privileges In the US will
have to present a passport issued
by the country of their nationality
starting early next month. The US
Immigration and Naturalization
Service had proposed the rule
earlier and has now made it final.
Previously, alien seamen could
present a passport document is
sued by any country. The new rule
becomes effective 30 days after
December 8, 1961 ... A British
shipbuilding research group is de
veloping a new, more accurate
method to) measure ship speeds
which could sharply cut the costs
and time of speed trials. The new
Idea involves using radar aboard
ship to transmit signals that can
bounce back from a buoy put over
the vessel's stern. The speed of
the ship is based on calculation
of the time taken for the return of
the dcfiected signals.
t t 4.
An experimental atom-powered
buoy began service as a channel
warning signal in Arundel Cove,
Baltimore, this month. The seven-
ton navigational aid is the first
tried in a series of Coast Guard
experiments on the use of nuclear
waste products as a source of elec
tric power for lighting channel
markers and buoys . . . SlU-con-
tracted Delta Lines has announced
a change in the itinerary of its
three passenger-cargo ships in the
twice-monthly service from Gulf
ports to the East Coast of South
America. The change, taking ef
fect in January, calls for a stop
over at Bahia, Brazil, on the-south
hound half of the forty-day round
trip. Seafarers on the Del Mar,
Del Norte and Del Sud- can send
postcards from a new location
now.
t
Seamen should be on the lookout
one day for commercial subma
rines and underwater tankers, ac
cording to the country's top
nuclear submarine research cngi
neers. At their annual meeting,
the engineers proposed that the
sub-surface craft be used where
surface ships can't navigate, as
under the Arctic ice-cap . . . The
Panama Canal Company has an
nounced that it went $6 million in
the red during its past operating
year. In a report to its only stock
holder, the US Government, the
canal authorities said the loss was
due to money spent improving and
modernizing canal facilities.
Joseph Sylvester Olejnik
Contact your wife, Mrs. Lena
Olejnik, 1445 St Bernard Ave.,
New Orleans, La.
% X X
Aarelio Flores
Get in touch with your wife, Mrs.
Blance Flores, at Mt. Wilson TB
Hospital, Mt. Wilson, Md.
XXX
rranx K. Schwarti
Mother would like to hear from
you. Write V. V. Van Gordon, St.
Joseph's Hospital, Boom 203,
Bremerhaven, Germany.
XXX
Income Tax Refunds
The following Seafarers should
contact Jack Lynch, Room 201,
SUP Building, 450 Harrison St.,
San Francisco, Calif., regarding
income tax refunds:
Marearito Boria. Dao King Chae. Che-
nnx Soa Chens Q). John J. Doyle (2).
Richard Dunfea (2). Ho Youns Kong,
Steve Krkovich. Jamei Lear M), MUledge
P. Lee (4), Harry Lowther. Francis A.
SEAFARERS LOG.
675 Fourth'Ave.,
Brooklyn 32, NY
I would like to receive the
SEAFARERS LOG — please
put my name on your mailing
list. (Print Information)
NAME
STREET ADDRESS
CITY ZONE....
STATE
TO AVOID DUPLICATION: If you
are an old tubscribei and have a
changa of addresf, plaata giva your
format address balow:
ADDRESS
CITY ZONE....
i
STATE
Luiz, John Mlsakian. Dmer J. Moa (2),
Potenclano Paculba, Clifford Perrlera.
Marvin E. Satchell (4), John W. Singer
(2), WlUiam L. Strike, Weldon O. Wal
lace, Charles Walsh (3), Ylng Ming Wei
(2), Ah Sal Wong (2). Ding Hal Woo.
XXX
Herbert E. Cpllini
Telesforo Roman
Joseph R. Richards
Overtime checks from Suwannee
Steamship Corp. are being held
for you by the SIU headquarters
dispatcher.
XXX
WUUam R. (BiU) Dixou
The above-named or anyone
knowing his whereabouts is asked
to contact his youngster's guardian,
Sophia F. Baker, RN, 1315 S. 26th
Place, Lawton, Okla., ELgin 5-4577,
t it t
Ex-Coe Victory
Will pay $50 to recover silver
belt buckle with Initials "FNC"
lost on SS Coe Victory on July 8.
No questions asked. F. N. Cain, 432
Washington St., Bay St. Louis,
Miss.
4> ^ jr
Milton K. Burgner
Contact Mrs. Page Burgner, PO
Box 343, Bowie, Md.
^ X X X
Maynard Farshetter
Contact Mrs. Nancy Alquist, Bu
reau of Public Assistance, Los An
geles County, Calif.
4" 4'
Louis V. Coffey
Important. Contact Cliff Malners
aboard SS Monarch of the Seas,
Waterman SS Corp., Mobile, Ala.
4« 4" 4"
Billy C. Ward
Contact your home immediately.
XXX
Norman Krumm
Anyone knowing the where
abouts of the above-named is
asked to contact his wife, Mrs.
Norman Krumm, of Luck, Wis.
XXX
Ed NIemi
LOG is holding package of
small radio tubes for you.
XXX
William A. Granger
Get in touch with your mother
at 1819 W. Grace St., Richmond,
Va.
XXX
Ex-Steel Designer
All persons having knowledge of
a leg injury sustained by Frank M.
Puglisi on August 16, 1961, while
TlVKHCIAJj REPORTS, tbrn constitution Of tbs SIU Atlantic, Gull, Lskas and In-
iand Waters District iukas spsclfle provision tor ssfsgusrdlns ths nsnbsrshlp's
•oney and Union finances. Tbs eonstltutlon requires a detailed CPA audit
•very three nontha by a rank and Ills auditing comattee elected by the new
bershlp, 'All Union records are available at SIU headquarters in Brooklyn.
Should any aenber, for any raaaon, b« rafuaed hla constitutional right to In
spect these records,.notify SIU Praaldant Paul Ball by certified amll, return
receipt requested.
TRUST FUNDS, All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland
Vatera District are adnlnistered In accordance with the provision# of various
trust fund agreements. All these agreeaenta specify that the trustees in
charge of these funds shall consist equally of union and aanageaent repreaent-
atlves and their alternates. All expenditures and dlaburseaents of trust funds
are aade only upon approval by a aajorlty of the trustees. All trust fund
financial records are available at ths headquarters of the various trust funds.
If, at any time, you are denied Infonaatlon about any SIU truat fund, notify
BIU President Paul Hall at SIU headquarters by certified aall, return receipt
•requested,"
SHIPPING RIGHTS. Your shipping rights and seniority are protected by the con
tracts of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District, and by
Union shipping rules, which are Incorporated In the contract. Get to know
your shipping rights. If you feel there has been any violation of your ship
ping or seniority rights, first notify the Seafarers Appeals Board. Also
notify SIU President Paul Hall at headquarters, by certified mall, return re
ceipt requested.
CONTRACTS, Copies of all SIU contracts are available In all SIU halls. Theae
contracts specify the wages and condltlona under which you work and live aboard
ship. Know your contract rights, as well as your obligations, such as filing
for or on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. It, at any time, any .
BIU patrolman or other Union official, in your opinion, falls to protect yow
contract rights properly, contact the nearest SIU port agent. In addition,'
notify SIU President Paul Hall by certified mall, return receipt requested.
!!?
I;'
EDITORIAL POLICY~SEAFARERS LOG. Tha LOO has traditionally refrained from
publishing any article serving the political purposes of any Individual In the
Union, officer or member. It has also refrained from publishing articles deem
ed harmful to the Union Or Its collective membership. This established policy
has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September, 1060 meetings In all
constitutional ports. The responsibility for LOG policy Is vested In an edi
torial board which consists of the Executive Board of the Union. The Exec
utive Board may delegate, from among its ranks, one Individual to carry out
this responsibility.
PAYMENT OF HOWIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone In any official capacity
in the SIU unless an official Union receipt Is given for same, under no cir
cumstance should any member pay any money for any reason unless he Is given .
fiuch receipt. If In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment bo
made without supplying a receipt, or If a member la required to make a payment
and £3 given an official receipt, but feels that he should not have been re
quired to make such payment, this should Immediately be called to the attention
of SIU President Paul Hall by certified mail, return receipt requested.'
COWSTITlfTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. The SIU publlshea every, six months in
the SEAFARERS LOG a verbatim copy of Its constitution. In addition, copies
are available in all Union halls. All members should obtain copies of this
constitution so as to familiarise themselves with Its contents. Any time yott
feel any-member or officer la attempting to deprive you of any constitutional
right or obligation by any methods such as dealing with charges, trials, 'etc.f
as well as all other details, then the member so affected should immediately
notify SIU President Paul Hall by certified mall, return receipt requested.
RETIRED SEAFARERS. Old-tlmo SIU members drawing disability-pension bene
fits have always been encouraged to continue their union.activities. In
cluding attendance at membership^ meetings. And like all other SIU members
at these Union meetings, they arm encouraged to take an active role In all
rank-and-file functions. Including service on rank-and-file committees.
Because these oldtlmers cannot take shipboard employment, the membership
has reaffirmed the long-standing Union policy of allowing them to retain
their good standing through ths waiving of their dues.
X ,
the Steel Designer was in the Wel-
land Canal, are asked to contact
Louis R. Harolds, 38 Park Row,
NY, NY.
XXX
Ex-Overseas Joyce
The following Seafarers can pick
up unclaimed wages from Mari
time Overseas Corp., 61 Broadway,
NY, NY:
John W. Gibson. Laurence Rainchuck.
Jose Madurei, Alfred E. Hawse, James W.
Canard, Raymond D. Stafford, James I.
Bast, Nicholas de Los Santos, Floyd D.
KeUey. Rigardo A. Rodriguez, Fred D.
Peterson, George L. Baiigh, John W.
Morris, Floyd S. Grumpier, Ed R. Con
nolly, Felix Cardona, Malcolm E. Taggart,
Swindell W. Lewis, Pedro Mena. Charles
B. Eagleson, William G, Hay, James H.
Shearer, Woodrow W, Spivey, Thomas
S. Johnson, Leon Hebert. Leo Wills,
Michel MegulsEoglou. Antonio Carrano,
Cruz Mata,
XXX
Charles Nail
Contact Pat at PO Box 433, Wil
mington, Calif,, about your income
tax check,
XXX
William H, Mason
Contact Mrs, Iris Stone, 601 W,
35lh St„ Norfolk, Va,
Reginald P. Sirois
You are asked to contact your
sister, Lucille.
4" 4' 4-
J. L. Roberts
Contact'Mrs, Pauline Moore of
Moore & Co, Realtors about a
buyer for your land at 8202 Erath
St., Houston, Texas.
Jose Serrano
Urgent, Contact Victor Manuel
Serrano Torres, Box 545-G, Num
ber 404 Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.
XXX
Charles Palmer
You are asked to get in touch
with Aubrey Wiggins at 201 Page
Ave,, Mobile, Ala,
Notify Union On LOG Mail
As Seafarers know, copies of each issue of the SEAFARERS
LOG are mailed every month to all SIU ships as well as to
numerous clubs, bars and other overseas spots where Seafarers
congregate ashore. The procedure for mailing the LOG involves
calling all SIU steamship companies for the itineraries of their
ships. On the basis of the information supplied by the ship oper
ator, four copies of the LOG, the headquarters report and min
utes forms are then airmailed to the company agent in the next
port of call.
Similarly, the seamen's clubs get various quantities of LOGs
at every mailing. The LOG is sent to any club when a Seafarer
so requests it by notifying the LOG office that Seafarers con
gregate there.
As always the Union would like to hear promptly from SIU
ships whenever the LOG and ship's mail is not delivered so that
the Union can maintain a day-to-day check on the accuracy of
its mailing lists.
"Of y ^ si
SEAFARERS
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT • AFL-CIO
LOG L V,>|
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Another year's articles have been completed by the members of
the SlU. The holiday season has arrived, marking the close of 12 more
months of progress and solid accomplishment in the interests of all
Seafarers, boatmen and other marine craft workers who make up the
SlU family. Wherever they happen to be, whether aboard a vessel
at sea, home at anchorage with their loved ones or in some distant port
around the globe, for all hands this is a time of festive activity.
Seafarers may find themselves setting up the holiday tree while sail
ing through tropic waters or may welcome the New Year as their ves
sel fights to make headway in an Atlantic gale, but the spirit of the sea
son is with them all the same. The order of the day calls for special
meals and all the trimmings while business as usual continues. This is
in the tradition of seagoing men and all SlU members.
The SlU thus pauses on this occasion to extend greetings and good
wishes to all at sea or ashore for an enjoyable holiday season and
smooth sailing in the year to come.
Seafarers International Union
Atlantic, Gulf, Lakqs & Inland Waters District, AFL-CIO
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1961
^ - imt .
0Mike Crawford, son of Seafarer J.
Itecover/. Crawford (left), chats with SIU
agent Buck Stephens in New Orleans. The youngster is
recovering from open-heart surgery. (Story on Page 16.)
:;'S
• Another successful SIU lifeboat class
EiffCOOCIff* takes-to the water near headquarters
with instructor Dan Butts at the tiller. Classes are part
of the union's training and upgrading program.
A J McCabe (right) receives 2nd annual
AWOfO* TJSPHS sanitation award for 24-ship
Isthmian fleet from G. O'Brien. SIU food plan's C. Wil
son (center) looks on. (Story on Page 2.)
FOURTH MTD
CONVENTION
MIAMI—The largest Maritime Trades Department convention
in history concluded a busy three days of sessions here on Decem
ber 6. Delegates adopted a wide-ranging program of action to
rebuild the US merchant fleet and called on the Government to
accept its maritime responsibilities.
(Stories on Pages 2, 3; Photo Feature in Centerfold.)
SIU, MEBA Fight
Job Loss, Tie Up
British-Flag Ship
Story On Page 2
US Ships Assured
Half Of Congo Aid
Story On Page 3
Operators
Seek New
Cargo Rule
story On Page 7
Seafarers Man
New, King-Sized
US Oil Tanker
^ Story On Page 2
Pare Two SEAFARERS LOG Doeoiober, IMl
SlU, MEBA Picket
British 'Pirate Ship'
In La, Job Action
LAKE CHARLES—Members of the Marine Engineers Bene
ficial Association, supported by the Seafarers International
Union, are picketing the British-flag freighter Salvada he-
cause its use in carrying a US Government-financed aid cargo
is depriving American seamen of job opportunities.
The picketing started when the Salvada was chartered to
carry rice to Indonesia for the^
US Department of Agricul
ture although a US-flag com
pany—Cargo Ships and Tankers-
was the low bidder for the cargo.
The American company had
offered its cargo ship, the SS Rain
bow, which was available to carry
the cargo. Turned down on the
charter, the Rainbow is now laid
up and its crew of 37 American
seamen is unemployed.
MEBA and SIU pickets appeared
at the ship the night of December
SCHEDULE OF
SIU MEETINGS
SIU membership meet
ings are held regularly
once a month on days in
dicated by the SIU Con
stitution, at 2:30 PM in
the listed SIU ports below.
All Seafarers are ex
pected to attend. Those
who wish to be excused
should request permission
by telegram (be sure to
include registration num
ber). The next SIU meet
ings will be:
New York January 8
Philadelphia January 9
Baltimore January ID
January 12
January
January
Detroit
Houston
New Orleans
Mobile
15
January 17
14. Within 48 hours, the Salvada's
attorneys appeared before a Loui
siana District Court and obtained
an order restraining the picketing.
At the December 18 hearings.
Union attorneys succeeded in hav
ing the temporary order set aside
when the judge upheld evidence
that the pickets were protesting
the loss of job opportunities plus
the use of foreign crews at lower
wages and substandard conditions.
Union attorneys cited a US Su
preme Court decision issued last
year in the case of the SlU-affili-
ated Marine Cooks and Stewards
versus a Panamanian-ilag company.
The judge here ordered both
parties to return for a' further
hearing on December 20.
Latest developments in the legal
maneuvering was a request by the
Salvada's attorneys for a postpone
ment until December 21 and, as
the LOG went to press, the hear
ing was in progress.
The Salvada had been scheduled
to complete loading and sail at
midnight December 19, but the
picketing, which was respected by
members of the International
Longshoremen's Association, kept
the vessel immobilized at the dock.
Isthmian Fleet Awarded
Another USPHS Citation
Seafarers manning Isthmian's 24-ship fleet have earned
high praise for their efforts in spearheading the company's
second consecutive citation from the US Public Health Serv
ice for excellence in vessel-*^
sanitation.
Four other SlU-contracted
lines, Bloomfield, Ore, Calmar and
Alcoa received similar awards
earlier this year.
Isthmian qualified for the cita
tion when each of its 24 vessels
scored a 95 percent or higher
rating during official USPHS
sanitation inspections during 1960.
These inspections cover 166 aepa-
rate items of sanitary construction,
maintenance and operation.
The citation was presented on
behalf of Dr. Luther L. Terry,
US Surgeon General, by George
O'Brien, assistant regional director.
Department of Health, Education
and Welfare.
In accepting the award. Isthmian
vice-president J. J. McCabe praised
the SIU crews for making it all
$25 Christmas Bonus
For Hospitalized Seafarers
The SIU kept its own holiday traditions up to date as arrange
ments were completed to provide special $25 Christmas bonus
checks for all Seafarers in the hospital between December 24-30
who have at least one day's seatime in the past year.
The Yuletide bonus is in addition to the regular hospital benefits
payable in each case. A carton of cigarettes is Included in the
traditional holiday gift. Last year total bonus payments reached
almost $9,000, not counting the smokes.
Christmas dinner will also be served in all halls or at nearby
restaurants where the hall does not have its own dining facilities.
LOG Wins 2 More Labor Press Awards
'An Incredible Volume of News'
MIAMI—The SEAFARERS LOG added two more International Labor Press Associa
tion awards to its string at the ILPA convention here this month. The LOG won first prize
for the best single editorial in an internationa I labor paper plus a citation for general edi-
itorial excellence.
Competing with several
hundred AFL-CIO national
and international union news
papers in various categories, the
LOG was cited by a panel of pro
fessional newsmen for giving its
readers "an almost incredible
volume of well-written news. In
the best sense (and pardon the
pun)," the judges commented, "it
covered the waterfront."
One other maritime union paper
won an ILPA award in the contest.
The "Marine Engineer" of JHEBA
District 2 received a second prize
this year for editorial excellence
among newspapers published by
individual local unions.
The editorial in the LOG which
took first-place honors was in the
January, 1961, issue and pointed
out the impact of American owned
and operated runaway shipping
here in the US and abroad. It cited
the damaging impression foreign
nations received of the American
way of life due to the exploitation
of foreign seamen by American
ru:iiaway operators.
Press recognition of this edi
torial reveals the sharp interest
William F. Scbnitzler, AFL-
CIO secretary - treasurer
(left), presents award to
LOG editor Herb Brand.
in maritime and in the runaway
ship issue, primarily a maritime
concern, as it affects the economy
of the whole country and the
American image overseas.
Top honors in editorial excel
lence among international union
newspapers went this year to "The
Record" of the Retail, Whole and
Department Store Union and to
"The Machinist" of the Inter
national Association of Machinists.
They took the first and second
place honors, respectively. The
LOG won the "honorable mention"
citation.
It earned the first prize In 1953
and 1955 and has been among
the three top winners in five of
the past seven years. The SIU
newspaper has also won awards in
every poSsible contest category
across the board. This year's prizes
bring the LOG'S total to 27 awards
since 1947 when the SIU first
entered the labor press competi
tion. More than half of them have
been won since AFL-CIO merger
in 1955 when the competition was
broadened.
possible. Cliff Wilson, director of
the SIU food and ship sanitation
program, was on hand for the cere
monies held late last month.
The Public Health Service
maintains its inspection program
as a control against disease and
contamination aboard ship and
among the shoreside population.
These inspections cover prepara
tion and serving of food and drink
aboard ship as well as control of
food and drink sources in port.
Bloomfield, which gained its
third consecutive vessel sanitation
award in April, earned a 100 per
cent score in 1960 inspections
covering its four-vessel fleet.
Alcoa Steamship received its award
in January, chalking up a 97 per
cent rating for its 16-ship fleet. •
In July, Ore received its fifth
straight annual citation covering
its nine vessels and Calmar earned
its fourth commendation in a row
for eight ships.
The largest US-flag super
tanker, Colonial's 67,100-
ton Orion Hunter is now
being crewed by SIU men
and is shown during trials
in Massachusetts Bay. She
was christened' Dec. 20.
SIU Crews
Biggest US
Oil Carrier
BOSTON—Seafarers are now
crewing up the biggest commer
cial vessel ever built in the US,
the 67,100-ton supertanker Orion
Hunter, built at Bethlehem Steel's
yards in Quincy, Mass,
The huge oil carrier is current
ly the largest supertanker under
the US ffag and carries an $18
million pricetag. The Orion Hunter
is 850 feet in length, 104 feet'at
the beam and has a draft of just
under 40 feet. Her 38 cargo tanks
hold 23 million gallons of petro
leum products.
Speed of the turbine-driven ship
is 16Vi knots. She was built for
the SlU-contracted Colonial Tank
ers Corp, and is under five-year-
charter to the Military Sea Trans
port Service,
MTD Resolutions
MIAMI-^pecific action to strengthen the US-flag mer
chant marine, protect the jobs and security of maritime in
dustry workers and to assist free trade uniCn movements
elsewhere In the world in their struggle against anti-democratic forces
were strongly endorsed at the 4th biennial convention of the Maritime
Trades Department, >
Delegates adopted a wide-ranging program to implement the rec
ommendations of the MTD's officers and executive board members.
Among the major resolutions enacted were those calling for the
following:
• Elimination of Federal tax exemptions for runaway-flag
operations,
• Construction subsidies for all sections of the US merchant fleet
and operating subsidies for all segments competing with foreign
shipping,
• Approval of a construction subsidy for two Bethlehem Steel ore
carriers to stimulate greater US-flag participation in the offshore bulk
trades, where 87 percent of the cargo i.s now carried in foreign bottoms.
• Restrictions on Military Sea Transport Service operations and a
return to the principle of private enterprise.
• Reporting by the seagoing MTD unions of any case in which Arab
League nations blacklist or deny freedom of the seas to American
vessels calling at Israeli ports.
• Assistance to Latin-American maritime unions in their struggle
against communists and other anti-democratic forces . . , Promotion of
closer relationships between the MTD and other maritime labor or
ganizations throughout the free world.
• Opposition to proposals which would establish, certain physical
requirements as a condition of employment ifor seamen and thereby
ci'eate arbitrary blacklists governing employment,
• Adequate fimds to maintain USPHS hospitals and waiver of the
80-day eligibility rule for treatment.
• Support of legislation to extend full unemployment compensation
to Great Lakes seamen and licensed officers.
• Effective safety programs for maritime workers,
• Federal legislation to provide medical care for the aged under
the Social Security system , , , Improvements in Social Security bene
fits , , , Low-cost drugs and medicines , , . Additional low-cost bousing
and reduced mortgage rates , , . Continuing aid to depressed areas.
• Support for Canadian Seafarers against the runaway-flag vessel
SS Northern Venture , , , An end to intervention by Federal and State
agencies, on behalf of management, in this labor dispute.
• Support for the enactment of realistic tariffs on the importation
of seafood , . , Increased Federal aid for the fishing industry,
• Reversal of the NLRB rule barring self-employed American fish
ermen from the benefits of union organization , , , Support for legisla
tion to provide these workers with the right io seek union protectioa
D«eeiiiber, 1981 SEAFARERS LOG Paga Threa
6ov*t Urged To Accept Responsibilifiet
MTD CALLS FOR US FLEET REVIVAL
MIAMI—Mapping out a vigorous program to meet the problems of the maritime industry and protect the job security of maritime
worker^, delegates to the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department convention here called on the Federal Government to accept its share of;
the responsibility for developing a strong US-flag merchant fleet. The convention was the largest since the inception of the department.
The program of action was laid out during a three-day convention December 4-6, attended by 150 delegates from 29 AFL national
and international unions with a maritime membership of over 400,000 workers throughout North America and the Caribbean. The Fourth
biennial sessions of the MTD immediately preceded the regular AFL-CIO convention also held at the Americana Hotel.
Keynote of the MTD convention was its stress on the urgency to overcome the
effects of runaway-flag shipping and reverse the industry's steady decline. This
year's gathering was unique since, for the first time, top Government and industry
Heading SlU Pacific District delegation at MTD sessions
was Morris Weisberger (right), SiUNA executive vice-
president and secretary-treasurer of the Sailors Union of the
Pacific. SIUNA vice-presidents Ed Turner (left), secretary-
treasurer of the Marine Cooks and Stewards, and William
Jordan, president of the Marine Firemen's Union, completed
the delegation.
50-50 is Upheld
On Congo Cargo
WASHINGTON—The State Department has reversed itself
and decided that the 50-50 law does apply to US foreign aid
cargoes shipped to the Congo under United Nations auspices.
An "unfortunate" snap de-"^
cision was given as the reas'on
spokesmen appeared to
present their views of the
problems facing the mari
time industry.
Convention delegates en
thusiastically echoed the
views expressed by MTD presi
dent Paul Hall and other speakers
that maritime must take its case
to th«i Government and fight for
the support essential to preserve
the industry and Jobs of maritime
labor.
In opening the convention, Hall
emphasized the critical conditions
confronting the industry and the
labor movement generally. He
particularly cited attempts by
Communists and other anti-dem
ocratic forces to take over mari
time unions in Latin America and
elsewhere.
The report to the convention by
officers of the MTD pinpointed
the serious plight of US-flag ship
ping arising out of the need for
dealing with the runaway-ship
SlU rep. Earl Sliepard and
Jesse Callioon, MEBA sec
retary-treasurer (right).
for an earlier lopsided ruling.
This is not the first time that
the State Department has taken
a similar position that would be
Injurious to American-flag ship
ping as well as contrary to existing
law.
A parellel position by the De
fense Department was evident in
a recent exchange of letters be
tween Deputy Secretary of De
fense Roswell L. Gilpatrick and
Senator Warren Magnuson (D-
Wasb.), chairman of the Senate
Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce.
