Oliver Wendell Holmes News

On June 22, 2018, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a federal government reorganization proposal entitled “Delivering Government Solutions in the 21st Century”. The 132-page document is subtitled ‘Reform Plan and Reorganization Recommendations’. I have not read the entire report, but I have examined those portions that relate to maritime issues. I find those portions to be uniformly ill-advised.Associate Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. once wrote: “A page of history is worth a volume of logic.”  The authors of this proposal should brush up on their history.

1833 - The frigate Constitution is the first vessel to enter the newly-built dry dock at the Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, Mass. for overhaul. A false rumor circulates in Boston in 1830 that the U.S. Navy intends to scrap the ship; young Oliver Wendell Holmes pens his poem "Old Ironsides", becoming a rallying cry to save the ship. 1944 - Torpedo bomber TBM aircraft (VC 69) from USS Bogue (CVE 9) sink Japanese submarine (I 52), 800 miles southwest of Fayal, Azores. 1944 - Navy submarines USS Grouper (SS 214), USS Redfin (SS 272) and USS Tang (SS 306) attack Japanese convoys off the coast of Japan, sinking seven enemy vessels. 1948 - The Berlin airlift Operation Vittles is initiated to offset the Soviet Union's blockade access of the U.S.…

Today in U.S. 1833 - USS Constitution enters drydock at Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, Mass., for overhaul. 1948 - Berlin airlift initiated to offset the Soviet Union's blockade access of U.S., France and Great Britain to their sectors of Berlin. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.

Today in U.S. Naval History - June 24 1833 - USS Constitution enters drydock at Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, Mass. for overhaul. The ship was saved from scrapping after public support rallied to save the ship following publication of Oliver Wendell Holmes' poem, "Old Ironsides." 1926 - Office of Assistant SecNav set up to foster naval aeronautics; aircraft building increased 1948 - Berlin airlift initiated to offset the Soviet Union's blockade access of U.S., France, and Great Britain to their sectors of Berlin. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center website at www.history.navy.mil.

1833 - USS Constitution enters drydock at Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA, for overhaul. The ship was saved from scrapping after public support rallied to save the ship following publication of Oliver Wendell Holmes' poem, "Old Ironsides." 1926 - Office of Assistant SecNav set up to foster naval aeronautics; aircraft building increased 1948 - Berlin airlift initiated to offset the Soviet Union's blockade access of U.S., France, and Great Britain to their sectors of Berlin. (Source: Navy News Service)

1833 - USS Constitution enters drydock at Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA, for overhaul. The ship was saved from scrapping after public support rallied to save the ship following publication of Oliver Wendell Holmes' poem, "Old Ironsides." 1926 - Office of Assistant SecNav set up to foster naval aeronautics; aircraft building increased 1948 - Berlin airlift initiated to offset the Soviet Union's blockade access of U.S., France, and Great Britain to their sectors of Berlin. (Source: Navy News Service)

I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving. Never remiss to incorporate wisdom of the ages for the editorial good, I found this quote — from Oliver Wendell Holmes, The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, 1858 — hanging handily on the wall of my colleague, Charles Keil, on a recent visit to our office in Florida. It concisely summarizes not only the editorial content of this edition, but the various forces that have helped to shape the direction of the maritime industry today. Often erroneously regarded as “set in its ways,” the marine market is in the midst of dynamic changes that touch its very core.