Chronology of Sea Scouting in the United States

8/5/1907As part of the fifth day of the first Scout camp on Brownsea Island, Lieutenant General Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell (BP), the Brownsea Scouts practice unselfishness through the game, Whale Hunt. As BP later described it, "The whale is made of a big log of wood with a roughly-shaped head and tail to represent a whale. Two boats will usually carry out the whale hunt, each boat manned by one Patrol, the Patrol Leader acting as captain, the corporal as bowman or harpooner, the remainder of the Patrol as oarsmen. Each boat belongs to a different harbour, the two harbours being about a mile apart. The umpire takes the whale and lets it loose about halfway between the two harbours, and on a given signal, the two boats race out to see who can get to the whale first. The harpooner who first arrives within range of the whale drives his harpoon into it, and the boat promptly turns round and tows the whale to its harbour. The second boat pursues, and when it overtakes the other, also harpoons the whale, turns round, and endeavours to tow the whale back to its harbour. In this way the two boats have a tug-of-war, and eventually the better boat tows the whale, and, possibly the opposing boat into its harbour. It will be found that discipline and strict silence and attention to the captain's orders are very strong points toward winning the game. It shows, above all things, the value of discipline." This is the first recorded Sea Scouting activity.

1911Sir Robert Baden-Powell writes Sea Scouting for Boys (published in Glasgow, Scotland by J. Brown and Son). B-P writes that "Sea-Scouting, by teaching boat management, seamanship and coastguard work, gives a form of training which has special attractions for a boy, and which at the same time includes almost all the manly and character-making qualities that parents could wish to see their sons develop. It is also of value to a Scoutmaster, as adding an attractive and useful variety to the training of his Scouts."

B-P writes that "Sea Scouts are of two kinds, viz. (1) Coastguard Scouts; (2) Seamen Scouts. The Troop is styled Ship's Company. In lieu of camping, Sea Scouts will cruise on the water, either "by hiring a boating brig for a week's voyage, or taking a Crew on a small yacht or fishing-smack." B-P notes that Sea Scouting has already begun in Canada by Boy Scouts at Vancouver. B-P promises that his brother, Warington Baden-Powell, formerly of the Royal Naval Reserve, will be producing a detailed book on Sea Scouting in the near future.

c. 1911Arthur A. Carey of Waltham, Massachusetts begins using the schooner Pioneer to provide a Sea Scouting experience.

1912	Charles T. Longstreth organizes a Sea Scout patrol aboard his yacht Arawan in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

2/20/13The Secretary of the Navy, George von L. Meyer, in a letter to Chief Scout Executive James West and BSA President Livingstone, offers the assistance of navy officers and the U.S. government in general to support a Sea Scouting branch of the BSA.

2/27/13The Secretary of the Navy issues a General Order directing that "Commanders-in-chief, division commanders, commanding officers of ships and commandants of navy yards and stations are authorized to co-operate in every way as far as circumstances permit, whenever an application bearing the approval of the National Headquarters of the Boy Scouts of America is received from a duly accredited representative of the organization. Individual officers, also, both active and retired, are requested to lend their aid and encouragement whenever opportunities offer."

4/15/13Inaugural issue of Scouting magazine headlines "Sea or Water Scouts: New Branch of Boy Scouts of America Will be Started with Aid of the Secretary of the Navy" as its lead-off article. The article reports that "As yet a definite name has not been decided upon for this Scout division." Arthur Carey of Waltham, Massachusetts is named Chairman of the National Committee on Sea Scouting. Mr. Carey's experiences with the schooner Pioneer were extensively featured.

5/15/13The third issue of Scouting includes an article by Charles Longstreth of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, titled "My Experience as a Nautical Scout Master." Mr. Longstreth reports that there were several Sea Scouting units functioning in Philadelphia and he urges that Sea Scouts use smaller boats since they are easier and cheaper to operate. The up-coming cruise aboard the Arawan to New York and Long Island Sound would include 30 boys and would cost $3.50 per boy.