Sen. Magnuson had asked the
department what led it to rely on
the availability of runaway ship
ping In the event of an emergency.
Gilpatrick's response was that the
Pentagon regarded the runaways
as an "expedient" since there
weren't enough US-flag sbip.«
around.
What the Defense Department
could do to insure a vital American
merchant fleet may be found in
« Navy Department reply to a
question posed by Senator John
M. Butler (R.-Md.) regarding
Navy shipping proposals.
Citing the "responsibility of the
Maritime Administration, under
the direction of the Secretary of
Commerce, to foster the develop
ment and maintenance of an
American Merchant Marine," the
Navy Department said it is "ready
and willing to provide every prac
ticable assistance to those agencies
charged with this development
and maintenance."
SEAFARERS LOG
Dec., 1961 Vol. XXIII, No. 12
PAUL HALL, President
HERBERT BRAND, Editor; BERNARD SEA
MAN, Art Editor; IRWIN SPIVACK, Man
aging Editor; ALBERT AMATEAU, ARTHUR
MARKOWITZ, STEVE LICHTENSIEIN, JEROME
GREENBERC, Staff Writers.
I .
Published monthly at the headquarters
of the Seafarers International Union, At
lantic, Guif, Lakes and Inland Waters
District, AFL-CIO, <75 Fourth Avenue,
Brooklyn 32, NY. Tel. HYaclnth 9-«00.
Second class postage paid at the Post
Oftlce In Brooklyn, NY, under the Act
of Aug. 14, 1*11.
120
INDEX
To Departments!
The Pacific Coast Seafarer I
—Page 5|
I The Great Lakes Seafarer 4
I —Page 7ii
; A&G Deep Sea Shipping
^ Report —Page 6;i
4 The SlU inland Boatmon
-Page 81
SlU Safety Department
;• —Page 10 f
The SlU Industrial Worker
4 —Page 14 j
The Fisherman and
Cannery Worker
—Page 15I
The Canadian Seafarer
—Page 101
Editorial Cartoon —Paie 111
SlU Food, Ship Sanitation
Dep't —Page 15;
SlU Social Security Dep't
—Page 17i
SlU Medical Department
—Page 181
Shipboard News
-Pages 19, 20, 21. 22)
m
Top Labor^ Gov'ts Industry
Leaders Stress MM Needs
MIAMI—Major spokesmen for labor, Government
and industry attended and addressed the Maritime
Trades Department convention. Here are some of tlieir
+• comments:
ARTHUR J. GOLDBERG, Secre
tary of Labor, called for an ex
panded US merchant marine "to
provide jobs and carry out our in
ternational responsibilities" . . .
Said he was convinced US could
not depend on foreign ships in an
emergency, and must look to a US
merchant -fleet for security.
HYMAN H. BOOKBINDER, spe
cial assistant to Secretary of Com
merce Luther Hodges, said that
the Administration, in deciding
transportation policy, must be
"ever-mindful that it is not only
the ships of our merchant marine
that make it strong but the men
who sail and build them as well."
DONALD W. ALEXANDER,
Maritime Administrator, said the
best interests bf US merchant ma
rine can be achieved only through
cooperation of labor, management
and Government. "You can depend
on the Maritime Administration to
put everything we have into carry
ing out the Government's responsi
bilities in this field."
MAX HARRISON, president of
the American Maritime Associa
tion, said merchant marine prob
lems could not be resolved through
a piecemeal approach, and that
AMA was establ'shed as a medium
thi-ough which all segments of in
dustry could work cooperatively for
the well-being ot the entire in
dustry.
TROY BROWNING, president
elect of the Propeller Club, stated
that management and labor have a
joint responsibility to improve the
industry and pledged Propeller
Club efforts to this end,
RALPH E. CASEY, president of
the American Merchant Marine In
stitute, cited shipping competition
at home and abroad and said "unit
ed we would be a formidable op
ponent for any and all adversaries;
disunited, we are sitting ducks for
almost anyone who wants to knock
us off."
JOHN L. WELLER, president of
Seatrain Lines, Inc., urged man
agement and labor to work to
gether for realistic solutions to
merchant marine problems. He
cited labor-management coopera
tion to maintain domestic shipping
in the face of selective rate-cutting
by railroads.
MTD President Paul Hall
thanked the speakers for appearing
at the convention and asked 1-
Government spokesmen to convey
to the President and tnelr respec
tive department heads that mere
understanding of th® problems of
the US merchant marin® is not
sufficient.
Army Base
Stays Open
Protests by marltima labor, busi
ness and civic groups, spearheaded
by the Maritim® Port Council of
Greater New York, have apparent
ly killed off plans to shut down the
giant Brooklyn Army Terminal.
A Defense Department spokes
man stated there were no plans to
close the base and "no adjustments
are imminent" in operations of the
100-acre military shipping termi
nal. He said the Port of New York
would continue to be heavily used
for shipments of military cargo.
The rumored shutdown of the
Brooklyn terminal was the basis
for a spirited public hearing at
the base on November 1.
problem, modernizing the subsidy
program, eliminating Government
competition with private shipping
and reviving coastwise and inter-
coastal shipping. They recommend
ed specific action on all issues in
calling for greater maritime re
search and development, ship
building and trade legislation
plus steps to meet the problems
created by automation.
In the final day of the con
vention, delegates unanimously
adopted more than 20 resolutions.
A 40 percent increase in unions
affiliated with the department was
reported since the 1959 conven
tion, representing a rise from 20
to 29 affiliates. Hall also noted
that three unions, the National
Maritime Union, American Radi9
Association and the United Steel-
workers, had withdrawn from the
department during the sam*
period.
He noted that since the MTD
was the official maritime depart
ment of the AFL-CIO, these unions
should have remained and resolved
within the framework of the de
partment whatever problems may
have existed.
Chief speakers and guests of th®
convention included the following:
US Secretary of Labor Arthur
Goldberg, Hyman K. Bookbinder,
special assistant to US Commerc®
Secretary Luther Hodges; Mari
time Administrator Donald S.
Alexander; Gordon Chapman of
the US State Department and
Donald Geoffrion, Navy Depart
ment;
Troy Browning, pEcsident,
Propeller Clubs of the US; Max
Harrison, president, American
Maritime Association; Ralph E.
Casey, president, American Mer
chant Marine Institute, and John
Weller, president, Seatrain Lines.
AFL-CIO President Georga
Meany headed the list of labor
speakers. Other labor movement
representatives included Nelson
Cruikshank, director, AFL-CiO
Social Security Department; 'Neil
Haggerty, presidftiit. Building and
Construction Trades Department,
and Joseph Lewis, secretary-treas
urer, Union Label and Servica
Trades Department. David Cole,
labor arbitrator and former direc
tor of the US Mediation and Con
ciliation Service, also addressed
the convention.
MMP president Charles
Crock® (l®ft) and Pat King
represented deck effiears.
SMAFAMMttS 19U
VISIT to the
OUTPORTS
Seafarer Robert Mcodowcroft's daughter Sheila, 19, and stepson
George, 12, chat with nurse Shirlee Dubbs at SlU clinic in Balti
more hall. George doesn't look too happy; he's due for an exam.
The morning mail is checked out at the Philadelphia hall by Seafarers
G. Barrman, FWT, and Bernard Coreo. wiper. Port Agent Ray Oates,
dispatcher Jim Doris and IBU representative Joe Trainor are behind counter.
''riM
K/fuIIing over the day's news at the Baltimore hall (l-r) are Howard
Crecbiro and John Choitow, oilers; Levi Warner, FWT, and CRftoit
Webb, oiler, as Bernio Jagodziiiskt, AB, checks his paper.
On the beach in.Philly as outpatient, Leo Gillis gets
assist on filing forms for weekly sickness and acci
dent benefits from Welfare rep. Joe Campo.
There's no better place for a bull session than a handy card table. Seated (Ur) around
this one, proving the point, are Charles Bright, Waiter BirfFerton, Moe Jones and Pete
Price. Site of all this yarn-swapping is the SlU hall in Norfolk.
There are two TV sets in the Philadelphia hall to
keep down the "Let's watch this—No, let's watch
that" arguments. G. B. Williams tunes one of them.
For the straight information about shipping, the man to check with Is the dispatcher.
Looking In on the counter in Norfolk (l-r) are J. D. Jones, AB, and Louis Everett, wiper.
B. F. Coley, a visitor to the hall, listens in on the. rundown of ships due in port.
A man who knows his coffee, WiHiam Rosonioi
steward, tries the brew at refreshment counter in
Ifililadeiphia. H. Peterbaugh it the messman.
All three shipboard departments have a hand in this game to while away some time.
The eardplayers gathered 'round the table, in Norfolk hall, are C. O. Christie, black gang;
Andy SotMbeo* deck gang, and John Dolan, representing the galley contingent.
SffifF^REICf i.OC Page five
SlU Boosts
Optical Aid
For Family
SIU families are nov/ enjoying
complete optical care—free exam
inations and eyeglasses—recently
won by the Union. Arrangements
to extend the coverage .Seafarers
have had since 1958 to wives and
«ther dependents were completed
last month.
Optical facilities are provided
In nine port cities to date: New
York, New Orleans, Mobile, Bal
timore, Houston, Philadelphia,
San Francisco, Boston and Chi
cago.
New $25 Benefit
In addition, Seafarers and their
families who live in areas with
out SIU optical centers can now
receive up to $25 in benefits when
they visit optical facilities closer
to home. This feature had been
available previously only for SIU
pensioners.
One of the most widely-used
popular benefits established for
SIU men, the optical program now
provides that Seafarers, their
wives, children and dependent
parejits are entitled to complete
eye examinations plus regu
lar or binfocal glasses, where re
quired, once every two years. The
coverage also provides that glass
es will be provided more fre
quently if required for special
medical reasons.
Clinic Eye Examinations Available
Eye examinations are also avail
able separately through the pet-
work of SIU clinics in tlie major
ports of New York, Baltimore,
Mobile, New Orleans and Ifouston.
In the nine ports where the
optical centers are established,
appointments can be made
through the Union haU. After the
examination, it usually takes only
a few hours for the glasses to be
made. Special lenses, ef course,
require- more time.
Fanwood Cargo Fans Out
Splattered all over the deck, lumber cargo on the Fanwood
broke loose while the ship was crossing a Columbia River bar
and forced a return to Astoria, Oregon, to secure cargo lash
ings. Fanwood was one of foqr SIU vessels involved in recent
mishaps, all with no injuries reported. (See story on page 15.)
RRs Courting State Help
For Anti-Ship Campaign
Governors of 14 states have been urged by the Labor-Man
agement Cpastwise Conference not to subsidize rate-cutting
campaigns by Eastern railroads at the expense of the
domestic shipping industry.'*'
The conference was estab
lished recently to seek means
to revive the once-prosperous do
mestic trade.
A joint memorandum Issued on
behalf of the group by SIUNA
president Paul Hall and John L.
Weller, president of Seatrain
Lines, stated the Industry's case.
It pointed out to the governors
that cut-throat competition by the
railroads has virtually killed off
coastwise and Intercoastal ship
ping.
The chief executives of the 14
states met with railroad officials
Nassau Shifts To 'Jinx Run'
WASHINGTON—The 15,043-ton liner Nassau is moving in two directions at once.
On one hand, a court case involving the Nassau has moved from the NY Court of Ap
peals to the .US Supreme Court. On the other hand, the Caribbean tour ship has been sold
by Incres Steamship, an*' ;
Italian outfit which had the
ship registered under a
Liberlan flag, to a Mexican com
pany, Naviera Turistica Mexicana.
The split personality of the
liner is bulging with complexities.
In 1960 the Nassau and the Vic
toria, both owned by Incres, were
picketed by the International Mari
time Workers Union formed in
1959 by the SIU and the NMU.
The Jointly-sponsored union had
been set up to organize crew-
members on runaway ships.
Court Order
The IMWU's picketing of the
ships was ordered stopped by
New York courts, but the lower
court decisions were revei'sed by
the Court of Appeals, the highest
court in the State. Now, more Than
a year later, the case has found
its way to the US Supreme Court.
The high court has agreed to re
view the NY Court of Appeals
decision.
Meanwhile, the liner has been
refitted for about $1 million in
order to get it ready for regularly
scheduled cruises between Aca-
pulco, Mexico, and Los Angeles.
She will be renamed the Acapulco.
Shifting the liner from its regu
lar Atlantic run to Pacific service
recalls the story of the Mazatlan,
an Alaskan ship that was also
switched to an Acapulco run in
1955.
Too Much Change
The change rrom a cold to a
warm weather run proved too much
for the ship. While the service
lasted, cabins became so hot most
of the passengers got off the ship
and took airplanes back. Then a
propeller bent, reducing speed so
much that boiler trouble developed.
All this came after damage to the
refrigeration system had caused
a lengthy drydock period.
Back Wages
At the same time, the "jinxed"
ship was being hounded for back
wages by SIU Canadian District
seamen. An original attempt to sail
with a scab crew had been halted
by the Sailors Union of the Pacific
and the ship was finally crewed
by the Canadian SIU out of Van
couver. Plagued by a load of un
paid bills, the vessel was ultimately
seized by a US marshall and the
Canadian crew had to sue for
wages.
For the Nassau, this may point
the way to some rough seas ahead.
two months ago and promised to
consider special tax legislation- and
other measures to relieve their
near-bankrupt condition.
Weller and Hall cited the selec
tive rate-cutting policies of the
railroads, under which rates are
slashed where there is water com
petition and losses are made up ia
areas where no competition exists.
They noted that if the railroads
had carried their 1960 volume of
freight at 1958 rates, revenues
would have been an estimated $367
million higher than they were.
Meanwhile, the SIU Pacific Dis
trict - contracted American Ha
waiian Steamship is making a bid
to re-enter intercoastal shipping
by seeking Government mortgage
to construct three ships.
The Pacific coastwise trade faces
a possible upsurge since another
company, Olympic - Griffiths, has
called for bids on the constructioa
of two fast van and freight vessels.
This operation is scheduled to get
underway by the middle of 1963.
Shipping Rules
Being Revised
Seafarers are reminded that
the actions of the Seafarers Ap
peals Board under the contract
between the SIU and the oper
ators are available and posted
in all shipping halls. The ac
tions of the SAB amend and
clarify the seniority and ship
ping rules from time to time.
The latest SAB action, number
58, went into effect last month.
The revised shipping rules, in-
jorporating all actions of th«
SAB to date, will be published
in the next issue of the SEA
FARERS LOG.
SUP, Firemen Now Voting
To Elect Union Officers
SAN FEANCISCO—It's election time for two SIU Pacific
District affiliates. Secret, unlonwide balloting is on right now
among, members of both the Sailors Union of the Pacific and
the Marine Firemen's Union,.*.
The SUP reports 106 mem
bers—the largest number of
candidates In its history—running
for union posts. Voting began
December 1 and will continue
through January 31.
In addition to 88 members seek
ing 18 regular offices; nine are run
ning for SUP Building Corpora
tion trustees and another nine are
competing for the five delegate
spots for the next SIUNA conven
tion.
In the Marine Firemen's elec
tion, 48 candidates are trying for
the 16 regular jobs and seven
more for posts on a four-man board
of trustees. Voting In the MFOW
began November 6 and also con
tinues until January 31.
MFOW positions are being filled
for one-year terms while SUP
offices run for two years. In addi
tion to top executive Jobs, both
unions will also elect outport busi
ness agents, port agents, and head
quarters dispatchers.
Leo J. White, ex-President
Monroe, casts secret ballot in
SUP eiectior^*Sfter voting in
New York.
WC Talks Eye Floating Hotel
but they have been slow, the SIU
affiliates reported, because of the
shipowners' problems with other
unions, the necessity of settling
issues covering the fast-turnaround
ships and the time-consuming task
of revising the basic offshore con
tract in its entirety. Problems in
volving the fast-turnaround con
tainer ships have already been
resolved.
Pacific District Shipping
SEATTLE—SIU Pacific District unions have had some
owners of the liner Liberie to discuss manning of the ship
hotel at the World's Fair here next year.
The Sailors Union of the^
Pacific, Marine Firemen's
Union and the Marine Cooks
and Stewards were meeting with
the Northwest Leasing Company, a
hotel firm which purchased the
Llberte from the French Line for
an estimated $3.2 million. The oper
ator plans to move the ship here
from LeHavre by the end of Jan
uary.
Plans are to use the former
trans-Atlantic vessel as a 1,500-
guest hotel, combining its facili
ties as a nightclub, restaurant,
movie theater and general attrac
tion during tlie six month fair
running from April to October,
1962. The 51,839-ton Liberte would
be berthed at the Bell Street Ter
minal, a short walk from the fau-
site. The berth is now used occa
sionally for cargo ships.
Other Talks Continue
In separate contract talks, nego
tiations are continuing in San
Francisco on terms of the three-
union basic offshore agreement. A
temporary recess in the bargaining,
protecting the retroactivity already
agreed on, was called in order to
permit the executive heads of the
Pacific District unions to attend
the Maritime Trades Department
and AFL-CIO conventions in
Miami. ^
It had been anticipated earliei'
that the negotiations would have
been over with before this time.
preliminary talks with the
when it becomes a floating
The unions listed agreement so
far, regarding the offshore agree
ment, on vacation benefit provi
sions, improving the pension pro
gram to establish $150 monthly
payments and a variety of other
items. Agreement also has been
reached on an industry-wide joint
union shipowner committee to go
into the problem of quarters, feed
ing and safety.
Port
SUP MFOW MC&S
10/17 to 11/14 11/1 to 11/31 11/3 to 11/30 TOTAL
San Francisco 587 148 294 1029
Seattle 145 59 39 243
Portland 123 32 29 184
Wilmington 389 (no hall) 71 460
New York 81 41 43 165
New Orleans 33 — 2 35
"••Honolulu 13 27 4* 44
San Pedro (no hall) 101 (no hall) 101
TOTAL 1371 408 482 2261
"^Honolulu totals for 11/17 to 11/30 only.
Pace Six SEAFARERS LOG Deeeml^er, 1961
SEAFARERS
ROTARY SHIPPING HOARD
(Figures On This Page Cover Deep Sea Shipping Only In the SW Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District.)
From November 1 Through November 30, 1961
A downward trend was evident in both deep-sea'shipping
and ship movements in November. The number of men
shipped across the board in November dropped off by 298
from October's total of 2,741. Ship movements were off 78
from October's 532.
While the total number of men shipped was off from last
month, the November figures are a slight improvement over
shipping activity a year ago. Compared to last year, shipping
for Seafarers in 1961 has held steady. If the trend holds
true for December, then 1961 will be recorded as a very good
shinping year for the professional, top seniority SIU seaman.
Two factors contributed to the drop in shipping during
November. One was the desire of many top seniority men
to make "just one more trip" before the Christmas holidays.
Thi*^ was evident by the fall-off in Class A men registered
during the month and those remaining on the beach by the
end of November. As compared to October, these totals were
300 less "A" men registered and 100 less "A" men on the
beach.
In fact, the total number of class A top seniority men re
maining on the beach at the end of November was less than
100 over the number of men shipped during the month. This
indicates that virtually every Class A seaman could have got
ten a job if he wanted to throw in for one. As-a group, Class A
men took only 60 percent of the jobs available during the
month. Class B men filled 30 percent of the open positions
while class C newcomers shipped in the remaining 10 percent.
The second factor leading to the decline in shipping was
the reduction in ship movements in almost all ports (see
right). New York again serviced the greatest number of ves
sels, but the total amount of ships it handled was down 51.
Sign in
Oni Tram. TOTAL
Ship Acfivify
Pay
Offt
Beiton ....... 3
New Yerk ....44
Philadelphia ..13
Baltimora .... 13
Norfolk 4
Jacksonville ... I
Tampa 3
Mobile 13
New Orleans ..12
Housfon .13
Wilmington ... 0
San Francisco.. 2
Seattle 6
1
8
8
B
2
1
, 1
7
13
3
1
2
5
7
40
12
30
12
16
16
8
43
56
16
8
7
11
92
33
48
18
18
20
28
68
72
17
12
17
TOTALS .126 67 271 454
DECK DEPARTMENT
Port
Boston
New York ..
Philadelphia..
Baltimore
Norfolk
Jacksonville..
Tampa
Wobjie
New Orleans..
Houston
V/:!mington . .
San .'•"rancisco.
Sr -•
Tot Md
Registered Registered Shipped Shipped Shipped TOTAL Registered On The Beech
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C SHIPPED CLASS A CLASS B
GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP CLASS GROUP GROUP
ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A B C ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL
4 13 4 21 0 3 2 5 3 2 1 6 0 1' 0 1 0 2 0 2 6 1 2 9 7 24 17 48 0 2 6* 8
36 70 18 124 3 12 34 49 32 61 . 19 112 2 8 21 31 1 21 13 35 112 31' 35 178 82 133 31 246 3 24 56 83
5 9 3 17 0 7 3 10 9 11 7 27 2 7 6 15 1 1 3 5 27 15 5 47 6 13 4 23 0 5 3 8
18 34 12 64 3 5 17 25 24 37 18 79 2 10 12 24 0 2 3 5 79 24 5 108 33 63 9 105 3 11 31 45
9 4 0 13 0 3 7 10 7 9 0 16 1 3 8 12 1 1 3 5 16 12 5 33 12 12 4 28 0 9 8 17
11 11 5 27 1 5 3 9 5 . 6 1 12 1 4 2 7 1 4 3 8 12 7 8 27 12 14 2 28 0 6 4 10
2 5 3 10 0 2 1 3 2 3 1 6 0 2 1 3 0 0 0 0 6 3 0 9 1 7 1 9 0 1 0 1
18 16 2 36 0 3 4 7 8 17 4 29 0 1 4 5 0 0 0 0 29 5 0 34 35 27 6 68 0 4 9 13
41 72 15 128 4 20 21 45 37 71 14 122 3 15 11 29 0 7 4 11 122 29 11 162 69 92 15 176 6 28 38 72
40 64 17 121 0 22 34 5C 33 52 12 97 8 15 33 56 3 7 1 11 97 56 11 164 54 86 16 156 5 17 26 48
6 18 3 27 0 8 4 12 6 18 4 28 0 5 4 9 0 3 7 10 28 9 10 47 15 13 2 30 0 10 3 13
19 23 4 46 2 7 7 16 6 21 7 34 3 8 6 17 0 • 1 0 1 34 17 1 52 25 •25 9 59 2 4 3 9
12 17 5 34 1 13 5 19 5 21 8 34 2 8 7 17 0 1 1 2 34 17 2 53 20 15 6 41 3 16 6 25
221 356 91 1 668 14 110 142 1 2661177 329 96 1 602 24 87 115 1 226 7 50 38 1 95 602 226 95 1 9231371 524 122 11017 22 137 193 1 352
ENGINE DEPARTMENT
Registered Registered Shiooed Shipped Shipped TOTAL Begisfered On The Beach
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C SHIPPED CLASS A CLASS B
Port GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUB CLASS GROUP GROUP
Port 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 - 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A B C ALL 1 2 S ALL 1 2 S ALL
Boston 3 7 1 li 1 5 0 6 2 1 0 3 1 2 1 4 0 0 1 1 3 4 1 8 2 14 1 17 2 4 3 9
New York '.... 19 69 12 100 10 29 33 72 27 62 11 100 12 22 27 61 3 15 15 33 100 61 33 194 33 126 15 174 12 88 87 87
Philadelphia 0 10 5 15 0 2 4 6 3 15 7 25 0 7 7 14 0 3 3 6 25 -14 6 45 0 11 2 13 0 3 4 7
Baltimore 10 33 9 52 2 17 22 41: 6 40 6 52 0 14 22 36 0 2 6 8 52 36 8 96 6 60 9 75 3 19 21 43
Norfolk 0 12 3 15 1 3 5 9, 2 7 2 11 0 1 3 4 1 1 2 4 11 4 4 19 3 14 0 17 4 5 6 15
Jacksonville 1 10 3 14 1 4 8 13' ' 1 7 2 10 0 1 4 5 2 5 0 7 10 5 7 22 2 10 3 15 1 2 11 14
Tampa 1 3 1 5 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 3 3 6 1 10 0 0 2 2
Mobile 4 20 3 27 0 6 9 15 3 15 7 25 0 6 7 13 0 0 0 0 25 13 0 38 9 35 4 -48 0 7 5 12
New Orleans 19 58 10 87 5 19 21 45 22 66 13 101 3 19 27 49 3 7 6 16 101 49 16 166 29 80 9 118 5 48 43 96
Houston 13 55 6 74 5 25 31 61 15 42 6 63 5 30 32 67 1 8 0 9 63 67 9 139 25 77 8 110 3 23 23 49
Wilmington 4 12 1 •17 1 9 3 13 9 11 1 21 1 5 3 9 0 1 3 4 21 9 4 34 4 12 2 18 1 8 3 12
San Francisco 9 16 3 28 2 4 3 9 .5 9 5 19 0 3 1 .4 0 0 0 0 19 4 0 23 15 40 6 61 2 2 5 9
Seattle 4 27 2 33 2 .8 1 11 2 22 6 30 1 7 5 13 0 0 0 0 30 13 0 43 5 23 2 30 1 11 3 15
TOTALS "87 3?,^ 59 l~478 30 131 141 r302 97 297 66 1 460 23 118 139 1 280 10 43 37 1 1 90 460 280 90 830 136 508 62 706 34 170 166 1 370
STEWARD DEPARTMENT
Registered Registered Shipped Shipped Shipped TOTAL Registered On The Beach
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C SHIPPED CLASS A CLASS B
Port
GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP CLASS GROUP GROUP
Port 1-s 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1-s 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A B C ALL 1-8 1 2 8 ALL 1 2 8 ALL
Bos 0 2 0 4 6 "o" 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 2 2 1 2 5 3 4 2 6 15 1 2 4 7
NY 13 18 18 56 105 3 7 30 40 4 18 11 47 80 5 4 18 27 3 2 11 If •80 27 16 123 26 43 38 89 196 2 0 43 45
Phil 2 2 1 4 9 1 1 7 9 3 2 3 9 17 4 0 12 16 0 0 7 7 17 16 7 40 3 5 1 6 15 0 1 6 7
Bal 7 21 8 31 67 2 4 14 20 4 19 7 25 55 2 0 18 20 0 0 5 5 55 20 5 80 9 26 12 35 82 2 4 15 21
Nor 1 5 2 2 10 3 3 4 10 - 1 3 0 2 6 2 2 • 4 8 0 2 5 7 6 8 7 21 1 7 5 6 19 3 4 14 21
Jae 1 8 1 1 11 1 2 1 4 1 3 2 1 7 1 0 3 4 2 0 13 15 7 4 15 26 3 2 1 1 7 2 2 4 8
Tam 1 4 2 3 10 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 3 3 1 3 7 3 5 1 6 15 0 0 0 0
Mob 0 8 5 14 27 1 0 7 8 1 8 1 13 23 0 0 7 7 0 0 0 0 23 7 0 30 7 17 10 19 53 1 0 27 28
NO 5 15 12 75 107 2 5 36 43 6 25 9 64 104 1 3 28 32 2 6 19 27 104 32 27 163 18 38 25 98 179 2 7 71 80
Hou 7 26 14 21 68 3 4 20 27 3 26 11 17 57 0 1 36 37 0 0 11 11 57 37 11 105 17 42 21 24 104 5 6 20 81
Wil* 4 5 6 8 23 3 2 8 13 1 4 2 4 11 1 1 5 7 0 0 8 8 11 7 8 26 5 5 6 6 22 2 1 6 9
SF 11 7 3 14 35 0 0 5 5 0 6 3 8 17 0 0 5 5 0 0 1 1 17 5 1 23 15 9 8 30 62 0 0 10 10
Sea .... 1 12 3 11 27i 2 1 15 18 3 5 3 14 25 2 1 9 12 0 0 4 4 25 12 4 41 3 11 5 9 28 4 3 15 22
TOT At! 53 133 75 244 1 505 21 30 149 r200 27 123 52 205 1 407' 18 12 147 1 "177 8 10 88 1 106 407 177 106 690 113 214 135 335 1 797 24 30 235 1 289
SUMMARY
WCK __
ENGINE
STEWARD
GRAND TOTALS
Registered
CLASS A
GROUP
1 2 ALL
221 356 91 1 (^8
87 332 59 I 478
186 75 244 | 505
494 763 394 |1651
Registered
CLASS B
GROUP
123 ALL
14 110 142 I 266
30 131 141 IJ02
21 30 149 I 200
iS5 271 432 I 768
Shipped
CLASS A
GROUP
1 2 3 ALL
177 329 96 I 602
97 297 66 | 460
150 52 205 I 407
424 678 367 |1469
Shipped
CLASS B
GROUP
123 ALL
24 87 115 I 226
23 110 139 I 280
18 12 147 I 177
65 217 401 I 683
Shipped
CLASS C
GROUP
1 28 ALL
7 50 38 I 95
10 43 37 90
8 10 88 I 106
25 103 163 I 291
TOTAL
SHIPPED
CLASS
ABC ALL
602 226 95 I 923
460 280 90 I 830
407 177 106 I 690
Registered On The Beach
CLASS A
GROUP
123 ALL
371 524 122 |1017
136 608 62 I 706
327 135 335'I 797
1469 683 291 |2443 834 1167 519 |2520
CLASS B
GROUP
12 3 ALL
22 137 193 I 352
34 170 166 I 370
24 30 235 I 289
80 337 594 |1011
* Includes One 1-S Class B Registered and Shipped.
