MarEx Mailbag: Reader Response to Last Week's Editorial
MarEx readers weigh in on previous online editorial about the potential renaming of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy's training ship ENTERPRISE.
In our August 14th e-newsletter, we published an editorial entitled, "Tempest in a Teapot: Mass. Maritime Moves to Change Name of Training Ship." The piece centered on a proposal by Massachusetts Congressman Delahunt (D MA) whereby he advocates the renaming of the Academy's training ship to reflect the name "Kennedy." The subject, originally thought by MarEx to be a primarily regional matter, instead has attracted more readers (article "OPENS") than any other in this online publication over the past 9 months. Needless to add, it also brought in more than its share of mail, for more than one reason. Read the August 14th editorial by clicking HERE. Not all of the reader's submissions were in, shall we say, good taste. Check out (just a few) of our reader's comments on the article below:
To MarEx:
Rename the Enterprise to honor the Kennedy family? What a sorry idea! Senator Ted Kennedy is a disgrace and now that the media has revealed more about President John Kennedy, he too is a disgrace. The only honorable member of the older Kennedys seems to be Robert.
Would you please pass on this citizen's reaction to the renaming of the Enterprise.
Thank you.
Chris Sale
MarEx Editor's Remarks: He asked and we complied. Read on:
Joe:
Nicely balanced and nuanced article. But it is worth noting that the naming of ships to curry political favor has a long history. For example, you surely recall that for decades US submarines were named after underwater creatures - mostly fish. Who can forget those heroic exploits in the Pacific by the crews of BARB, WAHOO, TAUTOG, and the many other fishy boats, or, more recently the winners of the Cold War's blind man's bluff; HALIBUT, PARCHE, LAPON, DACE,SHARK, JACK and many more.
But sometime in the 70s, as I recall, it was decided, reputedly by Admiral Rickover, the father of the nuclear Navy and its principle salesman to the Congress, that politicians from major metropolitan areas had more clout than did fish. Our attack submarines were then subsequently all named after cities, which provided many opportunities for local sponsors to bask in the reflected glory of these splendid ships.
So I am sorry to hear that the MMA alumni are getting too worked up about this name change, particularly if it is effective in strengthening the long-term political support for maritime training. It sounds like time for a deep breath.
Best,
Gene Porter
MarEx Editor's Remarks: It does appear that, faced with this proposal, there are no easy answers for MMA's President. He is faced with trying to fund the Academy in an era where available sources are dwindling. I don't envy him.
Joseph,
Thanks for an excellent article. I am one of the many against this and have written the Patriot Ledger and General Dishner about how I felt. I agree that most of the Alum are conservative. The politics of this really smells.
Best Regards,
Name withheld (the author does business in the state of Massachusetts and wants that to continue.)
MarEx Editor's Remarks: His/her feeling is that political opinions could affect ongoing business – I couldn't agree more, especially in Massachusetts (see Editorial).
Dear Mr. Keefe:
I am thoroughly disgusted to learn of the proposal for MMA discard the very honorable name ENTERPRISE in favor of something "honoring" Senator Kennedy.
If they have to prostitute themselves for an appropriation, then the ship should be renamed THE GOOD SHIP VENUS from the ribald chanty we all know so well. The figurehead would be so appropriate!
With considerable disgust (at the proposal),
Allan Phillips, CMA, E-63
MarEx Editor's Remarks: Weighing in from the left coast with a strong opinion. Always glad to see that we also have our California Maritime Academy readers. Read on:
Joseph,
Just read your piece. I am a 1962 Deck grad. I am spending my retirement time sailing 12 weeks a year on a research training vessel here in North Carolina. I have been on the email coms with a great number of my former shipmates (USTS BAY STATE) and many of the younger grads. I really appreciate your measured commentary. As you already know the "MIDDIES" are infuriated that political "butt kissing" may make this happen.
Wallace Bartlett , MMA '62
MarEx Editor's remarks: I appreciate this writer's characterization of my editorial as "measured." We did try to look at things from both sides. A thorny issue, to be sure.
This reader forwarded a letter he sent to the Academy and its President:
In naming the USTS Enterprise the Kennedy's we do three things. First, we negate the maritime contribution of our Commonwealth's sons and daughters since the Founding by pinning that distinction on one family. Second, we partisanize the Academy by identifying it with a most noteworthy Democrat similar to the Republican alignment of U.S. aircraft carriers. Third, we break more than a century of tradition in naming our schoolships after the states from which they hail.
The Kennedy's have made great contributions to the cause of our nation and this is not to diminish their significance. Equally, this is not a slight to our leadership at Mass. Maritime in whom I have great faith and admiration. However, it is a stand for the significant people who have gone before the Kennedy family in Massachusetts and made as much or more contribution to the maritime history of our Commonwealth and nation. That list is nearly endless, as the late Samuel Elliot Morrison might attest in his Maritime History of Massachusetts.
