NEW JERSEY MARITIME MUSEUM

2011/2012 HOLIDAY NEWSLETTER FROM THE NEW JERSEY MARITIME MUSEUM

     Happy Holidays from the NJ Maritime Museum!  The wind may be blowing hard out of the NW, and the temperature dropping; but your museum is warm and inviting Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  Stop in for a cup of coffee and stimulating conversation.  Want to visit on a different day or time?  Call 609-492-0202 and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

     Two additions have come to the museum.  They are not related to maritime history like the Manx cats that once floated in on the timbers of a wrecked ship, and whose descendants lived forever in the dunes and empty lots as feral cats.  Pauline Whitcraft, Deb’s mother, presented Deb and Jim with Luke and Whitey, Boston Terrier (or is it "terrorist") puppies. They can usually be found in a pen in the office/gift shop area.  Only five months old, they have not met a visitor they don’t like.  And vice versa.

     While this is the “off” season for many, your Board of Trustees is hard at work.  The Board meets quarterly to ensure that the museum is the best in Ocean County, with lots of work between meetings.  Currently Leslie Houston is spearheading a committee to implement a progressive succession plan for the museum so that it will continue to be active and operational for the community as new Trustees take over the reins.  In addition, strategic and long range plans are being constructed. 

     Treasurer Bob Cunningham reports that while the museum is current on all its bills, like all non-profits in this uncertain economy, donations are imperative.  Your gift will ensure New Jersey's maritime past will be preserved for generations to come. 

     A letter from our trustees was included in gift bags at our 2011 Benefit in September.  Part is repeated below:

               “We have so many reasons to be thankful: phenomenal

          attendance, fabulous and talented volunteers, changing and

          permanent exhibits, artifacts and memorabilia both on loan

          and donated.

               “We are doing our best to satisfy your needs, which include re-

          search into genealogy, NJ wrecks, U.S. Life Saving service, the ill-

          fated 1934 cruise ship ‘Morro Castle,’ and other subjects related

          to NJ maritime history.  Questions come in via e-mail, answers are

          found, and we communicate with the sender. 

                “As part of our large LBI community, we offer our rooms for

          meetings and pleasures such as the knitting group, dominoes, and

          bridge players.  Eastern European young adults working for the

          summer know they can be in touch with their families via Skype;

          that there is a quiet, safe haven at the museum apart from long days

          at work.  Our lending library provides books on all aspects of

          maritime history, many found nowhere else.

               ‘“So You Want Our Money’ is an article published in the

          September 2011 issue of Gulfshore Life magazine of Naples, FL.

          ‘We want to feel a personal connection, and we want specific

          information about programs, finances, and future plans.  There

          is a list of 5 tips to establish a liaison between non-profits and

          prospective donors: 1. A personal connection is the key, 2. Hon-

          esty is the best policy, 3. Show your impact with numbers and

          stories, 4. Be an open book, and 5. Host events but spend wisely.’

               “The above could have been written specifically for the

          Museum of NJ Maritime History.  Your personal interest is of

          utmost importance to us.  Call the museum to make an appoint-

          ment to visit us for a personal tour.  We are happy to talk about

          our collections, our finances, and lay out some plans for the

          future.  Any questions will be answered.

               “Better yet, won’t you be part of our future by giving a special

          donation this year?  Large donations include naming rights,

          plaques, and other sponsorships.  In this wave of economic

          uncertainty, it is important to show your Museum of NJ Mari-

          time History extra support.

               We continue to try to be, and no doubt we are, the premier

          Maritime museum in the state.  Spread the word; tell your friends

          that you are behind this extraordinary two floor museum, one

          that has accomplished the impossible in such a short time.”  

We are extending our plea for end of the year donations.  Remember, there is no paid staff.  We are all volunteers here.

     Jim Vogel is honored to report that Heritage Preservation has chosen the museum to participate in the Conservation Assessment Program.  CAP assists museums by providing funds for professional conservation and preservation specialists to identify the conservations needs of their collections and recommends ways to properly improve, preserve, and exhibit these collections.