DeeHBbtf, 19tl SEAFARERS LOG Pai:« SeTMi
Solid Union Votes Sweep
Westcott, Becker Boats
DETROIT—Boat operators and crewmembers of th» fa
miliar J. J. Westcott launches here and at Port Huron—^voted
for representation by the Allied Marina Section of the SIU
Inland Boatmen's Union in"^
balloting conducted by the
National Labor Relations
Board last month.
In earlier NLRB voting, the
Becker Towing Company came un
der the banner of the IBU Great
Lakes Tug and Dredge Region. The
union defeated the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters in the
Becker election covering crewmen
on the two towboats operated by
the company. Becker also has a
third vessel under construction.
Well-known to all seamen on the
Lakes, the Westcolu operation is
unique In the area. The two
Lakes Welfare
In Good Shape
DETROIT—Winding up its first
seven months of operation, the new
Great Lakes Seamen's Welfare
Plan has paid Lakes sailors and
their dependents a total of $112,-
836.75 in benefits.
At their November meeting, the
plan's trustees reported that the
young plan was in "robust shape
to go through the coming winter
when vessels are idle and the con
tributions are reduced to a trickle."
Benefits paid to date were listed
as follows: $24,000 in death bene
fits for six eligible members; $7,090
covering benefits for hospitalized
seamen, $11,235.60 in sickness and
accident benefits and $200 for spe
cial disability cases.
New Arrivals
The remainder of the money
paid out went for the hospital-
surgical expenses of seamen and
dependents plus maternity bene
fits amounting to $12,300. All told,
82 babies were born during the
seven-month-period.
Seamen and thetr families
throughout the Lakes have loudly
praised the plan and its speedy
payment of benefits. Letters of
credit to hospitals have been is
sued immediateljr on request, and
hospitals up and down the Lakes
have become familiar with the new
plan's procedures and benefits.
launches carry mall on and off
vessels as they transit the Detroit
River. The launches also carry
crewmembers, packages, laundry
and even television sets to the
freighters and other vessels pass
ing through. Union patrolmen are
also frequent passengers as they
move about the Detroit River area
to service crews on contracted
boats and vessels in the area.
Summer Attraction
The Westcott operation is a sum
mer attraction for visitors to the
Detroit River near the Ambassador
Bridge where they watch the
launch scurrying out to meet ves
sels and transfer their passengers
and material on and off while the
vessels continue to move at their
regular speed.
Many times the launch must
meet and service as many as five
or six vessels passing within min
utes of the launch service area.
The launches were slated to dis
continue operations, due to the
close of the current shipping sea
son, until the 1962 vessel fit-out
begins. The operation at Port
Huron employs three men and at
Detroit six.
Where's Santa?
'61 Seaway
Season Ends
MASSENA, NY—Bad weather
and a late rush in grain traffic
delayed the closing of the St. Law
rence Seaway early this month.
The waterway had been officially
closed to traffic on December 3.
Six Lakes grain ships unloading
at Montreal past the original dead
line were locked through the Sea
way two days later to enable them
to get back to their home ports.
Otherwise they would have been
stranded for the winter.
The last ship transitted the locks
here on December 5. Bad weather
stalled navigation for a time, caus
ing operations to keep on in day
light hours only as US and Cana
dian patrol boats continued to pick
up buoys from shipping channels.
April 15 is the scheduled reopen
ing date in 1962.
Standing under the Christ
mas tree at SIU headquar
ters is Peter Sorensen,
3-1/2, visiting the hall with
dad, Seafarer Ejvind Soren
sen, NOB.
New Export-Import Rule
Urged To Spur Shipping
WASHINGTON—Proposals to expand the US merchant
fleet by amending foreign trad^ legislation have been ad
vanced by the American Maritime Association at hearings of
a House subcommittee. The"*"
House labor group is studying
the impact of US import-ex
port policies on employment.
A spokesman for the AMA
urged enactment of new trade leg
islation requiring more than 50
percent of all strategic import-
export materials to be caipried in
privately - owned American - flag
merchant ships. He also called for
administration of the existing SO-
SO law "as written and intended by
its sponsors."
The AMA is a new steamship
management organization com
posed of operators holding con-
Organizing Gets Top
AFL-CIO Priority
MIAMI—Despite gloomy press predictions to the contrary,
the unity of the American trade union movement held fast
and was strengthened at the AFL-CIO's fourth biennial con
vention here. Delegates rep
resenting 12.5 million workers
charted a wide-ranging pro
gram on legislative and political is
sues.
Top priority was placed on "the
major unfinished business" of the
labor movement—organizing the
unorganized. The Federation also
called for higher wages and shorter
hours as collective bargaining
goals to help eradicate unemploy
ment and increase buying power.
President Kennedy was featured
speaker at the December 7 open
ing session of the five-day conven
tion, and pledged a new campaign
to keep the US economy moving
ahead.
Unity The Keynote
Unity was the keynote of the
gathering as a new constitutional
plan for settlement of internal dis
putes within the Federation was
given overwhelming approval. It
provides for mediation, determine-
In the hospital?
Gall SIU Hall immediately!
Membership
Meetings Set
in WO Ports
Beginning in January, 1962,
monthly Informational and educa
tional meetings for the SIU mem
bership will be held in the West
Coast ports of Wilmington, San
Francisco and Seattle.
The meetings were authorized
by the Executive Board of the SIU
Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland
Waters District, in the interest of
all members, so that Seafarers on
the West Coast can be better in
formed about the activities of their
Union and participate more ac
tively in the Union's affairs.
The meetings will be held dur
ing the last full week of every
month, starting at 2 PM, local
time. The Wilmington meetings
will be on Monday, San Francisco
on Wednesday and Seattle on Fri
day.
The Executive Board also di
rected that when a meeting day
falls on a day officially designated
as a holiday by the state or munici
pal authorities where the port is
located, the meeting wilT "be held
the following day, as is the prac
tice in. other SIU ports, according
to the couslitulion.
tion by an impartial umpire if
mediation fails and the imposition
of sanctions by the AFL-CIO's Ex
ecutive Council for non-compli
ance.
In other actions, the convention
approved full reinstatement for
the International Longshoremen's
Association, ending a probationary
period established at the last con
vention in 1959. Delegates unani
mously rejected attempts to gain
readmission to the Federation by
the International Brotherhood of
Teamsters.
tracts with the SIU and the Marin#
Engineers Beneficial Association.
It was established as an outgrowth
of the contract beef which tied up
Atlantic and Gulf Coast shipping
last summer.
In pressing the case for new
foreign- trade policy, the AMA
pointed out that the US fleet, un
like the fleets of other maritime
powers, carried a very small per
centage of US foreign commerce.
According to the latest availai)le
figures, it was stated, in 1959 thii
amounted to 9.7 percent. By com
parison, British vessels carried 53.3
percent. West Germany carried
41.2 percent, Japan 53.2 percent
and Spain 73.7 percent of their
own national foreign commerce.
The Department of Defens#
maintains that a merchant marine
adequate for purposes of national
defense must be capable of trans
porting at least 50 percent of our
foreign commerce.
"Therefore, with respect to both
our economy and defense, we have
fallen far short of living up to our
announced and often - proclaimed
policy. As things stand today, "the
AMA spokesman declared, "even
if we were only to carry 25 percent
of our foreign commerce, we would
need a merchant fleet of at least
twice the present size."
These figures "simply show that
the deterioration of our merchant
fleet and loss of employment to
seamen has now reached the point
where our national planning seems
to lean toward eventual elimina
tion of our maritime capabilities,"
he added.
An important job security agree
ment has been won by the Rail
road Telegraphers from the South
ern Pacific RR. Telegraphers are
now guaranteed 40 hours' pay each
week for the remainder of their
careers. Assurance was also won
by the union that not more than
two percent of existing jobs can
be eliminated in any one year . . .
The United Rubber Workers have
set up seven special courses de
signed to meet the needs of mem
bers as part of a "Chance to
Leaim" program. The series was
set up jointly by the union and the
University of Akion.
4" i it
Two separate actions in different
parts of the country put the spot
light on management drives to push
new "right to work" laws. A lead
ing Idaho daily urged lawmakers
not to make Idaho "that kind of
state" by imposing an anti-union
law on its citizens; in Maine, a
clergyman called sponsors of such
laws totally irresponsible and
warned that a ban on union .shop
provisions would "reverse years of
real progress in labor-management
relations" ... A Royal Canadian
Mounted policeman was caught
posing as a press photographer at
a meeting addressed by Prime
Minister Diefenbaker of Canada.
He was' taking pictures of union
men passing out leaflets to get the
unemployment problem before the
people.
4. 4 4
The Amalgamated Clothing
Workers and the International
Glove Workers, both AFL-CIO in
ternational unions, have merged.
The glove workers, with 2,500
members, were formerly In the
AFL; the Amalgamated, listing
385.000 members, was a former
CIO union . . . Street Car and Rail
way Employees in Kansas City
have challenged Missouri's King-
Thompson Act, which permits the
governor to seize utilities, ban
strikes and fine unions and their
officers up to $10,000 a day for
defying a strike ban. A US District
Court judge has granted the union's
request that a three-judge panel
be set up to study the constitu
tionality of the law.
4 4 4
In the first collective bargaining
election in the history of the NY
Board of Education, the AFL-CIO
United Federation of Teachers was
elected by New York teachers to
represent their interests. Early
bargaining talks covering over
40,000 teachers are being set up
with the board ... The AFL-CIO
Horseshocrs Union is launching a
drive to unionize some 100 men
who shoe horses at the nation's
harness tracks. Tiie union's pres
ent membership is about 300.
4 4 4
A Gallon, Ohio, company which
said it.would fire any employee
who wore bowling shirts with the
initials "U.\W" (for United Auto
Workers) was held guilty of an un
fair labor practice by the National
Labor Relations Board . . . An iron
workers strike by Cleveland Local
17 ended when a contract formula
was reached to provide an "adverse
weather expense allowance" of $5
whenever a man turns up for work
and is sent home due to bad
weather.
Page Eight SEAFARERS LOG Dceemhw, 1961
Seatrain Back, Ends
RR Haul To Africa
The Seatrain New York arrived back in the States this
month following a special offshore run to Africa. The voyage
marked the first time a Seatrain vessel has been overseas
since an epic war-time trip to"*
OUESTION; Radioactive fallout from recent Russian A-bomb
tests in the atmosphere teems to be drifting into various shipping
routes. Is this likely to make you think twice about sailing into
these areas?
North Africa in 1942 to de
liver a load of tanks for the
8th Army.
On the latest run, the New York
carried 207 different pieces of roll
ing stock plus 100 tons of rail and
track for construction of two small,
complete railroad systems. A spe
cial stacking system was devised to
carry the cargo on deck and in her
holds.
A company spokesman reported
(Ed. note: The iollowing ac
count is another in a series which
will appear in the LOG on Sea
farers who serve as ship or de
partment delegates. Future issues
will carry interviews from other
SIU vessels.)
James Hale, fireman, and
formerly ship's delegate
aboard the Orion Star
(Colonial), typifies the new breed
of Seafarer now sailing with the
filU.
He's young, 32 years old, and has
been sailing with the SIU for ten
years now. He likes to sail and, al
though he feels he could find work
ashore if he had to, he's not too
keen on the idea. Each man has
a job to do aboard ship and
shouldn't run away from responsi
bility.
Brother Hale was born and
raised in Portland, Oregon. He is
married, and he
and his wife, Lu
cille, now make
their home in
Los Angeles. "I
don't mind re
sponsibility," he
says. "Some guys
turn the other
way when they're
faced with It."
H e apparently
he preaches, and
has served as black gang delegate
on a number of ships. His dele
gate's job aboard the Orion Star
was his first trick as a ship's dele
gate.
'"This was a real happy crew,"
Hale reported. "There was plenty
of discussion at the meetings, and
that's a fine thing. But we didn't
have any loudmouths or rough
necks sounding off just to hear
themselves talk.
"The only beefs we had were
minor ones," he continued, "but
when they came up, I tried to get
them out of the way as soon as
possible. I didn't want them devel
oping into anyttiing really big.
That's the best way to l^ndle these
things.
When the ship paid off in New
York, Hale met with the Union
patrolman and reported the minor
Items he thought should be done
before the next crew came aboard.
"1 won't be on the ship, he noted,
"but I don't want the new guys
coming aboard with ready-made
beefs waiting for them."
Hole
practices what
that the 13-day trip to Liberia
"went smoothly and without a
hitch." Upon arrival, the _New
York was discharged by a heavy
duty floating derrick which lifted
the heavy cargo off. The SIU
crew manned the winches for
other items.
Ore Deposits
The rails, trade and rolling
stock, including a dozen locomo
tives, will be used to develop one
of the world's richest iron ore de
posits in Liberia. The project is a
joint effort of the Liberian govern
ment and Swedish and United
States interests. Two separate rail
trunk lines will be built, one lead
ing from a new ocean port at Bu
chanan, Liberia, to link up with a
remote inland area where rich ore
deposits lay.
The discharging operation ran
into a few snags now and then, ac
cording to the company. "The
ship had to be turned around a
couple of times," it was reported,
"to allow the derrick to get at all
sides of her and, on a few occa
sions, the derrick bumped a little
harder than it should have. As a
result, some minor damage to the
ship resulted."
Despite the damage, the special
voyage was a coup for Seatrain,
since it involved a record $2 mil
lion railroad shipment. The ship
was also able to load, deliver and
discharge in record time because
of her specialized construction.
On the 15-day return run, the
New York headed to New Orleans,
and picked up her regular coast
wise operation again.
Juan M. Cjollazo, chief cook: I'll
go anywhere the
ship sails. The
danger of fallout
is relatively un
important as com
pared to the
other things that
can happen to a
ship at sea. What
I am concerned
about is my fam
ily ashore. I think the Government
should provide some protection
for the people living in cities.
4 t 4"
Earl Cronsell, AB: I sailed during
the last war afid
1 don't think that
fallout will pre
sent any more of
a hazard than the
kind I faced then.
I'm more worried
about my family
back home. After
all, they can't
move once the
fallout starts coming down. At sea
we can.
4i 4i
Nicholas Bechulivanis, ABi 1
think there is
some danger and
would hesitate to
ship out if there
is too much fall
out. Right now
I'm concerned
for my family on
shore. The Gov
ernment seems to
have money for
everything else. 1 think something
ought to be provided for people
ashore.
BOATMAN
IBU Rivers Drive Scores
17-0, Gains New Support
HOUSTON—Organizing by the Inland Boatmen's Union in
the nation's great Mississippi River system took a big step
forward when the union won a unanimous decision in a Na
tional Labor Relations Board-*
election among employees of
the Inland River Company.
All 17 ballots cast in the voting
were solidly for the IBU.
Inland River, which employs 20
boatmen, now runs two boats, the
Inland Pilot and the Inland
Trader. The Pilot runs between
New Orleans and Florida and the
Trader works on the Mississippi
from St. Louis north.
The tally was conducted here
late last month following separate
votes earlier on each of the com
pany's boats. Hearings on the
Union's election petition were held
in October. Inland River is a sub
sidiary of Dixie Carriers, a com
pany based at Harvey, Louisiana,
which has been under IBU con
tract for some time.
Campaigning in several other
river's fleets at the s-ame time.
Union representatives expect
NLRB balloting procedures to be
underway shortly In a number of
areas.
Union halls have been opened
in St. LoulSj Missouri; Point Pleas
ant, West -Virginia; Port Arthur,
Texas, and Tampa, Florida, to or
ganize workers on boats in the
Mississippi, Ohio River and intra-
coastal systems.
John Liston, AB: Maybe 1 have
a fatalistic atti
tude but, if you're
going to die,
that's it. You can
get bit with fall
out even on
shore, so why
should 1 have any
more worry while
at sea. Wherever
the ship goes, I
go. That's my job.
% % %
J. L. Gomez, bosun: As long as
I'm in the indus
try, and I've been
a seaman for a
good many years,
I'll sail wherever
the ship is sched
uled to go. I'm
more concerned
for my family
ashore. I think
the Government
should provide some protection for
them the same way England did
for its people during World War 11.
Union* Mas
Cable Address
Seafarers overseas who want
to get in touch with headquar
ters in a hurry can do so by
cabling the Union at its cable
address, SEAFARERS NEW
YORK.
Use of this address will assure
speedy transmission on all mes
sages and faster service for the
men involved.
US Tax Bite
Up $6 More
On January 1
WASHINGTON—Seafarers will
And Social Security taking a slight
ly larger, bite from payoffs stert-
ing January 1st.
New rates which take effect in
1962 will cost Seafarers $150 on
the first $4,800 they earn. This is
more than the $144 now de
ducted for Social Security.
The rate change is an increase
from three to three and one-eighth
percent. The increased deductions
will be applied to wages paid on
or after January 1st, ;Bven if the
money was earned before then,
the Social Security Administration
points out.
That means, for example, that
if e ship sailed on November I
but does not pay off until after
January 1st, the new higher rates
will be applied to the full payoff.
As in past years, if a Seafarer pays
more than the maximum required
in Social Security deductions dus
to work for more than one em
ployer, he can claim the overage
as "income tax withheld."
The 1962 Increase is the first
step in a gradually increasing rate
schedule. The present law calls
for a four-and-five-eighths percent
tax on the first $4,800 of salary by
1968 or a $232 Social Security de
duction.
The increased Social Security
deductions, which are matched by
the employer, will be used to pay
for increased Social Security bene
fits undel- legislation passed by
Congress last summer.
This provides for expanded dis
ability benefit insurance. Social
Security retirement coverage at
age 62, increased payments for
widows and faftillles and a general
increase in monthly benefits.
New Coastal Roll-On Ship
On* of two converted LSTs that began overnight roll-on
service between Baltimore and Norfolk this fall, the IBU-con-
tracted Maryland Clipper takes on vehicles via loading ramp
In bow. The company, the Norfolk, Baltimore and Carolina
Line, has been operating other vessels for many years.
Norfolk Win Is IJth Straight
NORFOLK—The Inland Boatmen's Union has just scored its 11th straight election victory
in this area, winning at M. L. Hudgins & Son by margin of 14-2. The non-union company
employs some 24 marine workers on small tankers and tugs which transport oil to various
harbor outlets. The National-"
Labor Relations Board voting
was held recently.
Earlier, boosting its string of im
portant wins in the Hampton
Roads area, the IBU brought an
other tug fleet under its banner
with the signing of a contract cov
ering the R. K. Davis Transporta
tion Co.
The 30 tugmen who operate the
seven Davis boats from Newport
News bring the overali IBU mem
bership in the Norfolk area to 400.
Organizing campaigns earlier
this year scored important suc
cesses with victories in the Curtis
Bay, McAllister and GATCO fleets
where the IBU routed District 50
of the United Mine Workers.
Follow-up drives to organize
smaller non-union tug fleets were
won when the IBU was recognized
as bargaining agent for employees
of Capitol Transportation and
Marine Oil Service. The victory at
R. K. Davis came after employees
voted for IBU representation in an
NLRB election held in Septen\ber.
Contract negotiations between
the union and R. K. Davis came to
a successful conclusion in Novem
ber with the signing of a threer
year agreement. It sets up wage
scales, working rules and job
security provisions In the seven-
boat fleet.
The new pact provides for auto
matic wage increases during the
life of the contract. Another
major gain for Davis employees is
coverage under the Seafarers Wel
fare Plan completely financed
through company contributions.
The company also agreed to a dues
check-off provision.
December, 19(1 SEAFARERS LOG Pacre Nlii|
Thanksgiving of the Sill
Traditionally, the SIU
has extended an invita
tion to its family to join
together in marking the
holiday that comes
around on the fourth
Thursday of November.
This year was no excep
tion in every SIU city.
Once again last month,
it was time to pass the
drumstick and cranberry
sauce at SIU halls in all
ports for Seafarers, their
families and friends. For
all hands, the belt-pop
ping meal Included tur
key and all th^trimmings
as everyone shared in the
traditional Thanksgiving
table fare.
The photographs on
this page do not represent
all SIU ports, although
dinners were held in
every case. Pictured
here are scenes from the
affairs in New Orleans,
Houston and New York.
Seafarers, families and guests jam New Orleans hall for
holiday dinner. That turkey mi:st have been good. Scenes
at right and directly below are all from New Orleans.
Fruit table (left) gets a
careful inspection from
Robert and William Ranew,
sons of Irvin Ranew, 2nd
cook. Above, Harry L.
Toal and family, with Carl
W. Grages, engine depart
ment, and his wife and chil
dren, enjoy dinner to
gether.
Here (l-r) are B. Rydlander, AB; L.
Gotherd, OS; R. Viloria, B. O'Con-
ner, steward; Mrs. O'Conner; G.
McCarter, SUP.
Angel M. Ortiz, oiler, and his fatb-
ily get together for Thanksgiving.
Ortiz just came off the Margaret
Brown for the affair.-
It's dinner for six at this table .as
Mrs. Lloyd "Johnny" Johnston and
guests are on camera here. John
ston is at sea on the Del Mar.
Over 600 diners sampled the holiday tare at the turkey day
gathering'in the New York hall. The staff here and in other
•ports really turned to on providing the tiaditional menu
and all the trimmings for tne Thanksgiving diners.
A big SIU family made the dinner at Houston,
as the wife and seven children of Seafarer William
Sehoffer gathered 'round the table. Mrs. Ray Queen
and her son are at rear, center.
Pace Tn 5 £00 •. INl
Cara Sea Pays A Call To Baltimore
All's well on fhe Cara Sea, in Baltimore,
(above, l-r), as Seafarers W. Tayfor, J.
Bereczky and C. Ellen, enjoy some chow and
conversation. Right, gangway watchman
E. Broadus- (center) welcomes A. Severe
and T. Frazier aboard.
Laud SlU Blacklist Fight
Commending the SIU's dong fight to insure freedom of the seas,' the American Trade
Union Council of the National Committee for Labor Israel (Histadrut) has urged the US and
the United Nations to renew efforts to have the Suez Canal opened to ^11 shipping.
The council charged that^
the United Arab Republic, in
continuing to ban Israeli ship
ping from the canal and blacklist
ing ships of other nations which
trade with Israel, was violating
traditional maritime law and "its
own solemn commitments" to the
principle of freedom of navigation.
"Discrimination against the
shipping rights of any nation is a
threat to the freedom of the- seas
for everyone, everywhere," it de
clared.
A resolution adopted by the
council commended the "unequiv
ocal stand of American maritime
workers" in seeking to maintain
freedom of navigation for all ship
ping through the Suez.
