Before making these craft available to the general public, Mystic Seaport would like to offer CAMM members the chance to acquire two Hickman Model 13 Sea Sleds that are surplus to the needs of the museum. Both boats are offered free of charge to a bona fide 501(c)(3) historical organization. The new owner will, however, be responsible for all costs associated with moving the boats.
For photos and more information see CAMM Notice Model 13 Sea Sleds
Submitted by Kurt Voss, August 10, 2016
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The National Historic Landmark ships at Hyde Street Pier are a feast for the eyes, but there is more to them than what we can see. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is piloting a new program aimed at engaging visitors with visual impairments (but open to all groups) to experience the vessels in a new way – through smell, sound, touch, and feel. The new sensory tours are free with regular park admission, but must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
The 60-90 minute tours are geared toward small groups (around 10 people). At the close of each program, visitors will be invited to engage in self-guided tours of the other historic vessels.
To request a sensory tour, please contact Alice Watts at awatts@maritime.org. Although they are free with the park’s regular $10 admission, the tours need to be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
The park offers assisted listening services on request. Sign Language interpreter services need to be requested at least five days in advance. Please contact the Accessibility Coordinator/Chief of Interpretation by telephone (415-859-6797) or email (safr_accessibility@nps.gov) for more information.
San Francisco Maritime NHP, located at the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, includes a magnificent fleet of historic ships, Visitor Center, Maritime Museum, Maritime Research Center, and Aquatic Park Historic District. For more information, please call 415-447-5000 or visit http://www.nps.gov.safr. Follow us on Twitter @SFMaritimeNPS and Instagram sfmaritimenps and join us on FB @SanFranciscoMaritimeNHP.
The Mystic Seaport’s newest video “Maintaining History: Historic Vessel Maintenance at Mystic Seaport” takes a look at how the Seaport’s skilled craftspeople combine historic tools and methods with modern technology to preserve historic vessels of all kinds.
Submitted by Connor Zito, July 27, 2016
Richard Everett at San Francisco Maritime NHP recently queried the membership on mast displays. Here is a summary of the results he received – Mast Display survey
Submitted by Candace Clifford, July 27, 2016
ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Annapolis Maritime Museum received a Strategic Impact Grant from the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County to build a virtual database of archives. This timely grant is making a big impact for the Museum’s online collections, and the Museum’s database has already encouraged local historians to submit their private collections for public use.
Over the past month, William Keyworth has been working with dedicated volunteers at the Annapolis Maritime Museum to digitize and make public his collection of thirty-seven color Kodak slides with vivid images of skipjacks on the Chesapeake Bay. These impressive photos were captured in the 1970s and 1980s, and can now be publicly accessed on the Museum’s website.
The Annapolis Maritime Museum deeply appreciates William Keyworth’s donation and continues to strive to make all of its collections more readily available to the broader public. Caitlin Swaim, the curator of the Annapolis Maritime Museum, is especially excited about this newest addition to the museum’s online archives. Swaim noted, “The online database allows the Annapolis Maritime Museum to reach a much wider audience and provides both historians and the public with new collections and resources for research.”
The Annapolis Maritime Museum is now accepting new submissions for the online database, where it will continue to build a local archive of maritime history.
The Annapolis Maritime Museum is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to educating students and adults on the area’s rich maritime heritage and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay through programs, exhibits and community events. The Museum partners with community groups, government entities, and other like-minded organizations to deliver high-quality educational initiatives and programs on subjects ranging from history and culture to the environment and good stewardship practices.
Submitted by M.K. Richardson, Annapolis Maritime Museum, July 19, 2016
Query from Richard Everett at San Francisco Maritime NHP:
We are looking for any photos of an interactive mast display OR simply notice of where one was or is… You know the type: We have seen them at institutions in US and Europe: The visitors/kids/users stand in footropes just a few feet off the ground and holding onto the jackstay (with one hand!) they claw the sail up. Info please!!
Contact Richard at Richard_Everett@nps.gov.
NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES, Ill. – The Great Lakes Naval Museum will be officially renamed the National Museum of the American Sailor during a ceremony and sign unveiling at the museum 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 4th.
The Navy’s top enlisted Sailor, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (AW/NAC) Mike Stevens, will be joined by retired Rear Adm. Sam Cox, director of Naval History and Heritage Command, North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham, Capt. James Hawkins, commanding officer of Naval Station Great Lakes, Jennifer Searcy, Ph.D., director of the National Museum of the American Sailor, and representatives from the Great lakes Naval Museum Foundation and National Museum of the American Sailor Foundation to unveil the new sign in front of the museum.
