Maine Maritime Academy - Tricks End Yearbook (Castine, ME)

Page 103 text:

BALTIMURE 1 knew they didn't sail, they iust moved it. Middy-Style, 6 men to put up a little flagpole. 1 made a bet 1 could fall asleep standing up on one of these tours - Woods Finally we were blessed with calm waters, blue skies, and the Chesapeake Bay. We were really proud when we arrived in Baltimore and felt as if we had been sailing all our lives. The first stop was in that phone booth at the end of the dock and, Sure, Mom, I'm finef or I miss you, but donit worryg I can take care of myselff' and that night you did. Weill all remember the Gaiety, E. Baltimore Street, the U.S.O., and our educational tours of the many ships encompassing ours in drydock. Later it was on to the Nation's Capital and for many of us, it was the first look at the City which makes our great country tick. The most vigorously implanted memory pertaining to our Baltimore stopover seems to be of an evening when some unknown person accidentally turned the wrong valve which re- sulted in the longest bucket brigade ever recorded in the history of the Academy. A hundred and twenty 'iMugsv working an un- precedented eight hours straight. Having lightened our purses considerably and eagerly awaiting departure for our first foreign port, we were informed that our trip was to be delayed for a whilel' due to some trouble with the boilers - a foreshadowing of what was to come.

Page 102 text:

. . . AND ANCHORS AWEIGH We were now on our way to becoming true Middies, but on that first day out we could have cared less. The pipe sounded of gale force winds and green seas, and we were kept busy by the old saltsi' in an attempt to keep us from thinking about the swirling waters and constant motion of the rolling ship. As the day progressed, most of us gradually fell into line along the rail beside such salty heroes as Pete Robinson and B. I.Thibodeau who had been observing the endless motion of the churning propellers since the last line had been tugged aboard. Those who made it until supper invariably found themselves joining their classmates on the fantail, while those who braved the quietness of the mess deck were seen eating an unbelievable amount of saltine crackers and little else. When we finally hit the sack, we found we couldnit sleep as the unfamiliar sound of humming reduction gears and tumbling lockers coupled with the weightless sensation accompanying the wallowing of the ship's structure prevented the dormant state of mind. The following two days and nights were, as we had expected, filled with neverending musters, bilge parties and deck plates, and the realization of what had to be learned in the next three and one- half years here at the Academy. 1 wanna go home - Grimard gmdnof ifiiflg tv get sick, lim not going to get sick, 1'm . . .BABFII If I knew how to use the phone, I'd report that midclie re eric 98 who iust fell over-board - Newbegin

Page 104 text:

E SEE THE EA TH T STOBEO RLIVES... Our delay in Baltimore resulted in the disheartening cancellation of our next scheduled port, jamaica. We headed straight for the Panama Canal and our first foreign port, arriving there several days later. As we began our transit of the Canal, we were amazed at the new life we were experiencing and the greatness of everything in view, from the historic Panama Canal to the Great Oceanf the Pacific. The Canal, incidentally, saves shipping about 7,000 miles of travel and brought to mind the immense complex of the industry of which we will someday be a part. Our thoughts were suddenly interrupted with a pipe to muster and we completed the afternoon with the usual and sometimes monotonous cleaning stations, both above and below decks, but always keeping one eye bulging out an open porthole for fear we might miss something. Transit took eight hours and we were later able to witness the seemingly complex operations of the locks and the mechanical donkeys assisting passage. After the routine half mile of bow lines, stern lines, and spring lines were secured, we commenced liberty in Panama and, needless to say, it was unreal. We bought everything in sight, from ridiculous souvenirs to worthwhile, low-priced clothing and jewelry. Time was our major restriction but we utilized it wisely, taking in all we could until our last final seconds of the gangway run. At night we melted into the life of the city, learning at a people-to-people level, extending U.S. good will, and finding out things not written in books. We arrived at an active time of year and were able to attend exhibitions of local talent. x Rf .l .. 4,-' ' .. 5 N ,, . , -'I ' 'Q 1 .' ..... , . f it-SN ' .., ' Meg ,?,,,,,,:s.3:. f,,.afg5.,,, 1- . . .1rwA3.sw,.,.,-,,w11-,- - ,ies V5 ,, V' 1 +R.-me ' 'sa ' A a :Q Q N- ' 'ifrfgfgklkwfav vu., '. .isa : - Sg5:j: 3g3:as-ig ' ,, - ,.,., .rv ' 1' t l still donit see why they call them mules - Peterson Higgins, Soper - Hey!! Open the gate! - Panama Canal Don't look now but a car's coming - 0'Connor, Oliver 100