The SIU's fight to protect the
jobs and rights of American sea
men were brought-to the fore in
Joe Aigina, Safety Director
Progress Can Be Made On Safety
There was a time when a man who'd talk safety would be classed
as a "beefer" or troublemaker among the crew. He's reckoned as an
asset today when he makes a .suggestion, either good or bad. He's
thinking about safety and that's really half the battle.
There was a question on some of the container ships, for example.
A turnbuckle device was being used to secure the erane and make it fast,
but the crew had only a small place to stand on in order to get it
done. Working on one leg without a proper platform, a couple of
men had taken bad spills trying to do this job. It's a six to eight foot
fall down to a hard deck.
Needless to say, this kind of accident is avoidable when there's a
proper, railed platform to work from. It took a while to get this
done, but that's what we have now. A fixed platform and a 42-inch-
high railing is being tried out on these ships and we haven't heard
about an accident since then. No complaints either.
On another type of vessel, with containers as deck cargo, a narrow
space between the stack of containers and the bulkhead was mostly
taken up by a large vent. The men had to crawl under the overhanging
vent in order to go forward and usually got a bump on the head while
they were at it. This kind of boobytrap had to go, providing we didn't
cut down on the ship's payload at the same time. The solution was
to cut down the size of the vent so that everybody could walk around
right side up without getting bruised.
All the suggestions and recommendations regarding shipboard con
ditions don't i-equire the same kind of effort. Very often, an extra
coat of non-skid paint, a brighter light bulb in a dark corner or just
careful housekeeping make the difference. Plain common sense is im
portant too.
Over the years, it's been the responsibility of SIU operators to main
tain their vessels in a safe working condition within reasonable, rec
ognized standards. In the same way, the Union has had the responsi
bility of indoctrinating Seafarers in safe working practices and to seek
their full cooperation in the aims of our joint, program with the ship
owners.
At this point, five years since the program began, we can't say we've
eliminated shipboard accidents period. We never expected we or any
one else could do that. We'll always have accidents to contend with.
The unpredictable is what makes an accident, whether it affects sail
ors aboai-d ship or the man who slips and falls in his bathtub at home.
What we have done through the joint program is spotlight the causes
of accidents, bring them out in the open and cut down on hazards
wherever possible.
The program hasn't been used to whip anybody or try to take away
anyone's livelihood just because he might have an accident. The em
phasis continues to be on prevention through education and regular
training. In all, the companies, the Union and Seafarers aboard ship
have something worthwhile going and conditions throughout the SIU
fleet bear this out. There's still plenty to be done, but at least today
we feel we're on the way to doing something, instead of just talking
about it.
(Commentg and suggestions are inviter^ by the Department and can
be submitted to this column care of the SEAFARERS LOG J
April, 1960, when Seafarers and
members of the International
Longshoremen's Association pick
eted the Egyptian-flag SS Cleopa
tra in New York Harbor. The un
ions protested mistreatment of
seamen and loss of job opportuni
ties due to the UAR blacklist.
An earlier blow for freedom of
navigation was struck by an SIU
ship in April, 1957, shortly after
the Suez War, when the SIU-
manned Kern Hills pulled into
Elath, Israel, at the head of the
Gulf of Aqaba. The tanker was
the first ocean-going vessel to pass
into the Gulf to deliver cargo to
Israel.
Imposition of the blackli.st
against the Kern Hills led to a
renaming of the vessel and touched
off a series-of incidents as addi
tional US vessels and ships of
other flags were barred from Suez
for doing business with Israel.
The Cleopatra action followed last
year and continued until the State
Department pledged to seek an
end to blacklisting.
Book Review:
Furuseth Role
Highlight Of
New Sea Book
A two-ctiapier portrait of An
drew Furuseth, one of the pio
neers of the maritime labor move
ment, highlights "Shanghaiing
Days," a new book by author-lec
turer Richard H. Dillon of San
Francisco.
The .350-page volume should
provide some exciting, interesting
and informative reading for Sea
farers interested in what things
were like when ships were run
under sail, with a belaying pin
and a cat-o-nine tails as auxiliary
power. Steam was just beginning
to boil over onto the sea lanes
at the time.
Dillon paints a grTm picturfe of
the American merchant marine in
the last quarter of the nineteenth
century. Seamen were exploited
in wholesale fashion and whole
crews jumped ship when a vessel
hit port to avoid further brutali
ties. The book includes a detailed
description of shanghaiing methods
used to pad out short crews.
The author aiso wrDes of the
men who attempted to defend sea
men when everyone else had for
gotten. Here, Furuseth's life and
work are dealt with in some de
tail and for those interested in
the birth of maritime unionism
these chapters are invaluable. The
publisher is Coward-McCann of
New York.
Courts Reject Ban
On Runaway Pickets
MONTREAL—Shipowner attempts to force a halt to pick
eting by unemployed Canadian seamen against the runaway-
flag Wheat King have been rebuffed in court again. A motor-
ship owned by Island Ship--*
ping of Bermuda, the vessel
was originally manned by
SIU of Canada seamen.
Crewmembers were locked out
this fall after they protested sub
standard conditions. The com
pany, a subsidiary of the Canadian
and American-owned Norris Grain
Company, then hired non-union
aliens and shipjumpers to man the
vessel.
It has since been picketed by
unemployed seamen at several
Great Lakes porta in Canada and
the US.
In November, the Wheal King
docked at Halifax, NS, and was
again met by pickets who tied up
the vessel. The company secured
Lake Ship
Aid Stalled
OTTAWA—No reply by Great
Britain is reported to Canada's
notification of plans to limit do
mestic shipping on the Great
Lakes to Canadian-flag vessels.
At the time of the original an
nouncement in May, the move was
hailed by the SIU of Canada and
the SIUNA as a much-needed step
to aid the hard-hit Canadian-flag
industry. Canada acted under pro
visions of the British Common
wealth merchant shipping agree
ment.
Unless there Is unanimous ap- j
proval on the part of the 11 signa
tories of the Commonwealth
agreement, Canada will be forced
to go along with the clause which
requires a year's notice to be
given before any change can be
made. At the present time, ap
proval doesn't seem to be forth
coming.
Canadian government spokes
men note that an amendment to
the Canada Shipping Act will also
have to be made, with the result
that the restriction move would
be delayed still further.
The ban, affecting transport
along the inland route, will apply
to ports within the Great Lakes
and along the St. Lawrence. It
would be similar in nature to US
rules restricting its domestic
trades to US-flag vessels. By limit
ing this trade only to Canada-flag
ships, the move is expected to sub
stantially increase job oppor
tunities for Canadian seamen.
Canadian Seafarers, members
the SIU of Canada,
are a lital clement In the mari
time picture generally and in
the SIU family of unions. They
man ships under tiie Canadian
flag across-the-board—deep sea
off the Atlantic Coast, on the
Great Lakes and the Seaway.
The Canadian SIU also repre
sents large groups of Canadian
tugboatmen, dredgemen and al
lied crafts. The Canadian Dis
trict works closely with the
other sru unions throughout
Nortii America and the mutual
relationship has been of great
advantage to all SIU members.
a temporary injunction against the
pickets, and the Wheat King sailed
partially loaded.
However, a court hearing in Hal
ifax ended with a ruling against
continuation of the temporary re
straining order. It is expected that
Canadian seamen will be able to
picket the vessel if it reaches Hal
ifax again.
A picketline also met the ship
at Three Rivers, Quebec, after it
left Halifax, and the operators
again tried to secure a court order
against picketing. The judge, how
ever, granted only a temporary
injunction with notice being pro
vided to the pickets. Later, when
representatives of unemployed
Canadian seamen testified at a
hearing, the Three Rivers court
also refused to issue a permanent
restraining order.
The picketline delayed the
Wheat King at Three Rivers for
more than a week, and the vessel
sailed only when its non-union
crew did the work of longshore
men who had honored the picket-
line.
Canadian seamen are pledged
to continue action against tha
Wheat King and other runaway-
flag ships throughout Canada as
part of a broad drive to protest
cut-rate operations.
SIU 'Polices'
Police Boat
VANCOUVEE — Seafarers in
this West Coast port have volun
teered their services in maintain
ing an historic vessel in the Van
couver Maritime Museum.
The SIU has pledged to take
care of the maintenance and gen
eral upkeep of the Royal Cana
dian Mounted Police vessel St.
Roch. Donated to the Vancouver
museum by the Mounties, the ves
sel was the first to circumnavigate
North America and was the first
to run between Halifax and Van
couver through the Northwest
Passage.
The ship had been allowed to
deteriorate lately, but the SIU
membership here Intends to
change this situation. Canadian
seafarers pledged to get the ves
sel in topnotch shape by rerigging,
repainting and overhauling her
gear and equipment. / The volun
teer effort amounts to some two
thousand man-hours of work.
It has been suggested that busi
ness firms in the city donate mate
rial and finance the cost of struc
tural repairs to the vessel.
SIU Canadian
Disfricf Halls
FORT WILLIAM.. 408 Simpson St.
Ontario Phone: 3-3221
HALIFAX, N.S 17S% HoUis St.
Phone 3-8911
MONTBBAL 634 St. James St. West
Victor 2-81S1
QUEBEC 44 Sault-au-Hateiot
Quebec LAlontaine 3-1S69
TROROLD. Ontario 52 St. David St.
CAnaJ 7-5212
TORONTO. Ontario 272 King St. E.
EUpiie 4-5719
VANCOUV!?®, EC 298 Wsin St.
ST. JOHN. NS in PriBOO William St.
OX 3-543J
Deeeabor. INl SEAFARERS LOG Pace Eleren
'Now Is The Time For All Good Men,..'
A strong American merchant marine, capa
ble of fulfilling its role as an integral part of
the total US transportation industry, and as
an instrument of national policy, is an
absolute necessity. Certainly no one with the
Interests of this nation at heart could ques
tion the validity of this statement.
Yet today the US-flag fleet has been allowed
to dwindle to a point described by maritime
observers as constituting "a national dis
aster." At the end of World War II, the num
ber of our merchant ships—and our capacity
to build them—was greater than in all the
rest of the world combined. Now we rank
fourth as a maritime nation, behind Great
Britain, Norway and Liberia. In shipbuilding,
we rank tenth among the nations of the
world.
Our ships carry only a tiny fraction of the
Imported commodities essential to our pros
perity and national defense and perhaps ten
percent of our total foreign commerce. US-
flag vessels handle only about 20 percent of
our outbound foreign aid cargo, and this
despite a Cargo Preference Act requiring at
least half these cargoes to be carried in Amer
ican bottoms.
Throughout the period since the war, a
number of Government agencies have pur
sued policies largely responsible for the de
terioration of our fleet, beginning with the
approval of wholesale ship transfers to run
away registries and other flags. We need only
cite the failure to enforce the Cargo Prefer
ence Act, the acceptance of the unrealistic
"effective control" theory advanced by the
Defense Department and the State and Agri
culture Departments' overseas arrangements
which sacrifice the US merchant marine as a
matter of diplomatic expendiency.
Nor has the political complexion of the Ad
ministration in Washington ever significantly
altered the general course of Government
policy with respect to the merchant fleet.
Consequently, those concerned with mari
time were heartened by the ray of hope ,
Implicit in the new Administration's recogni
tion of the industry's problems. At the recent
Maritime Trades Department convention.
Government spokesmen acknowledged the
need for an adequate US-flag fleet and the
fact that we should not depend, in these times
at least, even upon our allies to serve this
nation's maritime transport needs.
Still, as the MTD's officers pointed out, the
industry can judge the Administration's in
tentions only by' its performance to date.
While we have had the Administration's pro
fessions of concern about maritime and US
dependence on the merchant fleet for reasons
of security and the national economy, these
statements do not square with the record.
Right now, instead of aiding the industry,
the Commerce Department, which has critical
influence over its future course, has been
guilty of policies further endangering US
maritime development.
If the Administration sincerely desires to
insure a merchant fleet that can meet the na
tion's needs—and we believe it has a re
sponsibility to do so—this is a time for action,
it 4" 4-
MSTS-A Hot Issue
The completion of the Military Sea "Trans
portation Service's 12th year of operation
finds it becoming a hot issue due to a number
of its practices and policies. As an agency
engaged in the transport of troops, the MSTS
can perform a useful function.
Over the years, however, the agency has
become increasingly involved in other areas
that affect the over-all stability and welfare
of the privately-owned merchant marine.
More and more, MSTS has been stifling and
competing directly with private shipping,
contrary to the principle of free enterprise.
One of the big question marks about MSTS
also arises out of the fact that it's involved in
awarding cargoes and that it often serves as
a stepping stone to top management jobs
right in the industry. Perhaps now is the
occasion for a good hard look into the opera
tions of this agency.
Xiegrislative
Department
MARITIME STATISTICS. MA has announced that as of November
1, 1961, there were 926 vessels of 1,000 gross tons and over in the
active oceangoing US merchant fleet. This is 23 more than the num
ber active a month earlier. There were 32 Government-owned and
894 privately-owned ships in active service. Figures also showed an
increase of 24 active vessels and a decrease of 27 Inactive vessels in
the privately-owned fleet. One freighter, Meteor, and a tanker. Little
John were transferred back to US from foreign flag. Five freighters,
the Valiant Faith, Hawaiian Logger, Gulfwater, Eldermere and Sea
Mist, were sold foreign. The total privately-owned fleet decreased by
3 to 977. Of 83 privately-owned inactive vessels, one combination ship,
8 freighters, and 4 tankers were undergoing repair, conversion or
reactivation. The total of large merchant ships on order or under con
struction in US shipyards decreased by 5 to 74.
SUBSIDY. Judge Alexander Holtzoff of the US District Court for
the District of Columbia has ruled that a finding of the Maritime
Subsidy Board that no affiliation exists between a domestic steamship
operator and Waterman Steamship Corporation, the latter an appli
cant for operating-differential subsidy, is not subject to an adminis
trative hearing but is a question which the Court will review on trial.
The Judge said that on reaching a determination on domestic affilia
tion, the Maritime Subsidy Board may not transcend the limitations
of the statute. In order to reach such a determination. Judge Holt
zoff stated, the Court has the duty of reviewing questions of fact. The
case stems from an action brought by Bull seeking to enjoin the ex
ecution of an operating-differential subsidy contract between Water
man and the Maritime Administration, and to enjoin Waterman from
taking steps to eliminate all relationship between itself and domestic
carriers which operate in competition with Bull.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. MA has announced the com
pletion -of fuel loading on the NS Savannah. A core of uranium-bear
ing fuel elements containing enough latent energy to power the
world's first nuclear cargo-passenger ship for SVz years without re
fueling was assembled inside the vessel's reactor. The reactor will be
put through zero and low power tests and will be brought to 10 per
cent of power at Camden. New Jersey. Reports on operations will then
be filed with and reviewed by the AEC. The Savannah will then be
moved to Yorktown, Virginia, under auxiliary steam for full power
reactor operation and for initial sea trials. Upon successful completion
of these trials the ship will be delivered to the Government.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION. The Luckenbach Steam
ship Company has told the ICC that the ship line was denied a fair
hearing in a case involving a transcontinental canned goods rail rate
reduction, which the water carrier claims contributed to its demise
from the intercoastal trade. Luckenbach asserts that Uie rail rate re
duction, effected in 1958, was an unlawful attempt by allegedly collud
ing Eastern and Western railroads to drive it out of business. The
railroads claim that the reduction was brought about at the insistence
of West Coast carriers. Luckenbach has taken issue with the exam
iner's report, arguing that although the ICC granted it a "discovery"
order, the right to examine the railroad's books and records for pos
sible incriminating evidence, the grant was too late and the evidence
too little. Luckenbach accused the examiner of being "unsophisti
cated" by "buying the railroad witnesses' euphemisms 100 per cent."
The company asked the ICC to overrule the examiner and restore the
balance of interests between transcontinental railroads and inter
coastal water carriers.
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD. During October the NLRB
Issued decisions in more contested unfair labor practice cases than in
any other month of its 26-year history. Eighty-two cases involving dis
putes over the facts or the application of the law went to decisions by
the five-member board, or by three-man panels of the board. As of
November 1, 402 unfair practice cases in both the contested and stipu
lated classifications were awaiting the board's decision in various
stages of consideration. The Board has been able to reduce its back
log of representation election cases to 148 from a peak backlog of 695
on May 1. This has occurred as a result of the Board's delegation of
decision-making powders to NLRB Regional Directors in certain cases.
A year ago 90 days were required to proceed from the filing of an
election case petition to issuance of a decision and direction of elec
tion. The average is now 44 days . . . From July, 1960 to June 30, lg61,
approximately 73 percent of ali elections conducted by the NLRB were
as a result of voluntary agreements between labor and management
to proceed to an immediate election, without recourse to the inter
mediate steps of a hearing and formal decision. In fiscal year 1961
there were 6,613 elections conducted.
LONGSHORE SAFETY. The Department of Labor has announced
the amendment of safety and health regulations with a view to re
ducing hazards in the longshore industry. The amendments seek to
strengthen testing requirements to insure adequate ventilation in the
holds of vessels, revise specifications for testing special stevedore
gear, and set up new requirements for guarding mechanically-powered
vehicles aboard ve.ssels. posting weights on cargo containers, and
grounding portable blowers.
„ /
IF I.
Pare Twelve. SEAFARERS LOG Dceeaber, ust
The growth of the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades
Department was physically apparent at* the 4th
biennial convention held December 4-6. Dele
gates representing 29 international unions and
32 maritime port councils throughout the United
States, Puerto Rico and Canada came together
to deal with-issues affecting the welfare of work
ers in maritime and allied industries. Out of the
convention—with top representatives of Gov
ernment, industry and labor present—came a
program designed to build a strong maritime in
dustry and strengthen the job security of over
400,000 trade union workers whose livelihood
depends on aggressive development of mari
time. On these pages are photos of some of
the 150 delegates and their invited guests from
Government, industry and the AFL-CIO who
addressed them.
/'
MTD vice-president Jack McDonald, Steve Leslie,
Richard Nolan, Jay Turner and^Gene Reardon headed
up delegation representing Operating Engineers.
Carpenters secretary R. Livingston presents
union-made gavel to MTD president Hall. A.
Young, Boilermakers, offers report,^
/'
f
Pecmbcr, INl SEAFARERS LOG Page Thirteen
"i;,/
•
Delegates heard represenfaHves
AFL-CIO discuss motters of
important concern to the Anner-
ican worker and his family. In
photos at right are AFL-CIO
President George Meany and
AFL-CIO department heads as
[hey addressed the convention.
V
op Government representatives
nvolved in maritime affairs,
hown at right, explained the
jolicies of their departments
md the Administration itself,
rhe convention called on Gov
ernment for positive action in
iupport of maritime.
ads of major maritime Indus-
groups, in photos ^t the
ht, presented their views of
> problems confronting the
ritime industry. They cited
' major steps which must be
en to expand the industry in
) interests of all concerned.
/
AFL-CIO president George Ivleany discussed
major Issues facino the labor movement today.
MTD meet preceded AFL-CIO sessions.
Building & Construction Trades president Neil Haggerty (left), Union
Label Trades secretary Joseph Lewis offer fraternal greetings. Social
Security director NeUon Cruihshanic (right) reported on proposals.
At top, David Cole, former US Conciliation Service director, and
Donald Geoffrion, Navy Department. Above, Hyman Bookbinder, Com
merce Departmenti Donald Alexander, new Maritime Administrator.
US Secretary of Labor Arthur Goldberg re
ported on program of his department, dis
cussed bargaining issues affecting maritime.
Great Lakes operator Troy Browning, new
president of the Propeller Club, urged more
joint action In maritime.
Domestic and offshore shipping Issues were cited by John Weller, presi
dent, Seatrain (left); Max Harrison, president, American Maritime As
sociation; Ralph Casey, president^ American Merchant Marine Institute.
'IJ.
t
t
im
• il • '
^ I
t
L
1
[ *
i
'•r i'
Page Fonrfees SEAFARERS LOG V IMl
Food Unions Launth New Dept.
BAL HARBOUR, Fla.—SIUNA representatives assisted in the launching of a brand-
new AFL-CIO trade union organization here early this month. The occasion was the found
ing convention of the Food and Beverage Trades Department. Nine separate AFL-CIO af
filiates, including the SIUNA,•
are charter members of the
new department.
Patterned after other, long-
established union groupings with
in the Federation, such as the
Maritime Trades, Building Trades
and Metal Trades, the Food and
Beverage Trades Department rep
resents some 800,000 workers en
gaged In the manufacture, process
ing, sale and distribution of food
and beverage products.
Participation by the SIUNA cov
ers the entire membership of its
Pacific District affiliate, the Ma
rine Cooks & Stewards (MCS), as
well as steward and culinary de
partment members, fishermen and
fish cannery workers on all coasts.
Approximately a third of the
SIUNA's 80,000-plus membership
is involved. It is the only mari
time union organization in the new
group.
Established to coordinate activ
ities of member international un
ions within the overall food indus
try, the department, in its constitu
tion, lists the safeguarding and
protection of consumer interests as
one of its chief aims.
Harry R. Pooie, executive vice-
president of the Amalgamated
Meat Cutters, was elected presi
dent of the department by the 55
delegates at the convention, Dan-
lei E. Conway, president of the
American Bakery & Confectionary
Workers, was chosen secretary-
treasurer.
The new AFL-CIO unit will
function through local food and
beverage union councils to be set
up in major cities for the coordina
tion of area-wide activities. Fi
nances will be provided by a per
capita arrangement calling for one
cent per member per month to be
paid by each affiliate for the por
tion of its membership engaged
in food and beverage trades. The
local councils will pay yearly dues
of $25.
The department's vice-presi
dents and the unions they repre
sent, in addition to Paul Haii and
the SIUNA, are: Max Greenberg,
Retail, Wholesale tc Department
Store Workers; Russell Lasley.
Packinghouse Workers; James A
Suffridge, Retail Clerks; Mort
Brandenburg, Distillery Workers;
Harold A. Schneider, Grain Mil
lers, and Cliarles Paulsen, Hotel &
Restaurant Workers.
CS Norfolk
Lauded For
Rescue Aid
The SlU-manned supertanker
Cities Service Norfolk has re
ceived a "Well Done" commenda
tion from the US Coast Guard for
its support in the rescue of the
crew of the Hess Mariner which
sank in October off the. Florida
coast.
Together with other ships in the
area, the Norfolk stood by to as
sist while another tanker closer to
the Hess Mariner steamed to the
sinking vessel and picked up all
survivors. Although one man was
hurt, no one was killed in the acci
dent.
The rescue operation was co
ordinated by the Coast Guard's
AMVER (Atlantic Merchant Vessel
Report) system.
The 10,500-ton Hess Mariner
had an engine room explosion on
its passage from Houston to Bos
ton. Crewmembers were picked
up by the Texaco Nevada and the
injured man was treated by a doc
tor from the SS Brazil which had
also turned to and assisted in the
rescue.
In a commendation directed to
all the vessels which participated
in the rescue, the Coast (Juard
said in part: "The backup support
by . , . Cities Service Norfolk,
while perhaps not causing news
headlines, was nevertheless an im
portant factor, in keeping with
sound damage control procedure.
Such teamwork is extremely grati-
f.ving. 'Well Done' to all con
cerned."
By SIDNEY MARGOLIUS
DonH Be Fooled By Puffed-Up Claims
Some of the country's largest stores and manufacturers use exag-
-gerated list prices to try to convince you that they are offering tre
mendous values when they sell below "list." Sometimes the cut prices
do represent good values, but nothing like the savings claimed.
In reality, not many retailers charge full list price any more. The
"list prices" do have some usefulness to us consumers in identifying
models so we can compare actual prices in various stores. But you can
get seriously fooled if you believe the list price is the actual going price.
There even are some instances in which manufacturers deliberately set
their list prices higher than normal, so that all retailers—even the
most expensive one—can claim to offer you a cut price.
This practice is notorious in the watch, jewelry and luggage busi
nesses, and also frequently occurs in the sale of mattresses, electric
broilers, rotisseries and percolators.
One of the most revealing recent Federal Trade Commission hear
ings examined claims made by the S. Klein discount department stores
in the New York-New Jersey area.
Klein's had advertised "aluminum and frosted glass tub enclosures"
for $39.95 plus $10 for installation, and claimed they were "$89.95
value." But other dealers testified that the bathtub enclosures usually
sold for $60 to $70 including installation. Thus Klein's price of about
$50 with installation was good value, offering a legitimate saving of
of $10-$20, but nothing like the claimed $40 saving.
We have no wish to pick on Klein's, which has many good values.
But additional information developed at other hearings can be useful
to you in knowing how to evaluate sale ads. In another case, Klein's
advertised 15-cup percolators and electric skillets at $8 and claimed
they had "list prices" of $25 and $20 respectively. But testimony in
dicated that the two appliances often were sold by other discount
chains like Korvette, Master's and Davega, for $8 to $12. In this case
it was the manufacturer—^Merit Enterprises—who claimed the percola
tor had a $25 list price. Although Klein's sale price again was a good
value, the list price was wildly exaggerated, with both the manufac
turer and "the store responsible.
One of the most exaggerated instances of pre-ticketed prices involved
Rayex sunglasses. This manuracturer pre-ticketed its sunglasses with
a $4.95 price. But a wholealer testified that he bought the sunglasses
from Rayex for 75 cents, resold them to retailers for $1.20 and re
tailers generally sold then to the public for about $2.50. Thus even at
the so-called "reduced" prices these glasses obviously were overpriced.
In other recent cases, the manufacturers of Leeds luggage and bowl
ing bags, Waltham and Helbros watches, and Son-Chief appliances were
charged wijh supplying retailers with exaggeratecT price tickets and/or
printed material. Even when a retailer shows you a manufacturer's
price list or catalog to support his daim that he is giving you a bargain,
you can't take ti:3 printed list for granted. A Ne>v Jersey jeweler tes
tified that Helbros watches tagged $62.50 actually cost him $17.50 and
were resold by him for $35.
Only house-to-house canvassers and credit jewelers testified that
they actually sold these watches for the full "list price." This itself
should prove to families who buy from such canvassers and credit
stores how much extra they pay.
One of the most exaggerated Instances of prc-ticketed prices involved
conspiracy between the Korvette discount chain and several famous
men's shops in Beverly Hills and Palm Springs, California, and ten
clothing manufacturers. The FTC found that Korvette made agree
ments with these men's shops to buy a small quantity of clothing from
them and also to buy other clothing right from the manufacturers with
the labels of the California stores attached to the garments.
Korvette then advertised it was offering merchandise which had
been stocked by these well-known men's shops, at reductions from
their prices. The FTC charged that the "original prices" advertised
by Korvette were fictitious since the California men's shop which per
mitted the use of their labels never did stock or offer these garments
for sale.
Right now a hot area of exaggerated list prices is cameras and photo
equipment. The Federal Trade Commission is investigating retailers'
"list-price" claims for movie and other cameras.
You can learn three money-saving shopping principles from these
cases:
(1) Some "list prices," as shown in the example of the watches, are
deliberately inflated to permit very high-cost sellers like canvassers to
get high markups, and these "pre-ticketed" and "catalog" prices are
especially dangerous.
(2) Other list prices, while not deliberately inflated, nevertheless do
not represent actual going prices, since most stores nowadays sell below
the li.st.
(3) The 6nly real protection you have is to compare prices among
several retailers, since prices vary even among low-cost sellers, as ob
served in the case of the luggage, percolators and broilers. Too, even
when a store exaggerates the list price, it may still be offering you a
good value, as in the case of the bathtub enclosures.
UIW Shop Produces For Defense
One of almost 100 UIW members at Schaevltz Engineering,
Camden, NJ, which turns out parts used by America's missile
men, wireman Horence Benedict is pictured soldering a con
nection for an accelerator. The pressure this machine gen
erates tests parts which must hold up during rocket launch-
ings and are very complex to handle.
New Oil Contract Fuels
UIW Shop, Member Gains
Over 1,300 members have been added to the United Indus
trial Workers during the' past year, contributing added
strength to the SIU. Aggressive organizing campaigns by
the UIW in the Atlantic and"^
Gulf areas have brought the
benefits of union representa
tion to employees of more than
two dozen companies which a year
ago were non-union.
The membership Increases were
across the board, covering all areas
where the union has been active
in unorganized shops.
A key sector of the UIW organ
izing campaign, the Staten Island
oil distribution industry, was the
scene of a significant victory in
November.
.The UIW and the Staten Island
Petroleum Company (Sipco), larg
est fuel distributor in New York's
borough of Richmond, signed a
first contract which brings the
best working conditions and wages
in the industry to emrployees. The
pact is the first signed by a bona
fide labor union with any oil com
pany on the island and is expected
to set the • pattern.
A second victory on Staten Is
land, scored when employees of
Richmond Burner Co. voted for
UIW representation earlier this
fall, was clinched last month when
the National Labor Relations
Board certified the UIW as bar
gaining agent for Richmond Burn
er employees. .
Moving ahead on another front
in the battle to organize Staten
Island oil companies, UIW repre
sentatives attended NLRB hear
ings In New York investigating
Union charges that two companies,
Fiore Bros, and Salmirs Oil, con
spired with "independent" Amal
gamated Local 355 to block the
legitimate desires of employees to
join the UIW.
Local 355, expelled from the
AFL-CfO for signing backdoor
sweetheart agreements with em
ployers, has suffered several de
feats at the hands of the SIU, in
cluding Sipco and Jay Kay Metals
in Long Island City, NY, Jay Kay's
600 workers joined the UIW last
year after a long campaign which
involved ousting Local 355 from
the shop.
Yard Pact
Tops Cult
HOUSTON — United Industrial
Worker members employed by
Southern Rigging Co. here have
won one of the highest wage scales
in the Gulf Coast area under the
contract signed for the first time
by the UIW and the company.
The ship rigging firm employs
17 persons who service ships in
Houston and other Gulf ports. The
agreement will run for two years
retroactive to July 31, 1961 and
provides that either side may re
open on wages after the first year.
UIW members at Southern Rig
ging won full welfare and pension
plan protection, plus unequaled
overtime rates in the new contract.
Double time will be paid for all
work over eight hours a day and
all holiday work.
The pact also provides for hour
ly wages to be paid while em
ployees are traveling, from one
port to the other plus a sub
sistence rate for food and meals
for employees working outside of
Houston. Under the new UIW
agreement Southern Rigging work
ers will be among the most secure
and best-paid workers in the whole
Gulf area.
• 1 i
l»ceeiiAcr. IMl SEAFARERS LOG Fare FiftccH
r\;
Jf
Seine Fishing Booms
Pacific Tuna Fleet
SAN DIEGO—Lightweight nylon nets, a mechanical de
vice called a "power block" for hauling nets aboard ship, and
airplanes for finding fish have caused a complete revolution
in the San Diego tuna fleet.
Traditionally, bait, hooks
and poles were used to catch
tuna In Eastern Pacific waters.
But In recent years the fleet had
run onto economic shoals as lower-
cost foreign fish undersold the lo
cal product. Clippers often lay
Idle at the dock for weeks at a
time, with fish in their holds, due
to the overloaded market.
Idleness of the boats was shared
by their unionized crews from the
•SIUNA-affillated Cannery Workers
and Fishermen's Union. Many men
left the boats to seek employment
ashore. Then came two simultane
ous developments which salvaged
the fleet from what seemed to be
possible disaster.
First was development of extra-
tough, light-weight nylon seine
nets. Second was introduction of
the power block, a roller with a
self-contained and completely en
closed hydraulic motor. Block and
motor are fitted at the end of a
vessel's boom.
This meant that a huge seine
could be brought aboard through
the block mechanically, saving a
vast amount of manual labor and
enabling a ship to make many
more sets than were previously
possible. Boat owners realized
that these changes enabled them
to go in for the seihe method of
catching tuna—a method which
seemed to offer good possibilities
but which was economically un
feasible for big vessels hereto
fore.
First to try it was Capt. Lou
Brito with his clipper Southern
Pacific in 1958. The union-manned
Southern Pacific went out and
caught 220 tons of fish in 21 days.
This sparked a boom in conver
sions. Clippers went into the ship
yards as fast as the yards could
take them. It meant a big gamble
by owners, for each conversion
cost from $100,000 up. The huge
seines alone cost upwards of $35,-
000 and can cover an entire city
block.
But the gamble has paid off.
The seiners have caught more fish
in 8horter*trips, which means that
income-has gone up for both own
ers and crews. Diversion of some
Japanese tuna production to new
European and Japanese- markets
has helped to some exte>nt, too.
In addition, the new fortunes
of the tuna fleet have been helped
by scouting planes working out of
bases on the West Coast of Cen
tral America. These spotting
planes help to find fish, saving
many hours of scouting by the
tuna boats. One plane will work
for a group of vessels, which share
the cost of hiring it.
Seining has also done away with
the time-consuming and expensive
chore of hunting and netting live
bait, a prerequisite for a tuna trip
when the boats fished with hooks
and poles.
Les Balinger, secretary-treasur
er of the Cannery Workers and
Fishermen's Union, says the union
now has 38 seiners under contract
and ten of the older style bait
boats. About 1,100 union fishermen
are employed at the present time.
Atlantic Mate
In the wheelhouse of the
Atlantic Fishermen's Union-
contracted scalloper Sea King
is mate Walter Jaggard, pho
tographed at New York's
Fulton fish market.
Cunard Hints Small Queen
Suitable For Panama Use
LONDON—Cunard Steamship is now reported to be ex
ploring the idea or replacing the Queen Mary with a smaller
vessel that could be used for Pacific passenger service as well
Alaska Union
Shifts Halls
SAN FRANCISCO —Sailors
Union of the Pacific officials wel
comed their fishermen brothers
when offices of the Alaska Fisher
men's Union, an SIUNA. affiliate,
moved' into space at SUP halls
here and in Seattle.
The fishermen voted to move
.after the old jointly-owned SUP-
Alaska Fishermen's Union hall on
Clay Street was sold to the San
Francisco Redevelopment Agency.
Union officials -said the move
would be both an organizational
and financial aid for the two
SIUNA affiliates.
-I
-, ' - -•
Converted for lelne fishing, the Conte Bianco, a former
baitboat in the San Diego tuna fleet, has modern power blocic
(at end of boom) and big seine skiff on her stern.
as the Atlantic trade.
Two months ago, the com
pany turned down over $50
million in British government aid
and postponed building a new su-
perliner to replace the aging
Queen Mary. In passing up the un
precedented government subsidy,
Cunard said it faced heavy loses
on the Atlantic liner service and
was reassessing the future of such
operations.
Possible construction of a small
er "Queen" suitable for two-ocean
service via the Panama Canal' is
hinted by the presence of a com
pany representative in Panama in
vestigating the size of ships able
to navigate the waterway.
Extension of Cunard service to
the Pacific is given additional
weight by reports that the com
pany plans a merger with P&O
Orient Lines, a leading British
shipping company now operating in
the area.
At the time Cunard announced
postponement of plans to build a
new superliner, it also denied hold
ing any mergqf talks with P&O,
citing the dissimilar trading inter
ests of the two concerns. The
rumors of a corporate marriage
have continued, however, and now,
with a possible extension of
Cunard service into the Pacific, are
being circulated again.
Meanwhile, Cunard's attempt to
cash in on the increasingly-profit
able trans-Atlantic air service by
launching Cunard-Eagle Airways
has met a setback. Air travel is a
prime cause of the decline in the
Atlantic passenger liner trade.
When Cunard first received per
mission to begin this service next
May, the decision by the British
Air Transport Licensing Board was
appealed by British Overseas Air
ways on the ground that the com
petition would be injurious to
BOAC and could cause the com
pany to default on payments for
new jetliners it had ordered.
The BOAC appeal was upheld
by the Minister of Aviation and
Cunard-Eagle Airways will not bo
able to fly a North Atlantic route.
Cunard has not Indicated what it
plans to do with the two jets al
ready on order.
SIU FOOD and
FOUR MISHAPS-NO INJURIES
Three unrelated mishaps and one safe return marked SIU shipping during recent
weeks, all with no injuries reported. The Miami (Citie.s Service), Jean (Bull), Fanwood
(Sea-Land) and the Venore (Ore) each made the news on their own.
Empty at the time, the^
supertanker Miami collided I occurred aboard
with the Liberian ore carrier while crossing a
Melvin H. Baker in fog on the
Delaware River and is now back in
service after replacing damaged
plates in a Mobile shipyard. Com
pany spokesman reported damage
to both ships was slight. There
were no injuries to either crew.
Trouble broke out on the Jean
when cargo came loose in the
North Atlantic's heavy seas. The
ahip was on MSTS charter, carry
ing army cargo from New York to
La Pallice, France, when the acci
dent occurred. Manhole covers
were ripped off mjln fuel tanks
and some damage was reported to
the number three hatch. The ship
came in to St. Johns, Newfound
land, for repairs and is already
back in service.
Another case of shifting cargo
the Fanwood
Columbia river
bar. Due to a heavy roll, chains
holding a deck load of plywood
snapped and forced the vessel to
return to Astoria, Oregon, to right
the ramshackle load. When every
thing was squared away, the Fan-
wood left again for San Juan,
Puerto Rico.
Venore Returns Home
In separate action, following an
earlier report in the SEAFARER'S
LOG, the Venore returned home
to Baltimore with a full SIU crew
still aboard after 17 days at sea
without any power of its own. The
ship was enroute to New Orleans
to pick up a cargo of grain when
the propeller "made a big noise
and was gone."
The vessel was returning from
Spain and was about 600 miles east
of Bermuda when it happened No
vember 6 in the course of Hurri
cane "Hattie." Crewmembers re
ported the most difficult time as
the first 30 hours until the Coast
Guard tug Absecon arrived on the
scene and threw the disabled ship
a line.
However, on the third day under
tow, the Absecon had a minor ex
plosion and lost its own fire room,
which meant the loss of one en
gine. The crippled Absecon and
the powerless Venore thereafter
limped along toward Bermuda un
til met by a commercial tug 300
miles off the coast of Bermuda.
After the rendezvous, the Venore
was towed into Bermuda for re
fueling and then to Baltimore for
repairs, arriving a week later. All
hands remained aboard throughout
the incident
Cliff Wilson, Food and Ship Sanitation Director
Spices Can Be Useful 'Food Magic'
An Important parrof any well-stocked galley aboard ship is the spice
shelf. Often, just a pinch of "something" from one of the containers
on the spice shelf makes a meal a true culinary delight. There is no
mystery or secret in using spices. By keeping some simple facts In
mind, in time every cook can make spices work for him and make
meals livelier.
The word "spice" covers a multitude of dry, natural seasonings that
are the main flavorings used in cooking. Five different types of season
ings are included. These are spices, seeds, herbs, vegetable seasonings
and blends.
Spices are the part of plants that usually grow in the tropics. Seeds
are actually seeds or fruits of plants that grow either in tropical or
temperate zones. Herbs are always the leaves of temperate zone plants.
Vegetable seasonings are usually dehydrated, ground vegetables. Blends
are a mixtui-e of various spices, seeds, herbs and vegetable seasonings
used according to some time-honored formula. The manner in which
these different items are used generally determines both the taste and
the color of a dish.
While spices are primarily used to impart flavor to foods, some also
add color to the dishes being prepared. This extra factor can be used
to help dress up a meal. The flavor that is tiansfcrrcd to foods naturally
depends on the spice being used. Only certain spices, such as curry
or cayenne (curry is a blend, cayenne is a spice', actually are "hot."
Many other subtle and distinctive flavors can be added depending on the
spices used. Barbecue spice 'blend) has a piquant flavor with "smoke"
overtones; savory (herb) has a distinctive pleasant and mild flavor,
while fennel 'seed) has a sweet licorice flavor.
When a cook first starts out using spices, there may be a tendency
to use too much. This is based on the belief that the flavor will be
enhanced in direct proportion to the amount used. Actually the
desired flavor-tone comes about through delicate and restrained use
of spices and by letting one spice tone predominate. The best way to
gain a spice-touch is by becoming familiar with the different shades
of the spices.
By dissolving some spice in water for ten minutes and then tasting it,
you can get some Idea of its flavor. Sniffing the aroma and then com
paring this with the taste the spice gives when used in a recipe also
helps. It's all a matter of trial and error; however, the "experimenf*
should be tried out prior to -the actual meal. Too much spice or too
little can make the taste just as awful as if none at all were u.sed.
Spices, herbs and seeds, come in two forms, whole or ground;
vegetable seasonings come either in flake or powder form; blends are
always in powder form. One variety or another of all spices, herbs
and seeds can be added to soups, vegetables, meats, sauces, poultry
and fish. The number that can be used with appetizers, salads, dress
ings, eggs, cheeses, desserts and baked goods is more limited. Blends
and vegetable seasonings are generally used for specific dishes.
Although it's not a spice, Monosodium Glutanate is also included
on shipboard spice, stielves. This is a chenscal that has no taste of its
own but enhances the flavor of other foods and spices. Spice shelves
also include fniit flavor extracts which are used in cakes, desserts and
beverages. Each extract has a specific taste and is used to improve the
flavoring of fruit dishes.
(Comjncnts Ofld suppc.sHotis are invited by this Department and can
be submitted tc this column in care of the SEAFARERS LOG J
*) '
:! fi
Paffe Sixteen SEAFARERS LOG Deeember, 19<1
South American Visitors
A delegation of trade unionists from Ecuador visited SlU
headquarters on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7. Fittingly
enough, the photographer snapped them in front of the me
morial plaque listing Seafarers lost in World War II. The
visitors are in the US on a labor study mission.
Clinic, Surgeons Team
To Save Seafarer's Son
NEW ORLEANS—Thanks to the alert attention of the Sea
farers Welfare Plan Medical Department and the skill of
Tulane University Medical School surgeons, ySung Michael
Crawford is looking forward"^
to playing football next sea
son instead of the dim pros
pect of a life of semi-invalidism,
or worse.
The 14-year-oId son of Seafarer
James P. Crawford is recuperat
ing at his Violet, La., home follow
ing a delicate open-heart operation
pereformed here last month at
Touro Infirmary.
"This probably was the most
dramatic case we have had at the
Seafarers Clinic in New Orleans,"
Dr. A. N. Houston, SIU medical
director here, stated.
Mike was brought to the SIU
clinic for an initial examination
early in October. He had been
turned down in a physical check
up of candidates for his school
football team because of a heart
murmur. He also had a history of
"blacking out" on occasions, which
were increasing in frequency.
Convinced of the seriousne.ss of
the youngster's condition after a
preliminary examination, SIU clin
ic medics referred him to one of
the consulting specialists' associ
ated with the SIU program for
further diagnosis. The need for an
operation was confirmed and Mi
chael's mother chose the Tulane
doctors to perform the complicated
surgery.
The operation was performed
by a five-man team of surgeons
"under total cardiopulmonary by
pass with moderate hypothermia."
In laymen's language, this means
Mike's heart was completely closed
off for 53 minutes. During this
time, blood was circulated through
his body by a mechanical heart
and his body temperature was re
duced to 88 degrees to minimize
the danger of hazardous physical
chemical reactions.
In addition, 14 pints of blood,
drawn from this port's blood bank,
were used during the operation,
which corrected a congenital de
ficiency of one of the main heart
valves,
"Young Mike was a brave and
model patient and contributed a
great deal on his own part to his
recovery," Dr. Houston said. The
entire cost of the operation was
paid for by the SIU Welfard" Plan.
James Crawford has been a
member of the SIU since 1941,
joining In Mobile. He ships as a
bosun and was last on the Del
Sud (Mississippi).
John DriscoH's
Long TB Fight
Comes To End
Driscoll
with
find-
Searfarer John Driscoll died
last month at his Brooklyn home
at the age of 52.
For Driscoll, It meant the end of
a long struggle with tuberculosis,
a disease which
had kept him
hospitalized for
fully 12 years
until last August
11.
Since 1949,
when he was
taken off a tank
er, the Cabins, In
Panama, Driscoll
had battled TB
all the tools doctors could
-surgery, drugs, special treat
ments, even forcing Incite balls
("a little bigger than a ping pong
ball") into his rib cage.
By the time he was released last
summer from the Veterans Admin
istration's West Haven, Conn., hos
pital, surgery had made it impossi
ble for Driscoll to return to sea.
There was no SIU Welfare Plan
at all in 1040 when Driscoll was
drydocked but, when the Plan
went Into effect, he and other long-
term patients were retroactively
covered. As a result, he received
SIU. benefits totalling $10,446.
Driscoll had been an SIU member
sailing in the engine department
since 1947.
During his long period of hos
pitalization, Including ten years at
the now-closed Manhattan Beach
USPHS facility, Driscoll helped
publish a newspaper for the pa
tients, "The Porthole," and served
for years as hospital delegate. He
is survived by his wife, Mary.
SEAFARERS IN DRYDOCK
The following is the latest available list of S.eafarers in hospitals around the country:
USPHS HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
Charles Noble
Enos OU
Truman .Patriquin
Emmet Phelan
Voldemar
Gordon Plica
Thomas Riley
Harold Rivera
Harry Rost
Herbert Shartzer
George Shifflett
Edgar Smith
Wm. Strickland
Joseph Stuntebeck
Samuel Tate
Lawrence Tryon
William Weise
Martin Yager
Frank Bane
Miiiiael Rirrnna
Arthur Botelko
Arthur Brown
Kenneth Brown
G. Buscigiio
Dan Cherry, Jr.
Roscoe Conklin
Henry Davis. Jr.
Edward Denchy
Louis Firlie
Gorman Glaze
James Helgoth
W. Holbrook, Jr.
Paul Huggins
Charles Kellogg
Leon Lowe
Oliver Myers
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAVANNAH. GEORGIA
Delaware Eldemire Clarence Murray
Thomas Jones H. White
USPHS HOSPITAL
GALVESTON, TEXAS
F. A. Cuellar
G. A. J. Gedra
Walton GiRlam
Biirl Haire
H. F. Holmes
C. L. Hippard
Emilia Lerma
Pedro Moreno
David McDuflie
George Meltzer
USPHS HOSPITAL
NEW ORLEANS. LA.
Robert P. Adams Carl Koziol
Chalmers Anderson Clyde Leggett
Hans Peterson
C. M. Parker
Jesse W. Puckett
S. M. Plash
B. B. Pardo
William M. Sliaw
A. G. Sigler
Harold White
Gerry W. Hurst
Jennings Long
A. Lykiardopuulas
Joseph McCabe
Adam McDiarmid
Frazier McQuagge
William Moise
John T. Norton
Robert Oriel
Peter Prestia
John J'reston
Robert Ray
Albert Richoux
Joseph Roy
Daniel Rucker
Donald Sander
William Scarlett
Harold Scott
Morris D. Seigel
T. Simmonds
Murray Smith
Francis Sperry
Ashton Stephens
Joseph Taylor. Jr.
Julius Thompson
William Thornton
Vincent Tividad
Hewie C. Torry
William Wade
Howard Waters
Fritz Widegren
Joesia Wilson
USPHS HOSPITAL
STATEN ISLAND. NY
Antilla Arvo
Paul Arthofer
Robert Bardot
W. J. Barrilleaux
John Blaising. Jr.
Earbie Bracewell
CiilTord Brewster
Clyde Brown
Albert Canter
A. Caragiorigio
John Chapman
Adie Coleman
Thomas Dailey
Thomas Deale
C. Denonden
Joaquin S. Dimas
Albert Doty
G. Edmondson
Harry Emmett
.Tames Finley
William Fleming
Theodore Fortin
Needem Galloway
Giles Glendenning
Alphonse Gonzales
Dale Groves
Carle Harris
Andrew Howard
C. F. JePfers
George Kasprzyk
Edward Knapp
Omar All
Allie Androh
Hurts Binemanis
Joseph Blake
John Bloom
Gorham Bowdre
Cecil Hughes
Rupert .Tackson
.Tames P. .Tones
Charles KInnke
Charles Kirkland
Ralph Knowles
Fructuoso Camaeho Joseph LaPadula
Daniel Cerment
Ho Yee Choe
Thomas Connell
William Connolly
•Tohn Coughlln
George Crabtree
Sidney Day
Napoleon Douglas
Fred Fondila
John Garrison
Nick Gaylord
Stylianos Goumas
Hemsley Guinier
Frank Hanacheck
Francis Hannaford
.Tamn Helms
John Hoffman
Michael Lubas
Herman Meyer
A. Mohamed
Robert. Murdock
John Pasko
Donald Peterson
Theodore Phillips
Eugene I>lahn
John Murphy
Harry Price
Isaac Romero
Herman Sampson
James Sherlock
Edward Sherris
Erich Sommer
Nick Taska
John Williams
Hospital Visit
A welcom# tonic any time.
Thanksgiving Day was the oc
casion for a hospital visit by
Seafarer Al RidS to dry-
docked ex-shipmate Pete
Prestea. They're showii on
the lawn of the New Orleans
USPHS facility.
Physical Exams-r All SIU Clinics
October, 1961
Port Seamen Wives Children TOTAL
Baltimore 10 6 122
Houston 8 0 121
Mobile 16 5 66
New Orleans .. 14 17 254
New York 13 21 429
TOTAL 61 49 992
USPHS HOSPITAL
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
James Case, Jr. Frank McCloud
Myron Ganiah WiUiam MerriU
Joseph Howell A. J. Murden ,
Fenton Kimball Robert Singleton
USPHS HOSPITAL '
SEATTLE. WASH.
Louis Bernier C. P. Thompson
John Eaton AUred Yarborough
Henry Keano ,
USPHS HOSPITAL
BRIGHTON, MASS.
George Brazil Chas. Robinson
William Dyer John Santos
Ammon Page Alfred Duggan
MOUNT WILSON STATE'HOSPITAL
MOUNT WILSON, MD.
George Lesnansky
CULLEN STATE HOSPITAL
CULLEN, MD.
Alvino Terrazas
CHARITY HOSPITAL
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
Carl'S. Gibbs
USPHS HOSPITAL
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Benjamin Deibler James Rist
Abe Gordon David Sperry
Thomas Lehay Bozo Zelencle
Max Olson
USPHS HOSPITAL
MEMPHIS. TENNESSEE
Albert DeForest George Graham
SAILORS' SNUG HARBOR
STATEN ISLAND. NY
Alberto Gutierrez Thomas Isaksen
VA HOSPITAL
WEST HAVEN. CONN.
James Gorman
VA HOSPITAL
KERRVILLE, TEXAS
WUlard T. Cahlll
VA HOSPITAL
IOWA CITY. IOWA
Eric L. Hoffman
PINE CREST HAVEN
COVINGTON. LA.
Frank Martin
US SOLDIERS HOME
WASHINGTON. DC
William Thomson
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAN FRANCISCO. CALIF
Stokes Ayers
Charles Bush
Wm. Mcllveen
Lucien Elle
Harold Ferguson
L. Knickerbocker
Charles Lane
TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL
TAMPA, FLORIDA
Dennis H. Brazell
Harry Lowther
Phillip Mason
Chas. Neukirchner
Winford Powell
Richard Ripley
William Williams
/'
SIU Blood Bank Inventory
November, 1961
Previous Pints Pints TOTAL
Port Balance Credited Used ON HAND
Boston 0 5 0 9
New York 93 32 28 97
Philadelphia 38 50 4 84
Baltimore 39 12. 8 43
Norfolk 16 0 0 18
Jacksonville 28 4 0 32
Tampa 0 2 0 2
Mobile 32 0 2 30
New Orleans 20 15 28 17
Houston 3Vi 5 • 5 3V4
Wilmington 20 0 0 20
San Francisco ' (7)'* 0 7 (14)•
Seattle ...15 . 0 0 15
TOTAL 297V4 125 ^ 82"" 350V9
* Figures in parenthesis ( ) indicate shortage to be made up
To obtain SIU Blood Bank information or a donor card,
contact any SIU hall. All emergency needs anywhere in the
US can be serviced via local SIU banks or headquarters.