“Dedicated to telling the story of anyone who has ever worn the Navy uniform, this building will do more than house history,” said Cox. “The National Museum of the American Sailor will stand as a place for Sailors, Navy families and proud Americans to learn more about the Navy that serves them by using the history and experiences of our Sailors as the basis for its exhibits.”
Cox and Stevens are scheduled to share the news of the name change with attendees of the Naval Station Great Lakes July Fourth Celebration with a speech and video presentation 8:20 p.m. Tuesday.
The National Museum of the American Sailor name change signals a shift in vision from a regional focus to one that depicts the diverse history of Sailors who have served in the U.S. Navy. The name change also reflects the interest of museum visitors, many of whom travel from across the country to attend the basic training graduations at the Navy’s Recruit Training Command.
“What may appear as a simple name change to some, for me, marks a recommitment to my shipmates that as a Navy, and as a Nation, we honor the service and sacrifice of all American Sailors,” said Stevens.
The National Museum of the American Sailor currently features exhibits on life in Navy boot camp, naval uniforms and traditions, the history of Naval Station Great Lakes, the role of diversity in the Navy and the role of women in the Navy. Over the next two years, the museum will expand its exhibits to introduce visitors to the overall history and role of the U.S. Navy and the experiences of American Sailors in the past and today
“I am very excited for this ‘new’ museum, and I welcome you all to visit. Our nation’s history would not be the same if it were not for the millions of American Sailors who have served in the United States Navy,” said Cox.
The museum is located in Building 42 just outside the perimeter of Naval Station Great Lakes. Building 42, known as Hostess House, was built in 1942 and served as a visitors and reception center for almost one million American Sailors who came through Great Lakes during WWII.
The former Great Lakes Naval Museum was dedicated on October 26, 1996 in Building 158 and opened to the public on October 13, 1997. It became an official Navy Museum in Building 42 in 2009, joining the Naval History and Heritage Command museum enterprise.
The National Museum of the American Sailor is one of ten museums in the NHHC enterprise. Other museums include:
Submitted by the Naval History & Heritage Command, July 1, 2016
An update from Tim Runyan of the National Maritime Alliance:
Last night (June 29), the Senate passed the Maritime Administration Authorization bill (S. 2829), led by Sen Deb Fischer (R-NE), chair of the subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and Ranking Member of the subcommittee, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ).
This is important because the House National Defense Authorization Act (H. R. 4904) includes the House approved MARAD Authorization. The MARAD Authorization has to be in the Senate NDAA, if the Senate is to accept the House language to restore the maritime heritage grant program, when they conference. Conferencing is beginning. Of course, we expect the MARAD Authorization to be included in the Senate NDAA.
Now we can focus on winning at the conference of the House and Senate.
Another hurdle cleared!
Thanks for your support, and now we need to press members of the Senate to accept the language in the House NDAA–H.R. 4909, Title 35, Section 3508, which restores the maritime heritage grant program by directing that one-fourth of the ship scrapping profits received by MARAD be transferred to the Secretary of the Interior for the NPS-administered maritime heritage grant program.
Best, Tim
The NPS Maritime Heritage Grants Program has posted the following reminder:
The clock is ticking…….but there’s still plenty of time to submit your National Maritime Heritage Grant proposal before the deadline of August 5, 2016. $1.7 million is available for maritime education or preservation projects! More information can be found at our website at https://www.nps.gov/maritime/grants/apply.htm
But here’s what’s really important right now. Remember, applicants must submit their complete application packages through the grants.gov website. If you have not yet registered with grants.gov or the System for Awards Management (SAM – at sam.gov) do it now – because it will take up to two weeks for your account to be processed before you can submit your application. And if you do have accounts already – make sure that everything is up to date.
Let us know if you have any questions – and may you have fair winds in your application process!
Excerpted from NPS History Facebook Page by Candace Clifford, June 29, 2016
Mystic Seaport has launched a new video — “Celestial Navigation: Finding the Way at Mystic Seaport.” In the years before GPS technology, sailors relied on the sun and stars to find their way home safely. The times have certainly changed, but Mystic Seaport explores the surprisingly precise science of celestial navigation.
Here is a link to the video: http://stories.mysticseaport.org/celestial-navigation/
Submitted by Connor Zito, June 29, 2016