1913Arthur A. Carey publishes Cruising for Sea Scouts, the first Sea Scouting publication appearing in the United States.

3/1/14The March 1st, 1914 issue of Scouting reports that Mr. Peder Jensen, Sea Scout Commissioner of Washington state, is in the process of organizing a Washington state Sea Scouting Council [Committee] which will include the state governor and mayors of all the principal coast cities in Washington. Mr. Jensen has a Troop of Sea Scouts at Puyallup near Tacoma. He reports that interest in Sea Scouting is very strong throughout the Pacific Northwest.

6/1/15	The first edition of Handbook on Nautical Scouting, written by Charles Longstreth of Philadelphia, Chairman of the Committee on Nautical Scouting of the National Council of the BSA, is available for a cost of $0.25. The advancement requirements have been adapted to suit conditions on small rivers and lakes so that inland scouts and of poorer neighborhoods are able to participate in Nautical Scouting. The current membership of the Committee on Nautical Scouting are: Captain Charles Longstreth, Philadelphia, Pa., chairman; George F. Baker, Jr., Vice-Commander, New York Yacht Club; Henry A. Moess, Boston, Mass.; Peder Jensen, Tacoma, Wash.; C. H. W. Foster, Boston, Mass.; Harold F. McCormick, Chicago, Ill.; Charles Moyer, Philadelphia, Pa.; and E. H. Watson, U.S. Navy.

10/17Nautical Scouting is re-named "Sea Scouting" and James Austin Wilder, a veteran sailor, global traveler, artist, and devoted Scouting volunteer, is named Chief Sea Scout. Chief Sea Scout Wilder is responsible for developing a Department of Sea Scouting, which is under the Department of Camping. Mr. Wilder organized the Scouting movement in the Hawaiian Islands before taking on the Sea Scouting job.

Sea Scout groups are now called Sea Scout Troops, divided into five classes, called Boat, Schooner, Barkentine, Bark, and Ship. The Sea Scout Troops have Skippers, with patrols being called a boat's crew and the patrol leader the "coxswain". The senior patrol leader is called the "Chief Boatswain's Mate", and the Assistant Scoutmaster is called the Warrant Bos'n. The Ship's flag is the same design as the regular Boy Scout troop flag, but the colors are blue and white with crossed anchors under the fleur de lis.

Each Sea Scout has a rating based on a specialty. The tenderfoots are known as landlubbers; second class Scouts as Ship's apprentice; first class Scout as able seaman. While younger boys participate in land-based activities, only older boys (14 and up) can participate in water-based activities. Uniforms begin to be switched over to naval style with khaki cloth and blue flaps [unlike the original ... and current dress whites].

5/15/18By May of 1918, the following Ships are operating: Liluokalani (Honolulu, Hawaii), Albatross (Meriden, Connecticut), Farragut (Springfield, Massachusetts), Barry (Springfield, Massachusetts), Foam (Chicago, Illinois), Ellen (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), George Washington (New York City), Abraham Lincoln (New York City). Many more Seascout patrol are also operating within Boy Scouts troops.

6/15/18	By June, the following Ships are also registered as active: Mark Twain (Moline, Illinois), Hartford (Hartford, Connecticut), Fontenelle (Omaha, Nebraska), Perry (Buffalo, New York), Constitution (Queens Borough, New York), Michigan (Detroit, Michigan), Monitor (Queens Borough, New York), Bon Homme Richard (New York City), Ranger (New York City), Paul Jones (New York City), Alert (Meriden, Connecticut).