     Heritage Preservation’s President, Lawrence L. Reger, praised the NJ Maritime Museum for “making the vital work of caring for New Jersey’s maritime collections a priority of its institution, even in these challenging financial times, and helping to ensure that they are available to present and future generations.”  A professional conservator will spend two days surveying the site and three days preparing a comprehensive report that will identify conservation priorities.  Heritage Preservation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of the U.S. and assists in caring for our endangered heritage.                             

     Volunteers Eileen Sappah and Dave Swope continue the arduous task of creating a user-friendly computerized New Jersey shipwreck database;  ultimately, this will enable public access to our vast 7,200 plus collection of irreplaceable documentation by anyone - anywhere in the world.  What an accomplishment this will be!

     An unusual donation recently is a ship’s model made in a Bridgeton, NJ Debtors’ Prison.  Maybe you read about it in the museum’s weekly Beach Haven Times column?  Only 13” long, it was made by a sailor in prison in the 1820’s.  A priceless bit of folk art, this has been passed down from the family of Hannah and Nathaniel Whitaker.  Hannah’s brother was a jailor who, in addition to his job, spent time baby-sitting for his nieces and nephews at the jail. 

     The children carried in pieces of wood and fabric, which the unknown sailor used.   No one will ever know if this ship was patterned after a local sailing ship or if it was a figment of his imagination based upon the materials available to him.  Bob Yates has constructed a special display case for this priceless object donated by descendants Larry, Barbara, James and Katherine Whitaker. 

     Work has begun on the 2012 Benefit slated for September 15, 2012.  It will be commemorating the 50^th Anniversary of the 1962 March Storm.  Do you or your family have pictures of this nor’easter that walloped our shoreline for three days?  We would like to scan your pictures – they could end up as part of a special digital display in memory of the lives lost and damage incurred.  Many remember stories of being trapped or not allowed onto the island for fear of looting.  Won’t you e-mail your memories to us, so they can also be included? 

     Once again, thanks to Buckalew’s Bar and Restaurant, Okie’s Butcher Shop, Crust and Crumb Bakery, Giglio's Awning, Fantasy Island, Nardi's, Silver Sun, and the many other businesses that contributed to our 2011 Benefit dinner, Silent and Chinese Auctions.  There are too many to name, but all played a significant role helping to make our 2011 Benefit such a success.

     As instituted at our October 13, 2011 Board of Trustees meeting, and befitting the Holiday Season, we are including our Wish List:  

·       Large flatbed scanner for digital scanning of rare photographs and documents

·       HP or comparable digital photo frames 10" or larger screen size

·       Office supplies;  copy paper, 940XL ink cartridges, photo paper, Brother TN-350 toner cartridges, archival sheet protectors, DVD+R discs and slim jewel cases

·       Maintenance supplies;  toilet paper, paper towels, windex, coffee cups, K-Cups

     The museum has most recently been the venue for a social gathering of old timers from the Beach Haven Elementary School and a meeting of LBI non-profits which plan to advertise, promote the Island’s diverse cultural, historical and ecological organizations, and seek available grants together.  Our monthly programs continue to be well received;  November’s was a standing-room only presentation on Leonardo DaVinci’s diving invention by Fred Barthes, of Northeast Dive Equipment Group. Some of the evening’s attendees were dressed in hard-hart gear to illustrate how diving equipment has evolved since the 1500’s.

    A program on January 13th, 2012 will feature Mike Boring, underwater photography specialist and technical diver whose dedication to shipwreck exploration is legendary. His presentation will focus on the Wilhelm Gustloff, sunk by a German submarine in January, 1945;  On March 30^th, 2012, Pooch Buchholz, co-author with Larry Savadove, of Great Storms of the Jersey Shore, will talk about the 1962 March nor’easter – the subject of this year’s annual fundraiser benefit.  Additional guest speakers are being scheduled;  check the museum’s website at www.NJMaritimeMuseum.org for all our programs and special events.

   Last of all, please vote for us again, under the “MUSEUM” category of the “Best of New Jersey” New Jersey Monthly magazine contest.  Check the correct box on the www.NJMonthly.com website.  We have been honored by this magazine for the past three years and are hoping for a fourth! 

