View non-flash version
Last East Coast Sailing Of U.S.-Flag Passenger Ship When the S/S Santa Rosa departed from New York on a 13-day Caribbean cruise on January 8, 1971, it marked the last sailing of the last United States-flag passenger ship on the East Coast. In fact, it seemed to fore- cast the end of all such sailings, since only four other passenger ships remain of the once proud fleet of this type of ship, and they are on the West Coast. The Santa Rosa thus sadly follows the wakes of the America, Atlantic, Independence, Constitution, Brasil, Argentina, United States, Lurline and a host of others. Most of these ships were built after World War II and had fore-shortened careers. Despite Government subsidies, the steamship companies decided that they were no longer able to operate them profitably. On board for this last sailing were a valiant band of Propeller Club members, embarked for the purpose of dramatizing the plight of the American merchant marine and its faded passenger ship fleet. Their Caribbean cruise was conceived before the announcement of the pending termination of further sailings of the Santa Rosa and Santa Paula of the Prudential- Grace Lines, which were the last two remain- ing U.S.-flag passenger ships on the East Coast. Additional members of the club em- barked at Port Everglades, Fla., on January 10, where a reception by the Port Everglades Propeller Club was held. Arthur E. Farr, national president of The Propeller Club of the United States and vice president of Northwest Marine Iron Works, a Portland, Ore., shipyard, was on board with his wife. At a pre-sailing party on board, he commented wryly: "It is indeed ironic that The Propeller Club cruise coincides with the last sailing of the last United States-flag pas- senger ship on the East Coast. Nevertheless, we are honored to have the choice to sail on this safe American passenger ship, built in America, operated under the American flag, and served by American personnel. We look forward to the day when a substantial num- ber of American passenger ships will once again cruise the international sea lanes and proudly show the American flag in the ports of the world." Shown on board the Santa Rosa before departure are, left to right: Arthur E. Farr, national president of The Pro- peller Club of the U.S., and Mrs. Farr; Mrs. Earl W. Clark and Mr. Clark, who is Co-director, Labor-Manage- ment Maritime Committee, Washington, D.C. Mr. Farr added: "The Propeller Club, with its 13,000 members and 77 local clubs in the United States and overseas, remains dedicated to the promotion of measures to revitalize our merchant marine. We intend to re-dedicate ourselves to this prime purpose. I cannot recall in our history when U.S. passenger ships have not sailed from the East Coast. This is indeed tragic! I find it hard to believe that the Administration, the Congress and the people of a great country will allow this situa- tion to continue!" The Propeller Club of the United States is pledged to support necessary measures to implement the new 1970 Merchant Marine Act, particularly in the area of improved labor- management relations and the use of Ameri- can-flag vessels for the shipment of Ameri- can exports and imports overseas. Since the formation of its first local club in 1923, it has sought to insure the existence of an American merchant marine adequate to meet the require- ments of national security and economic wel- fare of the United States. ADJUSTABLE CHAIN STOPPER Patented The L0CKSTAD ADJUSTABLE CHAIN STOPPER is SAFER — SURER — FASTER Less hazardous to personnel when engaging and dis-engaging The Lockstad Stopper is EASILY & QUICKLY ADJUSTED by ONE MAN Adjust TO LOCK the anchor chain in the DESIRED POSITION Operated HYDRAULICALLY or, by RATCHET-SCREW, as illustrated For NEW CONSTRUCTION and conversion of EXISTING VESSELS whether fitted with a HORIZONTAL or VERTICAL TYPE WINDLASS Utilizes Less Space No Bow Stoppers No Devil's Claws No Turnbuckles One unit can eliminate devil's claws, turnbuckles, bow stoppers and, it utilizes less space. The one stopper that serves the dual purpose of transferring chain load to the vessel's structure and houses the chain in a snugly stowed position. The LOCKSTAD STOPPER is also used to MEASURE CHAIN STRESS or LOAD when POSITIONING or SETTING ANCHORS and CHAIN on OIL DRILL RIGS. \oc6afad 179 West 5th Street • Bayonne, N. J. 07002 • Call 201 339 1351 TIKE RE-CAP* 'I figure it's about time. — 40,000 miles on them." 36 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
