In Vol. 88, No. 2, we printed a photo discovered in our archives and asked if any alumni recognized who the men were, where they were or what they were doing. Here are some of the responses that came in.
The uniform is clearly that of a Navy midshipman (white hat with blue border). We still wore the same hat when I was in Navy ROTC in the ’60s. The uniforms of the men standing appear to be naval officers and chief petty officers. Assuming these are Tech students, this is likely a training event for the Tech Navy ROTC, or similar Navy officer training program, perhaps on the order of 70 to 80 years ago.
Dan Eskew, EE 68,
MS IE 73
Seneca, S.C.
The men are Naval ROTC cadets from Tech, practicing boat handling skills in Piedmont Park’s Lake Clara Meer. Round up a copy of 1985’s Images and Memories and you will see a similar picture on page 140, describing the “Piedmont Park Navy” and crediting the Sixth Naval District as having donated the whaleboats. The NROTC unit started in 1926, so you can date the picture to that era.
Paul J. Todd, IM 86
Macon, Ga.
Nautically speaking, the oar position is in response to the coxswain’s order, “Toss oars.” A coxswain (man in the dark uniform) is usually a junior officer commanding a small boat and group of enlisted men but can also be a senior enlisted man. Note the oar blades are turned to reduce wind resistance and positioned to be out of the way so the boat can be landed closely next to other boats. The boat is still coasting, so the coxswain can still steer the boat (the rudder is still effective).
Frank Bailey, EE 84
Rockville, Md.
That, I think, is one of the lakes at Piedmont Park with a service building in the background. There is a concrete wall at that end of the lake where I used to go fishing as a boy. On the right bank are concrete frames that hold up swings. Behind them is a street that enters from Piedmont Avenue near 12th Street and the old American Legion Post 1 building. Behind those benches and across the street are (or were) two softball fields.
Bill Savell, IM 57
Atlanta
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