The Pointer's Pup - U.S.S. West Point

A NOTE FROM THE BRIDGEHere we are, on thecusp of Mother’sDay, and theweather in Indiana ishoveringsomewhere betweenearly fall and latespring! Looks likewe could get a froston Mother’s Daynight and thenexperience temps inthe 80’s by nextWednesday! We had so much rain and cold weather inearly April that it really wreaked havoc on the area golfcourses! Soon we will probably be complaining about theheat. Such goes the weather in Indiana!The 2013 ship’s reunion will be held in St. Augustine, FLon October 7-11 and will be here before you know it. TheRago’s (Mary & Charlie) have finalized the arrangementsand everything is set for another great gathering of thecrew, family and friends. There is so much to do, at yourleisure, in St Augustine and I’m willing to bet that theweather will be fabulous. All we need is for a bunch ofyou folks, who are able to travel, to come on down andjoin in the festivities! The phone number for reservationsis in the reunion article to the right. The Days Inn hashosted many a military reunion and is anxiously awaitingour arrival in America’s oldest city.Welcome aboard to our newest member, Aarel Mason,from Brunswick, OH. He was a member of the Marinedetachment aboard the West Point the last two years ofher deployment.It is that time of year again for you to bring forth yourdues for 2013. We need your continued support to keepthe PUP coming four times a year. While we are in goodfinancial shape, your dues help us to keep afloat and allof you up to date on the West Point crew. If someoneyou know isn’t receiving the Pup, then chances are thatthey haven’t paid their dues. Dues remain $25/year forcrew members and $15/year for spouse andfamily/friends of the crew. Dues should be mailed to:John Moats107 Navarre CourtAuburn, IN 46706Good health and prosperity to all of you through theupcoming summer. Here’s hoping that health permitsmore of you to attend our 2013 gathering in St.Augustine this fall. May prevailing winds and smoothsailing be with you as we journey through 2013!Cheers!“Captain John”page 22013 REUNION IS APPROACHING!St. Augustine, FL is the site of the 2013 USS WESTPOINT ship’s reunion. Mary & Charlie Rago will serve asyour hosts in the country’s oldest city. The reunion willbe staged at the Days Inn from October 7-11.The room rates begin at $62/night for Monday-Thursday(October 7-10). The standard room consists of twodouble beds. An upgrade can be purchased for$69/night for a room which includes a refrigerator andmicrowave. If you plan to stay over Friday and Saturday(October 11-12) the room rates are $69/night for thestandard two double beds and the upgrade is $74/night.There will be a hospitality room on the ground floor and ithas been suggested that we hold our annual banquet atthe Rainbow Restaurant, just around the corner.There are a couple of historical tours of the cityavailable, and the sightseeing trolleys and trains pick upright at the hotel’s front door! There is a Denny’srestaurant attached to the hotel and many other diningoptions within the immediate area. The beach is a threemile drive from the hotel. There is also an outdoor pooland sundeck at the hotel.If there are those who will be flying, JacksonvilleInternational Airport is located approximately 60 milesnorth via I95. Daytona International Airport is anotheroption and is located 1 to 1 ½ hours to the south, alsovia I95. The hotel is located east of I95, between US1/Ponce de Leon Boulevard and San Marco.Our contact at the Days Inn will be Gina Villacorta. Thenumber for reservations is (904) 824-3383. Be sure tomention the USS West Point reunion to get our rate.Gina has hosted many military reunions and is anxiousto show our group a grand time!Those of you wishing to attend, try to make yourreservations in advance so that Mary & Charlie can getan accurate count of attendees. You can always cancelin advance and no charges will be billed to your creditcard until you check in. I’m hoping that we can draw afew more people this year. The weather should bedelightful and the city will present many historic points ofinterest to explore. The historic district is a mere halfblock from the hotel.