7/15/18By July, there are 55 "Seascout Shipping Boards" [Council Sea Scouting Committees], "representing nearly every State in the Union, with an equal number of acting portmasters [Council Commodores], there of whom have received commissions." The July 15, 1918 issue of Scouting magazine reports that the following "are the steps necessary to qualify for the seascout uniform:
  1. Register as a regular troop (troop committee, Scoutmaster and approval by the local council, with membership fee).
  2. Apply to your portmaster for assignment as a seascout ship, as one, two, three or four crews of nine registered scouts each.
  3. Fill out your ship's papers. (Seascoutmaster [Skipper], Ship Committee, but no extra fee.)
  4. Obtain written permission from parent or guardian to join the seascouts. Pass a physical examination.
  5. Qualify as a tenderfoot scout.
  6. Scoutmaster qualifies as a sloopmaster and hoists his flag."
	While scouts of all ages could be seascouts, only those at least fourteen and first class with swimming and life saving could "engage in off-shore work, such as boat sailing."

9/1/18A new system of "specialty marks" is introduced. Each member of a seascout patrol [crew] is assigned a specialty, based on his seniority. This specialty has responsibilities as well as its own specialty patch to be sewn on the sleeve. The specialties are: 1. Coxswain (patrol leader - anchor), 2. Second in command (assistant patrol leader - crossed keys, storekeeper), 3. Yeoman (scribe - crossed quills), 4. Baker (cook - crescent moon), 5. Signalman (crossed signal flags), 6. Waterman (wavy lines), 7. Carpenter (tri-square), 8. Engineer (propeller), 9. Sailmaker (needle & thread). 

3/15/19While sixty-nine "scout centers" [councils] have begun to organize seascout Shipping Boards, only twenty Ships have been organized. It is assumed that reasons for the slowness of organizing seascouting is that safety requirements are difficult to meet. By this time, most councils have voted to make seascouting "an older scout program -- for First Class Scouts, over fourteen and in weight at least 114 pounds." Shipping Boards registered include: Hartford Conn., Meriden Conn., Toledo Ohio, Springfield Mass., Lake Tahoe Calif., Duluth Minn., Buffalo N.Y., Kenosha Wis., Wilkinsburg Penn., Detroit Mich., Chicago Ill., Akron Ohio, Queens N.Y.C., Philadelphia Penn., Youngstown Ohio, Baltimore Md., Quincy Mass., Syracuse N.Y., Bethlehem Penn., Wilmington Del. Seascoutmasters are now referred to as "Skippers".

6/19/19A Seascout training camp will be offered this summer by Chief Seascout James A. Wilder for boys (over 15 in age) "for the sake of becoming an instructor". This national train-the-trainer type training costs $40 and will take place at Lake Kewankho, Bear Mountain Camp (NY) and on a two weeks' cruise on the Connecticut River (embarking at Old Saybrook). [This training was offered for at least the next two summers.]

7/15/20The well-illustrated fourth edition of the Sea Scout Manual, having been revised by James Wilder, becomes available and sells very well.

11/21The first class anchor makes its first appearance in Scouting magazine in the November 1921 equipment issue. An entire page of clothing, badges, and ship and officer flags for seascouts and leaders is included in this issue.

10/23A two day conference is held at the BSA national office concerning Sea Scouting. [Note that it is now being referred to as Sea Scouting and not seascouting.] The conference participants feel that it is too complicated to organize Sea Scout Troops and that the overall program is much too difficult to run. The program will be completely re-organized to make it easier to run and more relevant to most Boy Scout troops.

10/23Thomas J. Keane is named Acting Director of the Sea Scout Department. His office is in Chicago, Illinois.

5/24It is announced that the new Sea Scout Manual will be available shortly and will provide a much more relevant program for Scouts. While the minimum age for Sea Scouts is now 15, a Boy Scout can participate in the "Sea Scout Reserve Plan" in his troop, earning Cabin Boy, Apprentice, and Ordinary before he joins a Sea Scout Ship. The new Sea Scouting program will more heavily emphasize water safety and lifesaving skills. While Scouting magazine still pictures the old, khaki uniforming (though with the khaki shading in the illustrations is eliminated), the new uniforms are also illustrated. The Apprentice, Ordinary, and Able ranks are illustrated -- unchanged to today. The first class anchor Sea Scouting emblem is also clearly illustrated. The uniforms, which will remain unchanged until 1942, are available from the national Supply Department in New York City, or from the Acting Director of the Sea Scout Department, 37 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. 
12/25	National Sea Scout membership has reached 1,100 Sea Scouts in 85 Ships.

