What They Had to Learn (or Brush Up On)
Officers had to develop an understanding of the same formidable array of subjects and procedures as seamen. Only if they knew the requirements and practicalities of a given procedure or situation could they properly direct the seamen carrying out their orders.
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The 822-page Merchant Marine Officers' Handbook is daunting in scope and detail, the American Merchant Seaman's Manual equally so. Both were published by Cornell Maritime Press, New York City, which regularly ran full-page ads in Trumbullog listing its many other specialized publications.
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The U.S. Maritime Service Institute offered correspondence courses for officer cadets or seamen who wished to supplement their training in various subjects. The subjects listed on this page from an issue of Trumbullog give a good idea of the range of available courses.
The following images selected from Trumbullog and the U.S. Maritime Service Information Booklet depict various training activities at Fort Trumbull.
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A sampling of examination questions is shown below.
