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GulfQuest to host John Marty book signing Feb. 20
Feb 10, 2016
MOBILE, AL – John L. Marty, author of Hostages to the Sea, Waterman Steamships at War 1941-1945, will be signing copies of his recently-published book on Saturday, Feb. 20 at GulfQuest Maritime Museum from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The book draws its inspiration from the 1948 Waterman Steamship Company memorial plaque that currently hangs in the lobby of the former Waterman building in downtown Mobile. The plaque memorializes the 40 officers and 147 men who were lost at sea aboard 20 Waterman vessels during World War II. The book provides a narrative of each of these ships, as well as 13 other of the company's ships sunk or damaged in the war.
With more than 30 period photographs and illustrations, including rare images of early Waterman ships in WW II, the book opens with a foreword by Point Clear author and historian Winston Groom.
“The introduction addresses the history of Waterman Steamship Company and its various subsidiaries which contributed to the war effort, such as their Gulf Shipbuilding Company at Chickasaw, and the Mobile Repair Division at the State Docks, among numerous others,” Marty said. “Waterman’s huge contribution to the War Shipping Administration effort in WWII is an important part of the narrative.”
Hostages to the Sea, Waterman Steamships at War 1941-1945 was produced by the University of South Alabama Publications Department. Copies are available for purchase at Treasures, GulfQuest's museum store, at 155 South Water Street in Mobile.