  Best wishes for a happy,  healthy New Year!

  The Officers and Trustees of the New Jersey Maritime Museum 

OFFICERS OF THE NJ MARITIME MUSEUM
Deborah Whitcraft, President
Robert Yates, Vice-President
Beverly Tromm, Secretary
Robert Cunningham, Treasurer

TRUSTEES OF THE NJ MARITIME MUSEUM
Robert Cunningham - Mary Gruber - George Hartnett
Leslie Houston - Jeanette Lloyd - Beverly Tromm - James Vogel
Deborah Whitcraft - Robert Yates

DEAR FRIENDS OF THE NEW JERSEY MARITIME MUSEUM:

     Sometimes it’s hard to be humble!  For the second year in a row, the Museum has been named “Best Museum in NJ” by the readers of New Jersey Monthly magazine.  Thank you, New Jersey Monthly, and all the visitors who voted for us.  This is an unheard of feat as we go into our fifth year of operation.  Are we ever proud!  (As an aside, Deb’s brother, Okie Whitcraft, was awarded Runner Up by New Jersey Monthly’s voters under “Best Butcher Shop” category.  Okie’s Butcher Shop is located in Surf City.)

     Beginning June 1^st, 2011, we will be open daily from 10am to 5pm.  In spite of an off-season of rain and gloomy skies, the Museum has remained quite active with both regular and new visitors.  What’s better than a weekend down the shore with a trip to the Museum followed by a quiet dinner? 

     We are always appreciative of the hard work of our volunteers;  Mike Egolf captivates visitors of all ages with his stories of the Titanic and most any other shipwreck you can name.  For Mike’s fan club members, his regular day will change to Wednesdays for the summer, and he’s looking forward to your visit.  Rita Kuhn, Gini Molino and Mary Gruber continue to faithfully catalog and document every single item contained within the walls of the museum – as they have done for the past 4 years (and even before the museum’s construction was completed!) Thursday’s volunteers consist of Jeanette Lloyd, June MacFarlane and Gretchen Coyle;  a particularly busy day for our regulars who enjoy the camaraderie and enthusiasm of these local ladies.  Nick Perello, affectionately known as “mini-me” to his mentor, Jim Vogel, spends much of his time each weekend helping to preserve and showcase new additions to the museum’s exhibits.  Kim Dixon and her son, Matt, spend countless hours maintaining the alphabetized files of over 7,200 shipwrecks contained within the museum’s archives.  Christopher Drew, member of the U.S. Air Force and stationed at McGuire AFB, has dedicated himself to the maintenance of the museum’s internet café and its computer stations and printers.  Thanks to his diligence, our internet café continues to be used regularly by people of all ages;  best of all, perhaps, is the influx of young adults and foreign students who come to work on LBI for the summer.  Seeing them Skype their families and friends (in Macedonia, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, etc.)  is a service we’re proud to provide.  Christopher and others mentioned are but a few of the many volunteers whose dedication and friendliness make the NJ Maritime Museum a fun place to visit!  Eileen Swope, Phyllis Smith, Peg Ellis, Maureen and Steve Langeven, Dave Puntasecca…  the list goes on and on.  Our heartfelt thanks to all!

     For the first time since opening in 2007, we are fortunate to have the assistance of two college interns who will be devoting a great deal of time to further the museum’s goal of preserving New Jersey maritime history;  Caroline Tuthill, who has a BA in history and is working on her graduate degree in  history (and whose father and brother are both Sandy Hook pilots) and Wil from Rutger’s University.  We look forward to working with these students and are thrilled to support them in their educational goals.

    Speaking of education, twice weekly during the school year, special needs students from Southern Regional High School are brought to the museum and are assigned specific tasks to accomplish.  We’re honored to host this program!  Director Brittany Balzano is to be commended for her insight in offering her students this opportunity to expand their horizons.

