Media
Issue Date
1957-09-13
Volume
19
Issue Number
19
Plaintext
SEAFARERS LOG
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• OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THI SIAFARIRI INTIRN ATION AL UN ION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL-CIO •
BUU. LOSES MOVE
TO BAR PKKEIING
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Again Asks Ban HrtioBol
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Allied since last fall with John L. Lewis' District 50 against AFL-CIO
maritime unions in the American Coal beef, NMU president Joseph Cur-
ran two years earlier made no bones about the unsavory character of
this same outfit. But it's a "recognized union" today in the Curran
scheme of things. (Story on Page 2.)
Crash Victims
Woman on stretcher is re
moved from rescue plane
carrying survivors to Bue
nos Aires after a collision In
the Uruguay River between
the US freighter Mormac-
surf (above) and an Argen
tinian river steamer. The
US ship suffered bow dam
age and 94 persons from the.
sunken steamer are report
edly missing. The Mormao-
surf carries an SIU Pacifie
District crew. (Story on
Page 3.)
Pace Twe SEAFARERS lOG September 13, 1937
Pacific District Asks
Pay, Ruie Changes
In Pact Reopener
SAN FRANCISCO—The SIU Pacific District has notified
West Coast shipowners of its intention to reopen the contract
for a wage review. The story of the notification headlined a
special joint Labor Day news-"^
paper published by the three
affiliated unions in the Pacific
District.
The Pacific District of the SIU
of NA is composed of the Sailors
Union of the Pacific, the Marine
Firemen's Union and the Marine
Cooks and Stewards. Letters sent
to the companies by the District
served as official notice of the
unions' desire to 'open talks con
cerning wages, welfare, loggings
and the payoff jiystem.
Bulk Cargo Agreements
. In separate action recognizing
the overall slump in charter rates
and the continuing lay-up of ves
sels, members of the Pacific Dis
trict unions have also voted to
apply the bulk cargo agreement,
where necessary, to all contracted
operations as a means of maintain
ing Jobs and keeping a number of
Libertys and Victorys in service.
Bulk cargo agreements are in
effect with Pabific Far East Lines,
Coastwise Line and Kaiser Gyp-
aum and will be extended to cover
all member companies of the Pa
cific Maritime Association who
enter this trade.
The action has already brought
the SS Santa Venetia out of lay-up
and kept the Pacificus from head
ing into the boneyard. Extension
of the bulk cargo pact was voted
after nine West Coast ships had
gone into lay-up and up to seven
more appeared ready to follow suit.
The alternative was to allow for-
eignrflag ships to move in and
fill the gap. Portland had already
been hard hit when the imion
acted.
The unions recommended con
tract revisions in the wage review
to limit loggings, to provide for
pre-shipping medical examinations
and for wage increases. They also
demanded changes in the present
pay-off system under which a sea
man may have to pay income tax
on more than one year's earnings
in a single year. Under Internal
Revenue Department rulings,
wages are treated as earned in the
year in which they are paid. The
proposed change would arrange for
(Continued on page 15)
Cur ran F lip-Flops On Dist, SO
These days, in the thick of the American Coal fight on the side of the company against
AFL-CIO maritime unions, NMU President Joseph Curran has nothing but honeyed words
for United Mine Workers District 50. Since District 50 is part owner of American Coal
Curran's current pose is that it '
West Coast Ships Hit NY
is a "recognized union" in the
maritime field.
But three years ago, as the letter
reproduced on page one shows,
Curran declared that his "recog
nlzed union" of 1956 and 1957 was
'carrying out a policy of harass
ment and disruption... for the
purpose of carrying on their feud
with the American Federation of
Labor and the CIO.
CuiTan said further, "District 50
of the United Mine Workers can
not and does not intend to organ
ize for the purpose of being of
Second steword Pete Bianchi (above) talks over a food question
aboard the SS President Polk with NY patrolmen G. Potts of the
sup and "Slim" Von Hess of the MFOW. The issue was ironed
out to everyone's satisfaction. Don Rotan (below), editor of the
"Stewards fQews" points out some of the features of the Pacific Dis
trict combined Labor Day newspaper to ottentive viewers aboard
the Waltham Victory Pictured ore (l-r) C. J. Howard, chief
cook; Wilder Smith, MC&S NY patrolmen; Roton, and chief stew-
• % '. J I
NUtchell Hits
'Wreck' Bills
National "right to work" advo
cates were scolded by Secretai-y of
Labor James P. Mitchell at a re
cent New York forum. Mitchell
cautioned against a "headlong
rush" toward legislative remedies
for the presence of racketeers in
segments of the labor movement
and expressed confidence in the
abilities of the AFL-CIO to deal
with the problem.
Mitchell's statement at a news
seminar was one of several by
authorities in the labor field. Of
unusual interest among these was
the concern expressed by a lead
ing spokesman of the coal industry
for the well-being of John L.
Lewis, president of the United
Mine Workers.
Joseph E. Moody, a chief nego
tiator for the Southern coal pro
ducers, told the seminar that the
principal labor worry of the oper
ators was to keep the United Mine
Workers intact. The relationship
between coal labor and manage
ment has now become so construc
tive, that the industry is actively
concerned with ways to keep the
union strong. Moody was reported
as saying.
Coal producers are in business
partnership with Lewis and the
United Mine Workers in the oper
ation of American Coal Shipping
Inc. As a result of this partnership,
the contract for the mates and
engineers on the coal ships was
handed to a dummy local of Dis
trict 50, United Mine Workers.
This action was one of the precipi
tating factors in the American coal
dispute. The set-up has been
strongly defended by the NMU
which wak.handed the contract for
unlicensed crewmembers.
service to the members." As for
their role in maritime, Curran
flatly stated, "Certainly the last
place that these people should be
disrupting is in the maritime
industry."
That was in 1954. Then in 1956
along came American Coal Ship
ping (partly owned by United Mine
Workers District 50) which signed
a phony backdoor agreement with
itself giving jurisdiction of ships'
mates and engineers to a paper
local of United Mine Workers Dis
trict 50 created out of whole cloth
for this operation. When the legit
imate AFL-CIO maritime officers
unions hit the bricks in their beef
against this transparent "sweet
heart" contract with the paper
local, they discovered to their sur
prise that Curran had embraced
the "disrupters." Now, according
to Curran (NMU "Pilot" December
6, 1956) the "deck and engine offi
cers on American Coal ships are
covered by a contract with a recog
nized union," and the legitimate
maritime officers unions needed
"more guts, brains and honest
effort" to organize the company.
Furthermore, Curran expressed
horror (NMU "Pilot" February 28,
1957) that SIU Secretary-Treasurer
This Is 'No
More Logs'???
NMU President Joseph Cur
ran has boasted in the "Pilot"
about ,"No More Logs" while
negotiating with the shipowners
for a one for one logging agree
ment like the SlU's and then
agreeing subsequently to an in
dustry-wide blacklist system. A
news story in the "Honolulu
Advertiser" of August 20 now
casts additional doubt, if any
were needed, on Curran's "No
More Logs" claim.
The story quotes two NMU
crewmembers aboard the SS Ar
thur Fribourg (Arrow SS Inc.)
relative to a dispute they had
ashore with the skipper in
Inchon. One crewmember, Wil
liam Holscher Jr. declared:
"Aboard the ship anything
you did you'd get logged. He
wrote 50 logs during the trip.
I'm disgusted with sailing under
these conditions . . ." And ci-ewr
member Wayne Korb, DM,
added that the captain had
logged him for assault when ho
tried to separate the skipper
and Holscher.
What's that again about "No
More Logs"?
Paul Hall should say nasty things
about District 50. Under the head
ing "Hall Doubletalks" Curran de
clared, "Hall had been devoting
most of his remarks to an attack
on District 50, calling it a company
union... although District 50 has
had contracts for mates and engi
neers for the past ten years on
American Export Lines..." Curran
of course, conveniently overlooked
the fact that the New York District
50 local on the Export ships was
set up to block an organizing drive
by the Marine Engineers Benefi
cial Association and Masters Mates
and Pilots and that it boasts it has
functioned since then with no work
stoppages and without a single
shoreside officer—in other words,
no union apparatus whatsoever to
settle beefs or negotiate contracts.
What prompted Curran to de
nounce District 50 in 1954 and
embrace it two years later is the
same variety of unprincipled ex
pediency that has been responsible
for so many Curran flip-flops in
the past. The' same expediency
dictated his pitch about "No More
Logs" while he was secretly nego
tiating an industry-wide blacklist
with the operators. For the sake
of personal advantage, Curran has
married and divorced John L.
Lewis innumerable times in the
past 15 years. First Lewis was
the greatest labor leader in the
days when the Communist Party
line coincided with isolationist
sentiment in pre-World War II
days, then he was an "ally of Hit
ler" when the Party line switched
to no strikes and all-out for the
war effort.
In 1954, when Curran was woo
ing AFL maritime unions with
dreams of personal glory in the
van, Lewis suddenly became a dis
rupter who had no business in
maritime. Two years later, when
Curran was enchanted at the pros-
(Continued on page 16)
SEAFARERS LOG
Sept. 13,1957 Vol. XIX No. 19
PAUL HALL, Secretary-Treasurer
HERBERT BRAND. Editor. BERNARD SEA
MAN, Art Editor. HERMAN ARTHUR, IRWIN
SPIVACK, AL MASKIN, JOHN BRAZIL, Staff
Writers. BILL MOODY, Gulf Area Repre
sentative.
Published biweekly at the headquarters
of the Seafarers International Union, At
lantic & Gulf District, AFL-CIO, 675 Fourth
Avenue, Brooklyn 3J, NY. Tel. HYaclnth
9-6600. Entered as second class matter
at the Post Otfice In Brooklyn, NY, under
He Act of Aug. 24, 1912.
tileptember It, ItBT SSAFARERS IPG Fair* Tbre*
ATOM SHIP PLANS
RIPPED AS 'FARCE'
SAN FRANCISCO—A West Coast marltimp publication has
called on the Government to "stop the atomic ship farce" be
fore it's too late.
In its lead editorial, the "Pacific Shipper" again belittled
the ballyhoo for the $42.5 million combination passenger-cargo
Bhlp. It urged Federal shipping agencies to abandon the project and
put money "to good use" on behalf of the US merchant marine.
"We say that it would be a crime of omission to let the atomio ship
be built without even a formal protest from those who know better. B
there are contractual penalties to be paid off, let them be paid, and the
sooner the better," the magazine stated.
The "Shipper" had questioned the value of the atomio ship project
before, and disclosures at a Government-sponsored atomio ship sem
inar in Washington several weeks ago apparently sharpened its criti
cism.
It said the seminar "developed two facets as to which we have
been somewhat in the dark." As a result, the magazine noted, it ap
pears tliat the experimental ship will not represent anything especiaiiy
novel in terms of speed plus " 'substantially' less cargo capacity than an
old-fashioned, smoke-puffing steamer of the same size, due to the weight
of its furnaces and shieldings.
"The vessel therefore appears to offer nothing, literally nothing,
except as an engineering experiment before its time (when stationery
atomic engines have not been nearly made practical). This, if you please,
in an industry notoriousiy short of Government funds with which to
hold its place as a world maritime power," its editorial continued.
It is said the project could not be justified simply by "the stale
catch-phrase that the ship could run three years without refueling.
This is commercially meaningless . . . And nobody has yet told us
how many millions the first bunkering will cost."
Others in maritime support the view that an atomic-powered tanker
is more feasible than a dry cargo ship since this trade can profitably
support ships of great size.
Two British groups have already announced plans for 65,000-ton
atom tankers and plans for a 40,000-tonner were revealed last month
by a Japanese concern. A Swedish shipbuilder has also indicated
interest in an atom tanker.
US emphasis on a nuclear-powered freightship follows a bitter fight
in Congress last year over an Administration plan for a "floating atomic
showcase" which would have no commercial value at all. This plan
was voted down and funds for the combination ship were approved
instead.
The US prototype is supposed to be ready by 1960. Contracts for the
experimental hull design and the power plant have already been
Exfend Bull Strike;
Co. Loser In First
In junction Move
The SIU extended its strike against Bull Line to San Juan in the fourth week of
the walkout despite efforts by Bull to break the strike. A company bid for an
iniunction was denied last week by State Supreme Court Justice John E. Cone
who ruled that there wasf
awarded.
Block Foreign 'Invasion'
Of Oregon-PR Trade
PORTLAND, Ore.—A serious threat to American merchant
shipping will probably be headed off by the return of regular
US-flag service between here and Puerto Rico.
Waterman will resume this-f—
trade with the sailing of the
SlU-manned La Salle October
26. The Madaket will enter the
service a month later.
A Japanese line had been mak
ing a play to enter the US domestic
trades to fill the gap left by the
irregular service offered by Ameri
can-flag operators. Waterman
withdrew its ships from the WC-
Puerto Rico run last winter when
the rates were low but has since
received an increase. The Federal
Maritime Board will study the new
rate structure at a hearing in San
Francisco opening September 30.
Other than Waterman, Isbrandt-
Aquarama Has
Season Busy
The SIU Great Lakes cruise
ship, Aquarama, curried a total of
52,745 passengers during its 1957
summer season, company officials
said. The vessel, which has a
capacity of 1,900 passengers a trip
also carried 2,678 automobiles on
its Cleveland-Detroit run. Its
season opens on June 23 and runs
through Labor Day. The round
trip cruise between the two Great
Lakes cities takes about 13 hours.
son had been the only other US
company servicing the route, and
only with one ship. A West Coast
operator which had been in the
trade quit the route when its ships
were bought by Moore-McCormack.
Planned For Legislation
Prior to the Waterman action,
officials here had been seeking a
firm commitment from the Japa
nese in order to go before Congress
and ask for special legislation
enabling the foreign company to
service the restricted coastwise
trade.
The Waterman service will oper
ate on a monthly basis, with calls
at Saa Francisco after Portland.
Canadian Move
Attempts by non-US operators
to move in on the US domestic
trades have been made many times
in the past. One was beaten down
In the House last month when it
tabled a bill which would have
permitted a Canadian operator to
haul coal to Ogdensburg, NY.
The bill originally had the sup
port of the Maritime Administra
tion. The agency changed its
stand when spokesmen for Great
Lakes operators pointed out that
American ships would be available
this fall to carry the coal.
no reason why SIU's peace
ful picketing could not con
tinue.
Nevertheless the com
pany is persisting in its ef
forts to lift the picketlines and
has come back to court with
an amended petition. In hear
ings before Justice James S.
Brown, union attorneys argued
that the company's bid was identi
cal, for practical purposes, with
its initial request denied last week
and urged the court to reject the
move. A decision Is expected
within the next few days.
Meanwhile, round the clock,
picketing by Seafarers has halted
all activity at the Brooklyn termi
nal with four, C-2 ships, the
Frances, Kathryn, Elizabeth and
Beatrice, idled by the walkout.
Strike action in San Juan Wednes
day tied up the Carolyn and the
Jean, with the remainder of the
fleet's operations due to be closed
down as ships come in. Two
Libertys, the Angelina and Dorothy
are already inactive.
The strike began on August 19
after many weeks of negotiations
by the Union committee and the
company had failed to break a
deadlock on wage changes and
other monetary matters. Two
days later, the Masters, Mates and
Pilots, representing deck officers,
and the Marine Engineers Bene
ficial Association also ran into total
snags in their separate contract
talks with the company and pick
eted the terminal. Longshoremen,
teamsters and others servicing
the ships, including ship's radio of
ficers and pursers, have all re
spected the various union picket-
lines.
The SIU had reopened its agree^^
ment last June for the purpos^
of discussing wages and other
monetary matters under the con
tract's standard reopening clause.
Talks with Bull Line bogged down
over SIU demands for parity with
the West Coast scale of overtime
and penalty rates plus an across-
the-board 20 percent wage in-
SCHEDULE OF
SIU MEETINGS
SIU membership meeN
ings are held regularly
every two weeks on Wed
nesday nights at 7 PM In
all SIU ports. All Sea
farers are expected to
attend; those who wish to
be excused should request
perrnlsslon by telegram
(be sure to Include reg
istration number). The
next SIU meetings will be:
September 18
October 2
October 16
October 30
Normally-crowded trucking lanes leading to Bui! Line terminal
are deserted as SIU picketlines effectively tie up company opera
tions in New York. Nothing has moved since Seafarers hit the
bricks on August 19.
crease. The basic OT rate on
the West Coast is $2.81 compared
to $2.06 for most East Coast rat
ings. Retroactivity was sought to
July 1, 1957.
The strike began two days after
the 60-day Taft-Hartley waiting
period expired. Union negotiators
had previously been authorized by
the membership to issue a strike
call in the event negotiations
broke down.
Ship Accident Takes
94 Argentine Lives
BUENOS AIRES—^An estimated 94 persons were reported
missing when the Mormacsurf, manned by SIU Pacific Dis
trict crewmembers, collided with an Argentine steamer
the Plata River. Among+ on
the missing was the captain of
the sunken vessel, the Ciudad
de Buenos Aires, who locked him
self in his cabin and went down
with the ship.
The accident occurred around
midnight, August 27, as the
steamer left this port with some
230 passengers aboard bound for
the river port of Concepcion del
Uruguay. All of the missing per
sons were passengers and crew-
members of the steamer.
Captain Kenneth Summers and
the crew of the Mormacsurf were
held incommunicado aboard the
ship in Buenos Aires while an in
vestigation was held to determine
if there was any criminal negli
gence in the handling of the
vessel. An Argentine federal judge
ordered the release of the men and
the vessel continued on its trip
yesterday. Captain Sommers was
quoted as saying that his crew res
cued about 80 passengers.
Damage to the Mormacsurf was
not extensive, with a section of
the bow stoved in. The ship is
expected back in Los Angeles in
about three weeks.
The Mormacsurf had been trans
ferred to West Coast operations
by Moore-McCormack last June.
She was in the yards for a short
time while repairs were being
made to bring the vessel up to
West Coast standards. The ship
is manned by the Pacific District
unions—the Sailors Union of the
Pacific, the Marine Firemen, and
the Marine Cooks and Stewards,
Seattle Quiet,
Sees Pick-up
SEATTLE—The prior period's
spurt of activity has slowed down
a little in this port but from the
looks of ship schedules it is ex
pected to pick up again in the near
future.
The Pacifip Cloud (Compass)
and Maiden Creek (Waterman)
both paid off and signed on during
the last period. The Alamar, Losmar,
Massmar, Pennmar (Calmar) and
Afoundria (Waterman) were in
transit.
"?-r
Pare Four SEAFARERS LOG September IS, 1957
SHIPS IN ACTION 99
S S DSL
Noms
Baseball is big news on the Del
Norte, aside from the usual
World Series fever right now.
It's business as usual with dele
gates (1), including Leo Watts
(2nd from left), H. Crane, Joe
Cot and Joe Mendoza, but
members of the ship's cham
pionship nine (2) really get
the spotlight. Open deck
makes good practice field (3)
for bosun's mate Jack Vorel,
taking turn with catcher's mitt.
Baseball fcaptain "B 1 a c k i e"
Connors (left) is congratulated
on team's success (4) by ship's
delegate Leo Watts. Photos by
Morris R. King.
Back in New York from trip to Liverpool, Mankato crewmen gather
in messhall (5) as SIU Patrolman Paul Gonsorchik (back to camera) is
sues dues receipts and checks beefs. Art Harrington, AB; Ken Hunter,
saloon MM; R. Ewell, OS; W. F. Barth and Lester C. Long are pictured.
In galley (6), patrolman discusses feeding with George Gibbons, Johnnie
McCue, Jr., and H. Lanier. During payoff (7), R. Ewell signs voucher
while W. F. Barth and paymasters look on. Later, Carroll Harper (left)
and Ray Wright (8) count off earnings on the trip and look pretty
pleased about it. In black gang foc'sle (9),~John Igleberr, fireman,
washes and gets ready for shore leave, while shipmates V. Mc-
Closky (left) and John W, Altstatt (10) tote ship's laundry down gang
way. Another trip comes to an end.
September 13. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Pace Five
li
i to:
Tom Duncan, AB: 1 prefer watch
standing. You can make more OT
standing watch
and I think the
time passes much
faster. Besides
I think day work
is much harder.
True they quit
at 5 and have
Saturday and
Sunday off, but
you go to sea to
work, not just to sit around.
4" Jj" 35"
A. DaCo.sta, wiper: To me eight
hours of work a day is enough.
That is why I
take day work
instead of watch
standing. It's just
like going to
business, work
'til 5 and then
take it easy. Be
sides this we
have the week
ends off. This is
just as good as a shoreside job.
4« 4" t
Earl Cronsell, OS: I'll take the
watch any time. Day men work
like horses. 1
know for I've
tried it. The
watch gets at
least four hours
of rest every
night, and Sat
urdays 5" sd Sun
days are over
time. But a day
man has to turn
to on the weekends to make some
OT money. To me day work is a
druggery.
Cargo Slump Hits Coal
Fleet; 5IU Holds Lead
NORFOLK—^The American Coal shipping fight is taking a new tack as the shipping
slump in coal and other bulk cargoes is seriously affecting the company's operations. Be
cause of lack of cargo the company had the Casimir Pulaski on the hook for nearly three
weeks before it sailed and hast
QUESTION; Do you like day work or watch standing? What are
the advantages of one over the other?
Edward L. Woods, OS: Watch
standing, of course. A man gets
more rest doing
that type of work
then he docs do
ing day work.
The seven - day
week does not
bother me and I
don't mind put
ting in port
watch; it's all
overtime. I've
been sailing some eight years now
and take as much watch work as
I can get.
t t 4
Carlos Rodriquez, wiper: 1 would
rather have day work. For then I
can go ashore
while in port and
see my family.
But if you are on
watch, you may
get stuck with
the 4 to 12 shift
and not get a
chance to enjoy
yourself. I like
overtime too, but
you can't work all the time.
4. 4 4
Francis McGarry, AB: It seems
to ine that when a man is standing
watch the days
go by much fast
er than when
working day
tricks. Working
seven days a
week takes your
mind off many
things because
you don't have
the time to just
sit around. And besides, there is
always good overtime money to be
made standing watch.
had the Coal Miner, the only
ship it owns, in layup for the
past two weeks. The Miner was
scheduled to come out again early
next week as company officials
scouted up a cargo for it. Despite
its name, the Coal Miner has been
carrying bulk cargoes other than
coal on recent voyages.
The future outlook for the coal
fleet has the Cleveland Abbe com
ing in here this weekend but with
no cargo in sight as yet. The coal
shipping picture remains uncer
tain with the charter market re
fusing to snap out of the summer
doldrums. Coal charter rates of
$4 to $4.50 a ton are far below the
break-even point for American-
flag operations.
In the job competition picture,
the SIU continues to hold the lead
with the present count 86 to 83.
It will go up to 100 SIU to 94 NMU
if the Coal Miner crew is called
back aboard Monday as presently
planned.
AFL-CIO Meetings
Efforts to settle the dispute are
still continuing within the AFL-
CIO on the basis of the proposals
submitted by a special two-man
committee and endorsed by all par
ticipating unions. The committee
appointed by AFL-CIO President
George Meany, consisting of
George Harrison, president of the
Brotherhood of Railway and
Steamship Clerks and Jacob Potof-
sky, president of the Amalgamated
Clothing Workers, had met with
all parties concerned in July. On
Friday, September 6, a follow-up
meeting was held in Washington
with President Meany and the
Converted Liberfys Make Grade
WASHINGTON—The Government's experiment in upgrading Liberty ships and test
ing new po\ver plants is turning out well under actual operating conditions. The Maritime
Administration reported that the three war-built ships converted last year to new and dif
ferent power plants are hold->
ing their own in transatlantic
service, and are making
higher speeds tl^an estimated. Fuel
consumption and maintenance
probems are about what the Gov
ernment expected.
The ships are the first of four
that were taken out of lay-up to
test the feasibility of upgrading the
reserve fleet in case of emergency.
They are also being used to com
pare steam turbine, diesel, and gas
turbine power plants.
The three ships are the Ben
jamin Chew, the Thomas Nelson
and the John Sergeant. The Chew,
which has been converted into a
steam turbine ship, has completed
five voyages. The Nelson, which
was given a new bow and equipped
with diesel engines, has made five
trips. The Sergeant, which got
the same type of bow as the Nel
son, as well as an open cycle re
generative gas turbine, has com
pleted four voyages.
Fourth Ship Due
A fourth ship, the William Pat
terson, is equipped with a free pis
ton gas turbine. It is undergoing
sea trials before entering commer
cial service.
Reporting on the three ships last
month, the Maritime Administra
tion said that the Chew averaged
15.3 knots from Norfolk to La
Pallice, and has done even better
on shorter runs. The average
speed of a Liberty ship equipped
with reciprocating engines is 10
knots.
Even better speeds were made
by the Thomas Nelson and the
John Sergeant. The Nelson aver
aged 15.61 knots between London
and Miami, and 17.5 knots be
tween Miami and Jacksonville. The
Sergeant with her gas turbine has
averaged 16.03 knots between La
Pallice and New York. All the fig
ures are believed to be below the
actual maximum* speed of the ships.
In fuel consumption, the diesel-
driven Thomas Nelson is the low
est, the gas-turbine John Sergeant
next, and the steam turbine Benja
min Chew worst.
The three ships are operated in
the North Atlantic by US Lines.
The gas turbine vessel carries a
crew of 37, while the diesel and
steam turbine ships are manned
by 40 and 41 crewmembers, re
spectively.
unions involved.
Attending the Washington meet
ing were representatives of unions
affiliated with the AFL-CIO Mari
time Trades Department as well
the old CIO martime committee.
After discussion, Meany indicated
he would seek a further meeting
between himself, SIU Secretary-
Treasurer Paul Hall, NMU Presi
dent Joseph Curran and others he
might invite to such a session. The
further meeting is expected to take
place in the near future.
NMU Calls In CG
Having failed so far in efforts
to overcome the SlU's lead on the
coal ships, despite many an assist
from the company, the NMU ti'ied
out a new tactic. It called in the
Coast Guard to give it a hand in
trying to rout SIU oldtimers out of
coal ship jobs. NMU's tactics in
this instance could very well back
fire against the. NMU.
The NMU's discomfort over its
failure to overcome the SIU's lead
was shown by its persistent refusal
to publish any figures in the NMU
"Pilot." The NMU'insisted that it
had a "very good lead" but
wouldn't talk in terms of specific
numbers.
The SlU. with staunch support
from oldtimers from the A&G Dis
trict and the West Coast Sailors,
Firemen and Cooks, has held the
job lead consistently since a Fed
eral court order last spring estab
lished a seniority hiring system.
Although the figures have fluctu
ated narrowly in recent weeks, at
no time has the NMU been able to
overcome the SIU's edge.
NLRB Schedules Robin
Vote Hearing Sept. 16
NEW YORK—The NLRB has confirmed Monday, Septem
ber 16, as the date for a formal hearing on the SIU's petition
for an election for crewmembers on the eight Robin Line
ships now owned and oper--*-
ated by Moore-McCormack.
The petition was filed on
August 9 by the SIU in order
to protect the jobs for Seafarers
on the Robin vessels after Moorc-
McCormack acquired them. An in
formal hearing was held on August
22 with NLRB examiner L. J.
Lurie.
The Bull Line strike is now
entering its fourth week with the
ships tied up solidly. There are
now four ships idle at the Bull
Line terminal, the Frances, Kath-
ryn, Elizabeth and Beatrice. No
other Bull vessels were expected
in for some time.
Although shipping has not im
proved during the past period quite
a few jobs went to Class "B" and
"C" men, so it seems that Class
"A" men wei-e not finding it too
difficult to secure berths.
27 Ships In
A total of 27 ships hit the port
dui-ing the past two.weeks. There
were 18 paying off, four signing on
and five intransit.
The ships paying off were the
Robin Trent (Robin); Steel Naviga
tor, Steel Flyer, Steel Chemist
(Isthmian); Alcoa Roamer, Alcoa
Puritan (Alcoa); Seatrain Georgia,
New York, Texas, Louisiana, Sa
vannah (Seatrain); Cantigny, CS
Miami, Council Grove (Cities Serv
ice); Maxton, Alniena (Pan-Atlan
tic i; Beatrice and the Elizabeth
(Bull).
The Coeur D'Alene Victory (Vic
tory Carriers), Steel Designer
(Isthmian), Michael (Carras) and
CS Miami (Cities Service) signed
on while the Ideal X, Coalinga
Hills (Pan-Atlantic), La Salle
(Waterman), and Val Chem (Heron)
wei-e in-transit.
Don't Send Your
Baggage COD
Seafarers are again warned
not to send their baggage COD
to any Union hall. The Union
cannot accept delivery of any
baggage where express charges
have not been prepaid.
Men who send baggage COD
to Union halls face the prospect
of having to go to a lot of trou
ble and red tape with the Rail
way Express Co.
Corks Ready To Pop For Wine Tanker
Artist's conception of the first US-flag wine tanker, the Angelo Petri, which is expected to begin service late this month between Stockton,
Calif., Houston and Port Newark, NJ, with an SIU Pacific District crew. The new vessel can carry 2'/2 million gallons of wine per trip in 26
stainless steel Janks. She will carry other liquid edibles on return trips^to the West Coast. The ship is about the some size as the conven
tional T-2 tanker and includes the 250-foot after section of the T-2 Sacketts Harbor, including the original machinery. She can do 15
knots and is expected to make seven round trips a year between coasts.
I
Pat* Six SEAFARERS LOG September 13, 1957
August 21 Through September 3
port Dock
A
Soston . •••,••••••••••••••••••• 20
New York 80
Philadelphia 30
Baltimore 61
Norfolk 8
Savannah 3
Tampa 6
Mobile 28
New Orleans 42
Lake Charles 7
Houston 43
Wilmington 20
San Francisco 30
Seattle 30
Deck
Total 408
- Registered
DecK Eng. Ing. Stew. Stew.
• ABA*
3 8 16 5
10 74 16 67 13
7 30 6 18 0
13 37 15 31 5
5 10 9 3 4
3 7 3 5 2
1 3 2 6 1
6 16 5 19 4
18 38 9 34 6
8 12 8 3 7
9 24 15 13 10
10 7 15 15 5
15 16 9 27 18
22 17 15 21 14
Deck Eng. Eng. Stew. Stew.
B A B A B
130 299 . 128 268 99
Total
A
34
221
78
129
21
15
15
63
114
22
80
42
73
68
Total
A
975
Total
B
9
39
18
33
18
8
4
15
33
23
34
30
42
51
Total
B
357
Total
Reg.
43
260
96
162
39
23
19
78
147
45
114
72
115
119
Total
Reg
1332
Port Deck Deck
A B
Boston 9 4
New York 37 19
Philadelphia 17 3
Baltimore 35 5
Norfolk 3 1
Savannah 2 1
Tampa 9 2
Mobile 25 3
New Orleans 52 5
Lake Charles 7 11
Houston 20 20
Wilmington 7 6
San Francisco 24 11
Seattle 13 6
Deck Deck
Total 260 97
Shipped
Deck Eng. Eng. Eng.
C A B C
1-7 5 0
10 43 11 9
0 18 10 2
4 21 12 0
0 4 3 0
0 10 0
14 0 2
0 14 6 1
0 38 9 0
0 10 11 0
0 14 12 0
1 2 5 1
1 19 8 0
0 14 9 1
Deck Eng.
C A
18 209
Eng. Eng.
101 lb
Stew.
A
5
26
12
17
0
3
5
13
42
1
5
3
19
5
stew.
A
156
Stew. Stew.
B C
5
8
6
4
2
2
1
6
9
8
5
4
12
12
stew. Stew.
. B C
84 16
0
7
0
0
2
0
2
1
2
0
1
0
0
1
Total
A
21
106
47
73
7
6
18
52
132
18
39
12
62
32
Total
A
625
Total
B
14
38
19
21
6
3
3
15
23
30
37
15
31
27
Total
282
Total
C
1
26
2
4
2
0
5
2
2
0
1
2
1
2
Total
c
50
Total
Ship.
36
170
68
98
15
9
26
69
157
48
77
29
94
61
Total
Ship.
957
WC Firemen, Cooks
Start Voting Soon
SAN FRANCISCO—^Members of all three unions in the
SIU Pacific District will take part in referendum ballots this
fall. Two elections and a vote on a new constitution for the
Marine Firemen's Union are-*
Job activity fell off again in the last period, matching the low so far for the past year
and a half. The total number of men shipped, 957, was less than the class A registration alone.
Registration itself was 1,332, reflecting a considerable rise in this statistic.
Only five SIU ports escaped
the general decline and one
other remained about the
same as before. The increased
shipping was listed for Boston
Philadelphia, Tampa, New Orleans
and San Francisco, but 'Frisco was
the only one showing a major gain.
Baltimore held to the status quo
and was still only "fair."
Ports that fell off were New
York, Norfolk, Sav j.nah. Mobile,
Lake Charles, Houston, Wilmington
and Seattle, but most of these ex
pected to bounce back again. New
York was down due to the idling
of Bull Line ships.
