http://www.seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/17df734b5d384d08e8e317db7ea159bc.PDF e568a1fad76db032354f9b863052cb19 PDF Text Text SEAFARERS LOG • OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THi SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL • com HIMO PLOTS S AM N eUCX ST -Story on Page 8 ^-1 I: PI*'-- ir"':- •' > . •rsi' \A~ • -. t.- • rj\ • Wv... Yh^Sm Seafarers began voting by secret ballot on November 15 in all Union halls to determine who among the 78 MriUMKMny f fiefr WflOrCva* candidates will be elected to 49 headquarters and branch posts in the Union, Early voting was brisk through­ out the district with Seafarers on ships in the various ports piling off to cast their votes along with men on the beach. The two-year election balloting will continue for 60 days, until January 15, 1955, after which votes will be counted by rank and file tallying committees. Day by day balloting h conducted by three-man rank and file committees elected by the membership at the start of each day's business. (Story on Page 2.) • lit �5 psee tn § ?t Noi^Ae^ Gov't Agoncy Revives Drive Against '50-50' fe' - > I.' Newly-opened Seafarers cafeteria in Baltimore hall Is now providing low-eost meals for Seafarers on the beach. Unlike the New York cafeteria, it is not open to the public. Cafeteria Is on basement level, just below the Port O'Call eafe which is now In the process of completion. A new attempt to nullify the operation of the "50-50" prin­ ciple in foreign aid shipments has been made by a Govern­ ment agency. Paralleling the unsuccessful attack on American shipping under the original-^ Marshall Plan, the Foreign he would accept the American bids Operations Administration has unless they are "obviously unfair tried to drive American coal- and unreasonable." handling rates down to the level The current squabble over coal of foreign operations. rates is a replay of a much bigger If successful, the attempt would fight back in 1949, when the Mar­ have the effect of barring US ships shall Plan first swung into opera­ from carriage of coal relief car­ tion. At that time, the Marshall goes. The administration is ship­ Plan administrator threatened to ping ten million tons of coal to by-pass all American cargo ships coalshort nations sucn as Korea unless US shipowners cut their rates to the levels of foreign-flag and Japan. The FOA move against "50-50" operations. Foreign flag operators took the form of refusing all but got into the act by cutting their one bid by US-flag operators for rates to the bone in the hope of carriage of coal on the grounds putting US operators out ot nusithat they were not "fair and rea­ ness. The SIU led a vigorous and suc­ sonable." The FOA contended that cessful fight against the move. the US-flag bids should be about the level of foreign-flag carriers, and arbitrarily set a ceiling on the rates it would pay. Revise Position Meeting Night Everg 2 Weeks Industry spokesmen immediately Regular membership meet­ protested the move charging that ings in SIU headquarters and they could not operate under the at all branches are held every FOA ceiling, since it would mean second Wednesday night at carrying cargo at a loss. As a re­ 7 PM. The schedule for the. sult, the FOA backed down from next few meetings is as follows: its original stand and announced it Dec. 1, Dec. 15, Dec. 29. would open new bids on six car­ AU Seafarers registered on With the opening of its low-cost cafeteria, barber shop and recreation deck, the Baltirnore goes of coal. the shipping list are required Arthur Syran, who Is director of branch office of the SIU is virtually in full swing. All of the facilities of the brand new hall to attend the meetings. transportation for the FOA, and are now complete with the exception of the Port O'Call cafe and the Sea Chest retail store. The fully - air - conditioned' Baltimore "hall opened two more Federation of Labor. The weeks ago with a special mem­ Marine Firemen, Oilers and Waterbership meeting and party for Sea­ tenders Union will move in short­ farers in the port. The five-deck ly and other tenants are in pros­ Voting in the SIU's A&G District election for Union officers got off to a flying start hall is easily the best in the A&G pect. Work is now going forward on during the first two weeks of balloting with heavy voting reported in all ports. District, surpassing the famed The balloting, which got underway November 15, outdistanced the pace of the 1952 headquarters hall in space, com­ completion of the cafe and the Sea Chest. The Union already has a voting, which ran up a total-tforts and conveniences. liquor license for the Port O'Call Shipping out of the new hall be­ operation so it should be open for vote of about 5,700. Seafarers gan two weeks ago today but some business in the near future. Orders ashore on vacation or waiting oi the furniture and equipment for are also going out for stock and to ship swelled the total, along its subsidiary services had not yet fixtures for the Sea Chest retail with hundreds of others on Inbeen installed. However rapid store which will have ample space transit ships who came ashore to progress was made on these items to service all Seafarer's needs. vote at the first opportunity. SIU in the past two weeks. Pool table men heading out on offshore runs The Sea Chest has been operat­ and shuffleboard equipment have ing its slop chest supply service to also hurried to cast their votes been provided, a barber and boot­ on the chance they wouldn't return black were hired to put the barber to the States before the end of the shop in operation and final touches two-month voting period, on Janu­ were put to the cafeteria, enabling ary-15, 1955. it to open for business fully-equip­ At issue are 49 offices, including ped and staffed. all regularly-elected offices in the The following are the ma­ Tenants In Union. A record total of 78 can­ jor facilities of the new SIU didates is competing for these Baltimore branch office; Several of the Union's tenants posts, three more than there were • Modern hiring hall and are already operating in the build­ on the 1952 ballot. Fourteen other meeting hall ing, including the Masters, Mates nominees were disqualified from • Union offices and Pilots, the Brotherhood of running by a six-man rank and file • Cafeteria IMarine Engineers and the Balti­ credentials committee for failing • Bar and dance floor to meet the constitutional require­ • Barber shop ments for holding office. • Shoeshine Stand ® Laundry drop Tallying Committees Nov, 26. 1954 Vol. XVI. No. 24 • S&a Chest retail shop Following the end of the voting, • Air conditioning and sound­ As I See It Page 6 rank and file tallying committees proofing throughout Burly Page 16 will be elected by the membership Voting in the election for 1955-56 SIU olHcials gets underway at • Parking lot Crossword Puzzle Page 8 in each port, including headquar­ Union headquarters as Seafarer J. Pola (standing) gets his ballot • Pool room Editorial Cartoon ... Page 9 ters, to count the votes in that and prepares to step into the voting booth. Officiating as a member • Game loom Editorials Page 9 branch. The headquarters tallying of the Polls Committee elected that day was Red Stams. • Elevator Galley Gleanings Page 15 unit will also serve as a district • Television rooms Inquiring Seafarer Page 8 tallying committee and check on each department as well as six the photos and biographies of all • Open sundeck Labor Round-Up Page 8 the counting and results In each joint patrolmen in the Port of New candidates was published In the • Shower room Letter of The Week Page 9 port. Its report will certify the York, and an agent, Joint patrol­ October 29 Issue of the LOG, along • Piped mu.sic and public ad­ Letters Page 16 winning candidates subject to a man and one patrolman for each with a sample ballot on the back dress system Maritime Page 8 vote of the membership In all department In the Ports of Balti­ page. Copies of these can be ob­ Meet The Seafarer Page 8 ports. The full text of this report more, Mobile and New Orleans. tained at any SIU hall. Notices, Personals Page 17 the ships for some time out of a will be carried In the SEAFARERS There are no constitutional amend­ All Seafarers who have not yet Off Watch Page 14 warehouse at 1023 East Baltimore LOG. ments or propositions to be voted done so art urged to vote Just as Port Reports Pages 12, 13 Street. As soon as its lease expires soon as they can get to the nearest upon In this election. Offices Voted ' Quiz Page 14 the Sea Chest is planning to move A special supplement containing SIUhalL Offices at stake In the election SIU History Cartoon Page 6 this service into the hall as well. v.. Sports Line Page 15 Other features of the new hall Include the posts of secretaryVote of Thanks Page 9 include a modern hiring hall and treasurer, three joint assistant sec­ Washington News Letter..Page 7 meeting hall, ample space for Un­ retary-treasurers and one assistant Welfare Benefits Pages 18, 19 ion administrative offices, a laun­ secretary-treasurer each for the Welfare Report Page 18 dry drop, outside parking lot, deck, engine and steward depart­ Your Dollar's Worth Page 5 game room, television rooms, open ments. In addition, the membership will sundeck and shower room. The Publishtd blwMkly at tba headquartars is air-conditioned and choose an agent and joint patrol­ of lha Seafarars Intarnatlonal Union, At­ building lantic A Golf District AFL, 475 Fourth soundproofed throughout and con­ man for the Ports of Boston, Phila­ Avenua, Brooklyn 32, NY. Tal. HYacmth f-44M. Entered as second class matter tains a built-in piped music and delphia, Norfolk. Savannah, Tampa at the Post Office In Brooklyn, NY, under public address system. and Galveston; three patrolmen for the Act of August 34. 1912,. Balto Hall Services Hum —Cafeteria Makes Debut Vote Heavy In All Portf Features Of Baltimore Hall SEAFARERS LOG �SEHFytRERS *haG ' Pir« ThfM 511/ To Fight CC Power Move Superman Brain-Body Test Bared As Scheme To Pull Seameu Papers Under the guise of setting up a physical standard system to improve the health of America's merchant seamen, the US Coast Guard is attempting an outright power grab for iron-fisted control of all seamen, which could result in the black­ balling out of the industry • they gave to the industry, corresponding improvement in his of any man now sailing. service and contain standards that could treatment of seamen. The SIU has declared that be used to flunk and revoke the Commenting on the proposal, it "will fight the Coast Guard's scheme all the way down the line in any shape or form that it rears its head." The physical and mental tests proposed in a 60-page document recently released by the Coast Guard could be used against all merchant seamen, no matter how many years of satisfactory CG Power Move: GG Orlglual Role: Ships, Not Seamen In the eyes of the public the Coast Guard's major functions are ship safety, rescue work and control of smuggling. As a matter of fact, the Coast Guard was formed by a merger of the Revenue Cutter Service and US Life Saving Services. Later the US Lighthouse Service was added. Through Jhe years, the Coast Guard has been concerned with iceberg patrol and ice-breaking, law enforcement on the high seas, maintenance of lighthouses, naviga­ tional aids and ocean weather sta­ tions, inspection of the safety fea­ tures and equipment of ships. Since ship safety is a major con­ cern of the Coast Guard, it would appear to merchant seamen that a much more energetic effort could be put forth to make the ships themselves safer and more com­ fortable places to work on. Time and again, the SIU has had to take action to remedy dangerous condi­ tions on board ship. An example is the case of the Christine, a Liberty ship, which attempted to put to sea in the spring of 1953 although it was showing a 12 degree list. It was only on complaint of the Union that the Coast Guard entered the picture. Subsequently, the Coast Guard ordered reinoval of excess cargo to assure stability. It was only Union action in this instance, that kept the ship from sailing in an unseaworthy condi­ tion, and risking the lives of all crewmembers aboard. Each year a large number of merchant seamen file suits under the Jones Act charging shipowner negligence as cause for personal injury or illness. These suits reflect the degree to which the shipowner is responsible for un­ safe or unsanitary conditions aboard ship. If the Coast Guard was primari­ ly concerned with ship safety it would be proposing stricter super­ vision and control over shipboard living and working conditions rather than stricter controls over merchant seamen themselves. The way to fix a leaky scow is to repair the leak, not to buy a stronger pump. papers of virtually every Ameri­ can seaman. The far-fetched nature of the document makes it obvious that it is a cover for establishment of sweeping new bureacratic con­ trols over the livelihood and ship­ board actions of seamen. The proposals also represent an under­ handed attempt to wreck the Jones Act on behalf of insurance companies and shipowners since, if put in effect, they would effec­ tively discourage seamen from filing negligence suits against shipowners responsible for injuries or illness. Finally, the new proposals could be converted into a Union-busting weapon with the greatest of ease, since they are broad enough to bar anyone who vigorously presses a shipboard beef as a "complainers" and unstable personalities. Seven Tests The Coast Guard proposals can be summed up as follows: All working seamen would have to pass seven separate tests as out­ lined by the word "Sailors." These would be Strength, Arms (arm function). Incapacitating diseases (past and present). Legs (leg func­ tion), Observation powers. Recep­ tion of sound. Stability (mental and emotional). Men would be rated by numbers on each of these seven tests and the numbering system could make up his "pro­ file." The profile for an AB would be 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1. Failure to pass any one of the seven could be taken as proof that the man is a seagoing "security risk" and un­ fit for duty. The Coast Guard would then ask him to "voluntarily" surrender his seamen's papers, since it has no legal right to pass on his phy­ sical qualifications except when he goes for a rating or a ticket. How­ ever, once a man has been brand­ ed "unfit for duty" under the above system, he could easily be blackballed off every Americanflag ship. How Many Tests? If a Seafarer should pass the test once, he has no assurance he won't be called on to do so two, three or a dozen times. Nor is any provi­ sion made for an appeal from the "unfit" ruling, once it is issued. This profiling procedure for mer­ chant seamen has been seriously questioned by a psychiatric spe­ cialist to whom the LOG referred the Coast Guard proposal for study. He concluded it has "no scientific basis," pointing out that there are no verified facts or sta­ tistics to determine which per­ sonality traits and physical quali­ ties are most desirable in a sea­ man. Army and Navy standards do not apply, he emphasized, as statis­ tics were based on many men who were draftees and may have de­ liberately courted failure to get medical discharges. Further, he added, the whole procedure obviously discriminates against a seaman since it demands superior performance of him un­ der conditions imposed on him by the shipowner, while making no demand on the shipowner for any "j -i SIU secretary-treasurer Paul Hall declared: "Clearly this is the most vicious and unjustified attack on seamen ever made by a Govern­ ment agency. This test isn't de­ signed for human beings. It's for Paul Bunyan and Moby Dick. There are grounds here for flunk­ ing every sailor that ever stepped on a deck. "But whether the tests are practi­ cal or not, the fact remains they are an excuse for the Coast Guard to move in and shackle working sea­ men. The SIU fully intends to fight this all the way down the line in any shape or form that it rears its head. Our Union is composed of men who were competent and qualified enough to man the ships in wartime and to meet the highest peacetime operating stand­ ards of any merchant fleet. We are not going to stand by idly while a set of gimmicks is put into action to deprive them of their (Continued on page 7) CG Power Move; strict Test Could Bar All Seamen Under the new Coast Guard proposal for mental and phy­ sical examinations for seamen, a man could lose his right to con­ tinue making his living as a sea­ man for failure to meet a wide variety of standards so strict that only a superhuman could pass. A few of the scores of reasons for which he could be denied an okay are the following: • Defective sense of smell. • Speech defects, stammering, stuttering and the like. • Non-contagious skin diseases that are unpleasant to look at. • Parents or ancestors who were alcoholics or criminals, had nervous breakdowns, or were di­ vorced or separated. • Lack of educational advan­ tages. • • Any record of juvenile de­ linquency or coming from a "broken home." • A record as a "beefer" or "complainer" abroad ship. . (The captain's opinions would be given great weight on this score. This could include shipboard activity on behalf of the Union). • Outbursts of rage. • Allergies. • Being hostile or uneasy in the presence of the examining doctor. • Attitudes toward sex. • Past head injuries. • Failure to answer questions in a manner that is satisfactory to the examining doctor. • Religious attitudes; ethics, opinions. • Frequent changing of jobs. i' �SEAFARERS Pii* FOOT I fe I- Jitaventer ZC, 19S4 THERE'S MUCH CRITICISM THAT COULD BE MADE OF THE Coast Guard proposal to regiment seamen under a type of military con­ trol that went out of fashion 50 years ago. But there's just a couple of things here that should rightfully be called to the attention of the public. The first is the fact that the Coast Guard is trying to make its quack proposals respectable by associating itself with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Before anybody falls for this cover-up they ought to consider one thing—that powerful people in- this depart­ ment are out to cut the throat of the Public Health hospitals. Since this Department was established two years ago, it's naade a prac­ tice of cutting down health and welfare services. Your Union knows from past experience, that the Department has no love for seamen and little concern for their problems. Otherwise it would be fighting for more health services, not less. Your Union believes that the Depart­ ment of Health, Education and Welfare could well be called to account for associating with this report. As people who are supposed to be ex­ Former Seafarer Herman F. Webber is shown (right) working as bosun aboard the Army tug LT 1960 perts on physical and mental health they have a good deal of explain­ (left) in the harbor of Pusan, Korea. A ten-year Union man, Webber now spends his days docking ing to do. SIU ships. Bosun Webber holds the rank of private and drags down $92 per month. Coast Guard Humbug 4 ; The second is that the Coast Guard presents this proposal with ques­ tionable purpose. Your Union questions the sincerity of the Coast Guard's proposal. Your Union believes it is pure humbug. To begin with, the Coast Guard presents a deliberately distorted pic­ ture of the life and outlook of a seaman. It's a picture that was true when the seaman was under a military-type control such as the Coast Anti-union regulations that have been promoted by em­ Guard would like to reimpose today. A seaman had no way of pro­ his rights. He could be lashed by the skipper, given the boot by ployers in several states appear to have reached their peak tecting the mate and charged with mutiny or desertion for any protest. That in the little town of Baxley, Ga. Two organizers for the was the way ships operated before the seamen won the rights of firstInternational Ladies Garment class citizenship, rights which the Coast Guard is trying to take away Workers Union (AFL) have today. As far as one Seafarer is been arrested for entering the The Coast Guard weeps crocodile tears about the life the^pbor sea­ concerned, the SIU is truly town and told that they must each man has to lead, about the poor living eonditions, the lack' oT recreation pay a fee of $2,000 a year for an international union. Be­ operating and comforts, the cramped living space, the dangers of working in the within the town limits. cause when an SIU ship pulls in holds, over the side or aloft in bad weather. Further, the organizers were in­ to Pusan, Korea, it has a good Where was the Coast Guard when the Union fought for white linen, chance of being towed to the dock formed that the town itself would soap and matches? Where was the Coast Guard when the Union de­ by an Army tug whose deck gang collect a $500 "initiation fee" for manded fresh milk, washing machines, decent messrooms and recrea­ every worker that the organizers is under an SIU bosun. tion rooms? Did anybody ever hear the Coast Guard demand reading The bosun is Seafarer Herman signed up. material, adequate slopchests, and bigger foc'sles for seamen? Did the Interpreting these regulations r. Webber, a ten-year Union man, Coast Guard ever come down to your ship to see if it was stored with who had to retire his book through as outlawing any kind of union Grade A meats and a wide variety of satisfying foods? Did you ever Hong Kong will again be a hear the Coast Guard put up a beef about manning scales or about the no fault of his own. Uncle Sam's activity in Baxley, the two organiz­ Army tapped him on the shoulder ers asked the Georgia Supreme monthly port of call for Isthmian old two-watch system? And has anyone ever heard a Coast Guardsmen one day, with the result that Web­ Court to throw out the ordinance. ships making the line's westbound say seamen should be paid decent wages? ber now helps dock the same SIU The court refused to do so on the round-the-world runs, it has been Union Fought For Safety grounds that the organizers have announced. ships he once sailed on. As a private in the Army, Web­ not yet been tried for violating the No you didn't hear it, and your Union, never heard anybody who did. .Resumption of the Hong Kong ber writes, he drags down $92 per ordinance. stops is expected to start with the It is the unions that have done more for the safety, the spirit, the com­ Small Town month. He takes a lot of kidding, sailing of the Steel Admiral from fort and the sense of pride or the seamen than any Coast Guard direc­ he says, especially when the tug Baxley itself is a small county New York on December 23. The tive ever written. The unions fought for the eight-hour day, good food, is called on to shift ships on a seat town in Appling County, Steel Admiral will be followed by safe and sanitary shipboard conditions, decent representation and the weekend and the SIU men aboard approximately 75 miles west-south­ the , Steel Recorder and Steel other benefits now in union contracts. them are getting a minimum of west of the port of Savannah. The Maker, which will sail from New The Coast Guard says that seamen are a group of strangers having lit­ four hours' call-in-time. 1950 census figures give it a popu­ York January 22 and February 19, tle in common. It appears that the Coast Guard may object to the fact lation of 3,400 which means that respectively. Keeps It SlU-Style that ships are manned by men of all races and religions with their, own at the best it would have a couple The Steel Recorder and Steel individual opinions and outlook on life. The Coast Guard apparently Since he is a long time Union member, Webber finds that hardly of small-sized plants. Evidently Maker will sail from Long Beach doesn't like the idea of a man being different than his neighbor and an SIU ship pulls into the harbor the local council passed the ordi­ and San Francisco on the sixth and expressing himself accordingly. without at least one or more of his nance to attract more industry to eleventh day of each month, re­ If the safety, the morale and the physical and mental well-being old shipmates aboard. "I've had the town so that the employers spectively, and arrive in Hong of the seamen are to be improved it will be by extending and strength­ many nice comments by SIU men could operate in open shop fashion Kong 22 days after leaving San ening the union gains of recent years. The surest way to create