Please take some time to consider the opinion of the Maritime alumni in this matter. That might be worthy of an article in your paper as well.
Very Kind Regards,
Captain Neil A. Daboul '88
Norfolk, Virginia
MarEx Editor's Remarks: I did in fact advocate the consideration of the opinion of the Mass. Maritime alumni in the matter. Readers might be interested to know that a poll initiated by the keeper of the MMA Alumni Chat site recorded a 92 percent opposition in the Alumni (for those who bothered to respond) to the name change.
BZ on the article
Joe,
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your article. It was well written, but more importantly, it was from a perspective that many of our passionate brethren are not willing to use for the discussion.
In the military there are two expressions that I think are relevant; first is "No" is only a temporary condition, but more applicable, 'you can never truly kill a bad idea'.
While I may disagree with the idea of changing the name, it was nice to read a caption of the issue that is not loaded with exclamation points.
Very Respectfully,
Name withheld (MMA Alumni and U.S. Naval Officer)
MarEx Editor's Remarks: You know, I really liked this letter. Enough said. The next three (and final) letters, I will address cumulatively at the end. They all address the editorial but from a different slant:
Dear Joe Keefe,
I agree with your article on the MMA training ship not becoming the T/S KENNEDY or whatever the final arrangement. Like the great historical ships of the Navy, politics has marred the names of many to worship the few.
I've got to say though, your MMA bias did seem to slip through with you reference to Mass Maritime when stating "the alumni of the oldest continuously operating maritime academy in the country. MMA was established in 1891. I really hate to be the guy to burst your alumni bubble, but the SUNY Maritime College was founded in 1874 with the acquisition of the USS St.Mary's. I didn't serve on the St. Mary's but did first wet my oar off the T/S EMPIRE STATE IV.
Respectfully Contested,
Tom Ruszala
(SUNY Maritime Class of '69)
(Maritime Emigrant from Worcester, MA)
Dear Joe,
I think you had better get your facts straight about the oldest maritime academy. NY Maritime has been in business since 1874. As for Kennedy's name on the bow you can put me down as a 'no' even though I went to Fort Schuyler (1969). I do pay property taxes in Mass however.
All the school ships are constantly fighting to get federal funding to run their ships. KP doesn't have this problem as it has no ship. Wasting taxpayer's money on this con job is a joke. There is barely enough money to run those much needed training aids, no less waste money on changing names. What's next? The T.V. Chuck Schumer?
Sincerely yours,
Captain Paul E.Lobo
Falmouth, Mass 02540
Joseph,
Just finished reading your "Tempest in a Teapot" story. Whatever MMA decides to name their ship is fine with me. As a 1976 SUNY Maritime College graduate I do have to take exception with your statement that MMA is the "oldest continuously operating maritime academy in the country". Of course maybe my alma mater was giving me B.S. when they printed the 1974 Centennial brochure. Attached is a scan of what it says on the inside cover: "Although other such institutions are and have been in existence, all were founded after the Maritime College". As far as I know NY Maritime never shut it's doors although it certainly did change it's name over the years. MMA even got one of SUNY's hand me down training ships while I was in school. Is the MMA claim to fame something like that other famous Massachusetts institution the Union Oyster House? Despite the gentle jab at your school I do enjoy the MarEx Newsletter.
Full Ahead,
Kevin Jirak
MarEx Editor's Remarks: First of all, guys, I was having a little fun. No harm; no foul. Secondly, one of the three letters says that I expressed an opinion against the renaming of the ship. I did no such thing. I haven't expressed an opinion on the matter yet. I know; not like me at all, but in this instance, I thought it was a good time for, as one other reader so aptly put it, "a deep breath." Regarding the "oldest continuously operating maritime academy" statement, I guess I knew that would raise a few hackles, but I was really on a roll, fingers flying on the keyboard and all that. But, after having it beaten into me as a youngie (I think) and having heard it so many times over the years that it seems like fact, it seemed like a nice string of adjectives to stick into the piece. In the wake of these letters, however, I turned to my most trusted MMA historian (a closely guarded secret) and said, "What's the deal? Am I all wet?" Here is his answer (paraphrased for a "G" audience):
Joe;
It is crap. SUNY (New York Maritime), and the defunct Penn Maritime are older than MMA. Penn is now defunct since about the end of WW II.
MMA began in 1893, after those two. However, during the Spanish American War (1898) all of New York maritime instructors were recalled into the Navy, enough instructors at MMA were not.
New York suspended operations for the War, MMA kept going.
It's a bogus claim dreamed up by previous MMA officials and then used as a "Marketing" gimmick. I am surprised it has taken anybody this long to ask that question. Got any more?
MarEx Editor's Remarks: Nope. That should do it. Oh, I did find this on the Massachusetts Maritime Academy WEB site: "The school has grown from an entering class of forty cadets in April, 1893, to a well respected, world recognized institution, the oldest maritime academy in continuous operation in the United States and the largest State maritime academy." So, it must be true!
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