5/26"Mr. Thomas J. Keane, Acting Director of the Sea Scout Department reports that '80 per cent. of the truancy of boys is due to their love for water.' He made it evident that Sea Scouting has something for every scoutmaster in the country. His pleas for more Sea Scouting was warmly received." -- Scouting magazine

12/26Mr. Keane reports that there are now 123 Ships nationally, an increase of nearly 50 percent in the last year.

1/15/27Thomas J. Keane of Chicago Illinois, who has been Acting Director of Sea Scouting since 1923, is appointed Director of the Seascout Department. His office is re-located to the BSA National Headquarters in New York City.

2/27"The good ship B.S.A. 'John Paul Jones' of the Columbia Yacht Club, Chicago, Ill., is sponsoring a seascout leaders training course. The course is the first of its kind in this country, and is being conducted under the auspices of the South Shore District Council, Thomas J. Keane being the officer in charge of instruction." -- Scouting magazine

6/27Mr. Dater, Chairman of the [National] Seascout Committee notes that the committee accomplished little in the past year since they had only been appointed in December of 1926. Since the Sea Scout Committee is not budgeted for the year, Howard P. Gillette of Chicago provided a large, emergency donation to keep Sea Scouting going. It is noted that Chicago and Region 7 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin) Sea Scouting is flourishing.

8/27Eight Sea Scouts on Chicago Council's Sea Scout Ship Northern Light  make a long cruise of the Arctic as a part of the Borden-Field Museum Arctic Expedition.

10/27All Sea Scouting insignia is now available blue on white as well as white on blue. Previously, insignia was only available blue on white.

1/28The revised pamphlet How to Organize a Sea Scout Ship is available for 20 cents.

4/28Scoutmasters are urged to set up Sea Scout Patrols in their troops to help keep the older boys involved in Scouting. "A Patrol of Eagle Scouts, who were undecided as to whether or not they would keep on in Scouting, finally decided to stay when Sea Scouting was put into that Troop, and the Scoutmaster was very much pleased to realize that he had been able to retain these boys for a much longer period" reports Kenneth B. Canfield, Scout Executive of Quincy, Massachusetts. Mr. Canfield feels that Sea Scouting is of great value and should be known to all Scoutmasters in the Scout Movement.

5/28A National Sea Scout Committee and National Sea Scout Director have been appointed during the past year. Regional Sea Scout Committees have also been organized in Regions 2, 3, and 12. Twelve Sea Scout Leaders' Training Courses were held throughout the country with approximately 300 leaders trained. There has been a 50 percent increase in Sea Scout Troops. The rest of 1928 will be devoted to bringing the total enrollment to 5,000 Sea Scouts, training 1,000 leaders, and organizing Regional Sea Scout Committees.

6/28The pamphlet Aids for Sea Scout Leaders is available for 20 cents.

7/28Councils are being urged to set up a Sea Scout program at summer camp. While setting up a landship is important, having an exciting, varied waterfront experience will help to keep boys on Scouting longer.

8/25/28Sea Scout Paul A. Siple of S.S.S. Niagara of Erie, Pennsylvania leaves New York City as a Sea Scout participant in Byrd's Antarctic Expedition. After great adventure and considerable press coverage Siple and the antarctic expedition will return to New York on June 19, 1930. [Eagle Sea Scout Siple's endeavor will be featured in the July 1930 issue of Scouting magazine.]

12/28Beginning December 1928, Scouting magazine includes a monthly article on some facet of Sea Scouting. While many articles are written by Thomas J. Keane, others are written by Skippers, Scoutmasters, and experts on other subjects.