Generally, the deck department
accounted for the most shipping
and the largest portion of the
registration total as well.
The proportion of jobs taken by
class A men dropped to 65 per
cent, while class B shipping rose
to 30 percent of the total. Class C
shipping fell off slightly once again,
hitting a new low.
The following is the forecast
port by port:
Boston: Fair . . . New York: Fair
. . . Philadelphia: Good . . . Balti
more: Fair . . . Norfolk: Slow . . .
Savannah: Slow . . . Tampa: Fair
. . . Mobile: Fair . . . New Orleans:
Good . . . Lake Charles: Steady . . .
Houston: Good . . . Wilmington:
Fair . . . San Francisco: Good . . .
Seattle: Good.
Notify Union
About Sick Men
Ship's delegates are urged to
notify the Union immediately
when a shipmate is taken off
the vessel in any port because
of illness or injury. Delegates
should not wait until they send
in the ship's minutes but should
handle the matter in a separate
communication, so that the Un
ion can determine in what man
ner it can aid the brother.
It would also be helpful if
the full name, rating and book
number was sent in. Address
these notifications to Welfare
Services at headquarters.
rrrrr
slated.
Already in motion is the
ratification process for the amend
ed MFOW by-laws. Voting on
these will begin late this month or
in October once ballots are pre
pared.
Nominations of the first officials
to be elected under the recently-
adopted constitution of the Marine
Cooks and Stewards were held at
port membership meetings last
night, with 14 posts at stake. This
will be the first formal election in
22 Homes
Built By La.
Volunteers
LAKE CHARLES — Volunteer
builders from New Orleans - -.d
Lake Charles continued to give up
their weekends, including their
traditional holiday—Labor Day, to
construct seven more homes in
Cameron County, La. This brings
the total to 22 homes built by these
men with three more to go under
the original hurricane reconstruc
tion program. The amount of ma
terials and supplies left over will
determine what will be done after
these are constructed, writes Leroy
Clarke, port agent.
Shipping for the port was only
fair during the past two weeks. The
Chiwawa, CS Miami, Bents Fort,
Cantigny and the Winter Hill
(Cities Service); Petro Chem (Val
entine); Maxton (Pan-Atlantic);
Steel Advocate (Isthmian); Mer
maid (Metro. Petroleum); Del Aires
(Mississippi) and Pan Oceanic
Transporter (Penn. Nav.) were in
port during the last period.
I . I •,-( -.'1.1 < J II,
MCS history, since the time the
union was first chartered by the
SIU of North America in 1951. The
constitution itself was ratified less
than three months ago.
Under the new constitution, jobs
to be filled, all for a three-year
term, are those of a secretary-
treasurer, assistant secretary-treas
urer, three patrolmen and a dis
patcher at headquarters, and one
port agent and patrolman each In
the ports of Seattle, Portland,
Wilmington and New York.
Members nominated have until
October 15 to accept or decline,
and voting will begin for a 60-day
period on November 1. Those
elected will take office in January,
1958, once the results are certified
by a membership-elected tallying
committee.
The Sailors Union of the Pacific
will hold its annual election dur
ing December and January. Nom
inations will be made at the first
SUP meeting in November.
Tampa Gets
Job Boost
TAMPA — Shipping in this port
picked up somewhat in the last
period with registration dropping
behind shipping in the deck and
engine departments. But although
jobs are on the increase, there are
enough men on the beach now to
handle any openings that may
come along.
There were four vessels calling
into port within the last two weeks.
The Citrus Packer (Waterman)
paid off while the La Salle, Has
tings (Waterman), Steel Flyer
(Isthmian) and Del Campo (Missis
sippi) were in transit.
MARORR (Or* Nav.), July IS —
Chairman, D. Stonai Sacratary, D.
Caray. Ona man mlaicd ahlp. Re
port acceptad. New delegate and
traaaurer elected. Need new pluga
for pantry alnk. Steward to poit tign
regarding linen change.
SEATRAIN TEXAS (ieatrain). May
S7—Chairman, F. Sulllvani Sacratary,
F. McBrlde. Repair list aubmitted.
Some amaU beefa. Ship'a fund, S77.80.
Reporta accepted. Need more or larger
fane for crew'a guartera; canned cof
fee in place of bagged coffee.
Furcell. Galley range needs repairing.
Ship'a fund, SIS. Drunkards warned
and wiU be turned over to Union.
4-8 watch turning to In morning not
putting in for penalty meal hour.
Delegate missed port payoff In NY.
New delegate elected. Vary night
lunch. Shower water too hot. Too
much fraternizing topside. Warning
issued if not stopped offenders wiU
be dealt with accordingly.
June 23—Chairman, J. Furcell; Sec
retary, J. Keavney. Three men paid
off without proper relief in Honolulu.
Ship's fund, 816. Report accepted.
Garbage to be dumped aft. Food beef
to be taken up at meeting. Shipping
rules to be posted in messroom.
YORKMAR (Calmar), July 1—Chair
man (none); Secretary, J. Archie. Few
hours disputed OT. To be taken care
of at payoff. Ship's fund, $15.82. Need
fan in laundry room. Washing machine
water line needs repairing. Return
all cots after using.
DEL AIRES (Miss.), July 7—Chair
man, C. Cautreau; Secretary, J. Davis.
New delegate elected. Ship's fund
S73. Schedule for cleaning laundry
to be posted. Safety representatives
elected by each dept. Talk by stew
ard regarding food and repairs. Door
to be locked while kroo boys are
aboard. Endeavor to get spring-type
locks.
FRANCES (Bull), July 21—Chair
man, W. Deak; Secretary, F. Colonna.
Reports accepted. Donation by crew
to obtain new Ubrary. Toaster not te
be used for griUed sandwiches. Pan
try to be kept clean.
IDEAL X (Fan-Atlantic), Aug. S—
Chairman, Prokopuk; Secretary, Hel-
vlnk. Few hours disputed OT. Re
ports accepted.
ALCOA PARTNER (Alcoa), July 29
—Chairman, S. Clarke; Secretary, C.
Neumann. Few hours disputed OT.
Repair lists to be submitted. Reporta
accepted. Minimum of 2 hrs. OT to
be paid for unUcensed personnel
called after 5 PM and before 8 AM.
New delegate elected. Ship to be ex
terminated. Obtained new library.
Vote of thanks to steward dept.
DE SOTO (Waterman), June S —
Chairman, C. Wallick; Secretary, W.
Newsom. New delegate elected. Lock
ers in foc'sles to be repaired. Water
pressure to be Improved throughout
ship.
July 11—Chairman, R. Hedges; Sec
retary, W. Newtem. Steward's actions
unbecoming. Number of complaints
from members in dept. Patrolman to
take action. Few hours disputed OT.
Few beefs to be taken up with pa
trolman. Two men missed ship be
tween ports. Reports accepted. Clari-
flcation of deck delegate's report.
Beefs to be taken up with patrolman.
Aug. 3—:Chalrman, R. Hodges; Sec
retary, B. Varn, Jr. Repairs made.
Vote of thanks to headquarters for
progress made in American Coal beef.
New delegate elected. Cups to be re
turned to pantry after using. Take
better care of cots. Vote of thanks
to retiring ship's delegate. Vote of
thanks to steward dept. for fine food
and good service.
ALCOA RAN(»BR (Alcea), July 27—
Chairman, none; Secretary, J. Janes.
No replacements fo^ crew members in
Puerto Rico. Reports accepted. Re
frain from making noise in passage
ways—men sleeping. Discussion on
type of milk put aboard in San Juan;
general equipment on board.
CALMAR (Calmar), July 21—Chair
man, F. Miller; Secretary, T. Jackson.
New secretary-reporter, treasurer and
delegate elected. Messroom and bath
rooms to be kept clean.
MICHAEL (Carras), July SI—Chair
man, H. Ward; Secretary, C. McLean.
Ship sailed short two men. One man
Ul. Ship's fund $2, Piu-chased maga
zines and books. Observe quiet in
passageways. Post repair list.
ALICE BROWN (Bleemfleld), July
IS—Chairman, O. Yeager; Secretary,
T. Schulta. Safety meeting held. Re
pair lists submitted. One member
missed ship; one member hospitalized.
Headquarters to be given Bloomfleld
Steamship Co. schedules and ports of
call so LOG may be received at all
times. Slop chest not opened fre
quently enough. Vote of thanks to
steward dept. Approval of new SIU
feeding program.
YORKMAR (Calmar), May 21—Chalr^
man, E. Denchy; Secretary, J. Archie.
Ship's fund *15.82. New delegate
elected.
STEEL KINO (Isthmian), May 24—
Chairman, J. Keavney; Secretary, J.
NEVA WEST (Bloomfleld), June 14
—Chairman, D. Jones; Secretary, J.
McDougall. New delegate elected.
Drinking water changed. Brother
Jones will submit article for the IX)G.
Steward to act as treasurer. Ship
being cleaned and painted. No beefs
—things running smoothly. Vote of
thanks to steward dept. for good food
and service. Cleaning schedule for
laundry and recreation room to be
typed and posted. Need scuppers in
laundry. Valves to be checked and
changed to save. fresh water; place
cold water hook-up to washing ma
chine. General discussion.
Aug. 3—Chairman, J. Rellly; Secre
tary, D. Jones. Sick men to see doc
tor upon arrival. Need new washing
machine. Scupper to be placed in
laundry. Members leaving ship to
strip bunks and turn in soiled and
extra linen. Two articles submitted to
LOG. Ship's fund S14.23. No beefs,
everything running smoothly. No
LOGS received. Vote of thanks to
steward dept. for fine food and serv
ice. Need new washing machine and
scupper in laundry. General discus
sions.
CAROLYN (Bull), July 28-Chair
man, W. Smith; Secretary, R. Prin
cipe. Vote of thanks to steward dept.
for fine work. Ship's fund to be used
to repair TV set. SI contribution
from each crew member.
WARRIOR (Waterman), Aug. 3 —
Chairman, H. Starck; Secretary, W.
Elliott. Captain warned crew about
causing any trouble. Injured man
repatriated to States. One man missed
ship, rejoined in Moji. Reports ac
cepted. Discussion on washing ma
chine. Vote of thanks by steward for
cooperation in changing linen. Cups
to be returned to pantry. Repair list
to be submitted.
SEA COMET II (Seatrader), Aug. 4
—Chairman, F. Parsons; Secretary, G.
Bryan. No major beefs. Some dis
puted overtime. Delegate to check
with patrolman regarding phosphate
cargo and whether or not men would
be permitted to pay off in Baltimore.
One man missed ship. Clothes turned
over to shipmate and necessary data
given to delegate. Reports accepted.
Extra linen to be turned in for inven
tory. Vote of thanks to steward dept.
Garbage to be dumped aft. Crew not
to use lemon juice: set aside for
meals only.
CAROLYN (Bull), July 14—Chair-
man, W. Smith; Secretary, D. Pantes.
One man hospitalized. No replace
ment. Few hours disputed OT. New
delegate elected. More variety in
night lunch. Food not up to par.
Poor grade of food-put aboard: to be
discussed with patrolman. Complaints
being brought topside. Washing ma
chine to be kept clean.
STEEL VENDOR (Isthmian), May i
—Chairman, S. Mangold; Secretary, V.
Orenclo. Ship's fund S27.91. New
delegate elected. New library ob
tained.
June 19—Chairman, V. Warfleld;
Secretary, V. Orencle. No hot water
for 11 hours. One man missed ship;
rejoined. Ship's fund S27.91. Few
hours disputed OT. Report accepted.
Need more canned fruits. Vegetables
not cooked properly.
July 20—Chairman, W. Schlect; Sec
retary, V. Orenclo. Subsistence not
collectible—hot water supplied within
12 hours. Two Men paid off in Hono
lulu. One man missed ship. In the
future, anyone quitting before payoff
must have medical slip certifying un
fit for duty. Ship's fund S27.91. Car
penter paid off. Unable to get re
placement. All beefs to be settled by
patrolman. Bosun refused to turn to.
stating ho was fired. Patro!man to
talk to bosun. Bread box to be closed
to prevent bread from becoming
stale. Pantry and mess hall doors te
be closed while in port.
ALCOA PEGASUS (Alcea), Aug. IS
—Chairman, J. Bernard; Secretary, L.
Phillips.. Two men left ship in PR.
Cots to be stowed away at end of
voyage.
SEATRAIN GEORGIA (Seatrain),
Aug. 18—Chairman, S. Charles; Sec
retary, A. Lambert. Delayed sailing
disputed OT to be referred to patrol
man. Beef in deck dept. kept squared
away. Wire sent to hall re: sending
patrolman for Sunday payoff. Ship's
fund S21.03. Safety meeting held.
Ail suggestions taken care of. Com
plaints not to be taken to captain.
SHINNECOCK BAY (Tankship),
Aug. 17 — Chairman, E. CzosnoskI;
Secretary, R. Harp. All stores to be
checked by delegate. Beef on steward
to be taken up with patrolman in San
Juan. Request 25 days supply of
stores to be put aboard.
DEL NORTE (Miss.), Aug. 18 —
Chairman, J. Connors; Secretary, H.
Crane. Everything running smoothly.
Men Urged not to foul up. Ship's fund
S127.03. Paid for new movie screen.
New delegate elected. Messhails and
pantry to be kept clean at all times.
Steward to have cream and sugar in
pantry at coffee time. Each man to
donate $2 to purchase films for next
voyage.
ALCOIA ROAMER (Alcea), Aug. 14
— Chairman, B. DeBautte; secretary,
R. Klenast. One man left ship in San
Juan to fly to NY marine hospital.
Letter from Union regarding 61 days
received. Vote of thanks from ^
members to headquarters.
.>11. - I ..IL. 1,1 I. .1 • I 1 (•
September IS, ISST SEAFARERS LOG Pare Serea
I fi-
II
YOUR DOllAR'S WORTH
Seafarer's Guide To Better Buying
By Sidney Margolius
Shopping For A House
Prices of new houses are at record high levels. This summer the
average new house, on a countrywide basis, has a price tag close to
$15,000. In just the three years since 1954", when the average dwelling
was $12,300, the average price has gone up about 22 percent. Only one
out of seven new houses recently offered for sale was priced under
$10,000.
Part of this rise is due to the fact that houses are larger now, be
cause builders are concentrating on more expensive houses and less
on the wage-earner market. The average house in 1956 provided
1,230 square feet of floor area compared to 1,140 in 1954.
However, the cost per square foot of houging your family has jumped
too, from a country wide average at $10.79 a square foot in '54 to $11.79
in '56, and an estimated $12 in May, 1957. The cost per square foot
actually has dropped in the Northeast, but has gone up drastically in
the West, South and North Central states. In the Northeast, housing
demand has tapered off, but in booming areas where demand is keen, as
in a number of Southern and Western states, builders are pricing new
homes to get all the market will bear. In just two years, from '54 to
'56, the square-foot prices of houses have jumped 16 percent in the
South, to $10.32; 15 percent in the North Central states, to a whopping
$14.08, and 10 percent in the West, to $11.72.
Prices In South Now Rising
The cost of houses in the South is relatively low, although going up
fast, because most are basementless and only three out of five have
central heating.
It's valuable to know what you get for your money in square footage
and "extras," and also what designs and materials are being favored.
This helps you compare values
(' •' ^ offered by different builders. It
Alow MU^H ? judge the future
_ ' resale value of a new house, and
compare values among older
houses on the market.
The price per square foot of
floor area is one yardstick of value.
As the Bureau of Labor Statistics
figures it, floor area is the number
of square feet computed from out
side dimensions, counting all fin
ished livable space, including
laundry and utility rooms, halls
and closets. But it excludes ree-
reation, storage, laundry and util
ity rooms in the basement, unfin
ished attic space and open or
screened porches.
The big switch in recent years
is to three-bedroom houses, which
have become the standard in place
of the two-bedroom house that
predominated in 1950.
Another factor is the quality of construction. Despite the higher
square-foot costs, basic construction quality is not necesarily improv
ing. A recent BLS report showed relatively few new houses available
nowadays for less than $10,000, with the majority of them in the South.
These were small, basementless, frame houses with wood or asbestos
shingle exteriors, often with only two bedrooms or even less; one
bathroom, and with only space heaters or no heating facilities at all.
You have to go into the-$10,000-$15,000 bracket to get a more ade
quate house. In this bracket you can get 1,000 to 1,500 square feet of
living space, with three bedrooms, one bath or a bath and a half,
warm-air heat if not the costlier hot-water, and a garage or carport.
But even hou.ses in this price class have basements in only one out
of three cases and, most often, dry walls. Only in houses over $15,000
are you likely to get plaster walls, and then, in only three out of five
cases. Hot-water heat has become relatively rare in houses selling
for under $20,000.
$10,000 Is Dividing Line On Wood, Brick
Houses under $10,000 will more often have asbestos facing, but
over the $10,000 price you have a good chance of getting wood, brick
or stucco facing.
If you go over $12,000, you should expect a full or at least partial
basement and also, bathrooms with ceramic tiie walls and floors.
Only at $15,000 and over do new houses now generally give you
plaster walls, V/i> to 2 bathrooms and most generally, brick or brick-
facing construction.
Aluminum window frames are gaining in popularity with steel
casements now less used. Wood double-hung windows are still pop
ular and desirable, but nowadays are found more in the costlier houses
than in moderate-priced ones.
But besides lire price, regional preferences influence construction.
People in the Northeast prefer basements, and in the North Central
states over half the new houses have basements, with the trend in
that direction. In the West arid South, most houses are basementless.
Families in the Northeast and Nbrth Central states prefer wood win
dows, BLS surveys show.
It's more important to look for quality construction, rather th3n
eye-catehing "extras," such as dishwashers, garbage disposal units,
etc. Veiy few builders now give you a refrigerator and even less a
washer,, as they often did when houses were cheaper. In most cases
lyou should boabte 'toi get a range and exhaust fan; • An increasing
riumber of cooking, units now are built-in tops and ej^-level ovens.
BME Boosts Yf el fare. Pensions
In a move designed to insure greater welfare protection to its members, Brotherhood of
Marine Engineers welfare plan trustees have announced substantial increases in benefits
for engineers. •
The changes involve in
creased death benefits, a pro-
fated pension plan for engi
neers who wish to retire at age 60
and increased medical payments.
Death benefit payments for active
members were increased from
$2,500 to $3,000 while a payment
of $500 was approved to bene
ficiaries of retired BME members.
Prior to this pensioners were not
eligible for death benefits.
Realizing the need of additional
protection against expensive medi
cal costs, the benefit for doctors'
visits has been increased and ex
tended to cover additional medical
services. The medical plan will
now pay up to $100 a calendar year
towards bills incurred by the en
gineer or his family. The payments
will be made for visits to a gen
eral practitioner or to a specialist.
It was also extended to cover
eye examinations and eye glasses.
The maximum payment for any
one bill will be $20. The old plan
had no provision for bills over $5
and did not include payments for
eye examinations and glasses.
Payments under the pension plan
to qualified members have been
changed to enable engineers to re
tire at age 60 at a lower benefit
rate. Earlier, BME members were
not eligible for retirement bene
fits until they reached 65. The pro
rated payments range from $55 a
month for a member retiring at
age 60 to the full benefit of $100
a month for those retiring at 65.
The expanded welfare and pen
sion programs were the result of
recommendations by delegates to
the union's agents conference.
Tliey were subsequently approved
by the membership.
The membership also voted to
set machinery in motion for re
vising certain clauses in the
union's constitution. The changes
would be along the lines recom-
MTD Elects
Port Heads
In St. Louis
ST. LOUIS—The St. Louis Mari
time Port Council—one of the
series of port councils now being
set up by the AFL-CIO Martime
Trades Department—^was formally
chartered here on September 5.
The charter was presented by
Harry E. O'Reilly, MTD executive
secretary.
Officers of the council wei»e
elected as follows: President. John
Naber, secretary - treasurer of
Teamsters Local 688; vice presi
dent, Edward Weber, business rep
resentative of Firemen and Oilers
Local 6; secretary-treasurer, Ed
ward Adams, business repi'esenta-
tive, MM&P.
The charter meeting was attend
ed by 25 delegates representing
seven international unions with a
total marine membership of 50,000.
Local unions in the area are also
applying for membership, and it
is expected that ultimately about
20 unions will be affiliated with
the council.
Sign Name On
LOG Letters
For obvious reasons the LOG
cannot print any letter or
other communications sent in
by Seafarers unless the author
signs his name. Unsigned
anonymous letters will only
wind up in the waste-basket.
If circumstances justify, the
LOG will withhold a signature
on request.
mended at the agents conference.
Up for revision are the union's
trials and appeals procedures,
quorums for membership meet
ings, replacement of the executive
board by an agents conference set
up and inclusion in the consti
tution of the AFL-CIO ethical
practice code.
A special constitutional commit
tee has been called to prepare the
recommendations for the Septem
ber membership meeting at head
quarters.
It's There in Black 'n' White
British seaman Kevin Sealy, AS (left), looks over item in SlU con
stitution as Seafarer John F. Murphy, bosun, points it out to him.
Sealy, a member of the British Seamen's Union, aboard the SS
Ulysses In New York, came up to the hall to pick up some copies
of the constitution to show to his shipmates.
Glass Fiber Lifeboats
Wiil Be Tested By US
WASHINGTON—new type of lifeboat constructed of re
inforced glass fiber will be tested next year for use aboard
American-flag ships. The Maritime Administration got the
experiment under way last-*--
month by asking manufactur
ers to submit bids for produc
ing several sets of oar- and motor-
propelled boats for testing early
in 1958. The study will be made on
Government-owned ships.
The new lifeboats, which are in
use on foreign ships, are con
structed of laminated glass fiber.
The fiber may be pigmented with
desired colors, and the hard,
smooth type finish eliminates
painting.
Boats Have Long Life
The Maritime Administration be
lieves the boats will last as long
as the ships they are assigned to,
with little maintenance. It also
believes that their elasticity should
enable them to withstand shock
and collision that might seriously
damage metal boats.
The proposed boats would have
the following specifications: length
overall 24 feet, beam 8 feet, and
draft 3 feet 6 inches, certified for
a maximum capacity of 40 persons.
The Maritime Administration has
also specified that the maximum
hoisting weight when fully
equipped (without persons) must
not exceed 4,500 pounds, including
800 to 1,000 pounds of equipment.
Resins used in construction must
be fire retardent.
Turbine Ship Test
The boats will be tested aboard
the Government's experimental
Liberty ship GTS William Patter
son, and on other Government-
owned vessels. The Coast Guard
has specified that the boats must
exceed the present tests required
for metal boats. If the tests are
successful, similar boats may be
ordered on all new. Marltiipe Ad
ministration construction.
SlU Softball
NineChantps
In Baltimore
BALTIMORE—The SIU chalked
up another victory, but this time
on the baseball diamond. The
"Seafarers International Union"
Softball team downed the South
Baltimore champs. 4-3. in a final
play-off game to take the city-wide
championships for 16 to 18 year
olds.
The South Baltimore club,
Fritz's Social Club, had jumped to
a 2-run lead in the first innin,:?. but
under the cool pitching of "Huch"
Neal and some well placed hits by
Neal. Gus Ceaenaio and right
fielder Gavenas. the SlU-sponsorcd
team turned the tables for a 4-3
victory. Fine defensive plays by
shortstop Jack Norwood, .second
baseman George Holland, first
baseman Cliff Steward and Captain
Jack Schaefer. the catcher, pulled
the plugs on any threats by the
southern champs.
The SIU club is coached by Jack
and Irvin Levin who have lead two
straight championship teams. Last
.year they captured the 14-16 title
and this year the 16-18 crown with
the SIU.
SIU Baltimore members and
officials have pitched in to help
sponsor the local ball club. Besides
being a factor in keeping the
youths off the . streets, it has
aroused a community spirit_in Sea
farers from Baltimore who at
tended the games .while on the j
beach and rooted their team to •
victory. -
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Pare Eirht SEAFARERS 100 September 13, 195T
ITIUFrEIIED
INTNESIU..
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The dozen yeors since the end of
World War 11 hove been the baclc-
drop for numerous beefs in which Sec-
farers have played a significant role,
as well as being a period of major
gains for the Union and. Its member
ship.
Pictured here are scenes from just
a handful of the many important events
of the lost 12 years.
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World War II had ended and in 1946 the Communist Party
made its strongest bid yet to control all of maritime. Here
Seafarers demonstrate against an invasion of New York
by Harry Bridges and his allies in the Committee For
Maritime Unity. CMU later folded.
AHERICAN
FEDERATION
CFNTRAt U&os UNION
i of Fhiiad€ij>ha AViciNty
A D • s;r?- -R '2; 3 ?.
SIU-SUP general strike action in 1946 tied up shipping tight as a drum on both
coasts in protest against continued Government lid on wage increases already
negotiated with operators. Here mobile "stew pot" provides coffee and cakes for
Philadelphia pickets. Strike was successful in regaining full bargaining rights for
maritime unions and eliminating Government wage controls.
Another major postwar organizing campaign was successfully followed through at
Cities Service Oil Co. Here a Seafarers' picket squad conducts a dress rehearsal in
preparation for a possible strike against the company in 1953 when its SIU
agreement came up for renewal. Strike was called off when a new agreement was
signed.
The largest-scale organizing drive ever carried on in mari
time reached its peak in '45 and '46. Here an organizer '
meets a group of Isthmian crewmembers off the William '
Whipple. SIU won election in 96-ship fleet by a command
ing margin. y<it« wasTparitimc's biggest. :
Int'l Union of Elec
trical Workers gets
SIU backing on Bal
timore picket lines in
bitter 1955-$j|i strike.
First pooled Vacation
Plan in maritime be
gan in '52, guarantees
vacation, pay for all
every 90 days lyorked..
Constitution, first writ
ten back in 1939, was
revised and modernized
in 1952 and approved
by 95 percept,vote.
September IS, 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Paffe Nln*
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P' to
5 ; SIU building program resulted in construction of new
headquarters hall in Brooklyn which opened in Novem-
her, 1951. Hall was first on Atlantic and Gulf Coast to
I boast modern shipping hall, recreational and eating facili-
•it:! Seafarers on the beach.
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Three years later Baltimore hall was opened, exceeding
headquarters in space and improving on its facilities.
Hall quickly became center of labor activities in the
Maryland port city, as many unions took office space
there.
Andrew Furuseth train
ing school in Mobile
teaches seamanship to
SIU newcomers in all
ships' departments.
Disability-pension benefits for Seafarers, any age, who
are unable to work started at $15 weekly in 1952, have
since been increased to $35 a week. Pictured above is dis
abled Seafarer Walter Stoll with Mrs. Stoll at his retire
ment home in Savannah.
Joseph Cave, Jr., 1st SIU
maternity benefit baby
in '52, marks birthday in
New Orleans one year
later.
Sea Chest, founded in
1952, has continued to of
fer top quality slops to
SlU-contracted ships on
competitive basis.
Support of NY Stock Ex
change strikers in '48 in
volved this Seafarer in
"Battle of Wall Street"
as cops belabored pickets.
Group of Seafarers attending headquarters meeting listens
attentively as resolution calling for referendum on con
stitution amendments is read at one of three successive
meetings before being voted on by secret ballot. Amend
ments were adopted by overwhelming margin.
New Orleans Seafarers
parade in support of CIO
telephone workers during
long 1955 strike against
Southern Bell system.
SIU started distributing
50-book ship's libraries in
1953 in effort to meet de
mand for shipboard read
ing matter.
Longshoremen seeking
new union in New York
are shown at AFL rally at
SIU headquarters in
coiurse of '53 drive.
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CIO shipyard workers
were backed by -^lU on
several occasions. Shown
above is 1947 shipyard
strike at Ira St Bushey's.
Seafarer Jerry O'Neill, '56
SIU scholarship winner,
reads all about it in LOG.
Five $6,000 awards are
hiade each year;
Hospitalized Seafarers
learn of new family hos
pital-surgical plan. Pro
gram begun. In 1955 has
since been extended.
First of four proposed SIU Welfare Plan medical centers
opened in Brooklyn, one block from SIU hall, in April,
1957. , Well over 1,000 Seafarers have already had head-
to-loe check-ups at no cost. Other diagnostic clinics will
be set up in Baltimore, Mobile and New' Orleans; • '' '
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Par* Tea SEAFARERS LOG Seatember IS. IMT
Dow-Chem Men
Get $125 Raise
HOUSTON—Seamen aboard two of Dow Chemical Com
pany boats came into a windfall this week when the com
pany turned the vessels over to Dixie Carriers to operate for
them, Dixie Carriers is an*
HIWD-contracted operator
and under the terms of its
agreement the men on these vessels
will automatically receive an aver
age wage increase of $123 a month,
plus other HIWD welfare benefits.
Just prior to the transfer, the SIU
had filed for an NLRB election cov
ering the men on these two vessels.
Ship
Halt Boost
In PR
Rate Levels
WASHINGTON—Three SlU-con-
tracted operators have been barred
from raising rates on Puerto Rico
cargo pending a Federal Maritime
Board review next January.
Acting on complaints from
Puerto Rico sugar refiners, the
Board ordered the US Atlantic &
Gulf Puerto Rico Steamship con
ference to suspend a proposed 12
per cent hike in refined sugar rates
for four months. Conference mem
bers include the SlU-contracted
Bull Line, Alcoa Steamship Co.,
and Waterman Steamship Corp.,
as well as Lykes Bros. Steamship
Co.
Inbound Boost Barred
The board also barred the Water
man-affiliated Pan-Atlantic Steam
ship Co. from raising rates on gen
eral inbound cargo from Puerto
Rico. The rate boost was scheduled
to go into effect Sept. 18.
Earlier, the conference had been
ordered to postpone a 15 per cent
across-the-board increase on in
bound cargo from the Islands. The
entire rate problem will be
thrashed out before the FMB in
January.
Cargo rates on refined sugar
have gone up since August, 1956,
from 48 to 53 cents per hundred
weight. The proposed increases
would raise the rates to 59 cents
per hundredweight.
Notify Union
On LOG Mail
As Seafarers know, copies of
each issue of the SEAFARERS
LOG are mailed every two
weeks to all SIU ships as well as
to numerous clubs, bars and
other overseas spots where Sea
farers congregate ashore. The
procedure for mailing the LOG
involves calling all SIU steam
ship companies for the itiner
aries of their ships. On the
basis of the information sup
plied by the ship operator, three
copies of the LOG, the head
quarters report and minutes
forms are then airmailed to the
company agent in the next port
of call.
Similarly, the seamen's clubs
got various quantities of LOGs
at every mailing. The LOG is
sent to any club when a Sea
farer so requests it by notifying
the LOG office that Seafarers
congregate 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
^d^y-torday check on the accu-
raciy of its mailing lists. ,
By transferring, the seamen will re
ceive their increased wages and
benefits without the need for a
labor board election.
Organizing in this area is still
going strong. Another Houston
company has been signed up and
is now in the process of negotiating
a contract. The company is Gautt
Towing Company and an agree
ment is expected to be signed with
in a week.
Shipping in this area was just
fair during the past two weeks but
is expected to pick up before the
end of the month. "The Warrior
(Waterman) and Matthew Thorn
ton (Grainfieet) paid off while the
Del Aires (Mississippi) signed on.
The Del Monte (Mississippi) and
the Royal Oak (Cities Service) are
expected to take on full crews in
the near future.
Doria Attracts
Hub Attention
BOSTON—^Men on the beach in
this port, writes James Sheehan,
port agent, are spending their free
time "sidewalk" supervising the
loading of a special divers' boat.
The vessel is being specially outfit
ted by a group of divers who plan
to take photographs of the sunken
Italian liner, Andrea Doria. Be
sides the usual diving equipment
of a decompression tank and suits,
they are also loading special
cameras and lights, he said. With
all the talk of the possibility of
raising the flagship, this could be
the initial preparation for such an
undertaking.
Fair Shipping
Shipping has been fair during
the past period with three vessels
causing most of the job activity.
These ships, the Winter Hill (Cities
Service), Valley Forge (Penn. Nav.)
and the Pacific Ocean (Trans
Utility) paid off and signed on. The
Steel Chemist and Steel Rover
(Isthmian) were in transit. All of
the ships paid off clean with the
few repairs needed taken care of
here in port.
Seafarer Eddie Sheehan is now
in Boston PSHS recuperating from
an illness he suffered while on
the Ocean Transporter. Eddie had
to leave the vessel in Jacksonville,
and wishes to extend his thanks to
the captain and crew for all the
help they gave him.
Ex-Waterman
Official Dies
MOBILE—Carroll B. Waterman,
former vice-president of the SIU-
contracted Waterman Steamship
Co., was found shot to death near
here last week, Police said that
Waterman, 51, vas an apparent
suicide.
The son of the founder of Water
man Stveamship Co., he had
resigned from his post in May,
1955, after the company was pur
chased by McLean Industries.
Lived Near Mobile
He had lived at nearby Canon
Gate, on the outskirts of Mobile.
Funeral services were held here
last week followed by burial in
Magnolia Cemetery. lie is sur
vived by his'wifei and two children.
There's nothing
ilk
HOT SHOWER ...
