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

Page 21 text:

Today, the United States Merchant Marine Academy is the only four year accredited college which includes in its curriculum the Sea Year Program. As part of the professional training, each midshipman participates in a coopera- tive educational program consisting of two quarters of the sophomore year and two quarters of the junior year at sea aboard commercially operated merchant ships. Every effort is made to assign midshipmen to different vessels during their two periods of training. They thereby become familiar with the performance and operating character- istics of various classes of ships and with rN mold the midshipman's professional and personal character in a real life en- vironment not generally available to the average college student. Opening 17 the diverse operating requirements of different trade routes while at the same time gaining valuable practical experi- ence in the performance of shipboard duties. This type of training exposes the midshipman to the skills, knowledge, and professional attitudes required of a licensed ships officer. It allows the mid- shipman to study the important differ- ence between classroom study and practical ships operations. The mid- shipman is exposed to the demands and benefits of a maritime career first hand and can thus judge if, in fact, it is a suitable career choice. It is also helps to

Page 20 text:

Sea Year has seen a few changes as the Academy has grown over the years. The original four year curriculum has changed from three years at sea to one year at sea. After spending one year learning the basic fundamentals. Third Class year came around. All Third Classmen were sent out to sea, some aboard the multitude of commercial merchant vessels, a few onboard Academy training vessels. Vessels like the TV Kings Pointer or the TV Verna hold many memories for graduates who sailed upon them. During their shortlived service as fully operated training vessels, they called on such exotic ports as Halifax, Rio de Janerio, and many more. In April and August 1942, the other points officially opened. Pass Christian in Mississippi and San Mateo in Cali- fornia were the offspring of the Gulf and Pacific Coast Re- ceiving Stations. When they finally opened in 1942, they were designed to give basic training to incoming plebes. Both facilities flourished and peaked in the Fall of 1944, when the Cadet corps numbered 4000. Each was its own entity, San Mateo was declared an outstanding example of recent American architecture by the Museum of Modern Art. It lay in the shadow of Hollywood and prominent actors and radio personalities frequently visited and performed. Pass Christian Cadets contented themselves to entertain young ladies from a nearby college. At the end of the war the need to maintain two Cadet Basic Schools on either coast began to wane. The budgetary sword of Damocles hung over the heads of the Cadet Schools. San Mateo saw its end at the close of Fiscal year 1947. Its end came very quietly, neither San Mateo's Bear- ings or Kings Point's Polaris took advanced notice of it. Polaris' September issue reported the arrival of 122 fourth classmen transferred from San Mateo. The Coyote Point base reverted to the original donors and today is known as Coyote Point Park. The only remaining evidence of the school is a monument erected by Kings point's San Francisco Alumni Chapter. Pass Christian survived. But its survival only turned out to be a stay of sentence. As its Battalion was preparing for a half-holiday September 18, 1947, to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the Dedication Day, it was warned of the approach of a hurricane. The celebration was cancelled and all possible efforts were taken to secure the school. A tidal wave swept over Hendersons Point making it a total con- structive loss. After spending a wretched night among the soaking debris, five army trucks rolled into the Point, loaded the refugees and a few salvaged possesions, and started them on their way to Kings Point. On September 2, 1948, a cadre of sixty-six Kings Point Cadet-Midshipmen arrived at Pass Christian to start clearing the wreckage. By November of that year the school was able to re-open, on what many felt was borrowed time. Time came to an end on March 1, 1950. On March 21 the school would detach its last class of gradu- ates at sea, the remaining plebes would travel to Kings Point. This time there would be no return. Third Class year came to an end in 1954 when the split Sea Year was introduced. Now, half of the second and third class went out to sea for the first half of the year. When they returned to the Academy for further training the remainder of their class ventured out to sea.

Page 22 text:

All of us were drawn here by the lure of the sea. Her calling brought us together way back on that hot July day. We grew into a unique class, one that definitely had its own way of doing things, and its own personality. Sea Year, everyone remembers the excite- ment of going to sea. First there was the trouble of catching the ATR in his office to convince him that it was absolutely neces- sary to have three weeks off to recover from school. Finals week rolled around, and Sea Year got closer, between staying up all night studying for finals and packing there was still that check out sheet that you had to trudge all over campus to get signed. After reaching home and relaxing for two or three days, your ATR calls to say that he has a much better ship for you to catch, and its leaving tomorrow. Finally came the proud feeling of seeing your ship as your parents drove through the gates of the dock and marveled in awe at the size of the ship. Then came those first twinges of doubt, when you asked yourself “What am I doing here? Nervousness continued to build as you looked up the gang way that seemed to go up forever. At the top of the gang way there was an old salt who looked about as rough as they come, and smiled warmly as you told him that you were the Cadet and had no idea where to go or what to do. Looking down a pang of loneliness arose as your parents waved from the dock. As you continued to climb the ladder to the fourth deck, the feel- ing of being totally lost crept up on you. Reaching the top of the ladder, you enter the hall way relieved that you have finally arrived at your destination. Peering down the hallway you see some- one with four stripes on his shoulders, a gruff old man who asks you who you are and what you were doing. With your hands sweating and voice squeaking you introduce yourself as the Cadet. The scowling old man tells you that he is the Captain, and asks if this is your first ship. You mumble yes, continuing to ask yourself why you are here, then are taken by surprise as the Captain's weatherworn face breaks into a smile, extends his hand, and welcomes you aboard. In the room next to yours, your sailing partner is busily digging for his khakis to wear to work, the entire contents of his sea bag spilled all over the room. A sense of relief sets in with the sight of a familiar face. When he finally looks up and sees you, he asks if you have signed on yet, then tells you who to see. The door to your room is open, and the room is made up, you are amazed at the size of the room. After signing on, you return and start unpacking to find your kha- kis. The ship is leaving in a few minutes, and you want to watch as it does. 18 18 Opening