(3:36 min.) (09 of 28) 9. WWII in North Africa
George worked his way across North Africa. He describes air raids in Cairo, how Rommel was pushed back, how war was declared while he was on the ship to Africa. Bombers ferried across the...
(3:41 min.) (01 of 24) 01 Early life & family history Raised in Baltimore, MD. Life was tough so he went to sea. Traveled the world. Went to West coast because heard might make more money. In 1934, started with Alaska Steamship Co. ...
(4:41 min.) (08 of 28) 8. Getting to Africa The ship shuddered, then listed and water came in the portholes. They had run into a submarine [u-boat]tender. The Santa Paula was eventually sunk by submarines.
(4:46 min.) (06 of 24) 06 Other tasks Besides doing the cooking and cleaning, the steward was baker, butcher, nurse, waiter, and, on some trips, musician. Cargo handling included shipping the dead; some wouldn't touch the coffins. Was...
(4:48 min.) (09 of 24) 09 Food and health on-board the ship Beef served frequently and caused complaints. Sometimes it was the waiter's fault, sometimes it was the traveler's fault, and sometimes it was the sea. The nurse had to help lots...
(4:53 min.) (10 of 24) 10 Main job of the Steward was in the dining room and the cabins Steward had to deal with the people, had to do the ordering, had to balance all the overtime. On the "North Sea" had to print up the menus. Had to sit...
(5:01 min.) (11 of 24) 11 Supplying the Steward's department
Before the ship even dropped anchor, the Steward would send an order to the purchasing agent who would begin getting supplies for the next trip. Bought in large quantities. ...
(5:25 min.) (07 of 28) 7. Across the Atlantic Georgetown, French Guyana was the next stop, not Africa. The ship was zigzagging; the Captain and First Mate would open orders each day and set a new course. On board was a Pan Am navigator;...
(5:54 min.) (16 of 24) 16 Passengers Dropped off Father Hubbard and his assistant, Sam Levenson [?] (later mayor of Irvine, CA). They climbed Mt. Katmai. Engine room boy served as alter boy. John Ford rode the ship; he was a good enough...
(6:23 min.) (21 of 24) 21 Purchasing agent (cont.)
Purchasing agent had to fulfill requests in an expeditious manner. Sewick maintained contacts with many suppliers. Sold off some of the company's property. Employees' had first chance to...
(7:00 min.) (04 of 12) Weather at Amchitka and railroad to bering sea Apr '42 Engineers got word from Service and Supply (Roosevelt) find Railroad route from Fairbanks to sea.--Town meeting of the 3000 population of Fairbanks--Lots of...