fear, Francisco. on the condition of the tug," he with low-paid labor. suspicion and discord among civilian seamen and to shatter their Headquarters of the Interna­ says. "I just tell them I'm keeping This is the only A & G company morale and functioning is to put these Coast Guard military proposals the tug in SlU-style, even if it does tional Ladies Garment Workers to call at this port. into effect. Union regard the ordinance as belong to the Army." Webber writes he is particularly clearly unconstitutional and intend thankful to some of the, Waterman to go ahead with a test case. Of ship gangs and to the company for course, the case will take several ••• the help they have given him in months to decide, during which period the employers in Baxley keeping his tug spic and span. "I The SIU continued to keep a weather ey e peeled this week on the activities of the have asked for and received some will have clear sailing. "United International Seamen's Union," the ILA-sponsored crimp rig. Thus far, the outfit The Baxley regulations are an used articles like paint rollers, old wire brushes and a little hard-to- extreme example of the kind of and its leaders have been promising much but accomplishing little of their announced anti-union legislation that has plan to raid both AFL and^ get paint now and then. made headway, particularly in the CIO maritime unions. Conse­ apparently unaware of this pro­ kickbacks from ship chandlers; "I think iPs a fair exchange be­ The outfit at present is prepar­ cause we manage about one Water­ South, in the last couple of years. quently, observers believe that posal and continue to glow, con­ The spread of state "right to work" ing to move its offices to 33 White­ man ship a week and our tug gives laws which forbid any kind of it will have little success in any versationally, with future plans. As part of its expansion pro­ hall Street in lower New York attempt to seize power in the them a lot of service." union security has had a serious industry but will serve the ILA's gram, the crimp outfit has printed City where Le Doulx-Londos for­ Webber writes that he makes it effect on union membership in the up a batch of-^ "unfair" picket merly operated. He also speaks a practice of visiting as many SIU affected states. In at least one attempt to harass and provoke signs and has sent men to contact of opening halls in other US ports legitimate trade unions. In any ships as possible. Seafarers hitting state, Virginia, the backers of companies having both American around the first of the year. Pusan can find him aboard Army "right to work" legislation have case, the SIU is fully prepared to and foreign-flag ships in the hope Meanwhile, applicants at the meet the threat. tug LT 1960. And when his two- been busy putting more teeth into of cooking up some kind of a deal outfit's 28th Street office are told year hitch is over, Webber is it.. Now any individual guilty of Change Of Leaders with the shipowners. Le Doiulx- that Le Doulx-Londos can get thinking of following the footsteps violating the law is subject to a The latest reports on the organic Londos boasts continually of being them seamen's papers if they don't of Seafarer J. A. Mcintosh and personal fine of $500. zation's "progress" reveal that a "near" a contract with an Ameri­ have any. One applicant paid his staking himself a homestead in The "right to work" laws and program for expansion is contem­ can-flag carrier, but no contracts fees and was sent to the Coast Alaska. the local regulations such as the plated. As part of the program the have materialized as yet. Guard with a letter from Le Baxley ordinance are also designed organization would dump its pre­ The only jobs that have materi­ Doulx-Londos requesting a vali­ to attract "runaway" plants from sent leaders. Captain George Beli- alized out of the outfit are typical dated document. The Coast Guard areas that are well-organized by basakas and . Louis Le Doulx- of a runaway-fiag crimp hall. Jobs refused to issue one to him. unions. A very large number of Londos and replace them with have been offered to ABs at $81 a It is the normal practice of the plants, particularly in the textile "American" seamen. Evidently month with 40 cents an hour for Coast Guard to honOr such re­ industry, have taken advantage of the feeling is that Belibasakas and overtime. One chief steward was quests from legitimate sea unions, this kind of law to get away Le Doulx-Londos have outlived told he could get a job at $220 a provided, of course, that the man from union contracts. their usefulness. Bqth men, .arfe security..plearanee..,. ' SIU Army Man Docks SIU Ships Ir I J- LOG Ca, Town's 'License' Bars Union Activity Isthmian To Call At Hong Kong Crimp Rig Promises—Buf susfiai acsis Mnim/ts i-'- • '• '*• tif rfiU'i �K* -nlfivy* tMI ' Navember t§, 1954 » 1 I * , '-f » 1 I SlEAF ARERS LOG rage FIT* Future Of Reserve Fleet To Hinge On Conversions The big question of the fate of the US-owned reserve Liberty fleet will be answered in the not-too-distant future. Work has started on experimental conversion of four Liberty ships to step up their operating speed, improve their cargo-handling gear and modernize them in other respects. — Contracts have been award­ gear, if successful in cutting the that modified Liberty ships would ed by the Maritime Adminis­ turnaround time, would have genu­ be used in convoy . . ." Inspecting the installation of plumbing in the elaborate new recrea­ tion room under construction in the New Orleans SIU hall are Port Agent Lindsey Williams (left) and veteran Seafarer Carl McCranie. Work on the layout on the ground floor of the hall is due to be completed by January 1, 1955. NO Hall Adding Laundry, New Recreation Facilities NEW ORLEANS—Seafarers in New Orleans soon will have at their disposal an attractive recreation room in which to wile away their time between job calls. Workmen are busy convert­ ing the ground floor of the will be provided in the lavatory SIU hall here to recreation room. facilities which are expected to be ready for use by January 1, 1955. Now being installed in the spaci­ ous room (40 by 60 feet) are thr^e combination dressing rooms and showers, a laundry room and toilet facilities. The laundry room will be equip­ ped with an automatic washing machine and drier and an ironing board and electric iron for mem­ bers who desire to launder their gear while on the beach. Automatic electric hand driers The air-conditioned room will have terrazo floors, a sound­ proofed acoustic ceiling and at­ tractively painted plaster walls. The combination showers and dressing rooms will be partitioned separately to afford privacy while in use. The room will be equipped with three pool tables, a shuffleboard table and a television set. At present, two pool tables are provided on the hiring hall floor on the second deck. tration for installation of two gas turbine power plants, a steam tur­ bine system and a geared diesel system. In addition, brand new cargo handling rigs of an experi­ mental nature will be installed above decks. There is a lot of doubt though, whether these experiments will have any real value in terms of utilizing the 1,500 ships in the re­ serve fleet. For one thing, the Maritime Administration has given up the idea of developing an 18 knot ship and is now aiming at a 15 knot speed. Maritime Admin­ istrator Louis Rothschild said that the IB-knot speed was abandoned on the grounds that the Libertys were not constructed to take the strain of an 8,500 horsepower plant. A power plant of that kind would require hull reconstruction at considerable additional cost. Both in terms of commercial op­ erations and in terms of Defense Department objectives, 15 knots is not considered sufficient speed. And with the American merchant fleet dwindling day by day be­ cause of transfers, the reserve fleet is the only possible source of extra shipping which the country could turn to in times of a shipping emergency. It is believed by some authorities that expensive conversions aiming at a 15-knot speed would have little practical effect in terms of bring­ ing a Liberty ship up to date. The cost of the four conversions now planned will run more than $2 million each. New Cargo Gear Of more practical importance, perhaps, are installations of experi­ mental cargo handling gear. Roth­ schild estimates that the average cargo ship spends 60 percent of its time in port loading and discharg­ ing cargo. New cargo handling ine practical value both for regu­ lar commercial operations and for emergency cargo needs. Aside from the new powerplants, the experimental Libertys that will have gas turbines will be equipped with controllable pitch propellers. These are believed to have great advantages in maneuvering a ship without having to change the di­ rection of rotation of the main en­ gine. The decision to concentrate on a 15-knot target, Rothschild said, was made in the face of conflicting opinions. "The more moderate scheme," he said, "was considered particularly since it was assumed WASHINGTON — The Maritime Administration and the SlU-contracted Cities Service Oil Company have completed arrangements for a swap of seven of the company's T-2s for three new 32,000-ton super­ tankers. a third super-tanker. The first two The swap is the first to tankers will be completed early in be made under the tanker trade-in program approved by the last Congress. The program was de­ signed to provide modern tonnage for the American-flag tanker fleet and at the same time give the Gov­ ernment a reserve of useable tankers. The contract calls for the imme­ diate construction of two super­ tankers by Bethlehem Shipbuilding at Sparrows Point, Marj'land, at a cost of $8 million each. In turn Cities Service will turn in five T-2s to the Government for $4.8 million. Third Supertanker Next April, the company will trade-in another two tankers for SEAFARERS GUIDE TO BETTER BUYING Here's one tip for Christmas: You don't really have to shop "early" as the stores say, unless you need to mail gifts. Otherwise, you'll find better buys after Dec. 11 when the stores start cutting prices on gift items. Here's another: Beware the novelties and gadgets man­ ufacturers and merchants feature for Christmas on the theory that the public is not as value and utility conscious A floating flshing knife with a cork handle Is a use­ ful gift for a man who likes to fish. It costs about $3.50 and will be well appreciated by an outdoor man. during the gift-giving season as usual. At this time of year stores push sudi short-lived gifts as fancy- lighters, humorous salt and pepper shakers, expensive mechanical toys, extra-fancy lingerie, etc. But you give .the most for your money when you seek out basic playthings for chil­ dren, and useful gifts for adults,- like well-made clothing and household equipment. About: ao percent of the playthings chlldten get during rr^ytxe twicwKcfP/TVowes CS To Trade 7 T-Ts For 3 Supertankers YOUR DOLLAR'S WORTH Tips For Christmas Shopping Whatever the outcome of the ex­ perimental program, the Govern­ ment will be faced with the prob­ lem of what to do with 1,500 Lib­ ertys which have little or no use at the present time. a year are those given them for Christmas. The test of a toy you buy ought to be: Is it interesting enough to the child and durable enough so he'll play with it, for months to come? Here are suggestions for gifts that have enduring value: Gifts for Children PLAY FURNITURE: Experts recommend simple "school" furniture in natural finish, like Phoenix brand sold by some toy stores. Avoid play furniture that is highlydecorated or has extra gimmicks like a musical chair, at an extra price. Simple play furniture can also be constructed at home, from packing cases, or "bought" lumber sanded down smoothly and given a natural finish. BLOCKS: Whether you buy blocks or make them your­ self, avoid the traditional cubes and instead get sets of large blocks in varied shapes. These have more play value because they can be arranged into different objects like bridges, tunnels, etc. You can make them yourself from one and three-eighths inch lumber, preferably a hard wood so they don't splinter. The set should have paired blocks of the same size and shape so they fit together and make a third block. The large hollow wood blocks used by nursery schools are good, but costly to buy. The large Blockbuster blocks made of corrugated paper are surprisingly durable and cost only $6 for a set of 12. PAINTING MATERIALS: Double easels are best but costliest. If you can't afford a good easel, make up a kit of newsprint paper, brushes and colors that will have good play value. • MODELING MATERIALS: One of the best play ma­ terials for young children is the elastic plastic which doesn't stick to surfaces and mak^a: housecleaning prob­ lems. But. don't buy tlie set-With little jars and molds! Buy a big jar of'elastic plastic and provide your own 'Jats ahd? molds; Another good type of modeling clay, for 1956. Aside from size, and a speed of better than 17 knots, the new tank­ ers will be the first built to carry a wide variety of petroleum prod­ ucts. Each tanker will carry up to 18 different grades of oil and gaso­ line. The new ships will have a man­ ning scale of approximately 48 men, licensed and unlicensed. They will be 650-feet long nd carry 13,340,000 gallons of oil products. Individual rooms will be provided for each crewmember. The tankers will run between the Cities Service terminal in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and East Coast ports. Written exclusively for THE SEAFARERS LOG. by Sidney Margolius, Leading Expert on Buying older children, can be baked in a home oven. For a more elaborate gift, you can also include glazes. SCOUTING EQUIPMENT: One of the best sources for well-made children's equipment at reasonable prices is :i| M •I Assemble a painting set for a child with a pad of newsprint and a variety of colors and brushes, for a gift with good play value at reasonable cost. the Boy Scout Trading Posts. You can find these in each town. The equipment is suitable for other children besides scouts. For example, they have camp shovels at low prices which are superior to the shovels usually sold (Continued on page 17) •m �f •??> Kwwbw 2«. 1954 SEAFARERS LOG rv Sis Freighter's Stern Rides High After New Yoric Crash MAJOR HELD AS KOREAN COLLABORATOR—Major Ambrose H. Nugent has been charged by the Army with collaboration with North Korean Communists while a prisoner of war and will be court martialed. Two of the charges involve treasonable offenses. The major, who was captured the first day US troops took part in the fighting, admittedly broadeast for the Communists but claims he did so under duress. He is the third US officer to face such charges. ^ AIRLINE SCHEDULES POLAR FLIGHTS—Scandinavian Airlines became the first commercial company to fly over the polar area with the opening of a new service between Los Angeles and Copenhagen on a four-trips-a-week basis. The new route is 535 statute miles shorter than the old one via New York and will save three to four hours flying time. » ^ ^ FIFTEEN SEALED IN BURNING MINE—Unalble to proceed with rescue work, state and United Mine Workers officials agreed to seal off the Farmington, West Virginia, mine of the Jamison Coal and Coke Company with 15 men still trapped below. The sealing off of the mine was agreed on after repeated explosions and underground fires had made rescue work impossible. It was hoped that the steps taken would bring the fire under control. The unfortunate miners were trapped by a gas explosion just 30 minutes after the mine had been tested and certified as gas-free. - j< Pf ii "i» 4 Riding high above New York's East River after a collision with the Japanese freighter Meirinsan Maru is the stern of the Panamanian-flag freighter Lake Charles. Bow of Lake Charles, operated by Garcia Line, sank to bottom of river in 20 fteet of water, after collision on November 18. The ship Is shown here on the Manhattan side of the river just south of the Williamsburg Bridge. 4 4 EGYPT'S PRESIDENT GIVEN BOOT—General Mohammed Naguib, a leader of the revolt against King Farouk's former government, was ousted from the presidency as the aftermath of an attempted assassina­ tion of Premier Gamal Nassar. Witnesses have linked Naguib to the assassination attempt. Nagiub and Nassar have long been rivals in Egypt following the overthrow of Farouk. It is expected that Naguib will be put on trial for his part in the conspiracy. South Atlantic May Get Subsidy 4 44 REDS SINK CHIANG SHIP—Soviet-<built torpedo boats sank a Natinalist Chinese destroyer-escort ship off the Chinese coast in the con­ tinued sparring for control of several small Nationalist-occupied islands. WASHINGTON—The SlU-contracted South Atlantic Steamship Company won the open­ Repeated artillery duels, air raids and other belligerent acts have mads ing round in its bid for operating subsidies when the Federal Maritime Board gave tentative Formosa the hottest spot in the world at the moment. approval to its application. 4 4 4 ATOMIC FUEL TO GO ABROAD—The US announced in the United The subsidy, if granted, Nations that it has allocated 220 pounds of atomic fuel for use in atomic would apply to Trade Route furnaces and power plants in other countries. The fuel will be allocated 11, which covers South At­ WASHINGTON—The US Maritime Administration's to a proposed international agency that would operate experimental lantic ports from Hampton Roads easy ship transfer policy provided a new addition reactors for peacetime purboises. The offer is part of the "atoms for and Key West here in the States, for the growing foreign-flag fleet of American vessels peace" program put forth by President Eisenhower in December. and runs to continental Europe and this week. The Government ship agency gave its okay the British Isles, including Scan­ 4 4 4 for the transfer of the 42nd Liberty dry cargo vessel dinavia under certain circum­ TWO MORE FIELDS RELEASED—The government of Hungary fol­ since mid-August on November 23rd. Half of the US stances. Spain and the Mediter­ lowed up Poland's release of Hermann Field by releasing his brother tramp fleet is eventually expected to be swallowed up ranean are excluded from this Noel Field and Noel's wife, Herta, from imprisonment. Noel Field was trade route. in this manner. a former State Department employee whose name was mentioned in The latest ship to go is the John W. Powell, owned Once before, in 1948, South At­ connection with Communist spy rings in this country. He and his wife lantic was found qualifled for an by the Anchor Steamship Corp., which has been sold disappeared on a visit to Europe, and his brother Hermann, disappeared operating subsidy, but the company to Seacarrier Corp., a Panamanian outfit, for operation while searching for him. All three, it is now revealed, were imprisoned chose not to enter into a contract by Communist governments on charges that they were US agents. under the Liberian flag. So far, transfers are being with the old Maritime Commission 4 4 4 approved only to the Liberian, Honduran and Pana­ at the time. MCCARTHY CENSURE SEEN LIKELY—senate censure of Wiscon­ manian flags. In granting approval, the FMB sin's Senator Joseph McCarthy for conduct unbecoming a Senator ap­ The boxscore to date on the transfers is as follows: points out that company received peared likely despite an 11-day delay in the special session called for SIU Ships Other Unions Total Transfers prior approval for this run, was op­ that purpose. The delay was causbd by McCarthy's hospitalization for (13) (29) (42) erating on the run and was quali­ an arm ailment. While efforts were being made to effect a compromise, fied under the provisions of the most observers agreed that McCarthy deliberately invited an adverse The SIU ships already transferred are the General 1936 Merchant Marine Act. vote by calling the Senate session a "lynching bee" and describing the Patton, Trojan Seaman, Strathport, Bluestar, Purplesix-man Senate committee that investigated him as the "handmaiden" Companies or individuals having star, Greenstar, Western Rancher, Sea Wind, Tainaron, of the Communists. Facing defeat in the Senate, McCarthy was at­ an interest in the operation are Captain N. B. Palmer, Anne Butler, Christine and tempting to mobilize public opinion through a petition drive in hia given a period in which to file ob­ Lucile Bloomfield. favor. jections to the grant of a subsidy. Boxscore On Ship Transfers Cartoon History Of The SIU CUieg Service Battle Baqes No. 77 >; i-N' P: •fci,. ; An interim pact with Cities Service was reached in March, 1950, but the SIU fight to improve con­ ditions on the tankers was not over. Talks continued on working rules to go with the wages already agreed ' Meanwhile;-unfair labor charges based on dompaiqr firings of men still bad to be settled. In June, the NLRB opened hearings on the ehargeSi The SIU produced evidence showing that CS had used every trick, including an elaborate labor si^ apparatus, to try and whip the Union, despite the tankermea's 9-1 vote fbr the SIU. .'After fbw days •f damagiitf tcstiiMnjr, CS threw inv lb*, sponge. The settlement produced reinstatement for over 100 ex-CS tankermen plus over f150,000 in back pay. < It also upheld SIU charges, clearing the way toti renewed bargaining. By the end of July, however,;. CS was still stalling. Tired of these tactics, Sea- ' dewmsiiyoted' taristt^.tt eoatinueit �November it, lfS4 SEAFARERS Pes* Sevea LOG CG Power Movet CG Super Brain-Body Test Bared as Blacklist Scheme The SEAFARERS LOG submitted the Coast Guard's proposals for study and appraisal to a physician who is a psychiatric special­ ist certificated by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Here, briefly, are some extracts from his remarks. "Statistics for profiling ... on the basis of personal history and predicting . . . functioning under stress at sea are not available . . . Army and Navy statistics ... are not applicable . . . there was a factor in these cases of secondary gain (removal from stress and danger to life) in the armed services for a man who would not function well . . ." "There might be some basis for such a plan where there is unanimity of purpose . . . among all parties concerned. But where a difference in basic interests may exist as ... . between the own­ ers .. . and the seamen, this plan could be used against the indi­ vidual seaman . . . the proposed draft could be . . . discriminatory against the seamen while it leaves the owner . . . free of any cor­ responding obligation . . ." ". . . the Coast Guard's proposals can have a negative effect and can induce a low morale . . . subjection of civilian workers to . . . control by a military agency is not desirable . . ." ". . . tbere is no scientific evidence to support the theory that histories of alcoholism, criminality, etc. have any bearing on an individual's ability to conduct himself normally in society . . . this is a highly controversial subject . . . consultation on the subject with 20 psychiatrists could result in 20 different opinions." "There is danger ... of licensing the Coast Guard to label com­ plainers as psychopaths, the danger being that the man who com­ plains can be removed via a psychiatrist's diagnosis. As a matter of fact complaining ... is considered a healthy outlet . . . Where there is a remedy, complaining can lead to constructive action." "The Coast Guard says, 'abnormal personal traits . . . not appar­ ent ashore, become a problem at sea' . . . this is a highly question­ able conclusion and as a matter of fact it can be demonstrated that the reverse is true." or industrial relations consultants, relations between crewmembers in (Continued from page 3) Jobs. We have opposed, and will who are totally ignorant of the the face of active shipowner oppo­ oppose, any scheme of this kind facts of life at sea outside of the sition. "The next thing the Coast Guard covers of a book. The description Actually, the LOG consultant . may propose is a new breed of of life at sea and relations between pointed out, there is a grave dan­ robot seamen of a certain height, seamen at work is an insulting ger that the Coast Guard will muscle development and brain and untrue picture. "The crew of abuse the term "chronic complain­ structure. They would like the kind the average merchant vessel," it ers" to the degree that all of them that would do what it's told with­ states, "are a group of strangers will be rated "unstable" and bar­ out asking questions." having little in common," ignoring red from shipping. "Complaining Demand Pensions the close working and living rela­ and griping is a healthy outlet, "If any proposals like these should tionships developed among crews he emphasizes, and "can lead to ever go into effect in any shape for the common good. It speaks constructive action." While un­ or form whatsoever the Union is also of "chronic complainers about stable persons may be chronic prepared to reopen its contract conditions for which there is no complainers, the reverse is not and negotiate a pension plan spe­ remedy," overlooking the Union necessarily true — chronic com­ cifically to protect Seafarers who system of shipboard meetings, plainers are not always unstable are deprived of their livelihood by ships' delegates and shoreside con­ persons. the Coast Guard scheme." tract enforcement in all ports ex­ In further justification for its Detailed examination of the isting solely to deal with shipboard power grab, the Coast Guard ar­ Coast Guard proposals reveals beefs. It overlooks the close asso­ gues that the design and function­ their ridiculous nature. Men could ciation of seamen in their various ing of merchant vessels is inher­ be knocked out of jobs for lack­ union facilities. ently defective. Involving such ing a sense of smell, for coming Actually of course, it is the ship­ danger and peril as to require men from broken homes, having a ju­ owner who has preferred to have ol supreme physical and mental venile record, a speech defect or a disgruntled and suspicious group condition to handle the job. Such similar far-fetched reasons. of crewmembers aboard, and it has phrases as "dangerous and hazard­ The LOG consultant termed been the unions who have acted to ous conditions . . . slippery decks particularly unsound in the pro­ promote close and harmonious . . . narrow, steep, or vertical stair­ filing system the references to a way ladders . . . extremes of heat seaman's family history as a basis and cold, . . . poor footing . . for disqualifying him. "There is dangerous operation . . . exposure no scientific evidence to support to extreme cold for long periods the theory that histories of alco­ . . . living quarters limited . . holism, criminality, etc. (in par­ sanitary conditions unsatisfactory ents and ancestors) have any bear­ ..." are scattered throughout its ing on an individual's ability to description. It is obvious from the conduct himself normally . . . tenor of the report that much As a matter of fact, the Coast should be done to adapt ships for Guard admits that "none of the more comfortable and safer opera­ several profiling systems in cur­ tion, which is a function of the Since 1947, the net ship operating subsidies paid by the Government rent use (in shoreside industry) ap­ Coast Guard. have averaged out at about $41 million each year. Is this a cheap price pears to be quite suited to the par­ Little Or No Value ticular needs of' the maritime inThe whole "profile" system, as to pay for the merchant marine? This question will be among the top dustry^ hence an adaptation of the Coast Guard admits, has been issues to be debated early next year by Congress. The new Coast Guard power borrowed from practices in cer­ Right now, special studies are being conducted by Government several was developed for this purpose." In other words, the pro­ grab, if successful, would be tain big businesses of applying sources to determine whether this is a cheap price to pay. A report on posed tests are a true catch-all an additional bur(ien on the psychological tests to job appli­ this should be issued in a couple of months for Congressional review. It is expected that the new Congress will determine that, despite stewpot consisting of a little of backs of the country's most cants. How near this "profile" this and a little of that, none of heavily-controlled and regulated mumbo-jumbo comes to outright widespread criticism from time to time, such amount is not too much civilian worker, the American quackery was shown in a recent to appropriate for the well being of America's subsidized shipping com­ which applies to maritime needs. seaman. Motive Is Clear "Fortune" magazine study. After panies. Already the Coast Guard, a careful eexamination, "Fortune" Regardless of the defects of these 4" 4" Although the past Congress enacted a permanent 50-50 shipping law proposed tests or any others, the military service, has four major concluded that personality tests clear motive remains to give the controls over seamen. It screens have little or no value in determin­ providing that American lines will transport at least 50 percent of all Coast Guard full military control all seamen for security risks. It ing a man's ability to perform un­ Government-financed cargoes, the tramp operators and the Foreign conducts hearing units which der pressure. If anything, they are Operations Administration continue at odds over the interpretation of over seamen. this statute. The new law states that the carriage should be at fair and The imposition of such controls, operate like a court martial to often misleading. according to the specialist consult­ discipline civilian seamen for As proof, "Fortune" took the reasonable rates. Although the tramp lines and FDA now have temporarily reached ed by the LOG, will if anything, behavior aboard ship. Seamen "profiles" of 14 of the country's have a negative effect on the mo­ seeking ratings in the deck or most successful business execu­ a truce as to the meaning of "fair and reasonable rates." it is now rale and performance of seamen. engine departments, or lifeboat- tives. The conclusions? "Not one clear that the 50-50 shipping law once again will be before the next "Control of civilians by a military men's tickets, must pass Coast corporation president had a pro­ Congress for action as to a proper interpretation. Initially, FOA took the position that the bids submitted under the agency is not desirable in a free Guard examinations. The Coast file that fell completely within the and democratic society. We need Guard also has complete control usual acceptable ranges and two new law by American tramps were not fair and reasonable and was look only to the Soviet Union . . . over the licensing of ship's offi­ failed to meet the minimum pho- rejecting such bids. In effect, what FOA wanted to do was to take the for evidence of the influence of cers. And finally, the Coast Guard file for foreman." Many of the lowest bid and throw out all the others. The temporary agreement reached between the tramp lines and FOA military control over civilians on has special powers over seamen people who did well on one stand­ the morale of segments of the who are convicted of narcotics ard test did very badly on an­ is that the latter now will accept the lowest market bids up to the num­ population." violations. other. No doubt Coast Guardsmen ber of ships actually needed, unless the bids on their face are obviously Now the Coast Guard Is asking themselves would fail to meet unreasonable. Already the Coast Guard holds Congress very likely will be asked to determine whether the perma­ a variety of powers over seamen for power to deprive seamen of many of the standards set for sea­ nent 50-50 shipping law is a good one. When the law was signed by through its security clearances, up­ their livelihood if they fail to meet men. grading tests, disciplinary hearing a wide variety of physical or Fortune" says that the tests are President Eisenhower several months ago, he did it reluctantly, with units on the style of court martials, mental specifications, many of a convenient way of firing men no the idea that additional studies would be made to determine whether narcotics controls and licensing them far-fetched and ridiculous longer wanted. "If business de­ the merchant marine should not be supported by more direct means. in the extreme. tests. t t t clines tests may also be applied to The effort of States Marine Corporation to buy out the subsidized For years seamen's unions, cut down the work force." One Present contract terms covering manning of Union-contracted ships under Andrew Furuseth, fought to psychological testing service ad­ Bloomfield Steamship Company will run into a further hitch in the call for physically fit men to man free seamen from harsh controls vices "there is no better , place to near future. Other such ship merger deals were quickly approved by the ships. It is the practice for over their lives and their freedom direct the ax than, in the worker the Maritime Administration, but in the case of Bloomfield, protests company doctors to examine candi­ of movement Seamen, who were category," and there is no better are coming in from other American operators. The principal protestant of the States Marine-Bloomfield proposed dates for jobs. Where there is dis­ considered by the courts "neither way to do it, it adds, than to merger Is Lykes Bros. Steamship Co., which is seeking a full scale agreement on a man's fitness, the among the living or the dead," give everybody a test. Public Health Service has the final were subject to beating and fiogOne of the very few men actual­ probe into the facts of the transaction. In any event it Is expected that the MA soon will pass on the matter. word. A seaman who has been hos­ ging at the discretion of ship'is ly in a position to talk about the 4« 4" 4' pitalized is not dispatched unless officers, and charges of desertion personality requirements of a sea­ Since the middle of 1952, there has been a continual reduction in ^he he has a "PHS fit for duty" slip. if they sougbt to leave a ship. It man's job is the psychiatrist Dr. Constant Union Effort was not until the 1915 Seamen's R. B. Robertson, author of the construction of vessels throughout the world, with US yards having The Union, through contract Act that seamen could be con­ book "Of Whales and Men." Rob­ felt this reduction more than any other major maritime power. The United Kingdom, with orders for almost 39 percent of the world's amendment and enforcement, is sidered free Americans. ertson made a lengthy trip to sea constantly endeavoring to improve Seamen were under civilian con­ as doctor on a whaling ship and total construction, had a decline of 30 percent in the tonnage of new safety practices and remove ship­ trol through the years except for observed conditions at first hand. orders booked last year as compared to 1953, and over 8 percent as board discomforts. Shipowners World War 1. In World War 11 He had this to say on seamen's compared to 1952. The world's shipyards now have on order or under construction who have men working over the the Coast Guard obtained control physical qualifications. "For a tough job one chooses 16,156,000 deadweight tons of oceon going shipping, or almost 6 million side in bad weather, securing ships over the merchant marine and while at sea or who indulge in hung on to its authority when the not the carefully-nurtured athlete tons below the postwar peak of 22,146,000 tons in 1952. The USSR with an increase of 41,000 tons of new orders was the other risky corner-cutting prac­ war ended. It has sought, to ex­ to whom disease is but a name, tices are natural targets for Union pand that control continuously in but the man who has encountered only major maritime country with any sizeable Increase of new con­ the years since World War II, and every one of man's morbidities and struction in the last six months. action. Careful examination of the Coast the current physical and mental has survived." In other words, pick Guard proposal indicates that it exam proposal is only one of sev­ the -man who has been through the was prepared by an outside outfit eral Coast Guard maneuvers to wringer and is still doing a day's r 'i•&' '"J * ^or»; possibly some psydR^ieab t^stittg rule' civUian ^seamen. CG Power 3iove: Seamen Now Under Heavy CG Bnrdens ^g||' A Psychiatrists Opinion... • —« from WASHINGTON �SEAFARERS Pace EicM LOG MARITIME The 25th new ship to enter the world-wide cargo services of the Japanese Mitsui Line since 1950 has made her maiden appearance in New York—and with a bang. After spending several days in the port, the 10,858-deadweight-ton motorship Meirinsan Maru collided in a mist with the Panamanian freighter Lake Charles, in a. mishap which wound up with the Lake Charles practically climbing up the city's East River Drive. No one was injured, however. An indication, inci­ Qucation; Have recent reports dentally, of the low wage bill necessary to operate the Japanese ship linking tobacco to cancer had any is the fact that she is manned by a crew of 53. effect on your smoking? J, J, • Designed for use aboard small craft, a miniature Gyro-Compass has Bob Bowley, chief steward: I been developed by the Navy's Bureau of Ships and the Sperry Gyro­ haven't changed my smoking scope Co. The device is expected to get widespread use aboard land­ habits any. I ing craft and will enable crewmen on such craft to find true north usually smoke without any specialized training . Already virtually depleted as a re­ about a pack a sult of ship transfers, principally to British-fiag operation, Canada s day while I'm merchant fleet suffered another setback this month when the 9,000-ton ashore and half immigrant ship BOaverbrae was sold to an Italian concern. The 800a pack a day at ' passenger vessel was the last passenger ship operating under the sea because you Canadian flag. can't smoke in t 4 4the galley. While Turkey's merchant fleet will grow by almost 70,000 tons and 11 ships I'm busy I don't within the next 20 months under the terms of agreements just signed. need to smoke as An outlay of $14 million is being used to buy five cargo ships here much. I expect to keep up that and build one 21,000-ton tanker and five medium-sized cargo vessels way. in Japan. Included in the purchase are two Victory ships... Battered 4 4" 4" by an Atlantic storm w'hich cracked her deck plates, the 7,111-ton William J. Benson, wiper: I'm a Panamanian freighter Stork was towed into a Newfoundland port last week, 60 hours and 150 miles from the spot where a Gulf of St. Law­ reformed smoker. I had been smok­ rence gale nearly swamped her. Although after 30 hours the order to ing very heavily '•abandon ship" was given, it was later cancelled as four ships raced before and I started to get a to aid the disabled vessel. pain in my chest. J" 4" 4I quit smoking Under ah agreement between the Greek government and the Home and the pain went Lines, the liner Atlantic will be renamed the Queen Frederika on Dec. away. I don't 22 in Piraeus, when she will raise the Greek colors. Now operating think the stories under Panamanian registry, the 22,000-ton ship will enter service as the largest, fastest Greek passenger ship between Greece and the US. about cancer and tobacco had any She is now running between English Channel ports and Quebec . .. The special effect on Maritime Administration has been asked to okay the purchase of the passenger sliip Aleutian from the Alaska Steamship Co. by the Carib­ me though. bean Atlantic Lines. The new owner will use the ship on cruise runs from Washington to Bermuda, Nassau and Havana. t 4. The first Israeli ship to be built by West Germany under the restitu­ tion agreement covering Jewish property confiscated by the Nazi re­ gime has been delivered to the Zim Israel Navigation Co. Altogether, 12 ships will be built under this pact. The initial one is the 7,000deadweight-ton cargo ship Dagan . .Four explosions wrecked a water­ front warehouse, injured six persons and jolted half of the city of Memphis awake before dawn one day last week. The cause of the blasts was unknown. 4" 4- 4" Joining the Liberty dry-cargo ships allowed to be transferred for­ eign by the US Maritime Administration are two US-flag tankers, the John Good and the Pan Maryland. The two ships will be registered under the flags of Liberia and Venezuela, respectively... Sixteen deck and engine officers on the Egyptian cargo-passenger steamer Moham­ med Aii el Kebir held a one-day strike protesting a cut in their usual draw of $50 in American dollars to $25 in Hoboken, NJ, last week. It was called off after the vessel's owners restored the cut in shore al­ lowances. The beef postponed a scheduled sailing to Baltimore for 24 hours. 4^ 4^ Harvey Alexander, wiper: That's a good question. I'm one of those who switched from cigarettes to a pipe as a result of the cancer re­ ports. I've been smoking the pipe for a couple of weeks now and I'm satisfied with it. Before that I had been a regu­ lar pack-a-day smoker. if November 28, 1954 MEET THE SEAFARER Maurice Kopenhagen, MM Seafarer Maurice Kopenhagen's Kopenhagen says he has no spe­ sailing experience follow a fami­ cial preferences as to ships "or liar path taken by many before runs, with one job pretty much like another as far as he is con­ him—that of a shoreside worker cerned. But like many Seafarers who turns to the sea as a better he would rather take a tropical way of making a living. Kopen­ run in the wintertime and a North hagen was 37 years old when he Europe trip during the summer first started shipping out in the months. That's one of the advan­ tages of seafaring, he pointed out. steward department, because he You can pick your climate to suit heard from many seamen about yourself. the superiority of sailing as a way By and large, he finds the ports of making a living. Once he in Spain, Italy and Germany the got started, he never gave it up. most hospitable, offering a wide It was early in 1941 that Kopen­ variety of shoreside recreation. hagen grabbed his first ship out Kopenhagen's last trip out was of Baltimore. He found that he on the Ocean Nimet which ran to couldn't get on US ships without Yugoslavia. On the way back the experience so he caught a Latviancrew had a little unscheduled flag vessel that was being operated excitement when they turned up a by American shipping interests. stowaway a couple of days out. After a trip of six months on a "The Yugoslav police had gone South American run, he came back to the States and caught his over the ship very carefully be­ first ship out of the Union hall. fore we left," he said, "looking It was the old Raphael Semmes, through all the lockers and any­ which later was lost to the enemy place else that somebody might be hiding." Evidently, too many of in World War II. Kopenhagen the local citizens would try to skip got his SIU book a few months out for greener pastures if the later and has been with the Union government didn't clamp the lid ever since. on them. Worked Ashore Hid In Hold A native of Poland, Kopenhagen The stowaway eluded the police came to the United States in 1920. Over the next 20 years he worked search by concealing himself in ashore in a wide variety of jobs in one of the cargo holds. He turned offices, chain stores and factories, up when the ship was a couple of none of which seemed particularly days out at sea. The captain ra­ rewarding, either in terms of ex­ dioed the information ashore and perience or the amount of money the stowaway was transferred to a Yugoslav ship off Gilbraltar, a they paid. "From the time I started going ticklish operation in a rough sea. Kopenhagen, who is unmarried, to sea with the Union," he said, "I found that the wages at the makes his home in New York end of the month came out where his mother and other rela­ better than the money I could tives live. Except for a period of earn ashore. But that wasn't the illness when he had to stay ashore only reason I had for going to sea. he has been sailing steadily with I found that on ships you can the Union since he caught that learn a great deal and have ex­ first SIU ship. periences that somebody living "Going to sea was a very good ashore would never have. At the decision for me," he said. "As far same time it's a lot more fun. as I'm concerned it's the best way "Going to sea for a living" he there is to make a living, particu­ concluded, "is an education all by larly with SIU wages and condi­ itself. It's not college but it's an tions. I intend to keep at it for ai long as I can." education just the same." Willie Williams, AB: No, those stories haven't changed my smok­ ing habits at all. Generally speak­ ing I will smoke a pack a day, but when I'm on overtime and the money's coming in I'll go up to two packs a day. Legislation to halt "runaway" "Employees Collective Bargaining I've been smok­ companies has been proposed by Association," and then tried to ing steadily for the AFL for consideration by the keep AFL building trades unions about 20 years now and I don't next Congress. The AFL proposes from picketing. The court threw, intend to change. increases in minimum wages, re­ out the company move. 4> ( 4> peal of tax exemptions for munici­ 4 4 4 John Gibbons, chief cook: I pal bonds issued to lure industry A narrow margin of 2,105 votes smoke and I don't know whether from other areas and repeal of kept the Nevada "right to work" to put much stock the Taft-Hartley provision that en­ law on the statute books in a state­ in the reports. ables states with "right to work" wide referendum. The proposition Smoking may or laws to enforce them in preference to repeal the law got 36,286 votes may not have bad to the milder union security regu­ but fell short of passage as 38,391 results, but I'll lations of Federal laws. votes were cast for the "right to leave that up to 4 4 4 work" act, the doctors. What Demands for a guaranteed an­ 4 4 4 about the men Smoked fish processors ended a who used to chew nual wage will be put forth seri­ tobacco all the ously this year by the United Auto two-week-strike in New York with time? I never Workers (CIO) as five-year con­ an increase of $6 a week for 250 heard any reports about them tracts expire with major automo­ men. Fish and Sea Food Workers tive producers. The guaranteed an­ Local 635 (AFL) signed the agree­ getting sick from it. nual wage has long been a plank ment with an employer group. The 4" 4" 4" in the UAW program but the ex­ starting minimum in the industry R. Beach, bosun: I'm still going perience of the past year in which is $62.50 but skilled workers re­ to smoke the same way as before. many workers were hired early ceive far more than that. When you go to in the - year only to be laid off 4 4 4 , ' sea and work on by droves in midsummer has The troubled atomic labor pic­ ships, smoking is stimulated interest in the proposal. ture was clarified slightly when just about the 4 4 4 1,250 AFL electricians went back last thing that A California construction firm on their jobs at Oak Ridge, Ten­ you would give that tried to use a state ban on nessee. A supervisory dispute was up. I don't think jurisdictional strikes to block or­ the cause of the six-day walkout. anything that's ganizing has lost its case in the As in previous instances, union been reported state's superior court. The Bau- difficplties were with construction would majce me man-Rpbert9' Company signed a contractors and not the Atomic change my mind ' about si^igjiipft .lyheji; I .wajjt j qpntraot /With a idummy lunlon, thd Bner^y Ctithmls^bn. _ 'i ff.'l-)/' )J'- ^.11 ItC jhoV ,iehhr,'ri(l J- ' LABOR ROUND-UP P; h ACROSS 57. Period of time 58. Remain upright Zernial. of 59. Bank. NJ baseball XJKJ W IN 4. Had picture taken 1. Gambled ». Baseball rooter 2. Hivei 3. Port in Masi. 12. Macaw 4. Cushion 13. Island off 5. Cargo carrier Venezuela on lakes de France 6. Certain 14. 15. Allen of sports 7. Flowed out. as tide 16. The Run for 8. Hudson River the Roses Line 17. Aleutian 9. Member of the Island group 18. British statesman I 2 20. Honey maker 21. Beginner 22. Half mask 12 24. Theatre shows 27. Dory 15 29. Famed battle in Texas Harbor, 30. 18 NJ 33. Part of the 22 ship 35. Short sleep 36. Got up 38. Race horses: Slang 40. Bows head again 42. Hitch-hiker on a shark 46. Put on 47. Oriental napie 49. Where Salt Lake is 50. -Former Japa-nese statesman 50 61. Calm down, as waves iS3. Moor 54 34. Norte (Miss.) 57 i 55. Any jane 36. , Former Gov't agency , 1. loLiI) v'ij j:f* 10. 11. 19. 21. 23. 25. 26. 28. 30. 