     Attendance at our programs continues to be excellent.  Among the presentations given over the last six months, John Lawrence Bush, independent historian and author of Steam Coffin spoke on the history of steamboats; Nobel Prize Winner, George Smith, and Janet Murphy talked of their 17 years sailing around the world;  Bart Malone, well-known diver and our official Curator of maritime artifacts, gave a presentation on the wreck of the Princess Sophia;  Docent Mike Egolf gave a presentation on the Titanic;  Maureen and Steve Langeven spoke of the accomplishments of Women of NE Wreck Diving;  Fred Barthes detailed the History of Hard-hat Diving and the equipment used by these veteran divers;  we are grateful to all of these wonderful speakers for volunteering their time and expertise to educate the public on a host of maritime topics.

     Summer activities will commence in June.  Thanks to Rick Bushnell and his knowledgeable volunteers, Re-Clam the Bay will give demonstrations, talk about clams and oysters, and the precarious state of Barnegat Bay, every Friday morning at 10 am.  Jim’s popular Kiddie Activities will take place on Fridays beginning at 11 am. While there are always volunteers and docents at the Museum to answer your questions, special group tours are always available upon request.  Call 609-492-0202 for specifics.

     A number of exhibit changes have been made over the winter.  Among the added shipwreck artifacts are:  Chaparra helm and telegraph;  Tolten helm;  life-ring of the Hornbeam (first U.S. Coast Guard vessel to arrive at the scene of the Andrea Doria);  framed rendering of the Cristoforo Columbo (sister ship of the Andrea Doria);  display case of china recovered from the Princess Sophia;  rum bottles (some still full!) from the rum-runner Lizzie D. 

     Donations in the form of artifacts have come to us as a result of word of mouth, e-mail or by phone call.  Don Cuming called from Vermont to say he had one of the life rings from the Morro Castle.  Our noted authority Tim Dring from Robbinsville, NJ says there probably weren’t more than a dozen aboard the ship (used in the event of a man overboard, and that they would have been located on the bridge or railings around the stern).  Don arrived two weeks ago with his family, the life ring, and a picture of him as a child with his head in the center of the ring.  This rare Morro Castle artifact, which had been picked up by Dan’s father after the two people hanging to it drowned in the surf, hangs proudly in the Morro Castle Room.  We are particularly proud of this one-of-a-kind exhibit, which has grown substantially – not only with the addition of the life-ring, but also the hat worn by Cruise Director Robert Smith, a Jacob’s ladder, horse-racing trophy cup and hundreds of newly discovered photographs and documents relating to this tragedy. 

     Curator Deb and Docent Gretchen Coyle are writing a book on the human side of the Morro Castle tragedy.  They spent eight days in Cuba researching Cuban passengers and Habana Vieja (Old Havana) where Morro Castle passengers would have roamed from 1930 – 1934. 

     One highlight was meeting Cuba’s Official Historian, Ciro Bianchi Ross, who has written extensively on the Morro Castle, is the author of nine books, and a journalist for Juventud Rebelde, and has a weekly TV Program.  Sitting on the porch of the People’s Creative Writing Center in an old mansion in Miramar, Habana, Deb gave Ciro a thumb drive full of Morro Castle pictures.  The conversation – en Espanol – was lively, not to mention informative. 

     The Morro Castle/NJ Maritime Museum relationships continue to grow.  A younger sister of ten year old Bobby Gonzales, who died in the arms of Third Assistant Purser Tom Torresson, told us about her adored brother.  Sue Torresson Gazzara has donated all of her father’s papers to the Museum.  In Cuba Deb and Gretchen visited De Beche stadium in Guanabacoa, named in honor of nineteen year old Franz de Beche, an Olympic swimmer who gave his life preserver to a young lady, saying he was the best swimmer aboard the Morro Castle.  His body was never found. 

     Deb and Gretchen will be presenting a program at the Beach Haven Library on Monday,  June 13^th at 6:30 pm on the Morro Castle and their trip to Cuba.  Speaking candidly and with enthusiasm, the ladies will highlight their trip of a lifetime as it pertains to the Morro Castle.  You will probably learn things about U.S. and Cuban relations – people to people that is – that you do not know.  Can’t make this date?  Not to worry;  Gretchen and Deb will be scheduling another presentation on this in the fall;  check the museum’s website for details.