SIU Welfare, Vacation Plans
Cash Benefits Paid
October 16-November 15, 1961
CLAIMS AMOUNT PAID '
Hospital Benefits (Welfare).... 10481 $51,249.28 (
Death Benefits (Welfare)..... 8 28,500.00 ^
Disability Benefits (Welfare) .. 217 32,400.00
Maternity Benefits (Welfare) .. 56 11,200.00
Dependents Benefits (Welfare). 198 52,854.80
Optical Benefits' (Welfare).... 221 2,031.99
Outpatient benefits (Welfare).. 314 25,370.00
Summary (Welfare) 11495 $203,606,07
Vacation Benefits 1310 $207,119.34
TOTAL WELFARE, VACATION
BENEFITS PAID THIS PERIOD... 12805 $410,725.21
DcMMfctr, Iffl SEAFARERS LOG Pate Seventees
Seafarers Konstant M. Kain, 72 (left), and Eriing Hansen, 71,
flank Joe Volpian, SlU social security director, as they show
off checks marking first $150 pension payments.
Six More Veteran Seamen
Join SlU Pension Ranks
Six more veteran Seafarers—three with seatime extending
back to the 1920's—have been added to the ranks of Union
oldtimers retired on SIU pensions by trustee action.
Latest to receive the life-^ receive
time $150 monthly pension
payments are: Jose G.
Galarza, Eriing Hansen, Kon-
Btant Kain, Walter T. Noel, Ernst
O. Ohlsson and David Russell.
Born in Argentina 65 years ago.
Brother Galarza started sailing In
1924 and joined the SIU when it
Golana Noel
Ohlsson Russell
was organized In 1938. Generally
chipping as an AB from Gulf ports,
bis last vessel was the Del Norte
(Mississippi) in August. A son,
Joseph, of New Orleans, La., is
bis next of kin.
Hails From Norway
Brother Hansen is now 71,
originally from Norway and his
sailing days also go back to 1924.
A member of the SIU since 1941,
be's a black gang member and paid
off his last ship, the Seatrain New
York (Seatrain), in October. He
has a brother, John Hansen, in
Branchville, NJ.
Another 20-year-veteran of the
SIU, Joining in Baltimore in 1941,
Brother Kain first went to sea in
1928 from his native Estonia. Sail
ing in the engine department, his
last ship was the Ocean Deborah
(Ocean Transport) in November,
1960. He has been beached since
then due to Illness. He makes his
home with an uncle, Jack Idlas, in
Florham Park, NJ.
Two Yean Continuous Service
After almost two years of con
tinuous service on the Monarch
of the Seas (Waterman), Brother
Noel signed off in February. The
49-year-old black gang member
now lives with a brother, Ben, in
Mobile, Ala. He first started sail
ing with the SIU in 1944.
Born in Sweden, Brother Ohls
son, 65, joined the SIU in 1939
after six years of sailing in for
eign bottoms. He signed off his last
ship, the Alcoa Partner (Alcoa) in
April while in the engine depart
ment. Listed as next of kin is a
sister, Hildur Ohlsson, of Kalmar,
Sweden.
A member of the SIU since 1944,
Brother Russell paid off his last
ship the Robin Gray (Moore-Mc-
Cormack), in May. The 63-year-old
steward department member, who
was born in Jamaica, BWI, now
resides with his-wife, Gwendelyn,
in New York City.
Fifth Pint
Off the Steel Worker, Sea
farer R. j. Landry takes a nip
of medicinal spirits after do
nating his fifth pint of blood
at SIU clinic in Brooklyn.
Eddie Field is the technician.
300 Receive Benefits
S&A Aid Tops $50,000
With the launching of the Sickness and Accident program successfully completed, the
SIU Welfare Plan has so far paid over $50,000 in cash benefits to some 300 Seafarers idled
by off-the-job illness or injury. The new benefit program began in October.
A major advance for SIU"*"
men, the S&A plan provides
the first benefits of amy kind
for outpatients not receiving main
tenance and cure. Payments are
provided for up to 39 weeks in any
combination of inpatient and out
patient time for a single illness
or injury during the year.
Outpatients released from a hos
pital automatically qualify for the
$56 weekly benefit for the rest of
the combined 39-week-period. Sea
farers who have not been hos
pitalized must accumulate a full
week on outpatient status and, if
not receiving maintenance and
cure, collect S&A benefits retro
active to the fifth day of disability.
Benefits are paid up to the 39-
week-iimit from then on.
The successful operation of the
program in all ports adds im
portant new protection for Sea
farers. Typical of such instances is
the example of Seafarer Alfred L.
Yarborough Abualy
Yarborough, on the West Coast,
who recently underwent a bunion-
ectomy at the Seattle U5PHS hos
pital. Unable to return to work,
Yarborough drew S&A payments
as an outpatient until he received
his "fit for duty." Shipping with
Joseph Volpian, Social Security Director
Labor Presses Fight For Social Goais
While it, is to be expecred that progressive social legislation will face
a tougher fight in state capitals than in Washington, the record of
the states in the past legislative year was a dim one Indeed. Even more
difficulties are indicated in the months ahead. A report to the recent
AFL-CIO convention bears this out.
Only 19 states raised jobless benefits during the latest legislative
session. Most of the gains were modest ones conditioned on higher
eligibility requirements. At the same time, only four states extended
the duration of benefits, despite continuing high unemployment in
many sections of the country.
No state as yet has met what the AFL-CIO considers to be minimum
goals in the way of unemployment protection. If Federal aid Is not
forthcoming, few. If any, states will ever offer average benefits equal
to two-thirds of normal wages, which is the AFL-CIO's suggested mini
mum goal for a period of up to 39 weeks.
To insure the continued vitality of the state jobless program, the
convention called for nationwide Federal standards to correct "basic
deficiencies" In the state programs. It noted that only a minority of
workers covered by state unemployment laws are now eligible for
benefits equal to as much as half their wages. "This falls far short
of the standards Incorporated when the system began," the Federation
said.
In the minimum wage area—and improvements In this field can be
made without Federal help by the simple passage of state minimum
wage laws—only three states reported increases over their past basic
rates. Two states, Washington and Connecticut, followed the Federal
pattern mid raised minimums to $1.25 in two steps. New York State
adopted a $1 minimum, with provisions for higher rates to be set by
wage boards in different Industries.
On the Federal front, the convention proposed a number of measures
to achieve full recovery and full employment. It urged an attack on
the "hard core" long-term unemployment problem along the lines of
an area redevelopment program. This would include a Federal project
of retraining the jobless and updating work skills plus Government
payments during training. Aid would be provided for relocating work
ers in new job areas.
Health care for the aged was described as "a very definite must" on
the AFL-ClO's legislative program as the convention voted a strong
endorsement of the Anderson-King bill.
The resolution declared that neither private insurance nor the pub
lic assistance approach of the Kerr-Mills Act of 1960 has met the test
of providing "the broad protection required for the great majority of
the aged who have low incomes."
The only practical way to handle this sort of a situation is to place
It under social security where people will build up over the years the
equity that is needed when they get on in years and have these serious
illnesses."
An economic and legislative conference has been summoned by the
AFL-CIO to urge the 87th Congress to move on the unresolved prob
lems facing the country, including health care for the aged. Tlie con
ference will be held January 22 in Washington to "dramatize the im
portance of the economic and social problems, led by unemployment,
which confront our nation today."
{Comments and suggestions are invited by the Department and can
be submitted to this column care oj the SEAFAREHS LOG.) .j
the SIU since 1945, he paid off at
a BR on the Vivian (Maritim*
Overseas) during October.
Last aboard the Cities Servic*
Miami in August, Edmund Abualy,
DM, jammed his right hand against
the wheel of a car while driving in
Woodbury, NJ, and fractured a
finger. He received treatment at
Underwood Hospital in Woodbury
and began receiving S&A payments
after filing at the Philadelphia
hall. Abualy has been sailing with
the SIU since 1941.
Both agree with all Seafarers
that the new program is "a big^
help" and a welcome gain in SIU*
welfare benefits.
Chatting in the Wilmington
hall after filing S&A forms,
steward department members
John Pllapil and William Blair
(with cane) both have re
ceived $56 weekly benefits.
Urge Early Bid
On SGholarship
Seafarers still have time to apply
on behalf of themselves or their
children for one of the five $6,000
SIU scholarships to be awarded in
1962, but they must act soon to
be eligible.
So far, 42 scholarship applica
tions have been received by the
Seafarers Welfare Plan. Applicants
must have all forms completed and
submitted before the Scholarship
Awards Committee meets in May.
The awards cover four years of
study in any field. Forty-three
have been granted since 1953.
An important factor in the com
mittee's determination of the an
nual scholarship winners is each
candidate's score on the College
Entrance Examination Board tests.
Only two CEEB tests are sched
uled before the committee meets.
Arrangements to take the tests,
which are to be given throughout
the country on January 13 and
March 3. must be made early to
fulfill eligibility requirements.
Other requirements include
three years' SIU seatime by a Sea
farer applying on his own behalf
or for a child; three letters of ref
erence; an autobiographical state
ment and completion of a scholar
ship questionnaire.
Application forms plus informa
tion on taking the CEEB test is
available from the SIU Welfare
Plan. 17 Battery Place, New York
4, NY.
/
VI
Par* Eighteea SEAFARERS LOG D««emb«r, 19ffl
DEPiLRTMBNT
night before, and .many good re
solves are sworn to during the
trying hours of the hangover, but
I'm sure it will happen again.
There may not be any pockets
in a shroud, Ifht If you have money
to burn, you "can take It with
you."
{Comments and suggestions are
invited by the Department and can
be submitted to this column care
of the SEAFARERS LOG).
65 Years At Sea
Hansen, 88,
Passes On
Joseph B. Logae, MD, Medical Director
Beware Of The Holiday Hangover
As the holiday season approaches, we naturally think of gifts, pres
ents, religious activities, Santa Claus perhaps, as well as many other
traditions of Christmas and the New Year. These ere usually all very
pleasant, even though oftentimes very expensive.
But what about the "hangover"—not the financial one which is
usually a sufficient headache, but the hangover from the excessive
consumption of alcohol during these celebrations.
There has been much progress In the treatment and eradication
of diseases which have plagued mankind during the centuries. How
ever, there has been little progress in the treatment of the hang
over since man first discovered alcohol. It's like the weather—
everybody knows and talks about the hangover, but no one seems to
do much about it.
Doctors do not give much consideration to hangovers; neither do
your friends, as they apparently feel that It is self-induced and that
^ou should also pay the piper. Despite the old wives' tales, there also is
no sure cure for the hangover.
What happens to you when you wake up with a hangover Is very
definite. Your metabolism has been knocked off balance due to excess
consumption of alcohol. The alcohol has been distributed throughout
your entire body where 95% is completely oxidized, mainly in the
liver. As a result of this rapid oxidation, the glucose-insulin balance
in the blood Is disturbed with other end-products of metabolism which
produce the toxic effects experi
enced the morning after.
Not A Stimulant
Although alcohol appears to
stimulate a person, it is as a mat
ter of fact a depressant or in
hibitor. What the average person
assumes to be stimulation is really
the depressant effect on the in
hibitory brain control of behavior.
Thus, there is an increase of the
pulse rate; a flushing of the face
and an abolition of inhibitions,
with am increase in activity both
vocal and otherwise, so that one
exhausts himself both physically
and psychologically. Thus, the
tired and exhausted feeling on
the morning after.
According to some authorities,
there are at least 2,000 different
drinks, and at least that many
cures for the hangover, none of
them very efficient. There is an
interesting story published about
a young man who had a "sure
cure." The young man would go
Into the bathroom, turn on the hot
water and, as the steam would
accumulate, he would jump up and
down like a demon. After this, he
would think himself cured and go
to the office. This worked for a
while, but one morning during this
treatment, he dropped dead.
Many other "cures" fpr the hang
over can be listed. These include
the Turkish bath and exotic con
coctions such as clam juice. Bugle-
week and wild lettuce.
The "hair of the dog" Is prob
ably one of the most universal
cures of the hangover. A friend
of mine thought this the best, but
he had to modify his method. He
would take it straight, and If the
first few bounced, he was not too
perturbed because, once he was
abie to retain one, he had it made.
Probably the most popular cure
for the hangover, and of fairly
recent vintage, are the Bloody
Mary, the Screwdriver, or some
of the many combinations of
Vodka, fruit juices and bitters or
Worcestershire sauce.
Other remedies for the hangover
include a wide variety of medica
tions containing vitamins, combi
nations of amphetamines and amo-
barbital which are supposed to be
excellent in weight reduction
regime, but are probably better
as a hangover remedy.
There is the other school of
hangover fadist who believes an
ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure; who load them
selves with everything from olive
oil to steaks and fruit juices. This
probably at least slows the ab
sorption of the alcohol.
An ice pack and the usual head
ache remedies are all good, but
let's face it: It takes time and
fluids to repair the damages of the
DEPARTURES
All the following SIU families have received a $200 maternity benefit plus a $25
bond from the Union in the baby's name, representing a total of $7,200 in maternity
benefits and a maturity value of $900 in bonds:
Veteran Seafarer Edward K.
"Pop" Hansen, 88, who probably,
set some kind of record by sailing
for 65 years, died on October 28
at the Lutheran Medical Center in
Brooklyn, NY. Hansen last shipped
in 1952 at the age of 79 and retired
on an SIU pension. Burial was in
Evergreen Cemetery, Brooklyn.
i> t> i-
The sea was Edward Hansen's
life.
His romance with the deep
started in 1887 when he began
sailing the cold
fjords of his na
tive Norway on
fishing boats at
14 years of age.
In those days,
sailing meant
wind power and
long hard climbs
aloft to haul
down the yards
of canvas.
In the tradition of his Viking
forbears, he later sailed on coast
ers and then deep-sea ships. For
35 years he sailed foreign-flag
ships, first in sail, then steam. In
1925 he began shipping in Ameri
can-flag vessels, and when the
SIU was founded in 1938, he threw
in with the new union and joined
up in New York.
He shipped out as a carpenter
and continued to sail for 14 more
years until, after 65 years of sea-
time, he was permanently beached.
"I'd go back tomorrow If the doc
tors would let me," he said after
he signed off his last ship, the
Robin Mowbray, at Baltimore in
1952.
One of the first Seafarers to go
on an SIU pension, Hansen re
mained close to the sea thereafter.
He made his home in Brooklyn
where he could watch the ships
entering and leaving New York.
Hansen
Carla Gomez, born September
16, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Francis Gomez, Mobile, Ala.
Michael Wayne Annis, born May
22, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
George F. Annls, New Orleans, La.
Wade Fuller, born July 18,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Jerry
Fuller, Houston, Texas.
Mary Beth Perry, born Septem
ber 20, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Raymond Perry, Jr., Salem, NJ.
Allen Brown, born August 6,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Albert
B. Brown, Brooklyn, NY.
Catherine Bellando, born August
2, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Adolph Bellando, Kenner, La.
Hilda T. Patingo, born July 29,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Eddie
A. Patingo, Sr., New Orleans, La.
Christopher Sullivan, born July
31, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
John V. Sullivan, New York, NY.
Louis Duracher, born September
9, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Louis Duracher, New Orleans, La.
Carol Ann Huszar, born July 81,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Steve
Huszar, Albany, La.
Vance Jaks, born September 26,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Edward
Jaks, El Campo, Texas.
John Wise, born September 26,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Jack
D. Wise, Kill Devil Hills, NC.
Tamara Fraone, born September
19, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Francesco Fraone, Bayonne, NJ.
Darla Fillingim, born September
27, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. 01-
lice Fillingim, Mobile, Ala.
Joan Edmonds, born March 4,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Robert
Edmonds, Baltimore, Md.
Jennie Boyd, born September
28, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Robert Boyd, Houston, Tex.
Nora Garcia, born August 20,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Victor
Garcia, Brooklyn, NY.
Claude Bankston, born April 12,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Claude
Bankston, Jr., Metairie, La.
Vern Gibson, born September
14, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Vern D. Gibson, Mobile, Ala.
Ronald Zaniewski, born July 12,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Edwin
Zaniewski, Akron, Ohio.
John Bramble, born September
28, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Charles Bramble, Atlantic City,
NJ.
Roberta Ladnier, born June 1,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. William
Ladnier, Sr., Coden, Ala.
Krugar Donald, born September
24, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Wil
liam Donald, Norfolk, Va.
Christine Bernhard, born August
15, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Her
bert Bernhard, Pelham, NY.
Tanela Faircloth, born October
13, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. John
Faircloth, Mobile, Ala.
Jonnie Benedict, born Septem
ber 23, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
John Benedict, New Orleans, La.
Kenneth Wallace, born Septem
ber 23, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Edward Wallace, Brooklyn, NY.
Eddrice Webb, born September
7, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Ed
ward Webb, Mobile, Ala.
Michele Consoli, born August
26, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Wal
ter Consoli, Clifton, NJ.
Richard Wilbum, born August
17, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs,
Richard Wilburn, Galveston, Texas.
Chery Ann Goodnick, born Oc
tober 15, 1961, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Robert Goodnick, Houston,
Texas.
Louis Landa, born September 9,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Carlos
Landa, Dallas, Texas.
Robert Garza, born September
5, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. An
tonio Garza, Sr., Gretna, La.
Mirtha Ann Bonura, born Oc
tober 22, 1961, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Victor T, Bonura, New Or
leans, La.
Adam Carpenter, born July 27,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Fred
eric Carpenter, New Orleans, La,
Angela Benitez, bom October 6,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. John
Benitez, Tampa, Florida.
The deaths of the following. Seafarers have been report
ed to the Seafarers Welfare Plan and a total of $19,000
in benefits was paid. (Any apparent delay in payment of
claims is normally due to late filing, lack of a benieficiary
card or necessary litigation for the disposition of estates.)
Frederick L. Comerford, 48: A
heart attack was fatal to Brother
Comerford
on October 23,
1961 on the SS
Michael at sea.
He sailed in the
deck department
and joined the
SIU in 1953. His
widow, Mrs.
Hilda D o w n e 8
Comerford, o f
Baltimore, Md., survives. Burial
-was at sea. Total benefit: $4,000.
Mark Hroncich, 63: Brother
Hroncich died of natural causes on
November 1,1961
at St. Clares Hos
pital, New York
City. Ha had
been sailing with
the SIU since
1960. Surviving is
his widow, Mrs.
Milka Hroncich,
of Union City,
NJ. Burial was in
Madonna Cemetery, Fort Lee, NJ.
Total benefit: $4,000.
Peter King, 52: Brother King
died of an intestinal ailment on
October 28, 1961
at the USPHS
Hospital, Boston,
Mass. Ha was a
member of the
SIU since 1938
and shipped in
the steward de
partment. Surviv
ing is his widow,
Mrs. May King,
of Boston, Mass, Burial was at Mt.
Hope, Boston, Mass. Total benefit:
$500.
Walter S? Si^th, ^4: Brother
Smith died of a heart attack on
July 11, 1961
while aboard the
SS Timber Hitch
at Capetown,
South Africa. Ha
had sailed with
the SIU in tha
en gin a depart
ment since 1950.
His widow, Mrs.
Agnes H. Smith,,
of Dade City, Florida, survives.
Burial was in the Dade City "Ceme
tery. Total benefit: $4,000.
4" 4" 4"
John F. Dixon, 52: Brother Dixon
died of burns suffered in a house
fire on Septem
ber 5, 1961 in Co
lumbia, SC. He
was a member of
the SfU since
1943, sailing in
the engine de
partment. Sur
viving is his
mother, Mrs. Em
ma P.. Dixon, of
Lykesland, SC. Interment was in
Columbia Cemetery at Columbia,
SC. Total benefit: $500.
Edward Boyle, 51: Brother Boyla
died in an accident ashore at Bos
ton, Mass., on
November 6,
1961. He joined
the SIU in 1953
and had shipped
in the steward
department. No
survivors were
listed. Burial was
in St. Josephs'
Cemetary, West
Roxbury, Mass. Total benefit: $fO«i.
$• t> 3i>
John G. Gregory, 54: A liver ail
ment caused the death of Brother
Gregory on Sep
tember 19, 1961
while aboard the
Penn Transporter
in Brindisi, Italy.
He had been sail
ing in the SIU
steward depart
ment since 1953.
Surviving is a
daughter, Mrs.
Anilee Doska Irvine, of Santa Ana,
California. Burial was in Brindisi.
Total benefit: $500.
t 4"
James Brasfield, 43: Brother
Brasfield died of bronchial asthma
on November 7,
1961 in South
Baltimore Gen
eral Hospital,
Baltimore, M d.
He had been sail
ing SIU ships
since 1942 in tha
steward depart
ment. His wife,
Mrs. Ida M. Bras
field, of New York City, survives.
Burial was in Ferncliff Cemetery,
NY. Total benefit: $4,000.
4 4 it
Eugene B. Hunt, 64: Heart dis
ease was fatal to Brother Hunt on
October 31, 1961
at the USPHS
Hospital, Galves
ton, Texas. H e
Joined the SIU in
1951, sailing in
the steward de
partment. His
widow, Mrs. Nora
Hunt of Basile,
La., survives.
Burial was in Basile Cemetery,
Eunice, La. Total benefit: $500.
4 4 4
Clarence Morehead, 29: Brother
Morehead died of a long ailment
on September 22,
1960 at the
USPHS Hospital,
New Orleans, La.
He had sailed for
a short time with
the SIU during
1960 in the deck
department. His
mother, Mrs.
Dulcle Lee Yates
Vaiden, Mississippi, survives. of
B:;ri8l was in Kosciusko,
Total benefit: $500.
Miss.
December, 1901 SEAFARERS LOG Paee Nineteea
Gang on the Erna Elizabeth who got a vote of thanks' for a
job well done, include (l-r) P. Franco, 2nd cook; Samuel
Doyle, steward; P. Foster, chief cook; G. Parker, 3rd cook.
LOG-A-RHYTHM:
Old-Fashioned
Christmas
By Roy Fleischer
Giuc me an old fashioned Christ
mas
With holly and mistletoe
And Santa Clous in the chimney
As reindeers wait in the snow,
Give me tinsel, red and green.
And logs that glitter like gold.
No pastel shad-es, no modern art,
Just colors bright and bold.
Candles and wreaths in the
vnndows,
A Christmas tree in the den,
A couple of starry-eyed children
To open the gifts I send.
While the cold weather and the holiday season Is at hand a number of Seafarers are
off on the other side of the equator enjoying sunshine and high temperatures.
The crew of the Sword Knot (Suwannee) sent the following report from Capetown,
South Africa: "We enjoyed a^
21-day-stay in Capetown;
many love affairs blossomed,
but as yet there are no /narriages
to report. We all enjo^d cordial
relations with the South African
port authorities, and the ship's
chandler worked smoothly with the
cooks in getting 120 days worth of
•tores stowed away.
"We had what has to be called
an excellent berthing area at the
Union-Castle docks. We recom
mend it to all our brothers be
cause it affords crewmembers with
an excellent view of pretty passen
gers leaving other ships."
They finished off by asking:
"How is the weather in the
States?" Anybody care to answer?
t -it 4"
Making the most of an idle
•hip's fund while the Atlas (Tank
ers & Tramps) was tied up in
Mobile recently, the gang voted to
present the entire treasury to the
local chapter of the Salvation
Army. Ship's reporter H. G. Horo
witz recorded the event, comment
ing on the crew's general feeling
that the "money would then be put
to some good use." A Salvation
Army representative accepted the
gift with many thanks.
4" 4- t
Aboard the Coastal Crusader
(Suwannee), the crew is looking
forward to an old-time barbecue.
They've already donated $l-a-maA
to finance a supply of charcoal. All
they need now are the franks and
they're all set. Don't forget the
mustard, fellas. '
4" 41 4"
The crew of the Frances (Bull)
has had a serious wave of "bulb-
snatching" aboard ship. Things
weren't too bad until someone
snatched the bulb from the head.
John Chlaramonte, pantryman,'was part of the Sword Knot
crew that enjayed the warm weather during a visit to Cape
town, South Atrica. An unidentified vessel and famed Table
Top Mountain make up the background.
It was recommended at this point
that crewmembers ask the electri
cian for another bulb instead of
snatching what was available. "A
head without a bulb is like a ship
without a rudder," someone re
marked.
4> 4" 4«
The Panoceanio Faith (Pan-
oceanic) is having hot water
troubles. Everyone enjoys lots of
hot water, but not when it's coming
out of the water cooler. At last
report, the crew was laying in a
good supply of teabags.
4" 4" 4-
The gang on the Coe Victory
(Victory Carriers) has voted to do
a good turn for an old shipmate.
Following a request by the ship's
bosun, the crew voted unanimously
to supply disabled oldtimer Char
lie Rogers with an old TV set to
work on. "It will keep him occu
pied," the crew noted, "and do
some good at the same time.
4" 4" 4^
Thanksgiving must have been
quite a day for the crew of the
Fairland (Sea-Land). The men
voted to use the ship's fund» to
supply rum for a large bowl of
egg nog. When this crew talks
about turkey and all the fixings,
it means what it says.
4" 4" 4"
Aboard the Hurricane (Water
man), the crew reports that it
donated the old books from the
ship's library to the Seaman's Club
in Rotterdam, Holland. The books
were warmly accepted by a repre
sentative of the club with grateful
thanks to the SIU crew.
ROBIN KIRK (Robin- Line), Septem
ber 25—Chelrman, T. M. Hedlund;
Secretary, A. Perklnt. S15.50 in treas
ury. No beefs reported by depart
ment delegates. T. M. Hedlund elected
ship's delegate. Discussion on use of
voting machines in aU future SIU
elections.
LUCILE BL00MF1ELD (Bloomfteld),
August 4—Chairman, Joe Compon;
Secretary, H. Huston. $18.00 in treas
ury. Sime OT di.sp'Jted. No beefs re
ported by delegates. The next nego-.
tiating committee should try to get
some action on time off in continental
US ports. Discussion on the continued
use of fish oil on decks in place of
prepared deck coating that has been
IP
Ita
furnished. Letter to be sent to safety
director Joe Algina. See the patrol
man on arrival to find out why more
small bills are not put in the ship's
bank. There is never enough small
bills for draws in foreign ports.