5/29Sea Scout Ship Old Ironsides of Chicago Council is named the first National Sea Scout Flagship. Skipper Louis Gloff reports that the Ship began in 1924 as a Sea Scout Patrol in Chicago Troop 17 and within a year and a half had grown so much that it was established as a separate Sea Scout Ship. Since then, Old Ironsides has worked through Second Class Ship rank and is now one of six First Class Ships in the country. Of the 33 boys in Old Ironsides, there are 1 Quartermaster, 9 Able Sea Scouts, 10 Ordinary Sea Scouts, 13 Apprentice Sea Scouts. Among these are 6 Eagle Scouts, 2 Life Scouts, and 5 Star Scouts. The Regional Flagships are:
Region I: Sea Scout Ship Tuscarora, Quincy Massachusetts
Region II: Sea Scout Ship Constitution IV, Newburgh, New York
Region III: Sea Scout Ship Niagara, Erie, Pennsylvania
Region V: Sea Scout Ship Leif Ericson, Birmingham, Alabama
Region VI: Sea Scout Ship Southern Cross, Sarasota, Florida
Region VII: Sea Scout Ship Old Ironsides, Chicago, Illinois
Region VIII: Sea Scout Ship Clipper, Burlington, Iowa
Region XI: Sea Scout Ship Richard H. Dana, Portland, Oregon
Region XII: Sea Scout Ship Olympia II, Long Beach, California

2/30The National Sea Scout Committee has revised the leadership positions to eliminate the positions of Portmaster and Pilot. Sleeve insignia for adult leaders is revised to parallel naval insignia, though using silver instead of gold braid. A skipper wears braid similar to a naval Lieutenant (j.g.), while Council Commodore wears braid similar to a naval Commander. Officer flags are now available with 1 star of district officers, 2 stars for council officers, 3 stars for regional officers, and 4 stars for national officers. Officers' flags which lack stars are for Ship officers. Scout rank patches for Star, Life, and Eagle are now available on blue and white backgrounds so that they may be worn on the Sea Scout uniform.

5/30The National Flagship is Sea Scout Ship Leif Ericson, Skipper Sumner A. Davis, of Birmingham, Alabama.

9/30The pamphlet What Sea Scouts Do by Thomas J. Keane is available for 20 cents.

12/9/30The Quartermaster Award badge is approved by the BSA National Executive Board. The badge costs local councils $3.00.

12/30National membership in Sea Scouting has reached 8,043 young men.

5/31The National Flagship is Sea Scout Ship Kansan, Skipper Dr. William C. Menninger, of Topeka, Kansas. This is the third year in a row in which the National Flagship began as patrols in Boy Scout Troops and developed into first rate Sea Scout Ships.

9/31The pamphlet The Sea Scout Patrol and How it Holds Scouts in the Troop is available.

5/32The National Flagship is Sea Scout Ship Frederick Harris of Springfield, Massachusetts.

9/32William C. Menninger writes The Kansan's Skipper's Aide, published by Sea Scout Ship Kansan, Troop Five, Jayhawk Area, Boy Scouts of America, Topeka, Kansas, and printed by the College Press, Topeka.

12/32The pamphlet Sea Scouts Afloat: Hints on Cruising by Stuart P. Walsh and Harry B. Jones, is available for 20 cents.

12/31/32The Sea Scout program has increased its total membership to 14,863 Sea Scouts. This represents a 42 percent increase over 1931 yearend figures. Howard P. Gillette of Chicago, Chairman of the National Sea Scout Committee, noted that Mr. Keane, National Director of Sea Scouting, reported membership increases in all twelve regions.

5/33The National Flagship is Sea Scout Ship Kansan, Skipper Dr. William C. Menninger, of Topeka, Kansas. This is the second time in three years that S.S.S. Kansan has been named National Flagship.

1/34-37	Throughout the mid-30s Scouting magazine extensively features Sea Scouts involved community service, rescue, and relief work.

