News From Fort Schuyler

February 20, 1998 - Volume 2, No. 10

GETTING REGIONAL AND GOING SOUTH - Now that out-of-state students are eligible for New York State tuition, the Admissions Office needs a part-time recruiter for the Virginia and Maryland area. Here's your advanced look at the advertisement that will appear in next week's "Chronicle of Higher Education." Please forward this information to any outstanding candidates you might know.

ADMISSIONS RECRUITER - The Admissions Department of the State University of New York Maritime College is seeking a part-time Admissions Recruiter based in Virginia Beach, Washington, DC, or Baltimore. The position would entail recruiting students in these areas for this professionally oriented college located in New York City. Maritime College has recently been declared a regional maritime college and seeks to expand its geographic base. Familiarity with H.S. guidance and college admissions process required. Experience in the maritime industry a plus. BA/BS required.

Send a letter and resume to: Director of Admissions, Maritime College, 6 Pennyfield Avenue, Throgs Neck, NY 10465. SUNY is an EO/AA employer.

HE REALLY WENT DOWN "TO" THE SHIP - Excerpts from a recent note sent by TONY MARGAN, Class of 1983, concerning his classmate, JEFFREY LEDDA: "Jeff is an oceanographic/marine engineer .... his area of professional expertise is underwater ROVs (Remote Operating Vehicles), other underwater vehicles, underwater video/photography and lighting. Within his specialized field, Jeff as deservedly earned wide respect and admiration from his professional colleagues."

"During 1996 and 1997, Jeff was employed (as an independent contractor) by James Cameron to provide technical expertise for all the underwater scenes from the current movie TITANIC. Jeff was also the designated (and only) ROV pilot for "Snoopy," the ROV that took all the underwater footage of the TITANIC in the actual movie. Some of Jeff's efforts are detailed in Cameron's autobiographical account published in this month's issue of "Wired" magazine (widely available at magazine stands.)" (My local bookstore, Barnes and Noble, also carries it, ed.)

"At the end of the movie TITANIC, Jeff's name appears twice in the credits, and there has been some recent discussion of Jeff receiving partial credit for recent Academy Award nominations for cinematography and special effects. If not the actual award, Jeff stands a good chance of receiving honorary certificate(s) from the Academy in Los Angeles."

TRAINING SHIP OFFICERS ANNOUNCED - Admiral Brown has announced that Captain JOSEPH F. AHLSTROM, Class of 1982, will be EMPIRE STATE VI Master and RONALD E. JACKSON, Class of 1970 will be the Chief Engineer for the 1998 training cruise. CHRISTOPHER ZOLA, Class of 1993, has assumed the position of permanent Chief Mate.

TENTATIVE SUMMER SEA TERM ITINERARY - Albany (May 19-20) - Malaga (June 3-7) - Hamburg (June 15-20) - Dublin (June 25-30). TSES VI may also anchor off Greenport and Glen Cove prior to the July 14 return to Fort Schuyler to participate in the America's Sail Celebration.

ABOARD THE SS UNITED STATES - Both deck and engine alumni responded to this item. SHELDON JOHNSON, Class of 1963: "I'm proud to say that I sailed as a licensed junior engineer on THE BIG U. I was so impressed when we got underway and the engineers were bringing her up to speed. She sailed like a fine Swiss watch...... I worked at Gibbs and Cox in NY when she was still sailing. She used to blow her whistle when departing NY in respect to William Francis Gibbs, who had a lot to do with her being born. While at Gibbs I did a ship check of her in Norfolk when we were doing studies for conversion to a hospital ship. She was a candidate for that project. I remember the extensive dehumidification system installed throughout which I know was greatly responsible for the good condition she is in." JOHN INGRAM, Class of 1964, writes: "I sailed on THE BIG U in 1968 as a Third Mate with COMMODORE ALEXANDERSON, Class of 1930, my classmate VINNY COX, Class of 1964, and Second Mate GERRY GORDON, Class of 1961. There were a whole bunch of Schuyler engineers on board. Alexanderson's nickname was Ajax (The White Knight.)"