Transatlantic Destinies: Connections and Disconnections Across

Call for Papers
Northeast American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
October 25-28, 2007
Dartmouth College, New Hampshire

The Theme for the 2007 NEASECS Conference at Dartmouth College memorializes the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the English slave trade. Transatlantic Destinies also acknowledges all aspects of the transformation of the transatlantic social sphere including the exchange of ideas, the resistance of European colonies to the motherlands, European exploration and native resistance, and the increasingly unified
circulation of culture and capital across the largest natural trade routes known up to this point.

As in any NEASECS conference, papers and panels are sought in all areas of eighteenth-century studies.

Please submit 1-page proposals for panels or papers and a brief c.v. by January 15, 2007 to:

Peter Cosgrove, Conference Chair
English Department
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH 03755
Peter.W.Cosgrove@dartmouth.edu

Web Address: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~neasecs07/

PEM Recieves High Praises

Muzine reviewed the new Peabody Essex and gave it a great review and makes some good points for other maritime museums.

The Enduring Relevance of Maritime History

We've all been on a diet at one time or another. Many of us have also tried low carb diets.

Now Michael R. Eades,M.D. turns to maritime sources to illustrate the long established effects of an all meat diet. Dr. Eades cites the journal of Frederick G. Schwatka, aka Misc. Vol. 163 at the G. W. Blunt White Library of Mystic Seaport, which records an 1878-1880 search for Franklin during which the crew of the schooner Eothen switched to an all meat diet.

For the full story check out A critical look at nutritional science

Caught, Canned, and Eaten: The Story of San Pedro's Fishing and Canning Industries

According to the DailyBreeze.com the Los Angeles Maritime Museum will unveil a permanent exhibit on San Pedro's vibrant fishing industry and port-town culture.

The interactive exhibit will include murals, gear used by local fishermen, home movies from the Fishermen's Fiesta, classic television commercials ("Charlie the Tuna"), films of sardine and mackerel fishing and cannery equipment salvaged from Terminal Island.

According to the Museum website the exhibit opens today.

Congrats to Museum Director (and Compass editor) Marifrances Trivelli and her crew for putting together a news worthy exhibit on an overlooked aspect of local maritime history.

New Book Alert

Shipbuilders, Sea Captains, and Fishermen: The Story of the Schooner Wawona

Joe Follansbee, of MHN fame, has a new book out. While I haven't read it yet, it has been ordered and hopefully Joe will make an East Coast author's tour sometime and sign it!

Here's the blurb from the back cover: "Discover the history of the three-masted schooner Wawona and the quirky adventures of her captains and crews in the North Pacific. Shipbuilders, Sea Captains and Fishermen reveals the innovations of Wawona's builder, H.D. Bendixsen. Capt. Ralph E. "Matt" Peasley, "the big overgrown kid," became the most famous ship captain in America. Capt. Charles Foss called on the heavens for a breeze by wearing his wife's hats. And the crew caught hundreds of tons of cod in the stormy Bering Sea while secretly fermenting shipboard wine with canned fruit and sourdough starter. Complete with detailed illustrations, historical photographs, and great stories, Shipbuilders, Sea Captains and Fishermen recreates a world that ended with the last sailing ships."

It's the canned fruit and sourdough wine that really peaks my curiosity!

Position Announcement: Director of the Library

The Mariners' Museum is seeking a dynamic and innovative leader to direct the operations of the Museum's 78,000+ volume research library and archives. The director is a member of the senior leadership team and is expected to provide overall vision for the library in accordance with the Long Range Plan and mission of the Museum, act as a communicative mentor and effective leader for the library staff, identify and utilize opportunities for new technologies, be a spokesperson and advocate for the library-both internally and externally, and network with the library community. In addition, the director will be involved in planning and development of a new library as part of the whole Museum campus. Individual must have a Masters of Library Science from an ALA-accredited program and at least 5 years previous related experience in a research library with demonstrated increased responsibilities including supervisory experience, superior communication skills, and experience in community networking. Previous experience with a building program preferred. This position offers a salary commensurate with experience and an excellent benefits package.

Intrepid Update

The mud that held up the USS Intrepid move has been removed from beneath the aircraft carrier but plans to move her have not yet been announced.

The Intrepid, a legendary Pacific war campaigner that survived torpedoes and five kamikaze plane attacks, is overdue for rehabilitation after sitting idle for 24 years at the Hudson's city-owned Pier 86.

Full story.

Maritime Heritage Center Proposed for Bay City

An editorial in the Bay City Times promotes the planned development of a maritime museum.

According to the editorial Bay City officials, Dow Corning Corp., the Bay Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Bay Future propose to build a Maritime Heritage Center on 8.5 acres of the 48-acre Uptown at RiversEdge property, just south of downtown Bay City.

A proposal to fund an initial study comes before the City Commissioners this week.