5/34The National Flagship is Sea Scout Ship Ranger of Portland, Oregon. The flag is presented before 20,000 people at the Rose Festival and the Ship is honored by receiving the following telegram from President Roosevelt: "Please convey to the Officers and Men of the National Sea Scout Flagship Ranger of Portland, Oregon my hearty congratulations and sincere commendation on their great achievement in being selected as the outstanding Sea Scout Ship in the United States."

10/34The new Handbook for Skippers, written by Skipper William C. Menninger, M.D., is available. This is an extensive re-working of The Kansan's Skipper's Aide.

12/31/34National Sea Scout membership has reached 19,448 Sea Scouts and 8,725 Sea Scout leaders, for a total of 28,200. There are now 1,041 Sea Scout Ships, as well as many Sea Scout Patrols in Boy Scout Troops.

2/35The Boy Scouts of America begins promoting a Sea Scout subcamp at the upcoming National Jamboree, to be held in Washington, D.C. It is hoped that of the 2,000 Sea Scouts eligible to participate in the Jamboree at least 1,000 will attend. Many exciting activities in Washington and Annapolis, Maryland are planned.
5/35	The National Flagship is Sea Scout Ship Tarpon, Philip Dennler, Jr., Skipper, of Great Neck, Long Island, New York.

7/35	Thomas Keane reports that 34 full Ships of 32 Sea Scouts and 4 leaders have been established for the 1935 National Jamboree to be held from August 21st to 30th. The Sea Scout subcamp with its 1,250 Sea Scout participants, will be led by Commodore Raymond F. Low, Region Eight Regional Commodore, was well as other prominent Sea Scouters from throughout the country. Visits will be made to the Navy Department, the Washington Navy Yard, the Coast Guard headquarters, and all vessels in Washington at that time. A special trip will also be made to the Naval Academy, as well as a trip to Mount Vernon, home of George Washington. A cruise will be made down the Potomac River to the Chesapeake Bay aboard a U.S. Navy destroyer.

8/20/35The National Jamboree is called off due to an outbreak of "infantile paralysis" (polio) in Washington, D.C.

3/11-18/36	The First National Sea Scouting Conference is held at French Lick, Indiana, and is chaired by Commodore Howard F. Gillette of Chicago, Chairman of the National Sea Scout Committee and member of the B.S.A. National Executive Board.

4/36The bi-monthly newsletter, The National Sea Scout Log, begins publication. The National Sea Scout Log reports that Dr. James E. West, Chief Scout Executive, has received a letter of commendation by Commander S.S. Yeandle, U.S. Coast Guard for the rescue work rendered by Sea Scouts during the recent disaster to the Steamship Morro Castle off the New Jersey coast. Command Yeandle reported that Skipper H. P. Martin, S.S.S. #216 (Brookline, Pennsylvania) heard Morro Castle's radio distress call and took 8 Sea Scouts of the Bay Head Coast Guard Station where, along with Sea Scouts of S.S.S. Shrewsbury of Long Branch, S.S.S. Tempest of Asbury Park, New Jersey, S.S.S. Richard E. Byrd of Long Branch, and S.S.S. North Star of Red Bank, assisted the Coast Guard in rescue operations. It is also reported that Thomas J. Keane is now the National Director of Senior Scouting, with Frank W. Braden, a scout executive with extensive Sea Scouting experience, named as his assistant.

5/21/36The National Flagship is Sea Scout Ship Columbia, Skipper R. L. Burnett, of Portland, Oregon.  S.S.S. Kansan, Skipper William C. Menninger, M.D., of Topeka, Kansas is named "Honorary National Flagship". The competition for National Flagship was so close that S.S.S. Silver Star has been named National Vice-Flagship and S.S.S. Sea Devil has been named National Rear Flagship.

6/36	Eagle Scout Owen W. Matthews, III, a member of National Flagship S.S.S. Columbia, won the Eddie Canton $5,000 scholarship for his essay entitled, "How can American stay out of war". Presently Mattiews is an Able Sea Scout, a Boatswain, and an Eagle Scout with Silver palm. Matthews' prize winning essay, chosen as the best from 212,000 submitted, was based on his two week experience at the fourth World Jamboree at Gödöllö, Hungary in 1933.