31. crew 32. Boat used In Where Grand Venice Bay is 34. River in NJ Device to 37. Turf catch 6sh 39. College in Pen point Dallas Daimatia: 41. Wooden shoe Abbr. 43. Device to Moved in sweep mines slowly 44. Pay boost A line of 45. Signal to direction engine room Soak up 48. Tibetan priest A number 50. Small fish Hearing organ 51. Exclamations Antilles 52. Finish (Puzzle Answer On Page 17) : i Kflf'ii.fl ) kbc ii» i»'M i *1'.' �rji-j-'tr,- November 26, 1951 SEAFARERS Pace Nfn* LOG 'You're Nexf!' SEAFARERS ^ LOG Novembor 2«, 1954 B Vol. XVI, No. 24 Published biweekly by the Seafarers Internationa] Union, Atlantic & Gulf District, AFL, 675 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn 32, NY. Tel. HYaclnth 9-6600, Cable Address: SEAFARERS NEW YORK. PAOI HALL, Secretary-Treasurer Editor, HERBERT BRAND; Managing Editor, RAV DENISON; Art Editor, BERNARD SEAMAN; Photo Editor, DANIEL NILVA; Staff Writers, HERMAN ARTHUR, IRWIN SPIVACK, AL MASKIN; Gulf Area Reporter, BILL MOODY. 'Vfi I I 120 Coast Guard Ambush The livelihood of every merchant seaman, no matter how long or how well he has served the industry, has been en­ dangered by the Coast Guard's latest proposal for physical and mental "examinations" of seamen. This program is a poorly-disguised power grab by a group of ambitious and cynical Government officials who would make merchant sea­ men unwilling puppets of their power manipulations. If this program should ever go through, the Coast Guard and the shipowner could use it to make every militant Union man walk the plank. They could use it to destroy the Jones Act which was passed to protect seamen from the negligence of the shipowner. Finally, the Coast Guard could use it to bring civilians in a civilian Jndustry under what amounts to a military dictatorship. The SIU does not think the Coast Guard can get away with it. Fortunately, the democratic processes of our Government prevent the Coast Guard from sneaking this program through in the dead of night. Public hearings will have to be called, and Seafarers can rest assured that the SIU will make its voice heard at considerable length. Other maritime unions are planning the same action. Among unanswered mysteries concerning the birth of this new program are two: First, how the Coast Guard ever expects sensible human beings to swallow the ridiculous pseudo-scientific quackery that it has pawned off as a valid test of a plan's ability to do a job at sea;—second, who is really Responsible for the 60-page proposal. It is so chockfull of scientific error as to cast serious doubt on the pro­ fessional competence of the nien who drafted it. The cover of the proposal declares that it is "published by the US Coast Guard with the concurrence of the US Public Health Service, Department of Health, Education and Wel­ fare." That department should be asked to explain its re­ sponsibility for this proposal. It should also be asked whether or not it is "concurring" with the Coast Guard so as to have an excuse for closing down the Public Health Service hos­ pitals. This, of course, brings up the subject of the againthreatened USPHS hospitals ... 444« Hope For The Hospitals What now seems to be an annual effort in Washington to cripple the vital US Public Health Service hospital program through budget cuts hasn't gotten underway officially yet, but many Seafarers are wisely not holding back their fire until that time. It appears that several SIU ship's crews have already con­ tacted their Senators and Representatives on the importance of keeping the hospitals open. Individual Seafarers and their families ashore have also taken up pen and pencil to speak their mind to Congress on the issue. This initial response is encouraging and means that Sea­ farers are aware of what is at stake for themselves, their families and the nation if budget "cuts in the name of "economy" can end or hamper what has been a responsibility of the Federal Government for 156 years. Meanwhile, it is important that more Seafarers bombard the Capitol with messages favoring letting the hospital budget alone. Efforts in this direction were successful earlier this year and they can be repeated again. .4' 44' Late Starters Can Apply 5^," ll-i f . Although the first group of tests which will help determine the winners of the four annual $6,000 SIU college scholar­ ships for 1955 have already been given, the door is still open to interested Seafarers or their offspring. Several other test series are scheduled to enable as many potential Candidates as possible to compete for the coveted awards. The next examinations will be given on January 8 and March 12. Closing dates for applying to take these tests are December 14 and February 19, respectively, but late starters can apply by January 1 and March 5, and still get under the wire. In the hope, that as many candidates as possible will go out for these awards, those interested are urged to get busy right away. Detail^ ihfprmation can be tobtained by contact­ ing the SIU Welfare Plai\ 11 Broadway, New York City, -^11 I Calls Sea Chest EMWsuit ^Phony^ m To the Editor: I am writing this because I have some comments to make about the phony lawsuit which has been brought against our Seafarers Sea Chest. What a lot of gall the jokers who . brought this suit against the Sea Chest have! For years they had a Roman holiday, putting their inferior crap on the ships, and generally putting it on at the last minute so no one had time to argue about it. And now they have the nerve to yell "foul!" I have been going to sea since 1912 and I have really seen some lousy merchandise come aboard the ships. I have seen cigarettes with worms in them, shoes that fell apart after a few days, pants Just how busy a ship's delegate that busted at the seams and items that looked as if can be in defense of his shipmates' they had lain in interests is shown by Herman R. a warehouse for Whisnant, delegate aboard the years. Steel Admiral. In the course of a And now these couple of weeks same interests who unloaded all Whisnant got on ;he captain's tail that worthless for wind scoops, junk on seamen discussed ration­ come along and ing of cigarettes charge, the Sea­ with the skipper, Seeberger farers Sea Chest and was ordered with being a "monopoly." That's by the crew to a real laugh! write to h e a d I think that the quality of mer­ quarters concern­ Whisnant chandise supplied by the Seafar­ ing natives eat­ ers Sea Chest is tops. At present I ing in the messhall and the be­ am chief steward on the Arlyn havior of the ship's officers. In (Bull) and believe me when I say addition, Whisnant made regular that I am proud to go down and reports to the shipboard meetings, open up a Seafarers Sea Chest gave a talk on the contents of the slopchest at any time because I SIU contract, said he would keep know that all the merchandise is a record of the anti-union behavior top quality. of certain of the ship's officers and As I say, I have been going to also spoke to the crew about proce­ sea since 1912, and I have handled dure in backing up a delegate on quite a few "crapchests" in my beefs. time. In fact, on several ships the All of that gives an idea of how merchandise was so bad that I much of a load a conscientious would not handl? it at ail, and the ship's delegate carries and how im­ job fell to the third mate. And so portant it is for him to have solid for me now to be able to handle support from his shipmates. a Seafai-ers Sea Chest slopchest is a Whisnant, who sails' in the deck real pleasure, and I can certainly department, carries a bosun's enappreciate the difference between "dorsement. He's a native and the way things are now and the resident of Lincolnton, North way they used to be. Carolina, and joined the SIU in Items Are 'Name' Brands 1948 in the port of Norfolk. I -might call attention here to 4 4 4> the fact that all the items In a Sea­ farers slopchest are "name" brands Crewmembers of two SIUand that in itself show$ how much manned ships aren't letting any things have changed since the Seafarers Sea Chest was started. I grass grow un,der their feet when can remember the days when a it comes to defending their inter­ seaman was lucky if he could find ests in Washington. The red-hot is­ any name on an article he bought. sue of ship transfers, and the pend­ In conclusion, I would like to ing appropriations for the Public propose a vote of thanks to our Health Service hospitals are get­ Union for bringing about the Sea­ farers Sea Chest. I believe that as ting the attention of men aboard a result of the SIU efforts the sea­ the Barbara Michel and the Orion man has finally come to his own. Comet 'respectively. Also, I want to say that if this Now that a ne%v Congress has phony lawsuit ever comes to court been elected, the minutes of the I know there are many, many oldBarbara Michel report that crewtimers who have been made to pay through the nose for inferior junk members are making letter's to put aboard their ships, and who their Senators and Representatives would be only too glad to stand up in Washington the first order of and say what a good deal they have gotten as a result of the ef- business. The letters deal with the transfer prbttem'and the legisla­ fotts bf the SedfaVeYs' SOA Chest. Geofga II. Seeberger tors are being notified in strong 1 •i\ • -<ll • 'iiI Vat • '~ ! I terms of the feelings of Seafarers on their subject. Tlie Orion Comet crew has gone on record to send a wire to Presi­ dent Eisenhower on behalf of the Public Health Service hospitals. Although the new budget hasn't been reported as yet. the word from Washington is that another attempt wiTl be made to cut the heart out of PHS appropriations. The Comet ci'ew feels, rightly so, that there's no time like the pres­ ent to act on this problem. Minutes of both ship's meetings failed to identify the authors of the shipboard resolutions on these sub­ jects, so our "vote of thanks" this week will have to go to the crews at large. 4 4 ,.4 As Seafarers know, voting in the SIU's elections began on Novem­ ber 15. Before the voting could get underway. Seafarers in all ports had to elect rank and file polling committees to supervise the conduct of the elections. This procedure is followed each day for as long as the balloting continues as called for under the Union con­ stitution. A special meeting is called each morning and three Sea­ farers are elected before voting begins. It's the responsibility of the committee to see to it that the carefully-specified voting proce­ dure is followed, that the ballots and ballot boxes are not tampered with in any way and that only qualified members are permitted to vote. In other words, the com­ mittees are keys to the proper conduct of the election. Seafarers in these all-important posts serve without compensation except for meal money. Among men elected at the start of the two-month voting in the various ports were Walter Reidy, Starns and W. McDonald in New York; D. E. Jones, Santos Garcia and G. C. Metting in Hous­ ton; Eli Hanover, T. LaBofia and Salty Dick" Martinez in Bal­ timore; B. A. Datzko Granberg, J. C. Jilurden and William Datdro in Wilmington and other rank and fila members throughout the district. �Page Ten SEAFARERS LOG November 26, 1954 AMTlCtM Iff ^ mini ^ . .. O. • •• •••.. 57.50 m»r m. .L 40.00 » 2"'* C.r,.C"" • • sa; ttv.v.;;--;: tp: : S^i-:y'S:SS-!"»- / Cramped foc'sles gave the seaman the room and the privacy of a goldfish. Clothes lined the walls, since lockers were a luxury. The ladder (right) led to an "emergency" hatch, which took 214 hours to open. 57.50 57.50 •• wVpir'"" • • "-'••w':;;;.- ^ •Mfinn ^ _ • "• • •• • • • y'so » a: I. 55.00 ••• 57.50 " AMWfic • ;®S 571 [JJ "'•'Jong, This was a messroom for engine department personnel 20 years ago, where the men in the "black gang" ate their meals. Running motors a few feet away provided them with continuous "dinner music." ifSfaslSiMiSl 1 * I ^ ^I "Sanitary facilities" they were called, and a constant debate raged over whether they were cleaner than the spaces where the crew ate and slept each day. ^ » i : J- r• . •—• - Crowded sleeping quarters doubled , as recreation room, since the messroom—with all the engine clatter like the one above—wasn't always popular. Leisure activity was limited to reading, letter-Writing or ah bcca- ' • br-i-. , , s j^xvaacii. .ucu-u • Giw.#t 4 6 H fr.f 4 •; * 1. 4 V . ' ' ^ Life preservers were jumbled in a heal an alleyway. between two watertight! did not find It easy getting at them inl �' November 29, 1954 SEAFARERS LOG •;^#i Page Elevea .4 •• • " , - — TT "'Cult It is a paradox for most veteran seamen that the conditions shown on these pages seem 100 years old in the light of today's benefits, while conditions today seemed more than a century away just 20 years ago. For these were the days before the birth of strong maritime unions which, because of their strength and the membership support they enjoyed, brought changes in the shipping industry viewed by many as'plainly "miraculous." These were the days of crowded, grimy foc'sles, two-pot feeding, heavyhanded officers who knew no bounds and working conditions which were so embedded in tradition that there seemed to be no escape from them. Safety regulations, of course, mattered for nothing; every­ thing—including the crew—could be sacrificed as long as the cargo got to its destination. A lot of changes have come about since those days. The SIU and other strong, democratic maritime unions have developed and grown, and with them the whole face of the industry has been remade. Ad­ mittedly, there's a lot that can be done yet—and will be done—in time. But the SIU and other modern seamen's unions have made great strides, and seamen today—those who remember those days anyway—can really say; "We've come a long way, brothers, we've come a long way..." -M ['• 1934 ll si fLl93s ^1 .'•51 rilSSiW: telfgiiilsill I' rlBiiiiii •iilailiSI ^IIIIIB ..- I » '' I •^ ^ 'i Mililiiir 4 in a locker in ioors. Seamen emergency. Firemen's foc'sle contained oil sounding pipe leading to the fuel tank. Soundings were taken day and night. The noise and fumes always interfered with sleep. Every seaman was his own "automatic washer" as long as he had a bucket. He washed himself and his gear in the same way, sometimes in the same water. �SEAFARERS LOG Pa*® Twicl*® •: . ' • Nwrember 29, 1954 POBTHEPOBXS..... made the grade after being con­ Baltimore: of the balloting which began this Lake Charles: < fined to the hospital for more than week for the election of Union a year. His friends and former officials for the next two years. At shipmates will be pleased to hear this writing balloting is brisk and that "Spider" has shipped as it appears that all records will be galley utility on the Alcoa Runner broken for the number of ballots Government statistics plus the (Alcoa). Since our last report to the cast in this port. We are urging Voting for officials of the Union During the last two weeks, this SEAFARERS LOG, shipping In every man who has a book to make for the next two years is now in experience we have had in the Port of New Orleans in the last two port handled seven payoffs, eight this port has maintained just about it his business to cast a ballot, progress in this port as it is in since that is one of the important all the other Union branches, arid weeks show that, even in this sign-ons and had 14 ships call in the same level, with the nuniber ways our members have to help we are hoping and expecting to period of slack shipping, this sec­ transit. tion of the Gulf is one of the best The Alcoa Runner (Alcoa), Steel of men sluppcd slightly below decide the policies of the Union cast a heavy vote here. We be­ shipping areas in the country. lieve it is our duty to advise, all the Scientist (Isthmian), Del Monte the number registered. There have for the next two years. At the present time the follow­ members that it is not only their and Del Norte (Mississippi), Chick- been no more ships taken out of The US Department of Com­ merce reported that during the a.saw and Antinous (Waterman) drydock at this writing, but there ing brothers are in the marine hos­ privilege but also their duty to first six months of 1954, the dollar and Southwind (South Atlantic) has been a rumor that additional pital here: William D. Kenny, cast their ballots for the men they ships will be taken out of the laid- Chambers Winskey, Pete Lannon, wish to serve them and the Union. volume of shipping through the paid off here. mid-Gulf ports of New Orleans, As for shipping around the.se The Alcoa Runner (Alcoa), the up fleet and reactivated, so all in Oswald Ergle, John Castro, Max Lake Charles and Gulfport, Miss., Del Vlenlo, Del Mar, Del Rio and all shipping here is not shaping up Felix, Michael Jablonski, Carl parts, it has been very slow during Chandler, Herman Glaze, Jesse increased 24.9 percent as compared Del Valle (Mississippi), the South too badly. the_ past two Clark, Robert McKew, August with the first half of last year. By wind (South Atlantic), Frederic C However, since we do have a weeks. We had comparison, the total value of all Collin (Drytrans) and Sunion (Kea) backlog of brothers registered here, Smith, Hugo Jeffcoat, Tommy 33 men registered Lamphear, Mercele Arong,- John US exports increased only 4.3 per­ signed on. I do not advise but were able to Stanford, Louis Firlie, Bobby cent. members to come ship only 22—10 Ships calling in transit were the Stalsworth and Ed Janowski, in the deck de­ Increased shipments of rice, Alcoa Clipper, Alcoa Patriot, Alcoa here in the hope I am sure all of these brothers of shipping out partment, 5 in wheat, oilseeds, cotton, sulphur, Corsair and Alcoa Polaris (Alcoa) would appreciate hearing from the the engine de­ industrial chemicals and iron and the Del Rio and Del Valle (Missis­ quickly. But, of members, particularly those who partment and 7 steel mill products accounted for sippi), Seatrains Georgia and Lou­ course, all mem­ sailed with them. The address is in the steward the comparative prosperity of this isiana (Seatrain Lines), Monarch bers are invited USPHS Hospital, Wyman Park department. How­ port, according to the New Orleans of the Seas, Topa Topa, Fairisle to come here to Lowe Drive, Baltimore 18, Md. enjoy the facili­ ever, we did get Board of Port Commissioners. and Claiborne (Waterman), the ties of our new a call here one day for 4 men for In conclusion, in behalf of the Margaret Brown (Bloomfield) and SIU Shipping Brisk building and ship entire Baltimore membership- I standby jobs, which is very unusual the Southern Districts (Southern As for SIU jobs, shipping has out of here when Jeffcoat would like to thank all the mem­ in this port. We were able to fill Steamship). "been brisk since our last report, jobs are available. bers of the SIU for our wonderful these jobs with no trouble and also Lindsey J. Williams with more men Speaking of our new building, new building and all the other have enough men on hand now to New Orleans Port Agent being shipped we do not have all of our furniture privileges that have been given to fill any jobs that we can foresee in than were regis­ or equipment yet, but hope to soon the men who ship out of this port. the near future. tit tered. The out­ be enjoying all the facilities of this I can assure you that everyone CS Tankers Call Savannah: look for the shipping out of this port is deeply big, beautiful new hall of ours. Calling in here during these past immediate future grateful. Special Meeting Held two weeks were the Bradford is not so favor­ Earl Sheppard Island, Lone Jack, Bents Fort, As you know, if you read the able, but the Baltimore Port AgentGovernment Camp, Council Grove last issue of the SEAFARERS slack will be t- tand Winter Hill, all of Cities Serv­ LOG, we formally opened the hall .taken up some­ ice. The Bradford Island also at a special meeting last Wednes­ Houston: what by the Shipping has been good in this Barrett stopped here on her return trip day night and I feel certain that crewing up of port during the past two weeks and from Florida. the Del Norte (Mississippi), which the outlook for the future is fair. everyone who attended had a fine We have no men in the hospital is coming out of the shipyard after During the past two weeks we time. at this time, but recently we re­ Getting back to shipping, since her annual repairs. paid off and signed on the Rosario ceived word that one of our mem­ our last report we have paid off Of interest to Seafarers here Is (Bull) and servthe following ships: Steel Chemist This port has been experiencing bers, Sam Paralez, was killed in an a change in Seatrain schedules. iced 10 in-transit (Isthmian); Edith, Ines and Frances its usual pre-holiday lull and ship- automobile accident. He sailed in Beginning with the December 9 ships, as follows: the steward department as a mess(Bull); Yorkmar and Oremar (Calvoyage, the Seatrain Texas will go Southstar (South "ping has been on the slow bell. As man. mar); John B. Waterman" (Water­ Atlantic); Salem oft' the New York-New Orleans run man), and Feltore, Cubore, Baltore, a result, we had no payoffs or For our Seafarer of the Week and will ti'ansfer to the New York- Maritime and sign-ons during the past two weeks we nominate Brother Bill Lowe Chilore and Marore (Ore). Texas City run. The Seatrain Archers Hope Signing on were the Steel Chem­ and the only men we were able to who sails as chief steward or chief Georgia will follow suit on the (Cities Service); ist (Isthmian); Ragnar Naess ship were replacements on the in- cook. Brother Lowe sailed for December 16 voyage. Other Sea- Seatrains Geor­ Cities Service during the organiz­ (Norlo); Oremar (Calmar); William transit ships which we serviced. trains are scheduled to replace gia and Louisiana H. Carruth (Transfuel); Strathbay These in-transits were the Can- ing of that company and is now these ships on the New Orleans (Seatrain); Raph(Strathmore); Hilton (Bull); J. B. tigny (Cities Service), Steel Vendor enjoying the benefits that he aei S e m m e s run. Waterman (Waterman), and Fel­ and Steel Scientist (Isthmian), Del helped to win. He knows that no­ (Waterman); Steel Scientist (Isth­ Since the last report, five men have gone into drydock at the mian), and Southern States (South­ tore, Cubore, Baltore, Chilore, Monte (Mississippi), Seatrains where else can a seaman get the Texas and New York (Seatrain) benefits and privileges he gets in USPHS hospital here. They are ern). The Seatrains Georgia and Steelore and Marore (Ore). The Feltore and Cubore each and Southwind (South Atlantic). the SIU, and he says that we must George S. Dean, Charles R. Nichol­ Louisiana etch called here twice. always be alert to see. that no one son, Julian (Red) Barrett, Donald Among the men now on the paid off and signed on here twice. Over in Beaumont, Tex., we laid takes these privileges and benefits up the Cracker Stat# Mariner Alt and George Curry. We hope beach are E. M. Bryant, B. SweatIn transit were the Topa Topa, from us. these members will recover quick­ ington and H. Galphin. In the Antinous, DeSoto and Choctaw (South Atlantic). On the local labor front, the AFL ly and be ready to ship again. On each of the ships which marine hospital are E. Webb, (Waterman); Bethcoaster and MassMetal Trades Council has just called here, we held special meet­ A. A. Turlington, R. Carrollton, mar (Calmar); French Creek (Cities John (Red) Carolan, William Roberts, Albert Nelson, Marcus A. W. Lima, J. Littleton, J. T. Service); Robin Tuxford (Seas ings and the crewmembers dis­ signed the Davidson Chemical Co. Evans and Louis L. Arena were Moore, P. Bland, R. L. Field and Shipping), and Alcoa Partner and cussed the anonymous literature to a new contract and got just Alcoa Ranger (Alcoa). The Beth- which is being placed aboard them. about everything it was seeking. discharged recently and expect to J. F. Lee. Political Rumblings ship out soon. coaster called here twice. Jeff Morrison A. (FrenChy) Michelet Other than that, things are quiet Savannah Port Agent Houston Port Agent I am sure that everyone Is aware Still confined to the ho.spital, on the labor front but on the po­ but reported to be convalescing in litical front we are beginning to good style, are Victor (Zeke) hear the first rumbles of the ap­ Bonura, Samuel Cope, Harry L. proaching race for the governor­ Schuler, Theodore Lee and Charles ship. This is still quite a few E. Brady. months off yet but down here in Duska (Spider) Korolia finally Louisiana we believe in getting an early start on things. Right now we have four candidates in the Shipping Figures November 3 to November 16 race, but by the deadline for REG. REG. SHIP. SHIP. TOTAL entries we expect to have about 15, REG. TOTAL SHIP. PORT DECK ENGINE STEW. BEG. DECK ENG. STEW. SHIPPED because down here in Louisiana we Boston 11 7 29 8 26 11 9 9 Under the rules of the Va­ also believe that the more the New York ... cation Plan as set forth by the 95 84 252 100 84 87 271 73 merrier. trustees, a Seafarer must ap­ Philadelphia . 