PETROCHEM (Valentine), Sept. 4—
Chairman, K. Hatgimisisios; Secretary,
J. R. Prestwood. Ship's delegate re
ported three men missed ship from
Port Neches to Pasadena: sailed two
men short from Pasadena. No beefs
and no disputed OT. S17.50 left in
ship's fund. See about fumigating for
roaches and bedbugs. Request 4-8
watch's supper be served a little
earlier. Crew asked to keep messhall
cleaner at night and bring cots off
deck in port.
GLOBE PROGRESS (Maritime Over
seas), no date—Chairman, Stanley F.
Schuyler; Secretary, Andy Noah. Some
repairs being taken care of aboard
ship; others will be brought up to the
captain again. Andrew Lutaves
elected new ship's delegate. No money
in ship's fund. No beefs reported.
Bunks and bunk lights to be repaired,
but cannot be repaired aboard with
out welding equipment. Too much
chlorine in the fresh drinking water.
JOSEFINA (Liberty Navigation),
July 29—Chairman, J. P. Ahern; Sec
retary, C. L. Shirah. R. Dariey was
elected ship's delegate. No beefs re
ported. Discussed repair list from
previous voyage.
ROBIN LOCKSLEY (Robin Line),
Aug. 20—Chairman, Paul M. Meth;
Secretary, Harry Harrison. Subsistence
beef will be taken up with patrolman.
Four men misscu shin (iur-n -. (he irip.
Reported $16.?.=) in s'lin s fund: S'O to
be repaid to the bosun. Union to see
what can be done to get more experi
enced men aboard these ships. Crew
not receiving the LOG or other Union
data regularly. Find out from mem
bers of the food committee ashore
how long leftovers can be kept in the
meat box. Discussion on whether pas
sengers were getting Koolaid while
the crew was not getting same.
BIENVILLE (Sea-Land), Aug. 6—
Chairman, J. Henry; Secretary, R.
O'Rourke. Ship's delegate reported
one man left in hospital in Houston.
$24.71 in ship's fund. No beefs re
ported by department delegates. Crew
asked to take care when using wash
ing machine. Steward to order auto
matic timer for same.
MOUNT VERNON VICTORY (Mt.
Vernon Tanker), October 8—Chair
man, Louis W. Pepper; Secretary,
Jack Murray. Election held for a new
ship's delegate. No beefs reported by
department delegates.
THETIS (Rye Marine), September 9
—Chairman, W. Johnson; Secretary,
R. Schultz. Ship Is due to return to
New York and a complete slopchest
will be put aboard then. Any question
about transportation will be brought
up before the patrolman while in
Wilmington. Motion to collect $1 from
each crewmembcr for a ship's fund.
No beefs reported by department
delegates. Some sort of 3-way com
munication system should be installed
In the galley, as excessive noise and
vibration makes taking orders ex
tremely difficult. Bosun elected ship's
treasurer. Another fan promised for
the crew messroom. Return cups to
the pantry. Sanitary men to rotate
cleaning of laundry. Crewmembers
asked not to linger In messroom at
meal time: first three seats to be kept
open for the watch. Motion made to'
procure a softer brand of toilet tissue,
DEL ORG (Mississippi), September
30—Chairman, James Stewart; Secre
tary, Dick Grant. Ship's delegate re
ported everything running smoothly,
except air conditioner not functioning
properly. Suggested crew make up
list of items for the patrolman to
cover working rules for this ship, the
Del Sol and Del Rio. Motion to in.sert
provi.sions in new agreement re time
off in port and to make some chan.pes
regarding breaking of watches for
engine and deck departments. Negoti
ating committee should look into
present situation re oilers being
knocked off weekends in port. All
hands should cooperate to keep pan
tries and recreation room clean at
all times. Vote of thanks to steward
department.
MT. VERNON VICTORY (ML Vernon
Tanker), October 30—Chairman, Elmer
Lamb; Secretary, Louis Pepper. I.amb
was elected ship's delegate. No beefs
reported. Discussion re wage increase
for men on super tankers, based on
horsepower and tonnage of cargo, and
increase in manning scale. Will send
letter to headquarters and bring these
items to the attention of the negoti
ating commitce.
DEL SOL (Mississippi), September
10—Chairman, J. Catalanetto; Secre
tary, J. Zimmer. Retiring ship's dele
gate notified the brothers of captain's
request that if any member of the
crew decided to get off in Houston,
he shouldn't sign foreign articles. £29
in ship's fund. .No beefs reported. .Mo
tion to transfer m-vie fun'' into st-'n's
fund. Roy R. Thomas elected new
ship's delegate. Ice-making machine
and refrigerator to be put in order
and, if not done promptly by the chief
engineer, will refer directly to the
captain for action.
IBERVILLE (Waterman), October 22
—Chairman, Horace Carmichael; Sec
retary, William R. Cameron. Discus
sion on crew relation with topside.
Only 66 cents in treasury. No beefs
reported. Motion that better merchan
dise be put in slopchest. Launch serv
ice schedule to be checked with mate.
Suggestion to have hanger made for
the recreation room aft for hanging
winter gear. No gear to be hanging
in crew mess.
MASSMAR (Calmar), October 15—
Chairman, R. L. Morrow; Secretary,
none. Everything running smooth. .411
foc'sles painted except one in engine
dep.nrtment which will be sougeed.
Change in brand of canned milk re
quested; present brand has a tend
ency to sour. All mattresses need re
placing and have been ordered.
TITAN (Overseas Oil Transport),
September 17—Chairman, John Lamb;
Secretary, E. Hannon. Walter Pritch-
ett elected new ship's delegate. No
beefs reported. Ship is supposed to go
to Persian Gulf to load. Discussion on
status of class B & class C men. Crew
requests cold drinks be put on table
in one pitcher and ice in another one.
Fix hooks on screen doors aft to
keep them from swinging at sea.
Don't unplug boxes in pantry. Wring
er needs to , be nxed. New hose
needed.
ALCOA PILGRIM (Alcoa), October 8
—Chairman, A. H. Anderson; Secre
tary, S. T. Arales. No beefs reported
by department delegates. .Members
suggest that messroom needs painting.
Vote of thanks to the steward depart
ment especially for the superb baking
•by the baker.
DOROTHY (Bull), October 8—Chair
man, P. C. Johnson; Secretary, none.
No beefs reported by department
delegates. New faucets needed for
washroom.
SEATRAIN NEW JERSEY (Sea-
train), September 29—Chairman, Reii-
ley; Secretary, Walker. Ship's delegate
stated that there was a little disputed
overtime in the black gang. See
patrolman about weekend OT for
steward department re sougeeing
laundry room. Burkeen elected treas
urer. More milk should be put aboard.
Crew told that watch table is for
watch only. Request hotplate for soup
In messhall.
CITIES SERVICE NORFOLK (Cities
Service), July 12—Chairman, Ted
Jones; Secretary, Dan Beard. See cap
tain about ordering wind chutes. Call
hall for sufficient OT sheets and a
library. $1.63 in treasury. T. Ynr-
brough elected new ship's delegate.
Caps should be worn in galley; hair
•found in pot pie and soup. Smoking
by food handlers should be stopped.
Better grade of steak meat suggested.
No other beefs reported by depart
ment delegates.
HA/e you £vfee rhiOO^ffT/ —TO A PlBASAf^
COMING HOMBBVB/zy
NieMr..4ETc.,Brc
Pace Twenly SEAFARERS LOG BeeenAcr. Itfl
One of Sea-Land's infercoastal vessels, the SlU-manned
Chafhemi is pictured on the dock at Portland, Oregon.
Chatham Hit Cows
In Typhoon's Wake
{This article was submitted from the Chatham ship's reporter
David D. Backrak.)
The SS Chatham, operated by Sea-Land Service with
two other chartered vessels, represents another step for
ward in the maritime industry—a revival of intercoastal
service.
According to accounts previously published in the LOG, this
company plans to use containerships as soon as they are converted.
In light of this, intercoastal shipping seems to be picking up again,
and this is good news for all Seafarers who like to stick close
to a shoreside home.
In command of our vessel, the Chatham, we have Captain
Martin Soinordal, formerly of, the Chickasaw. Some Seafarers
also may remember him as the skipper of the Fairland before
she was turned into a trailership. Our chief mate is Vernon B.
MacFadden. Settling a beef with these two gentlemen is almost
• pleasure.
Chief steward Kris Nielsen runs his department without raising
his voice. It sure feels good to see the messhall spotless, the
pantry clean, and the galley operating efficiently without a lot of
griping and growling going on.
Bosun Harry Larsen, out of San Bruno, Calif., really knows his
Job, part of which is to give orders. This he does, but without
arousing hard feelings among the crew.
Now for a recent adventure the crew aboard the Chatham sailed
into. Two months ago, while we were sailing through the Pacific
bound for Los Angeles, a grove of palm trees appeared on the
horizon, with their leaves waving just like they do on Hawaii.
Then we began sailing through millions of coconuts bobbing in
the water, and banging against the hull.
This was soon followed by a herd of cows, calmly swimming off
our port side. And occasionally, we had to change course slightly
to avoid two or three log jams.
This isn't the sort of sight a Seafarer expects to run Into in the
middle of the Pacific. And you can be sure that a lot of the crew
suffered from eye-strain and cramped arms from shooting so
much film.
When we reached Los Angeles, we found out that these mid-
ocean mirages were real. They had been caused by a recent typhoon
which had swept trees, cows, coconuts, logs and all into the sea.
Typhoon or not, sights like we had are not seen every day.
"Fji-&raSeaf5fer!
TWe -FOOD AMI>
mr/Mof^sA^ m ymcSIu CAFer^/z/As
ARe e^BAFAP^fZS -
rH£ MBM3Bf2S OF
/A/ THFMB/rf VMB YoU'i^B AT1HE AAU.
Ailins Brother
Thanics Del Norte
To the Editor:
I wish to take this oppor
tunity to thank the delegates
and the crew of the SS Del
Norte <Misstssippi) for the help
and kindness extended to me
while I was in the hospital in
South America.
I was injured aboard the SS
Del Snd (Mississippi) and left
tlie ship for medical attention.
Upon finding out where I was,
the ship's delegates and the
rest of the crew came to my
aid. I want to express my thanks
to all concerned as part of our
great Union.
R. (Jitterbug) Smith
4' 4» 4"
Steel Designer
in Good Shape
To the Editor:
The SS Steel Designer is
presently on the Far East run.
I would like to report that all
hands are cooperating in the
interests of mutual safety, all
in true SIU style.
After the most recent survey,
one of the crew remarked that
this ship is "so safe, it's unbe
lievable." We hope things stay
this way.
Incidently, we came up with a
few ideas to offer, in line with
better conditions for unlicensed
personnel: Lower bunks could
have drawers in them for stow
age of personal effects and lug
gage. Mattresses should all b»
the innerspring type, thus do
ing away with torn sheets and
spreads.
Covers could be made of a
more colorful material to take
the place of the present drab,
grey variety. In addition, many
bunks are without shelves. A
man needs a place to put down
a magazine.
If possible, the addition of a
writing desk in a foc'sle would
be greatly epiH-eelated, even
though the apace la e little
cramped.
Clarence L. Ceedna
» t »
Hails Shipmates
For Past Help
To the Editor:
I wish to take the opportunity
at this time to thank all those
who knew me during the sev
eral years that I sailed on SIU-
All letters to the Editor for
publication in the SEAFARERS
LOG must be signed by the
writer. Karnes will be withheld
upon request.
contracted ships for the help
that they gave me during aU
that time.
I wish you all good luck and
smooth sailing or, as was once
set to music, a "Calm Sea and
a Prosperous Voyage." iSlerry
Christmas and a Happy New
Year to you all.
L. V. Gemghty
t 4. 4
Revised Vacation
Benefit Proposed
To the Editor:
A motion has been made and
carried by the crew of the
Cities Service Norfolk concern
ing a change in the present
ruling which now requires a
man to stay aboard ship one
full year to collect $800 vaca
tion pay.
This motion states that in
stead of serving out the full
year, a man should be allowed
vacation pay of $400 at the end
of six months' continuous sea-
time aboard a vessel. Upon
leaving eald ship, only a lO-day
waiting period Miould be man
datory before the man la al
lowed to re-ship.
Not only do we feel this to
be a more efficient ruling but
we believe it will serve to en
courage a greater turnover in
shipping and therefore offer
more jobs for men on the
beech. This seems more In line
with the original purpose of the
ruling to encourage men to
leave the ship. We are sure
that this proposal would prove
more effective.
David Edwards
B. E. Stockmoa
4 4 4
Savannah Draws
Family's Thanks
To the Editor:
I would like to express deep
thanks from my family and my
self to the crew of the Seatrain
Savannah for the floral offering
and many kind words of sym
pathy during our time of sor
row.
My shipmates and all others
concerned were most genei'ous
following the death of our be
loved mother, Mrs. Euiise E.
Lowe. Many thanks again to all.
Louis E. Lowe
4 4 4
Oldtlmer Sends
Season's Wishes
To the Editor:
Once more I must extend my
heartiest greetings to you, the
officials and directors of our
wonderful Welfare Plan, and
the membership in general.
To you ell a very merry
Christmas and happy New
Year, with wishes of greater
success to our wonderful and
powerful Union in the future.
God bless you all. l' am very
proud to be a part of this or
ganization, even though I have
retired.
George H. Seeberger
Capo under sail to her credit.
At the end of his letter to Miss
Northmore, Captain Peterson
asked," Any nice Aussie lassies left
for me?"
Miss Northmore replied: "Being
in your age group I don't know
what the trend is with the modern
lassies. But in my young days, all
the nice girls loved a sailor." If
such be the case. Captain Peter
son may be on his way to Australia
by now and may be heard from
again from the land "down under."
Scientist Has Face Lifted
Active LOG Contributor Still Active
A few months ago, it seemed that one of the LOG's most frequent correspondents had
lost the wind from his sails for good. This, it turned out, is far from the case for oldtime
skipper R. J. Peterson.
The captain has had his
tales of sailing ships and the
men who sailed them printed
in the pages of the LOG many
times during the past few years.
Thu-s, when a letter with his name
OH it arrived a short while ago, it
was thought that It brought still
another blood-and-thunder yarn
about "the old days."
Instead, Captain Peterson wrote
the following:
"I am nearing 70, so I'd better
get ready. When a wise old skip
per driving hli
ship 'round Cape
Horn is expect
ing a big blow,
with the barom
eter low, he will
shorten sail in
time — and not
keep on, hangin'
on, to gan's'ls
and royals.
I- don't want
to be caught by a black squall and
caught aback with all sail against
the masts, flat and put on beam
ends and turn turtle and go down
In dark night, unseen, xmheard,
unknown."
From this letter, it seemed that
Captain Peterson had reefed his
sails and his typewriter for good.
But, a few weeks later, he wrote
again to inform all hands that he
was now corre'sponding with a
Seafarers aboard the Steel Scientist (Isthmian 1 got out their
It develops that the lady in P-int cans and brushes during a run from the Orient t^he
question, a Miss Northmore, is a "S' CodSt via Panama and, shown at work (i-r), are Frank
certified Cape Horner like the A. Gages, AB, who's brushing the bulkhead, while Tung Foo
captain, with four trips 'round the Sing, AB, paints overhead.
Peterson
VlMl SEAFAnERS 10€ Twca^-Oa*
MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Cor.
rioro), Sept. 3—Chairman, J. 1. Loaton.
fihip'a delegata reported everytMntf
okay. Chief etectfieiart IiiedO motioB
that partolman contact ahip'i offlcera
and make sure wall fans are aboard.
Have ship fumigated.
ORV 1836 (Suwannte), Sept. 7—
Chairman, William G. Heater; Secra.
tary, Leopold Bruco. Ship's delegate
reported ship is going in and a pa
trolman should be on board. Cap^tn
requested replacements. Ship's dele
gate requests sober payoff. a4..!Kl in
ship's fund. Suggested crew should
donate $1 at payoff to fund.
ROCKY POINT (Bull) Sept. J —
Chairman, F. R. Hicks. H. W. Hall
elected new ship's delegate. Crew
to keep as quiet as possible in pas
sageways and. refrain from slamming
doors in order for men oft watch to
get proper rest. Sea patro'man about
having sufficient money on board lor
draws and to put out some before
arrival. This Is customary in the
coastwise trade.
YOUNG AIM ERIC A (Waterman),
Aug. 1»—Chairman, J. Goude; Secre
tary, A. S. Talsn. No beefs reported
by department delegates. Motion made
to remove all dented cans that were
put aboard.
ALCOA PIONESR (Alcoa), Aug. M
—Secretary, Cyril A. Scott. Every
thing running smooth. Crew request
ed to flush toilet after use, flll wash
ing machine to its proper level when
In use and do not wash one T-shirt
at a time. Close laundry door at night
and turn off light so as not to disturb
messmen sleeping.
STEEL ADVOCATE (Isthmian), Sept.
10—Chairman, George Pinkies; Secre
tary, John Reinese. No beefs re
ported. See patrolman in. Frisco about
hot water coming out of cold water
faucets, showers and sink bowls. Be
sure to contact patrolman in regard
to ice machine.
COEUR D'ALENE VICTORY (Vic
tory Carriers), Sept. 1—Chairman, M.
Woods; Secretary, R. McCullech. No
beefs. M. Woods elected new ship's
delegate. See chief engineer about
spigots in crew washbasins, also drain
hose in washing machine. Some mat-
tre.sses in poor condition, l.oik crew
pantry in port and give ke.v to ganff-
w.ny watch. Crew'.s toilet ventilating
system., was blanked oT and the galley
fan is operating at half voltage. This
ship is chartered to TIatson and is
considered by the .-rew as one <rf
the hottest and poorest ventilated
ships around.
MARORE (Ore), Aug. 8—Chairman,
John Mehalev; Secrefery, Wm. C.
Murphy. Chief engineer to order fans
for recreation room and PO mess.
Also repair old fans and give crew
full cooperation on repairs. We are
In need of a new washing machine:
vote of thanks to deck engineer loi
keeping old one operating. No beefs.
A. T. Harrison elected new .ship's
delegate. Request more night lunch
to be made availabl". Items such as
cherry peppers, horseradish and tea
bags requested to be Increased by
pan steward.
EVELYN (Bui!), Aug. 57—Chairman,
Parker Holf; Secretary, C. Conant.
Ship's delegata suggested all mem
bers who have not filled in bene
ficiary cards to do so and he would
mail them in. No beafs. Discussed
the shortage of pitchers in messltalls..
Pitchers ordered by last steward but'
were not on delivery Hat. Will be
re-ordered by new steward.
HEDGE HAVEN (Metro Petroleum),
Sept. 21—Chairman, E. Griffin; Sec
retary, W. J. Barnes. No beefs le-
porietl; by delegatea. Special vole of
thanks to a top-notch, cooperative
SIU crew by the -shin's deleg.sle Jo
seph P. LeBlanc. Motion by N R.
Wright to see patrolman about re
pairs before signing on foreign
articles.
EMILIA (Bull), Sept. 7—Chairman,
Jamas Manner; Secretary, T. W. Ku-
becha. Request chief engineer to sea
about the cold water being hot. No
beefs reported by department dele
gates. Recommendation by .nil hands
that patrolman make sure- ship has a
catwalk built over the deok cargo
before sailing on next trip.
StewarR department received • T«ta
•f thanbg and aroraaaad tta thaakg t«
tfep araw.
COUNCa GROVE (Cities Service),
Sept. 21—Chairman, 6. Swfit; Sacra-
tary, H. Darrow. O. Swift alected cew
shl^s delegate. No beefa reported
by department delegates. Motion
made to draw up repair list.
MGNTAUK (AmarFcsn Bulk), Sept.
36—Chairman, Charfes Jordan; See-
ratary, R. 1. Fagan. No beefs Re-
qucs. to have ship fumigated, see
patrolman about rooms and lockers
being repaired and abjut mall Have
had very bad service. Repair water
iciuntuin. Baking Is improving.
FLOMAR (Caimar), Aug. 9—Chair
men, Jiggs Jeffers; Secretary, Thomas
A. Jackson. No beefs. Reqne.st to
have old washing machine removed
from laundry. .Need toilet paper
holders in deck toilet. Spray In mess-
room to get rid of the flics.
USAF C-50-1816 (Pan American
World Airways), September 3—Chair
man. R. H. Bennett; Secretary, Joseph
Kornlg. Everything running smooth.
R. H. Bennett elected ship's delegate.
Delegate for each department will
turn in repair list to chief engineer.
Ship's delegate to check with chief
on getting crew a coke machine.
Crew had a wonderful time during
voyage: no friction at all.
FLORIDA STATE (Everglades), Sep
tember W—Chairman, Joeaph A. Lev
He; Secretary, Druwerd Moitar. Some
disputed OT, but no other beefs re
ported by department delegates.
Steward to see company about quality-
peaches.
FAIRLAND (Sea-Land), September
19—Chairman, A. T. Arnold; Secre
tary, Welter Newberg. Pete Serano
elected new ship's delegate. $11.09
In treasury. Steward asked to see if
ha could get mosquito repellent for
crew and also If sandwiches could be
improved.
OVERSEAS REBECCA (Maritime
Overseas), September 17—Chairman,
J. D. Mann; Sacretary, Joseph A.
Long. tl.OO in treasury. No beefs re
ported by department delegates. Let
ter to be sent to Union to ask penalty
for non-delivery of mall. Urge head
quarters In NY to look Into food
conditions on Maritime Overseas
vessels, especially the meats. Ask
the company for a better brand of
Ice cream. Need new Ice trays for
icebox, more pitchers for crew mess-
room. Request better toilet paper.
PENN TRADER (Penn Shipping),
September 3—Chairman, J. P. Austin;
Secretary, Daniel Parkman. Every
thing running smoothly, gl.gft In
trea.sury. AU hands should assist in
keeping pantry and messhall clean.
STEEL TRAVELER (isthmian),
August 20—Chairman, Antonio Schla-
vone; Secretary, J. L. Redgos. Ono
man missed ship in Sasebo, Japan,
and rejoined at Inchon. Korea. Three
men missed ship in Koe Haiung. Tai
wan; one oiler hoepitallzed In Hono
lulu. Crew requests that American
money be issued for draws in foreign
ports tnstaad of travelers ehecks.
S18.0B in ship's fund. No beefs re
ported by engine <jr steward depart
ments. Friction in deck department
will be taken up with patrolman at
payoff. Crew asked to flush toilets.
Stewards department given, a vote of
thanks.
Al-AMAR (Caimar), Eaptember. 8—
Chairman, F. Drazak; Sacratary, L.
Hall, Jr. Ship's delegate reported that
sink in crew pantry needs to be re
paired. Toaster i» also needed. Patrol
man In ports only bring 3 LOOS to
ship; crew requests that more LOGS
be put aboard. Discussion on new wel
fare and vacation benefits. No beefs
reported by department delegates.
BENTS FORT (Cities Service), Sep
tember 7—Chairman, J'. Gloyant; Sec
retary, E. A. Herd. Ship going to
shipyard this trip,'Crew will pay off
and sign on In Linden, NJ. No beefs
reported by department delegates.
Discussion on cooking and'serving of
food. Chief cook says 85% of meats
are not graded but merely stamped.
Patrolman should check on meats and-
fresh vegetables. Bunk repairs not
done. Gi-iritile and one plate on stove
not repaired since last request.
ROBIN GRAY (Robin Line), Sep-
tambar 8—Chairman, Receo J. Alba-
nese; Secretary, Robert Skloot. Ship's
delegate reported everything okay.
Two men hospitalized. $13.57 spent on
telegrams and $13.50 left In treasury.
Discussion on vacation and death
benefits.
DEL MUNDO (Mississlgpn, Sept. 17
—Chairman, J. Chastain; Secretary,
toyit tf. Amsberry. A vote of thanks
for a Job well done to the rjiiring
ahip's delegate. No beefs reported.
Robert L. Garriss elected new .ship's
delegate. Vote of thanks to the iinsun
for arranging for a p'.-ice to put gar
bage instead of going aft over the
catwalk. Keep off the chain rails un
til renewed. When using the washing
machine, fill it up to water mark.
NATALIE (Maritime Overseas), Sept.
24—Chairman-, J(Te McLaren; Secre
tary, Reberf W. FerrandlK Captain rv-
fused to lift logs. Some OT disputed
but no beefs reported by steuard
delegate. Locks on black gang's doors
need repair. Anyone needing a room
key should have one made and bring
captain the bill. Wiper says there- is
too much favoritism by the engineer.
CHILORB (Ore), Sttptamber 24—
Chairman, M. Jones; Secretary, C.
Bedell. No beefs reported by dbpart-
• nient delegates. Saw captain, about
icebox for pantry and water cooler
in port pas.sageway. See patrolman
about getting water tanks cleaned as
both potable and wash water have
been rusty ail trip. Slopchest list
slinuld be posted.
August 12—Chairman, M. H. .Jones;
Secretary, C. V. Bedell. No beefs re
ported. Could not get new icebox.
One man missed ship in Baltimore.
Have slopchest prices posted. Request
bench' for recreation room. Return
cups back to pantry. Turn off washing
machine after use.
CAPE HENRY (Northern), no date-
Chairmen, Cgrroll Quinnt; Secretary,
Robert Saunders. Some disputed OT
in engine and steward departments.
Crew not receiving any mail or LOGS
since company ban been In operation.
Will take matter up with patrolman.
Stewsrd' still using tun much onloir
In food.
Patterson KO's Fred Kretzler
In Non-Title Checker Match
\ m
Two weeks before heavyweight boxing champ Floyd Patterson successfully defended
his title, another Floyd Patterson defeated ex-US Navy checker champ and SIU member
Fred Kretzler in a non-title marathon checker match aboard th® City of Alma (Waterman).
Kretzler, shipping as deck"*"!
maintenance, lists himself as
"American Merchant Marine
checker champion." Beaten for the
first time In nine years, he report
ed that the game with Patterson
had its share of coincidences.
"First of all," he said, "I was
beaten by a certain type of strat
egy known to checker players as
the 'Alma Game,' and that's the
same as the name of the ship we
played on.