MARKO…THE REMARKABLEA 23 YEAR-OLD GERMANARCHITECTURAL STUDENT WHO HASBECOME A DEVOTED ‘AMERIFAN’Marko Fischer is an amazing young man whoseintensive research and resultant knowledge about theSS AMERICA and her artwork has led to creation of anoutstanding web site devoted to the vessel once calledthe Queen of the American Merchant Marine.A link to his comprehensive on-line production isprovided at the end of this essay. Currently available inGerman, but also in an electronic (and imperfect)translation to English, it eventually will be made availablein a ‘smooth’ English version. Until then, I urge anyoneinterested in the ship and especially its artwork toexplore his expansive pictorial presentation whichincludes numerous ‘new’ images not previously seen.This newly discovered devotee contacted me in Octoberof 2011. His knowledge of and interest in my favoriteship surprised me. As we began to communicate,surprise turned into astonishment that someone soyoung could be so talented and have amassed so muchknowledge about the ship and her murals, sculpturesand décor.The following pages reflect what Marko theRemarkable…and also now my friend…has related tome in almost daily email exchanges as we haveexplored, together, some little-previously known aspectsof the SS AMERICA’s life story.Bill Lee* * * * * * * *Marko’s remarkable story is best told in his own words. Ihave interjected a few bracketed comments for thebenefit of those not as familiar as he and I are withrespect to the SS AMERICA, plus illustrations tocompliment his descriptions and discussions.“My name is Marko Fischer. I'm a 23 year-old Germanarchitectural student at the Bielefeld University of AppliedSciences.“I was born in nearby Gutersloh in April of 1988 Eversince I was a small child I have always been fascinated byPage 6buildings, bridges and towers, and how they are created.My first word…no joke…was Kran [crane].“Later I developed an interest in different architecturalstyles. Although I am very interested in antique architectureand culture, I have decided to study general [modern]architecture because of the better job prospects in thatfield.“I will receive a bachelor of science degree this summer[2013] and then plan to pursue a master of science degreeover the next two and a half years.“My interest in the SS America sprang from an accident.During a seminar for my architectural studies, I researchedthe architectural firm of Eggers and Higgins, who designedthe Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. To determinethe characteristics of their architecture, I went through alist of projects they had implemented. My attention wasdrawn to an intriguing entry: SS America-1939[Completed and delivered in 1940]“A ship? In a list of buildings and monuments? My interestwas piqued and I began researching. And indeed, a ship.And not just any ship, no, a beautiful luxury liner.”“I learned that she had once been the national flagship ofthe nation for which she was named, and christened bynone other than the former First Lady of the United States.I was immediately fascinated with this vessel and herdiverse and lengthy history.“And then I saw a series of sad pictures of the wreck onFuerteventura [Canary Islands]. It seemed surreal and Iwondered how it could have happened. How could thisonce-proud ship end up on a secluded beach, slowly beingtorn apart by the sea and also become largely forgotten? Ihad to learn more.

“So I found and read through the long and varied history ofthis ship…and was fascinated. It was then that I became a‘fan’ of the AMERICA and in particular her unique artisticensemble. A hobby of mine is contemporary art from theera when the ship was built, so it was wonderful to learnabout her marvelous contemporary style and the greatchoice of inspiring artists that were selected to decorateher…in spite of her ultimate sad ending.”At that point, Marko told me, he embarked on a quest tofind everything he possibly could about the AMERICA,its artwork and its artists. That effort also led to learningof my mutual interest. His research and results would docredit to any expert far older, who has spent years doingwhat he has accomplished in mere months. I am quiteimpressed by his ability to find sources of informationand illustrations that have previously eluded me.By extensively exploring the Internet and vintageperiodicals that are associated with the art deco periodthat influenced AMERICA’s interiors, Marko has beenable to assemble an outstanding selection of illustrationson his web site devoted to the AMERICA and herart…the likes of which have never been seen in oneplace before.He has collected deck plans and much ship-relatedliterature, as seen in the foreground of the photo at thetop of page six. He is shown holding a very nice print ofa small portion of Pierre Bourdelle’s expansive muralthat once graced the First Class Dining Saloon of theAMERICA. That space is shown below, following her1946 reconversion from being a troop ship back to aluxury liner.Equally impressive is this model of the ship he created,using mostly paper and cardboard, and representing thatperiod of time when she was named AUSTRALIS. Thishandsome model is over five feet long and was built byMarko before he obtained any scale drawings of thevessel.For that reason, as he candidly pointed out to me, it hassome proportional errors, albeit things that only adedicated ‘Amerifan’ might notice.He augmented all of his ‘finds’ and creations associatedwith the AMERICA by making a visit to the CanaryIslands in November of 2011. There he was able to seesome of the artifacts and irreplaceable artwork that hadbeen plundered from the ship by island residents. Anexample of his diligence follows, again provided in hisown words.