A shower can be refreshing after a day's hard work provided
you don't emerge with a slashed foot from a earelessty-disearded
razor blade or a back sprain from skidding on a chunk of soap
or just sliding on the wet deck.
Shower rooms always have a way of contributing more than
their quota of accidents ashore and an ship. Of course, with
the ship likely to pitch or roll any minute, the hazard is
compounded.
ideally, the shower room should have a grab bar to hang on
to if the weather's the least bit rough and as clean a deck as
possible. Water can't be avoided but the junkpile can. Sea
farers can add to their margin of safety by wearing a good
pair of non-skid shower shoes. They also keep the athlete's
foot percentage low. Enjoy your shower, but take care to
return to your foc'sle in one piece afterwards.
i An SIU Ship is a Safe Ship • I, . • • • . •
September IS, 19S7 SEAFARERS IPG Pace Elevea
Don't Bother Me, I'm Busy!
Shoreside
Jobs Rise
In Mobile
MOBILE — Although shipping
slacked off during the past period,
It was necessary to farm out some
engine room jobs to near-by ports
to fill them. There are only about
20 to 30 engine room men regis
tered in this port so the men in
that department can afford to be
selective about the jobs they want.
Approximately one-third of the
total local membership is now
working In various affiliated jobs
in and around the port. Of interest
to those men on the beach who like
to work In shipyards is the news
that Gulf Shipyards leased a large
dry dock from the Navy and are
bringing it around from Jackson
ville. Up to now all drydocking
had to go down river to Alabama
Drydock since Gulf had no dry-
docking facilities. This will mean
a saving in travel time and money
for the men working there. A crew
of eight ABs and a cook were sent
to tow the dock from Jacksonville.
On the shipping side, the Alcoa
Patriot, Alcoa Pennant, Alcoa
Cavalier, (Alcoa); Claiborne, Citrus
Packer, LaSalle (Waterman); Edith
(Bull) and the Steel Advocate
(Isthmian) were in port during the
past two weeks. In addition, a
full crew was sent to the SS Little
Rock, a T-2 belonging to North
American SS Company. Next
period should bring better ship
ping with almost 13 vessels ex
pected in so far.
SIU Port Agent Cal Tanner also
noted the enthusiasm sweeping the
entire Gulf area as a result of the
mounting HIWD victories in the
Louisiana tidelands field. A new
control and another election
sweep^gs ,gaiDg4 two weeks..aga
The balance-sheet for the now-ended first session of the
85th Congress provides small comfort for the supporters of a
strong US merchant fleet who had hoped for more encour
agement from Capitol Hill. Help in the form of Federal sub
sidies are still available only to the select few, and when the
farm lobby-foreign shipowner bloc couldn't weaken "50-50
in the Congress itself, the Maritime Administration came
along and did it by administrative ruling.
The theory of the "prestige" ship is still uppermost in the
minds of the lawmakers. Thus, a minor budget item of $100
millions for ship construction was pared to a mere $3 million,
but the operators of luxury class passenger vessels got full as
surance that they'd get assistance next year. At the same time,
work goes ahead on an atom-powered ship that already has
a pricetag of $42.5 million and will certainly cost more before
it hits the water. But the commercial usefulness of this ex
perimental vessel is still ten or more years away.
We already have the first nuclear-powered subs and this
experience is being translated to build Navy surface ships as
well. The lessons from these will be applied eventually to
merchant shipping, which is not interested so much in the fact
that an atom ship can travel 60,000 miles on a bit of atomic
fuel as big as a golf ball, but rather in how much cargo a
similar surface ship can carry to justify the cost of the first
nuclear bunkering. Surely some balance must be achieved
between funds for experiments and for bread and butter
cargo ships. What good is a lavish showcase if the shelves are
bare?
4" 4"
Qniet, Please!
A hush seems to have spread over the tanker segment of the
industry despite the ballyhoo last fall about the bigger and
better oil carriers that were on the way to offset any future
Suez crisis. There doesn't seem to be any rush to build any
more, although more than a few of the operators put their
ships under runaway flags on the understanding that new
tonnage was forthcoming. Some of this tonnage is underway,
but nobody would be surprised if it turned out that it was
being built for Liberian registry after all.
After the industry raked in the profits from the "emer
gency" oil-lift last fall and winter. Egypt's President Nasser
kind of spoiled the game by reopening the canal. One almost
gets the impression that the oil bigwigs wish Nasser would
pull the pins again. Then the "public service" announcements
could start up again and then we might even see a ship or two
built after all ,
Pan-Atlantic Adds Pier
Space For Boxship Run
PORT NEWARK—Getting ready to expand its trailership
operations next month, Pan-Atlantic Steamship has just
leased another transit shed and about 350,000 more square
Ease Some
Restrictions
On Aliens
-•^11 .•••!< 1
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feet of area here.
The maiden sailing of its
first "lift-on, lift-off" trailer-
ship, the Gateway City, is now set
for October 4. The service will in
clude Miami, Tampa and New Or
leans-as well as Houston, which is
already linked by trailership oper
ations with four "piggyback" tank
ers.
Eventually ten converted C-2s
will join the Gateway City to link
Port Newark, the above-mentioned
ports and others along the Atlantic
and Gulf coasts. The "piggyback"
ships, which are modified T-2 tank
ers with special platform decks to
accommodate up to 60 truck trail
ers, have been operating since
April, 1956.
-The new "lift-on" vessels will be
capable of handling up to 226
35-foot trailer bodies above and
below decks. The ships are being
equipped with two 60,000-pound
gantry cranes for loading and dis
charging. This does away with the
need for expensive terminals in the
ports being serviced, since the
trailers can easily be unloaded,
locked onto waiting cabs and
driven off the dock. In the "piggy-
bank" operation, giant dockside
cranes are needed instead.
Crewing of the Gateway City for
the first "dry runs" is expected
next week in Mobile, where the
conversions are being done.
WASHINGTON — Legislation
easing certain "hardship" cases
arising out of the Immigration and
Nationality Act of 1952 finally
cleared Congress the day before
it adjourned.
The measure makes minor ad
justments so that families now
here can be reunited with rela
tives abroad. It also eases some
quota restrictions affecting "refu
gee-escapees" from Iron Curtain
countries and displaced persons in
the Middle East.
Originally the Administration
had asked for an overhaul of many
of the re.strictive provisions of the
MeCarran-Walter Immigration Act,
particularly in the limited quotas
for Asiatic and for some European
countries. It is expected that a
new bid for Immigration Act
changes will be made in the up
coming Congress.
Full information on the changes
which may affect' Seafarers or
their families can be obtained from
any Immigration and Naturaliza
tion Office or by checking with
SIU Welfare Services.
President Eisenhower has said
he regards Walter Reuther's price-
cutting plan as a "hopeful augury"
that the combined efforts of unions
and management may curb infia-
tion. The UAW president has
urged the major auto companies to
cut new car prices by $100 as an
anti-inflation measure. He said
they could maintain and even boost
profits through greater production.
In a letter to Reuther, Dr. Gabriel
Hauge, Eisenhower's economic
adviser, said that it would be in
appropriate for the President to
express a view on the specific pro
posal, but that he thought the plan
indicated a sense of civic responsi
bility would prevail in future
negotiations.
4* 4" 4"
The Textile Workers Union of
America has filed a new appeal
with the NLRB to reopen the un
fair labor practice case against
the Darlington Manufacturing
Company, Darlington, SC. The
company closed down after the
TWUA won a representation elec
tion among the plant's 500 workers.
The board found that the company
liquidated for no other reason than
to avoid having to bargain with the
union. Earlier motions to bring
the plant's real owner into the case
failed because the NLRB was un
able to determine the penalty it
could recommend against the
liquidated company.
4" 4"
The United Steelworkers Union,
whose unemployment benefits pro
gram went Into effect Sept. 1, has
worked out arrangements to pay
out benefits in four states where
payments are blocked by legal
restrictions. The arrangements
would cover 190,000 workers in
Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina and
Virginia. The program provides
laid-off workers with 65% of their
wages for a 82-week period. In
Chip the union and the companies
h^yOj^ a^eed to jOaske a court test
of the legality of the ban. The
method of payment will go to a
special arbitration board in Indiana
and Virginia.
4 4 4
Boston's newspaper presses
started rolling again after the strik
ing members of Mailers Union 16
okayed a $10.25 package wage in
crease. The mailers walked out
last month in an effort to gain pay
parity with other big cities. In
addition, the Massachusetts State
Labor Commissioner has agreed to
set up an arbitration board to
determine whether there "should
be any additional wage increases
for the mailers over and above
the $10.25." The strike lasted 21
days.
4 4 4
A petition against a decertifica
tion vote has been filed with the
NLRB by the United Rubber
Workers Union on the heels of a
claim by the O'SulIivan Rubber
Company in Winchester, Virginia,
that no union represented the
workers. The company has been
operating with scab workers since
the union called a strike in May,
1956, and 400 employees went out
for better wages and conditions.
Meanwhile, the URW is continuing
its nationwide boycott drive
against the use of O'SulIivan heels.
4 4 4
Members of the International
Union of Electrical Workers at the
Westinghouse plant In Bloomfield,
NJ, don't want any non-union
made goods, even if they are given
out free. The chief steward of lUE
Local 410 told the plant manager
that the union would consider it an
unfriendly act to allow two adver
tising men for the R. J. Reynolds
Company to give out samples of
Salem Cigarettes In the plant
cafeteria. Reynolds, also makers
of Camels, Is a non-union company
As a result, no samples wert
handed out.
:|l
y|
i
• n
4
Paffc Twelve SEAFARERS LOG September 13, 1937
I "
Mate's For SIU Men Anytime ^
In these days of complaints and squabbles caused by "supposed-to-be officers and gen
tlemen," it's refreshing to come across a chief mate who says: "They're happy; I'm happy."
That kind of an attitude, according to Seafarer John Wunderlich on the tanker Mer
maid, is a welcome change.
As ship's delegate, Wunder
lich figures he'd otherwise
be at loggerheads
with the mate
most of the time
However
there's not a heef
in the world, re
ports John G.
"Skezo" Skevo-
feelax, the para
gon of matehood.
Wunderlich says
the chief even
V. rote the company about his satis
faction with the SIU deck gang.
"Skezo's" formula, in his own
words, is to "keep the ship in the
Skevofeelax
LOG-A-RHYTHM:
Gone To Rest
By William Willdridge
(In memory of our departed
brother, Robert McDonough.)
Cone from our mist
To a land beyond our control,
Taken to the land of his Holy
Father
Where some day
From this earth we must all depart.
Gone to the kingdom of his maker,
So far in the heav'ns above;
Land of beauty and enchantment.
Where every word spoken
Is of kindness and love.
Passing on to eternity
To a icorld to us unknown.
Never regretting his short stay
As in heaven he is not alone.
Gone to his master's sanctuary.
Where preservation of the soul
He will always keep,
Even though flesh and bone turn
to dust
Lying in the long, long sleep.
Gone into the future without end,
To live on eternally
Taken into the folds
Of the ruler of mankind.
No place better could there be;
As the years roll on
They take their toll.
But it never is the end;
When atonement day comes
We will come face to face again.
So, to the loved ones left behind,
Ship)7iates of the Royal Oak,
We offer our condolences
And pray that some day
Again we may convoke.
required condition . . . through the
dependable efficiency of my deck-
gang." He was chief aboard the
Sweetwater, another SIU tanker.
for nine years before that ship be
came a Liberian-ilag runaway, and
is one of the best tanker men in
the US fleet, Wunderlich says.
'Sea Spray' By Seafarer Robert 'Red' Fink
Editor,
SEAFARERS LOG,
675 Fourth Ave.,
Brooklyn 32, NY
I would like to receive the
SEAFARERS LOG — pleose
3ut my name on your mailing
ist. (Print Information)
NAME
• • • • t
STREET ADDRESS
CITY ZONE ...
STATE
TO AVOID DUPLICATION: If you
• ra an old subscriber and have a
change of address, please give your
former address below:
ADDRESS
"But officer, little Eddie was at sea for the holidays so he's cele
brating now. . . ."
CITY . ZONE ...
ST^kTE • •«• * •.. • • ••,
SIU, A&G District
B.^LTniORE 1216 E. Baltimore St.
Earl Slieppard, Agent EAstern 7-4900
BOSTON 276 State St.
James Shcehan, Agent Richmond 2-0140
HOUSTON 4202 Canal St.
Robert Matthews, Agent Capital 7-6558
LAKE CHARLES, La 1419 Ryan St.
Leroy Claike, Agent HEmlock 6-5744
MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St.
Cai Tanner, Agent HEmlock 2-1754
MORGAN CITY 012 Front St.
Tom Gould, Agent Phone 2156
NEW ORLEANS 523 Bienville St.
Lindsey Williams, Agent Tulane 8626
NEW YORK 673 4th Ave., Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6600
.NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St.
Ben Rees. Agent MAdison 2-9834
PHILADELPHIA 337 Market St.
S. Cardulio, Agent Market 7-1635
PUERTA de TIERRA PR 101 Pelayo
Sal Colls, Agent Phone 2-5996
SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St.
Marty Breithoff, Agent Douglas 2-5475
SAVANNAH 2 Abercom St.
E. B. Me.Vuiey, Agent Adams 3-1728
SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
Jeff Gillette, Agent Elliott 4334
T.AMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St.
Tom Banning, Agent Phone 2-1323
WILMINGTON, Calif 505 Marine Ave.
Reed Humphries, Agent Terminal 4-2874
HEADQUARTERS....675 4th Ave., Bklyn.
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Paul Hall
ASST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS
J. Algina, Deck C. Simmons, Joint
J. Volpian, Eng. W. Hall, Joint
E. Mooney, Std. R. Matthews, Joint
SUP
HONOLULU 16 Merchant St.
Phone 5-8777
PORTLAND 211 SW Clay St.
CApltal 3-4336
RICHMOND, Calif....510 Macdonald Ave.
BEacon 2-0925
S.AN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St.
Douglas 2-8363
SE.ATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
Main 0200
WILMI.NGTON 605 Marine Ave.
Terminal 4-3131
NEW YORK 675 4th Ave., Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6165
Canadian District
HALIFAX, N.S 128V4 Hollis St.
Phone 3-8911
MONTREAL 634 St. James St. West
PLateau 8161
FORT WILLIAM 408 Simpson St.
Qntario Phone: 3-3221
PORT COLBORNE 103 Durham St
Ontario Phone: 5591
TORONTO, Ontario.......272 King St. E.
. • EMplro 4-5719
VICTORIA. BC 617ti Cormorant St.
E.Mpire 4331
VANCOUVER, BC 298 Main St.
Pacific 3468
SYDNEY. NS 304 Charlotte St.
Phone: 6346
BAGOTVILLE, Quebec 20 Elgin St.
Phone: 545
THOROLD. Ontario 52 St. Davids St.
CAnal 7-3202
QUEBEC 44 Sault-au-Matelot
Quebec Phone: 3-1369
SAINT JOHN 177 Prince William St.
NB OX 2-5431
Great Lakes District
ALPENA 1215 N. Second Ave.
Phone: 713-J
BUFFALO. NY 180 Main St.
Phone: Cleveland 7391
CLEVELAND ,734 Lakeside Ave., NE
Phone: Main 1-0147
DETROIT 1038 3rd St.
Phone: Woodward 1-6857
DULUTH 621 W. Superior St.
Phone: Randolph 2-4110
SOUTH CHICAGO 3261 E. 92nd St.
Phone: Essex 5-2410
Half Century
WaUer "Shorfy" H. Cook
looks a bit taken aback after
he was surprised with a birth
day cake by baker Percy
Thompson on the Del Sol.
Behind "Shorty" is Clyde
Bankston, MM. Cook was 50
on July 10. Photo by Jose F.
Santiago.
Lauds Congress
On Rights' Bill
To the Editor:
The passage of the non-parti
san civil rights bill by Congress
expresses the will of the people
that their Government should
give active and effective assist
ance, when needed, so that each
and all citizens have the rights,
privileges and immunities guar
anteed by the constitution.
Both Democrats and Republi
cans should be congratulated for
letters To
The Editor
AH letters to the editor for
publication in the SEAFAR
ERS LOG must be signed
by the writer. Names will
be withheld upon request.
supporting it. And even those
who opposed it as not "strong"
enough must be lauded. Their
opposition stimulated compro
mise and a final victory for fair
play.
Enactment of the bill should
herald a new era in enlightened
democracy.
Roy Fleischer
i t t
Welfare Assist
Is Appreciated
To the Editor:
I wish to have this letter of
appreciation published in the
LOG.
In March, 1956, my wife un
derwent surgery for a cancer.
The welfare plan came through
with generous support for our
claims. This certainly helped us
out and was greatly appreciated.
My wife since that time has
been under doctor's care and
once again had to return to the
hospital for treatment. Again
the welfare plan benefits helped
us out considerably.
My wife is still bedridden but
sends her most hearty thanks
and appreciation for the serv
ices of our SIU Welfare Plan.
E. C. Yeamans
if, fit i[>
'Just A Kid' In
Coal Beef At 53
To the Editor:
Regards to all the brothers
especially the gang on the West
Coast. Also thanks to the SUP
and MCS boys for the help and
the old "graybeards" who came
to Norfolk to help us on the
coal beef.
I felt like a kid while I was
here although I am 53 and
started sailing 40 years ago in
1917. I am just a youngster
amongst these oldtimers who
date back as far as 1898, but 1
was standing by just in case.
They sure treated us well while
we were here. That Colley
Street place is one swell set-up
for the oldtimers.
Jesse W. Puckett
t. a.
Widow Wants
Loans Repaid
To the Editor:
I would like to ask a favor,
not charity or a handout, from
several SIU men. 1 know my
husband, Harry L. Parrott, stood
good for over $1,700 in gear and
cash loans for them, and now
1 have had to pay these bills.
1 have two children to send
through school and 1 cannot
make ends meet now, let alone
pay others' bills, too. 1 am sure
the men thought that because
Harry was dead they could get
by without paying for these
things, but 1 was appointed by
the court to take care of Harry's
estate and that also includes his
bills.
So please, fellows, be as good
to Harry's widow as Harry was
to you. Please help finish pay
ing these bills. 1 have already
paid some but my children are
going back to school now and
the people are pressing for the
money. Please do what you can
to help.
Send it to me at 735 Dauphine
Street, New Orleans, or to Lind
sey Williams, SIU port agent in
New Orleans. He will see that
I get it. I will also let the LOG
know that 1 have received it.
You don't have to give your
name, because 1 know who owes
Harry and how much.
Mrs. Harry L. Parrott
4" 4"
Ex-SIU Man
Says 'Hello'
To the Editor:
Please published the enclosed
picture. It's my way of saying
hello to a lot of old friends.
The young man with the
mustache is Steve Wagner, AB,
who stopped here in Cincinnati
enroute to Baltimore after pay
ing off the S/T Orion Comet.
He joined her in Baltimore and
got off at San Pedro after nine
months on the Persian Gulf-
Japan run.
I am the guy on the left, a
former Seafarer and now owner
of the Village Cafe here in Cin
cinnati. I served on the SS
Petrolite on an 18-month shuttle
run from the Persian Gulf to
Former SIU man Howard
Rosenstiel (left) and Sea
farer Steve Wagner, AB,
make a twosome at Rosen-
tiel's cafe in Cincinnati.
Wagner ii just off the
Orion Comet.
Europe in 1949 and 1950 as chief
steward, and would be glad to
hear from some of the old crew.
The pictures in the background
are some of the ships I sailed on.
The Village Cafe is one of the
International barfly traps that
are located in many cities
around the world and which are
familiar to world travelers. En
closed is a donation to the LOG
which we receive and pass along
to seamen who happen to get
this far inland. Thanks for the
LOG and its good reading.
Howard Rosenstiel
4» 4" 4"
LOG Poem Stirs
Fond Memories
To the Editor:
Thanks to William 1. Terry
for his poem "Sailaway" in the
SEAFARERS LOG on July 5,
1957.
My husband sailed nine years
and died Oct. 31, 1955, but you
can know for sure from kind
and thoughtful poems that he
can live again in your memories.
It was really sweet to read
those lines. 1 know he was a
good shipmate because he was
a good husband — a 100-point
man I'd say. Thank you for
publishing that poem.
Mrs. King W. Elliott
September IS, 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Pace Thirteen
BARBARA FRITCHIE (Llbtrty), July
4—Chairman, P. Hugalnt; Seeratary,
R. Clarka. Shly'a fund $4.25. Few
hours disputed overtime. Shortage of
vegetables, no fruits, poor selection
of meats and ration on cigarettes.
No variety of clothing in sizes in the
slop chest. Letter forwarded to head
quarters for attention.
July It—Chairman, R. Simpkins;
Secretary, R. Clarke. Bring to the
patrolmen's attention fact that the
deck engineer signed on from engine
utility to deck engineer in Le Havre,
France, without being brought before
the membership. Funds spent for hot
pepper. Overtime disputed.
ROBIN LOCKSLEY (Robin), August
:hl4 10—Chairman, J. BrachW Secretary, E.
Sebczsk. One man missed ship in
Copenh.agen, demoted to OS. Car-
ALAMAR (Calmar), July 14—Secre
tary, J. McPhaul, M-27. Repair list
turned in. Milk beef to be taken up
with patroimen. $39.99 in ship's
funds. Each man to deposit $1 for
foc'sle key. Deposit to be returned
when man leaves ship.
ALCOA RUNNER (Alcoa), August 1
—Chairman, T. Wasiluk; Secretary, S.
Bernstein. $5 in ship's fund. Request
to have outside toilet opened so that
the longshoremen can use It instead
of the crew's toilet and shower.
Question as to whether the hail in
Puerto Rico will be opened. Com
mendation for Clem and Sid for han
dling two jobs as well as they did. A
vote of thanks to the stewards de
partment for a job well done.
FLOMAR (Calmar), August t —
Chairman, Callager; Secretary, Lan-
pher. Beef about overtime. Elected
new ship's delegate. Food should he
prepared in better taste. Request for
more cots to be obtained on the East
Coast.
JOHN B. WATERMAN (Waterman),
August 4—Chairman, N. West; Secre
tary, C. Thornhill. Spoke to chief
mate about putting the hospital in
better shape. Slop chest should be
better equipped. To be taken care
of by chief mate. The black gang
and deck department needs escape
panels repaired. New keys for wipers
fosc'les. General sougeeing for all
departments. First aid kit to; be
placed in galley. Leak to be fixed in
galley also. One fireman ill. A ship's
treasury was suggested. $1 to be col
lected from each man.
MARY ADAMS (Bloomfield), May 1*
—Chairman, A. Nickle; Secretary, T.
Zielinski. Ship to be laid up on West
Coast after this trip. Ship's delegate
re-elected. Night lunch to be in
creased. Garbage to be dumped aft
instead of aft housing.
June 7—Chairman, G. ElinskI; Sec
retary, Same. Washing machine is
still not working correctly. Machine
to be rechecked by first assistant.
Captain intends to give three cartons
of cigarettes every two weeks. A
ship's arrival pool is to be run for
the next port which will probably be
San Francisco. Half the proceeds is
to go to the ship's funds. Captain
disputed a night's lodging due to
noise from a compressor working
around housing after 7 PM. Sent
radiogram to the agent at next port
of arrival to have a patrolman meet
the ship and get cigarette situation
straightened out. Replacements also
needed. A vote of thanks and appre
ciation for the resigning ships dele
gate for last three trips. Elected the
new ship's delegate. It would clarify
a bad situation if the "LOG" would
print an article on how many ciga
rettes the captain Is actually supposed
to give us, and how often they should
be given. Some skippers will give
3 or 4 cartons a week every week,
while some other Insist on only 3
every 3 weeks. Everybody seems to
have a different opinion of Just what
la proper.
July 27—Chairman, C. Larsen; Sec
retary, G. Dunn. Ship to be turned
over to States Marine on 7/30/57 at
Swan Island. Captain agrees to pay
anyone who hires out in NY and
joined ship in New Haven. Two hours
overtime In Ueu of the transportation
was accepted. The chief cook was
flown back to the States because of
sickness. He took what clothes he
needed and the rest will be turned
over to the patrolman in Seattle.
Spent $3.13 for radiogram to the San
Francisco SlU Agent. $11.89 remain
ing is to be given to the patrolman
to use as he and the ship's delegate
sees fit, possibly to buy cigarettei
for the men on the beach. Disputed
o\'ertime settled by patrolman. Every
one sober at payoff; which is custom
ary on ail SlU ships. All duly elected
delegates te handle all beefs with the
patrolman. Unanimous vote of thanks
to th>: steward and the entire stew
ards department for a job well done.
penter promoted to bosun, same man
got off in Gavle, Sweden, to go to a
hospital. To be reported to patrolman.
Motion made to make less noise with
the driers and to remove dry clothing
as soon as possible. The coffee urn
should be fi.xed. Make up a repair
list. Some notification of Union ac
tivities should be gotten. None was
received this trip.
PACIFIC CLOUD (Peger), July 2$
—Chairman, H. RInga; Secretary, M.
Clagle. Fireman and oiler missed ship
in Inchon, Korea, rejoined same in
Kobe, Japan. AB also missed ship in
Yokohama, Japan. Ship's delegate
resigned. Could not get along with
captain. The captain accuses same
of being drunk everytime he wishes
to see him. New ship's delegate
elected. Fireman broke his finger.
Replaced by wiper. $16.75 in ship's
fund. Few hours disputed avertime.
To be taken up with patrolman. Wire
that steward sent and paid for him
self should be taken up with patrol
man or refunded from ship's fund.
Washing machine could not be re
paired in Japan. Delegate to see
chief engineer about this matter.
DEL VIENTO (Mississippi), June 2$
—Chairman, C, Johnson; Secretary, T.
Reynolds. A renewed request that
garbage be dumped aft by the bosun.
$29 in, supposedly, the possession of
the New Orleans patrolman. One
shipmate reported $200 missing from
his looker. It was suggested that lock
ers be bolted. Several of the crew
requested "more greens" and the
presence of a "first" on every menu.
The steward accepted the recommen
dation.
SAMUEL F. MILLER (Boston), July
26—Chairman, H. Higginbotham; Sec
retary, William O'Connor. $23 in
ship's fund. Arrival pools to be run
to raise money for the ship's fund.
New ship's delegate elected. Discus
sion was held on the outcome of re
pair list supposedly taken care of in
Portland, Ore. Most of the repairs
can be taken care of at sea.
August 4—Chairman, C. Johnson;
Secretary, T. Reynolds. Repairs to
be made. Electrician put off in
Buenos Aires. Wiper retired in San
tos with hernia. $29 in possession of
New Orleans patrolman. Motion to
inquire on improving ice cream in
South America.
SANTORE (Ore), August 4—Chair
man, R. King; Secretary, S. Wojton.
Four men logged for intoxication. OS
missed ship. Man sick in deck de
partment. Member reported that
there will be no payoff after Vene-
zualan trips. To see port agent on
this matter. $12.26 in ship's fund.
Nothing spent as yet. New ship's
reporter elected. No pickles In mess.
Vote of thanks extended to oldtimers
of SUP, MC&S, MFOW and A&G Dis
trict, for their support in the Ameri
can Coal beef.
STEEL EXECUTIVE (isthmian), July
6—Chairman, Alexander Brodie; Sec
retary, W. Morris. A vote of thanks
to brother C. Mazuk for keeping the
ships' library in good order. Crew
asked not to go to pantry or messhall
in their underwear. Reminded crew
that living up to their contract is an
obligation for every man. Warned
men against repeated performing.
Crew to see that only door is kept
open while in port. Stressed point
that beefs among the crew should be
kept below and not taken topside.
WILD RANGER (Waterman), July
28—Chairman, W. Tregembo; Secre
tary, Same. $24.65 in ship's fund.
New ships' delegate elected. Crew
would like to inform any new visitors
to Inchon, Korea, of the fine hospital
ity and good food with drinks at a
reasonable price, put out at the NCO
Club near "Charley" Gate.
STEEL VENDOR (Isthmian), August
12—Chairman, J. Smythe; Secretary,
C. Dixon. Asked for a draw for New
York. $27.91 in ship's fund. Discus
sion to improve night lunch. Steward
to put out more night lunch. The
following are to be served every
night; apples, oranges, grapes, hard
boiled eggs, canned fish, fresh
peaches and fresh pears and plums.
PORTMAR (Calmar), August 4 —
Chairman, Falrcloth; Secretary, Camp
bell. $6.55 in ship's fund. Some dis
puted overtime. Motion to elect new
ships delegate. Beef aboard so tough
that a fire-axe is needed to dent the
gravy.
ANDREW JACKSON (Waterman),
August 8—Chairman, M. Cariin; Sec
retary, J. McLemore. Sent radiogram
to Wilmington in regards to death of
ship's delegate. Bought book and
magazines in San Francisco. To
elect three department delegates to
the safety committee. Bosun said the
captain requests that all unsafe con
ditions and hazards be reported to
the mate so action can be obtained
on them.
BEATRICE (Bull), July 28—Chair
man, R. Veilinga; Secretary, A. Isaac.
Repairs being made. Ship's fund $6.
Reports accepted. Laundry to be kept
clean.
MASSMAR (Calmar), June 2—Chair
man, none; Secretary, none. Few re
pairs made. Two men missed ship
in Panama. Washing machine to be
repaired. Bathrooms need repairing.
Door needs repairing. Need new
iibrary. Discussion on chief mate's
attitude toward men. Vote of thanks
to baker for excellent baking and also
galley crew.
July 7—Chairman, J. Beam; Secre
tary, J. Craft. Some disputed OT.
Repair list te be submitted. Com
plaint about chief mate's attitude;
suggest writing letter te headquar
ters. New delegate elected. Chief
mate's A pantryman's attitude dis
cussed.
It Looks Real
"Doc" Watson soys he's be
ing "entertained" here by a
native chief during a safari
out of Durban, South Africa,
but despite the evident good-
feeling oil around, it looks like
"Doc' may be the main item
on the tribal bill of fare if he
doesn't watch his step. He's
on the Robin Hood.
Sea Brotherhood Shows
In 2-Ship Rescue Try
You'd have to look pretty hard to find a better example of
the brotherhood among seamen of all nations than the com
bined rescue efforts expended last month when veteran Sea-
' William W. "Dutchy" > farer ^
Moore disappeared from the
SS Andrew Jackson in the
Pacific.
The Jackson, together with the
Norwegian-flag M/S Bonneville,
searched an area amounting to 720
square miles during a joint day-
night rescue effort somewhere be
tween Moji, Japan, and Honolulu.
Moore, the electrician on the
SIU ship, was last seen on
board about 10 AM on August 5th,
but wasn't missed until nearly sun
down.
At that point, according to a re
port from shipmate John D. McLe
more, "once a search of the ship
failed to locate him. Captain Wil
liam Harvey sent out radio notices
and reversed the ship's course. A
Norwegian ship, the M/S Bonne
ville, arrived at the place that was
our position when Brother Moore
was last seen, and searched the
area throughout the night. "We
SEAFARER, NA VY TEAM
UP; KOREAN KIDS GAIN
The care and feeding of some 60 Korean war orphans has
been turned into a joint operation by an SIU steward and a
unit of US Navy men stationed in Pusan.
Ringo Seafarer Homer L.
said he and the Navy gang
"have taken a great interest
in seeing these youngsters
through" now that their former
benefactor is nearing the end of
his tour of duty in the area. Up
until now, the children at the Mi
Ae Orphanage have been under the
wing of an Army sergeant with
five children of his own.
More To Be Done
"The Korean people have come
a long way in bettering themselves
by American example during the
past few years," he stated, "but
much more needs to be done.
Since the future of the Korean na
tion depends on the youth of to
day ... we feel we are accomplish-
Row IN BOTH
HiHmwm
ing a worthwhile effort by tutoring
these youngsters."
Those who also
wish to lend a
hand, he said, can
do so by sending
clothing or cash
contributions for
the orphange in
care of the Com
manding Officer,
MSTS, APO 59,
c/o Postmaster,
San Francisco,
Rlngo
California.
Ringo added praise for the gen-
arrived there shortly before day
light and began our search. Pro
ceeding over the territory we had
traveled the day before, we con
tinued lookout all day. The Bonne
ville, bound for Los Angeles from
Singapore, stayed with us through
out the day and
left us only after
we had aban
doned all hope."
Before the two
ships parted
again, McLemore
said, Capt. Har
vey of the Jack
son and Capt.
Petter Haraldsen
of the Bonneville
exchanged messages in which Har-
Moore
vey sent thanks to the Norwegians
for their "kindness and good will."
"At the leave-taking, both ships
flew their flags at half-mast and ex
changed salutes on the whistle.
"All our officers did an excel-
erous help given by his shipmates
on the Pacific Cloud, "We have a
very excellent crew, all behaving
and working with personal inter
est and the usual SIU know-how.
They have been cooperative in
making living conditions on an old
Liberty like those on a yacht."
