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National Maritime Day By: JORDAN B. DARLING
The United States celebrated the 89th National Maritime Day on May 22. Congress declared National Maritime Day in 1933 to recognize the maritime industry and commemorate the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean using steam propulsion by the American steamship Savannah. The holiday is meant to recognize the importance of the maritime industry and the Merchant Marines to the United States and honor those who severed the industry during times of peace and war.
The Merchant Marines were founded in 1775 and were vital during World War II. During the war, more than 250,000 member s of t he A mer ic a n Merchant Marine served their county, with more than 6,700 making the ultimate sacrifice. Hundreds were detained as prisoners of war, and more than 800 merchant ships were sunk or damaged, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration website. The holiday also coincides with the steamship SS Savannah’s journey across the Atlantic on an entirely steam
On Board With Johnson
by J.R. Johnson
and sail-powered journey. T h e s h ip l e f t f rom Sava nna h, G eorg ia , on May 22, 1819, and made its way to Liverpool, England, taking 29 days and four hours using the ship’s sails and steam engine. In 1953 President Dw ight Eis e n how e r i nt r o - Steamer Savannah, the first steamship that crossed the Atlantic using steam duced the Atoms and sail power. for Peace program to the United Nations. He later proposed the world’s first nuclear-powered The ship was completed in program’s showcase to be the merchant ship. 1962 and dubbed the N.S. Savannah and is still currently docked at Pier 13 in the Port of Baltimore. In 2019 the N.S. Savannah hosted an event to celebrate the 200 th commemoration of the steam ship’s original journey with a two-day event aboard its namesake. “The United States has alRE: Santa Barbara RE: Orange County ways been and will always be a great maritime nation,” said Harbor Commission Coastal Keepers the U.S. Department of TransMeeting Recap and Host Workshop to portation Maritime AdminisFiscal Year 2021 Decommission Oil tration website. “From our orProposed Budget Rigs off the Coast (APRIL 29-MAY 12) igins as 13 British colonies, Outcome (APRIL 29-MAY 12) through every period of peace “25% increases are heavy and conflict since, the Merchant handed.” “So sad to be ending a Marine has been a pillar in this source of petroleum when it country’s foundation of pros— George Gregory is still so needed that we are perity and security. They power going to our enemies to buy the world’s largest economy and “I think that out of state it.” strengthen our ties with trading vehicles who purchase the partners around the world, all annual parking permits should — Connie Clark while supporting our military be at least double the locals.” forces by shipping troops and supplies wherever they need to — Anne Greenwald go.”
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Image taken from “The Log-Book of the ‘Savannah’” published in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine vol. LIV, February 1877
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