Ft Schuyler: "4 Years before the Mast"

bruno

15-Year Member
Retired Moderator
Joined
Feb 2, 2008
Messages
3,059
As Monty Python used to say: "And now for something completely different". If you are interested in a very different educational experience from your HS buddies who are heading off to "Whatsamatta U" or "Frostbite State College" you might be interested in this book on Amazon : Four Years Before the Mast: A History of New York's Maritime College (just bought it for my Dad's birthday- both he and my uncle are Ft Schuyler grads)

The Maritime Colleges- NY as well as Mass, Maine, CA and Texas- all offer a really unique educational opportunity - disciplined, challenging regimental environments preparing you for a career in various Maritime fields (to include the military) at VERY REASONABLE COSTS (most have regional agreements which offer In-State or near in-state costs to states that have signed agreements). I know that both NY and Mass have almost 100% post graduation employment rates in professional fields at pretty high starting salaries (compared to starting as a "Barista" with your Sociology degree:wink:)- which not something to be overlooked in this day and age. And they all offer a really unique opportunity with their annual sea terms where Cadets sail on both the Training ships or on commercial ships to gain sea time for their licenses. Take a look- (And enjoy the book if you are interested)

"Under New York City's Throgs Neck Bridge lies a spit of land dominated by a pentagonal, 19th-century fortress that today houses a school that has trained mariners since the age of sail. Within Fort Schuyler's walls are stories of heroism and mutinies, shipwrecks and desertions. In Four Years Before the Mast, author Joseph A. Williams uses his access to archival materials to tell the tale of that institution known today as SUNY Maritime College. The story begins during the age of sail when disaster and mutiny created a new demand for trained mariners. In response, in 1873, New York State established a nautical school under the auspices of the New York City Board of Education. Originally based aboard the square-rigged sloop-of-war St. Mary's, the school taught boys to run the rigging, tie knots, holystone the decks, and navigate on yearly cruises across the Atlantic. In its beginning in the 19th century, the school was constantly confused for a reformatory where "bad boys were made good." Because of its cost, it was seen as a symbol of government waste, and its opponents repeatedly tried to shut it down. But despite the criticisms, the school survived and its tough training practices created generations of gallant sea officers who led the American merchant fleet into the modern world. In 1938, after a bruising political battle with Robert Moses, the school came ashore at Fort Schuyler in the Bronx. In the following decades, it continued its tradition of training sea officers as a college within the State University of New York. Four Years Before the Mast is a narrative history of a unique institution that offers anecdotes from the 19th to 21st centuries revealing the harrowing existence of life at sea, death in the high Arctic, daring rescues of foundered ships, U-Boat attacks, and heroism on 9/11".

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0989939405/ref=ox_ya_os_product_refresh_T1

51m%2BYmDL8UL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg
 
DS heading to SUNY Maritime this August barring a last minute call from the CGA waitlist. He is exicited in joining the regiment and will be studying EE along with NROTC. He thinks he will reapply to the NA and CGA but keeping all his options open. Thanks for the informational post.
 
Back
Top