     Our ANNUAL FUNDRAISING BENEFIT will be held Saturday, September 10, 2011.  This year we will remember Texas Tower #4 – Fifty Years Later.  On hand will be Chuck Zimmaro, noted diver and maritime historian (featured on the History Channel’s Texas Tower #4 documentary, Doomed Tower at Sea)  Chuck is working hard on a special memorial presentation for our attendees.  This program will consist of a brief 5-6 minute introduction about the Texas Tower #4, followed by a 23-minute video highlighting the underwater exploration of this historic maritime tragedy.  Throughout the fundraiser, a three-part self-sustaining presentation will be running continuously for those who wish to learn more about this;  the 1^st part shows “behind the scenes” images from the making of the History Channel’s documentary, which was led by award-winning Hollywood underwater cinematographer Al Giddings;  the 2^nd part highlights “life on the Texas Tower”, giving the viewer a glimpse into how these towers were constructed and what it was like to live and work on these “iron islands” for up to 2 years;  the final part will take the viewer on an actual dive of the tower itself, depicting incredible underwater footage of the tower’s massive exterior and cavernous wreckage-strewn interior.  Chuck is especially proud to share underwater images few have ever seen of this historic site.  It promises to be an exciting event you don’t want to miss!

     Tickets are $50.00 each and can be purchased either at the Museum or call 609-492-0202. Join us on this special evening to support the Museum, visit with friends, and learn so much more about the Texas Tower #4.  This is an indoor-outdoor tented affair and casual dress is encouraged.  Drinks, good food, a Chinese Auction, and 50/50 raffle are just part of the fun.

     Do you know that our Museum is available to rent?  Besides a unique facility to entertain, you are supporting the Museum.  Think of us for a wedding, family reunion, birthday, or business party. For specific rates and availability, call the Museum and ask for Deb or Jim.

     Are you a member?  Perhaps a Surfman?  A Keeper?  Or Superintendent?  Annual memberships range from a $25 Student or Senior Member to a $500 Superintendent.  Membership forms can be picked up when you are visiting the Museum or fill out the Membership Application on our website:  www.NJMaritimeMuseum.org

     In this shaky economy, our Museum, like every other non-profit, is feeling the effects.  If you believe in all we do, and try to do for you, please remember us in your annual giving or become a Lifetime Member.  Lifetime Memberships are basically sponsorships with categories as follows: $1,000 Individual; $2,500 Family; $5,000 Corporate; $25,000 Benefactor.

     There is no better way to honor a loved one than to have naming rights on one of our rooms, sponsor an exhibit, or underwrite an event.  Please remember that we have no paid staff.  Everyone here is a volunteer.  But there are always overhead costs.  In the summer our AC cost is astronomical and our off-season heating bills consume a large portion of our donations.

     One way the NJ Maritime Museum is unique is our personal response to every phone, e-mail, and visitor  question.  If you have a question about New Jersey’s maritime history, we research our archives and send information requests out to our history-oriented friends.  Usually, within a day or so, we have an answer – sometimes many, as when a gentleman from California with the name Falkinburg was researching some of the Captains in his family as he wrote a book.  Information came in from many sources including articles, books to read, and U.S. Life Saving Service information.  We now have an admirer from the other side of the country.

          Your Museum is one of four Ocean County Museums (along with Toms River Seaport, Tuckerton Seaport, and NJ Museum of Boating) that work together, meeting twice a year under the leadership of Chet Ehrman.  We are brought up to date about the museums, each with its own special “flavor,” and trade information and artifacts.  For instance, thanks to Bob O’Brien and the NJ Museum of Boating in Bay Head, we now have a rescue ladder/Jacob’s ladder from the Morro Castle, donated by the Bogan family, among our collection.  In turn, duplicate books from our Museum are headed up to the Museum of Boating for their library.  Working together to preserve our coastal heritage is important.

     Won’t you join us as a member and a volunteer?  We’d love to have you as one of our ambassadors.

The Board of Trustees

New Jersey Maritime Museum

Newsletter No. 1 – Oct. 22, 2010

Dear Friends of the Museum of New Jersey Maritime History,

Our 4^th summer in existence was an extremely busy one.  Have you been by to see the additions and changes?  If not, we’re open throughout the fall and winter months: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 10 am to 4 pm.

