Museum News and Exhibits
The Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler is a non-profit organization, so all membership and donations are tax deductible. We wish to thank those who have donated generously to make this year's exhibits and events possible. We're ready for an exciting 2009! If you wish to make a donation or become a new member, please contact the museum office by phone (718) 409-7218, fax (718) 409-6130, or email us at maritimeindustry@sunymaritime.edu
SIXTH ANNUAL FUNDRASIER 2008
The Maritime Industry Museum hosted its 6th Annual Fundraiser/Silent Auction honoring the Professional Marine Piloting Industry on April 26th, 2008; a beautiful spring day! Supported by our faithful sponsors and our membership, the event was a great success. I wish to thank the Pilot Organizations who supported our event including: Port Everglades, Sandy Hook, Maryland, NY/NJ Docking Pilots, Tampa, Houston, Delaware, Interport, and Metropolitan Pilots. Our guests were treated to a wonderful lecture by Captain Andrew McGovern, Sandy Hook, a great silent auction, and our newest Pilot exhibit.
Captain Parent unveiling the Pilot Exhibit
Admiral Craine Presenting Honoree Stan Bartels
FIFTH ANNUAL FUNDRAISER 2007
On Saturday, April 28th, the Maritime Industry Museum was honored to have Richard DeSimone and Fred Robertie unveil our newest display honoring the marine insurance industry. We would like to thank Professor Jeffery Weis, Maritime College and Captain James McNamara, National Cargo Bureau for providing items for our display.
We are deeply grateful to everyone that participated in this, the fifth of our annual events designed specifically to help ensure the future of our beloved museum. As a direct result of your generosity, this party raised a significant amount for the museum’s endowment fund. Your leadership in support of the museum serves as an inspiration to our members, Maritime College graduates, and friends.
We have received many compliments on the party and the museum collection. The crowd was a nice size and the weather was perfect. We could not have asked for a better day. Everyone enjoyed the presentations made by Fred Robertie and Richard DeSimone. We were pleased that so many of Museum Director Capt. Al Golden’s friends were able to join us as we saluted Al for his service to the museum. Finally, the opening of the Museum’s Marine Insurance Exhibit was another memorable highlight of a wonderful afternoon. It certainly was a great day for everyone involved.
Marine Insurance Exhibit Grand Opening: Admiral Craine, President with Fred Robertie & Richard DeSimone.
MUSEUM TO PARTICIPATE IN HERITAGE PRESERVATION’S CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
Bronx, New York, May 17, 2007 -- Heritage Preservation is pleased to announce the Maritime Industry Museum at Historic Fort Schuyler has been chosen to participate in the 2007 Conservation Assessment Program (CAP). Maritime Industry Museum at Historic Fort Schuyler joins the 2,400 museums that have participated in CAP since the program began in 1990. Heritage Preservation's CAP is supported through a cooperative agreement with the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. CAP assists museums by providing funds for professional conservation (and preservation) specialists to identify the conservation needs of their collections (and historic buildings) and recommend ways to correctly improve collections (and building) conditions. Heritage Preservation’s President, Lawrence L. Reger, praised Maritime Industry Museum at Historic Fort Schuyler for “making the vital work of caring for collections and sites a priority at their institution and helping ensure that they are available to present and future generations.”
NEW SHIP MODELS
Z-Drive Tug
Donated by Great Lakes Towing
Cleveland,Ohio
Towboat
Donated by Kirby Marine, Houston Texas
Flying Cloud
Donated by Charles Measter
NEW EXHIBITS
Marine Insurance
Located on A-Deck of the South Bastion is the new Marine Insurance Exhibit. Marine insurance documents and books showcase the exhibit.
General Slocom
Located on B-Deck, center bastion. Slocum Model, two Slocum paintings, pictures, and books.
Mini-Model Collection
MINITURE SHIP MODELS (Whiteside Collection)
Ship modeling has its’ origin in the dawn of civilization. Early Egyptian tombs were found to contain ship models. Apparently they were used both as a toy, and also as a religious object symbolizing the carrying of the tomb’s occupant to the after world.
As man expanded his horizon in exploration, trade, and warfare, so did his knowledge of the sea. Naval architecture (vessel design) became more sophisticated. However, all to often, the ship workers were illiterate. As a result models were made to show the workers how the ribs, hull, etc. were to be constructed. Models were also used to show specific features of a vessel to a potential customer, that otherwise would not be seen.
Models come in various scales, depending on the purpose or need for the model. Scale is the ratio between a full size vessel and the model. The museum’s exhibit consists of 1:1250 scale models, which indicates that one inch of the model represents approximately 100 feet of the original full size Vessel.
Although small scale models have been built through out history, these small scale water line models were only first mass produced at the turn of the 20th century. They were originally produced for War Games use and toys. During World War I and II, they were used to train aviation pilots in identifying various vessels. Between the two world wars, Germany became the leader in making these models in a 1:1250 scale. This scale was used for metric measurement purposes. Today Germany is still the leader in production of these models, although they are made in many countries.
Over the years the workmanship and artistry in the making of these small scale models has greatly improved. In addition, collectors of maritime memorabilia, with limited accommodations, can now have hundreds of different models. As every model is in the same size, or nearly so, comparison can be made to show the development of vessels.
The Maritime Industry Museum is a non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.
Thank you,
Captain Eric J. Johansson
Executive Director
Maritime Industry Museum ejohansson@sunymaritime.edu