14 13 42 IS 13 40 15 14 The hunting season is still con­ ply within one year of th« Baltimore ... tinuing around here, and we are 96 83 68 247 101 87 52 240 payoff date of his oldest dis­ hoping that some of our boys bring Norfolk ..... 12 9 27 9 7 2 14 •charge in order to collect his home a full bag. Savannah .... full vacation benefits. If he 21 . 13 42 20 14 8 14 48 Leroy Clarke presents any discharge whose Tampa 6 29 5 7 14 14 2. Lake Charles Port Agent payoff date is more than a Mobile 33 26 27 107 32 82 24 4T year before the date of his va­ New Orleans 88 73 261 100 95 74 102 271 cation application, he will lose Houston .... 66 46 165. .11 53 9 - • 13 33 out on the sea time covered Seattle by that particular discharge. 28 29 28 85 27 26 73 20 Don't sit on those discharges. San Francisco » e e • e e • < 15 20 49 14 11 34 Bring them in and cdilect the . Wilmington ., 12 26 9 5 If money that is due to you. New Orleans: Balloting Is Brisk And So Is Shipping Port Area Ranks High, Govt. Figures Shew See Geed Veilng Mark Being Rolled Up Here Shipping's Good; Ton in-Transits Sorvicod Pre-Holiday Lull Hits Port, Slows Shipping AmBmanppwGRmxMD Don't Wait, Get Vacation Pay .•:» AT 1 (•'.J C't'tk't 'i'xI'tiZ '• iW vi't.)M' -^ e » o '•w- > r ty* r, , .; ./..Vx' 419 U58 ' 883 niUd �SEAFARERS November 29, 1984 Page Ttafrteca LOG PORT JREPOXTS Mobile: Shipping Fair; New Voting Record Seen Shipping in this port during the past couple of weeks has been fair, with some 82 men shipped to reg­ ular jobs and 170 men sent to vari­ ous relief jobs in and around the harbor. During this period we had nine payoffs, five sign-ons and four ships In transit. The ships which paid off here were the Hurricane, Monarch of the Seas, Lafayette and Claiborne (Waterman) and the Alcoa Corsair, Alcoa Polaris, Alcoa Puritan and Alcoa Pennant (Alcoa). Signing on were the Fairisle and Topa Topa and Alcoa Polaris, Alcoa Puritan and Al­ coa Pennant (Al­ coa). In transit were 'Cayton the Antinous, Beauregard and Chickasaw (Wa­ terman) and the Del Valle (Missis­ sippi). All payoffs, sign-ons and in-transits were contacted and all beefs settled to the satisfaction of the crews. Future Outlook Fair Prospects for the coming two weeks look fair, with the follow­ ing ships due to hit the port either for payoffs or in transit: City of Alma, De Soto, Monarch of the Seas, Claiborne, Bienville and Iberville (Waterman), and Alcoa Clipper, Alcoa Roamer, Alcoa Pil­ grim, Alcoa Pointer and Alcoa Cor­ sair (Alcoa). The LaSalle, one of the Water­ man C-2s which has been lying idle in this harbor for some time, will take a crew within the next week, so this is also a factor in our future shipping. Arriving here late yesterday, after a voyage from New York via St. Petersburg, Fla., was the SIU training ship Andrew Furuseth. This ship will be berthed in Mobile for some time, and exact arrange­ ments will be announced later as to her schedule and how she is going to operate. Voting for the 1955-56 Union of­ ficials is now in full swing here and from the beginning of the bal­ loting all signs have pointed to a record vote for this branch. Vot­ ing booths have been built accord­ ing to the constitution and have been located on the second deck, Story Stirs Interest Besides the voting, something of great interest to the members here this week was the story in the last issue of the SEAFARERS LOG about the $18,000 restriction beef which was won by the Union after a long and bitter fight. This was of interest because some of the brothers shipping out of this port will probably have some of this money coming to them. The members here wish to ex­ tend their deepest sympathy to the families of brothers H. Trawick and Daniel W. Alexandre. Brother Trawick's father died while he was at sea and he is to fly back from San Juan to attend the funeral. Brother Alexandre died at the USPHS hospital in Lexington, Ky., and was buried here in Mobile on November 16 with some of his shipmates serving as pallbearers. He is survived by his wife, four children, parents and other rela­ tives. For our Seafarer of the Week we nominate Brother Louis Cay­ ton, who joined the Union in 1944 in Galveston but who has sailed steadily since then out of Mobile, generally as second cook. Brother Cayton, who is married and has one child, makes his home in Mo­ bile and when on the beach can generally be found fishing or troll­ ing for shrimp. He thinks that the vacation plan which SIU members enjoy is tops in the industry, and is looking forward to the vacation pay increase which is coming up the first of the year. Cat Tanner Mobile Port Agent 4Seattle: Four Ships Scheduled Te Ceme Out Of Lay-Up Shipping has been very good in this port during the past two weeks and the future also looks very good, with four ships due to come out of lay-up—the Western Trader (Western Navigation), Irenestar (Maine), Seamonitor (Ex­ celsior) and Seastar (Mercador). During the past two weeks we paid off the Alcoa Planter (Alcoa) and signed on the Alcoa Planter and Ames Vic­ tory (Victory Car­ riers). In transit were the Fairland and Maiden Creek (Water­ man) and Portmar (Calmar). For our Sea­ farer of the Week we have selected Brother M. M. Cross who joined the Union in New York in 1944. Brother Cross, who is 39 years old, sails all ratings in the deck department and pre­ fers intercoastal runs. He says that he is very happy to be a member of the SIU, which he sincerely be­ lieves is the best-administered un­ ion in the maritime field. Men now on the beach include E. M. Pappadakis and Tex Krohn. In the hospital are T. J. Connell, W. E. Ellis, F. J. Fletcher, H. E. Harrell, S. Johannessen, L. C. Long and M. Michalik. Jeff Gillette Seattle Fort Agent Boston: Boslon-Yarmoulli Run Has Doubtful Fuiure Eastern Steamship Lines, which last spring sold the steamer Yar­ mouth to a Florida company, has now also sold the Yarmouth's sis­ ter ship Evangeline, it has been reported. The Evangeline, which covered the Boston-Yarmouth run last summer, has been sold to the Volusia Steamship Company of Jacksonville, and sailed from Bos­ ton for Florida last Tuesday, No­ vember 9. She is expected to enter the cruise service between Florida ports and the West Indies. This leaves Eastern with the steamer Acadia, but so far the com­ pany has made no announcement about the Boston-Yarmouth run next summer, and it remains to be seen if this run will be abondoned or made by the Acadia or a chartered ves­ sel. Another item of interest here concerns the stowaway who came into Boston Lane on the Steel Chemist (Isthmian). He got on the ship in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and while the ship was docked in Bos­ ton he got off by pretending to be a mate checking the drafts upon arrival. As soon as he got off the ship he hightailed it up to the city and the Immigration authorities have been looking for him ever since to find out if he is an Ameri­ can citizen. If the man does not check with the Immigration de­ partment the company will have to pay a fine of $1,000. Shipping in this port picked up quite a bit during the past two weeks and the outlook for the fu­ ture is fair. During these past two weeks we paid off the Cantigny and Royal Oak (Cities Service), Seacoral (Coral), Queenston Heights (Seatrade) and Alexandra (Carras) and these five ships signed on again. In transit were the Ragnar Naess (Norlo), Strathbay (Strathmore), Steel Rover (Isthmian), Southern Cities (Southern), Robin Goodfellow (Seas Shipping) and Iberville, Madaket and Chickasaw (Water­ man). For our Seafarer of the Week we have selected William (Billy) Prince. Billy, who is a handy man with a wrench, sails in all ratings in the engine department and sailed on the Evangeline last sum­ mer as engine maintenance. On a number of his runs he was also ship's delegate. Naturally, Billy is very sorry to see the Yarmouth and Evangeline go under foreign fiags as he sailed these ships for many years while they were under SIU contracts. Among the men on the beach now are R. Johnston, J. Hanson, K. Smith, M. Dusevitch and C. Karas. In the Brighton Marine Hospital are F. Alasavich, A. Oyhus, E. Broussard, M. Stabile and J. Senneville. Brother John Lane passed away on November 10. The patrolman attended the funeral services and the Union sent a fioral wreath. James Sheehan Boston Port Asent t San Francisco: ti Proles! PHS Closings, Brothors Hore Urged Now that the balloting has begun to elect the officials of the Union for the next two years, we are urging all the members here to be sure to get their votes in and make this the biggest vote that has ever been cast in a Union election. We are also urging our members to write or wire their Senators and Congressmen about the closing of USPHS hospi­ tals, since this issue has come up again. As for ship­ ping, it has been slow in this port Just during the past two weeks but we think the future looks much brighter. We had no sign-ons during the past two weeks but we paid off The Cabins (Cabins) and serviced six in-transit ships, as follows: Fairport and Kyska (Waterman); Alcoa Pegasus (Alcoa), and Portmar, Calmar and Alamar (Calmar). Men On The Beach Among the men now on the beach are R. Montcalm, J. F. McGonel, F. Wonsor, J. Batson, C. Just, L. B. Knickerbocker, V. John­ son, M. Landron and A. Beck. In the marine hospital are C. Brown, J. Childs, O. Gustavsen, A. A. Kessen, C. Neumaier, G. Promutico, J. Perreira, P. S. Yuzon, W. Timmerman, A. A. Franklin and F. D. Gilman. In conclusion, we would like to congratulate all the members and officials of the Union on the com­ pletion of the fine new Baltimore hall and wish our Baltimore broth­ ers the best of luck' and good shipping in it. Tom Banning San Francisco Port Agent Stu HAtL DIRBCXORY SIU, A&G District BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St. Earl Sheppard. Afent EAstern 7-4900 BOSTON 276 State St. Jamea Sheehan. Agent Richmond 2-0140 HOUSTON 4202 Canal St. A. (Frenchy) Michelet. Agent. .Preston 6558 LAKE CHARLES. La 1419 Ryan St. Leroy Clarke. Agent - Phone 6-9744 MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St. Cal Tanner. Agent Phone 2-1754 NEW ORLEANS 823 Bienville St. Llndsey WiUlama. Agent Magnolia 6112-6113 NEW YORK 678 4th Ave.. Brooklyn HYacinth 9-6600 NORFOLK ...127-129 Bank St. Ben Rees. Agent Phone 4-1083 PHILADELPHIA 337 Market St. S. CarduUo. Agent Market 7-1635 SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St. Tom Banning, agent Douglas 2-5475 Marty Breithoff, West Coast Representative PUERTA de TIERRA, PR. .Pelayo 51—La 5 Sal CoUs. Agent Phone 2-5996 SAVANNAH I Abercorn St. Jeff Morrison. Agent Phone 3-1728 SEATTLE .2505 1st Ave Jeff GiUette. Agent Elliott 4334 TAMPA .... 1809-1811 N. Franklin St. IK Phoni^8-;333 WILMINGTON. CalU 808 Marine Ave. Ernest TiUey. Agent Terminal 4-2874 HEADQUARTERS 678 4th Ave.. Bklyn. SECRETARY-TREASURER Paul HaU ASST. SECREH'ARY-TREASURERS Robert Matthews Joe Algina Claude Simmons Joe Volpian WilUam HaU SUP HONOLULU FORT WILLIAM.... 11844 Syndicate Ave. Ontario Phone: 3-3221 PORT COLBORNE 103 Durham St. Ontario Phone: 5591 TORONTO. Ontario 272 King St. E. EMpire 4-5719 VICTORIA, BC 61744 Cormorant St. Empire 4531 VANCOUVER. BC 298 Main St. SYDNEY. NS Pacific 7824 304 Charlotte St, Phone 6346 BAGOTVILLE. Quchee 20 Elgin St. Phone: 545 THOROLD, Ontario 83 St. Davids St, CAnal 7-3202 QUEBEC 113 Cote De La Montague Quebec Phone: 2-7078 SAINT JOHN 177 Prince WiUiam S., NB Phone: 2-5232 16 Merchant St. , Phone 8-8777 PORTLAND 833 N. W. Everett St. Beacon 4336 RICHMOND. CAUT .....257 5th St, Phone 2599 SAN FRANQSCO 450 Harrison St. Douglas 2-8363 Great Lakes District SEATTLE ...2508 1st Ave. Main 0390 ALPENA W. Fletcher WILMINGTON 805 Marine Ave. Phone; 1238W Terminal 4-3131 BUFFALO. NY 180 Main St. Phone: Cleveland 7391 NEW YORK 678 4th Ave.. Brooklyn 734 Lakeside Ave.. NE HYacinth 9-6600 CLEVELAND Phone: Main 1-0147 DETROIT 1038 3rd St. Canadian District Headquarters Phone; Woodward 1-6857 531 W. Michigan St. MONTREAL 834 St James St. West DULUTH Phone; Melrose 2-4110 PLateau 8161 3261 E. 92nd St UAUFAX NA.-.19844 HoUis St SOUTH CHICAGO Phoney. 8-3419, New York: Voling, Good Shipping Make Hq A Busy Place Everything is humming these days in the port of New York. Shipping has continued to be good dur­ ing the past two weeks and there has also been much activity in the hall regarding the election of offi­ cials which is now going on. Everyone this year seems to be taking a great interest in the vot­ ing, which will determine the men who will serve as officials of the Union for the next two years. And, in fact, we set a record here on the first day of voting with 323 men casting their ballots. This voting will continue'through January 15, 1955, and we would like to remind every member that it is not only his privilege but also his duty to go into some hall while he is in port and cast his ballot for the men of his choice. 3 Ships Out Of Lay-Up As I have said, shipping in this port continued to be good during the past two weeks as we had three ships come out of lay-up and also shipped a full crew on a Lib­ erty ship that we signed a contract for last week. The ships coming out of lay-up were the Massmar (Calmar) and the Robin Tuxford and Robin Hood (Seas Shipping). The Liberty that we crewed was the National Free­ dom (American Waterwaysl, wnicn was formerly contracted to the NMU. During these past two weeks we paid off 15 ships, signed on 5 and serviced 20 in transit. The follow­ ing were the ships paid off: Barbara Fritchie (Liberty Navi­ gation); Suzanne, Evelyn, Beatrice, Arlyn and Angelina (Bull); Val Chem (Valentine); Steel Traveler and Steel Rover (Isthmian); Crack­ er State Mariner (South Atlantic); Robin Goodfellow (Seas Shipping), and Lone Jack, Government Camp and Bents Fort (Cities Service). Ships Signing: On Signing on were the Robin Trent and Robin Tuxford (Seas Ship­ ping); Steel Traveler (Isthmian); Massmar (Calmar), and National Freedom (American Waterways). In transit were the Alcoa Roamer and Alcoa Partner (Alcoa); Frances, Dorothy, Elizabeth and Mae (Bull); Steel King and Steel Chemist (Isthmian); Arizpa. Mada­ ket, De Soto and Iberville (Water­ man); Bethcoaster (Calmar); Seacoral (Orion), and Seatrains Savan­ nah, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, New York and New Jersey (Seatrain). Shipping should continue good during the coming period as there are quite a few ships due in that make the long runs. There is gen­ erally a good.turnover on these ships at this time of the year, as many of the boys like to hit the beach and spend the holidays with their friends and families. Claude Simmons Ass't Sec.-Treasurer •A •,SI -^1 I Report Lost Baggage Check Seafarers who lose baggage checks for gear checked at any SIU baggage room should notify that particular hall right away so that no one can improperly claim the baggage with that check. Headquarters officials advise you to do this immediately to avoid loss of your gear and/or trouble claiming it later on. Make , sure you notify the hall where the. bRggage was checked as soon as you find out you've^ lost the check. % k m �Pve Psufoca Norember X«, 1954 SEAFARERS hOG WATCH Snapped By Shipmate At iWeetlng On The Pertmar Snapped by crewmember Blaine Boxwell during recent intercoastal run are some of SIU crewmen of Portmar (Calmar) shown here at shipboard meeting. Photo at left includes Frank Wherrity, "Red" McCullough Leo Wills, Bob Ingram. Charlie Johnson. At right are crewmen Singh, Bileck. Southern Fried Chicken, Rough Seas Prove Bad 'Daily Double' On Madaket Southern fried chicken and heavy seas proved a bad combination recently for the SIU crew of the Madaket (Waterman), crewmember Roy S. Theiss reports. These two things, Theiss says, combined to bring to vivid reality one of the seaman's greatest fears—-fire at sea. In a letter to the LOG, engineer, who smelled the smoke, were finished the electrician, W. Theiss writes; "While some also came on the scene and got a Busch, went to work. As a result Southern fried chicken was being fire extinguisher, and the two men we ate a standard breakfast and prepared in the deep fryer, the managed to put the flames out for a few minutes. But they burst out ship took some again, reached up to the exhaust unusually heavy vents, and then swept through the rolls and the hot whole exhaust system. grease spilled Current Cut Off over the side of "As the alarm sounded the chief the fryer. As It electrician cut off the current to hit the hot plates the galley, several C02 extinguish­ of the range, the ers were discharged on the range, grease burst into and a fire hose was run in and flame, and then the hot plates cooled off. In a mat­ it ran down un­ Theiss After fire in galley of Mada­ ter of minutes the fire was put out. derneath and be­ ket, MM E, Goo and utilityhind the drip plate of the range, "Within minutes after the em­ man R, Bni clean up crew where it is impossible to clean, ergency was over the steward de­ pantry. partment, under the direction of and ignited some old grease. "B. Rucker, the steward, was in steward Rucker, went to work after that had no interruption of the galley at the time and he grab­ cleaning up the mess In the galley our regular meal schedule. bed a fire extinguisher. The chief and pantry, and as soon as they "As ^own in this instance," Theiss says, "with alertness and training an emergency can Alcoa Pioneer Men Pose For Photo proper be met and handled with a mini­ mum of time and danger to all hands." Union Bos Cable Address Topping off their gear before arriving in Havana, some of the SIU crewmembers of the Alcoa Pioneer (Alcoa) pause long enough to have their photograph taken by shipmate Oscar Rosenfelt. iQiiiz Corner r--" »Vr„ (1) Which is the longest river in the world: (a) Congo, (b) Nile, (c) Yangtze, (d) Danube? (2) Two men can complete a certain job in 10 days. One of them, working alone, can do it in 15 days. How long would it take the other one to do the job by himself? (3) Which state was settled first: (a) Florida, (b) Massachusetts, (c) Delaware, (d) New York? (4) If a baseball player wound up the season with a batting average of .300 after 500 times at bat, how many hits did he have? (5) What was' the only tree which was forbidden in the Garden of Eden? (6) In British peerage, which ranks higher, an earl or duke? (7) How many kings sat upon the English throne in 1936: (a) none, (2) one, (3) two, (4) three? (ff) Rearrange the letters in "trechacar" to spell a word meaning reputation. ^ (9) What did Zachary Taylor, Martin Van Buren and James K. Polk have in common? (10) Three times a cprtain number plus two equals five times the number less 14, What Is the number? j _ ....(Qnis,Answers'Oa Page 17>-— Seafarers overseas who want to get in touch with, headquar­ ters in a hurry can do so by cabling the Union at its cable address, SEAFARERS NEW YORK, Use of this address will as­ sure speedy transmission on all messages and faster serv­ ice for the men involved. This feature is designed to offer hints and information on hobbies, new products, developments, publications and the like which Seafarers may find helpful in spending their leisure-time hours, both ashore and aboard ship. Queries addressed to "Off Watch," SEAFARER'S LOG, 675 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn 32, NY, will be answered in the column or by mail, wherever possible. •' With the Christmas gift-giving lished by Ives-Washbum (NY), is season coming up, photography 236 pages, and lists at $3.50. 4 4 4 enthusiasts who are iooking for Seafarer-philatelists still have a something novel to give as a gift may wish to take advantage of a chance to obtain a first-day-of-isnew import from Japan, in the sue cancellation Dec. 10 when the form of photosensitized seven and United Nations Postal Administra­ nine-inch round and square china tion issues its 3c red-orange and 8c plates called Paloma Photo China. olive "Human Rights" commemorSensitized with a chloro-bromide atives at UN headquarters in NY. enlarging emulsion of medium Collectors are invited to send~"a speed and contrast, they are pro­ reasonable number" of self-ad­ cessed in a manner similar to dressed covers, with money order photographic paper. A picture of a or certified check to cover the ship, native figures or a family- amount of postage desired, to the portrait on a China plate might be UN Postal Administration, United a dandy gift for someone on your Nations, NY. Requests for mint list. With wooden display stands stamps should be sent separately, and test strips of the same emul­ 4 4 4 sion used on the china, the plates Dads who have access to photoare $2.25 and $4.50, depending on enlarging facilities can make a the size. They can be ordered real hit with the junior members through any camera store or from of the family by making up simple the importer, Spiratone, Inc., 49 picture puzzles for the kids to play West 27 Street, NYC. with. The idea is to print an in­ teresting photo of your youngster ^ Another item from Japan, for 8x10 or larger, and then back up the stamp collector this time, is a the photo with a small piece of 32-page illustrated book describ­ thin plywood, composition board or ing all Japanese stamps since sturdy cardboard. Next, cut the re­ 1871, which was issued by the sulting sheet into a dozen or so Ministry of Posts about a year ago, odd shapes like any other picture for sale to collectors. A copy of puzzle—a coping saw can do the the book can now be obtained at trick here—assemble the pieces no cost, by requesting one from flat in a box or scramble them In the Philatelic Agency in Tokyo. a drawstring bag, and then watch All that is required is that each the fun and recognition. request contain one international reply coupon, available at any postoffice, to cover mailing costs, t 4" 4" The popularity of the Herman Wouk novel "Caine Mutiny," which led to a successful Broad­ way play as well as a movie based on the book, has also caused a re­ vival of interest in another mutiny over .100 years ago. Although orig­ inal advertising blurbs for the "Caine" book and movie claimed that there never was a mutiny in the US Navy, the facts are just the opposite. There was what pass­ ed for a mutiny aboard the USS Somers in 1842, which-was led, it was claimed at the time, by the son of the then Secretary of War, in Washington, who was a mid­ shipman aboard the vessel. In any event, the Somers episode pro­ duced several books, the latest of which, the "The Captain CaUed It Mutiny," by Frederic F. Van de Water, has just appeared. Seafar­ ers whose reading tastes run |o history and especially naval his­ tory would probably find the story an absorbing one. The book, pub- LOG'A'RHYTHM: The Ocean Tramp By John Bunker There's a freighter down the harbor. She's a-swinging with the tide. Bottom mud upon her cable. Sea rust streaked along her side. See her steaming down the harbor. She's no liner with the mails. Riding deep she is with scrap iron And two thousand tons of rails. She took the North Atlantic route Through a February gale. The fireman heaved on slicing bars When the steam began to fail. The coal caked on the firing grates But she won't stay long in harbort And when the steam line btew. Soon they'll charter her away ? They tried to turn her with the the wind With d load: of coal from Cardiff To ride the norther through. For the fires down Rio way. See her fretting down the harbor. But she'll carry no more cargoes All her stdepiates red ^nd black. To the ports of many lands— Steam is rising front, the boilers,. They've posted, .heir as "overdue" CotU-mtokete-rolUng-up the-staeh, -And-"missing' •with dll ftandf^ • There are ten thousand miles behind her. Sure, ten thousand miles before, 'Till she's home again and empty. Briefly hobbled to the shore. Top Skipper Rates A Pat, Seaman Says Human nature being what it is, there's a tendency for SIU men, like other men, to beef about the bad things but for­ get about the good ones, says Sea­ farer Luigi lovino, crewman on the Barbara Fritchie (Liberty Naviga­ tion). Like Samuel Gompers, first president of the AFL, lovino be­ lieves we ought to "reward our friends and pun­ ish our enemies," and that goes for skippers as well as others. When­ ever SIU crews get on a ship that has a hardtiming skipper they soon pass the word along, he says, lovino but when they get a ship with a topnotch captain they rareiy find time for praise, "I've been aboard the Barbara Fritchie for six trips now," lovino writes the LOG, "and- usually I don't make more than a couple of trips on any ship. But on the Bar­ bara Fritchie we have an excellent skipper—Captain Bob Ransom, who's tops In cooperating with the crew and making the trips smooth. He stands up for the company, of course, but he also recognizes the crew's rights and the terms of the contract. "Every run I've mad^ on this ship has been free of b»,efs, and it's a pleasure to know the crew and delegates can concentrate on their work and not have to wrestle with a bucko, skipper. "So, if you ever ship on the Barbara Fritchie under Captain Ransom, you can be sure of a good ship with everything in SIU style," Tovinosaysr' — .,,.V : : �• ••".