This photo was sent to the LOG by Vince Patterson of Nashville, Tenn. It is of officers and crew members aboard the SIU-contracted James E. Howard, a Liberty ship, taken in Cairo, Egypt in June 1943. The ship was carrying supplies for the invasion of Sicily.Patterson said the crew members signed articles May 12, 1943 in New Orleans and sailed to Cuba, Trinidad and Capetown, South Africa. Then they sailed up the east coast of Africa to Aden, Yemen and Suez, Egypt, where they unloaded. The ship proceeded through the Suez Canal to Port Said, Sinai and Alexandria and through the Mediterranean Sea, signing off in New York in October of the same year.
Patterson, who joined the SIU in 1942, is the one wearing the tie (second row, center). He sailed in the engine department as a fireman, oiler, deck engineer and engine maintenance. He says, in a note accompanying the photo, that while he loved going to sea, he retired in 1951 to be nearer his wife and children. He worked in the wholesale food business, from which he retired about 12 years ago. He is a member of the Mid South Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans In Hendersonville, Tenn.
In the back row at left is Al Clement, who retired from the SIU, also a member of the engine department. Next to him is Ed Allain, who became an engineer with MEBA. Both are still living in New Orleans, and they and Patterson stay in touch with each other. He has lost track of the other mariners, including deck department member Jimmy Mason (second row, second from left)—“a great guitar player.”
If anyone has a vintage union-related photograph he or she would like to share with the LOG readership, it should be sent to the Seafarers LOG, 5201 Auth Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Photographs will be returned, if so requested.
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