My dad is working and my mom is using that loud monster that sucks things off the floor (I HATE that thing) so I snuck in here to pen my thoughts to all of you. Its been some time and I need to make sure that they are telling the whole story for all of you.

So, what's been going on? Back in May, I got to go to Norfolk with the ship. It wasn't too long of a trip...I'd say it took us about a year to get there, and we were there for like 6 hours (but I can't really tell time, so who knows). This was a first for me, as it was the first cruise that I've worked, which was pretty cool. There were a LOT of people on my ship, and that's the truth! It was a pretty neat experience and people seemed surprised to see a dog on the ship. Why is that?!? Lots of people tried to get their picture taken with me, so I will admit, It made me feel like a celebrity dog, like maybe Lassie, or Beethoven or Tramp (in Lady and the Tramp).

Then came the warm weather. I was told that they were busy this summer, painting the ship and doing lots of work and that it was dangerous for me to be on board the ship, but then I find THESE pictures on my parents drive... I'm not so sure what was going on, but some of it looks like monkey business was happening without me. I tell you, do I have to DO everything around there and supervise everyone??? These people also apparently know how to make messes!

I had to do some dog-subliminal-messaging with the Captain, to let him know that things needed to change, and wouldn't you know it? It worked... he told me that I could go to New York City on the ship. This trip was a bit longer and it was pretty hot, too. I was the first one off the ship, and I had to leave my mark on the pier. Let's say that my bladder must have been waiting for dry land, because people on the pier actually started clapping and cheering me as I was going to the bathroom. Yep, I was blushing. What? You don't think that dogs blush??? Well, I do!

It was a neat trip and I got to hang out with lots of my favorite people. The kids from New York's Harbor School were fun to hang out with too. And then wouldn't you know it... I somehow hurt my paw. They babied me each day but finally, midweek, my dad brought me to a nice vet clinic in Manhattan and they gave me medicine to kill the bad stuff that was making me sick, they wrapped my paw nicely and they gave me pain medicine and a very horrible cone of shame. That thing... ugg {insert whole body shake and shiver}, THAT lasted all of one afternoon, until I convinced them that I was NO idiot and was not going to take off the bandage. People! Jeesh, its not like I'm dense...I get it!

But other than that, I got to hang out in New York City, and I saw the Statue of Liberty. I slept on the floor with the Captain half the time (not ALL my doing, his wife asked me to keep him company since he would be missing her), and the other half with my dad. Sorry dad, but someone's got to hang out with the Captain and it's my job. Here are some of the pictures I could find to show that I was there. I'm just glad they didn't think to take a picture when they picked me up and put me on the surgery table to look at my foot, before deciding to take me to the vet. That was embarrassing, for pete's sake.

Finally, this past weekend, we held our holiday party for crew members. It's always good to hang out with all my peeps, especially when they're not covered in paint and smelly grease. Plus everyone dresses up nice and they smell good. And don't tell my dad, but they also gave me food. AT THE TABLE, when my dad wasn't watching. Hahaha...

These people writing the blog have been busy, so i'm sure they wont mind that I jumped in here to get the job done. Hopefully I'll have more to tell you soon. Until then, stay away from cats (they are mean and think they're better than everybody else!) and buy lots of treats for dogs (like me...hint, hint, hint...)

~Jack (from the SS JOHN W BROWN)

Project Liberty Ship, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all volunteer organization engaged in the preservation and operation of the historic ship JOHN W. BROWN as a living memorial museum. Gifts to Project Liberty Ship are tax deductible.

"Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today..." Maybe not leaving today, but we are leaving home in less than a month and heading to New York, New York. We will be leaving Baltimore on September 7th, the date that the BROWN was launched in 1942, and we will be arriving on the 9th. Returning to New York, her home for many years. The ship will be open for visitors from Saturday 9/10/16 until Saturday 9/17/16 from the hours of 10am-4pm. On both Saturdays, the 10th and the 17th, the engineering plant will be operating alongside the pier (Pier 36) and visitors can see the 135-ton triple expansion steam engine in operation at slow speed. This is a rare sight- to see an engine designed in the 1880's and built/installed in the 1940's, still operating and still capable of performing as a ship's main propulsion!

All of the BROWN's 13 wartime voyages either began or ended in New York.  In this picture, the BROWN was returning to her new home for the next 36 years. — All of the BROWN's 13 wartime voyages either began or ended in New York. In this picture, the BROWN was returning to her new home for the next 36 years.

In 1946 the government loaned the BROWN to the city of New York, where she became a floating maritime high school, the only one in the United States. The ship served in that capacity from 1946 to 1982, where thousands of students graduated and then began careers in the merchant marines. While a school ship, the BROWN was meticulously maintained by the students and their instructors. As you can see the hull was painted black during these years.

Picture taken at Pier 73 by Mr. L. Tibaldi in the 1950's.

On Sunday, September 18th, the BROWN will have a Living History Cruise out of New York, from Pier 36. This will be the BROWN's 106th Living History Cruise! Passengers who have purchased tickets for the cruise can board the ship at 8am. The ship will leave at 10am and return to the pier at 4pm. For the next 72 hours we are offering a promotion. By clicking this link, you will get $20 off your ticket price. This promotion must be done online, using this link, and not by phone. This link should be all you need, but putting in the promotion code of NYNY2016 will also get you the discount for the next 72 hours. This is a once in a lifetime experience that you can take part in, as it's not everyday that the 74 year old Liberty Ship can come to New York City and have a Living History Cruise.

This is a great experience and it will be lots of work for the 65 crew members that are taking the ship from Baltimore to New York, and the many more who will be traveling from many states to stay for part or all of the time in NY. Crew will be sleeping, eating, bathing and working on the ship during this time. Crew members are 100% volunteer and are willing to do the work needed for this trip because they believe in our mission statement. "Our goal is the preservation and operation of the S.S. JOHN W. BROWN, the last surviving Liberty Ship on the east coast, and one of only two operational Liberty Ships remaining from the great fleet of over 2,700 identical Liberty's which were one of the keys to the Allied victory in World War II. The BROWN is being preserved as a museum ship and a living memorial to the men and women of the American industry that built the great Liberty fleet and the Merchant Seamen and Naval Armed Guard who sailed and defended these ships all over the world."

Painting of the ship is almost complete (hint hint...you may see an upcoming blog showing off the last few months of work) and we have a JWB Alumni and PLS Work Party weekend coming up to get everything ready for our New York visit. We hope to see lots of visitors while we're in New York, as well as passengers on the Living History Cruise. Help us spread the word about this visit to New York!

Adventures in Jack's World

"These Vagabond Shoes, They Are Longing To Stray...'