•-,prr • N«v«mber tt. 19M SEAFARERS Gi is Concerned About Transiers To the Editort About four months ago my friends and neighbors chose me to serve Uncle Sam, so I gave up my career as a chief electrician in the merchant marine to become a private in the Army. I took my basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and there I used to receive the SEAFARERS LOG, but now I'm going to school. at Fort Monmouth, NJ, so I wish you would note my change of address. I certainly enjoy reading the LOG and iearhing about what's going on with my old shipmates. But from what I read about those foreign transfers, it looks as if there may not be an American merchant marine for me to come back to after I finish my Army service. Learning Electronics The Army is teaching me elec­ tronics so I really can't kick too much. But the closest I get to sailing is over a bar with an old shipmate once in a while, and it's pretty rough being drydocked after eight years of going to sea, I'll sign off with my best wishes to the Union and its efforts to save the merchant marine and the Job I'd like to come back to. Pvt. Richard J. Peterson US 55455898 Co. R. 9404-TU Fort Monmouth, NJ. (Ed. note: Your change of ad­ dress has been noted). 1(1 it t, iAberaee^ Krupa Cheer Patients To the Editor: We, the brothers in the Brighton Marine Hospital in Boston, would like to tell our other brothers that if they must get sick, this is the place to be in. For entertainment, for instance, we have had such well-known per­ formers as Liberace, Gene Krupa and many other celebrities. We would also like to give credit to Miss Colohan here. She is very good at giving shots. M. A. Stabile, Jr. it it it Given Good Care in Si Hospital To the Editor: I want you to know that while • patient.at the USPHS hospital on Staten Island for seven weeks I received the best of care and treatment. I would like to take this oppor­ tunity to thank the SIU Welfare Services repre­ sentatives for all Tillabol they did for me during my stay. I also want to thank the nurses and staff members in Ward CD 2, and especially Dr. William Smith and Dr. W. H. Proudfoot who were most generous with their time and patience. Pedro VlUab^ LOG rkc»nftM» L E T TEE S and introduce yourself as a Union brother and Charlie and 1 will see that you're treated royally. Sorry 1 can't be on a ship with you boys right now but happy sailing to all of you. Eddie Kacsur if if J, She Has Beeipe For Vinegar Pie Eddie Kacsur o injured Brother Now Bar Owner To the Editor: I realize that you probably get a good many letters sent into the LOG and cannot devote as much space to them as you might like, but I certainly would appreciate it if you would print at least some of this letter, and also the photopraph 1 am enclosing which shows me at my new place of business. Rest assured that if you print this story and photo you will be doing a great service for a disabled Seafarer who is now unable to work due to a shipboard accident. You would also let all my friends at sea and on the beach know my whereabouts, and 1 would be very grateful to you. The point is that for the past year I've been aching to ship out again—^1 used to sail in the deck department—but it looks as if my sailing days are over, for the pres­ ent anyhow. The doctors say I'll be unable to work for quite a while, due to an accident 1 had aboard a Waterman ship, the old Stonewall Jackson, and have ad­ vised me to find something else. And so I've taken the money I've saved from sailing and, together with my brother Charlie, have opened a bar in New York City's Greenwich Village. Brother Also Sailed My brother Charlie, incidentally, also sailed with the SIU for about three years, and also was injured. At any rate, 1 am really happy to state that 1 can finally repay the Union in some measure for all the good it has done for me, because I feel sure that this is the kind of bar that all seamen will love. It's just like the ones we found in Bremerhaven and other good ports, and anything you want can be found in it. I'm sure that any seaman who is fed up with the clip joints that are found in New York will go crazy over this piace, which is called the Club 28 and is located at 28 Cornelia Street, near 6th Avenue and West 4th Street Just come in To the EditorRecently in the SEAFARERS LOG I read a "Galley Gleanings" article about steward Jesse W. Puckett, who said that all his life he had heard people talk about "vinegar pie," but had never met anyone who knew how to make it. Well, here's my recipe: Take one cupful of sugar, one cupful of boiling water, five teaspoonfiils of vinegar and two of lemon extract, also two level table­ spoons of cornstarch and two eggs. Mix the sugar, cornstarch, vinegar and flavoring and slowly add the hot water, strirring constantly on the stove until it thickens. When the mixture is cold, stir in the yolks of two eggs and pour into a pan lined with pastry. Make a meringue of the beaten and wellsweetened whites, and spread over the top after baking and brown. (Mrs.) Alice Smith 1^ i it Disabied^ He^s Aided By Union To the Editor: 1 would like to thank all the brothers at headquarters, from our secretary-treasurer on down, and including the staff of the Welfare Services Department, for helping me get on the disability benefit list. I'm going to be 72 years old next February and am no longer able to work because of a hernia operation and a heart condition. 1 used to be a member of the NMU at one time and worked for Cities Service for a great many years. There I met an SIU or­ ganizer who sold me on the SIU and 1 have been a Seafarer ever since. From the time 1 started with the Steinmann SIU in 1947 I've seen the SIU make progress until it is the best union in the whole United States. I know quite a few men in different shoreside unions, and you can believe me, their un­ ions can't compare with ours. A lot of the brothers will re­ member me from Cities Service ships where I sailed deck engineer and machinist. My last ship was the Nikoklis which I was on last January. Aofiut Stefaunann Overgioeked Bfirly League Praises SiU Demoeraeg To tte Editor: The New York Chapter of the League for Industrial Democracy is indebted to the SIU for a most stimulating and enjoyable visit to its headquarters on November 6. The courtesy and patience of your representative in answering our numerous questions were truly commendable. 1 only regret that more LID members could not take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the SIU and its earnest attempt to foster well-be­ ing for its membership and demo­ cratic methods in its administra­ tive set-up. (Mn.) Isabelle B. Friedman President, New York Chapter League for Industrial Democracy i Carroll and William Seafarer^s Wife Proud Of Sons i i Val Chem Men Protest PHS Cuts To the Editor: We thought that you might be interested in publishing the text of the radiogram which we, the crewmembers of the Val Chem, have just sent to President Eisen­ hower: "S.S. 'VAL CHEM' CREWMEM­ BERS REQUEST THAT BUDGET DlRECnrOR NOT CUT FUNDS FOR MEDICAL CARE OF AMER­ ICAN MERCHANT SEAMEN IN USPHS HOSPITALS." We have also sent copies of this radiogram to Hon. John Rooney, Warren G. Magnuson, Herbert Bonner and James Murray. John Latimer Ship's delegate i it i To the Editor: 1 am the wife of Seafarer Woodrow W. Reid, who is now chief cook on the Monarch of the Seas, and 1 hope you will publish this picture of our two sons in the SEAFARERS LOG. They are Car­ roll, 15, and William, 11, and 1 think they show what fine, healthy families Seafarers can raise, thanks largely to the economic and other gains" they have made through their Union. Incidentally, we motored down to Mobile recently to meet my husband and ~ checked in at the Seamen's Club. The dining room serves excellent food, and the en­ tire place is nice to be in, and other seamen's wives might find it To the Editor: 1 have no words to fully express a good place to go if they are visit­ my appreciation to the SIU for ing their husbands in this port. its kindness and help to me dur­ Mrs. Woodrow W. Reid ing the recent death and bui-ial i i i of my brother, Eddie T. Driggers. To all of the Union's officials, welfare representatives and mem­ bers 1 wish to say, in memory of my brother, "The SIU has once To the Editor: When 1 arrived here at the Frere again proven itself loyal and de­ serving of the deepest faith of the Hospital in East London 1 was brothers and their families." under the impression that South Paul M. Driggers African hospitals are inferior to i i i American ones, but 1 soon found out that I was wrong. 1 received a fine reception and was promptly To the Editor: and adequately cared for by Dr. I would like to take this method Naude of the casualty department, of expressing my appreciation to and then 1 was taken to a semi- the Seafarers private room where 1 was attended Welfare Plan for by some remarkably pleasant approving my acnurses. The doctor told me he plication for ben­ thinks 1 have a slight case of efits for the dis­ malaria, which 1 may have con­ ability I suffered tracted in Madagascar, but I have 14 months ago been so well treated that today I when I had to be feel much better. taken off my ship I would especially like to thank which was head­ my roommate, Mr. Goldsmith, and ed for Japan. Trottle nurses Dyks, Kieser and OosthuiI wish to thank zen, as well as the other nurses everyone concerned in this matter and doctors who have all been so for their cooperation and great kind to me. help to me. Benjamin F. Trotilc Ray Brault '<^1 :.r| Brother's Death Brings SiV Help ;S| al African Hospital Treats Him Well Welfare Plan Thanked For Aid OR Bernard Seaman •HI,, •h' >/ . .. �I-; 7s6«f.TsS?^->-?.-; w ^siAhkkkkiifdG ' .. DIGEST of smps IV frV t'.';7' i^- I STEEL MAKER (Isthmian), October 3 —Chairman, E. C. Teske; Secretary, S. Hanks. Launch service beef will be set­ tled at payoff. A new washing machine is needed. Mate thanked deck gang for the fine work they did during the voy­ age. Socrotary, Albert Do Forest. The engine delegate read an article in the LOG about performers and noted that the Coast Guard is sometimes called in on this type of beef. The ship's delegate will try to get numbers 5 and 6 SlU libraries aboard. STEEL FLYER (Isthmian), August ItChairman, Pugacieski; Secretary, Fred C. Litsch. Ship's delegate reported that repairs will be taken care of in New York or Baltimore. The chairman made a motion that meeting minutes be read at the first meeting of next voyage so that the new crew will know what rules and suggestions were made to promote a smoother running ship. In case of layup, equipment will be turned into near­ est SlU hall. MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Car­ riers), September 25—Chairman, James Flanagan; Secretary, Alexander Janes. The steward gave a report on stores. Library will be put out after leaving New York. COUNCIL GROVE (Cities Service), Oc­ tober 4—Chairman, James Meaves; Sec­ retary, none. Thirty glasses have disap­ peared in ten days and the crew was asked to try and find out where they have gone. STEEL SEAFARER (Isthmian), Septem­ ber 28—Chairman, John Garrison; Secre­ tary, Ed Gordon. Wringer for washing machine will be fixed or a new one will be purchased in Long Beach or San Francisco. Several crewmembers com­ plained about the soft icecream being served. A suggestion was made that all hands keep the screen doors locked while enroute through the Panama Canal. SEATRAIN TEXAS (Seatrain), Septem­ ber 25—Chairman, James Allen; Secre­ tary, Charles W. Cothran. Steward will request a better grade of beef. Ship's deiegate wiii contact captain about giv­ ing time off to all hands while in port until one hour before sailing time. Crew voted not to buy TV set for messhall. There is a balance of $55.10 in the ship's fund. SEATRAIN NEW YORK (Seatrain), September 28—Chairman, M. Masley; Sec­ retary, Frank Flanagan. Several for'sies painted and sougeed as requested at last meeting. Delegates were asked to turn in repair lists. FREDERIC C. COLLIN (Transfuel), Sep­ tember 26—Chairman, D. D. Story; Sec­ retary, H. Cordes. Deck delegate sent a letter to the New Orleans hall about the deck maintennce missing ship. Everyone DEL AIRES (Mississippi), September 12 aboard is satisfied with the travelers —Chairman, B. Wright; Secretary, D. checks. Motion made and carried that Hall. Most of the ship's repairs have the ship be fumigated before it goes out on the next voyage. Sheets are too small for new mattresses. A vote of thanks was given to the steward department for their cooperation with the crew. TOPA TOPA (Waterman), October 10— Chairman, Hugh W. Eatherton; Secretary, Gerald Sinkas. First assistant wouldn't check overtime sheets to show depart­ ment whether or not there is any dis­ puted overtime. Motion made and car­ ried to have flush valves in deck and been taken care. Members were asked engine department toilets repaired. to be more quiet in the passageways in the afternoon in consideration of men MADAKET (Waterman), September 6— sleeping. Only two cartons of cigarettes Chairman, W. Busch; Secretary, B. Ruckbeing issued per week. er. Ail delegates were asked to make up a rep'>ir list and turn same in to the DOROTHY (Bull), September 25 — ship's delegate. Chairman, Jack Kain; Secretary, Peter October 12—Chairman, W. L. Busch; Patrick. Toaster in crew messhall not Secretary, B. Rucker. A vote of thanks working. Steward asked the crew to was given to the crew mess and elec­ cooperate and turn in soiled linen. trician for good show. Drinking water should be controlled in Puerto Rico as it always seems warm ROBIN TUXFORD (Seas Shipping), July during the day. 25—Chairman, Walter Fitch; Secretary, Walter Marcus. Chief engineer will flx ALCOA RANGER (Alcoa), September water fountain. Purser will be contacted 15 — Chairman, O. Sandal; Secretary, to see if he will open the slopchest after James F. Fyrne. The 12 to 4 watch leaving port in order that crewmembers missed two watches. A deck department may buy cigarettes. member raised a beef about the captain September 19—Chairman, Harry J. not permitting the crew foc'sles to be Acesta; Secretary, Walter Marcus. In the painted. future no union pocket books should be giving away in any port. Books are put CHILORE (Ore), September 26—Chair- on board for the crew to read and not man, Eli Hanover; Secretary, D. Stone. for foreign people. Crewmembers were For the past three or four trips the -asked to keep the washing machine in a washing machine has been on the repair dean condition after using same. list and each time some part of It has been replaced. The steward department ROBIN WENTLEY (Stas Shipping), will keep the recreation room clean and September 26—Chairman, E. Cantoral; the OS will keep the laundry clean. The Secretary, J. Howlson. One brother was steward department was given a vote of hospitalized in Beira and he wrote a let­ thanks. ter to the SlU Welfare Services depart­ ment regarding same. Motion made and LOGANS FORT (Citias Service), Octo­ carried to attend safety meetings and if ber 2—Chairman, Thompson; Secretary, suggestions are not used, then crewmem­ A. Hebert. Motion made and carried bers will not attend any of the future that men wearing underwear will not be meetings. All rooms need painting. permitted in the messhall. Wipers foc'sle Books and magazines are not to be given was painted. Ship's delegate said that away in foreign ports, and the new li­ he will try to get benches on fantail for brary will be placed in the custody of crew's beneet. the ship's delegate or the steward. Vol­ untary contributions to the ship's fund QUEENSTON HEIGHTS (Seatrade), Sep­ will be collected at payoff. tember 26—Chairman, Kenneth P. Gold­ August ' 1—Chairman, Walter Walsh; man; Secretary, K. O. Smith. Motion Secretary, Frank Crider. The captain in­ made and carried to draft a letter ask­ sists that passenger men either eat their ing that a former ship's delegate and meals standing up in passenger pantry or deck delegate be made to account for take them to the crew mess. Motion made ship's fund from . the last trip. Sugges­ and carried that a stand by buzzer be tion was made to take chairs out of installed in the crew mess to enable man messhall and replace them with benches. on standby to know when he is wanted on the bndi dge. ALEXANDRA (John M. Carras), Sep­ tember 26—Chairman, Fred Miller; Sec­ ROBIN $HERWOOD ($eas Shipping), retary, W. M. Hand. Chief pumpman September 21—Chairman, Ray Brault; didn't get--clothing allowance and failed Secretary, H. Berkenfald. Special meetto notice it until after the payoff. Ship's ing was called concerning old refrlgerdelegate contacted the patrolman again ator. Ship's delegate reported that one about making sure that fresh provisions man missed ship in New York. are provided at each port. October 10—Chairman, W. Kerby; Sec­ retary, Tommie Williams. Master refused COE VICTORY (Victory Carriers), Sep­ to let crew send cablegram to the Union tember 19—Chairman, L. A. Ciamboli; and asked the ship's delegate to give .'v p' Editor, SEAFARERS LOG, 675 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn 32, NY I would like to receive the SEAFARERS LOG—please put my name on your moiling list. (Print Information) fv' NAME STREET ADDRESS CITY ••••• •••••••• • • • •• ZONE STATE Signed TO AVOID pUPLICATIONi if you are an old tubseribar and hava a ehanga •f address, plaaaa giw your former address balowt ADDRESS ciTir « f BDGMMtFMf Biaaa/el ZONI . iaeseeeeaaee^ STATI him 24 hours to get the box fixed. A new refrigerator wUl be installed If the pres­ ent one breaks down again. Suggestion that some old books be given away in various southern ports to merchant ma­ rine library. FREDERIC C. COLLIN (TransfucI), Au­ gust 28—Chairman, H. K. Smith; Secre­ tary, H. Cordes. The steward department will take care of the recreation room and the deck and engine departments will take care of cleaning the laundry. Cap­ tain informed delegates that we would put the draw out in Lisbon in travelers checks. made and passed directing the ship's deiegate to write a letter to the secre­ tary treasurer and the editor of the LOG outlining the crew's recommendation for a change in sailing board clause and rest period clause in the tanker agree­ ment. SOUTHERN CITIES (Southern), Octo­ ber 9—Chairman, J. A. Sullivan; Secre­ tary, B. W. Buster. New mattresses and springs are needed on vessel. Lockers and fans are also needed as agreed in contract. ALCOA PURITAN (Alcoa), geptember 24—Chairman, Dempsy Nicholson; Secre­ BRADFORD ISLAND (Cities Service), tary, Harry C. Kllmon. A special meet­ October 4—Chairman, J. MacLaughlin; ing was held to elect a ship's delegate. Secretary, V. RatcllH. Dispute on room Suggestion made to have a union patrol­ allowance as captain only wants to pay man look at the beef that was put three days to some of the crew. Ven­ aboard in Trinidad to decide if the in­ tilation system cut off in shipyard so spector should be called in to check it. that the entire system is now blocked off. Recommended that shipping not be JOHN B. WATERMAN (Waterman), Sep­ done for a period of longer than four tember 22—Chairman, S. Gondzar; Secre­ hours around foc'sles while men are tary, McCall. Discussion about fruit sleeping. juices not being served often enough. At the present there is S47.70 in the ship's SUZANNE (Bull), October 3—Chairman, fund. H. Orlando; Secretary, R. M. Godwin. Messroom will be sprayed after each EVELYN (Bull), September 19—Chair­ meal. Each department repair list will be turned in on the way down south. man, W. Bunker; Secretary, M. Burns. Motion made and carried to have the Washing machine needs repairing. port agent or his representative come down especially to see about the food GREECE VICTORY (South Atlantic), September 26—Chairman, M. Gattschalk; beef and the repairs. The steward says that the captain is constantly interfering Secretary, Frank J. Shandl. Motion made and carried to ask for innerspring mat­ with the steward department. tresses for the entire crew on arrival ROBIN KIRK (Robin), September 5— in port. Discussion on sougeeing rec­ reation room. One brother would like to Chairman, Thomas Vessel; Secretary, Matthew Gehereaux. A suggestion was know if crew is entitled to transportation to New York in the event ship is laid up. made to hold meetings between 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM. Bad milk will be checked. FRENCH CREEK (CItias Service), Oc­ Steward is to notify delegates if captain tober 10—Chairman, William Adams; Sec­ refuses to order all stores. Suggestion retary, Dan Beard. Two new lockers are made to report all performers at ship's available for the crew and they will be meetings to decide upon action to be installed. The crew feels . a coastwise taken. Results will be turned over to a tanker should have a prompt payolf. patrolman. Unnecessary delays and company redtape ANTINOUS (Waterman), October 9— penalize crew when delegates bring in a clean ship. Minor food beefs explained Chairman, Ernest Gerace; Secretary, J. De Poo. A new ship's delegate was satisfactorily by chief cook and messman. eleeted. Each crewmember will donate There is $35 in the ship's fund. SI to the ship's fund at payoff. Voted to DE SOTO (Waterman), August 22— keep TV set in present location and to Chairman, Bill Burke; Secretary, Phil have Joe PagoUa responsible for same. Reyes. Steward reported that the rest Bosun will see about having messroom of the innerspring mattresses will be tiled. placed aboard this trip. Deck delegate DEL VALLE (Mississippi), October 9— thanked members of the crew who do­ nated sums of money to a former brother Chairman, Joe Scramuzza; Secretary members .whose mother just died. Stew­ Ramon Irazarry. One crewmember re' ard reminded the members of the nom­ ported fowling up continuously. Motion inations for Union officials currently go­ made and carried that a letter be writ ing on and the provision of the Union ten to Congress complaining about turn constitution giving the right to every ing American flag vessels over to foreign member to nominate himself for office. flag. A letter from the Sea Chest was Several members discussed the quality of read to the membership concerning qua! ity of skoes and other articles in slopthe food and suggested improvements September 19—Chairman G. Callahan* chest. Secretary, Phil Reyes. Motion made and DEL SOL (Mississippi), September carried that a certain portion of every meeting be devoted to educational di» Chairman, K. Lopez; Secretary, William R. Cameron. Motion accepted that each, cussion of our union constitution, conman donate $1 to the ship's fund. All hands were asked to clean the laundry room after using same. tracts and union history. All the necessry repairs should be submitted to the respective delegates before the ship docks at payoff port. It was agreed that the engine and deck departments will stag­ ger in keeping the laundry clean. Movies are being showed aboard -ship, by Sidney, the messmaii, and the ship's delegate urged every member to donate one hour's overtime for the renting of the films. $TEEL TRAVELER (Isthmian), July 24— Chairman, W. Mitchell; Secretary, Charles J. Hartman. The sum of $80 is now in the ship's fund. This amount has been built up by arrival pools. Mention made that two members of the deck depart­ ment have been logged for failure to pass the port doctor prior to Karacchi de­ parture. Delegate stressed that port medical inspections are important and that crew must attend them. Ship's dele­ gate took the deck and spoke at length about sundry matters of union import­ ance that require more coopertion from the crew. Because of repeated complaints that letters mailed In Saudi Arabia sel­ dom reach the States the ship's delegate urged the