"Secondly," he went on to say,
"Patterson (who is third mate
aboard the Alma) comes from At
lanta, 111., and I come from At
lanta, Georgia. And on top of all
that," Kretzler concluded, "we
played the game on the thirteenth
day we had been on the ship."
Kretzler has been playing check
ers all over the world for the past
twenty years. He said that in about
a- year, he would be reatiy to put
his "title" on the line in champion
ship competition. He 1» presently
making a coastwise run on the
Seatrain Louisiana (Seatraln).
Speaking of Patterson, Kretzler
commented: "He's the best player
I ever came up against, and I'd
like to play him again some time."
«
I. tL em.:.
Pondering moves, Seafarers Thad Jackson, AB (left), and
Fred Kretzler are shown pairing off for a checker match at
SIU headquarters several years ago. Kretzler won this game
and ajl others of the past nine years before he met his match
In Floyd Patterson, 3rd mate on the City of Alma.
SIU Atrantic, Gulf
Lakes & Inland Waters
District
PRESIDENT
Paul Hall
BXECtrriVJ! VICE-PRESIDENT
Gal Tanner
VICE PRESlDEiNTS
Claude Simmons Lindsey Williams
Earl Shepard AI Tanner
8ECRETAR Y-THEASUR EB
Al Kerr
HEADQUARTERS REPR'ESENTATIVES
BiU Hall Ed Mooney Fred Stewart
BALTIMORE 1218 E. Baltimora St.
Rex Dickey. Agent EAstern 7-4900
BO.STON 276 State St.
John Fay, Agent Richmond 2-0140
DETROIT 10225 W. Jefferson Ave.
Vlnewood 3-4741
HEADQUARTERS ...679 4Ut Ave.. Bklyn
HYacinth 9-6800
HOUSTON 4202 Canal St.
Paul Drozak, Agent CApital 3-4089: 3-4080
JACKSONVILLE 2608 Pearl St.. SE.. Jax
WilUam Morris. Agent ELgin 3-0987
MIAMI 744 W. Flagler St.
Ben Gonzales. Agent FRanklin 7-3564
MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St.
Louis Neira. Agent HEmlock 3-1754
NEW ORLEANS 630 Jackson Ave.
Buck Stephens. Agent Tel. 529-7548
NEW YORK 673 4tb Ave., Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6600
NORFOLK 416 CoUey Ave.
Gordon Spencer, Acting Agent 625-6505
PHILADELPinA 2504 S. 4Ul St.
Ray Uates. Acting Agent DEwey 6-3818
SAN FRANCISCO ... 450 Harrison St.
Bill Hall, Acting Agent Douglas 2-4401
SANTURCE. PR 1313 Fernandez Juncos,
Stop 20
Keith Terpo, Hq. Rep. Phone 723-0003
SEATTLE 2305 1st Ave.
reti Babkowski. Agent Main 3-4334
TAMPA 313 Harrison St.
Jeff Gillette, Agent 24-3471
WILMINGTON. CaHf 505 N. Marine Avi.
Keed Humphries. Agent Terminal 4-2528
PHOtCS
^ 'S-ToRtes,
^3- ?0£-fRY
Ex-Cop Turned Seafarer
Prefers Ships To Bullets
Every once in a while Seafarer Sam Grandee is mistaken
for a policeman. In fact, sometimes policemen stop him and
start right out talking "shop." There's a reason for this often-
made mistake. Grandee real-"*'
ly was a police officer a few
years back, and the old habits
are kind of hard to break.
A native of Croton-on-Hudson,
New York, the 32-year-old Sea
farer has been sailing with the SIU
for about two years. His law en
forcement career took place out
west—Minot, North Dakota, to be
exact, and a highly-successful
career it was too.
Grandee was on the Minot police
force from 1955 through 1958, and
Pictured during police
force days, Sam Grandee
now sails in iTie black gang.
was involved In everyrhing from
a shooting duel with an escaped
bandit to rounding up a band of
hubcap thieves.
Magazine Story
In fact, one of his c-rvploits was
the subject of an article in "True
Police Stories" magazine in 1959.
Grandee was instrumental in cap-
turtng a bandit who was fleeing
from police in a nearby town.
The chase reached Minot and by
that time State Police were in
volved. Grandee recalls taking out
after the man and finally capturing
him after a 100 mile-per-hour auto
chase and a gun duel.
Police work also entailed lesB
exciting job.s, he says, and some of
the "little" jobs were really tricky.
Minot police had been plagued by
hubcap thefts which defied detec
tion. However, some patient in
vestigation and a lucky break re
vealed a gang which had been
making a small living stealing and
selling hubcaps.
In addition to practical work on
the Minot police force. Grandee
studied and practiced police
methods on his own and earned
FBI commendations.
Personal affairs back home in
New York brought Grandee back
east in 1959 and soon after he
began sailing with the SIU in the
black gang. He says life at sea
is fine but he intends to visit back
in Minot one of these days.
List Details In
Cables To Union
When notifying headquarters
by cable or wireless that a Sea
farer has paid off in a foreign
port because of injury or illness,
ships' delegates should include
the following information:
The man's full name, his SIU
book number, name of the ship,
the port of payoff and the hos
pital where he is being treated.
The response of ships' crews
to the Union's request for these
notifications has been very good.
Sometimes though, not all of
the above information has been
included. Be sure to list all of
this data so that the SIU can
act as promptly as possible.
Page Twenty Tw» SEAFARERS LOO Deeember, MM
Seafarer Doubles Up Line—
Mixes Stocks And Starlings
From seafaring to "bird proofing" and finance describes the- present career of former
SIU man Frank T. Young, who came to headquarters last month to visit old shipmates.
Young, who left the sea in 1957 after paying off the Coalinga Hills, is now engaged in
two businesses. He is a mutual"^
from roosting and creating a mess.
The whole thing Is harmless to funds representative, with
a Securities and Exchange
Commission license, and he also
operates the Electroscat Birdproof-
Ing Company.
The native of Scotland began
sailing on British ships In 1929,
_ when he was only
' 14 years old. Aft
er a few years at
sea he settled In
South Africa and
worked ashore.
But when the
second World
War was brewing
in 1939, Young
went back to sea.
During the early
years of the war he sailed under
several flags: British, Norwegian,
Panamanian.
"I sailed on any ship that I
could," Young says, "until I hit an
American ship, and then I stayed."
His first US-flag ship was the
Marie Melony, a Calmar vessel
which he caught in 1943.
Recalls First SIU Ship
"That was my first SIU ship and
my first American ship; it's one I
won't forget." Young was aboard
the vessel when it assisted the
Normandy Invasion. He recalls
when the ship struck a mine, and
sustained damage in a bombing off
Great Britain.
After the war. Young continued
sailing SIU, .mostly from the Port
of New York as AB, bosun, or deck
maintainance.
It was through a shipmate, who
had a relative in the bird proofing
business, that Young Decame ac
quainted with his new trade.
Shortly after he married, he left
the sea and began setting up his
business ashore.
Electroscat is an ingenious sys
tem of wiring cornices and other
ornamental projections of build
ings. The wires produce a mild
electric shock which prevents
pigeons, starlings, and other birds
LOC-A-RHYTHM:
SEAFARERS LOG
— By Harry Wolowitz _
The SEAFARERS LOG is the
very best,
I've read them all,
That's a real fair test.
We're proud of our paper,
It's tops in town;
None any better.
You can look around.
We have just about everything.
In this paper of ours.
Can't praise it enough.
It rates five stars.
News of interest, shipping galore,
We have the best in the field
And can't ask more.
Shopping guide, news of all sorts,
Friendly pictures,
A report of all ports.
Then a final dispatch.
And we bow our head.
While some go on living—
Others are dead.
I close with a wish
For your continued success.
May you live on forever.
And never stop your press;
Keep on doing your good work,
They all envy you.
From a brother member of SIU.
man and bird.
Early in 1961,
came interested
Young also be-
in the sale of
mutual funds, so he studied for an
SEC license and became a sales
man for a New Jersey investment
firm. Now, the Weehawken resi
dent is concentrating on both Jobs.
Shipboard Sketches by Ben Graham
'You say all this happened when you became a bosun?'
Your Gear...
for ship • • • for shore
Whatever you need, in work or dress
gear, your S!U Sea Chest hcst.it. Get top
quality gear at substantial savings by buy
ing at your Union-owned and Union-
operated Sea Chest store*
Sport Coats
Slacks
Dress Shoes
Work Shoes
Socks
Dungarees
Frisko Jeens
CPO Shirts
Dress Shirts
Sport Shirts
Belts
Khakis
Ties
Sweat Shirts *•
T-Shirts
Shorts
Briefs
Swim Trunks
Sweaters
Sou'westers
Raingear
Caps
Writing Materials
Toiletries
Electric Shavers
Radios
Television
Jewelry
Camera's
Luggage
the SEA CHEST
Widow Asks For
Continued LOGS
To the Editor:
My husband recently passed
away after a prolonged illness.
Until the time of his death,
even after he had dropped out
of the maritime industry, be
greatly enjoyed receiving the
LOG.
I am therefore notifying you
of his death so that you may
discontinue our LOG sub
scription if that is your policy.
However, I would like to add
that our son (who is 14 years
old) enjoys receiving and read
ing the LOG. _If you wish to
discontinue our subscription
It's okay but, if possible, we
would like to continue receiv
ing your paper.
Mrs. Fred Dial
(Ed. note: Subscriptionii to
the LOG are not cancelled for
any reason until requested.
We'll be glad to continue send
ing it to you.)
4. $1 4.
New US Citizen
Lauds Union Aid
To the Editor:
Oh November 13, 1961 I was
naturalized as a citizen of the
United States to make a 15-
year'-dream come true. I am
therefore writing to express my
thanks to our Union and to our
president, Paul Hall, for the
help and support given me over
the years.
The Union's continuing inter
est in the welfare of aliens who
are members of the SIU has
always made.it po.ssible for us
to pay off our respective ships
and to get extensions for our
necessary stays on the beach in
various US ports. Seafarers like
myself have always been treated
like every other member of the
Union, regardless of citizenship.
Thanks to the Union's help
and the never-ending interest of
our officials In some of the
problems that have developed
over the years, I am both hon
ored and proud to be a citizen
of the Unite:d States today. I
can't thank everyone involved
enough for the assistance given
me.
Eric Joseph
si
'm
All letters TO the Editor for
publication in the SEAFARERS
LOG must be signed by the
writer. Names will be withheld
upon request.
Oldtimer's Wife
Hails SIU, LOG
To the Editor:
You may discontinue sending
the LOG to C. F. Martinek as
he is having serious difficulty
with his eyesight. My husband
was a member of the old Inter
national Seamen's Union, and
manned picketlines at New Or
leans and Baltimore in 1921.
When the strike was over, he
chose to give up going to sea
and remained ashore for many
years after that.
However, in 1942 Mr. Mar
tinek returned to sea duty as a
member of the MM&P and re
tired as such. He often ex
pressed the opinion that the
SIU is the best labor organiza
tion in the world. Thank you
very much for the pleasure and
information that the LOG has
furnished us.
Mrs. F. Martinelr
Praises Union
Assist On Thesis
To the Editor:
I would like to thank the SIU
and the various officials at bead-
quarters for the kind assistance
given to me this past summer
and also during the previous
sumrher in my doctoral study on
"occupational choice."
I enjoyed every minute I
spent at the hall, and I appre
ciated the opportunity given to
me to talk with the seamen. I
sincerely hope that I can pro
duce a thesis worthy of tha
study.
Is it possible to subscribe to
the LOG? I have recently
moved to a new. address, and
because I am still some distance
from New York, I won't be able
to visit there as often as I
would like. My reading your
paper will therefore keep me
up to date.
Vincent Gagllarducci
(Ed. note: Your .name is
being added to our mailing list.)
4" 4" 4"
Urges Further
Pension Changes
To the Editor:
While looking over the result
of the recent negotiations, I
gave special attention to the
new pension plan. I am con
fident this plan, like others in
the past, will be improved upon
In the future. I feel, though,
that the plan as is isn't very
attractive to men who join the
Union at a young age.
Suppose a person starts sail
ing at 20. Under the present
plan he will Tiave to go to sea
for 45 years before he can be
pensioned. This total is based
on an average of eight months
of actual seatime per year. At
that average, a member will
have had 29 years of actual sea-
time when he, reaches 65.
Compare this to a person
starting to sail at 42 who will
go to sea for 23 years and still
have the required 15 years sea-
time to be peiisione'd.
I said, this hardly seems
fair to those brothers who start
sailing in their younger years.
I do not mean to suggest that
the plan be changed in any way
that would deprive the members
that make sailing a part-tim«
career.
What I do suggest Is that an
other plan be considered where
by a member will be pensioned
when he gets 18 or 20 years of
actual seatime regardless of his
age'. This plan would be an
addition to the present plan
and would. I think, round out
Union protection so that all
members would benefit mori
equally.
Union representatives are do
ing their all to get the compa
nies on the ball in forwarding
the mail. Yet some companies
still seem to hold back the
bulky packages that contain the
LOGS. News of Union activities
Is something Seafarers look for
ward to to keep us informed.
In this way we feel a part of
the Brotherhood.
I suggest, since headquarters
reports cover the important
happenings, that these reports
be made twice a month and be
mailed out in a different and
smaller package from the LOGs.
My final suggestion is that
three months before future ne
gotiations start, special forms
be mailed to all halls and ships
Informing the membership what
the Union is seeking. These
forms should also have space
for suggestions.
Thomas Alonzo Brown
1 ^ r
Peeember, 1961 SEAFARERS LOG Faff* Xventj-Thre*
Maritime Roundup
Allen crewmen applylnc: for
landinc privileges In the US will
have to present a passport issued
by the country of their nationality
starting early next month. The US
Immigration and Naturalization
Service had proposed the rule
earlier and has now made it final.
Previously, alien seamen could
present a passport document is
sued by any country. The new rule
becomes effective 30 days after
December 8, 1961 ... A British
shipbuilding research group is de
veloping a new, more accurate
method to) measure ship speeds
which could sharply cut the costs
and time of speed trials. The new
Idea involves using radar aboard
ship to transmit signals that can
bounce back from a buoy put over
the vessel's stern. The speed of
the ship is based on calculation
of the time taken for the return of
the dcfiected signals.
t t 4.
An experimental atom-powered
buoy began service as a channel
warning signal in Arundel Cove,
Baltimore, this month. The seven-
ton navigational aid is the first
tried in a series of Coast Guard
experiments on the use of nuclear
waste products as a source of elec
tric power for lighting channel
markers and buoys . . . SlU-con-
tracted Delta Lines has announced
a change in the itinerary of its
three passenger-cargo ships in the
twice-monthly service from Gulf
ports to the East Coast of South
America. The change, taking ef
fect in January, calls for a stop
over at Bahia, Brazil, on the-south
hound half of the forty-day round
trip. Seafarers on the Del Mar,
Del Norte and Del Sud- can send
postcards from a new location
now.
t
Seamen should be on the lookout
one day for commercial subma
rines and underwater tankers, ac
cording to the country's top
nuclear submarine research cngi
neers. At their annual meeting,
the engineers proposed that the
sub-surface craft be used where
surface ships can't navigate, as
under the Arctic ice-cap . . . The
Panama Canal Company has an
nounced that it went $6 million in
the red during its past operating
year. In a report to its only stock
holder, the US Government, the
canal authorities said the loss was
due to money spent improving and
modernizing canal facilities.
Joseph Sylvester Olejnik
Contact your wife, Mrs. Lena
Olejnik, 1445 St Bernard Ave.,
New Orleans, La.
% X X
Aarelio Flores
Get in touch with your wife, Mrs.
Blance Flores, at Mt. Wilson TB
Hospital, Mt. Wilson, Md.
XXX
rranx K. Schwarti
Mother would like to hear from
you. Write V. V. Van Gordon, St.
Joseph's Hospital, Boom 203,
Bremerhaven, Germany.
XXX
Income Tax Refunds
The following Seafarers should
contact Jack Lynch, Room 201,
SUP Building, 450 Harrison St.,
San Francisco, Calif., regarding
income tax refunds:
Marearito Boria. Dao King Chae. Che-
nnx Soa Chens Q). John J. Doyle (2).
Richard Dunfea (2). Ho Youns Kong,
Steve Krkovich. Jamei Lear M), MUledge
P. Lee (4), Harry Lowther. Francis A.
SEAFARERS LOG.
675 Fourth'Ave.,
Brooklyn 32, NY
I would like to receive the
SEAFARERS LOG — please
put my name on your mailing
list. (Print Information)
NAME
STREET ADDRESS
CITY ZONE....
STATE
TO AVOID DUPLICATION: If you
are an old tubscribei and have a
changa of addresf, plaata giva your
format address balow:
ADDRESS
CITY ZONE....
i
STATE
Luiz, John Mlsakian. Dmer J. Moa (2),
Potenclano Paculba, Clifford Perrlera.
Marvin E. Satchell (4), John W. Singer
(2), WlUiam L. Strike, Weldon O. Wal
lace, Charles Walsh (3), Ylng Ming Wei
(2), Ah Sal Wong (2). Ding Hal Woo.
XXX
Herbert E. Cpllini
Telesforo Roman
Joseph R. Richards
Overtime checks from Suwannee
Steamship Corp. are being held
for you by the SIU headquarters
dispatcher.
XXX
WUUam R. (BiU) Dixou
The above-named or anyone
knowing his whereabouts is asked
to contact his youngster's guardian,
Sophia F. Baker, RN, 1315 S. 26th
Place, Lawton, Okla., ELgin 5-4577,
t it t
Ex-Coe Victory
Will pay $50 to recover silver
belt buckle with Initials "FNC"
lost on SS Coe Victory on July 8.
No questions asked. F. N. Cain, 432
Washington St., Bay St. Louis,
Miss.
4> ^ jr
Milton K. Burgner
Contact Mrs. Page Burgner, PO
Box 343, Bowie, Md.
^ X X X
Maynard Farshetter
Contact Mrs. Nancy Alquist, Bu
reau of Public Assistance, Los An
geles County, Calif.
4" 4'
Louis V. Coffey
Important. Contact Cliff Malners
aboard SS Monarch of the Seas,
Waterman SS Corp., Mobile, Ala.
4« 4" 4"
Billy C. Ward
Contact your home immediately.
XXX
Norman Krumm
Anyone knowing the where
abouts of the above-named is
asked to contact his wife, Mrs.
Norman Krumm, of Luck, Wis.
XXX
Ed NIemi
LOG is holding package of
small radio tubes for you.
XXX
William A. Granger
Get in touch with your mother
at 1819 W. Grace St., Richmond,
Va.
XXX
Ex-Steel Designer
All persons having knowledge of
a leg injury sustained by Frank M.
Puglisi on August 16, 1961, while
TlVKHCIAJj REPORTS, tbrn constitution Of tbs SIU Atlantic, Gull, Lskas and In-
iand Waters District iukas spsclfle provision tor ssfsgusrdlns ths nsnbsrshlp's
•oney and Union finances. Tbs eonstltutlon requires a detailed CPA audit
•very three nontha by a rank and Ills auditing comattee elected by the new
bershlp, 'All Union records are available at SIU headquarters in Brooklyn.
Should any aenber, for any raaaon, b« rafuaed hla constitutional right to In
spect these records,.notify SIU Praaldant Paul Ball by certified amll, return
receipt requested.
TRUST FUNDS, All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland
Vatera District are adnlnistered In accordance with the provision# of various
trust fund agreements. All these agreeaenta specify that the trustees in
charge of these funds shall consist equally of union and aanageaent repreaent-
atlves and their alternates. All expenditures and dlaburseaents of trust funds
are aade only upon approval by a aajorlty of the trustees. All trust fund
financial records are available at ths headquarters of the various trust funds.
If, at any time, you are denied Infonaatlon about any SIU truat fund, notify
BIU President Paul Hall at SIU headquarters by certified aall, return receipt
•requested,"
SHIPPING RIGHTS. Your shipping rights and seniority are protected by the con
tracts of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District, and by
Union shipping rules, which are Incorporated In the contract. Get to know
your shipping rights. If you feel there has been any violation of your ship
ping or seniority rights, first notify the Seafarers Appeals Board. Also
notify SIU President Paul Hall at headquarters, by certified mall, return re
ceipt requested.
CONTRACTS, Copies of all SIU contracts are available In all SIU halls. Theae
contracts specify the wages and condltlona under which you work and live aboard
ship. Know your contract rights, as well as your obligations, such as filing
for or on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. It, at any time, any .
BIU patrolman or other Union official, in your opinion, falls to protect yow
contract rights properly, contact the nearest SIU port agent. In addition,'
notify SIU President Paul Hall by certified mall, return receipt requested.
!!?
I;'
EDITORIAL POLICY~SEAFARERS LOG. Tha LOO has traditionally refrained from
publishing any article serving the political purposes of any Individual In the
Union, officer or member. It has also refrained from publishing articles deem
ed harmful to the Union Or Its collective membership. This established policy
has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September, 1060 meetings In all
constitutional ports. The responsibility for LOG policy Is vested In an edi
torial board which consists of the Executive Board of the Union. The Exec
utive Board may delegate, from among its ranks, one Individual to carry out
this responsibility.
PAYMENT OF HOWIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone In any official capacity
in the SIU unless an official Union receipt Is given for same, under no cir
cumstance should any member pay any money for any reason unless he Is given .
fiuch receipt. If In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment bo
made without supplying a receipt, or If a member la required to make a payment
and £3 given an official receipt, but feels that he should not have been re
quired to make such payment, this should Immediately be called to the attention
of SIU President Paul Hall by certified mail, return receipt requested.'
COWSTITlfTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. The SIU publlshea every, six months in
the SEAFARERS LOG a verbatim copy of Its constitution. In addition, copies
are available in all Union halls. All members should obtain copies of this
constitution so as to familiarise themselves with Its contents. Any time yott
feel any-member or officer la attempting to deprive you of any constitutional
right or obligation by any methods such as dealing with charges, trials, 'etc.f
as well as all other details, then the member so affected should immediately
notify SIU President Paul Hall by certified mall, return receipt requested.
RETIRED SEAFARERS. Old-tlmo SIU members drawing disability-pension bene
fits have always been encouraged to continue their union.activities. In
cluding attendance at membership^ meetings. And like all other SIU members
at these Union meetings, they arm encouraged to take an active role In all
rank-and-file functions. Including service on rank-and-file committees.
Because these oldtlmers cannot take shipboard employment, the membership
has reaffirmed the long-standing Union policy of allowing them to retain
their good standing through ths waiving of their dues.
X ,
the Steel Designer was in the Wel-
land Canal, are asked to contact
Louis R. Harolds, 38 Park Row,
NY, NY.
XXX
Ex-Overseas Joyce
The following Seafarers can pick
up unclaimed wages from Mari
time Overseas Corp., 61 Broadway,
NY, NY:
John W. Gibson. Laurence Rainchuck.
Jose Madurei, Alfred E. Hawse, James W.
Canard, Raymond D. Stafford, James I.
Bast, Nicholas de Los Santos, Floyd D.
KeUey. Rigardo A. Rodriguez, Fred D.
Peterson, George L. Baiigh, John W.
Morris, Floyd S. Grumpier, Ed R. Con
nolly, Felix Cardona, Malcolm E. Taggart,
Swindell W. Lewis, Pedro Mena. Charles
B. Eagleson, William G, Hay, James H.
Shearer, Woodrow W, Spivey, Thomas
S. Johnson, Leon Hebert. Leo Wills,
Michel MegulsEoglou. Antonio Carrano,
Cruz Mata,
XXX
Charles Nail
Contact Pat at PO Box 433, Wil
mington, Calif,, about your income
tax check,
XXX
William H, Mason
Contact Mrs, Iris Stone, 601 W,
35lh St„ Norfolk, Va,
Reginald P. Sirois
You are asked to contact your
sister, Lucille.
4" 4' 4-
J. L. Roberts
Contact'Mrs, Pauline Moore of
Moore & Co, Realtors about a
buyer for your land at 8202 Erath
St., Houston, Texas.
Jose Serrano
Urgent, Contact Victor Manuel
Serrano Torres, Box 545-G, Num
ber 404 Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.
XXX
Charles Palmer
You are asked to get in touch
with Aubrey Wiggins at 201 Page
Ave,, Mobile, Ala,
Notify Union On LOG Mail
As Seafarers know, copies of each issue of the SEAFARERS
LOG are mailed every month to all SIU ships as well as to
numerous clubs, bars and other overseas spots where Seafarers
congregate ashore. The procedure for mailing the LOG involves
calling all SIU steamship companies for the itineraries of their
ships. On the basis of the information supplied by the ship oper
ator, four copies of the LOG, the headquarters report and min
utes forms are then airmailed to the company agent in the next
port of call.
Similarly, the seamen's clubs get various quantities of LOGs
at every mailing. The LOG is sent to any club when a Seafarer
so requests it by notifying the LOG office that Seafarers con
gregate there.
As always the Union would like to hear promptly from SIU
ships whenever the LOG and ship's mail is not delivered so that
the Union can maintain a day-to-day check on the accuracy of
its mailing lists.
"Of y ^ si
SEAFARERS
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT • AFL-CIO
LOG L V,>|
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Another year's articles have been completed by the members of
the SlU. The holiday season has arrived, marking the close of 12 more
months of progress and solid accomplishment in the interests of all
Seafarers, boatmen and other marine craft workers who make up the
SlU family. Wherever they happen to be, whether aboard a vessel
at sea, home at anchorage with their loved ones or in some distant port
around the globe, for all hands this is a time of festive activity.
Seafarers may find themselves setting up the holiday tree while sail
ing through tropic waters or may welcome the New Year as their ves
sel fights to make headway in an Atlantic gale, but the spirit of the sea
son is with them all the same. The order of the day calls for special
meals and all the trimmings while business as usual continues. This is
in the tradition of seagoing men and all SlU members.
The SlU thus pauses on this occasion to extend greetings and good
wishes to all at sea or ashore for an enjoyable holiday season and
smooth sailing in the year to come.
Seafarers International Union
Atlantic, Gulf, Lakqs & Inland Waters District, AFL-CIO
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