A Survivor's Story: The Sinking of the SS Marine Electric (In Person)

101 Academy Drive,Bourne MA 02532

09 September, 2021

Description

A program in the Ed Fouhy Distinguished Speaker Series, presented by the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center About The Program Former Merchant Marine Officer Eugene Kelly and award-winning author Robert Frump will recount the tragic story of the SS Marine Electric from their unique perspectives, presented live at Admirals Hall of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. On February 10, 1983 the SS Marine Electric, a WW II era type T-2 tanker converted into a bulk cargo carrier, departed Norfolk, VA on its regular coast run to Somerset, MA with a full load of coal. After clearing the Virginia Capes, she encountered a vicious nor’easter called by the National Weather Service the worst storm in forty years. No one then knew she would never be seen again. Of a crew of thirty four, only three came home. Foremost, this is Gene Kelly’s emotional first-person story of survival against all odds and of a spirit and determination to never give up. It is also the story of the sinking’s momentous aftermath. Journalist and author Bob Frump was assigned to investigate the sinking and the fate of the aging US merchant marine fleet. Out of that assignment came his book Until The Sea Shall Free Them, which details how the inquiry into the tragedy led to a bitter lawsuit and to major improvements in the shipping industry, crew safety and sea rescues. Bob will be available to autograph his book following the program. The program will conclude with a special presentation by Mr. Kelly to his alma mater. About The Speakers Eugene F. Kelly is a 1975 graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Upon graduation, he was employed in the Gulf of Mexico’s offshore oil industry which he describes as a “great training experience.” He then sailed on Marine Transport Lines ships during the 1970s and 80s. In January of 1983, Gene took a ninety-day assignment as the Third Officer on the SS Marine Electric, an assignment which changed his life forever. He continued serving as a deck officer until 1989, when he pursued a master’s degree and embarked on a second career in vocational-technical education. Gene is married to Deborah Kelly. They reside in Massachusetts and enjoy traveling. Robert R. Frump is a nationally recognized journalist who won several major awards while a journalist and investigative reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer. He grew up in the small farm town of Paxton, Ill, graduated from the University of Illinois and received a master's degree from Northwestern University -- all in journalism. He received, with Tim Dwyer, the George Polk Award, for his reporting on unsafe U.S. ships, and the Gerald Loeb Award for National Business Reporting. He was also a member of an Inquirer task force that won the Pulitzer Prize. He is married to Suzanne Saxton-Frump, and they have two daughters. He is the former managing editor of The Journal of Commerce. Ticketing Options This ticketing option is for the live, in-person event to be held at Admirals Hall, Massachusetts Maritime Academy*, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532. General Admission is $20 per person. Chatham Marconi Maritime Center Members (up to Sustaining level) are $15 per person. The event will also be live-streamed on the Chatham Orpheum Theater’s large screen, and a home viewing option via Zoom is available. For information about those options, see the Center’s website at: https://www.chathammarconi.org/efdss . * Massachusetts Maritime Academy COVID Notice As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) reserves the right to cancel and/or postpone all campus events. This will be at the discretion of the MMA medical team in conjunction with State and Federal guidelines. Note that due to the primary mission of Massachusetts Maritime Academy undergraduate and graduate learning outcomes, our health and safety protocols may be held to a higher level and therefore may supersede that of State and Federal guidelines. Guests must agree to adhere to all Academy, State, and Federal guidelines for masks, distancing, hand-washing and related health and safety protocols. About Chatham Marconi Maritime Center Founded in 2002, the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center (ChathamMarconi.org) is a 501(c)(3) organization which celebrates the rich history of 20th Century maritime radio and explores the innovative advances in science and technology that continue to transform our lives. The Center comprises the historic Marconi-RCA Wireless Museum, an Education Center offering in-house STEM education in communications science and technology, and the TechSmart education outreach initiative designed to bring its proven wireless technology curricula directly to children in Cape Cod classrooms. About the Ed Fouhy Distinguished Speaker Series Edward M. Fouhy (1934-2015) was a communications professional and award-winning television journalist who brought the world and its stories to the American public.  While a volunteer at the Center, Ed wrote and produced two videos explaining for museum visitors the importance of wireless radio communications to the rescue of RMS Titanic's survivors, and the outcome of the Battle of the Atlantic during WWII.  In his honor, the Speaker Series is designed to promote knowledge and understanding of history and world events, with a special focus on the science and development of communications technology and its profound effect on our lives.  Eugene F. (Gene) Kelly (Courtesy Photo) Author and Journalist Robert (Bob) Frump (Courtesy Photo)