United States Merchant Marine Academy - Midships Yearbook (Kings Point, NY)

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9mall patch of Earth, using only the sun, stars and one’s sharpened instincts was no small feat, and even to thi9 day it is a skill which we can practice and take pride in. To then fill one’s ship with people and cargo necessary for the spread and maintenance of civilization, and to be responsible for their safe passage and arrival made the seafarer an important element in the development of world history. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has its noble traditions as well. A9 we all learned as plebes, it is the only federal academy whose cadets actively participated in, and helped pay the price of the Second World War. Early graduates served as officers and in some cases masters of the merchant ships which made the perilous but vital supply runs which enabled us to support and prevail in war efforts carried out thousands of mile9 from our shores. The casualty rate of merchant seamen in World War Two was second only to the Marines, and the example of those brave men, who so willingly risked their lives aboard those floating powder kegs should not be soon forgotten. Continued on page 14 Opening 13

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 Top Left: Deck Midshipman Tom Lightsey works the radar inside the bridge simulator control room. Top Middle Left: In the 1940’s, engine cadets learned “hands on” experience aboard the T V KINGS POINTER. Top Right: During the early 40’s all deck cadets learned how to operate sig- nalling lights. Middle Left: Many deck midshipmen are still instructed in the “art” of taking wet and dry bulb temperature readings. Middle Right: CWO Potter shows fourth classmen how to tie knots in Nau- tical Science class. Bottom Left: Lt. Malinowski oversees Midshipmen Woodrick and Reed in their production of a valve stem. Bottom Middle: Deck Cadets are shown here working out problems in coastal navigation. Bottom Right: Midshipman Ken Law- son at the helm of the bridge simulator. I 12 Opening

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 p “ ■ - To graduate from Kings Point today is to have a direct link back to those brave men, many of whom are still out at sea, and with whom many of us have been fortunate enough to be shipmates. IEven more so, however, to graduate from Kings Point is to become a part of the proud tradition of seafarers all over the world. Our friends who went to I “normal” colleges, and lived “normal” lives may well soon find out that the best part of their lives is over, as they settle into mundane jobs of no particu- lar heritage or distinction, which are characterized only by their alikeness to so many other dull and mundane jobs. On the other hand, while our four years at Kings Point were demanding, rigor- ous, and sometimes close to miserable, we are, upon graduation, literally of- fered the world. As long as we are willing to seek them out, the opportunities are endless, for we are the best, because we have made ourselves the best. We are graduates of the finest school of its kind in the world. We have surmounted all it could throw up against us, and we have thrived. We stayed at Kings Point, we stuck it out because we knew in our hearts that we could. Whenever things got rough, we held on and made it through, not because we owed it to our parents, friends, or the institution, but because we owed it to ourselves. Now we are ready to take on the world around us, and we know we must succeed, for we have already been through worse. To graduate now, into a depressed shipping industry should not be viewed as on obstacle, but as a chal- lenge. We’ll take the ratty jobs, the jobs no one else wants, and we will do well in them. We will thrive. Maybe they won’t be quite the jobs we were trained for, maybe they won’t be quite the jobs we want. But someday, should our country ever need us, we will be out there, and we will be ready. We will be ready, will- ing, able, and eager to carry on the proud tradition of those who have gone before us. For we are Kings Pointers. This then, is the yearbook of the Class of 1983. It is the record of who we are and all that we went through to- gether. It is four long years of our lives. Four of the best damned years we ever spent. 14 Opening