In a social note, he reported that
both the Army and Navy had made
accommodations in their "Open
Mess Section Two," at Pier 3, Pu
san, where merchant seamen can
enjoy canned American beer and
mixed drinks at 20-25 cents a
throw. This club has dancing and.
entertainment and will also have
supply of LOGs available soon.
lent and conscientious job, par
ticularly radio officer Joseph H.
Casto, who should be highly com
mended. But above all, we have
the highest praise and regard for
the master.
"We, the crew, believe very few
masters would have gone to the
extreme that Capt. Harvey did in
his effort to effect a rescue. The
same should be said of Capt. Har
aldsen. Brother Moore was well-
liked aboard and we have all been
greatly shocked by the tragedy."
In a separate communication re
ceived from Moore's mother, Mrs.
A. Greenlee of Delray Beach, Fla.,
the crew was praised "for all the
kindness you showed my son. He
thought so highly of his Union, the
SIU."
Moore had been shipping over
the past few years in between sea
sons as skipper of his own parly
fishing boat in the Florida keys.
He had expected to remain on the
Jackson for another trip, his
mother noted, since she had gotten
a card from him in Japan telling
of a "smooth trip" and how he ex
pected to stay on and "be home
for Christmas."
Shorthanded?
If a crewmember quits while
a ship is in port, delegates
are asked to contact the hall
immediately for a replace
ment. Fast action on their part'
will keep all jobs aboard ship
filled at all times and elimi
nate the chance of the ship
sailing shorthanded.
Quiet Time On Alice Brown
Talking over the day's doings during a belween-meals lull on the
Alice Brown (I to r) ore Seafarers Olifidio Esquivel, galley utility;
Corey Granger, MM, and John D. Manuel, BR. The sign in back
ground points up the SIU ship safety program.
*
4jl,.
Pace Fourteen SEAFARERS LOG September IS, 1951
Deck Gang On The Job
Bosun "Ski" Swiderski (right) supervises repair of hole in a boom
on the Steel Worker enroute to Massowa, Eritrea, on the Persian
Gulf run. In foreground with "Ski" are Joe Duffy, DM (partly
hidden), and Red Little, DM. "Gumps" Gural, AB, was credited
with the welding job. L. Mayberger sent in the photo.
USPHS HOSPITAL
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
William Bargone
James Bethea
John W. Bigwood
John Butler
Roscoe Dearmon
John F. Dixon
William Driscoll
Jan Englehardt
Leon Gordon
James Hudson
Edward G. Knapp
Leo Lang
Simon Morris
Michael Muzio
Vincent Pizzitolo
Winford Powell
Randolph Ratclirt
Toxie Sanford
Edison Shaffer
Harold W. Simmons
Toefil Smigielski
Wert A. Spencer
Gerald L. Thaxton
Clarence Thibodaux
Gilbert Trosclair
Paul R. Turner
Giuseppe Vascarro
James E. Ward
Clifford Wuertz
USPHS HOSPXT.AL
SEATTLE, WASH.
Frank J. Bradley John Jackson, Jr.
Wayne T. Center Kenneth B. Marshall
Michael Delano D. F. Sykes
Thomas J. Driscoll Joseph W. Waits
Michael Gretz WUliam F. Wiemers
Earnest W. Home Tadeusz Zielinskl
USPHS HOSPITAL
S.WANNAH, GA.
Jose Blanco Jimmie Littleton
John A. Call Vincent T. Yates
Thurston Dingier
USPHS HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MD.
William Brewer Pete Matovich
Michael Duco George P. Melko
Emil Dupont F. L. O'Laughlln
Leo Dwyer Clyde P. Parker
Alberto Espino Willis Record
Allen Gary Jr. George H. Reier
Carl E. Gibbs John Rekstin
Joseph Gill Joseph Roll
Gorman T. Glaze Alex Stankiewics
Burl Haire Paul Strickland
Joseph C. Lewallen Dolphus Walker
James McFarlin Albert Willis
Granville Matise Russell Wright
MONTEBELLO CHRONIC DISEASE
HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MD.
Francisco Bueiiu
USPHS HOSPITAL
GALVESTON, TEXAS
Erick J. Berg James C. Lytle
Jacob Cook Arthur J. Queary
Maurice N. Gendron William Shaw
C. N. Hatch Jr. William R. Walker
Jacob Huisman Norman H. Whipple
USPHS HOSPITAL
NORFOLK, VA.
Claude Bibb Claude M. Sturgle
Frank Peskuric
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
Roy J. Barker Thomas D. Foster
Simon Bunda Michael J. Gaudlo
Noah C. Carver Hoyt L. Hackney
Chu Yung Chuan Sidney S. Irby
Vincent D'Amato Vincent Kane
Joseph Ebbole Harvey W. Morrle
C. E. Owens A. O. VaUego
Benjamin Pritiken Sung C. Wang
Richard W. Smith G. L. Warrington
USPHS HOSPITAL
BOSTON, MASS.
Amos Buzzelle G. P. Lesnensky
Edward J. Farrell Zachariah Williams
James J. Girolami
USPHS HOSPITAL
FORT WORTH. TEXAS
Benjamin Diebler John C. Palmer
Siegfried Gnittke
USPHS HOSPITAL
MEMPHIS, TENN.
Charles Burton
VA HOSPITAL
BROOKLYN, NY
Robert McCutcheon
VA HOSPITAL
HOUSTON, TEXAS
John P. WUllamson
VA HOSPITAL
NEW YORK, NY
E. T. Cunningham
USPHS HOSPITAL
STATEN ISLAND, NY
Oscar J. Adams Vincent E. Kane
Hassen Ali Robert Larsen
James T. Balmy Isidore Levy
Edward Doyle Damian G. Mercado
John Boldiszar Jan Mucins
Frank Bosmente Robert A. Parker
John H. Bove Frank J. Paylor
Delaware Eldemire Frank Robertson
Francisco Enfante Adolfo Rodrigues
Arthur Englehart Jose Rodriguez
Ramon Figueiras Antonio Russo
Rufus Freeman ^Samuel B. Saunders
William Gardner Paul W. Seidenberg
Richard Geiling Juan Soto
George Hall Frederick Staebler
John B. Hamilton Harry E. Swanson
C. A. Honorowskl Fred L. Travis
Cecil Hughes William Vaughan
Leroy Johnson Albert Williams
Alfred Kaju
USPHS HOSPITAL
MANHATTAN BEACH,
BROOKLYN, NY
Manuel Antonana Patrick McCann
Eladio Arts Archibald McGuigan
Fortunato Bacomo Albert MartinelU
Joseph J. Bass Vic Milazzo
Frank T. Campbell Joaquin Minis
Juan Denopra W. P. O'Dea
John J. Driscoll C. Osinski
Fabin Furmanek George G. Hhlfer
William Guenther G. A. Puissegur
Bart E. Guranick Floro Regalado
Howard Hailey Winston E. Renny
Wade B. Harrell G. E. Shumaker
Percy Harrelson Kevin B. Skelly
Taib Hassen Henry E. Smith
Billy R. Hill Harry S. Tuttle
Thomas Isaksen Virgil E. WUmoth
Ira H. Kilgore Pon P. Wing
Ludwig Kristiansen Dexter Worrell
Frederick Landry Antonio Infante
Leonard Leidig
McDougall
"The crew of the Neva West
gave a hearty vote of thanks to
acting ship's delegate Joseph A.
McDougall for a job well done,"
writes D. Casey Jones, ship's repor
ter. The vessel
had just been
taken over from
an NMU crew
and Mac has been
spending most of
his time bringing
her around to
SIU standards.
Even with good
cooperation from
all hands, Jones
said, "the skipper and the chief
mate are really going to have to
work to have this ship cleaned and
painted." The men also wished to
extend their thanks to the steward
department for the good food and
service rendered since taking over
the ship.
^
Seafarer on the Seamar don't
want anyone to get any wrong
notions about their steward, James
Eichenberg, and his department.
In no uncertain terms, the boys
think they "have one of the best
stewards afloat." Some misconcep
tion may have arisen from the
recent appearance in the LOG of
the digests of two different sets of
ship's minutes from the Seamar
dated a day apart, one reporting
"no beefs" and the other noting
"beefs against the steward depart
ment." The gang figures some
body trying to be helpful put a
fresh date on an old set of undated
minutes found on the ship, and
sent them in to headquarters.
Eichenberg has been on the ship
almost a year with no major
squawks against him.
4
Seafarer Luis A, Vila was highly
commended by his shipmates on
the Kathryn for
his work as ship's
delegate for the
past two months
until she was laid
laid up by strike
the Union called
against Bull Line.
"He is doing a
real bang-up job
on all beefs, re
pair lists and all
other details," the report stated.
a> t t
Under the SIU constitution
every union member is entitled to
run for office, at sea or ashore,
either as an official or ship's dele
gate. And, says Nolan L, Flowers,
delegate on the Steel King, every
one should take a crack at these
jobs whenever they can, especially
at the delegate's posts. It helps
them become familiar with differ
ent union procedures and to appre
ciate what their delegates do for
them, he notes.
Vila
APOUNDRIA (Wattrmin), July 3»-.
Chairman, R. ingrami Sacralary, J,
Guard. Minor beela regarding water
cooler aft and steward's bathroom
settled satisfactorily. Ship's fund
$10.50. Few hours disputed. Discus
sion on callback for deck dept. Beef
now settled. Discussion on quality of
food. Fruit juices, desserts and con
diments not standard brands. Some
trouble in obtaining fresh foods in
foreign ports. Request ice cream to
be stored in reefers for full trip and
not be obtained in foreign ports.
Aug. 17—Chairman 6. Ruff; Secre
tary, J. Guard. Crew urged to attend
meetings. Food Improved somewhat.
Several members feel cook can do
better. Ship's fund $10.25. Bunk
lights unrepaired for four days. Engi
neer worked on motor in engine room.
Keys to bo left with delegate when
leaving vessel. Remove cups from
messhall when finished. Order paint,
covered sugar Bowls next trip. Seattle
agent to contact headquarters for
Miss. Co. store list to help steward
order food items. Crewmembers get
ting off to strip bunks and clean
lockers.
CHILORE (Ore), Aug. 12—Chairman,
W. Trolie; Secretary, C. Bortz. Ship's
fund $21.75. New delegate elected.
Books to be returned to library after
reading. Ail departments to share in
cleaning laundry and recreation
rooms.
COALiNGA HiLLS (Pan-Atianlic),
Aug. S—Chairman, L. PickaH; Secre
tary, H. Orlando. New delegate
elected. Ask cooperation in keeping
messhall clean. Obtain more milk for
voyage. "Too many vegetables in soup
and too much grease in cooking.
SEATRAiN NEW YORK (Seatrain),
Aug. 21—Chairman, J. Cole; Secretary,
M. Lynch. Some disputed overtime.
New delegate elected. Request bench
for back aft. Vote of thanks to stew
ard dept. for Job well done.
WELLESLEY VICTORY (isthmian),
Aug. 11—Chairman, C. Parker; Secre
tary, J. Byers. Steward to square away
beef on night lunch. Request to
change slop chest hours. Arrange
ments for cleaning laundry and rec
reation room made.
STEEL NAVIGATOR (isthmian),
Aug. 3—Chairman, W. Biskas; secre
tary, P. Harayo. Ship's fund S20.35.
Few hours disputed. One man missed
ship in Subic Bay: rejoined in Manila.
Garbage not to be dumped over side.
Request garbage chutes aboard ship.
Ship to be fumigated. Request fresh
fruit in Suez. Crew's quarters need
painting. Discussion on repairs, gar
bage situation. Notify membership
not to mail letters in Java and Sum
atra as some letters do not leave thesa
countries.
SEAMAR (Caimar), July 28—Chair
man, W. Mason; Sacratary C. inman.
No beefs. Ship in good shape. Vote
of thanks to steward dept. Ship's
fund $20. Discussion on minutes in
Log which were erroneous regarding
steward. These minutes were one
year old. Vote of thanks to all for
fine job done.
STEEL FLYER (isthmian), Aug. 1$
—Chairman, E. Starns; Secretary, A.
Fiatts. One man missed ship in Yoka-
hama and rejoined in Kobe. One man
hospitalized in Kobe. Ship's fund
$59. 250 hours disputed in engine
dept. Delegates to meet with patrol
man at payoff to settle beef against
steward and baker. Pound cake
served every day. Steward not super
vising meals. See agent about bonus
in China.
CITIES SERVICE NORFOLK (Cities
Service), Aug. 12 — Chairman, L,
Springer; Secretary, B. Nielsen. Stew-
dept, end messman commended for
fine work. Purchased iron. New
delegate elected. Members to donate
$1 toward ship's fund. Cups to be
returned to pantry. Safety measures
discussed.
COEUR D'ALENE VICTORY (Victory
Carriers), Aug. 12—Chairman, S. Fui-
ford; Secretary, J. Foster. No milk
purchased in France due to alleged
high prices for containers. Repairs
being made. No beefs. Ship's fund of
$6 turned over to delegate. List of
grievances to be turned over to
patrolman for payoff. Discussion on
purchase of fresh fruits and vege
tables at European ports. Requisitions
presented to captain but no action
taken.
ROBIN SHERWOOD (Seas), Aug. 14
—Chairman, G. Hanson; Secretary, P,
Devine. Discussion on headquarters
communication. Ship's fund, $14.45.
New delegate elected. One man taken
off ship due to Illness. New secretary
elected. Discussion on stores. New
stores to be taken on in Lorenco
Marques.
VALCHEM (Heron), June 30—Chair
man, B. Hayes; Secretary, W. Nesta,
New delegate elected. Ship's fund,
$22.50. Messhall to be kept clean.
Crewmembers leaving ship to get new
linen for new men coming aboard.
WACOSTA (Waterman), Aug. 10—
Chairman, H. Baiiday; Secretary, E.
Ray. New delegate elected. Delegate
to see about dogged-down skylights
in hot weather. Drains not working
in bathroom and passageways. No
pressure in showers back aft. Laun
dry to be kept clean. Cleaning sched
ule to be posted for cleaning deck
and bulkheads. Messhall and pantry
to be kept clean. Action will be taken
on violators for excessive drinking or
missing watches.
MAXTON (Pan-Atlantic), Aug. 33—
Chairman, J. Seiby; Secretary, A. Fin-
neii. No word concerning injury of
Brother Hatch taken off ship at Port
Arthur with pilot. Ship's fund, $27.29.
All communications posted in mess
hall. No beefs. E\-erything running
smoothly.
SEATRAiN TEXAS (Seatrain), Aug.
24—Chairman, W. Hail; Secretary, P,
McBride. Repairs made with excep
tion of hooks for lockers and key for
foc'sle. Ship's fund, $89.75. Beef on
captain holding back week-end OT at
payoff. Cooperation urged in keeping
fantail cleaner.
ALCOA CORSAIR (Alcoa), Aug. It-
Chairman, H. Miliar; Secretary, Major
Costeiio. Slop chest prices discussed
and checked by patrolman. Beef on
Trinidad laundry settled. Payoff in
Mobile this trijt to be made according
to number on articies. Safety and fire
fighting equipment to be left in
proper place and not moved around.
Ship's fund, $185. Motion to start
general fund for ship's benefit; at
least 75% crew to vote before any
expenditures made. Vote of thanks to
relief captain for good job. Check
air-conditioning in all quarters. Ob
tain new washing machine. Delegate
to check 4-hour relief set-up. Sugges
tion to have regular crewmen show
movies.
RiON (Actium), June 3—Chairman,
P. Hammei; Secretary, L. Geraghty.
Draw may be given out before arrival.
Ship going in very clean: no beefs,
no disputed OT. Letter from chief
mate read thanking crew for fine
cooperation and cleaning out chain
locker. Cooking needs improvement:
food not cooked enough and needs
more variety. Messhall and recreation
rooms painted. Members urged to
keep rooms clean. Water in scuttlebut
undrinkable at times. Watch payoff
slips. Need more cigarettes.
STEEL DESIGNER (isthmian), Aug.
4—Chairman, C. Gait; Secretary, A.
Ridings. Cold water in showers too
hot. Vote of thanks to ship's delegate
for job well done. No major beefs.
Endeavor to get watch forecastles for
FWT and oilers. Black gang foc'sles to
be painted out. Insufficient stores cn
board.
JOHN CHESTER KENDALL (Bull),
Aug. 4 — Chairman, J. Dunn; Secre
tary, J. Hunt. Discussion on security
watches. All bunks to be turned up
right: foc'sles to be left clean. Return
linen and books. Vote of thanks to
steward dept. for fine service. Soiled
linen to be turned in. Discussion on
cold lunches. Vote of thanks to
engine dept. for keeping engine
running and in good shape.
Burly By Bernard Seaman
TMI5 THIN6'S ON THE
BLINK AGAIN I ANYBODT
KNOW HOW TO FIX ONE
OF THESE AUTOmVC
COFFBE POTSf
WELL; IT'S RATHER SIMPU" YOUR
TROUBLE STAf^ra HERE AT THE TN/RD
CfCLO-FRAM, WHICH FAILS 10 GEN
ERATE THE DhAyiALOBe,CAiiS\HQ
THE MALFUNCTION OF THE FRAl'
tBNSBR, AND THE RESULTANT
DIMINUTION OF THE PtLX
THOTHOOB WHICH
VAVOOMSTOc..
ETC... ETC...
September 13,. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Page Fifteen
NY Seafarers Urged
To Register For Voting
Union members and their families in New York City have
been urged to register as early as possible at polling places
located in their election districts.
early, "By registering
Mayor Robert F. Wagner said,
"you will help speed the task
of permanently registering our
voters. Furthermore, under this
new permanent system, by regis
tering now you will insure your
right to vote in this fall's election
and in all future elections.
"Union members can set an
example to the community for
registering early and by getting
members of their families, their
friends, and their neighbors to
register."
Under the new permanent
registration system, a voter has to
register only once to vote every
year. But this will apply only if
he remains at the same address, or
does not change his name.
Local registration will take place
on September 28th, 30th, October
1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. On
Saturday, September 2$, and Oc
tober 12th the polls will remain
open for registration from 7 AM
to 10:30 PM. On all other days
they will be open from 5:30 PM
to 10:30 PM. ,
Seafarers, who because of the
nature of their work do not havg
permanent addresses, can not apply
for permanent registration. In
order to vote, they must apply for
absentee ballots. Post card appli
cations for such ballots, where they
are allowed, can be obtained from
SIU headquarters.
Information concerning absentee
voting and the different state re
quirements -was printed in the
August 30th edition of the SEA
FARERS LOG.
Makes Debut
Seafarer Pasquale O. Cirelli
and his wife, Louise, show off
their new arrival at home in
Philadelphia. The baby,
Mario, was born March 26,
1957.
TO SHIPS IN ATLANTIC • SOUTH AMERICAN • EUROPEAN WATERS
THE riRST DIRia VOICE
BROADCAST TO SHIPS' CREWS
iVlDY SVNDAY • I61D DMT
Voice of the MTB,
' # \
1
\
'
WFK49.19850 KCt
Shlpi In Caribbean,
Eail Cooit of South
America, South Atlantic
and Eait Cooil of
United Stotei.
WFL-65. 15850 KCt
Shlpi In GuM of Mex
ico, Caribbean, Weil
CopM of South AmON
Ico, Weil Coeii of
Mexico and US Eon
Cooit.
WFK-95,15700 KCt
Shlpi In Mediterranean
area. North Atlantic,
European ond US Eoit
Cooit.
sill; UP-TO-THE-MINUTE
UNION AND MARITIME
NEWS
OP SPECIAL INTEREST
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE DEEP SEA UNIONS OP THC^
SlU-A&G DISTRICT • SUP • MFOW • MCS • ROU * MM&P • BME • SlU-CANADIAN DISTRICT
Meanwhile, MTD
Round-The-World
Wireless Broadcasts
Continue., e
All of the follounng SW families have received a $200 maternity'
benefit plus a $25 bond from the Union in the baby's name:
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. John F;
Fay, Baltimore, Md.
i
Martin Eric Levine, born June
19, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Howard Levine, Farmington, Mich.
$>
Peter Leo Gallagher, born April
24, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. John
M. Gallagher, Philadelphia, Pa.
^
William Russell Smith, born Au
gust 31, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
William J. Smith, Philadelphia, Pa.
William E. King Jr., born August
14, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Wil
liam E. King, Edmonds, Wash.
Dierdre Lou Cantrell, born
August 15, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Steward L. Cantrell, Balti
more, Md.
Ji
Rita Mercedes Vivero, born
August 12, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Frank Vivero, New Orleans,
La.
4 t
Evelyn Marie Da Costa, born
August 4, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Jose M. Da Costa, Baltimore,
Md.
4 4 4
Michael Gerard Rome, born
August 12, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Calvin A. Rome, New Orleans,
La.
4 4 4
Micki Lee Harris, born August
17, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Morgan A. Harris, Houston, Texas.
4 4 4
Vickie Marie Powell, born Au
gust 11, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Odell B. Powell, Brodnax, Va.
4 4 4
Darol Cedric Frazier, born July
13, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Dan
Frazier Jr., Whistler, Ala.
4 4 4
Anna Jean Worley, born August
15, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. John
L. Worley, San Francisco, Calif.
4 4 4
Joclyn Marie Scotti, born August
21, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Rob
ert Seottt, Passaic, NJ.
4 4 4
Norma Erazo, born August 5,
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Pedro
J. Erazo, Brooklyn, NY.
4 4 4,
Vivien Rivera Morales, born July
20, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Al
fonso Rivera, Bay Amon, PR.
4 4 4
Thomas John Hoar Jr., born Au
gust 9, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Thomas J. Hoar, Baltimore, Md.
4 4 4
Linda J. Ortiz, born August 26,
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Rafael
Ortiz, Santurce, PR.
4 4 4
John F. Fay Jr., born August 12,
The deaths of the following Sea
farers have been reported to the
Seafarers l^elfare Plan and the
SIU death benefit is being paid to
their beneficiaries.
Claudio Barreiros, 63: On June
7, 1957, Brother Barreiros died
aboard the SS
Casimir Pulaski
in Genoa, Italy.
Death was the
result of stab
wounds. He be
came a full mem
ber of the SIU
on December 22,
1945, and sailed
in the engine
departme n t.
Brother Barreiros is survived by
his wife Dolores Barreiros, who re
sides in Spain. Burial took place
in Stagliono Cemetery, Genoa,
Italy.
Edward Hammond Burns, 38:
Brother Burns died July 29, 1957
in Harris County, Texas. His death
was due to accidental drowning in
the San Jacinto River. Brother
Burns became a full member of the
Union December 30, 1954, and
sailed in the steward department.
He is survived by his wife, Vernon
H. Burns, of Mobile, Alabama.
Place of biirial is unknown.
Philip M. (Pat) Robertson
Get in touch with your mother-
in-law, Mrs. M. Witham, 309 W.
Alfred St., Tampa, Fla., at once.
4 4 4
Charles i!.arl Ray
Contact your mother at 64 W.
165 St., New York, NY, or call
CY 3-1137. She is very ill.
4 4 4
Vivian P. Sutton
Get in touch with James M.
Croff, 2467 Calvert Ave., Memphis,
Tenn.
4 4 4
Otis J. Hardin
Call your sister May regarding
Mother. Dora.
4 4 4
Raymond Perry
Lloyd Palmer of 305 N. Jackson
St., Mobile, Ala., asks you to write
or call HE 2-5247.
4 4 4
Herbert Libby
Contact Everett A. Herd, EMS,
USS Denebola (AF56), c/o FPO,
New York, NY, immediately!
4 4 4
Ernest Such
Get in touch with your wife im
mediately.
4 4 4
Ex-SS Coe Victory
Crewmembers to whom he owes
money are asked to contact James
(Nick) Nicholson, bosun, c/o SIU
Hall, 450 Han-ison St., San Fran
cisco, Calif.
4 4 4
James Bruce Elliott
Your mother urges you to con
tact her.
4 4 4
Friends of dis; bled Seafarer
Edward Hansen are asked to write
or visit him at Norwegian Hospital,
4520-4th Ave., Brooklyn, NY.
Pacific Disf.
Opens Pact
^Continued from page 2)
payment at the end of a calendar
year in the event the articles would
continue beyond that date.
The three West Coast Unions
have been negotiating jointly since
1955 when they whipped Harry
Bridges' ILWU in a three-depart
ment shipboard election. Since
then they have combined their pen
sion plans to provide greater ben
efits for their members and are
now considering a joint medical
program.
The "West Coast Sailors," the
"Stewards News" and the "Marine
Fireman," official organs of the
Pacific District unions, joined to
gether to publish a special edition
honoring Labor Day. The 24-page
edition highlighted the greater ben
efits that can be achieved When
the three departments work, as a
teaih. . I .
Vol. XiX
No. 19 SEAFARERS LOG
• OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL-CIO •
Congress Doles Out
Little Shipping Aid
WASHINGTON—The 85th Congress closed up shop for the summer on August 30, thus
ending its first session with little in the way of productive legislation for the US merchant
marine or American merchant seamen.
Actually, there were only*
Library Exhibit Features LOG
three significant Congression
al actions on the positive side
of the ledger as far as the mer
chant marine is concerned:
• Congress kept 50-50 cargoes
on a fairly even keel, at least until
1958, by retaining the foreign aid
program at just about the 1956
level and boosting authorizations
to sell surplus farm products
abroad by a billion dollars, despite
renewed attempts by the farm bloc
to whittle 50-50 down.
• The legislators perked up
trade with Iron Curtain satellites
by okaying the sale of surplus
farm products to Poland. This
attitude could indicate the resump
tion of trade with other "indepen
dent" Communist nations in the
future.
• A $5 million boost was voted
in appropriations for the PHS
marine hospital program.
The foreign aid bill, which was
virtually Congress' last act before
adjournment, represented a slash
of just about a billion dollars in
what President Eisenhower origin
ally asked for. However, the final
foreign aid figure of $3V^ billion
was similar to what Congress
appropriated in 1956.
Congress' most favorable action,
as far as the merchant marine is
Bait. Quiet;
Port Drive
Continues
BALTIMORE — Outside of the
continuing HIWD organizing drive
throughout Baltimore harbor,
writes Earl Sheppard, port agent,
there is nothing new to report
from this port. Everything is fair
ly quiet and running smoothly.
There was only one major beef
on the vessels coming into port
during the past period. Since it
was a fairly technical matter, the
beef has been submitted to head
quarters for clarification.
Shipping for the period has been
slow, slightly under the prior
period's totals. There were 14
vessels paying off, eight signed on
and 15 were in-transit.
The vessels paying off were the
Venore, Baltore, Marore, Santore,
(Ore); Jean, Evelyn, Angelina, Em
ilia (Bull); Chickasaw (Pan-Atlan
tic); Westport (Trans. Util.); Mer
maid (Metro. Patrol); Bethcoaster,
Kenmar (Calmar) and the Govern
ment Camp (Cities Service). The
Venore, Baltore, Marore, Santore,
Chilore (Ore); Chickasaw (Pan-
Atlantic); Bents Fort (Cities Serv
ice) and Westport (Trans. Util.)
signed on.
Among the vessels in transit
were the Oremar, Marymar, Robin
Mowbray, Alcoa Roamer, Steel
Flyer, Alcoa Ranger, Robin Trent,
Portmar, George A. Lawson, and
the Bethdoaster.
conceined was in adding to the
amount of farm surplus commodi
ties to be sold abroad boosting the
totai authorizations from $3 to $4
billion.
Both foreign aid cargoes and
surplus farm products are moved
under the 50-50 law. These two
Federal programs have been tbe
major props for the merchant
marine, particularly in face of a
declining freight market.
Of the $1 billion authorization,
about $95 million was earmarked
for surplus products for Poland,
making it the first such action
since Congress approved trade
with Tito's Yugoslavia. The USSR
itself, and Communist China, are
still off limits.
On the deficit side of the ledger
was Congress' inclination to prac
tice economy in ship construction
and operating subsidies. Strong
moves to sell US tonnage to
foreign nations all were blocked,
but they are expected to be revived
in the future.
No Action On Transfers
Also disappointing to maritime
unions was Congress' failure to
crack down on easy transfers of
US bottoms to runaway flags.
This last action perhaps best
tells the story of Congress' record:
It was not so much the passage of
legislation detrimental to the mer
chant marine; ratlier, it was failure
to act on constructive legislation
which would have strengthened
merchant shipping. There were a
good number of bills introduced—
in both the Senate and the House—
which would have bolstered US
shipping and the position of Amer
ican seamen. But virtually all of
these bills disappeared in the Con-
g.essional hopper and have not
been heard from since.
These bills included several in
troduced by Senator Warren G.
Magnuson, chairman of the Senate
Foreign Commerce Committee.
Among other things, they called
for a review of all US maritime
policies with an eye to overhauling
the 1936 Merchant Marine Act; for
clamping extremely tight restric
tions on transfers, and for firmly
establishing the legal status of the
hiring hall.
Other Bills
Other measures introduced dur
ing the session included a bill to
subsidize US tramps, both
freighters and tankers; a bill to
include seamen under the Federal
wage-hour law, and one to tighten
restrictions on the hiring of alien
seamen on US vessels.
Congress did give final approval
to the bill calling for 24-hour
quarantine service, slated a probe
of MSTS operations. It also okayed
Robert B. Anderson, former run
away tanker operator, as the new
Secretary of the Treasury.
In the field of generaHegislation,
which might have affected seamen's
unions. Congress took no action to
provide for Federal inspection or
control of union welfare and pen
sion funds, plthough the AFL-CIO
strongly urged such legislation.
The legislators also bypassed a
Federal "right-to-work" law al
though Senator McClellan of
Arkansas tacked a "rider" onto the
civil rights bill. Congress did pass
the civil rights bill before it ad
journed, thus taking the first ac
tion in this area since the end of
the Civil War.
YOUR
SEAFARERS WELFARE PLAN
Low Cost
Meals
••i • •
I
I
I
I • • • • Seafarers on the beach
wailing to ship are en
titled to meal books with
which they can procure
low-cost meals at consid
erably less than the going
commercial rate for feed
ing. The meal book pro
gram makes use of feed
ing facilities in those SIU
halls which possess them,
or oifers meals through
arrangements with out
side eating places. In
either case, the meal
book is a valuable asset,
particularly to men who
are in ports other than
their home towns.
SEAFARER'S
INT'L UNION,
A&G DISTRICT
Prominent among other prize-winning labor publications is the
SEAFARERS LOG in a display now being featured in the head
quarters of the Detroit Public Library. Pictured with the LOG are
the other winners of AFL-CIO awards.
Vofe Lundeberg Statue
For SUP Hq. Entrance
SAN FRANCISCO—A memorial statue of Harry Lunde
berg similar to the one of Andrew Furuseth now located out
side the main entrance to Sailors Union headquarters here
has been authorized by the^ —
SUP membership.
The same sculptor who did
the Furuseth monument in 1940
has been commissioned to do
head and shoulder length statue of
the late SUP secretary, who was
the founder of the SIU of North
America. Lundeberg died last
January 28 after a heart attack.
Terms of the agreement provide
for the monument to be erected
within six months. It will cast in
bronze -after the sculptor's clay
model is completed and approved.
It will flank the other side of the
entrance to the SUP hall.
The Furuseth statue was origin
ally erected near historic Folsom
Street wharf where the first risings
of the sailors' movement occurred
Curran's View
On District 50
(Continued from page 2)
pect of 30 ships (or was it 80) by
the back door, Lewis and the Mine
Workers became legitimate mari
time unionists In Curran's view.
The saddest part about the
whole performance, of course, is
Curran's effort to justify the sweet
heart contract signed with Ameri
can Coal by a paper local of
District 50 in Norfolk which until
then had no members, no office,
and indeed, no existence. At a time
when the AFL-CIO is bending its
energies to eliminate the paper
local evil, Curran—a member of
the Ethical Practices Committee—
goes out of his way to defend just
such an arrangement. It all proves
that Curran and ethics are incom
patible, and that Curran is unfit to
serve on that AFL-CIO body. His
whole record, past and present, is
contradictory to what the commit
tee stands for.
in the 1880's. The memorial had
to be removed earlier this year to
make way for a state freeway proj
ect and the Sailors Union mem
bership then voted to bring Andy
home.
Furuseth had led the SUP for
many years until 1936, two years
before his death, when he was
succeeded by Lundeberg.
Erection of a suitable memorial
to Lundeberg was voted by the
union membership soon after his
death, and then held in abeyance
until the sculptor who did the
earlier statue could be located.
Frisco Back
To Normal
SAN FRANCISCO — Shipping
for this port has more than tripled
for the past two weeks and is now
back to normal. The biggest jump
in jobs was in the deck department
with the stewards and black gang
running about even.
There were only two vessels pay
ing off during the past period.
They were the Ocean Eva (Ocean
Clippers) and the Kyska (Water
man). The Ocean Eva, Afoundria
and Choctaw (Waterman) signed
on while the Alamar (Calmar) and
the Topa Topa (Waterman) were
in-transit.
'Can-Shakers'
Have No OK
The membership is again cau
tioned to beware of persons
soliciting funds on ships in be
half of memorials or any other
so-called "worthy causes." No
"can-shakers" or solicitors have
been authorized by the SIU.
r" j!
• OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THI SIAFARIRI INTIRN ATION AL UN ION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL-CIO •
BUU. LOSES MOVE
TO BAR PKKEIING
.. Strange Bedfellows Today TIeupHoldsXo.
Again Asks Ban HrtioBol
•UMNMI
(M mm tf— "•—"
Movtiib*'
Coontrr. 2*T ^ut in •*•1
story on Page 3
4olog ,
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sm
V'*ilinntli"TOTnuT of tho
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sJiS'2s:»u:.fi5i/."-; s .<»».»"»•
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Allied since last fall with John L. Lewis' District 50 against AFL-CIO
maritime unions in the American Coal beef, NMU president Joseph Cur-
ran two years earlier made no bones about the unsavory character of
this same outfit. But it's a "recognized union" today in the Curran
scheme of things. (Story on Page 2.)
Crash Victims
Woman on stretcher is re
moved from rescue plane
carrying survivors to Bue
nos Aires after a collision In
the Uruguay River between
the US freighter Mormac-
surf (above) and an Argen
tinian river steamer. The
US ship suffered bow dam
age and 94 persons from the.
sunken steamer are report
edly missing. The Mormao-
surf carries an SIU Pacifie
District crew. (Story on
Page 3.)
Pace Twe SEAFARERS lOG September 13, 1937
Pacific District Asks
Pay, Ruie Changes
In Pact Reopener
SAN FRANCISCO—The SIU Pacific District has notified
West Coast shipowners of its intention to reopen the contract
for a wage review. The story of the notification headlined a
special joint Labor Day news-"^
paper published by the three
affiliated unions in the Pacific
District.
The Pacific District of the SIU
of NA is composed of the Sailors
Union of the Pacific, the Marine
Firemen's Union and the Marine
Cooks and Stewards. Letters sent
to the companies by the District
served as official notice of the
unions' desire to 'open talks con
cerning wages, welfare, loggings
and the payoff jiystem.
Bulk Cargo Agreements
. In separate action recognizing
the overall slump in charter rates
and the continuing lay-up of ves
sels, members of the Pacific Dis
trict unions have also voted to
apply the bulk cargo agreement,
where necessary, to all contracted
operations as a means of maintain
ing Jobs and keeping a number of
Libertys and Victorys in service.
Bulk cargo agreements are in
effect with Pabific Far East Lines,
Coastwise Line and Kaiser Gyp-
aum and will be extended to cover
all member companies of the Pa
cific Maritime Association who
enter this trade.
The action has already brought
the SS Santa Venetia out of lay-up
and kept the Pacificus from head
ing into the boneyard. Extension
of the bulk cargo pact was voted
after nine West Coast ships had
gone into lay-up and up to seven
more appeared ready to follow suit.
The alternative was to allow for-
eignrflag ships to move in and
fill the gap. Portland had already
been hard hit when the imion
acted.
The unions recommended con
tract revisions in the wage review
to limit loggings, to provide for
pre-shipping medical examinations
and for wage increases. They also
demanded changes in the present
pay-off system under which a sea
man may have to pay income tax
on more than one year's earnings
in a single year. Under Internal
Revenue Department rulings,
wages are treated as earned in the
year in which they are paid. The
proposed change would arrange for
(Continued on page 15)
Cur ran F lip-Flops On Dist, SO
These days, in the thick of the American Coal fight on the side of the company against
AFL-CIO maritime unions, NMU President Joseph Curran has nothing but honeyed words
for United Mine Workers District 50. Since District 50 is part owner of American Coal
Curran's current pose is that it '
West Coast Ships Hit NY
is a "recognized union" in the
maritime field.
But three years ago, as the letter
reproduced on page one shows,
Curran declared that his "recog
nlzed union" of 1956 and 1957 was
'carrying out a policy of harass
ment and disruption... for the
purpose of carrying on their feud
with the American Federation of
Labor and the CIO.
CuiTan said further, "District 50
of the United Mine Workers can
not and does not intend to organ
ize for the purpose of being of
Second steword Pete Bianchi (above) talks over a food question
aboard the SS President Polk with NY patrolmen G. Potts of the
sup and "Slim" Von Hess of the MFOW. The issue was ironed
out to everyone's satisfaction. Don Rotan (below), editor of the
"Stewards fQews" points out some of the features of the Pacific Dis
trict combined Labor Day newspaper to ottentive viewers aboard
the Waltham Victory Pictured ore (l-r) C. J. Howard, chief
cook; Wilder Smith, MC&S NY patrolmen; Roton, and chief stew-
• % '. J I
NUtchell Hits
'Wreck' Bills
National "right to work" advo
cates were scolded by Secretai-y of
Labor James P. Mitchell at a re
cent New York forum. Mitchell
cautioned against a "headlong
rush" toward legislative remedies
for the presence of racketeers in
segments of the labor movement
and expressed confidence in the
abilities of the AFL-CIO to deal
with the problem.
Mitchell's statement at a news
seminar was one of several by
authorities in the labor field. Of
unusual interest among these was
the concern expressed by a lead
ing spokesman of the coal industry
for the well-being of John L.
Lewis, president of the United
Mine Workers.
Joseph E. Moody, a chief nego
tiator for the Southern coal pro
ducers, told the seminar that the
principal labor worry of the oper
ators was to keep the United Mine
Workers intact. The relationship
between coal labor and manage
ment has now become so construc
tive, that the industry is actively
concerned with ways to keep the
union strong. Moody was reported
as saying.
Coal producers are in business
partnership with Lewis and the
United Mine Workers in the oper
ation of American Coal Shipping
Inc. As a result of this partnership,
the contract for the mates and
engineers on the coal ships was
handed to a dummy local of Dis
trict 50, United Mine Workers.
This action was one of the precipi
tating factors in the American coal
dispute. The set-up has been
strongly defended by the NMU
which wak.handed the contract for
unlicensed crewmembers.
service to the members." As for
their role in maritime, Curran
flatly stated, "Certainly the last
place that these people should be
disrupting is in the maritime
industry."
That was in 1954. Then in 1956
along came American Coal Ship
ping (partly owned by United Mine
Workers District 50) which signed
a phony backdoor agreement with
itself giving jurisdiction of ships'
mates and engineers to a paper
local of United Mine Workers Dis
trict 50 created out of whole cloth
for this operation. When the legit
imate AFL-CIO maritime officers
unions hit the bricks in their beef
against this transparent "sweet
heart" contract with the paper
local, they discovered to their sur
prise that Curran had embraced
the "disrupters." Now, according
to Curran (NMU "Pilot" December
6, 1956) the "deck and engine offi
cers on American Coal ships are
covered by a contract with a recog
nized union," and the legitimate
maritime officers unions needed
"more guts, brains and honest
effort" to organize the company.
Furthermore, Curran expressed
horror (NMU "Pilot" February 28,
1957) that SIU Secretary-Treasurer
This Is 'No
More Logs'???
NMU President Joseph Cur
ran has boasted in the "Pilot"
about ,"No More Logs" while
negotiating with the shipowners
for a one for one logging agree
ment like the SlU's and then
agreeing subsequently to an in
dustry-wide blacklist system. A
news story in the "Honolulu
Advertiser" of August 20 now
casts additional doubt, if any
were needed, on Curran's "No
More Logs" claim.
The story quotes two NMU
crewmembers aboard the SS Ar
thur Fribourg (Arrow SS Inc.)
relative to a dispute they had
ashore with the skipper in
Inchon. One crewmember, Wil
liam Holscher Jr. declared:
"Aboard the ship anything
you did you'd get logged. He
wrote 50 logs during the trip.
I'm disgusted with sailing under
these conditions . . ." And ci-ewr
member Wayne Korb, DM,
added that the captain had
logged him for assault when ho
tried to separate the skipper
and Holscher.
What's that again about "No
More Logs"?
Paul Hall should say nasty things
about District 50. Under the head
ing "Hall Doubletalks" Curran de
clared, "Hall had been devoting
most of his remarks to an attack
on District 50, calling it a company
union... although District 50 has
had contracts for mates and engi
neers for the past ten years on
American Export Lines..." Curran
of course, conveniently overlooked
the fact that the New York District
50 local on the Export ships was
set up to block an organizing drive
by the Marine Engineers Benefi
cial Association and Masters Mates
and Pilots and that it boasts it has
functioned since then with no work
stoppages and without a single
shoreside officer—in other words,
no union apparatus whatsoever to
settle beefs or negotiate contracts.
What prompted Curran to de
nounce District 50 in 1954 and
embrace it two years later is the
same variety of unprincipled ex
pediency that has been responsible
for so many Curran flip-flops in
the past. The' same expediency
dictated his pitch about "No More
Logs" while he was secretly nego
tiating an industry-wide blacklist
with the operators. For the sake
of personal advantage, Curran has
married and divorced John L.
Lewis innumerable times in the
past 15 years. First Lewis was
the greatest labor leader in the
days when the Communist Party
line coincided with isolationist
sentiment in pre-World War II
days, then he was an "ally of Hit
ler" when the Party line switched
to no strikes and all-out for the
war effort.
In 1954, when Curran was woo
ing AFL maritime unions with
dreams of personal glory in the
van, Lewis suddenly became a dis
rupter who had no business in
maritime. Two years later, when
Curran was enchanted at the pros-
(Continued on page 16)
SEAFARERS LOG
Sept. 13,1957 Vol. XIX No. 19
PAUL HALL, Secretary-Treasurer
HERBERT BRAND. Editor. BERNARD SEA
MAN, Art Editor. HERMAN ARTHUR, IRWIN
SPIVACK, AL MASKIN, JOHN BRAZIL, Staff
Writers. BILL MOODY, Gulf Area Repre
sentative.
Published biweekly at the headquarters
of the Seafarers International Union, At
lantic & Gulf District, AFL-CIO, 675 Fourth
Avenue, Brooklyn 3J, NY. Tel. HYaclnth
9-6600. Entered as second class matter
at the Post Otfice In Brooklyn, NY, under
He Act of Aug. 24, 1912.
tileptember It, ItBT SSAFARERS IPG Fair* Tbre*
ATOM SHIP PLANS
RIPPED AS 'FARCE'
SAN FRANCISCO—A West Coast marltimp publication has
called on the Government to "stop the atomic ship farce" be
fore it's too late.
In its lead editorial, the "Pacific Shipper" again belittled
the ballyhoo for the $42.5 million combination passenger-cargo
Bhlp. It urged Federal shipping agencies to abandon the project and
put money "to good use" on behalf of the US merchant marine.
"We say that it would be a crime of omission to let the atomio ship
be built without even a formal protest from those who know better. B
there are contractual penalties to be paid off, let them be paid, and the
sooner the better," the magazine stated.
The "Shipper" had questioned the value of the atomio ship project
before, and disclosures at a Government-sponsored atomio ship sem
inar in Washington several weeks ago apparently sharpened its criti
cism.
It said the seminar "developed two facets as to which we have
been somewhat in the dark." As a result, the magazine noted, it ap
pears tliat the experimental ship will not represent anything especiaiiy
novel in terms of speed plus " 'substantially' less cargo capacity than an
old-fashioned, smoke-puffing steamer of the same size, due to the weight
of its furnaces and shieldings.
"The vessel therefore appears to offer nothing, literally nothing,
except as an engineering experiment before its time (when stationery
atomic engines have not been nearly made practical). This, if you please,
in an industry notoriousiy short of Government funds with which to
hold its place as a world maritime power," its editorial continued.
It is said the project could not be justified simply by "the stale
catch-phrase that the ship could run three years without refueling.
This is commercially meaningless . . . And nobody has yet told us
how many millions the first bunkering will cost."
Others in maritime support the view that an atomic-powered tanker
is more feasible than a dry cargo ship since this trade can profitably
support ships of great size.
Two British groups have already announced plans for 65,000-ton
atom tankers and plans for a 40,000-tonner were revealed last month
by a Japanese concern. A Swedish shipbuilder has also indicated
interest in an atom tanker.
US emphasis on a nuclear-powered freightship follows a bitter fight
in Congress last year over an Administration plan for a "floating atomic
showcase" which would have no commercial value at all. This plan
was voted down and funds for the combination ship were approved
instead.
The US prototype is supposed to be ready by 1960. Contracts for the
experimental hull design and the power plant have already been
Exfend Bull Strike;
Co. Loser In First
In junction Move
The SIU extended its strike against Bull Line to San Juan in the fourth week of
the walkout despite efforts by Bull to break the strike. A company bid for an
iniunction was denied last week by State Supreme Court Justice John E. Cone
who ruled that there wasf
awarded.
Block Foreign 'Invasion'
Of Oregon-PR Trade
PORTLAND, Ore.—A serious threat to American merchant
shipping will probably be headed off by the return of regular
US-flag service between here and Puerto Rico.
Waterman will resume this-f—
trade with the sailing of the
SlU-manned La Salle October
26. The Madaket will enter the
service a month later.
A Japanese line had been mak
ing a play to enter the US domestic
trades to fill the gap left by the
irregular service offered by Ameri
can-flag operators. Waterman
withdrew its ships from the WC-
Puerto Rico run last winter when
the rates were low but has since
received an increase. The Federal
Maritime Board will study the new
rate structure at a hearing in San
Francisco opening September 30.
Other than Waterman, Isbrandt-
Aquarama Has
Season Busy
The SIU Great Lakes cruise
ship, Aquarama, curried a total of
52,745 passengers during its 1957
summer season, company officials
said. The vessel, which has a
capacity of 1,900 passengers a trip
also carried 2,678 automobiles on
its Cleveland-Detroit run. Its
season opens on June 23 and runs
through Labor Day. The round
trip cruise between the two Great
Lakes cities takes about 13 hours.
son had been the only other US
company servicing the route, and
only with one ship. A West Coast
operator which had been in the
trade quit the route when its ships
were bought by Moore-McCormack.
Planned For Legislation
Prior to the Waterman action,
officials here had been seeking a
firm commitment from the Japa
nese in order to go before Congress
and ask for special legislation
enabling the foreign company to
service the restricted coastwise
trade.
The Waterman service will oper
ate on a monthly basis, with calls
at Saa Francisco after Portland.
Canadian Move
Attempts by non-US operators
to move in on the US domestic
trades have been made many times
in the past. One was beaten down
In the House last month when it
tabled a bill which would have
permitted a Canadian operator to
haul coal to Ogdensburg, NY.
The bill originally had the sup
port of the Maritime Administra
tion. The agency changed its
stand when spokesmen for Great
Lakes operators pointed out that
American ships would be available
this fall to carry the coal.
no reason why SIU's peace
ful picketing could not con
tinue.
Nevertheless the com
pany is persisting in its ef
forts to lift the picketlines and
has come back to court with
an amended petition. In hear
ings before Justice James S.
Brown, union attorneys argued
that the company's bid was identi
cal, for practical purposes, with
its initial request denied last week
and urged the court to reject the
move. A decision Is expected
within the next few days.
Meanwhile, round the clock,
picketing by Seafarers has halted
all activity at the Brooklyn termi
nal with four, C-2 ships, the
Frances, Kathryn, Elizabeth and
Beatrice, idled by the walkout.
Strike action in San Juan Wednes
day tied up the Carolyn and the
Jean, with the remainder of the
fleet's operations due to be closed
down as ships come in. Two
Libertys, the Angelina and Dorothy
are already inactive.
The strike began on August 19
after many weeks of negotiations
by the Union committee and the
company had failed to break a
deadlock on wage changes and
other monetary matters. Two
days later, the Masters, Mates and
Pilots, representing deck officers,
and the Marine Engineers Bene
ficial Association also ran into total
snags in their separate contract
talks with the company and pick
eted the terminal. Longshoremen,
teamsters and others servicing
the ships, including ship's radio of
ficers and pursers, have all re
spected the various union picket-
lines.
The SIU had reopened its agree^^
ment last June for the purpos^
of discussing wages and other
monetary matters under the con
tract's standard reopening clause.
Talks with Bull Line bogged down
over SIU demands for parity with
the West Coast scale of overtime
and penalty rates plus an across-
the-board 20 percent wage in-
SCHEDULE OF
SIU MEETINGS
SIU membership meeN
ings are held regularly
every two weeks on Wed
nesday nights at 7 PM In
all SIU ports. All Sea
farers are expected to
attend; those who wish to
be excused should request
perrnlsslon by telegram
(be sure to Include reg
istration number). The
next SIU meetings will be:
September 18
October 2
October 16
October 30
Normally-crowded trucking lanes leading to Bui! Line terminal
are deserted as SIU picketlines effectively tie up company opera
tions in New York. Nothing has moved since Seafarers hit the
bricks on August 19.
crease. The basic OT rate on
the West Coast is $2.81 compared
to $2.06 for most East Coast rat
ings. Retroactivity was sought to
July 1, 1957.
The strike began two days after
the 60-day Taft-Hartley waiting
period expired. Union negotiators
had previously been authorized by
the membership to issue a strike
call in the event negotiations
broke down.
Ship Accident Takes
94 Argentine Lives
BUENOS AIRES—^An estimated 94 persons were reported
missing when the Mormacsurf, manned by SIU Pacific Dis
trict crewmembers, collided with an Argentine steamer
the Plata River. Among+ on
the missing was the captain of
the sunken vessel, the Ciudad
de Buenos Aires, who locked him
self in his cabin and went down
with the ship.
The accident occurred around
midnight, August 27, as the
steamer left this port with some
230 passengers aboard bound for
the river port of Concepcion del
Uruguay. All of the missing per
sons were passengers and crew-
members of the steamer.
Captain Kenneth Summers and
the crew of the Mormacsurf were
held incommunicado aboard the
ship in Buenos Aires while an in
vestigation was held to determine
if there was any criminal negli
gence in the handling of the
vessel. An Argentine federal judge
ordered the release of the men and
the vessel continued on its trip
yesterday. Captain Sommers was
quoted as saying that his crew res
cued about 80 passengers.
Damage to the Mormacsurf was
not extensive, with a section of
the bow stoved in. The ship is
expected back in Los Angeles in
about three weeks.
The Mormacsurf had been trans
ferred to West Coast operations
by Moore-McCormack last June.
She was in the yards for a short
time while repairs were being
made to bring the vessel up to
West Coast standards. The ship
is manned by the Pacific District
unions—the Sailors Union of the
Pacific, the Marine Firemen, and
the Marine Cooks and Stewards,
Seattle Quiet,
Sees Pick-up
SEATTLE—The prior period's
spurt of activity has slowed down
a little in this port but from the
looks of ship schedules it is ex
pected to pick up again in the near
future.
The Pacifip Cloud (Compass)
and Maiden Creek (Waterman)
both paid off and signed on during
the last period. The Alamar, Losmar,
Massmar, Pennmar (Calmar) and
Afoundria (Waterman) were in
transit.
"?-r
Pare Four SEAFARERS LOG September IS, 1957
SHIPS IN ACTION 99
S S DSL
Noms
Baseball is big news on the Del
Norte, aside from the usual
World Series fever right now.
It's business as usual with dele
gates (1), including Leo Watts
(2nd from left), H. Crane, Joe
Cot and Joe Mendoza, but
members of the ship's cham
pionship nine (2) really get
the spotlight. Open deck
makes good practice field (3)
for bosun's mate Jack Vorel,
taking turn with catcher's mitt.
Baseball fcaptain "B 1 a c k i e"
Connors (left) is congratulated
on team's success (4) by ship's
delegate Leo Watts. Photos by
Morris R. King.
Back in New York from trip to Liverpool, Mankato crewmen gather
in messhall (5) as SIU Patrolman Paul Gonsorchik (back to camera) is
sues dues receipts and checks beefs. Art Harrington, AB; Ken Hunter,
saloon MM; R. Ewell, OS; W. F. Barth and Lester C. Long are pictured.
In galley (6), patrolman discusses feeding with George Gibbons, Johnnie
McCue, Jr., and H. Lanier. During payoff (7), R. Ewell signs voucher
while W. F. Barth and paymasters look on. Later, Carroll Harper (left)
and Ray Wright (8) count off earnings on the trip and look pretty
pleased about it. In black gang foc'sle (9),~John Igleberr, fireman,
washes and gets ready for shore leave, while shipmates V. Mc-
Closky (left) and John W, Altstatt (10) tote ship's laundry down gang
way. Another trip comes to an end.
September 13. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Pace Five
li
i to:
Tom Duncan, AB: 1 prefer watch
standing. You can make more OT
standing watch
and I think the
time passes much
faster. Besides
I think day work
is much harder.
True they quit
at 5 and have
Saturday and
Sunday off, but
you go to sea to
work, not just to sit around.
4" Jj" 35"
A. DaCo.sta, wiper: To me eight
hours of work a day is enough.
That is why I
take day work
instead of watch
standing. It's just
like going to
business, work
'til 5 and then
take it easy. Be
sides this we
have the week
ends off. This is
just as good as a shoreside job.
4« 4" t
Earl Cronsell, OS: I'll take the
watch any time. Day men work
like horses. 1
know for I've
tried it. The
watch gets at
least four hours
of rest every
night, and Sat
urdays 5" sd Sun
days are over
time. But a day
man has to turn
to on the weekends to make some
OT money. To me day work is a
druggery.
Cargo Slump Hits Coal
Fleet; 5IU Holds Lead
NORFOLK—^The American Coal shipping fight is taking a new tack as the shipping
slump in coal and other bulk cargoes is seriously affecting the company's operations. Be
cause of lack of cargo the company had the Casimir Pulaski on the hook for nearly three
weeks before it sailed and hast
QUESTION; Do you like day work or watch standing? What are
the advantages of one over the other?
Edward L. Woods, OS: Watch
standing, of course. A man gets
more rest doing
that type of work
then he docs do
ing day work.
The seven - day
week does not
bother me and I
don't mind put
ting in port
watch; it's all
overtime. I've
been sailing some eight years now
and take as much watch work as
I can get.
t t 4
Carlos Rodriquez, wiper: 1 would
rather have day work. For then I
can go ashore
while in port and
see my family.
But if you are on
watch, you may
get stuck with
the 4 to 12 shift
and not get a
chance to enjoy
yourself. I like
overtime too, but
you can't work all the time.
4. 4 4
Francis McGarry, AB: It seems
to ine that when a man is standing
watch the days
go by much fast
er than when
working day
tricks. Working
seven days a
week takes your
mind off many
things because
you don't have
the time to just
sit around. And besides, there is
always good overtime money to be
made standing watch.
had the Coal Miner, the only
ship it owns, in layup for the
past two weeks. The Miner was
scheduled to come out again early
next week as company officials
scouted up a cargo for it. Despite
its name, the Coal Miner has been
carrying bulk cargoes other than
coal on recent voyages.
The future outlook for the coal
fleet has the Cleveland Abbe com
ing in here this weekend but with
no cargo in sight as yet. The coal
shipping picture remains uncer
tain with the charter market re
fusing to snap out of the summer
doldrums. Coal charter rates of
$4 to $4.50 a ton are far below the
break-even point for American-
flag operations.
In the job competition picture,
the SIU continues to hold the lead
with the present count 86 to 83.
It will go up to 100 SIU to 94 NMU
if the Coal Miner crew is called
back aboard Monday as presently
planned.
AFL-CIO Meetings
Efforts to settle the dispute are
still continuing within the AFL-
CIO on the basis of the proposals
submitted by a special two-man
committee and endorsed by all par
ticipating unions. The committee
appointed by AFL-CIO President
George Meany, consisting of
George Harrison, president of the
Brotherhood of Railway and
Steamship Clerks and Jacob Potof-
sky, president of the Amalgamated
Clothing Workers, had met with
all parties concerned in July. On
Friday, September 6, a follow-up
meeting was held in Washington
with President Meany and the
Converted Liberfys Make Grade
WASHINGTON—The Government's experiment in upgrading Liberty ships and test
ing new po\ver plants is turning out well under actual operating conditions. The Maritime
Administration reported that the three war-built ships converted last year to new and dif
ferent power plants are hold->
ing their own in transatlantic
service, and are making
higher speeds tl^an estimated. Fuel
consumption and maintenance
probems are about what the Gov
ernment expected.
The ships are the first of four
that were taken out of lay-up to
test the feasibility of upgrading the
reserve fleet in case of emergency.
They are also being used to com
pare steam turbine, diesel, and gas
turbine power plants.
The three ships are the Ben
jamin Chew, the Thomas Nelson
and the John Sergeant. The Chew,
which has been converted into a
steam turbine ship, has completed
five voyages. The Nelson, which
was given a new bow and equipped
with diesel engines, has made five
trips. The Sergeant, which got
the same type of bow as the Nel
son, as well as an open cycle re
generative gas turbine, has com
pleted four voyages.
Fourth Ship Due
A fourth ship, the William Pat
terson, is equipped with a free pis
ton gas turbine. It is undergoing
sea trials before entering commer
cial service.
Reporting on the three ships last
month, the Maritime Administra
tion said that the Chew averaged
15.3 knots from Norfolk to La
Pallice, and has done even better
on shorter runs. The average
speed of a Liberty ship equipped
with reciprocating engines is 10
knots.
Even better speeds were made
by the Thomas Nelson and the
John Sergeant. The Nelson aver
aged 15.61 knots between London
and Miami, and 17.5 knots be
tween Miami and Jacksonville. The
Sergeant with her gas turbine has
averaged 16.03 knots between La
Pallice and New York. All the fig
ures are believed to be below the
actual maximum* speed of the ships.
In fuel consumption, the diesel-
driven Thomas Nelson is the low
est, the gas-turbine John Sergeant
next, and the steam turbine Benja
min Chew worst.
The three ships are operated in
the North Atlantic by US Lines.
The gas turbine vessel carries a
crew of 37, while the diesel and
steam turbine ships are manned
by 40 and 41 crewmembers, re
spectively.
unions involved.
Attending the Washington meet
ing were representatives of unions
affiliated with the AFL-CIO Mari
time Trades Department as well
the old CIO martime committee.
After discussion, Meany indicated
he would seek a further meeting
between himself, SIU Secretary-
Treasurer Paul Hall, NMU Presi
dent Joseph Curran and others he
might invite to such a session. The
further meeting is expected to take
place in the near future.
NMU Calls In CG
Having failed so far in efforts
to overcome the SlU's lead on the
coal ships, despite many an assist
from the company, the NMU ti'ied
out a new tactic. It called in the
Coast Guard to give it a hand in
trying to rout SIU oldtimers out of
coal ship jobs. NMU's tactics in
this instance could very well back
fire against the. NMU.
The NMU's discomfort over its
failure to overcome the SIU's lead
was shown by its persistent refusal
to publish any figures in the NMU
"Pilot." The NMU'insisted that it
had a "very good lead" but
wouldn't talk in terms of specific
numbers.
The SlU. with staunch support
from oldtimers from the A&G Dis
trict and the West Coast Sailors,
Firemen and Cooks, has held the
job lead consistently since a Fed
eral court order last spring estab
lished a seniority hiring system.
Although the figures have fluctu
ated narrowly in recent weeks, at
no time has the NMU been able to
overcome the SIU's edge.
NLRB Schedules Robin
Vote Hearing Sept. 16
NEW YORK—The NLRB has confirmed Monday, Septem
ber 16, as the date for a formal hearing on the SIU's petition
for an election for crewmembers on the eight Robin Line
ships now owned and oper--*-
ated by Moore-McCormack.
The petition was filed on
August 9 by the SIU in order
to protect the jobs for Seafarers
on the Robin vessels after Moorc-
McCormack acquired them. An in
formal hearing was held on August
22 with NLRB examiner L. J.
Lurie.
The Bull Line strike is now
entering its fourth week with the
ships tied up solidly. There are
now four ships idle at the Bull
Line terminal, the Frances, Kath-
ryn, Elizabeth and Beatrice. No
other Bull vessels were expected
in for some time.
Although shipping has not im
proved during the past period quite
a few jobs went to Class "B" and
"C" men, so it seems that Class
"A" men wei-e not finding it too
difficult to secure berths.
27 Ships In
A total of 27 ships hit the port
dui-ing the past two.weeks. There
were 18 paying off, four signing on
and five intransit.
The ships paying off were the
Robin Trent (Robin); Steel Naviga
tor, Steel Flyer, Steel Chemist
(Isthmian); Alcoa Roamer, Alcoa
Puritan (Alcoa); Seatrain Georgia,
New York, Texas, Louisiana, Sa
vannah (Seatrain); Cantigny, CS
Miami, Council Grove (Cities Serv
ice); Maxton, Alniena (Pan-Atlan
tic i; Beatrice and the Elizabeth
(Bull).
The Coeur D'Alene Victory (Vic
tory Carriers), Steel Designer
(Isthmian), Michael (Carras) and
CS Miami (Cities Service) signed
on while the Ideal X, Coalinga
Hills (Pan-Atlantic), La Salle
(Waterman), and Val Chem (Heron)
wei-e in-transit.
Don't Send Your
Baggage COD
Seafarers are again warned
not to send their baggage COD
to any Union hall. The Union
cannot accept delivery of any
baggage where express charges
have not been prepaid.
Men who send baggage COD
to Union halls face the prospect
of having to go to a lot of trou
ble and red tape with the Rail
way Express Co.
Corks Ready To Pop For Wine Tanker
Artist's conception of the first US-flag wine tanker, the Angelo Petri, which is expected to begin service late this month between Stockton,
Calif., Houston and Port Newark, NJ, with an SIU Pacific District crew. The new vessel can carry 2'/2 million gallons of wine per trip in 26
stainless steel Janks. She will carry other liquid edibles on return trips^to the West Coast. The ship is about the some size as the conven
tional T-2 tanker and includes the 250-foot after section of the T-2 Sacketts Harbor, including the original machinery. She can do 15
knots and is expected to make seven round trips a year between coasts.
I
Pat* Six SEAFARERS LOG September 13, 1957
August 21 Through September 3
port Dock
A
Soston . •••,••••••••••••••••••• 20
New York 80
Philadelphia 30
Baltimore 61
Norfolk 8
Savannah 3
Tampa 6
Mobile 28
New Orleans 42
Lake Charles 7
Houston 43
Wilmington 20
San Francisco 30
Seattle 30
Deck
Total 408
- Registered
DecK Eng. Ing. Stew. Stew.
• ABA*
3 8 16 5
10 74 16 67 13
7 30 6 18 0
13 37 15 31 5
5 10 9 3 4
3 7 3 5 2
1 3 2 6 1
6 16 5 19 4
18 38 9 34 6
8 12 8 3 7
9 24 15 13 10
10 7 15 15 5
15 16 9 27 18
22 17 15 21 14
Deck Eng. Eng. Stew. Stew.
B A B A B
130 299 . 128 268 99
Total
A
34
221
78
129
21
15
15
63
114
22
80
42
73
68
Total
A
975
Total
B
9
39
18
33
18
8
4
15
33
23
34
30
42
51
Total
B
357
Total
Reg.
43
260
96
162
39
23
19
78
147
45
114
72
115
119
Total
Reg
1332
Port Deck Deck
A B
Boston 9 4
New York 37 19
Philadelphia 17 3
Baltimore 35 5
Norfolk 3 1
Savannah 2 1
Tampa 9 2
Mobile 25 3
New Orleans 52 5
Lake Charles 7 11
Houston 20 20
Wilmington 7 6
San Francisco 24 11
Seattle 13 6
Deck Deck
Total 260 97
Shipped
Deck Eng. Eng. Eng.
C A B C
1-7 5 0
10 43 11 9
0 18 10 2
4 21 12 0
0 4 3 0
0 10 0
14 0 2
0 14 6 1
0 38 9 0
0 10 11 0
0 14 12 0
1 2 5 1
1 19 8 0
0 14 9 1
Deck Eng.
C A
18 209
Eng. Eng.
101 lb
Stew.
A
5
26
12
17
0
3
5
13
42
1
5
3
19
5
stew.
A
156
Stew. Stew.
B C
5
8
6
4
2
2
1
6
9
8
5
4
12
12
stew. Stew.
. B C
84 16
0
7
0
0
2
0
2
1
2
0
1
0
0
1
Total
A
21
106
47
73
7
6
18
52
132
18
39
12
62
32
Total
A
625
Total
B
14
38
19
21
6
3
3
15
23
30
37
15
31
27
Total
282
Total
C
1
26
2
4
2
0
5
2
2
0
1
2
1
2
Total
c
50
Total
Ship.
36
170
68
98
15
9
26
69
157
48
77
29
94
61
Total
Ship.
957
WC Firemen, Cooks
Start Voting Soon
SAN FRANCISCO—^Members of all three unions in the
SIU Pacific District will take part in referendum ballots this
fall. Two elections and a vote on a new constitution for the
Marine Firemen's Union are-*
Job activity fell off again in the last period, matching the low so far for the past year
and a half. The total number of men shipped, 957, was less than the class A registration alone.
Registration itself was 1,332, reflecting a considerable rise in this statistic.
Only five SIU ports escaped
the general decline and one
other remained about the
same as before. The increased
shipping was listed for Boston
Philadelphia, Tampa, New Orleans
and San Francisco, but 'Frisco was
the only one showing a major gain.
Baltimore held to the status quo
and was still only "fair."