9/36	The National Sea Scout Log announces that the Sea Scout subcamp at the re-scheduled 1937 National Jamboree is on. Thirty-four Ships totalling some 1,250 Sea Scouts and leaders will participate in the Jamboree in Washington in June and July of 1937.

12/31/36The national membership of Sea Scouting has reached 20,559 Sea Scouts. Regions VII and XII each have roughly 3,200 Sea Scouts, while Chicago Council has the largest Sea Scout membership at 908.

1/37The National Sea Scout Log reports that Sea Scouting will have a large tent in the exhibit area of the up-coming Jamboree to show models, charts, ship equipment, gadgets, small boats, and emergency equipment. The Sea Scout Camp will have over 200 white tents and a tall mast will be set up on the parade ground for ceremenies and special events. The cost of the Jamboree will be $25.00 plus transportation.

4/10-15/37	The Second Annual Sea Scout Conference and Training Course is held at Schiff Scout Reservation. The cost of the Conference is $3.50 while the Conference and Training Course complete is $12.00.

5/27/37Sea Scouts and the Territory of Hawaii name May 27th as Sea Scout Day in honor of the first Chief Sea Scout, James A. "Kimo" Wilder.

5/37The National Flagship is Sea Scout Ship Polaris, Skipper William B. Sweeney, of Saint Louis, Missouri. The competition competition for National Flagship was so close that S.S.S. Cowlitz of Kelso, Washington has been named National Vice-Flagship and S.S.S. Croeschart of Oil City, Pennsylvania has been named National Rear Flagship.

6-7/37	Eight hundred Sea Scouts representing every Region and the territory of Hawaii participate in the First National Jamboree. Among the highlights of the Sea Scout involvement at the jamboree are a day at Annapolis, a Sea Scout regatta, the "Kimo" Wilder 150 foot landship, presentation of the honor of National Flagship, sightseeing the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Department of Justice (home of the "G Men").
9/37	It is announced that a new pamphlet, How to Organize a Sea Scout Patrol, will be available soon. The pamphlet grows out of the National Sea Scout Conference at Schiff.

12/31/37	The national membership of Sea Scouting has reached 19,483 Sea Scouts. Regions VII and XII each have roughly 3,000 Sea Scouts, while Chicago Council has the largest Sea Scout membership at 1,027. Rounding out the top 10 councils are Portland (491), San Francisco (369), Boston (350), St. Louis (335), Los Angeles (299), Nassau County (292), Honolulu (265), Brooklyn (243), and Valley Forge (222).

3/38A new recognition called the "Special Long Cruise Badge" is now available to Sea Scouts and Sea Scouters "on behalf of the National Sea Scout Committee for outstanding meritorious cruises of a national or international nature." This patch is available from the National Senior Scouting Service and has been authorized for all Sea Scouts and Sea Scouters who attended Section "M", the Sea Scout Section", at the recent National Jamboree in Washington.

10/38The National Sea Scout Committee makes extensive revisions to Sea Scout advancement requirements. An Apprentice candidate must know the Sea Promise:
  As a Sea Scout I promise to do my best --
(1)	To guard against water accidents.
(2)	To know the location and proper use of the life saving devices on every boat I board.
(3)	To be prepared to render aid to those in need.
(4)	To seek to preserve the Motto of the Sea, "Women and Children First."
Quartermaster candidates must "Describe and be able to make a sketch of the arrangement of and names of sails of the six following types of modern sailing rigging: Lateen, Cat, Sloop, Yawl, Ketch, Schooner. Classify as to their type of rigging any three of the following: Flatties, Shipes, X-Boat, Sun Rays, Star Boats, Comet, Inland lakes bilge-board Scow, Frostbite dinghies, or other types used in this vicinity."
	The new requirements will go into effect on January 1, 1939.