“I also discovered amonument on Teneriffa,which is one of theneighboring islands. It'sthe hub of one of theAMERICA's propellers.It is located on thebeach promenade infront of a small chapelin a fishing village.Sadly, there is just aplacard with the words‘American Star’ andnothing further aboutthe ship itself.“As to why Teneriffa and especially this village to place themonument, I have no idea. Maybe it was just random, but Iwould very much like to think there’s a special connectionwith the village. Perhaps the locals saw the AUSTRALISback in the 60s and 70s when she visited the harbor ofSanta Cruz de Teneriffe.”Marko plans to return to the ship’s final resting place inthe future to search further for any artistic treasures thatmay have eluded him on his first visit there. Given theresults of his efforts to date, there is no reason to believehe will not be successful. In fact, a recent discovery ofsome art work that was thought lost, but was actuallysaved has us both excited. But that’s another story…foranother time.Page 7

Meanwhile, he has created a web site that is a treasureunto itself, in my estimation. His rationale for expendingso much time and energy in creating this technologicalmasterpiece is laudable…as well as understandable tothose who still fondly remember the ship that had such along and useful career in her multiple service roles asthe SS AMERICA, the USS WEST POINT and theRHMS AUSTRALIS.“The main reason I did the web site was to share as muchinformation with everyone who's interested in theAMERICA as possible. Information about the ship on theInternet is often only of a summary style and sometimesinaccurate, as well. I myself only stumbled over theknowledge of existence of this great ship by accident.“Many people I know that are my age have never heardabout the America before, but when I tell them about theship, nearly everyone finds its story and fate of interest.“So, through this website I want to share my enthusiasm forthe AMERICA and in addition to existing pages on the web,provide an additional memory of this once-famous ship,and if possible, increase visibility of her memory a littlefurther.”Links to Marko Fischer’s excellent web site, S.S.AMERICA: THE UNIQUE STORY OF A GREATOCEAN LINER are provided, below.Look. Enjoy. Remember.Original (German) site:http://www.ssamerica.bplaced.net/English Translation via Google:http://tinyurl.com/o6b432eOn behalf of Amerifans everywhere, thank you“Marko…the Remarkable” for making an impressive andimportant addition to the recorded history of the SSAMERICA.Heazlitt, Patty — pheazlitt@live.comHensley, Elsie — elsiemitch@yahoo.comJohnson, Judy — judyspapergoods@charter.netJohnson, Ralph Jr. — pertlowellco@aol.comKelley, Carol & Archie — nukesub2@yahoo.comKixmiller, Nancy — kixmiller@yahoo.com(daughter of Robert "Dub" Lacy)LeBlanc, Dodie — doreenfleblanc@gmail.comLee, Bill — ssamerifan@aol.comLowry, Frank — fhlowry@pacbell.netMacDonald, Winfield — winmac1@comcast.netMathews, Henry — hank419@comcast.netMathews, John — JPMathuz@aol.comMcLain, W. B. (Mac) — mclainwb@charter.netMcLaughlin, Gene — ap23ship@comcast.netMeyers, Louis — lewismeyers49079@comcast.netMichaud, Dana— dmichau5@maine.rr.comMoats, Ferne — jmoats107@sbcglobal.netMoats, John — jmoats107@sbcglobal.netMorrell, Paul — pkmorrell@hotmail.comMurphy, Ann — ann.murphy206@gmail.comOtto, Don — donotto1@charter.netPhillips, Caroline & Matthew — phillips@tjda.netPlaisted, W. Louise — louiseplaisted@gmail.comPrice, Anita & Arthur — aapricejr@myfairpoint.netRago, Mary & Charlie — erago@cfl.rr.comRanaghan, Thomas Jr. — tranagh2@yahoo.comRhoads, Charles A. — 4VCR143@cox.netSheldrake, Peter Westpoint — westpoint1@tiscali.co.ukSkoff, William J. — jskoff@comcast.netSliwa, Becky — rimisac27@hotmail.comSmith, Frank — 62falcon@gmail.comTacey, Steve — ss.america@virgin.netWhite, Gordon — gw4thest@gmail.comWilliams, Patrick — pwllms@charter.netWinter, John — jpwinter@charter.netWright, Cathy — cwright869@aol.comWright, Gordon — wrightpame@cox.netEmail Addresses(please submit any corrections or additions toPatrick Williams at pwllms@charter.net)Ahearn, Laurie — lahearn425@comcast.netBarton, Jennie & Ed — gebarton@homesc.comBeauregard, John — jebeauregard@sbcglobal.netBeck, Gloria & Frank — *pending*Bish, Janet & Greg — gbish@windstream.netBlankenhorn, Sally & Tom-- blankenhorntommy@aol.comBurns, William (Bill) — wburns9964@att.netByrne, Bob & Fran — nanafranqltr@rcn.comCoulter, Donna — DCoulter@worksourcefl.comDriscoll, Larry — elaurens1@yahoo.comwebsite: http://united-states-lines.orgHall, Margaret — margaret.hall30@gmail.comPage 8Want to get in touchwith John, Gene or Patrick?John Moats, President, Treasurer107 Navarre Court, Auburn, Indiana 46706260-925-2132 (Cell: 260-418-2269)jmoats107@sbcglobal.netEugene McLaughlin, Vice President1411 Orsen St., North Versailles, PA 15137412-824-3291ap23ship@comcast.netPatrick Williams, Pointer's Pup Editor617 Eaglewatch Drive, Deforest, WI 53532pwllms@charter.net