Ports that fell off were New
York, Norfolk, Sav j.nah. Mobile,
Lake Charles, Houston, Wilmington
and Seattle, but most of these ex
pected to bounce back again. New
York was down due to the idling
of Bull Line ships.
Generally, the deck department
accounted for the most shipping
and the largest portion of the
registration total as well.
The proportion of jobs taken by
class A men dropped to 65 per
cent, while class B shipping rose
to 30 percent of the total. Class C
shipping fell off slightly once again,
hitting a new low.
The following is the forecast
port by port:
Boston: Fair . . . New York: Fair
. . . Philadelphia: Good . . . Balti
more: Fair . . . Norfolk: Slow . . .
Savannah: Slow . . . Tampa: Fair
. . . Mobile: Fair . . . New Orleans:
Good . . . Lake Charles: Steady . . .
Houston: Good . . . Wilmington:
Fair . . . San Francisco: Good . . .
Seattle: Good.
Notify Union
About Sick Men
Ship's delegates are urged to
notify the Union immediately
when a shipmate is taken off
the vessel in any port because
of illness or injury. Delegates
should not wait until they send
in the ship's minutes but should
handle the matter in a separate
communication, so that the Un
ion can determine in what man
ner it can aid the brother.
It would also be helpful if
the full name, rating and book
number was sent in. Address
these notifications to Welfare
Services at headquarters.
rrrrr
slated.
Already in motion is the
ratification process for the amend
ed MFOW by-laws. Voting on
these will begin late this month or
in October once ballots are pre
pared.
Nominations of the first officials
to be elected under the recently-
adopted constitution of the Marine
Cooks and Stewards were held at
port membership meetings last
night, with 14 posts at stake. This
will be the first formal election in
22 Homes
Built By La.
Volunteers
LAKE CHARLES — Volunteer
builders from New Orleans - -.d
Lake Charles continued to give up
their weekends, including their
traditional holiday—Labor Day, to
construct seven more homes in
Cameron County, La. This brings
the total to 22 homes built by these
men with three more to go under
the original hurricane reconstruc
tion program. The amount of ma
terials and supplies left over will
determine what will be done after
these are constructed, writes Leroy
Clarke, port agent.
Shipping for the port was only
fair during the past two weeks. The
Chiwawa, CS Miami, Bents Fort,
Cantigny and the Winter Hill
(Cities Service); Petro Chem (Val
entine); Maxton (Pan-Atlantic);
Steel Advocate (Isthmian); Mer
maid (Metro. Petroleum); Del Aires
(Mississippi) and Pan Oceanic
Transporter (Penn. Nav.) were in
port during the last period.
I . I •,-( -.'1.1 < J II,
MCS history, since the time the
union was first chartered by the
SIU of North America in 1951. The
constitution itself was ratified less
than three months ago.
Under the new constitution, jobs
to be filled, all for a three-year
term, are those of a secretary-
treasurer, assistant secretary-treas
urer, three patrolmen and a dis
patcher at headquarters, and one
port agent and patrolman each In
the ports of Seattle, Portland,
Wilmington and New York.
Members nominated have until
October 15 to accept or decline,
and voting will begin for a 60-day
period on November 1. Those
elected will take office in January,
1958, once the results are certified
by a membership-elected tallying
committee.
The Sailors Union of the Pacific
will hold its annual election dur
ing December and January. Nom
inations will be made at the first
SUP meeting in November.
Tampa Gets
Job Boost
TAMPA — Shipping in this port
picked up somewhat in the last
period with registration dropping
behind shipping in the deck and
engine departments. But although
jobs are on the increase, there are
enough men on the beach now to
handle any openings that may
come along.
There were four vessels calling
into port within the last two weeks.
The Citrus Packer (Waterman)
paid off while the La Salle, Has
tings (Waterman), Steel Flyer
(Isthmian) and Del Campo (Missis
sippi) were in transit.
MARORR (Or* Nav.), July IS —
Chairman, D. Stonai Sacratary, D.
Caray. Ona man mlaicd ahlp. Re
port acceptad. New delegate and
traaaurer elected. Need new pluga
for pantry alnk. Steward to poit tign
regarding linen change.
SEATRAIN TEXAS (ieatrain). May
S7—Chairman, F. Sulllvani Sacratary,
F. McBrlde. Repair list aubmitted.
Some amaU beefa. Ship'a fund, S77.80.
Reporta accepted. Need more or larger
fane for crew'a guartera; canned cof
fee in place of bagged coffee.
Furcell. Galley range needs repairing.
Ship'a fund, SIS. Drunkards warned
and wiU be turned over to Union.
4-8 watch turning to In morning not
putting in for penalty meal hour.
Delegate missed port payoff In NY.
New delegate elected. Vary night
lunch. Shower water too hot. Too
much fraternizing topside. Warning
issued if not stopped offenders wiU
be dealt with accordingly.
June 23—Chairman, J. Furcell; Sec
retary, J. Keavney. Three men paid
off without proper relief in Honolulu.
Ship's fund, 816. Report accepted.
Garbage to be dumped aft. Food beef
to be taken up at meeting. Shipping
rules to be posted in messroom.
YORKMAR (Calmar), July 1—Chair
man (none); Secretary, J. Archie. Few
hours disputed OT. To be taken care
of at payoff. Ship's fund, $15.82. Need
fan in laundry room. Washing machine
water line needs repairing. Return
all cots after using.
DEL AIRES (Miss.), July 7—Chair
man, C. Cautreau; Secretary, J. Davis.
New delegate elected. Ship's fund
S73. Schedule for cleaning laundry
to be posted. Safety representatives
elected by each dept. Talk by stew
ard regarding food and repairs. Door
to be locked while kroo boys are
aboard. Endeavor to get spring-type
locks.
FRANCES (Bull), July 21—Chair
man, W. Deak; Secretary, F. Colonna.
Reports accepted. Donation by crew
to obtain new Ubrary. Toaster not te
be used for griUed sandwiches. Pan
try to be kept clean.
IDEAL X (Fan-Atlantic), Aug. S—
Chairman, Prokopuk; Secretary, Hel-
vlnk. Few hours disputed OT. Re
ports accepted.
ALCOA PARTNER (Alcoa), July 29
—Chairman, S. Clarke; Secretary, C.
Neumann. Few hours disputed OT.
Repair lists to be submitted. Reporta
accepted. Minimum of 2 hrs. OT to
be paid for unUcensed personnel
called after 5 PM and before 8 AM.
New delegate elected. Ship to be ex
terminated. Obtained new library.
Vote of thanks to steward dept.
DE SOTO (Waterman), June S —
Chairman, C. Wallick; Secretary, W.
Newsom. New delegate elected. Lock
ers in foc'sles to be repaired. Water
pressure to be Improved throughout
ship.
July 11—Chairman, R. Hedges; Sec
retary, W. Newtem. Steward's actions
unbecoming. Number of complaints
from members in dept. Patrolman to
take action. Few hours disputed OT.
Few beefs to be taken up with pa
trolman. Two men missed ship be
tween ports. Reports accepted. Clari-
flcation of deck delegate's report.
Beefs to be taken up with patrolman.
Aug. 3—:Chalrman, R. Hodges; Sec
retary, B. Varn, Jr. Repairs made.
Vote of thanks to headquarters for
progress made in American Coal beef.
New delegate elected. Cups to be re
turned to pantry after using. Take
better care of cots. Vote of thanks
to retiring ship's delegate. Vote of
thanks to steward dept. for fine food
and good service.
ALCOA RAN(»BR (Alcea), July 27—
Chairman, none; Secretary, J. Janes.
No replacements fo^ crew members in
Puerto Rico. Reports accepted. Re
frain from making noise in passage
ways—men sleeping. Discussion on
type of milk put aboard in San Juan;
general equipment on board.
CALMAR (Calmar), July 21—Chair
man, F. Miller; Secretary, T. Jackson.
New secretary-reporter, treasurer and
delegate elected. Messroom and bath
rooms to be kept clean.
MICHAEL (Carras), July SI—Chair
man, H. Ward; Secretary, C. McLean.
Ship sailed short two men. One man
Ul. Ship's fund $2, Piu-chased maga
zines and books. Observe quiet in
passageways. Post repair list.
ALICE BROWN (Bleemfleld), July
IS—Chairman, O. Yeager; Secretary,
T. Schulta. Safety meeting held. Re
pair lists submitted. One member
missed ship; one member hospitalized.
Headquarters to be given Bloomfleld
Steamship Co. schedules and ports of
call so LOG may be received at all
times. Slop chest not opened fre
quently enough. Vote of thanks to
steward dept. Approval of new SIU
feeding program.
YORKMAR (Calmar), May 21—Chalr^
man, E. Denchy; Secretary, J. Archie.
Ship's fund *15.82. New delegate
elected.
STEEL KINO (Isthmian), May 24—
Chairman, J. Keavney; Secretary, J.
NEVA WEST (Bloomfleld), June 14
—Chairman, D. Jones; Secretary, J.
McDougall. New delegate elected.
Drinking water changed. Brother
Jones will submit article for the IX)G.
Steward to act as treasurer. Ship
being cleaned and painted. No beefs
—things running smoothly. Vote of
thanks to steward dept. for good food
and service. Cleaning schedule for
laundry and recreation room to be
typed and posted. Need scuppers in
laundry. Valves to be checked and
changed to save. fresh water; place
cold water hook-up to washing ma
chine. General discussion.
Aug. 3—Chairman, J. Rellly; Secre
tary, D. Jones. Sick men to see doc
tor upon arrival. Need new washing
machine. Scupper to be placed in
laundry. Members leaving ship to
strip bunks and turn in soiled and
extra linen. Two articles submitted to
LOG. Ship's fund S14.23. No beefs,
everything running smoothly. No
LOGS received. Vote of thanks to
steward dept. for fine food and serv
ice. Need new washing machine and
scupper in laundry. General discus
sions.
CAROLYN (Bull), July 28-Chair
man, W. Smith; Secretary, R. Prin
cipe. Vote of thanks to steward dept.
for fine work. Ship's fund to be used
to repair TV set. SI contribution
from each crew member.
WARRIOR (Waterman), Aug. 3 —
Chairman, H. Starck; Secretary, W.
Elliott. Captain warned crew about
causing any trouble. Injured man
repatriated to States. One man missed
ship, rejoined in Moji. Reports ac
cepted. Discussion on washing ma
chine. Vote of thanks by steward for
cooperation in changing linen. Cups
to be returned to pantry. Repair list
to be submitted.
SEA COMET II (Seatrader), Aug. 4
—Chairman, F. Parsons; Secretary, G.
Bryan. No major beefs. Some dis
puted overtime. Delegate to check
with patrolman regarding phosphate
cargo and whether or not men would
be permitted to pay off in Baltimore.
One man missed ship. Clothes turned
over to shipmate and necessary data
given to delegate. Reports accepted.
Extra linen to be turned in for inven
tory. Vote of thanks to steward dept.
Garbage to be dumped aft. Crew not
to use lemon juice: set aside for
meals only.
CAROLYN (Bull), July 14—Chair-
man, W. Smith; Secretary, D. Pantes.
One man hospitalized. No replace
ment. Few hours disputed OT. New
delegate elected. More variety in
night lunch. Food not up to par.
Poor grade of food-put aboard: to be
discussed with patrolman. Complaints
being brought topside. Washing ma
chine to be kept clean.
STEEL VENDOR (Isthmian), May i
—Chairman, S. Mangold; Secretary, V.
Orenclo. Ship's fund S27.91. New
delegate elected. New library ob
tained.
June 19—Chairman, V. Warfleld;
Secretary, V. Orencle. No hot water
for 11 hours. One man missed ship;
rejoined. Ship's fund S27.91. Few
hours disputed OT. Report accepted.
Need more canned fruits. Vegetables
not cooked properly.
July 20—Chairman, W. Schlect; Sec
retary, V. Orenclo. Subsistence not
collectible—hot water supplied within
12 hours. Two Men paid off in Hono
lulu. One man missed ship. In the
future, anyone quitting before payoff
must have medical slip certifying un
fit for duty. Ship's fund S27.91. Car
penter paid off. Unable to get re
placement. All beefs to be settled by
patrolman. Bosun refused to turn to.
stating ho was fired. Patro!man to
talk to bosun. Bread box to be closed
to prevent bread from becoming
stale. Pantry and mess hall doors te
be closed while in port.
ALCOA PEGASUS (Alcea), Aug. IS
—Chairman, J. Bernard; Secretary, L.
Phillips.. Two men left ship in PR.
Cots to be stowed away at end of
voyage.
SEATRAIN GEORGIA (Seatrain),
Aug. 18—Chairman, S. Charles; Sec
retary, A. Lambert. Delayed sailing
disputed OT to be referred to patrol
man. Beef in deck dept. kept squared
away. Wire sent to hall re: sending
patrolman for Sunday payoff. Ship's
fund S21.03. Safety meeting held.
Ail suggestions taken care of. Com
plaints not to be taken to captain.
SHINNECOCK BAY (Tankship),
Aug. 17 — Chairman, E. CzosnoskI;
Secretary, R. Harp. All stores to be
checked by delegate. Beef on steward
to be taken up with patrolman in San
Juan. Request 25 days supply of
stores to be put aboard.
DEL NORTE (Miss.), Aug. 18 —
Chairman, J. Connors; Secretary, H.
Crane. Everything running smoothly.
Men Urged not to foul up. Ship's fund
S127.03. Paid for new movie screen.
New delegate elected. Messhails and
pantry to be kept clean at all times.
Steward to have cream and sugar in
pantry at coffee time. Each man to
donate $2 to purchase films for next
voyage.
ALCOIA ROAMER (Alcea), Aug. 14
— Chairman, B. DeBautte; secretary,
R. Klenast. One man left ship in San
Juan to fly to NY marine hospital.
Letter from Union regarding 61 days
received. Vote of thanks from ^
members to headquarters.
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September IS, ISST SEAFARERS LOG Pare Serea
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YOUR DOllAR'S WORTH
Seafarer's Guide To Better Buying
By Sidney Margolius
Shopping For A House
Prices of new houses are at record high levels. This summer the
average new house, on a countrywide basis, has a price tag close to
$15,000. In just the three years since 1954", when the average dwelling
was $12,300, the average price has gone up about 22 percent. Only one
out of seven new houses recently offered for sale was priced under
$10,000.
Part of this rise is due to the fact that houses are larger now, be
cause builders are concentrating on more expensive houses and less
on the wage-earner market. The average house in 1956 provided
1,230 square feet of floor area compared to 1,140 in 1954.
However, the cost per square foot of houging your family has jumped
too, from a country wide average at $10.79 a square foot in '54 to $11.79
in '56, and an estimated $12 in May, 1957. The cost per square foot
actually has dropped in the Northeast, but has gone up drastically in
the West, South and North Central states. In the Northeast, housing
demand has tapered off, but in booming areas where demand is keen, as
in a number of Southern and Western states, builders are pricing new
homes to get all the market will bear. In just two years, from '54 to
'56, the square-foot prices of houses have jumped 16 percent in the
South, to $10.32; 15 percent in the North Central states, to a whopping
$14.08, and 10 percent in the West, to $11.72.
Prices In South Now Rising
The cost of houses in the South is relatively low, although going up
fast, because most are basementless and only three out of five have
central heating.
It's valuable to know what you get for your money in square footage
and "extras," and also what designs and materials are being favored.
This helps you compare values
(' •' ^ offered by different builders. It
Alow MU^H ? judge the future
_ ' resale value of a new house, and
compare values among older
houses on the market.
The price per square foot of
floor area is one yardstick of value.
As the Bureau of Labor Statistics
figures it, floor area is the number
of square feet computed from out
side dimensions, counting all fin
ished livable space, including
laundry and utility rooms, halls
and closets. But it excludes ree-
reation, storage, laundry and util
ity rooms in the basement, unfin
ished attic space and open or
screened porches.
The big switch in recent years
is to three-bedroom houses, which
have become the standard in place
of the two-bedroom house that
predominated in 1950.
Another factor is the quality of construction. Despite the higher
square-foot costs, basic construction quality is not necesarily improv
ing. A recent BLS report showed relatively few new houses available
nowadays for less than $10,000, with the majority of them in the South.
These were small, basementless, frame houses with wood or asbestos
shingle exteriors, often with only two bedrooms or even less; one
bathroom, and with only space heaters or no heating facilities at all.
You have to go into the-$10,000-$15,000 bracket to get a more ade
quate house. In this bracket you can get 1,000 to 1,500 square feet of
living space, with three bedrooms, one bath or a bath and a half,
warm-air heat if not the costlier hot-water, and a garage or carport.
But even hou.ses in this price class have basements in only one out
of three cases and, most often, dry walls. Only in houses over $15,000
are you likely to get plaster walls, and then, in only three out of five
cases. Hot-water heat has become relatively rare in houses selling
for under $20,000.
$10,000 Is Dividing Line On Wood, Brick
Houses under $10,000 will more often have asbestos facing, but
over the $10,000 price you have a good chance of getting wood, brick
or stucco facing.
If you go over $12,000, you should expect a full or at least partial
basement and also, bathrooms with ceramic tiie walls and floors.
Only at $15,000 and over do new houses now generally give you
plaster walls, V/i> to 2 bathrooms and most generally, brick or brick-
facing construction.
Aluminum window frames are gaining in popularity with steel
casements now less used. Wood double-hung windows are still pop
ular and desirable, but nowadays are found more in the costlier houses
than in moderate-priced ones.
But besides lire price, regional preferences influence construction.
People in the Northeast prefer basements, and in the North Central
states over half the new houses have basements, with the trend in
that direction. In the West arid South, most houses are basementless.
Families in the Northeast and Nbrth Central states prefer wood win
dows, BLS surveys show.
It's more important to look for quality construction, rather th3n
eye-catehing "extras," such as dishwashers, garbage disposal units,
etc. Veiy few builders now give you a refrigerator and even less a
washer,, as they often did when houses were cheaper. In most cases
lyou should boabte 'toi get a range and exhaust fan; • An increasing
riumber of cooking, units now are built-in tops and ej^-level ovens.
BME Boosts Yf el fare. Pensions
In a move designed to insure greater welfare protection to its members, Brotherhood of
Marine Engineers welfare plan trustees have announced substantial increases in benefits
for engineers. •
The changes involve in
creased death benefits, a pro-
fated pension plan for engi
neers who wish to retire at age 60
and increased medical payments.
Death benefit payments for active
members were increased from
$2,500 to $3,000 while a payment
of $500 was approved to bene
ficiaries of retired BME members.
Prior to this pensioners were not
eligible for death benefits.
Realizing the need of additional
protection against expensive medi
cal costs, the benefit for doctors'
visits has been increased and ex
tended to cover additional medical
services. The medical plan will
now pay up to $100 a calendar year
towards bills incurred by the en
gineer or his family. The payments
will be made for visits to a gen
eral practitioner or to a specialist.
It was also extended to cover
eye examinations and eye glasses.
The maximum payment for any
one bill will be $20. The old plan
had no provision for bills over $5
and did not include payments for
eye examinations and glasses.
Payments under the pension plan
to qualified members have been
changed to enable engineers to re
tire at age 60 at a lower benefit
rate. Earlier, BME members were
not eligible for retirement bene
fits until they reached 65. The pro
rated payments range from $55 a
month for a member retiring at
age 60 to the full benefit of $100
a month for those retiring at 65.
The expanded welfare and pen
sion programs were the result of
recommendations by delegates to
the union's agents conference.
Tliey were subsequently approved
by the membership.
The membership also voted to
set machinery in motion for re
vising certain clauses in the
union's constitution. The changes
would be along the lines recom-
MTD Elects
Port Heads
In St. Louis
ST. LOUIS—The St. Louis Mari
time Port Council—one of the
series of port councils now being
set up by the AFL-CIO Martime
Trades Department—^was formally
chartered here on September 5.
The charter was presented by
Harry E. O'Reilly, MTD executive
secretary.
Officers of the council wei»e
elected as follows: President. John
Naber, secretary - treasurer of
Teamsters Local 688; vice presi
dent, Edward Weber, business rep
resentative of Firemen and Oilers
Local 6; secretary-treasurer, Ed
ward Adams, business repi'esenta-
tive, MM&P.
The charter meeting was attend
ed by 25 delegates representing
seven international unions with a
total marine membership of 50,000.
Local unions in the area are also
applying for membership, and it
is expected that ultimately about
20 unions will be affiliated with
the council.
Sign Name On
LOG Letters
For obvious reasons the LOG
cannot print any letter or
other communications sent in
by Seafarers unless the author
signs his name. Unsigned
anonymous letters will only
wind up in the waste-basket.
If circumstances justify, the
LOG will withhold a signature
on request.
mended at the agents conference.
Up for revision are the union's
trials and appeals procedures,
quorums for membership meet
ings, replacement of the executive
board by an agents conference set
up and inclusion in the consti
tution of the AFL-CIO ethical
practice code.
A special constitutional commit
tee has been called to prepare the
recommendations for the Septem
ber membership meeting at head
quarters.
It's There in Black 'n' White
British seaman Kevin Sealy, AS (left), looks over item in SlU con
stitution as Seafarer John F. Murphy, bosun, points it out to him.
Sealy, a member of the British Seamen's Union, aboard the SS
Ulysses In New York, came up to the hall to pick up some copies
of the constitution to show to his shipmates.
Glass Fiber Lifeboats
Wiil Be Tested By US
WASHINGTON—new type of lifeboat constructed of re
inforced glass fiber will be tested next year for use aboard
American-flag ships. The Maritime Administration got the
experiment under way last-*--
month by asking manufactur
ers to submit bids for produc
ing several sets of oar- and motor-
propelled boats for testing early
in 1958. The study will be made on
Government-owned ships.
The new lifeboats, which are in
use on foreign ships, are con
structed of laminated glass fiber.
The fiber may be pigmented with
desired colors, and the hard,
smooth type finish eliminates
painting.
Boats Have Long Life
The Maritime Administration be
lieves the boats will last as long
as the ships they are assigned to,
with little maintenance. It also
believes that their elasticity should
enable them to withstand shock
and collision that might seriously
damage metal boats.
The proposed boats would have
the following specifications: length
overall 24 feet, beam 8 feet, and
draft 3 feet 6 inches, certified for
a maximum capacity of 40 persons.
The Maritime Administration has
also specified that the maximum
hoisting weight when fully
equipped (without persons) must
not exceed 4,500 pounds, including
800 to 1,000 pounds of equipment.
Resins used in construction must
be fire retardent.
Turbine Ship Test
The boats will be tested aboard
the Government's experimental
Liberty ship GTS William Patter
son, and on other Government-
owned vessels. The Coast Guard
has specified that the boats must
exceed the present tests required
for metal boats. If the tests are
successful, similar boats may be
ordered on all new. Marltiipe Ad
ministration construction.
SlU Softball
NineChantps
In Baltimore
BALTIMORE—The SIU chalked
up another victory, but this time
on the baseball diamond. The
"Seafarers International Union"
Softball team downed the South
Baltimore champs. 4-3. in a final
play-off game to take the city-wide
championships for 16 to 18 year
olds.
The South Baltimore club,
Fritz's Social Club, had jumped to
a 2-run lead in the first innin,:?. but
under the cool pitching of "Huch"
Neal and some well placed hits by
Neal. Gus Ceaenaio and right
fielder Gavenas. the SlU-sponsorcd
team turned the tables for a 4-3
victory. Fine defensive plays by
shortstop Jack Norwood, .second
baseman George Holland, first
baseman Cliff Steward and Captain
Jack Schaefer. the catcher, pulled
the plugs on any threats by the
southern champs.
The SIU club is coached by Jack
and Irvin Levin who have lead two
straight championship teams. Last
.year they captured the 14-16 title
and this year the 16-18 crown with
the SIU.
SIU Baltimore members and
officials have pitched in to help
sponsor the local ball club. Besides
being a factor in keeping the
youths off the . streets, it has
aroused a community spirit_in Sea
farers from Baltimore who at
tended the games .while on the j
beach and rooted their team to •
victory. -
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Pare Eirht SEAFARERS 100 September 13, 195T
ITIUFrEIIED
INTNESIU..
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The dozen yeors since the end of
World War 11 hove been the baclc-
drop for numerous beefs in which Sec-
farers have played a significant role,
as well as being a period of major
gains for the Union and. Its member
ship.
Pictured here are scenes from just
a handful of the many important events
of the lost 12 years.
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World War II had ended and in 1946 the Communist Party
made its strongest bid yet to control all of maritime. Here
Seafarers demonstrate against an invasion of New York
by Harry Bridges and his allies in the Committee For
Maritime Unity. CMU later folded.
AHERICAN
FEDERATION
CFNTRAt U&os UNION
i of Fhiiad€ij>ha AViciNty
A D • s;r?- -R '2; 3 ?.
SIU-SUP general strike action in 1946 tied up shipping tight as a drum on both
coasts in protest against continued Government lid on wage increases already
negotiated with operators. Here mobile "stew pot" provides coffee and cakes for
Philadelphia pickets. Strike was successful in regaining full bargaining rights for
maritime unions and eliminating Government wage controls.
Another major postwar organizing campaign was successfully followed through at
Cities Service Oil Co. Here a Seafarers' picket squad conducts a dress rehearsal in
preparation for a possible strike against the company in 1953 when its SIU
agreement came up for renewal. Strike was called off when a new agreement was
signed.
The largest-scale organizing drive ever carried on in mari
time reached its peak in '45 and '46. Here an organizer '
meets a group of Isthmian crewmembers off the William '
Whipple. SIU won election in 96-ship fleet by a command
ing margin. y<it« wasTparitimc's biggest. :
Int'l Union of Elec
trical Workers gets
SIU backing on Bal
timore picket lines in
bitter 1955-$j|i strike.
First pooled Vacation
Plan in maritime be
gan in '52, guarantees
vacation, pay for all
every 90 days lyorked..
Constitution, first writ
ten back in 1939, was
revised and modernized
in 1952 and approved
by 95 percept,vote.
September IS, 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Paffe Nln*
- X - / - ,"•;, - - ,< - -:' ,
's^ :
P' to
5 ; SIU building program resulted in construction of new
headquarters hall in Brooklyn which opened in Novem-
her, 1951. Hall was first on Atlantic and Gulf Coast to
I boast modern shipping hall, recreational and eating facili-
•it:! Seafarers on the beach.
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Three years later Baltimore hall was opened, exceeding
headquarters in space and improving on its facilities.
Hall quickly became center of labor activities in the
Maryland port city, as many unions took office space
there.
Andrew Furuseth train
ing school in Mobile
teaches seamanship to
SIU newcomers in all
ships' departments.
Disability-pension benefits for Seafarers, any age, who
are unable to work started at $15 weekly in 1952, have
since been increased to $35 a week. Pictured above is dis
abled Seafarer Walter Stoll with Mrs. Stoll at his retire
ment home in Savannah.
Joseph Cave, Jr., 1st SIU
maternity benefit baby
in '52, marks birthday in
New Orleans one year
later.
Sea Chest, founded in
1952, has continued to of
fer top quality slops to
SlU-contracted ships on
competitive basis.
Support of NY Stock Ex
change strikers in '48 in
volved this Seafarer in
"Battle of Wall Street"
as cops belabored pickets.
Group of Seafarers attending headquarters meeting listens
attentively as resolution calling for referendum on con
stitution amendments is read at one of three successive
meetings before being voted on by secret ballot. Amend
ments were adopted by overwhelming margin.
New Orleans Seafarers
parade in support of CIO
telephone workers during
long 1955 strike against
Southern Bell system.
SIU started distributing
50-book ship's libraries in
1953 in effort to meet de
mand for shipboard read
ing matter.
Longshoremen seeking
new union in New York
are shown at AFL rally at
SIU headquarters in
coiurse of '53 drive.
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CIO shipyard workers
were backed by -^lU on
several occasions. Shown
above is 1947 shipyard
strike at Ira St Bushey's.
Seafarer Jerry O'Neill, '56
SIU scholarship winner,
reads all about it in LOG.
Five $6,000 awards are
hiade each year;
Hospitalized Seafarers
learn of new family hos
pital-surgical plan. Pro
gram begun. In 1955 has
since been extended.
First of four proposed SIU Welfare Plan medical centers
opened in Brooklyn, one block from SIU hall, in April,
1957. , Well over 1,000 Seafarers have already had head-
to-loe check-ups at no cost. Other diagnostic clinics will
be set up in Baltimore, Mobile and New' Orleans; • '' '
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Dow-Chem Men
Get $125 Raise
HOUSTON—Seamen aboard two of Dow Chemical Com
pany boats came into a windfall this week when the com
pany turned the vessels over to Dixie Carriers to operate for
them, Dixie Carriers is an*
HIWD-contracted operator
and under the terms of its
agreement the men on these vessels
will automatically receive an aver
age wage increase of $123 a month,
plus other HIWD welfare benefits.
Just prior to the transfer, the SIU
had filed for an NLRB election cov
ering the men on these two vessels.
Ship
Halt Boost
In PR
Rate Levels
WASHINGTON—Three SlU-con-
tracted operators have been barred
from raising rates on Puerto Rico
cargo pending a Federal Maritime
Board review next January.
Acting on complaints from
Puerto Rico sugar refiners, the
Board ordered the US Atlantic &
Gulf Puerto Rico Steamship con
ference to suspend a proposed 12
per cent hike in refined sugar rates
for four months. Conference mem
bers include the SlU-contracted
Bull Line, Alcoa Steamship Co.,
and Waterman Steamship Corp.,
as well as Lykes Bros. Steamship
Co.
Inbound Boost Barred
The board also barred the Water
man-affiliated Pan-Atlantic Steam
ship Co. from raising rates on gen
eral inbound cargo from Puerto
Rico. The rate boost was scheduled
to go into effect Sept. 18.
Earlier, the conference had been
ordered to postpone a 15 per cent
across-the-board increase on in
bound cargo from the Islands. The
entire rate problem will be
thrashed out before the FMB in
January.
Cargo rates on refined sugar
have gone up since August, 1956,
from 48 to 53 cents per hundred
weight. The proposed increases
would raise the rates to 59 cents
per hundredweight.
Notify Union
On LOG Mail
As Seafarers know, copies of
each issue of the SEAFARERS
LOG are mailed every two
weeks to all SIU ships as well as
to numerous clubs, bars and
other overseas spots where Sea
farers congregate ashore. The
procedure for mailing the LOG
involves calling all SIU steam
ship companies for the itiner
aries of their ships. On the
basis of the information sup
plied by the ship operator, three
copies of the LOG, the head
quarters report and minutes
forms are then airmailed to the
company agent in the next port
of call.
Similarly, the seamen's clubs
got various quantities of LOGs
at every mailing. The LOG is
sent to any club when a Sea
farer so requests it by notifying
the LOG office that Seafarers
congregate 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
^d^y-torday check on the accu-
raciy of its mailing lists. ,
By transferring, the seamen will re
ceive their increased wages and
benefits without the need for a
labor board election.
Organizing in this area is still
going strong. Another Houston
company has been signed up and
is now in the process of negotiating
a contract. The company is Gautt
Towing Company and an agree
ment is expected to be signed with
in a week.
Shipping in this area was just
fair during the past two weeks but
is expected to pick up before the
end of the month. "The Warrior
(Waterman) and Matthew Thorn
ton (Grainfieet) paid off while the
Del Aires (Mississippi) signed on.
The Del Monte (Mississippi) and
the Royal Oak (Cities Service) are
expected to take on full crews in
the near future.
Doria Attracts
Hub Attention
BOSTON—^Men on the beach in
this port, writes James Sheehan,
port agent, are spending their free
time "sidewalk" supervising the
loading of a special divers' boat.
The vessel is being specially outfit
ted by a group of divers who plan
to take photographs of the sunken
Italian liner, Andrea Doria. Be
sides the usual diving equipment
of a decompression tank and suits,
they are also loading special
cameras and lights, he said. With
all the talk of the possibility of
raising the flagship, this could be
the initial preparation for such an
undertaking.
Fair Shipping
Shipping has been fair during
the past period with three vessels
causing most of the job activity.
These ships, the Winter Hill (Cities
Service), Valley Forge (Penn. Nav.)
and the Pacific Ocean (Trans
Utility) paid off and signed on. The
Steel Chemist and Steel Rover
(Isthmian) were in transit. All of
the ships paid off clean with the
few repairs needed taken care of
here in port.
Seafarer Eddie Sheehan is now
in Boston PSHS recuperating from
an illness he suffered while on
the Ocean Transporter. Eddie had
to leave the vessel in Jacksonville,
and wishes to extend his thanks to
the captain and crew for all the
help they gave him.
Ex-Waterman
Official Dies
MOBILE—Carroll B. Waterman,
former vice-president of the SIU-
contracted Waterman Steamship
Co., was found shot to death near
here last week, Police said that
Waterman, 51, vas an apparent
suicide.
The son of the founder of Water
man Stveamship Co., he had
resigned from his post in May,
1955, after the company was pur
chased by McLean Industries.
Lived Near Mobile
He had lived at nearby Canon
Gate, on the outskirts of Mobile.
