“Mind the Light , Kate” — Remembering New York’s Robbins Reef Lighthouse Keeper Kate Walker

An updated repost in honor of Women’s History Month. In 1886, lighthouse keeper John Walker’s last words to his wife Kate as he died from pneumonia, were “Mind the light, Kate.” Kate, then 38 with two teenage children, took his … Continue reading →

Women’s History Month — Adm. Lisa Franchetti Sworn in as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations

Adm. Lisa Franchetti was sworn in as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), the highest-ranking officer of the United States Navy, on Nov. 2, 2023. Her confirmation made Franchetti not only the first woman to become the CNO and … Continue reading →

Pyxis Ocean, Sail-Assisted 80,000 DWT Bulk Carrier, Demonstrates Potential of Wind Power

In August, we posted about the Pyxis Ocean, an 80,000 DWT bulk carrier, fitted with two WindWings®, a pioneering rigid wing technology, that had set sail on its maiden voyage from China to Brazil. Now, six months later, Cargill announced the … Continue reading →

Women’s History Month — Honoring Admiral “Amazing Grace” Hopper

During Women’s History Month, it is good to remember and to honor Admiral Grace Hopper. Grace Hopper was a pioneering computer scientist and a United States Navy Rear Admiral. Hopper received a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in mathematics from … Continue reading →

With Drones and Missiles, Ukraine Wreaks Havoc on Russian Black Sea Fleet & Gets Navy Commander Fired

Ukraine is a nation without a navy and yet has succeeded in wreaking havoc on the Russian Black Sea Fleet using high-tech sea drones and anti-ship missiles. The Ukrainians have continued to sink Russian warships, as recently as last week, … Continue reading →

Congratulations to Cole Brauer, First American Woman to Race Solo Around the World

Congratulations to Cole Brauer, who finished second in the Global Solo Challenge, becoming the first American woman to race solo nonstop around the world, traveling roughly 28,000 miles, in her 40′ sailboat First Light.  Brauer, at 29 years old, was … Continue reading →

Remembering Susan Ahn Cuddy, First Female Asian American Officer, Gunnery Instructor in US Navy

As March is Women’s History Month, it seems appropriate to remember the life and accomplishments of Susan Ahn Cuddy, a Korean American who would serve as the first female Asian-American officer in the US Navy and would also become the … Continue reading →

Missile & Drone Barrage Escalates as Three Killed in Houthi Missile Attack in Gulf of Aden

A Houthi missile attack killed three seafarers on M/V True Confidence, a Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned, bulk carrier while transiting the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said. The deaths are the first merchant mariner fatalities reported since the Iran-aligned … Continue reading →

Women’s & Black History Months: Gladys West — Pioneer of GPS Technology

In honor of both Women’s History Month and Black History Month, an updated repost about Gladys West. From maps to apps to chartplotters, we all rely on GPS these days, sometimes whether we realize it or not. Ethan Siegel wrote … Continue reading →

Women’s History Month — Remembering Winnie Breegle, WWII WAVE and Code Talker

During Women’s History Month, it is a good time to honor Winnie Breegle who served in World War II as a WAVE (Woman Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) cryptographer and a Navajo “Code Talker”, who didn’t happen to be a … Continue reading →

When the Mail Arrives Late — Faroese Sweater Found in Parcel from 1807

A red traditional Faroese knit sweater was recently found in a stash of 19th-century letters at the British National Archives in their Prize Papers collection. The sweater, or jumper in British parlance, handknitted in vibrantly colored fine wool, was intended … Continue reading →

Update: Bulker MV Rubymar Sinks After Being Struck by Houthi Missile Almost Two Weeks Ago

On Sunday, February 18th, anti-ship ballistic missiles, launched by Houthi rebels from Yemen, struck the MV Rubymar, a  32,211 DWT, Belize-flagged, UK-owned, and Lebanese-operated bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The attack caused sufficient … Continue reading →

Women’s History Month — Eleanor Creesy, Navigator of the Clipper Ship Flying Cloud

On the first day of Women’s History Month, it is worth remembering Eleanor Creesy, the navigator of the clipper ship Flying Cloud, who with her husband, Captain Josiah Creesy, set world sailing records for the fastest passage between New York … Continue reading →