Massachusetts Maritime Academy - Muster Yearbook (Buzzards Bay, MA)

Page 6 text:

Lt. Paul G. Hirst, USMS To John Fitzgerald, cook, father-con- fessor to the football team, and our most avid sports fan, we as a class owe a par- ticularly warm vote of thanks. He did his best to satisfy our ravening appetites, and we knew that we could always count on him in a pinch. As our good friend, he shares this dedication. 2 DEDICATION To Lieutenant Paul G. Hirst go our thanks for all the time and energy he de- voted to our class during our three years as Midshipmen. Tirelessly he showed us the ways and means, both in the classroom and outside it, of becoming good officers. In humble recognition of these efforts we the class of 1956 dedicate our yearbook to him in part, for a job well done. John F. Fitzgerald

Page 8 text:

HISTORY OF Sixty-five years ago the Commonwealth of Massachusetts established the charter for this school, to train young men in the skills and traditions of her seafaring forefathers. Even before the birth of this nation, in the days of the colonial empires of France, Spain, and England, Massachusetts was setting an enviable record for her future men of the sea to follow. Her ships and sailors sought out every corner of the globe, bringing home all the laurels that they possibly could obtain. In the China trade, her Clippers were first, her Whalers, from New Bedford and Nan- tucket, roamed far and wide over the vast Pacific, and her merchantmen plied their trade to every port that was open to them. In order to maintain her supremacy in a world of ever increasing competition, the Massachusetts Nautical School was founded in 1891 to provide a training center for a highly skilled class of Merchant Marine Offi- cers. The School as a two year preparatory course for merchant seamen began function- ing in 1893 aboard the bark Enterprise, which served as the training ship until 1909. In 1909, the Ranger, a barkentine, was acquired from the Navy and renamed the Nantucket. Through three decades the Nancy served faithfully and well, carrying the cadets to every corner of the globe and producing a caliber of seaman that makes the men of Massachusetts proud of their school. During the depression and through many futile attempts to close the Academy, the Nantucket cruised the oceans of the world with her cadets. As the nation plunged head- long into war once more, the Navy in desper- ate need of trained officers, turned to the Academy for help.