Funeral services were held here
last week followed by burial in
Magnolia Cemetery. lie is sur
vived by his'wifei and two children.
There's nothing
ilk
HOT SHOWER ...
A shower can be refreshing after a day's hard work provided
you don't emerge with a slashed foot from a earelessty-disearded
razor blade or a back sprain from skidding on a chunk of soap
or just sliding on the wet deck.
Shower rooms always have a way of contributing more than
their quota of accidents ashore and an ship. Of course, with
the ship likely to pitch or roll any minute, the hazard is
compounded.
ideally, the shower room should have a grab bar to hang on
to if the weather's the least bit rough and as clean a deck as
possible. Water can't be avoided but the junkpile can. Sea
farers can add to their margin of safety by wearing a good
pair of non-skid shower shoes. They also keep the athlete's
foot percentage low. Enjoy your shower, but take care to
return to your foc'sle in one piece afterwards.
i An SIU Ship is a Safe Ship • I, . • • • . •
September IS, 19S7 SEAFARERS IPG Pace Elevea
Don't Bother Me, I'm Busy!
Shoreside
Jobs Rise
In Mobile
MOBILE — Although shipping
slacked off during the past period,
It was necessary to farm out some
engine room jobs to near-by ports
to fill them. There are only about
20 to 30 engine room men regis
tered in this port so the men in
that department can afford to be
selective about the jobs they want.
Approximately one-third of the
total local membership is now
working In various affiliated jobs
in and around the port. Of interest
to those men on the beach who like
to work In shipyards is the news
that Gulf Shipyards leased a large
dry dock from the Navy and are
bringing it around from Jackson
ville. Up to now all drydocking
had to go down river to Alabama
Drydock since Gulf had no dry-
docking facilities. This will mean
a saving in travel time and money
for the men working there. A crew
of eight ABs and a cook were sent
to tow the dock from Jacksonville.
On the shipping side, the Alcoa
Patriot, Alcoa Pennant, Alcoa
Cavalier, (Alcoa); Claiborne, Citrus
Packer, LaSalle (Waterman); Edith
(Bull) and the Steel Advocate
(Isthmian) were in port during the
past two weeks. In addition, a
full crew was sent to the SS Little
Rock, a T-2 belonging to North
American SS Company. Next
period should bring better ship
ping with almost 13 vessels ex
pected in so far.
SIU Port Agent Cal Tanner also
noted the enthusiasm sweeping the
entire Gulf area as a result of the
mounting HIWD victories in the
Louisiana tidelands field. A new
control and another election
sweep^gs ,gaiDg4 two weeks..aga
The balance-sheet for the now-ended first session of the
85th Congress provides small comfort for the supporters of a
strong US merchant fleet who had hoped for more encour
agement from Capitol Hill. Help in the form of Federal sub
sidies are still available only to the select few, and when the
farm lobby-foreign shipowner bloc couldn't weaken "50-50
in the Congress itself, the Maritime Administration came
along and did it by administrative ruling.
The theory of the "prestige" ship is still uppermost in the
minds of the lawmakers. Thus, a minor budget item of $100
millions for ship construction was pared to a mere $3 million,
but the operators of luxury class passenger vessels got full as
surance that they'd get assistance next year. At the same time,
work goes ahead on an atom-powered ship that already has
a pricetag of $42.5 million and will certainly cost more before
it hits the water. But the commercial usefulness of this ex
perimental vessel is still ten or more years away.
We already have the first nuclear-powered subs and this
experience is being translated to build Navy surface ships as
well. The lessons from these will be applied eventually to
merchant shipping, which is not interested so much in the fact
that an atom ship can travel 60,000 miles on a bit of atomic
fuel as big as a golf ball, but rather in how much cargo a
similar surface ship can carry to justify the cost of the first
nuclear bunkering. Surely some balance must be achieved
between funds for experiments and for bread and butter
cargo ships. What good is a lavish showcase if the shelves are
bare?
4" 4"
Qniet, Please!
A hush seems to have spread over the tanker segment of the
industry despite the ballyhoo last fall about the bigger and
better oil carriers that were on the way to offset any future
Suez crisis. There doesn't seem to be any rush to build any
more, although more than a few of the operators put their
ships under runaway flags on the understanding that new
tonnage was forthcoming. Some of this tonnage is underway,
but nobody would be surprised if it turned out that it was
being built for Liberian registry after all.
After the industry raked in the profits from the "emer
gency" oil-lift last fall and winter. Egypt's President Nasser
kind of spoiled the game by reopening the canal. One almost
gets the impression that the oil bigwigs wish Nasser would
pull the pins again. Then the "public service" announcements
could start up again and then we might even see a ship or two
built after all ,
Pan-Atlantic Adds Pier
Space For Boxship Run
PORT NEWARK—Getting ready to expand its trailership
operations next month, Pan-Atlantic Steamship has just
leased another transit shed and about 350,000 more square
Ease Some
Restrictions
On Aliens
-•^11 .•••!< 1
i
feet of area here.
The maiden sailing of its
first "lift-on, lift-off" trailer-
ship, the Gateway City, is now set
for October 4. The service will in
clude Miami, Tampa and New Or
leans-as well as Houston, which is
already linked by trailership oper
ations with four "piggyback" tank
ers.
Eventually ten converted C-2s
will join the Gateway City to link
Port Newark, the above-mentioned
ports and others along the Atlantic
and Gulf coasts. The "piggyback"
ships, which are modified T-2 tank
ers with special platform decks to
accommodate up to 60 truck trail
ers, have been operating since
April, 1956.
-The new "lift-on" vessels will be
capable of handling up to 226
35-foot trailer bodies above and
below decks. The ships are being
equipped with two 60,000-pound
gantry cranes for loading and dis
charging. This does away with the
need for expensive terminals in the
ports being serviced, since the
trailers can easily be unloaded,
locked onto waiting cabs and
driven off the dock. In the "piggy-
bank" operation, giant dockside
cranes are needed instead.
Crewing of the Gateway City for
the first "dry runs" is expected
next week in Mobile, where the
conversions are being done.
WASHINGTON — Legislation
easing certain "hardship" cases
arising out of the Immigration and
Nationality Act of 1952 finally
cleared Congress the day before
it adjourned.
The measure makes minor ad
justments so that families now
here can be reunited with rela
tives abroad. It also eases some
quota restrictions affecting "refu
gee-escapees" from Iron Curtain
countries and displaced persons in
the Middle East.
Originally the Administration
had asked for an overhaul of many
of the re.strictive provisions of the
MeCarran-Walter Immigration Act,
particularly in the limited quotas
for Asiatic and for some European
countries. It is expected that a
new bid for Immigration Act
changes will be made in the up
coming Congress.
Full information on the changes
which may affect' Seafarers or
their families can be obtained from
any Immigration and Naturaliza
tion Office or by checking with
SIU Welfare Services.
President Eisenhower has said
he regards Walter Reuther's price-
cutting plan as a "hopeful augury"
that the combined efforts of unions
and management may curb infia-
tion. The UAW president has
urged the major auto companies to
cut new car prices by $100 as an
anti-inflation measure. He said
they could maintain and even boost
profits through greater production.
In a letter to Reuther, Dr. Gabriel
Hauge, Eisenhower's economic
adviser, said that it would be in
appropriate for the President to
express a view on the specific pro
posal, but that he thought the plan
indicated a sense of civic responsi
bility would prevail in future
negotiations.
4* 4" 4"
The Textile Workers Union of
America has filed a new appeal
with the NLRB to reopen the un
fair labor practice case against
the Darlington Manufacturing
Company, Darlington, SC. The
company closed down after the
TWUA won a representation elec
tion among the plant's 500 workers.
The board found that the company
liquidated for no other reason than
to avoid having to bargain with the
union. Earlier motions to bring
the plant's real owner into the case
failed because the NLRB was un
able to determine the penalty it
could recommend against the
liquidated company.
4" 4"
The United Steelworkers Union,
whose unemployment benefits pro
gram went Into effect Sept. 1, has
worked out arrangements to pay
out benefits in four states where
payments are blocked by legal
restrictions. The arrangements
would cover 190,000 workers in
Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina and
Virginia. The program provides
laid-off workers with 65% of their
wages for a 82-week period. In
Chip the union and the companies
h^yOj^ a^eed to jOaske a court test
of the legality of the ban. The
method of payment will go to a
special arbitration board in Indiana
and Virginia.
4 4 4
Boston's newspaper presses
started rolling again after the strik
ing members of Mailers Union 16
okayed a $10.25 package wage in
crease. The mailers walked out
last month in an effort to gain pay
parity with other big cities. In
addition, the Massachusetts State
Labor Commissioner has agreed to
set up an arbitration board to
determine whether there "should
be any additional wage increases
for the mailers over and above
the $10.25." The strike lasted 21
days.
4 4 4
A petition against a decertifica
tion vote has been filed with the
NLRB by the United Rubber
Workers Union on the heels of a
claim by the O'SulIivan Rubber
Company in Winchester, Virginia,
that no union represented the
workers. The company has been
operating with scab workers since
the union called a strike in May,
1956, and 400 employees went out
for better wages and conditions.
Meanwhile, the URW is continuing
its nationwide boycott drive
against the use of O'SulIivan heels.
4 4 4
Members of the International
Union of Electrical Workers at the
Westinghouse plant In Bloomfield,
NJ, don't want any non-union
made goods, even if they are given
out free. The chief steward of lUE
Local 410 told the plant manager
that the union would consider it an
unfriendly act to allow two adver
tising men for the R. J. Reynolds
Company to give out samples of
Salem Cigarettes In the plant
cafeteria. Reynolds, also makers
of Camels, Is a non-union company
As a result, no samples wert
handed out.
:|l
y|
i
• n
4
Paffc Twelve SEAFARERS LOG September 13, 1937
I "
Mate's For SIU Men Anytime ^
In these days of complaints and squabbles caused by "supposed-to-be officers and gen
tlemen," it's refreshing to come across a chief mate who says: "They're happy; I'm happy."
That kind of an attitude, according to Seafarer John Wunderlich on the tanker Mer
maid, is a welcome change.
As ship's delegate, Wunder
lich figures he'd otherwise
be at loggerheads
with the mate
most of the time
However
there's not a heef
in the world, re
ports John G.
"Skezo" Skevo-
feelax, the para
gon of matehood.
Wunderlich says
the chief even
V. rote the company about his satis
faction with the SIU deck gang.
"Skezo's" formula, in his own
words, is to "keep the ship in the
Skevofeelax
LOG-A-RHYTHM:
Gone To Rest
By William Willdridge
(In memory of our departed
brother, Robert McDonough.)
Cone from our mist
To a land beyond our control,
Taken to the land of his Holy
Father
Where some day
From this earth we must all depart.
Gone to the kingdom of his maker,
So far in the heav'ns above;
Land of beauty and enchantment.
Where every word spoken
Is of kindness and love.
Passing on to eternity
To a icorld to us unknown.
Never regretting his short stay
As in heaven he is not alone.
Gone to his master's sanctuary.
Where preservation of the soul
He will always keep,
Even though flesh and bone turn
to dust
Lying in the long, long sleep.
Gone into the future without end,
To live on eternally
Taken into the folds
Of the ruler of mankind.
No place better could there be;
As the years roll on
They take their toll.
But it never is the end;
When atonement day comes
We will come face to face again.
So, to the loved ones left behind,
Ship)7iates of the Royal Oak,
We offer our condolences
And pray that some day
Again we may convoke.
required condition . . . through the
dependable efficiency of my deck-
gang." He was chief aboard the
Sweetwater, another SIU tanker.
for nine years before that ship be
came a Liberian-ilag runaway, and
is one of the best tanker men in
the US fleet, Wunderlich says.
'Sea Spray' By Seafarer Robert 'Red' Fink
Editor,
SEAFARERS LOG,
675 Fourth Ave.,
Brooklyn 32, NY
I would like to receive the
SEAFARERS LOG — pleose
3ut my name on your mailing
ist. (Print Information)
NAME
• • • • t
STREET ADDRESS
CITY ZONE ...
STATE
TO AVOID DUPLICATION: If you
• ra an old subscriber and have a
change of address, please give your
former address below:
ADDRESS
"But officer, little Eddie was at sea for the holidays so he's cele
brating now. . . ."
CITY . ZONE ...
ST^kTE • •«• * •.. • • ••,
SIU, A&G District
B.^LTniORE 1216 E. Baltimore St.
Earl Slieppard, Agent EAstern 7-4900
BOSTON 276 State St.
James Shcehan, Agent Richmond 2-0140
HOUSTON 4202 Canal St.
Robert Matthews, Agent Capital 7-6558
LAKE CHARLES, La 1419 Ryan St.
Leroy Claike, Agent HEmlock 6-5744
MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St.
Cai Tanner, Agent HEmlock 2-1754
MORGAN CITY 012 Front St.
Tom Gould, Agent Phone 2156
NEW ORLEANS 523 Bienville St.
Lindsey Williams, Agent Tulane 8626
NEW YORK 673 4th Ave., Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6600
.NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St.
Ben Rees. Agent MAdison 2-9834
PHILADELPHIA 337 Market St.
S. Cardulio, Agent Market 7-1635
PUERTA de TIERRA PR 101 Pelayo
Sal Colls, Agent Phone 2-5996
SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St.
Marty Breithoff, Agent Douglas 2-5475
SAVANNAH 2 Abercom St.
E. B. Me.Vuiey, Agent Adams 3-1728
SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
Jeff Gillette, Agent Elliott 4334
T.AMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St.
Tom Banning, Agent Phone 2-1323
WILMINGTON, Calif 505 Marine Ave.
Reed Humphries, Agent Terminal 4-2874
HEADQUARTERS....675 4th Ave., Bklyn.
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Paul Hall
ASST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS
J. Algina, Deck C. Simmons, Joint
J. Volpian, Eng. W. Hall, Joint
E. Mooney, Std. R. Matthews, Joint
SUP
HONOLULU 16 Merchant St.
Phone 5-8777
PORTLAND 211 SW Clay St.
CApltal 3-4336
RICHMOND, Calif....510 Macdonald Ave.
BEacon 2-0925
S.AN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St.
Douglas 2-8363
SE.ATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
Main 0200
WILMI.NGTON 605 Marine Ave.
Terminal 4-3131
NEW YORK 675 4th Ave., Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6165
Canadian District
HALIFAX, N.S 128V4 Hollis St.
Phone 3-8911
MONTREAL 634 St. James St. West
PLateau 8161
FORT WILLIAM 408 Simpson St.
Qntario Phone: 3-3221
PORT COLBORNE 103 Durham St
Ontario Phone: 5591
TORONTO, Ontario.......272 King St. E.
. • EMplro 4-5719
VICTORIA. BC 617ti Cormorant St.
E.Mpire 4331
VANCOUVER, BC 298 Main St.
Pacific 3468
SYDNEY. NS 304 Charlotte St.
Phone: 6346
BAGOTVILLE, Quebec 20 Elgin St.
Phone: 545
THOROLD. Ontario 52 St. Davids St.
CAnal 7-3202
QUEBEC 44 Sault-au-Matelot
Quebec Phone: 3-1369
SAINT JOHN 177 Prince William St.
NB OX 2-5431
Great Lakes District
ALPENA 1215 N. Second Ave.
Phone: 713-J
BUFFALO. NY 180 Main St.
Phone: Cleveland 7391
CLEVELAND ,734 Lakeside Ave., NE
Phone: Main 1-0147
DETROIT 1038 3rd St.
Phone: Woodward 1-6857
DULUTH 621 W. Superior St.
Phone: Randolph 2-4110
SOUTH CHICAGO 3261 E. 92nd St.
Phone: Essex 5-2410
Half Century
WaUer "Shorfy" H. Cook
looks a bit taken aback after
he was surprised with a birth
day cake by baker Percy
Thompson on the Del Sol.
Behind "Shorty" is Clyde
Bankston, MM. Cook was 50
on July 10. Photo by Jose F.
Santiago.
Lauds Congress
On Rights' Bill
To the Editor:
The passage of the non-parti
san civil rights bill by Congress
expresses the will of the people
that their Government should
give active and effective assist
ance, when needed, so that each
and all citizens have the rights,
privileges and immunities guar
anteed by the constitution.
Both Democrats and Republi
cans should be congratulated for
letters To
The Editor
AH letters to the editor for
publication in the SEAFAR
ERS LOG must be signed
by the writer. Names will
be withheld upon request.
supporting it. And even those
who opposed it as not "strong"
enough must be lauded. Their
opposition stimulated compro
mise and a final victory for fair
play.
Enactment of the bill should
herald a new era in enlightened
democracy.
Roy Fleischer
i t t
Welfare Assist
Is Appreciated
To the Editor:
I wish to have this letter of
appreciation published in the
LOG.
In March, 1956, my wife un
derwent surgery for a cancer.
The welfare plan came through
with generous support for our
claims. This certainly helped us
out and was greatly appreciated.
My wife since that time has
been under doctor's care and
once again had to return to the
hospital for treatment. Again
the welfare plan benefits helped
us out considerably.
My wife is still bedridden but
sends her most hearty thanks
and appreciation for the serv
ices of our SIU Welfare Plan.
E. C. Yeamans
if, fit i[>
'Just A Kid' In
Coal Beef At 53
To the Editor:
Regards to all the brothers
especially the gang on the West
Coast. Also thanks to the SUP
and MCS boys for the help and
the old "graybeards" who came
to Norfolk to help us on the
coal beef.
I felt like a kid while I was
here although I am 53 and
started sailing 40 years ago in
1917. I am just a youngster
amongst these oldtimers who
date back as far as 1898, but 1
was standing by just in case.
They sure treated us well while
we were here. That Colley
Street place is one swell set-up
for the oldtimers.
Jesse W. Puckett
t. a.
Widow Wants
Loans Repaid
To the Editor:
I would like to ask a favor,
not charity or a handout, from
several SIU men. 1 know my
husband, Harry L. Parrott, stood
good for over $1,700 in gear and
cash loans for them, and now
1 have had to pay these bills.
1 have two children to send
through school and 1 cannot
make ends meet now, let alone
pay others' bills, too. 1 am sure
the men thought that because
Harry was dead they could get
by without paying for these
things, but 1 was appointed by
the court to take care of Harry's
estate and that also includes his
bills.
So please, fellows, be as good
to Harry's widow as Harry was
to you. Please help finish pay
ing these bills. 1 have already
paid some but my children are
going back to school now and
the people are pressing for the
money. Please do what you can
to help.
Send it to me at 735 Dauphine
Street, New Orleans, or to Lind
sey Williams, SIU port agent in
New Orleans. He will see that
I get it. I will also let the LOG
know that 1 have received it.
You don't have to give your
name, because 1 know who owes
Harry and how much.
Mrs. Harry L. Parrott
4" 4"
Ex-SIU Man
Says 'Hello'
To the Editor:
Please published the enclosed
picture. It's my way of saying
hello to a lot of old friends.
The young man with the
mustache is Steve Wagner, AB,
who stopped here in Cincinnati
enroute to Baltimore after pay
ing off the S/T Orion Comet.
He joined her in Baltimore and
got off at San Pedro after nine
months on the Persian Gulf-
Japan run.
I am the guy on the left, a
former Seafarer and now owner
of the Village Cafe here in Cin
cinnati. I served on the SS
Petrolite on an 18-month shuttle
run from the Persian Gulf to
Former SIU man Howard
Rosenstiel (left) and Sea
farer Steve Wagner, AB,
make a twosome at Rosen-
tiel's cafe in Cincinnati.
Wagner ii just off the
Orion Comet.
Europe in 1949 and 1950 as chief
steward, and would be glad to
hear from some of the old crew.
The pictures in the background
are some of the ships I sailed on.
The Village Cafe is one of the
International barfly traps that
are located in many cities
around the world and which are
familiar to world travelers. En
closed is a donation to the LOG
which we receive and pass along
to seamen who happen to get
this far inland. Thanks for the
LOG and its good reading.
Howard Rosenstiel
4» 4" 4"
LOG Poem Stirs
Fond Memories
To the Editor:
Thanks to William 1. Terry
for his poem "Sailaway" in the
SEAFARERS LOG on July 5,
1957.
My husband sailed nine years
and died Oct. 31, 1955, but you
can know for sure from kind
and thoughtful poems that he
can live again in your memories.
It was really sweet to read
those lines. 1 know he was a
good shipmate because he was
a good husband — a 100-point
man I'd say. Thank you for
publishing that poem.
Mrs. King W. Elliott
September IS, 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Pace Thirteen
BARBARA FRITCHIE (Llbtrty), July
4—Chairman, P. Hugalnt; Seeratary,
R. Clarka. Shly'a fund $4.25. Few
hours disputed overtime. Shortage of
vegetables, no fruits, poor selection
of meats and ration on cigarettes.
No variety of clothing in sizes in the
slop chest. Letter forwarded to head
quarters for attention.
July It—Chairman, R. Simpkins;
Secretary, R. Clarke. Bring to the
patrolmen's attention fact that the
deck engineer signed on from engine
utility to deck engineer in Le Havre,
France, without being brought before
the membership. Funds spent for hot
pepper. Overtime disputed.
ROBIN LOCKSLEY (Robin), August
:hl4 10—Chairman, J. BrachW Secretary, E.
Sebczsk. One man missed ship in
Copenh.agen, demoted to OS. Car-
ALAMAR (Calmar), July 14—Secre
tary, J. McPhaul, M-27. Repair list
turned in. Milk beef to be taken up
with patroimen. $39.99 in ship's
funds. Each man to deposit $1 for
foc'sle key. Deposit to be returned
when man leaves ship.
ALCOA RUNNER (Alcoa), August 1
—Chairman, T. Wasiluk; Secretary, S.
Bernstein. $5 in ship's fund. Request
to have outside toilet opened so that
the longshoremen can use It instead
of the crew's toilet and shower.
Question as to whether the hail in
Puerto Rico will be opened. Com
mendation for Clem and Sid for han
dling two jobs as well as they did. A
vote of thanks to the stewards de
partment for a job well done.
FLOMAR (Calmar), August t —
Chairman, Callager; Secretary, Lan-
pher. Beef about overtime. Elected
new ship's delegate. Food should he
prepared in better taste. Request for
more cots to be obtained on the East
Coast.
JOHN B. WATERMAN (Waterman),
August 4—Chairman, N. West; Secre
tary, C. Thornhill. Spoke to chief
mate about putting the hospital in
better shape. Slop chest should be
better equipped. To be taken care
of by chief mate. The black gang
and deck department needs escape
panels repaired. New keys for wipers
fosc'les. General sougeeing for all
departments. First aid kit to; be
placed in galley. Leak to be fixed in
galley also. One fireman ill. A ship's
treasury was suggested. $1 to be col
lected from each man.
MARY ADAMS (Bloomfield), May 1*
—Chairman, A. Nickle; Secretary, T.
Zielinski. Ship to be laid up on West
Coast after this trip. Ship's delegate
re-elected. Night lunch to be in
creased. Garbage to be dumped aft
instead of aft housing.
June 7—Chairman, G. ElinskI; Sec
retary, Same. Washing machine is
still not working correctly. Machine
to be rechecked by first assistant.
Captain intends to give three cartons
of cigarettes every two weeks. A
ship's arrival pool is to be run for
the next port which will probably be
San Francisco. Half the proceeds is
to go to the ship's funds. Captain
disputed a night's lodging due to
noise from a compressor working
around housing after 7 PM. Sent
radiogram to the agent at next port
of arrival to have a patrolman meet
the ship and get cigarette situation
straightened out. Replacements also
needed. A vote of thanks and appre
ciation for the resigning ships dele
gate for last three trips. Elected the
new ship's delegate. It would clarify
a bad situation if the "LOG" would
print an article on how many ciga
rettes the captain Is actually supposed
to give us, and how often they should
be given. Some skippers will give
3 or 4 cartons a week every week,
while some other Insist on only 3
every 3 weeks. Everybody seems to
have a different opinion of Just what
la proper.
July 27—Chairman, C. Larsen; Sec
retary, G. Dunn. Ship to be turned
over to States Marine on 7/30/57 at
Swan Island. Captain agrees to pay
anyone who hires out in NY and
joined ship in New Haven. Two hours
overtime In Ueu of the transportation
was accepted. The chief cook was
flown back to the States because of
sickness. He took what clothes he
needed and the rest will be turned
over to the patrolman in Seattle.
Spent $3.13 for radiogram to the San
Francisco SlU Agent. $11.89 remain
ing is to be given to the patrolman
to use as he and the ship's delegate
sees fit, possibly to buy cigarettei
for the men on the beach. Disputed
o\'ertime settled by patrolman. Every
one sober at payoff; which is custom
ary on ail SlU ships. All duly elected
delegates te handle all beefs with the
patrolman. Unanimous vote of thanks
to th>: steward and the entire stew
ards department for a job well done.
penter promoted to bosun, same man
got off in Gavle, Sweden, to go to a
hospital. To be reported to patrolman.
Motion made to make less noise with
the driers and to remove dry clothing
as soon as possible. The coffee urn
should be fi.xed. Make up a repair
list. Some notification of Union ac
tivities should be gotten. None was
received this trip.
PACIFIC CLOUD (Peger), July 2$
—Chairman, H. RInga; Secretary, M.
Clagle. Fireman and oiler missed ship
in Inchon, Korea, rejoined same in
Kobe, Japan. AB also missed ship in
Yokohama, Japan. Ship's delegate
resigned. Could not get along with
captain. The captain accuses same
of being drunk everytime he wishes
to see him. New ship's delegate
elected. Fireman broke his finger.
Replaced by wiper. $16.75 in ship's
fund. Few hours disputed avertime.
To be taken up with patrolman. Wire
that steward sent and paid for him
self should be taken up with patrol
man or refunded from ship's fund.
Washing machine could not be re
paired in Japan. Delegate to see
chief engineer about this matter.
DEL VIENTO (Mississippi), June 2$
—Chairman, C, Johnson; Secretary, T.
Reynolds. A renewed request that
garbage be dumped aft by the bosun.
$29 in, supposedly, the possession of
the New Orleans patrolman. One
shipmate reported $200 missing from
his looker. It was suggested that lock
ers be bolted. Several of the crew
requested "more greens" and the
presence of a "first" on every menu.
The steward accepted the recommen
dation.
SAMUEL F. MILLER (Boston), July
26—Chairman, H. Higginbotham; Sec
retary, William O'Connor. $23 in
ship's fund. Arrival pools to be run
to raise money for the ship's fund.
New ship's delegate elected. Discus
sion was held on the outcome of re
pair list supposedly taken care of in
Portland, Ore. Most of the repairs
can be taken care of at sea.
August 4—Chairman, C. Johnson;
Secretary, T. Reynolds. Repairs to
be made. Electrician put off in
Buenos Aires. Wiper retired in San
tos with hernia. $29 in possession of
New Orleans patrolman. Motion to
inquire on improving ice cream in
South America.
SANTORE (Ore), August 4—Chair
man, R. King; Secretary, S. Wojton.
Four men logged for intoxication. OS
missed ship. Man sick in deck de
partment. Member reported that
there will be no payoff after Vene-
zualan trips. To see port agent on
this matter. $12.26 in ship's fund.
Nothing spent as yet. New ship's
reporter elected. No pickles In mess.
Vote of thanks extended to oldtimers
of SUP, MC&S, MFOW and A&G Dis
trict, for their support in the Ameri
can Coal beef.
STEEL EXECUTIVE (isthmian), July
6—Chairman, Alexander Brodie; Sec
retary, W. Morris. A vote of thanks
to brother C. Mazuk for keeping the
ships' library in good order. Crew
asked not to go to pantry or messhall
in their underwear. Reminded crew
that living up to their contract is an
obligation for every man. Warned
men against repeated performing.
Crew to see that only door is kept
open while in port. Stressed point
that beefs among the crew should be
kept below and not taken topside.
WILD RANGER (Waterman), July
28—Chairman, W. Tregembo; Secre
tary, Same. $24.65 in ship's fund.
New ships' delegate elected. Crew
would like to inform any new visitors
to Inchon, Korea, of the fine hospital
ity and good food with drinks at a
reasonable price, put out at the NCO
Club near "Charley" Gate.
STEEL VENDOR (Isthmian), August
12—Chairman, J. Smythe; Secretary,
C. Dixon. Asked for a draw for New
York. $27.91 in ship's fund. Discus
sion to improve night lunch. Steward
to put out more night lunch. The
following are to be served every
night; apples, oranges, grapes, hard
boiled eggs, canned fish, fresh
peaches and fresh pears and plums.
PORTMAR (Calmar), August 4 —
Chairman, Falrcloth; Secretary, Camp
bell. $6.55 in ship's fund. Some dis
puted overtime. Motion to elect new
ships delegate. Beef aboard so tough
that a fire-axe is needed to dent the
gravy.
ANDREW JACKSON (Waterman),
August 8—Chairman, M. Cariin; Sec
retary, J. McLemore. Sent radiogram
to Wilmington in regards to death of
ship's delegate. Bought book and
magazines in San Francisco. To
elect three department delegates to
the safety committee. Bosun said the
captain requests that all unsafe con
ditions and hazards be reported to
the mate so action can be obtained
on them.
BEATRICE (Bull), July 28—Chair
man, R. Veilinga; Secretary, A. Isaac.
Repairs being made. Ship's fund $6.
Reports accepted. Laundry to be kept
clean.
MASSMAR (Calmar), June 2—Chair
man, none; Secretary, none. Few re
pairs made. Two men missed ship
in Panama. Washing machine to be
repaired. Bathrooms need repairing.
Door needs repairing. Need new
iibrary. Discussion on chief mate's
attitude toward men. Vote of thanks
to baker for excellent baking and also
galley crew.
July 7—Chairman, J. Beam; Secre
tary, J. Craft. Some disputed OT.
Repair list te be submitted. Com
plaint about chief mate's attitude;
suggest writing letter te headquar
ters. New delegate elected. Chief
mate's A pantryman's attitude dis
cussed.
It Looks Real
"Doc" Watson soys he's be
ing "entertained" here by a
native chief during a safari
out of Durban, South Africa,
but despite the evident good-
feeling oil around, it looks like
"Doc' may be the main item
on the tribal bill of fare if he
doesn't watch his step. He's
on the Robin Hood.
Sea Brotherhood Shows
In 2-Ship Rescue Try
You'd have to look pretty hard to find a better example of
the brotherhood among seamen of all nations than the com
bined rescue efforts expended last month when veteran Sea-
' William W. "Dutchy" > farer ^
Moore disappeared from the
SS Andrew Jackson in the
Pacific.
The Jackson, together with the
Norwegian-flag M/S Bonneville,
searched an area amounting to 720
square miles during a joint day-
night rescue effort somewhere be
tween Moji, Japan, and Honolulu.
Moore, the electrician on the
SIU ship, was last seen on
board about 10 AM on August 5th,
but wasn't missed until nearly sun
down.
At that point, according to a re
port from shipmate John D. McLe
more, "once a search of the ship
failed to locate him. Captain Wil
liam Harvey sent out radio notices
and reversed the ship's course. A
Norwegian ship, the M/S Bonne
ville, arrived at the place that was
our position when Brother Moore
was last seen, and searched the
area throughout the night. "We
SEAFARER, NA VY TEAM
UP; KOREAN KIDS GAIN
The care and feeding of some 60 Korean war orphans has
been turned into a joint operation by an SIU steward and a
unit of US Navy men stationed in Pusan.
Ringo Seafarer Homer L.
said he and the Navy gang
"have taken a great interest
in seeing these youngsters
through" now that their former
benefactor is nearing the end of
his tour of duty in the area. Up
until now, the children at the Mi
Ae Orphanage have been under the
wing of an Army sergeant with
five children of his own.
More To Be Done
"The Korean people have come
a long way in bettering themselves
by American example during the
past few years," he stated, "but
much more needs to be done.
Since the future of the Korean na
tion depends on the youth of to
day ... we feel we are accomplish-
Row IN BOTH
HiHmwm
ing a worthwhile effort by tutoring
these youngsters."
Those who also
wish to lend a
hand, he said, can
do so by sending
clothing or cash
contributions for
the orphange in
care of the Com
manding Officer,
MSTS, APO 59,
c/o Postmaster,
San Francisco,
Rlngo
California.
Ringo added praise for the gen-
arrived there shortly before day
light and began our search. Pro
ceeding over the territory we had
traveled the day before, we con
tinued lookout all day. The Bonne
ville, bound for Los Angeles from
Singapore, stayed with us through
out the day and
left us only after
we had aban
doned all hope."
Before the two
ships parted
again, McLemore
said, Capt. Har
vey of the Jack
son and Capt.
Petter Haraldsen
of the Bonneville
exchanged messages in which Har-
Moore
vey sent thanks to the Norwegians
for their "kindness and good will."
"At the leave-taking, both ships
flew their flags at half-mast and ex
changed salutes on the whistle.
"All our officers did an excel-
erous help given by his shipmates
on the Pacific Cloud, "We have a
very excellent crew, all behaving
and working with personal inter
est and the usual SIU know-how.
They have been cooperative in
making living conditions on an old
Liberty like those on a yacht."
