Letters to Lou: the Sequel

You won't believe this stuff! You'd never get away with it today. Excerpted from a three year letter collection, written logbook style, the original journal described three years of life (1954-57) at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. This second edition of the original journal has been update to cover the time period from 1948 to after the September 11th attack.

A class history that is factual, tragic, and sometimes very funny... all true. Many classmates, shipmates and others have contributed "sea stories" etc. to this journal. Occasionally names have been omitted to protect the guilty and to prevent embarrassment to those involved. You won't find this stuff in the yearbook, it would never be allowed.

"That story is funny...really funny!" "I'm glad somebody put it in print."

Those were the days when authority ruled supreme. There was no appeal procedure after "Captain's Mast". "Ten demerits, step back! Next!"

You paid hard-to-come-by money to be voluntarily confined and abused. The gangway was always open. "Want to leave?" "Need help to pack?" "Go ahead leave, nobody's holding you!" "Just can't take it, huh!" Hazing was prohibited but was part of the daily routine.

You learned to be "cozy" and how to get off the ship to get home weekends. "You Bet Your Weekend" was the name of the game and it never ended.

Could a "Pink Bubble" terrify a group of healthy and physically fit young men? You betcha! The "Bubble" was to be avoided at all cost.

Those with a sense of humor, a love of the sea or with a military background will enjoy this journal. For Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates it's a collector's item.

NOTE: ALL BOOK ROYALTIES TO MASSACHUSETTS MARITIME ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS