Donald Schiesher Lost in Action With Crew of Henry Bacon In an unforgettable epic of the sea, seven officers and eight men of the American Liberty ship Henry Bacon, boldly met death in an icy Artic gale to save the lives of 19 Norwegian islanders. One of these eight men was Seaman Donald Schiesher, son […]
Mersey Docks Harbourmaster/Pilot
Mersey Docks Harbourmaster/Pilot hat badgeWool backing and wreath of silver thread.Central device, stamped white metal.Circa Second World War era. A fact often overlooked by those interested in convoy history is that each ship that entered or left a port area was piloted by an individual versed in the particulars of the waters surrounding the port; […]
Becoming a Kings Pointer
Midshipman cap badge. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. Single piece construction. Hallmark, V-21-N (Vanguard Industries). Circa 2006. This is the first in a series of articles where I explore the culture of the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy Regiment of Midshipmen. This first post focuses on the process of a Midshipman Candidate […]
U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps (pre-1942) Yellow-goldenrod thread. Embroidered anchor on wool backing and mohair band. Pre-to-early Second World War era; 1939-1942. From the period following the First World War through the Depression, the U.S. Merchant Shipping industry was in a shambles: once profitable companies faltered and fell, ocean-going trade evaporated and even intercoastal shipping […]
U.S. Naval Reserve Insignia reprise
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Midshipman Identification badge. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. Circa 2017. The Eagle Pin. Midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point met the proscription of the U.S. Naval Reserve badge from their uniforms of by the Chief of Naval Operations in June 2011 with mild derision. […]
Cenotaphs and Cemeteries
Maquette, American Merchant Mariners’ MemorialClay and painted wood.Artist: Marisol (Marisol Escobar)Located at: American Merchant Marine Museum. “The men of our merchant marine form the essential link between the home front and the millions of men in the armed forces overseas. These men, although relatively few in number – around 180,000 – performed an heroic task […]
Panama Railroad Steamship Company
White enamel swallowtail house pennant (flag), black enamel P and gold fill. No hallmark, but definitely Gemsco. The rear screw and flag style dates to it to the 1940s-50s (see below). This could either have been mounted on a wool-backing in the center of a wire and thread wreath or applied to Maritime Service-style eagle […]
American President Lines
American President Lines hat badge. Gemsco hallmark on flag. Eagle and shield sterling; wreath brass/gold-plate. House flag, enamel with gold fill. Second World War era. badge: 60mm x 65mm flag: 25mm x 22mm American President Lines was formed by the U.S. Maritime Commission in 1938 to stave off the impending bankruptcy of the Dollar […]
Public Health Service
Public Health Service, originally uploaded by waterclock. U.S. Public Health Service Sanitarian hat badge. No hallmark, however, manufactured by Gemsco, NY (General Merchandising Co.) with Second World War pattern dies. Same die used for base was also used for Master, Mate, and Pilot union hat badges. Badge is plated with 1/20 10K Gold. […]
Hat Badge Production Methods
Maritime Service CPO obverse. Red enamels and silver. Maritime Service CPO Reverse. Note silver toning of solder. The methods of making a hat badge are similar to the process of making a coin: they can be cast or stamped… only there’re additional processes after the initial coining (stamping). Casting a badge is often imprecise and […]