In less than 4 short years, the Museum has gained immense credibility and recognition;  we receive frequent e-mails asking for help in shipwreck and U.S. Life Saving Service research;  geneology;  World Wars I and II maritime losses, New Jersey coastal history, and a host of other subjects.  On file and available for public research and duplication are records of over 7,200 ships wrecked off the coast of New Jersey.  Did you know that during World War II, the waters off New Jersey would serve as the stage for nearly 3 years of sinkings, tragedy and heroism?  In the first 6 months alone, the U-Boat war against the U.S. resulted in the loss of almost 400 ships and nearly 5,000 lives. No wonder we’re called the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.”  Having maintained a visitor’s logbook since our opening on July 3, 2007, we have more than tripled the number of visitors of prior years, and expect this trend to continue as word of our mission continues to spread.

Monthly programs presented at the Museum have been greeted with exceptional turnout: Capt.'s Steve Gatto & Tom Packer gave a presentation on the sinking of  the Bow Mariner and also their dive to the engine room of the Andrea Doria;  Mike Dudas’s presentation on Bikini Atoll;  Bart Malone’s presentations about the Empress of Ireland and East Coast Wreck Diving;  Gene Peterson presented Recovery & Restoration of Artifacts and honored us with an emotional Memorial Tribute to the Divers, Dive Shop Owners, Maritime Historians and Dive Boat Captains at our annual fundraiser, attended by over 340 people.  Divers  Chuck Zimmaro and Tom Roach, in their June presentation, Hunters & Hunted, attracted so many people (165)  that it was held outside!  These programs continue to draw the interest and attendance of people from all walks of life, and we are grateful to all our speakers for their willingness to share their experiences with our attendees.

People of all ages love the museum;  every day, kids can be heard turning a ship’s wheel, piloting full-speed ahead, examining a Lyle gun, imagining they were part of a volunteer Life Saving Service group – trying to save a ship wrecked on the treacherous New Jersey shoals.  If you missed Curator Jim Vogel’s Scavenger Hunts for kids, you missed the excitement of youngsters trying to find the designated objects located throughout 2 floors of exhibits.  Along with his teenage volunteers, who designed different scavenger hunts according to interest and age, Jim captured the hearts of little ones who learned about our maritime history and the Jersey shore the fun way.

Groups of all ages have toured the Museum of NJ Maritime History;  on any given day, you might find a group of seniors from St. Francis or Berkeley Heights, or a mix of 5 to 12 year-olds, curious about what is around  them.  Seniors, especially, like to reminisce about the fate of the Morro Castle or Long Beach Island’s once-famous landmark, the Lucy Evelyn.  Our  younger visitors tend to be interested in sharks and pirates, though their counselors and parents are drawn to other attractions.  All of our kid’s programs are finished with gift certificates for ice cream at Barry’s Do Me A Flavor.

2010 has been an especially difficult year for the diving community;  the loss of our good friend, Gary Smith, was a shock to all lucky enough to have known such a wonderful man.  He, and other members of the diving community no longer with us, were officially honored at our 2^nd annual fundraiser benefit, held September 11^th.  The men and women who explore the remains of New Jersey’s shipwrecks continue to bring their artifacts in to share with the Museum’s visitors.  Divers and non-divers alike are often heard to exclaim, “Look at that!”  as they peruse the wide variety of stoneware, personal effects, china and other treasures recovered from the depths.  Volunteer Mike Egolf, of Forked River, is a retired diver who enjoys sharing his experience and knowledge of New Jersey wrecks.  He has developed a “Friday following” of visitors who vie for the chance to exchange stories of exploring the remains of once-proud ships.

Bart Malone, the Museum’s Curator in charge of maritime artifacts, shares his lifelong passion of underwater exploration with all he encounters, as they examine the vast array of his treasured artifacts recovered from countless dives.  Visitors have been known to remain long after the Museum’s closing, enthralled with his diving adventures on the Andrea Doria, Empress of Ireland, Princess Sophia, The S-5 and countless other shipwrecks whose remains he has explored.  This winter, Bart will be rotating several of the Museum’s artifact displays, allowing our repeat visitors an opportunity to see even more of the amazing artifacts he and others have recovered.

DVDs play non-stop in almost every room in the Museum, providing entertainment and education for people of all ages.  It’s not unusual for visitors to get a cup of coffee and settle down to watch these videos for several hours.  We are truly encouraged by the increase in visitors;  perhaps they’ve seen our website, read about one of our many presentations in the newspaper, heard of us from a friend, or just decided that their initial visit didn’t allow them enough time to see all that there is to see!  We hear this often and can’t help but be proud to showcase such an exciting part of our history. 

Local history is of continued interest to both long-time residents and visitors alike.  Our first floor main room tells the stories, in pictures and postcards, of our ever-changing coastline.  Some remember our old wooden causeway before the “new” 1958 bridge;  climbing “Old Barney” over a half century ago;  destruction of coastal communities during the 1944 hurricane and 1962 nor’easter;  or viewing the remains of the four-masted sailing barque “Sindia,” lost off Ocean City, NJ in 1901.  If you’re lucky enough to come on a day when Beach Haven’s historian Jeanette Lloyd is volunteering, you’ll hear her talk about the colorful history of Beach Haven and other Long Beach Island communities.  As the President of Beach Haven’s Historic Preservation Commission, she regales people with her descriptions of our town when it was just a small village and men made their living fishing, hunting or clamming.

One of the best features of being a volunteer at the Museum – Yes, we’d love to have you onboard! – is that you “get” as much as you “give.”  Old-timers’ recollections are priceless, not to mention informational.  People such as Marv Inman come in regularly, giving us snippets of anecdotal  history not found in any history books or documentaries.

The 1934 tragedy aboard the “Morro Castle” continues to enthrall all who enter the Museum exhibit room specifically designed to house the unparalleled collection of memorabilia and documentation on the fate of this ship.  We’ve found that this tragedy continues to haunt the memories of those who witnessed this horrific disaster.  Local maritime history freelance writer and author, Gretchen Coyle, and Museum curator, Deb Whitcraft, continue to speak to various groups throughout the state about this 520’ luxury cruise ship and its ultimate fate as a burned hulk off the Asbury Park Convention Hall.  Since the opening of the Museum, we’ve interviewed and received documents and memorabilia from daughters of women forced to jump from the burning ship in their nightclothes.

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, a 100-year old survivor, Marjorie Gianini, agreed to fly up from Port Orange, Florida, to tell her story;  her memory of the disaster is as clear as the night in which it happened.  That same day, 96-year old Gerry Edgerton, sent to us by Captain Tony Bogan (whose family played a crucial role in saving 67 lives during this shipwreck) told us his story;  he was a 17-year old radio operator on his first cruise with the Ward Line.  It was an emotional meeting when Marjorie met Gerry.  We were thrilled to attract the coverage of Nora Muchanic, of Channel Six Action News, Philadelphia WPVI, resulting in prime time tv exposure.  Do you see a book in the making?  Stay tuned.

At the top of this letter, you will see the Museum’s logo;  in order to simplify our name and make it easier for our visitors to remember, we will using “NJ Maritime Museum” on our letterheads, checks, website, brochures and advertisements.  Our corporate name, Museum of New Jersey Maritime History, Inc., EIN and Charitable Registration will remain the same.  Visitors wishing to log onto the Museum’s website will automatically be directed to it by using either www.NJMaritimeMuseum.org or www.MuseumofNJMH.org  We hope that the shorter “NJ Maritime Museum” is one you’ll more easily equate with our mission of preserving New Jersey’s rich maritime history.

As with all non-profits, the Museum is feeling the effects of the economy. The Museum has no paid staff;  we are all volunteers here, with an enthusiastic appreciation and knowledge of New Jersey’s maritime past.  Still determined never to charge admission, we appreciate all donations, both big and small.   Please think of the Museum this year when you do your annual giving, and, if you haven’t already done so, please consider becoming a member.   Happy Holidays!

The Board of Trustees & Volunteers of NJ Maritime Museum

528 Dock Road – Beach Haven, NJ   08008 

609-492-0202 phone        609-492-7575 fax