adoption of a plan to send ail mail in one envelope to a US, postmaster who would open it and repost all the American stamped letters. GEORGE A. LAWSON (Pan Oceanic), July 18—Chairman, Frad Isrsal; Sacratary, J, E, Brooks. New washing machine will be ordered as the old one Is beyond repair. New mattresses that came on board in San Pedro were not satisfactory to the crew and steward. CUBORE (Ore), ;tptambar 5—Chairman, W. Cain; Sacratary, James Archie. All departments agreed on keeping laundry and recreation room clean. Vote of thanks was given to the steward depart­ ment for their fine work. One man was left in Baltimore. MARY ADAMS (Bloomtlald), Septem­ ber 29—Chairman, Al Wile: Sacratary, Bill Hay. Ship's delegate was elected. Cots will be checked before satlinv. Bosun-asked all steward department to diimp garbage back aft In the garbage drums instead of by number 4 hatch. Ship's delegate asked all members to take their , beefs to their own department delegate first and if beef cannot be set-' tied then coma to him. CANTIONY (Citias Sarvica), Dctabari 9 —Chairman, D. RaynoMst Secretary;. M. O, Ohstrom.' Captath - is.: trying-'to, get crew'fitalpvWon rapaiyad. :A"Dotto]F. was jnembers agreed on the suggestion. Stew. Md asked the men getting off to strip their bunks and leave the foc'sles clean. PENINSULA MARINER (Waterman), September 18—Chairman, J. H. Fisher; Secretary, J. B. Jaianng. Old minutee will be posted on the bulletin board. A tray should be placed on the washer so that the water will go in the sink in­ stead of on the deck. October 7—Chairman, C. Martin; Secretary, T. Lindbery. Steward department was given a vote of thanks for excellent food and service. Motion made that rooms be checked. CALMAR (Calmer), September 22— Chairman, Chuck Hostetter; Secretary, Henry E. Batogowskls. Meeting was called so that repair list could be taken up. Crew agreed not to sign on until new mattresses are put aboard. Medical sup­ plies will be checked before signing on. Arrival pools in the Canal Zone and New York will bring the ship's fund up to $40. The crew was asked not to open letters that are addressed to the ship's delegate. LAWRENCE VICTORY (Mississippi), September 15—Chairman, B. Fimovicz; Secretary, S. Rivera. Two men missed ship in St. John, New Foundland. Repair lists to be made up and turned in. Crew­ members were asked to stop making noise while men off watch are sleeping, and to keep the laundry and recreation rooms clean at all times. October 10—Chairman, W. Hammock; Secretary, S. Rivera. All repairs have been turned in and most of them have been taken care of. A new library will be put on board for next voyage. Sug­ gestion was made to keep recreation room locked in port: ALCOA PIONEER (Alcos), October 21— Chairman, John Fsdesovlch; SecretaVy, John R. Tllley. A vote of thanks was extended to the steward department for the groceries they put out in spite of the fact they fed breakfast the same day they came aboard and sailed the next. A patrolman will check the slopchest before crew signs on to make sure it is complete. BALTMORE (Ore), October 10—Chair­ man, John Peacox; Secretary, James Oliver. Fans recently installed are not working properly. A vote of thanks was extended to the steward department for a job well done. ROBIN LOCK$LEY (Seat Shipping), no —Chairman, Steward; Secretary, H. Burge. Bosun suggested keeping the washing machine clean. Engineers will fix STEEL KINO (Isthmian), September 19 all repairs as they occur. Fans will be —Chairman, W. Schoenborn; Secretary, installed in foc'sles. Deck showers need R. Harford. Letter sent to headquarters painting. October 11—Chairman, Smith; Secre­ about cleaning tanks. All delegates were Two men given repair list. One man missed ship tary, John N. Thempsen. missed ship in Durban. Engine depart­ in Honolulu. ment complained about water and lack ANTINOUS (Waterman), September 12 of soap in engine room. This matter will —Chairman, W. Wallace; Sacratary, C. be turned over to the patrolman. Achoy. Captain warned crewmembers to SEATRAIN SAVANNAH (Seatrain), Oc­ be aboard one hour before sailing. In the future all beefs or communications tober 17—Chairman, Chapman; Secretary, Ship's delegate reported to the Union will be handled through the Friedman. ship's delegate. It was agreed that TV ship's fund now stands at SB7.25. He also set be raffled off among the crew. $47.06 spoke on a survey being made by the Union and company concerning ventil­ in the ship's fund. ation of messhalls. Former ship's dele­ OCEAN LOTTE (Maritime Overseas), gate given a vote of thanks for a job March 22—Chairman, R. Edan; Sacratary, well done. F. Sulllns. Each department will help SEATRAIN NEW JERSEY (Seatralnl, clean the laundry. Washing machine October 17—Chairman, E. Cols; Secretary# needs repairing. E. Jonas. Ship's delegate saw the pa­ April 10—Chairman, J. Stevens; Sacra­ supposed to have a tary, Robert Walton. Captain -said slop- trolman and is chest will be open as often as Is conven­ meetting with company about air con­ ditioning. Beef about cleaning laundry. ient. Brother Williams made a motion to have the linen checked for shrinkage Cots to be taken off deck. The relief as soon as possibie. Brothers were mate was using tools on deck. warned to be more watchful for out­ ALEXANDRA (Carras), October 17 — siders coming into Individual foc'sles while in port. Each department dele­ Chairman, Vssser SzymsnskI; Secretary# Galveston patrolman gate was asked to have a financial re­ W. M. Hand. port of ship's fund. There is a total of called and instructed captain to put out $13 in the fund, and a collection will be a draw. Chief pumpman brought to the taken after the meeting. August 6—Chairman, Stevens; Secre­ tary, R. Walton. There is a shortage of porthole screens. Shrinkage in the linen has not been taken care of. A collection was made to help Brother Sulllns with traveling expenses. He flew home from Inchon due to his piother's illness. Port­ hole screens, cots, milk, fly swatters, and of the members the slanderous other essential needs should be ordered attention propaganda being put out by "Justice by the captain upon arrival in Guam; Committee' against the SlU. Chairman Brother Foster who is steward will ac­ cept any constructive sugg'estions crew­ informed permits that they had the right to express themselves in a ship's meet­ members make about the food. ing. October IS—Chairman, V. SzymsnskI; PENNMAR (Cslmar), no date—Chair­ Secretary, W. M. Hand. Discussion about man, J. Samsel; Secretary, J. Dedicatoria. captain's decision not to put out a draw Two men hospitalized and left behind in Corpus Christi. Captain will see that for treatment in Panama. The captain is items on repair list are taken care of. very disagreeable to the crew and he A suggestion was made that each man does not recognize the ship's delegate or contribute to a ship's fund to take care any delegate on the ship. Motioh made of phone, calls, etc. that from now on foc'sles that have been painted should be dated and stamped on BRADFORD ISLAND (Cities Service), the wall so that crew will know when to Dcteber 16—Chairman, Jehn C. Mitchell; expect painting again. The chief steward Secretary, V. F. Ralcllff. Motion made requested that excess towels and sheets and carried that a new iron be bought be turned over to him. out of the ship's fund, and that the crew radio in the messhall be left Off during STEEL NAVIGATOR - (Isthmlsn), Au­ meal hours. Ship's delegate will see the gust 13—Chairman, Charles Sceflefal;. Sec­ chief engineer about getting a new agi­ retary, F. Delapenha. Brothers spoke of tator for. the washing machine and- he understanding in regard to abuse and will also see the patrolman in New York dissention among the- departments. Stew­ about having the recreation room fixed ard promised to cooperate and Improve up, food situation. BREBCE VICTORY (South Atlantic), SAN MATEO VICTORY (Eastern), Oc- October 14—Chairmen, >)*. Oottschelk; teber S^hslrman, R. Miller; Secretary, Secretary, D. Gemelner. Di.:cussion on L, 'Bruce. The ship's- delegate said in the best means to get required fans And case the s>ilil lays up ti^ shlp'F lUQd 'should' be turned OveT to m needy cause U wap deciditd to refer the matter t» the v(Continued on p^e -such as the HarOb- ofi-Dinies.:. eirew-l , •« M H �Norembw Sf>'lt54 SEAFARERS LOG P«(« SCTClltCCB ... DIGEST of SHIPS' BIEETINGS.. Sims; Sacrstary. Stavo Musce. Motion made and carried to give ship's dele­ gate fuU purchasing power where recre­ ation facilities are concerned. The ship's delegate will sea the captain about using the ship's phone to call agent in Savannah, and find out whether or not the captain has the right to keep the MARINA (Bull), September 7—Chair­ creW on board while the ship is along­ man, F. Fletcher; Secretary, Burns. side the dock clearing immigratioin. Fans have not been put in ail the rooms according to the latest agreement. The MASSMAR (Calmar), August 28 — ship's delegate requested that each de­ Chairman, Red Giggi; Secretary, Guy partment settle its own beefs with its Walter. Philadelphia agent said there • own delegate. He spoke on the neces­ was not much that could be done about sity of working in harmony with ail the mattress situation at the time, but members. if nothing is done about it when the September 29—Chairman, K. Hatglmt vessel returns to New York then action sios; Secretary, Burns. One crewmember will be taken. Comment was made on took time off without first seeing the noise in alleyways after watches turned head of his department for permission. in. Laundry will be kept clean by Discussion regarding longshoremen in the wipers. galley, toilets and passageways. The ship's delegate agreed that they should MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Car­ be kept out of messhails. galley, etc.. but riers), October 3 — Chairman, James the passageways are another question. Flanagan; Secretary, Alex Janes. Water cooler was fixed, and repairs not taken OREMAR (Calmar), September 25—Chair­ care of yet will be attended to. Vote man, Elmer Barnhiil, secretary, Clyde of thanks was given to the steward de Kent. It was suggested that pantryman partment. wash coffee cups in night pantry. A vote of thanks was given to the galley WINTER HILL (Cities Service), July 12 crew for the swell food they have put —Chairman, Al Parker; Secretary, August out. Souza, Jr. The steward delegate wishes to pass on the delegate job to another CUBORB (Ore), September 28—Chair­ member, and he thanked the crew for man, W. Cain; Secretary, O. Bell. cooperating with him. Rails leading to Scrubbing brush will be kept in laun the crew quarters need painting. Ship's dry. AU hands were asked to keep the fund has a total of 853. laundry clean, and not to wash mop in the tubs. STEEL ROVER (Isthmian), July 2S— (Continued from page 16) patrolman at payoff for further action. Five copies of repair list will be made up and distributed to the port engineer, chief engineer, patrolman, captain and one copy will remain aboard. Chairman, Jenkins; Secretary, T. Ulisse. CAROLYN (Bull), October 4—Chairman, Crew to go on record to have stores checked by the Union to see if they come up to par with other ships owned by the company. A variety of night lunches re­ quested; steward requested to cooperate. Crew was asked to take care of cots and put them away when not In use. Cups should not be left out on deck. John Leys July 11—Chairman, Ray Ellison; Secre­ tary, T. Ullsse. There is S249.9S due on Please get in touch with your TV set. Crew to continue S3 donation at wife at once. flrst mainland draw on return trip. $24.50 now in ship's fund. ^GRSONAli 3) t !• Edward F. Woods Mother worried about you. Write home soon. Fritz. J" i" 4" Leslie N. Pearsall Please get in touch with me as soon as possible. My new address is 1122 53 St., Oakland, Calif. M. Oschitzki. t 3i 3) Bill Tacey Please contact me aboard the French Creek, c/o Cities Service Oil Co., 70 Pine St., New York, NY. Ed McMaster. 3« I" 4" Richard Suttle I got the stuff out and it's nice. Thanks a lot. Good luck. Mel. 3> t 4 Richard Brown Contact Allen Myrex, 4 N. High St., Baltimore 2, Md. ALAMAR (Calmar), August 8—Chair­ man, Herbert - Braunstlen; Secretary, James B. McPhaul. An improvement seen on fresh fruit over last trip was dis­ cussed by ship's delegate. Lights to be turned off on starboard while men off watch are asleep. Lockers and sink stoppers will be ordered and repaired. Wiper's foc'sle needs painting. All re­ pairs to be turned in to department dele­ gates. DEL ORG (Mississippi), July IS—Chair­ man, J. R. Tauart; Secretary, J. Smythe. Ship's library was explained by ship's delegate and he will check with purser concerning books in his storeroom. Ques­ tion on cups and glasses being left around the decks. Members decided that everyone bring his own cup and glass back to the pantry. FELTORE (Ore), August 9—Chairman, Quiz Anawerz Jim Keavney; Secretary, Ray Lavolne. (1) (b) Nile. It is almost 4,000 Part of the repairs have been taken care ef and the repairs pending will be in­ miles long. cluded in the new repair list. Ship was deiayetl when leaving .the shipyard for (2) 30 days, several hours after posted sailing time. (3) (a) Florida (1565). Patrolman informed the crew that they cannot collect overtime. Union library (4) 150 hits. (5) The tree of knowledge of expected aboard the ship this trip. Ship's good and evil. (6) A duke. (7) (d) three. George V died on Jan. 20, was succeeded by his eld­ est son, Edward VHI, who abdi­ Stanley Dean Turner cated the throne on December 11, and was himself succeeded by his Please get in touch with the brother George VI, father of the SEAFARERS LOG office at SIU present queen. headquarters in New York. (8) Character. 3^ 4 4' Charlie King (9) All were Presidents of the Get in touch with Joe Volpian US. (10) Eight. at headquarters. Important. NOTICES delegate requested a price list from the Sea Chest. Crewmembers complained that ice cream is served too soft and the steward informed the membership that the ice cream starts to melt the first day out of port, and there is nothing that can be done to remedy the situation. Mem­ bership requested that adequate refrig­ eration be obtained. Donations to the ship's fund will be collected at payoff. John Parker will buy an electric steam iron out of the ship's fund. Ship's dele­ gate to see the patrolman about chief refusing to obtain cleaning gear for the wiper assigned to sanitary work. Machinist missed ahip intentionaUy owing ferad a menu of a little mora variety money to 2nd mate, one 3rd assistant and plus extra service. others. A motion was made that the Union give a double fine to this brother. GOVERNMENT CAMF (Cities Service), SOUTHLAND (South Atlantic), Septem­ ber 5—Chairman, E. B. McAuley; Secre­ tary, D. T. Morrison. Several beefs about the meat served. It was brought out that the boxes marked strip loins were nothing but a poor grade of dog meat and not fit for any SIU crew. Motion carried to contact the union hall regard­ ing larger sheets to cover the new innerspring mattresses. Lack of keys for crew's quarters. The bosun pointed out that in the event that a man loses his keys to inform the mate on watch to open the room and not use a. fire axe to open the door. Discussion about use of money in the ship's fund. FORT HOSKINS (Cities Service), August 3—Chairman, L. J. Brilhart; Secretary, H. W. Schnoor. Ship's delegate cautioned all brothers about smoking beyond safety barriers. He will see the chief engineer concerning replacement of new drain plugs in messroom. Men relieving watch TOPA TOPA (Waterman), September t were asked to relieve on time. Vote of James K. Sheets; Secretary, thanks given to the steward department. —Chairman, Gerald Sinkes. Suggestion that ship's delegate see captain about notifying the MOTHER M. L. (Eagle Ocaan), August 1 crew when he is ready to close siopchcst. —Chairman, H. Kanflich; Secretary, Nor­ Crewmembers were asked to return ail man Phillips. No beefs reported. Ail re­ cups to the pantry. SEAMAR (Calmar), August 19—Chair­ man, Barnett; Secretary, John Bucci. Ship's delegate will try to get Sea Chest in New York. Motion made and carried to turn deck engineer over to the patrol­ man for working off hours without pay­ ment of overtime. Mate will be asked to furnish new station bill and muster list pairs requested during the trip okay. Few as present one is confusing. hours disputed overtime, June 14—Chairman, Michael F. Dellane; TROJAN SEAMAN (Troy), August 1— Secretary, Norman Phillips. Motion made and carried that each department help Chairman, Red Baron; Secretary, H. Sanderiln. Steward suggested that new cots keep the laundry room clean. be ordered. Fans in several rooms have AZALEA CITY (Waterman), August 8— to be repaired. Chairman, Tex Suit; Secretary, Frank BALTORE (Ore), August 29—Chairman, Walker. Steward asked ail crewmembers to return surplus linen. The ship was B. O. Wilson; Secretary. J. J. Foley. De­ partment delegates were asked to turn held in Puerto Rico five weeks due to the longshoremen's strike. Ship's delegate in repair lists to the ship's delegate be­ fore going to shipyard. Discussion on elected. the most suitable thne for meetings. Steward was requested to have a variety CHILORE (Ore), no date—Chairman, D. Stone; Secretary, C. Patton. Before ac­ of salads other than tomato and lettuce. The night lunch could be improved. cepting the nomination of ship's dele­ gate. D. Stone stated that under no cir­ STEEL ADMIRAL (Isthmian), August 31 cumstances would he accept if the crew expected him to go to bat for anyone —Chairman, James Hanners; Secretary. Ray Queen. Steward was asked to check who did not live up to the agreement and constitution. Linen will be changed each the stores more carefully when they Saturday morning. Agitator and wringer come on board. Crew agreed not to sigii on until repair list has been completed. broken on the washing machine. .Messmen don't get up at the proper time STEEL AGE (Isthmian), July 18 — in the morning to do their work, and Chairman, James W. Barnes; Secretary, the steward has been asked to crack and see that their work is done on John W. Barnes, Ail hands restricted down on board ship after doctors ex­ time. amination. Motion made to have better SANTORE (Ore), September 11—Chair­ lockers installed in foc'slcs. Motion made to get Lava soap only instead of Klex. man, R. King; Secretary, Frank Okwcrian. Delayed sailing discussed. Steward in­ Motions .accepted. Ail repairs should be checked by those crewmembers that are vited delegates to Inspect bo.es at any staying on for another trip, as they know time. what to look for, and be fixed before TROJAN SEAMAN (Troy), September sailing. Payroll slips should be broken down to show exactly how much over­ 11—Chairman, Thomas Foster; Secretary, time, how much base pay and how E. J. Whelan. A feU; hours overtime to much taxes amount to instead of a total be settled by patrolman at payoff Stew­ amount of wages and taxes taken out. ard asked crew not to waste the coffee. When leaving New York the mortal re­ The captain will be contacted about mains of Brother Henry Core were re­ fumigating ship and severance slips as the ship is laying up. MAE (Bull), September 19—Chairman, HIckey; Secretary, Williams. .411 repairs have been taken care of and fans are being installed as soon as possible in ail rooms. The ship's fund has a balance of $23.40. Ship's delegate will see that new drinking water pump is installed before ceived aboard ship. -His last wish was leaving Baltimore that he wanted to be buried at sea. CECIL N. BEAN (Dry-Trans), Septem­ OREMAR (Calmar), August 9—Chairman, ber 12—Chairman, Dan Butts; Secretary, William Mac Arthur; Secretary, L. Blank- N. McGuire, Overtime for chief mate enbechler. Ship's delegate reported that doing deck department work has been all repairs are being taken care of. Wind turned in. A unanimous vote of con­ scoops are being ordered this trip. One fidence was given to the steward depart­ man reported hurt and, was not allowed ment. if parts are available to fix the to see doctor in Canal. ' This will be re­ top of the galley range it should be re­ ferred to a patrolman. Ship's delegate paired before arrival in next port. reminded those men leaving ship to turn in linen and keys to foc'sle. SAN MATEO VICTORY (Eastern), Sep­ July 24—Chairman, Jack R. MIsner; tember 12—Chairman, Frank Brodzik; Secretary, William Mae Arthur. . Beef Secretary, Leo Bruce, A motion was ! about rusty wash water discussed. Stew­ made to spend some of the money from ' ard will see about dividing Canal transit the ship's fund for games. One brother crew between the two messhails evenly. suggested locking the messroom in port' Steward to see that his entrees for Fri­ to safeguard the books and put the key days include nreatless meals for Catholic where it can be found. , members of the crew. Deck and engine departments will clean the recreation SUZANNE (Buli), November 2—Chair­ room and passageways, and the steward man, P. Bush; Secretary, Remaud. The department will clean' the laundry. baker on the ship claims he is overtaxed ; with work due to extra passenger request' MARORE (Ore), July 31—Chairman, and variety of crew menus. He requested Henry Shepeta; Secretary, Manuel A. that the passengers be fed the same food RIndudes. Suggestion made to the stew­ as the crew and no extra additions. Stew- 1 ard to put some extra night lunches out. ard stated that passengers should be of- ' YOUR DOLLAR'S WORTH SEAFARERS GUIDE TO BETTER BUYING (Continued from page 5) for children; Indian beadcraft and other handicraft outfits; reasonably-priced cameras, telescopes and other equipment Gifts For Adults For older children and adults, many clothing items are less costly this year than last and will make welcome gifts. Items made of the newer synthetic materials like nylon, Orion, Dacron, etc., are noticeably less expensive this year. Here are other specific value-wise suggestions: SWEATERS: To be sure they'll wear well, check the tightness of weave. The seams should be bound with ribbon to keep their shape and withstand strain, or at least be very firmly sewn. ROBES: Most men actually don't like tl^e expensive, fanpilyrtci(nmed rayon isatin robes^ widely sold fov Ghrist-> mas giving. They are not warm, and wrinkle quickly. More preferable are flannel, corduroy or terry-cloth. In buying flannel robes, for man, woman, or child, hold the material up to the light to make sure it isn't thin in spots. LINGERIE: Buy well-made tailored lingerie instead of the fancily-trimmed but non-durable things the stores promote for Christmas giving. In slips, nylon tricot is a useful type at a reasonable cost this year. HOUSEDRESSES; A simply-made housedress of basic­ ally good material like 80-square percale is always an acceptable gift for a woman. Look for durable con­ struction details like generous seams and hem rather than fancy trimming. SP0RT;SMAN'S KNIVES: A !'Sportsman's" pocket knife is one of the most versatile and rugged tools a man can own. .It.hasi.Ariarge .spear> blade^'-sra'all'pen. blade, tait*^ October 7—Chairman, W. Orr; Secretary, J. Block. The new washing machine or­ dered by the captain will be installed on this trir north. There is S18.92 in the ship's fu.nd. Ship's delegate was author­ ized to buy aerial for the radio. CRACKER STATE MARINER (South Atlantic), no date—Chairman, S, -Novak; Secretary, MIsterne. Repair lists should be turned into respective delegates. The steward department was given a vote of thanks. VALCHEM (Valentine), November 4— Chairman, L. Hagmann; Secretary, R. Geiiing. The crewmembers will draft and, send a telegram to the President of the US protesting the proposed cuts in the USPHS hospitals, as this would deprive merchant seamen from aid when needed. There is $112.07 in the ship's fund and the loan to Frank Maidanado has been paid. Repair lists will be made up. BARBARA MICHEL (Norto), October 38 —Chairman, E. Mmercelau; Secretary, Frank Cuilison. Motion made and car­ ried that crewmembers write a letter of protest to their congressmen to oppose the transfers of American-flag ships to a foreign flag. Discussion on use of the washing machine, and the crew was asked to exercise caution and considera­ tion in emptying tubs, and turning off machine when finished with s- mc. < i BEATRICE (Bull), November 8—Chair­ man, Red Campbell; Secretary, J. Ber­ nard. The chairman talked about the ILA and how they are trying to foul up the union. A vote of thanks given to the cooks for the fine meals they prepared. A little cooperation fr-jm the crew would be appreciated when dumping garbage. STEEL ARTISAN ilsthmian), August 14 —Chairman, Thomas Lowe; Secretary, A. Gaspar. The steward suggested that ail hands take good care of the linen, cots and cups. The three departments will take turns rotating in keeping the laun­ dry clean. September 24—Chairman, R. Beach; Secretary, F. P. O'Leary. Patrolman will be contacted to get in touch with the company about receiving mail. Sugges­ tion made that awning be placed on poop deck Had a little trouble getting trav­ elers checks cashed but when people see there Is nothing else to do they will cash them. Thanks given to the steward de­ partment for three good feeding trips. CANTIGNY (Cities Service), November 7—Chairman, M. G. Ohstrom; Secretary, D. Aguiia. Boston patrolman is contact­ ing .New York concerning new mattresses. Engine delegate will see the chief en­ gineer about a new hot water hose for washing machine, repairing latch on lower port engine room door and inade­ quate hot water in deck department showers. Puzzle Answer QSB DBS SIBB SSa [2]S!2ia[Sg) . [saBD : ESBQizaa sss .sDssia Hiaseii GOH@@ QBSiaas ^ QsizDssQ Esaa BBD [SDQC] ••a ODB Written exclusively for THE SEAFARERS LOG. by Sidney Margolius, Leading Expert on Buying opener, screwdriver, cap lifter, corkscrew and awl— everything a Seafarer might need in one compact knife. SPORTS LANTERNS: Two interesting and useful battery-powered lanterns, for men who like hunting, fish­ ing and outdoor camping, are the Chest Light and the Head Lantern, sold by sporting goods stores and the large mail order houses like Montgomery Ward. The Chest Light is the size of a pack of cigarettes. You wear it around your neck on a strap. It was designed especially for night fishing so a man could use both hands for baiting hooks, etc. But it's even useful for changing a flat at night. The head lantern is designed like a miner's lamp and also frees a man's hands for fishing or other night activity. It can be worn on your head, carried as a hand lantern or used as a stationery light. It weighs only a quarter of a pound and has a long cord running to a four-cell battery case which you carry in your belt^ or pocket . ty �SEA^VxAiRSRatL^OtC 1_L Pare-EiffktecB.