Meet our Heritage Society Members
Meet our Heritage Society Members
Eugene Schorsch '52
My acceptance to Webb opened the door to a wonderful education, extraordinary associates, and the world of shipbuilding.
The day after my 1952 Webb graduation, I married Ruth, and moved to Pennsylvania to begin my career at Sun Ship. I was hired by Paul E. Atkinson —42, and was mentored by him and Charlie Zeien —50. I was assigned to the Outfitting Division where I started as a shipfitter and became a Foreman in different trades, learning the importance of cooperation in reaching a goal.
I was then sent to Argonne National Laboratory for a graduate course in nuclear engineering. The nuclear age was evolving, as was my family. Ruth and I welcomed our first child, and immediately bought a life insurance policy. On return to the shipyard I taught nuclear power to our management and had a hand in setting the shipyard's strategy for the nuclear age. In the Kennedy era we built the largest-ever solid rocket cases. It was exciting to watch our handiwork successfully fired in Florida.
In 1965 I was promoted to Chief of Hull Design with responsibility for naval architecture, structural, and outfitting design, a position I held until 1972. During this period we produced container ships, the gas turbine propelled Adm. WM. M. Callaghan, the Ponce De Leon (the first of ten ro/ros), numerous tankers, converted the Manhattan for her epic ice-breaking voyage, and started building the Hughes Glomar Explorer to secretly lift a sunken Soviet submarine.
As Director of Manufacturing Engineering in 1972, I was responsible for all construction plans issued to our yard, completed the Hughes Glomar Explorer, and undertook the design of a new twin-slab level-launch facility, including the country's largest floating dry dock. I became a VP of Sun Ship in 1974 as we planned and began a major expansion in our shipbuilding, ship repair, and shipping operations.
The 1970s were an exciting time to be part of Sun Ship's growth. Expansion into build and charter companies involved positions with companies like TTT trading to Puerto Rico, creation and ownership of TOTE for Alaska service, and under a contract of affreightment with SOHIO, design and operation of the Prince William Sound, a pioneering double-hulled tanker.
Webb Institute was the force behind the vision. Graduates like Paul, Charlie, and I were given the knowledge to make an impact. We charted new territory and were on the verge of exciting new developments. We were taught ethics. We gave ourselves goals and we worked diligently to make our industry strong.
I am proud of the contributions we made towards furthering maritime technology and strengthening the economy and security of our nation. I am most thankful to Webb for laying the foundation to our successes. Ruth and I are pleased to join the Heritage Society by designating Webb as the beneficiary of that long ago life insurance policy.
The Webb Heritage Society was formally established by the Webb Board of Trustees in 1991 to honor those who have displayed generosity and foresight by taking steps to remember Webb Institute in their estate planning. There are currently 200 members.
To learn more about the Heritage Society, please contact the Development Office at 516-759-2040.