1942-44 - American Pilot
1942 - Mattie
1942 - American Seafarer
Training Ships of
In his chronicle Heritage of the Sea, The Training Ships of the Maine Maritime Academy (2000),
Capt. Walter W. Jaffee traced the lineage and uses of the academy's training vessels. This
summary account draws from his work. We hope it conjures memories of life aboard the ships,
what was learned from the experiences and how things have changed through the years.
For MMA, training at sea all began with Mattie
Massachusetts. Once again the cruise lasted three
(Ex-Grace Bailey). Launched in 1882, this 77 ft.
months and was limited to Long Island Sound. But
schooner was chartered as MMA's first training
the MMA crew persevered and gained experience
vessel in spring 1942. She gave the "Solid 28"
in watch-standing and deck and engineering
their first taste of life at sea. The schooner still
maintenance. Launched 1919; 390' length;
cruises Penobscot Bay as part of the windjammer
7,500 tons; double reduction, steam turbine;
fleet with Camden as home port.
2,500 hp.
American Seafarer (Ex-Allegheny) Converted
American Seaman (Ex-Edgemoor) Well-suited for
from passenger-freight to training ship, the vessel
her role as a training ship of the Maritime Service,
was limited by wartime conditions in the summer
this former freighter was used for 1945-46 training
of 1942 to cruising Long Island Sound. German
cruises that included the first international voyage
submarines lurked just beyond the horizon of the
for MMA cadets and three-month stints at sea. She
class of '43-1. Launched 1923; 368' length;
had classrooms, machine and carpenter shops and
5,486 gross tons; 4-cylinder, reciprocating steam
an air-conditioned auditorium. Launched 1919;
engine; 2,200 hp.
424' length; 6,903 gross tons; steam turbine;
2,500 hp
American Pilot (Ex-Empire State) In December
1942, MMA midshipmen found themselves lining
Yankee States (Ex-USS Sirona) Once designated
up to board the ship with hundreds of other cadets
an amphibious cargo assault ship, after conversion
from the maritime academies of New York and
(with the help of MMA upperclassmen) this ship
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