^^ ^ f 5IU Aids More PH5 Transfers *(»> SEAFARERS Several more Seafarers who have been treated in private or city hospitals have had SIU Welfare Services arrange transfers for them to a Public Health Service facility in recent weeks. One of them is Seafarer Victor Shavroff who suffered a severe compound fracture of his right leg enroute to his ship. As reported previously in the LOG the Public Health Serv­ ice will provide transportation for seamen from a private hospital to a Public Health facility in the event circum­ stances compel a seaman to seek treatment in a private hospital. Shavroff Further, PHS will pay the hospital bills in many instances, provided that PHS is notified immediately that the sea­ man seeks transfer. Welfare Service has been instru­ mental in arranging a good num­ ber of such transfers and seeing to it that the seamen's needs are met and that he has the necessary dis­ charges and seamen's papers on hand to qualify for admission to a PHS hospital. Ambulance Called In ShavrofC's case, he was on his way back to the Steel Artisan when he tripped and fell over an obstruction and was badly hurt. An ambulance was called, and Shayroff was rushed to Kings County hospital, a city institution, for immediate treatment. As soon as Welfare Services learned of the Seafarer's misfor­ tune, a Union representative head­ ed for the Kings County hospital to make necessary arrangements for his transfer. Because he un­ derwent extensive surgery on his fracture, Shavroff could not be moved immediately. What Welfare Services could do at the moment was to make certain that he was eligible to enter the Public Health Service hospital. Proof of his eli­ gibility was obtained, clearing the way for his transfer. ' After several days at King Coun­ ty, doctors in charge there notified the Union that Shavroff was in condition to make the ambulance trip across to Staten Island. The Public Health Service hospital was notified accordingly by Welfare Services and an ambulance sent to pick Shavroff up. Like other Seafarers involved in similar situations, Shavroff is eli­ gible for his SIU hospital benefit from the day he entered Kings 'County hospital. The hospital rep­ resentative will see to it that he collects -all money due him from the time of his injury. 0 (3 SEAFARERS WELFARE, VACATION PLANS REPORT ON BENEFITS PAID Je From 1 No, Seafarers Receivina Benefits this PeriodH 1 Average Benefits Paid Each Seafarer \ 1 Total Benefita Paid this Period | 1 ca WELFARE, VACATION BENEFITS PAID THIS PERIOD Hosoital Benefita Death Benefita Disability Benefita Maternity Benefita Vacation Benefita 1 Total Wvn .S-islI S Ooo 1 A M|| /. tfTS 00 AJ 3i mL I I 11 VP. rjir fA WELFARE, VACATION BENEFITS PAID PREVIOUSLY following SIU families Henry James Gable, 1301 W. 7th the $200 maternity Street, Whistler, Ala. a $25 bond from the 4 4 4 baby's name: David Lee Hartline, born Sep­ Michael Ellis Prudhomme, born tember 15, 1954. Parents, Mr. October 28, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd E. Hartline, 2115 and Mrs. Joseph H. Prudhomme, Gaylord Drive, Dallas, Texas. 4 4 4 Covington, La. Debra Rae Casanova, born Sep­ 44> Keith Lee Ballance, born Octo- tember 27, 1954. Parents, Mr. and ober 30, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray H. Casanova, 4303 CarMrs. Winfred N. Ballance, 218 W. tier Avenue, New Orleans, La. 16th Street, Norfolk, Va. 4 4 4 Christopher Paul Achoy, born 4 Evonne Marie Richardson, born October 14, 1954. Parents, Mr. and October 28, 1954. Parents, Mr. Mrs. Charles P. Achoy, 149 W. and Mrs. Hubert E. Richardson, 179th Street, Bronx, NY. Route 1, Box 35, Sulphur, La. 4 4 4 James Mitchell Black, bom Oq4 4 4 Deborah Anne Harbman, born tober 10, 1954. Parents, Mr. and September 28, 1954. Parents, Mr. Mrs. James Black, 2058 Washing­ and Mrs. William H. Harbman, ton Avenue, Bronx, NY. 9027 W. Shorewood Drive, Mercer 4 4 4 Island, Wash. America Morales Muniz, born July 14, 1954. Parents, Mr. and 4 4 4 Sharon Denise Juzang, born Oc­ Mrs. Jose Morales Vega, 263 tober 25, .1954. Parents, Mr. and Buenaventura Street, Villa PalMrs. James B. Juzang, 405 Calhoun meras, Santurce, Puerto Rico. Street, Mobile, Ala. 4 4 4 Delia Luz Perez, born August 27, 4,4 4 Marva Jean Gable, born August 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ruben 3, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Perez Negron, 334 Providencia All of the will collect benefit plus Union in the Operation Was Successful Street, Villa Palmeras, Santurce, Puerto Rico. 4 4 4 Jan Van, born October 4, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ching Z. Van, 134 Suffolk Street, New York, NY, 4 4 4 4 Catherine Mary Rogers, born October 20, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick I. Rogers, 344 21st Street, Brooklyn, NY. 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Edward Michael Molineaux, born October 21, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Molineaux, 525 Pfiffer Street, Camden, NJ. Roberto Principe, Jr., born Octo­ ber 13, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roberto A. Principe, 514 £. 145th Street, Bronx, NY. Pedro Galarce, born September 27, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ismael Galarce, 11 St. Marks Place, Brooklyn, NY. 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 sasttd 3o — 00 f/ 00 22. S.ti99or4t 7f •Oi #1 • Date Benefits Beaaa WELFARE, VACATION PLAN ASSETS 4 Marcus Webb Garrett, born Sep­ tember 18, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard I. Garrett, Route 1, Box 145, Fairbanks, Texas. 4 Hospital Benefits Paid Since lulv 1. 1930 * Death Benefita Paid Since luly 1. 1950 • Disability Benefits Paid Since May 1. 1952 • Maternity Benefits Paid Since April 1. 1952 * Vacation Benefita Paid Since Feb. 11. 1952 • Total Cash on Hand Vacation (»Sl //J .sx. Bt/qy-r Of lS33at 9Q Vacation 00 US Government Bonds (Welfare) Real Estate (Welfare) Other Assets — Training Ship (Welfare) TOTAL ASSETS 'j ffa 707 rjt f fse //9OC0 ?7 CBJTBgiTI SQiBHS* Duclng th« Bonth of Cotobor tho Plan paid out ton DEATH BENEFITS oakihg a total for the year, aa at tho ond of Gotober, of 152. Tbo Plan alao paid out nlno-bundrod and thirty-two HOSPITAL BENEFITS'aaklBg a yoar to data totals aa of Getobor, of 9166* Tho aaount of MATBRNITI BEIEFITS paid for tho nonth of Gotober woro fifty-two, which glToa tho Plan a yoar to data total of A76e Thora woro thirty-olght DI3ABILITX BENEFITS paid during tba •onth, which glvoa a yoar to data total of 137Ge 1 %mhmine4 At Kcrfg Azuiumsf'KiminiRtrmteir Craig Philip Price, born October 30, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel W. Price, 4611 Touro Street, New Orleans, La. James Lee Francum, born Octo­ ber 16, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl L. Francum, Route 9, Box 251, Lenoir, NC. Charles Wesley Stansbury, born October 12, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gary W. Stansbury, 19 Jeffry Street, Baltimore. Md. Judith Lynn Brookshire, born October 17,1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Brookshire, 463 D Riverdale Street, Los Angeles, Calif. Tk Sharon Elizabeth Arscott, bom October 16, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. David W. Arscott, 1464 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Evelyn Vazquez, born October 27, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Polo Vazquez, 106 E. 116th Street, New York, NY. 4 4 4 4 4 4 Ernest Jeffrey Harris, born Oc­ tober 19, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emest E4ison Harris, 3138 W. Solano Drive, South Phoenix, Arizona. y-.- ' ' "' , ' n Seafarer Bill Neef smUes happily from hii hospital bed after op­ eration to correct a long-standing eye-muscle defect Maik Darley, born August 5, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mllburae Darley, 358 Drummond Park, Panama City, Fla. I SIU WELFARE SERVICES lEnunrar VOUft PR08UM IS OUR BUSINESS _ | �r-y^'-m Npir»r>i6;iAM<«W Group Off Seaffarers On The Mend SEEIN* THE SEAFARERS With WALTER SIEKMANN Brothers, it looks like the Coast Guard is cooking up a little scheme on physical tests which would make it very tough on Seafarers. It appears they are out to hardtime all seamen, but especially the men who wind up in a hospital even though it was the shipowner's fault that they got hurt in the first place. The brothers in the hospitals can rest assured that the Union will fight this one all the way 4pwn the line. Watch the LOG for further details. Among the Union brothers hospitalized recently is Frank Strelitz of New York, who suffered an accident on the Seatrain Louisiana. Strelitz was night cook and baker aboard her, and was work­ ing in the meat box along with the steward when a heavy package of meat fell from the top shelf and hit him in the leg. .The result was a broken leg and a spell in the hospital for Brother Strelitz. Seafarer James Parker, AB off the Robin Trent, had to go in the hospital on November 18. Eye trouble has got him down. A double hernia put bi'other Joe Keelan out of action. Keelan was AB on the Chickasaw and entered the hospital on No­ vember 15. Leiner Seafarer Alexander Leiner of Brooklyn was laid low when his appendix started acting up. It appears that the doctors may operate on him in the near future. Leiner was carpenter on the Steel Fabricator his last trip out. Sam Jonas' troubles come from kidney stones. He's been in the hospital since November 15 getting treatment. His last ship was the Seagarden. Fred Delapenha, chief steward on the Steel Navi­ gator, had to go in the hospital for treatment of a skin rash that's been bothering him. Fred lives ashore in New York. A touch of high blood pres­ sure is keeping Seafarer Frank Fandino out of action for a while. He was fireman-watertender on the Alcoa Roamer his last trip. Among the other brothers now in the hospital are E. Ramirez off the Beauregard; John Quigley, who was messman on the Steel, Rover; Thomas Maher, who was oiler on the Steel Traveler; Albert Delapenha Willis, oiler on the Bethcoaster on his last trip and George Robinson who was readmitted with a heart ailment. Seafarers In Hospitals USPHS HOSPITAL NEW ORLEANS, LA. Joseph F. Adams James Hudson Thomas Ankerson Henry Jeffrey Leonard Kay Louis Arena Wini.nm D. Austin £. G. Knapp WUliam R. Bates D. KoroUa Paul Laborde Perry Bland Leo H. Lang Victor Bonura Pierre Leblanc George Books Tbeo E. Lee Charles Brady Jesse Lyles John E. Brady James M. Mason August A. Brosig Vincent Michel Owen Butler Nick Mutin ^hn Carolan Sebastian Carregal Albert W. Nelson WillUm D. Ott C. W. Champlin Aurello Patlngo Cloise Coats Randolph Ratcllft S. Cope WUliam Roberts £mile P. Davies Henri Robin Joseph Denton M. J. Rodriguez Serio M. Desoso Clarence Dyer Edward Samrock Harry L. Schuler John Emory Benjamin Seal Marcus Evans Luther Seldle Thomas Fields Wade Sexton WUliam Fisher Paul Signorlno Olever Flynn Warren Simmons Leo Flntenot George Glerczie Nicholas Tala J. Vonholden George Gordano Roy M. Green J. E. Ward Paul Hebert Milton Wetzell Lyle Hipp WUUam Witty USPHS HOSPITAL SEATTLE, WASH. WUliam E. Ellis l.estcr C. Long Jack M. Hudson Mike Michellk S. Johannessenn Richard L. Welch USPHS HOSPITAL MEMPHIS. TENN. Albert DeForest USPHS HOSPITAL GALVESTON. TEXAS Ralph Armstrong G. M. Gonzales Lyles D. Brunson Abel N. Salas W. S. Connors « Joseph Solleau Thomas Dawson Charles B. Young USPHS HOSPITAL SAN FRANCISCO. CALIF. Charlie C. Brown Carl R. Johnson Henry J. Chllds Aloyslus Kessen C. J. Neumaler Luke Clamboll Leo Cronsohn Joe Perreira GUbcrt Promutico Andrew Franklin Franklin Gilman W. Tlmmerman Olav Gustavsen P. S. Yuzon USPHS HOSPITAL NORFOLK. VA. Arthur Botelho George F. Lechler B. M. Bumpass JERSEY CITY POLY HOSP. JERSEY CITY. NJ Ssteban Morales USPHS HOSPITAL MEMPHIS. TENN. Charles Burton JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSP. MIAMI. FLORIDA William O. Gregory SAILORS' SNUG HARBOR STATEN ISLAND. NY Feseph Xoslusky USPHS HOSPITAL FORT WORTH. TEXAS Woodrow A. Meyers Edward J. Toolan PHILADELPHIA GEN. HOSP. PHILADELPHIA. PA. Warren Nlelson USPHS HOSPITAL STATEN ISLAND. NY Hussen Ahmed , A. H. Mander George T. Coleman WUliam E. Neel ' Irving DeNobriga Joseph Neuhaucr John J. Doherty Oscar Olsen Joseph P. Farrell Abe Partner Brigido Figueroa John Qulgley George W. Flood W. L. Rackley David S. Furman Jose Rodriguez EsteU Godfrey Mattl Ruusukallio Fred Hauser Jose Salgado Vlncent Jones WiUiam Saltarez Noral Jorgensen Chong Sun Richard Koch Pedro Vlllabol Nils H. Lunsquist Norman West Donald McShane N. D. Wilson Joseph Malone Clifford Womack USPHS HOSPITAL MANHATTAN BEACH, NY Fortunato Bacomo Arthur Lomas Frank W. Bemrlck Hurlbut Free Francis Lynch Claude Blanks Joseph McGraw Robert Booker Thomas Bryant Archibald McGuigan Frank Mackey Joseph G. Carr Vic Mllazzo Ho Yee Choe Jar Chong Eugene T. Nelson Pedro Peralto Bart Gutanick John Hass James C. PoweU Talb Hassen George Shumaker Thomas Isaksen Robert Sizemora John Keenan Henry E. Smith Ludwlg Kristiansen Jack Thornburg Frederick Landry • Harry S. Tuttle James Lawlor Renato VlUata Kaarel Leetmaa Virgil Wllmoth James Lewis USPHS HOSPITAL BOSTON. MASS. Frank Alassvich Arnfin A. Oyhui E. F. Broussard J. £. SennevUle Walter E. Gordon Matthew A. Stabile USPHS HOSPITAL SAVANNAH. GA. Paul B. Bland Jlmmle Littleton R. Carrollton J. T. Moore Rufus L. Field A. A. Turlington James F. Lee Ernest H. Webb Albert W. Lima JEFFERSON HOSPITAL PHILADELPHIA. FA. Royal Hargraves USPHS HOSPITAL BALTIMORE. MD. Marcelo Arong Hugo B. Jeffcoat Thomas B. Bryant T. E. Lanphear John Castro Peter Lannon Carl E. Chandler Robert G. McKnew Oswald M. Ergle Roscoe T. MUton Max FeUx Eugene G. Plahn Louis Flrlle Thomas A. Scanlon Gorman T. Glaze Weldon C. Wade Michael Jablonskl J. C. Whatley Edward Janowski Chambers Wlnskey ;v! Recuperating from a variety of injuries at the Staten Island USPHS hospital are these five Seafarers. Standing, left to right, are: George Coleman, John Doherty, and Norman West, Seated, George Flood and Matty Ruusukallio. Lobster Tail Tainted, Co. Blames Victim Rock lobster tails are considered a delicacy by many people but there's one Seafarer who will have no part of them from now on. He is Edwin Christian, who went through a lengthy bout of food poisoning after dining on the South African specialty while aboard the Robin Trent. ' Piling insult on injury, the that he get further medical treat­ obligation over and. above apy company tried to get Christian ment. He checked in at the Staten maintenance and cure that was due to sign a statement, which declared, Island hospital where his ailment him. The .statement declared, was diagnosed as severe food among other things, that Christian among other poisoning. things, that he knew the food was bad when he Since he is still not fit for duty ate it. was aware the Christian came up to the headquar­ food was tainted Christian wisely refused to sign ters Welfare Services office for the statement and hotfooted it before he ate it. advice on how to collect mainte­ back to the M'elfare Services office. Christian hasn't signed the pa­ nance and cure. The company Welfare Services gently reminded pers, and SIU office was contacted and Christian the company that he would not was sent there to pick up money have to sign any statements of this Welfare Services due him. has made it clear kind to collect his maintenance to the company When he got to the company money. At last word, Christian had Christian that he would not office he was first asked to sign a not signed the paper and wa& well have to sign them to collect his statement which would iiave re­ on his way toward receiving full lieved the company of financial compensation for his ailment. maintenance and cure. Out of Action Christian's troubles began aboard the Robin Trent after the lobster tail dinner in a South African port. He and several other crewmembers became violently ill with all the standard symptoms of food poison­ ing. While he was given medica­ A Seafarer who was suddenly stricken seriouslv ill had his tion, he failed to recover and was wife rushed to his bedside from Houston, Texas, with the out of action all the way back to assistance of SIU Welfare Services. Further, as soon as he the States. was well enough to be moved,• — On the ship's arrival in New the Union arranged for him to i Houston branch office and asked York, Christian was examined by a be transferred from a local the agent there to get in touch "ompany doctor who recommended hospital to the Public Health Serv- with Eklund's wife. Once she was ice Hospital on Staten Island notified, Welfare Services made arwhere he is now given a decent rangements for her to fly to Eklund's bedside. chance of pulling through. „ , „ „ in a few days, Eklund started to Seafarer Gustave Eklund was ij-espond to medical treatment. Despite the best efforts of aboard the Seatrain Savannah when Meanwhile, Weifare Services was the authorities, the Public he suddenly suffered a severe re­ in constant touch with the hospital. Health Service Hospitals are currence of an old ulcer ailment. As soon as the Union office was still plagued with ambulance He was in serious condition and notified tliat Eklund could be chasers. Seafarers approached had to receive immediate medical moved, it made arrangements with by these characters or their treatment. Fortunately, the ,ship the Public Health Service for an front men are advised for was docked at Edgewater, New ambulance to pick him up and take their own good to give them a Jersey, and Eklund was rushed to him to Staten Island. fast brushoff. the Englewood Hospital for emer­ Eklund was transferred on No­ It is well known that the gency aid. vember 15, and is still on the criti­ ranks of the ambulance chasers Welfare Services was notified cal list. His wife stood by him for contain many who will charge from the hospital that Eklund was two weeks and then, satisfied that excessive fees or simply sell in critical condition and miglit not he was receiving the best possible out their clients to the com­ survive. It contacted the SIU's care, returned home to Houston. panies. Most of them are known to be pretty poor law­ yers or else they wouldn't be digging for business the way they do. The time to choose a lawyer is not while you are sick or The deaths of the following Sea­ rence, Massachusetts. Burial took injured and being hypnotized farers have been reported to the place at Immaculate Conception by a fast line of chatter. Wait Seafarers Welfare Plan and the Cemetery, Lawrence, Massachu­ until you are "recovered and $2,500 death benefits are being setts. Brother Lane joined the then if you need an attorney Union in June 1940, in New York paid to their beneficiaries: go out and shop around for and has been sailing as an AB. He the best attorney and the best John D. Lane, 50: On November is survived by his wife, Mrs. Vena deal you can get. 10, 1954, Brother Lane died of na­ Lane, 210 Arlington Street, Law­ tural causes at liis home in Law­ rence, Massachusetts. Seafarer Seriously Ailing, Wife Flown To Bedside Beware Ot Cane Chasers 1 �u SEAFARERS^ LOG Nov. 26, 1954 * OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND QULf DISTRICT > AFL 7 •1 Seafaring men have a unique sef of customs for all occasions, and the sea burial is very much a part of their tradition. Whether it is performed because of a dying wish, simple sentiment, or for health and safety reasons, the burial at sea is a singu­ larly solemn affair. The flag dips to half-mast, ship's engines come to a halt and the ship's log records the time, place and cause of the event while his shipmates gather on deck to pay their last respects. Ship's flag (above, left) stays at half-masf for as long as the deceased remains aboard the vessel. Here, Bosun H. Knaflich (left) and L. Tyburczy, DM, sew up the canvas. For his passage to the deep, the departing seaman is entombed in a weighted canvas bag or casket draped with the flag and a solemn prayer is intoned. Soon after, engines resume, and' the work of the living goes on. -«> m 11"' • • • The photos on this page record the burial of Seafarer Peter Cheklin, 56, a member of the SlU for the past ten years, who died of a heart attack on August 31, 1954, aboard the SS Mother M.L, enroute from San Francisco to Korea. pn day of funeral, engines stop and crew gathers to pay last respects. Chief Mate reads Bible as ship's delegate A. Anderson (short sleeves). Captain, others bow heads. r In mid-ocean, orew observes two minutes of silence In tribute to their departed shipmate after prayer is read at short burial service on dech. end of service, make-shift platform holding flagaped coffin is dipped towards sea and the weighted g drops into water. The ceremony performed at that time was typical of those which ships' crews are called on to perform on such occasions and which seamen have been taking part In for centuries. After the deceased is given to the sea, orew lines rail to pay last tribute as first and third assistant engineers oarefully fold the fiag. iinglnes start up again and ship circles buoy dropped to mark the place of burial three times. This is "last look and foodby," as ship's work and voyage rssumes. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1950-1959 Description An account of the resource Volumes XII-XXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource November 24, 1954 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. XVI, No. 24 Description An account of the resource Headlines: GOV'T AGENCY REVIVES DRIVES AGAINST '50-50' BALTO HALL SERVICES HUM CAFETERIA MAKES DEBUT VOTE HEAVY IN ALL PORTS GA. TOWN'S 'LICENSE' BARS UNION ACTIVITY ISTHMIAN TO CALL AT HONG KONG CRIMP RIG PROMISES-BUT... FUTURE OF RESERVE FLEET TO HING ON CONVERSIONS NO HALL ADDING LAUNDRY, NEW RECREATION FACILITIES CS TO TRADE 7 T-2'S FOR 3 SUPERTANKERS SOUTH ATLANTIC MAY GET SUBSIDY COAST GUARD AMBUSH HOPE FOR THE HOSPITALS LATE STARTERS CAN APPLY 20 YEARS AGO SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN, ROUGH SEAS PROVE BAD 'DAILY DOUBLE' ON MADAKET TOP SKIPPER RATES A PAT, SEAMAN SAYS SIU AIDS MORE PHS TRANSFERS LOBSTER TAIL TAINTED, CO. BLAMES VICTIM BURIAL AT SEA Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 11/24/1954 1954 Periodicals Seafarers Log