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EVENT: 2012 National Maritime Historical Society Annual Awards Dinner

Published Oct 5, 2012 12:10 PM by The Maritime Executive

The National Maritime Historical Society will host its 2012 Annual Awards Dinner on Wednesday, 10 October 2012, at the New York Yacht Club in New York City.  The NMHS Distinguished Service Award, for outstanding contributions in the maritime field, will be presented to Admiral Sir Jonathon Band GCB DL, Captain Brian A. McAllister, and Captain Don Walsh, USN (Ret.).  The David A. O’Neil Sheet Anchor Award, recognizing the contributions of those who further the work of the Society, will be given to Thomas F. Daly.

  • Admiral Sir Jonathon Band GCB DL is the Royal Navy’s former First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff (2006-2009).  He is currently Chairman of the National Museum of the Royal Navy and President of The 1805 Club.  In his position at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, he led the successful effort to save the flagship of Admiral Lord Nelson, HMS Victory, the oldest navy ship in commission.  The 1805 Club promotes study of the Royal Navy of the Georgian period.  The award to Admiral Band is for his extraordinary success in preserving and drawing public attention to the tangible evidence of maritime history.
  • Captain Brian A. McAllister, a graduate of SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, served in the US Navy, at one point as the Executive Officer on USS Lake County (LST 880).  Today he is the principal owner and president of McAllister Towing and Transportation Company, Inc., one of the nation’s oldest and most diversified marine towing and transportation companies, operating an extensive fleet of over 75 tugs, barges, and ferries in the major ports on the East Coast.  Captain McAllister will be cited for his lifetime work promoting maritime history to the shipping community.
  • Captain Don Walsh has participated in diving operations with over two dozen manned submersibles since 1959, piloting seven of them.  Designated USN Deep Submersible Pilot #1, he was the first Officer-in-Charge of the bathyscaphe Trieste at the Navy Electronics Laboratory in San Diego.  In January 1960, he and Jacques Piccard dove Trieste to the deepest place in the World Ocean:  35,840 feet.  Captain Don Walsh will be honored for his lifetime commitment to educating the public and the academic community about the importance of ocean exploration.
  • Thomas F. Daly has been an active trustee, secretary, and chair of the Audit Committee, as well as serving on several other vital committees of the National Maritime Historical Society.  His contributions to the Society extend to sharing his vast knowledge of the history of piloting at a Charles Point Council seminar, advising NMHS in legal matters, and arranging trustee outings.  Tom was a commissioner of New Jersey State Pilotage Commission and a trustee of Sandy Hook Foundation.

Richard T. du Moulin, award-winning yachtsman and previous recipient of the NMHS Distinguished Service Award, will be Master of Ceremonies.  The US Coast Guard Academy Cadet Chorale, directed by Dr. Robert Newton, will provide the evening’s entertainment.  And, to commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812, Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., Commandant of the US Coast Guard, will speak on the US Revenue Cutter Service in the War of 1812.

Reception is at 5:30 PM, and dinner at 7:00 PM.  The New York Yacht Club is located at 37 West 44th Street in Manhattan.  Black Tie Optional.  Military:  Dinner Dress Blue.

Many sponsorship opportunities are available.  Click here for more information.