In a social note, he reported that
both the Army and Navy had made
accommodations in their "Open
Mess Section Two," at Pier 3, Pu
san, where merchant seamen can
enjoy canned American beer and
mixed drinks at 20-25 cents a
throw. This club has dancing and.
entertainment and will also have
supply of LOGs available soon.
lent and conscientious job, par
ticularly radio officer Joseph H.
Casto, who should be highly com
mended. But above all, we have
the highest praise and regard for
the master.
"We, the crew, believe very few
masters would have gone to the
extreme that Capt. Harvey did in
his effort to effect a rescue. The
same should be said of Capt. Har
aldsen. Brother Moore was well-
liked aboard and we have all been
greatly shocked by the tragedy."
In a separate communication re
ceived from Moore's mother, Mrs.
A. Greenlee of Delray Beach, Fla.,
the crew was praised "for all the
kindness you showed my son. He
thought so highly of his Union, the
SIU."
Moore had been shipping over
the past few years in between sea
sons as skipper of his own parly
fishing boat in the Florida keys.
He had expected to remain on the
Jackson for another trip, his
mother noted, since she had gotten
a card from him in Japan telling
of a "smooth trip" and how he ex
pected to stay on and "be home
for Christmas."
Shorthanded?
If a crewmember quits while
a ship is in port, delegates
are asked to contact the hall
immediately for a replace
ment. Fast action on their part'
will keep all jobs aboard ship
filled at all times and elimi
nate the chance of the ship
sailing shorthanded.
Quiet Time On Alice Brown
Talking over the day's doings during a belween-meals lull on the
Alice Brown (I to r) ore Seafarers Olifidio Esquivel, galley utility;
Corey Granger, MM, and John D. Manuel, BR. The sign in back
ground points up the SIU ship safety program.
*
4jl,.
Pace Fourteen SEAFARERS LOG September IS, 1951
Deck Gang On The Job
Bosun "Ski" Swiderski (right) supervises repair of hole in a boom
on the Steel Worker enroute to Massowa, Eritrea, on the Persian
Gulf run. In foreground with "Ski" are Joe Duffy, DM (partly
hidden), and Red Little, DM. "Gumps" Gural, AB, was credited
with the welding job. L. Mayberger sent in the photo.
USPHS HOSPITAL
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
William Bargone
James Bethea
John W. Bigwood
John Butler
Roscoe Dearmon
John F. Dixon
William Driscoll
Jan Englehardt
Leon Gordon
James Hudson
Edward G. Knapp
Leo Lang
Simon Morris
Michael Muzio
Vincent Pizzitolo
Winford Powell
Randolph Ratclirt
Toxie Sanford
Edison Shaffer
Harold W. Simmons
Toefil Smigielski
Wert A. Spencer
Gerald L. Thaxton
Clarence Thibodaux
Gilbert Trosclair
Paul R. Turner
Giuseppe Vascarro
James E. Ward
Clifford Wuertz
USPHS HOSPXT.AL
SEATTLE, WASH.
Frank J. Bradley John Jackson, Jr.
Wayne T. Center Kenneth B. Marshall
Michael Delano D. F. Sykes
Thomas J. Driscoll Joseph W. Waits
Michael Gretz WUliam F. Wiemers
Earnest W. Home Tadeusz Zielinskl
USPHS HOSPITAL
S.WANNAH, GA.
Jose Blanco Jimmie Littleton
John A. Call Vincent T. Yates
Thurston Dingier
USPHS HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MD.
William Brewer Pete Matovich
Michael Duco George P. Melko
Emil Dupont F. L. O'Laughlln
Leo Dwyer Clyde P. Parker
Alberto Espino Willis Record
Allen Gary Jr. George H. Reier
Carl E. Gibbs John Rekstin
Joseph Gill Joseph Roll
Gorman T. Glaze Alex Stankiewics
Burl Haire Paul Strickland
Joseph C. Lewallen Dolphus Walker
James McFarlin Albert Willis
Granville Matise Russell Wright
MONTEBELLO CHRONIC DISEASE
HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MD.
Francisco Bueiiu
USPHS HOSPITAL
GALVESTON, TEXAS
Erick J. Berg James C. Lytle
Jacob Cook Arthur J. Queary
Maurice N. Gendron William Shaw
C. N. Hatch Jr. William R. Walker
Jacob Huisman Norman H. Whipple
USPHS HOSPITAL
NORFOLK, VA.
Claude Bibb Claude M. Sturgle
Frank Peskuric
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
Roy J. Barker Thomas D. Foster
Simon Bunda Michael J. Gaudlo
Noah C. Carver Hoyt L. Hackney
Chu Yung Chuan Sidney S. Irby
Vincent D'Amato Vincent Kane
Joseph Ebbole Harvey W. Morrle
C. E. Owens A. O. VaUego
Benjamin Pritiken Sung C. Wang
Richard W. Smith G. L. Warrington
USPHS HOSPITAL
BOSTON, MASS.
Amos Buzzelle G. P. Lesnensky
Edward J. Farrell Zachariah Williams
James J. Girolami
USPHS HOSPITAL
FORT WORTH. TEXAS
Benjamin Diebler John C. Palmer
Siegfried Gnittke
USPHS HOSPITAL
MEMPHIS, TENN.
Charles Burton
VA HOSPITAL
BROOKLYN, NY
Robert McCutcheon
VA HOSPITAL
HOUSTON, TEXAS
John P. WUllamson
VA HOSPITAL
NEW YORK, NY
E. T. Cunningham
USPHS HOSPITAL
STATEN ISLAND, NY
Oscar J. Adams Vincent E. Kane
Hassen Ali Robert Larsen
James T. Balmy Isidore Levy
Edward Doyle Damian G. Mercado
John Boldiszar Jan Mucins
Frank Bosmente Robert A. Parker
John H. Bove Frank J. Paylor
Delaware Eldemire Frank Robertson
Francisco Enfante Adolfo Rodrigues
Arthur Englehart Jose Rodriguez
Ramon Figueiras Antonio Russo
Rufus Freeman ^Samuel B. Saunders
William Gardner Paul W. Seidenberg
Richard Geiling Juan Soto
George Hall Frederick Staebler
John B. Hamilton Harry E. Swanson
C. A. Honorowskl Fred L. Travis
Cecil Hughes William Vaughan
Leroy Johnson Albert Williams
Alfred Kaju
USPHS HOSPITAL
MANHATTAN BEACH,
BROOKLYN, NY
Manuel Antonana Patrick McCann
Eladio Arts Archibald McGuigan
Fortunato Bacomo Albert MartinelU
Joseph J. Bass Vic Milazzo
Frank T. Campbell Joaquin Minis
Juan Denopra W. P. O'Dea
John J. Driscoll C. Osinski
Fabin Furmanek George G. Hhlfer
William Guenther G. A. Puissegur
Bart E. Guranick Floro Regalado
Howard Hailey Winston E. Renny
Wade B. Harrell G. E. Shumaker
Percy Harrelson Kevin B. Skelly
Taib Hassen Henry E. Smith
Billy R. Hill Harry S. Tuttle
Thomas Isaksen Virgil E. WUmoth
Ira H. Kilgore Pon P. Wing
Ludwig Kristiansen Dexter Worrell
Frederick Landry Antonio Infante
Leonard Leidig
McDougall
"The crew of the Neva West
gave a hearty vote of thanks to
acting ship's delegate Joseph A.
McDougall for a job well done,"
writes D. Casey Jones, ship's repor
ter. The vessel
had just been
taken over from
an NMU crew
and Mac has been
spending most of
his time bringing
her around to
SIU standards.
Even with good
cooperation from
all hands, Jones
said, "the skipper and the chief
mate are really going to have to
work to have this ship cleaned and
painted." The men also wished to
extend their thanks to the steward
department for the good food and
service rendered since taking over
the ship.
^
Seafarer on the Seamar don't
want anyone to get any wrong
notions about their steward, James
Eichenberg, and his department.
In no uncertain terms, the boys
think they "have one of the best
stewards afloat." Some misconcep
tion may have arisen from the
recent appearance in the LOG of
the digests of two different sets of
ship's minutes from the Seamar
dated a day apart, one reporting
"no beefs" and the other noting
"beefs against the steward depart
ment." The gang figures some
body trying to be helpful put a
fresh date on an old set of undated
minutes found on the ship, and
sent them in to headquarters.
Eichenberg has been on the ship
almost a year with no major
squawks against him.
4
Seafarer Luis A, Vila was highly
commended by his shipmates on
the Kathryn for
his work as ship's
delegate for the
past two months
until she was laid
laid up by strike
the Union called
against Bull Line.
"He is doing a
real bang-up job
on all beefs, re
pair lists and all
other details," the report stated.
a> t t
Under the SIU constitution
every union member is entitled to
run for office, at sea or ashore,
either as an official or ship's dele
gate. And, says Nolan L, Flowers,
delegate on the Steel King, every
one should take a crack at these
jobs whenever they can, especially
at the delegate's posts. It helps
them become familiar with differ
ent union procedures and to appre
ciate what their delegates do for
them, he notes.
Vila
APOUNDRIA (Wattrmin), July 3»-.
Chairman, R. ingrami Sacralary, J,
Guard. Minor beela regarding water
cooler aft and steward's bathroom
settled satisfactorily. Ship's fund
$10.50. Few hours disputed. Discus
sion on callback for deck dept. Beef
now settled. Discussion on quality of
food. Fruit juices, desserts and con
diments not standard brands. Some
trouble in obtaining fresh foods in
foreign ports. Request ice cream to
be stored in reefers for full trip and
not be obtained in foreign ports.
Aug. 17—Chairman 6. Ruff; Secre
tary, J. Guard. Crew urged to attend
meetings. Food Improved somewhat.
Several members feel cook can do
better. Ship's fund $10.25. Bunk
lights unrepaired for four days. Engi
neer worked on motor in engine room.
Keys to bo left with delegate when
leaving vessel. Remove cups from
messhall when finished. Order paint,
covered sugar Bowls next trip. Seattle
agent to contact headquarters for
Miss. Co. store list to help steward
order food items. Crewmembers get
ting off to strip bunks and clean
lockers.
CHILORE (Ore), Aug. 12—Chairman,
W. Trolie; Secretary, C. Bortz. Ship's
fund $21.75. New delegate elected.
Books to be returned to library after
reading. Ail departments to share in
cleaning laundry and recreation
rooms.
COALiNGA HiLLS (Pan-Atianlic),
Aug. S—Chairman, L. PickaH; Secre
tary, H. Orlando. New delegate
elected. Ask cooperation in keeping
messhall clean. Obtain more milk for
voyage. "Too many vegetables in soup
and too much grease in cooking.
SEATRAiN NEW YORK (Seatrain),
Aug. 21—Chairman, J. Cole; Secretary,
M. Lynch. Some disputed overtime.
New delegate elected. Request bench
for back aft. Vote of thanks to stew
ard dept. for Job well done.
WELLESLEY VICTORY (isthmian),
Aug. 11—Chairman, C. Parker; Secre
tary, J. Byers. Steward to square away
beef on night lunch. Request to
change slop chest hours. Arrange
ments for cleaning laundry and rec
reation room made.
STEEL NAVIGATOR (isthmian),
Aug. 3—Chairman, W. Biskas; secre
tary, P. Harayo. Ship's fund S20.35.
Few hours disputed. One man missed
ship in Subic Bay: rejoined in Manila.
Garbage not to be dumped over side.
Request garbage chutes aboard ship.
Ship to be fumigated. Request fresh
fruit in Suez. Crew's quarters need
painting. Discussion on repairs, gar
bage situation. Notify membership
not to mail letters in Java and Sum
atra as some letters do not leave thesa
countries.
SEAMAR (Caimar), July 28—Chair
man, W. Mason; Sacratary C. inman.
No beefs. Ship in good shape. Vote
of thanks to steward dept. Ship's
fund $20. Discussion on minutes in
Log which were erroneous regarding
steward. These minutes were one
year old. Vote of thanks to all for
fine job done.
STEEL FLYER (isthmian), Aug. 1$
—Chairman, E. Starns; Secretary, A.
Fiatts. One man missed ship in Yoka-
hama and rejoined in Kobe. One man
hospitalized in Kobe. Ship's fund
$59. 250 hours disputed in engine
dept. Delegates to meet with patrol
man at payoff to settle beef against
steward and baker. Pound cake
served every day. Steward not super
vising meals. See agent about bonus
in China.
CITIES SERVICE NORFOLK (Cities
Service), Aug. 12 — Chairman, L,
Springer; Secretary, B. Nielsen. Stew-
dept, end messman commended for
fine work. Purchased iron. New
delegate elected. Members to donate
$1 toward ship's fund. Cups to be
returned to pantry. Safety measures
discussed.
COEUR D'ALENE VICTORY (Victory
Carriers), Aug. 12—Chairman, S. Fui-
ford; Secretary, J. Foster. No milk
purchased in France due to alleged
high prices for containers. Repairs
being made. No beefs. Ship's fund of
$6 turned over to delegate. List of
grievances to be turned over to
patrolman for payoff. Discussion on
purchase of fresh fruits and vege
tables at European ports. Requisitions
presented to captain but no action
taken.
ROBIN SHERWOOD (Seas), Aug. 14
—Chairman, G. Hanson; Secretary, P,
Devine. Discussion on headquarters
communication. Ship's fund, $14.45.
New delegate elected. One man taken
off ship due to Illness. New secretary
elected. Discussion on stores. New
stores to be taken on in Lorenco
Marques.
VALCHEM (Heron), June 30—Chair
man, B. Hayes; Secretary, W. Nesta,
New delegate elected. Ship's fund,
$22.50. Messhall to be kept clean.
Crewmembers leaving ship to get new
linen for new men coming aboard.
WACOSTA (Waterman), Aug. 10—
Chairman, H. Baiiday; Secretary, E.
Ray. New delegate elected. Delegate
to see about dogged-down skylights
in hot weather. Drains not working
in bathroom and passageways. No
pressure in showers back aft. Laun
dry to be kept clean. Cleaning sched
ule to be posted for cleaning deck
and bulkheads. Messhall and pantry
to be kept clean. Action will be taken
on violators for excessive drinking or
missing watches.
MAXTON (Pan-Atlantic), Aug. 33—
Chairman, J. Seiby; Secretary, A. Fin-
neii. No word concerning injury of
Brother Hatch taken off ship at Port
Arthur with pilot. Ship's fund, $27.29.
All communications posted in mess
hall. No beefs. E\-erything running
smoothly.
SEATRAiN TEXAS (Seatrain), Aug.
24—Chairman, W. Hail; Secretary, P,
McBride. Repairs made with excep
tion of hooks for lockers and key for
foc'sle. Ship's fund, $89.75. Beef on
captain holding back week-end OT at
payoff. Cooperation urged in keeping
fantail cleaner.
ALCOA CORSAIR (Alcoa), Aug. It-
Chairman, H. Miliar; Secretary, Major
Costeiio. Slop chest prices discussed
and checked by patrolman. Beef on
Trinidad laundry settled. Payoff in
Mobile this trijt to be made according
to number on articies. Safety and fire
fighting equipment to be left in
proper place and not moved around.
Ship's fund, $185. Motion to start
general fund for ship's benefit; at
least 75% crew to vote before any
expenditures made. Vote of thanks to
relief captain for good job. Check
air-conditioning in all quarters. Ob
tain new washing machine. Delegate
to check 4-hour relief set-up. Sugges
tion to have regular crewmen show
movies.
RiON (Actium), June 3—Chairman,
P. Hammei; Secretary, L. Geraghty.
Draw may be given out before arrival.
Ship going in very clean: no beefs,
no disputed OT. Letter from chief
mate read thanking crew for fine
cooperation and cleaning out chain
locker. Cooking needs improvement:
food not cooked enough and needs
more variety. Messhall and recreation
rooms painted. Members urged to
keep rooms clean. Water in scuttlebut
undrinkable at times. Watch payoff
slips. Need more cigarettes.
STEEL DESIGNER (isthmian), Aug.
4—Chairman, C. Gait; Secretary, A.
Ridings. Cold water in showers too
hot. Vote of thanks to ship's delegate
for job well done. No major beefs.
Endeavor to get watch forecastles for
FWT and oilers. Black gang foc'sles to
be painted out. Insufficient stores cn
board.
JOHN CHESTER KENDALL (Bull),
Aug. 4 — Chairman, J. Dunn; Secre
tary, J. Hunt. Discussion on security
watches. All bunks to be turned up
right: foc'sles to be left clean. Return
linen and books. Vote of thanks to
steward dept. for fine service. Soiled
linen to be turned in. Discussion on
cold lunches. Vote of thanks to
engine dept. for keeping engine
running and in good shape.
Burly By Bernard Seaman
TMI5 THIN6'S ON THE
BLINK AGAIN I ANYBODT
KNOW HOW TO FIX ONE
OF THESE AUTOmVC
COFFBE POTSf
WELL; IT'S RATHER SIMPU" YOUR
TROUBLE STAf^ra HERE AT THE TN/RD
CfCLO-FRAM, WHICH FAILS 10 GEN
ERATE THE DhAyiALOBe,CAiiS\HQ
THE MALFUNCTION OF THE FRAl'
tBNSBR, AND THE RESULTANT
DIMINUTION OF THE PtLX
THOTHOOB WHICH
VAVOOMSTOc..
ETC... ETC...
September 13,. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Page Fifteen
NY Seafarers Urged
To Register For Voting
Union members and their families in New York City have
been urged to register as early as possible at polling places
located in their election districts.
early, "By registering
Mayor Robert F. Wagner said,
"you will help speed the task
of permanently registering our
voters. Furthermore, under this
new permanent system, by regis
tering now you will insure your
right to vote in this fall's election
and in all future elections.
"Union members can set an
example to the community for
registering early and by getting
members of their families, their
friends, and their neighbors to
register."
Under the new permanent
registration system, a voter has to
register only once to vote every
year. But this will apply only if
he remains at the same address, or
does not change his name.
Local registration will take place
on September 28th, 30th, October
1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. On
Saturday, September 2$, and Oc
tober 12th the polls will remain
open for registration from 7 AM
to 10:30 PM. On all other days
they will be open from 5:30 PM
to 10:30 PM. ,
Seafarers, who because of the
nature of their work do not havg
permanent addresses, can not apply
for permanent registration. In
order to vote, they must apply for
absentee ballots. Post card appli
cations for such ballots, where they
are allowed, can be obtained from
SIU headquarters.
Information concerning absentee
voting and the different state re
quirements -was printed in the
August 30th edition of the SEA
FARERS LOG.
Makes Debut
Seafarer Pasquale O. Cirelli
and his wife, Louise, show off
their new arrival at home in
Philadelphia. The baby,
Mario, was born March 26,
1957.
TO SHIPS IN ATLANTIC • SOUTH AMERICAN • EUROPEAN WATERS
THE riRST DIRia VOICE
BROADCAST TO SHIPS' CREWS
iVlDY SVNDAY • I61D DMT
Voice of the MTB,
' # \
1
\
'
WFK49.19850 KCt
Shlpi In Caribbean,
Eail Cooit of South
America, South Atlantic
and Eait Cooil of
United Stotei.
WFL-65. 15850 KCt
Shlpi In GuM of Mex
ico, Caribbean, Weil
CopM of South AmON
Ico, Weil Coeii of
Mexico and US Eon
Cooit.
WFK-95,15700 KCt
Shlpi In Mediterranean
area. North Atlantic,
European ond US Eoit
Cooit.
sill; UP-TO-THE-MINUTE
UNION AND MARITIME
NEWS
OP SPECIAL INTEREST
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE DEEP SEA UNIONS OP THC^
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Meanwhile, MTD
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Continue., e
All of the follounng SW families have received a $200 maternity'
benefit plus a $25 bond from the Union in the baby's name:
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. John F;
Fay, Baltimore, Md.
i
Martin Eric Levine, born June
19, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Howard Levine, Farmington, Mich.
$>
Peter Leo Gallagher, born April
24, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. John
M. Gallagher, Philadelphia, Pa.
^
William Russell Smith, born Au
gust 31, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
William J. Smith, Philadelphia, Pa.
William E. King Jr., born August
14, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Wil
liam E. King, Edmonds, Wash.
Dierdre Lou Cantrell, born
August 15, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Steward L. Cantrell, Balti
more, Md.
Ji
Rita Mercedes Vivero, born
August 12, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Frank Vivero, New Orleans,
La.
4 t
Evelyn Marie Da Costa, born
August 4, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Jose M. Da Costa, Baltimore,
Md.
4 4 4
Michael Gerard Rome, born
August 12, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Calvin A. Rome, New Orleans,
La.
4 4 4
Micki Lee Harris, born August
17, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Morgan A. Harris, Houston, Texas.
4 4 4
Vickie Marie Powell, born Au
gust 11, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Odell B. Powell, Brodnax, Va.
4 4 4
Darol Cedric Frazier, born July
13, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Dan
Frazier Jr., Whistler, Ala.
4 4 4
Anna Jean Worley, born August
15, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. John
L. Worley, San Francisco, Calif.
4 4 4
Joclyn Marie Scotti, born August
21, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Rob
ert Seottt, Passaic, NJ.
4 4 4
Norma Erazo, born August 5,
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Pedro
J. Erazo, Brooklyn, NY.
4 4 4,
Vivien Rivera Morales, born July
20, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Al
fonso Rivera, Bay Amon, PR.
4 4 4
Thomas John Hoar Jr., born Au
gust 9, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Thomas J. Hoar, Baltimore, Md.
4 4 4
Linda J. Ortiz, born August 26,
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Rafael
Ortiz, Santurce, PR.
4 4 4
John F. Fay Jr., born August 12,
The deaths of the following Sea
farers have been reported to the
Seafarers l^elfare Plan and the
SIU death benefit is being paid to
their beneficiaries.
Claudio Barreiros, 63: On June
7, 1957, Brother Barreiros died
aboard the SS
Casimir Pulaski
in Genoa, Italy.
Death was the
result of stab
wounds. He be
came a full mem
ber of the SIU
on December 22,
1945, and sailed
in the engine
departme n t.
Brother Barreiros is survived by
his wife Dolores Barreiros, who re
sides in Spain. Burial took place
in Stagliono Cemetery, Genoa,
Italy.
Edward Hammond Burns, 38:
Brother Burns died July 29, 1957
in Harris County, Texas. His death
was due to accidental drowning in
the San Jacinto River. Brother
Burns became a full member of the
Union December 30, 1954, and
sailed in the steward department.
He is survived by his wife, Vernon
H. Burns, of Mobile, Alabama.
Place of biirial is unknown.
Philip M. (Pat) Robertson
Get in touch with your mother-
in-law, Mrs. M. Witham, 309 W.
Alfred St., Tampa, Fla., at once.
4 4 4
Charles i!.arl Ray
Contact your mother at 64 W.
165 St., New York, NY, or call
CY 3-1137. She is very ill.
4 4 4
Vivian P. Sutton
Get in touch with James M.
Croff, 2467 Calvert Ave., Memphis,
Tenn.
4 4 4
Otis J. Hardin
Call your sister May regarding
Mother. Dora.
4 4 4
Raymond Perry
Lloyd Palmer of 305 N. Jackson
St., Mobile, Ala., asks you to write
or call HE 2-5247.
4 4 4
Herbert Libby
Contact Everett A. Herd, EMS,
USS Denebola (AF56), c/o FPO,
New York, NY, immediately!
4 4 4
Ernest Such
Get in touch with your wife im
mediately.
4 4 4
Ex-SS Coe Victory
Crewmembers to whom he owes
money are asked to contact James
(Nick) Nicholson, bosun, c/o SIU
Hall, 450 Han-ison St., San Fran
cisco, Calif.
4 4 4
James Bruce Elliott
Your mother urges you to con
tact her.
4 4 4
Friends of dis; bled Seafarer
Edward Hansen are asked to write
or visit him at Norwegian Hospital,
4520-4th Ave., Brooklyn, NY.
Pacific Disf.
Opens Pact
^Continued from page 2)
payment at the end of a calendar
year in the event the articles would
continue beyond that date.
The three West Coast Unions
have been negotiating jointly since
1955 when they whipped Harry
Bridges' ILWU in a three-depart
ment shipboard election. Since
then they have combined their pen
sion plans to provide greater ben
efits for their members and are
now considering a joint medical
program.
The "West Coast Sailors," the
"Stewards News" and the "Marine
Fireman," official organs of the
Pacific District unions, joined to
gether to publish a special edition
honoring Labor Day. The 24-page
edition highlighted the greater ben
efits that can be achieved When
the three departments work, as a
teaih. . I .
Vol. XiX
No. 19 SEAFARERS LOG
• OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL-CIO •
Congress Doles Out
Little Shipping Aid
WASHINGTON—The 85th Congress closed up shop for the summer on August 30, thus
ending its first session with little in the way of productive legislation for the US merchant
marine or American merchant seamen.
Actually, there were only*
Library Exhibit Features LOG
three significant Congression
al actions on the positive side
of the ledger as far as the mer
chant marine is concerned:
• Congress kept 50-50 cargoes
on a fairly even keel, at least until
1958, by retaining the foreign aid
program at just about the 1956
level and boosting authorizations
to sell surplus farm products
abroad by a billion dollars, despite
renewed attempts by the farm bloc
to whittle 50-50 down.
• The legislators perked up
trade with Iron Curtain satellites
by okaying the sale of surplus
farm products to Poland. This
attitude could indicate the resump
tion of trade with other "indepen
dent" Communist nations in the
future.
• A $5 million boost was voted
in appropriations for the PHS
marine hospital program.
The foreign aid bill, which was
virtually Congress' last act before
adjournment, represented a slash
of just about a billion dollars in
what President Eisenhower origin
ally asked for. However, the final
foreign aid figure of $3V^ billion
was similar to what Congress
appropriated in 1956.
Congress' most favorable action,
as far as the merchant marine is
Bait. Quiet;
Port Drive
Continues
BALTIMORE — Outside of the
continuing HIWD organizing drive
throughout Baltimore harbor,
writes Earl Sheppard, port agent,
there is nothing new to report
from this port. Everything is fair
ly quiet and running smoothly.
There was only one major beef
on the vessels coming into port
during the past period. Since it
was a fairly technical matter, the
beef has been submitted to head
quarters for clarification.
Shipping for the period has been
slow, slightly under the prior
period's totals. There were 14
vessels paying off, eight signed on
and 15 were in-transit.
The vessels paying off were the
Venore, Baltore, Marore, Santore,
(Ore); Jean, Evelyn, Angelina, Em
ilia (Bull); Chickasaw (Pan-Atlan
tic); Westport (Trans. Util.); Mer
maid (Metro. Patrol); Bethcoaster,
Kenmar (Calmar) and the Govern
ment Camp (Cities Service). The
Venore, Baltore, Marore, Santore,
Chilore (Ore); Chickasaw (Pan-
Atlantic); Bents Fort (Cities Serv
ice) and Westport (Trans. Util.)
signed on.
Among the vessels in transit
were the Oremar, Marymar, Robin
Mowbray, Alcoa Roamer, Steel
Flyer, Alcoa Ranger, Robin Trent,
Portmar, George A. Lawson, and
the Bethdoaster.
conceined was in adding to the
amount of farm surplus commodi
ties to be sold abroad boosting the
totai authorizations from $3 to $4
billion.
Both foreign aid cargoes and
surplus farm products are moved
under the 50-50 law. These two
Federal programs have been tbe
major props for the merchant
marine, particularly in face of a
declining freight market.
Of the $1 billion authorization,
about $95 million was earmarked
for surplus products for Poland,
making it the first such action
since Congress approved trade
with Tito's Yugoslavia. The USSR
itself, and Communist China, are
still off limits.
On the deficit side of the ledger
was Congress' inclination to prac
tice economy in ship construction
and operating subsidies. Strong
moves to sell US tonnage to
foreign nations all were blocked,
but they are expected to be revived
in the future.
No Action On Transfers
Also disappointing to maritime
unions was Congress' failure to
crack down on easy transfers of
US bottoms to runaway flags.
This last action perhaps best
tells the story of Congress' record:
It was not so much the passage of
legislation detrimental to the mer
chant marine; ratlier, it was failure
to act on constructive legislation
which would have strengthened
merchant shipping. There were a
good number of bills introduced—
in both the Senate and the House—
which would have bolstered US
shipping and the position of Amer
ican seamen. But virtually all of
these bills disappeared in the Con-
g.essional hopper and have not
been heard from since.
These bills included several in
troduced by Senator Warren G.
Magnuson, chairman of the Senate
Foreign Commerce Committee.
Among other things, they called
for a review of all US maritime
policies with an eye to overhauling
the 1936 Merchant Marine Act; for
clamping extremely tight restric
tions on transfers, and for firmly
establishing the legal status of the
hiring hall.
Other Bills
Other measures introduced dur
ing the session included a bill to
subsidize US tramps, both
freighters and tankers; a bill to
include seamen under the Federal
wage-hour law, and one to tighten
restrictions on the hiring of alien
seamen on US vessels.
Congress did give final approval
to the bill calling for 24-hour
quarantine service, slated a probe
of MSTS operations. It also okayed
Robert B. Anderson, former run
away tanker operator, as the new
Secretary of the Treasury.
In the field of generaHegislation,
which might have affected seamen's
unions. Congress took no action to
provide for Federal inspection or
control of union welfare and pen
sion funds, plthough the AFL-CIO
strongly urged such legislation.
The legislators also bypassed a
Federal "right-to-work" law al
though Senator McClellan of
Arkansas tacked a "rider" onto the
civil rights bill. Congress did pass
the civil rights bill before it ad
journed, thus taking the first ac
tion in this area since the end of
the Civil War.
YOUR
SEAFARERS WELFARE PLAN
Low Cost
Meals
••i • •
I
I
I
I • • • • Seafarers on the beach
wailing to ship are en
titled to meal books with
which they can procure
low-cost meals at consid
erably less than the going
commercial rate for feed
ing. The meal book pro
gram makes use of feed
ing facilities in those SIU
halls which possess them,
or oifers meals through
arrangements with out
side eating places. In
either case, the meal
book is a valuable asset,
particularly to men who
are in ports other than
their home towns.
SEAFARER'S
INT'L UNION,
A&G DISTRICT
Prominent among other prize-winning labor publications is the
SEAFARERS LOG in a display now being featured in the head
quarters of the Detroit Public Library. Pictured with the LOG are
the other winners of AFL-CIO awards.
Vofe Lundeberg Statue
For SUP Hq. Entrance
SAN FRANCISCO—A memorial statue of Harry Lunde
berg similar to the one of Andrew Furuseth now located out
side the main entrance to Sailors Union headquarters here
has been authorized by the^ —
SUP membership.
The same sculptor who did
the Furuseth monument in 1940
has been commissioned to do
head and shoulder length statue of
the late SUP secretary, who was
the founder of the SIU of North
America. Lundeberg died last
January 28 after a heart attack.
Terms of the agreement provide
for the monument to be erected
within six months. It will cast in
bronze -after the sculptor's clay
model is completed and approved.
It will flank the other side of the
entrance to the SUP hall.
The Furuseth statue was origin
ally erected near historic Folsom
Street wharf where the first risings
of the sailors' movement occurred
Curran's View
On District 50
(Continued from page 2)
pect of 30 ships (or was it 80) by
the back door, Lewis and the Mine
Workers became legitimate mari
time unionists In Curran's view.
The saddest part about the
whole performance, of course, is
Curran's effort to justify the sweet
heart contract signed with Ameri
can Coal by a paper local of
District 50 in Norfolk which until
then had no members, no office,
and indeed, no existence. At a time
when the AFL-CIO is bending its
energies to eliminate the paper
local evil, Curran—a member of
the Ethical Practices Committee—
goes out of his way to defend just
such an arrangement. It all proves
that Curran and ethics are incom
patible, and that Curran is unfit to
serve on that AFL-CIO body. His
whole record, past and present, is
contradictory to what the commit
tee stands for.
in the 1880's. The memorial had
to be removed earlier this year to
make way for a state freeway proj
ect and the Sailors Union mem
bership then voted to bring Andy
home.
Furuseth had led the SUP for
many years until 1936, two years
before his death, when he was
succeeded by Lundeberg.
Erection of a suitable memorial
to Lundeberg was voted by the
union membership soon after his
death, and then held in abeyance
until the sculptor who did the
earlier statue could be located.
Frisco Back
To Normal
SAN FRANCISCO — Shipping
for this port has more than tripled
for the past two weeks and is now
back to normal. The biggest jump
in jobs was in the deck department
with the stewards and black gang
running about even.
There were only two vessels pay
ing off during the past period.
They were the Ocean Eva (Ocean
Clippers) and the Kyska (Water
man). The Ocean Eva, Afoundria
and Choctaw (Waterman) signed
on while the Alamar (Calmar) and
the Topa Topa (Waterman) were
in-transit.
'Can-Shakers'
Have No OK
The membership is again cau
tioned to beware of persons
soliciting funds on ships in be
half of memorials or any other
so-called "worthy causes." No
"can-shakers" or solicitors have
been authorized by the SIU.