American Merchant Marine Veterans Oral History Project at Penobscot Marine Museum

My father is a retired merchant mariner. In 2011, I sailed across the Pacific with him, following the sailors when they went ashore and interviewing most of the crew. This led to me seeking out the Seamen’s Church Institute Oral History Project, interviewing a number of merchant mariners across who sailed in WW2 for their oral history project, and eventually, helping to organize an oral history storytelling day for merchant marine veterans at the Penobscot Marine Museum. The still on the left demonstrates how furrowed my brow can get when talking to TV reporters about the lives of sailors.