James Harvey Tomb
Encyclopedia
Captain James Harvey Tomb (c. 1875–September 23, 1946) served as Superintendent of the New York State Merchant Marine Academy
and was the first Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy
. Captain Tomb was appointed Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy
on April 15, 1942.
From 1927 until 1942. During this time he aided in finding and moving the academy from its home aboard ship pierside in New York Harbor to its permanent and current home at Fort Schuyler in the Bronx. As a member of the 1930 Committee on Training of Merchant Marine Officer Personnel, he strongly supported the need for a national shoreside training facility. In 1939, when the U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps was searching for an Atlantic Coast location, he allowed the cadets to stay temporarily at the New York Maritime College
campus at Fort Schuyler in the Bronx.
in 1942. Arriving at Kings Point by boat from Fort Schuyler on April 15, 1942 at the age of 66, he immediately tackled the crucial task of overseeing the physical construction of the Academy. He relinquished command of the Academy on October 16, 1943, just over two weeks after the school was dedicated. He retired to private life and died on September 23, 1946.
The football and lacrosse game field at Kings Point, set inside the Academy's track, is named for Captain Tomb.
State University of New York Maritime College
SUNY Maritime College is a maritime college located in the Bronx, New York City in historic Fort Schuyler on the Throggs Neck peninsula where the East River meets Long Island Sound...
and was the first Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy
United States Merchant Marine Academy
The United States Merchant Marine Academy is one of the five United States Service academies...
. Captain Tomb was appointed Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy
United States Merchant Marine Academy
The United States Merchant Marine Academy is one of the five United States Service academies...
on April 15, 1942.
US Navy and Merchant Marine
His background features the successful blend of two maritime careers - 27 years as a naval officer and 15 years as an educator of Merchant Marine Midshipmen. An Annapolis graduate and expert marksman, Captain Tomb had a distinguished naval career that included command of the former coastal liner Aroostook during the laying of the “North Sea Mine Barrage,” which bottled up the German fleet in World War I. Retiring from service in 1925, he was named head of the New York State Nautical School.Superintendent New York State Merchant Marine Academy
Captain Tomb served as the Superintendent of the New York State Merchant Marine Academy (NYSMMA), now known as the State University of New York Maritime CollegeState University of New York Maritime College
SUNY Maritime College is a maritime college located in the Bronx, New York City in historic Fort Schuyler on the Throggs Neck peninsula where the East River meets Long Island Sound...
From 1927 until 1942. During this time he aided in finding and moving the academy from its home aboard ship pierside in New York Harbor to its permanent and current home at Fort Schuyler in the Bronx. As a member of the 1930 Committee on Training of Merchant Marine Officer Personnel, he strongly supported the need for a national shoreside training facility. In 1939, when the U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps was searching for an Atlantic Coast location, he allowed the cadets to stay temporarily at the New York Maritime College
State University of New York Maritime College
SUNY Maritime College is a maritime college located in the Bronx, New York City in historic Fort Schuyler on the Throggs Neck peninsula where the East River meets Long Island Sound...
campus at Fort Schuyler in the Bronx.
Superintendent of the US Merchant Marine Academy
Captain Tomb's experience as a marine educator and administrator made Capt. Tomb the Academy’s choice as the first Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine AcademyUnited States Merchant Marine Academy
The United States Merchant Marine Academy is one of the five United States Service academies...
in 1942. Arriving at Kings Point by boat from Fort Schuyler on April 15, 1942 at the age of 66, he immediately tackled the crucial task of overseeing the physical construction of the Academy. He relinquished command of the Academy on October 16, 1943, just over two weeks after the school was dedicated. He retired to private life and died on September 23, 1946.
The football and lacrosse game field at Kings Point, set inside the Academy's track, is named for Captain Tomb.
See also
- List of Presidents/Superintendents of the State University of New York Maritime College and Preceding Organizations
- New York State Merchant Marine Academy