11/38The National Sea Scout Committee announces that a new Ship Rating Plan is being put into effect. Ships will be rated on leadership, program and activites, attendance, advancement, and tenure. Ratings will be Third Class, Second Class, First Class, Local Flagship Squadron, Regional Flagship Flotilla, and National Flagship Fleet. Any Ship which qualifies will now be rated as a member of the National Flagship Fleet.
12/31/38	The national membership of Sea Scouting has reached 23,437 Sea Scouts. Region VII has roughly 3,900 Sea Scouts, while Chicago Council has the largest Sea Scout membership at 1,216. Rounding out the top 10 councils are New York City (654), Portland (591), Boston (403), Los Angeles (394), San Francisco (376), St. Louis (375), Nassau County (346), Honolulu (280), and North Shore, Massachusetts (264).

5/39A new edition (2nd) of Handbook for Skippers by William C. Menninger, M.D. is now available. A new edition (6th) of the Sea Scout Manual by Carl Langenbacher, Skipper of S.S.S. Dauntless of Noank, Connecticut is also available.

7-8/39	Region III is holding Chesapeake Bay cruises throughout the summer. Arrangements have been made for chartering the Emma A. Faulkner of Cambridge, Maryland, a 80' schooner.

7/39The 1938 National Flagship is Sea Scout Ship Sea Hawk, Ben F. Rogers, Skipper, of Berkeley, California.

12/39The BSA National Executive Board approves a new recognition, the "Skipper's Key". This recognition is intended to serve the same function as the "Scoutmaster's Key" [today, "Scouter's Key"] and requires a mixture of water safety, first aid, leadership training, two weeks of cruising, and 5 years of service as a Skipper.

12/31/39The national membership of Sea Scouting has reached 26,425 Sea Scouts. Region VII has roughly 4,400 Sea Scouts, while Chicago Council has the largest Sea Scout membership at 1,282.

6/40The BSA National Executive Board approves new Ship and Officer's flags. These flags, top half blue and bottom half red, replaces a complicated system of 39 different flags, making the meaning of the flags much easier to understand. [While the Ship flag has been revised once since then, the Officer's flag remains unchanged to today.]

11/41A new Handbook for Crew Leaders written by Carl D. Lane, Skipper of S.S.S. Dauntless of Noank, Connecticut, is now available.

11/5/41National Director of Senior Scouting, Thomas J. Keane is re-called to active duty in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Mr. Keane will be serving as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Department in Washington, exactly twenty years after his former retirement from active service.

4/42	Due to wartime restrictions, the U.S. Coast Guard requires that all Sea Scout Ships check with their local Captains of the Port so that they may obtain detailed information about identification cards and special licenses. Additionally all self-propelled vessels are required to hold Special Licenses issued by the Caption of the Port.

4/16/42Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox formally asks the Boy Scouts of America for assistance in providing experienced Sea Scouts and leaders for naval service during World War II. Current and former Sea Scouts and leaders with at least two years of college between the ages of 19 and 50 will be given immediate commissions in the U.S. Navy.

4/42Due to the potential for confusion, the BSA National Executive Board revised the Sea Scout Officers Insignia to eliminate the use of silver braid. Skippers will now wear insignia which incorporates the Sea Scout emblem over a star and bar. All other leader's insignia will be similarly modified.

7/42North Shore Council, Gloucester, Massachusetts, reports that S.S.S. Marblehead has gone missing. The Marblehead has previously been the National Flagship and a member of the Regional Flotilla for many years. At a recent meeting, "a new Skipper asked a new boatswain to call the roll of the forty-five Sea Scouts enrolled in the Ship as of 1939. All were "absent, but accounted for." From Skipper to apprentice, every many was enrolled in the United States armed services." [Many more stories like this appeared throughout World War II.]

11/17/42Sea Scout Ship Northland, sponsored by the Second Flotilla of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Fon du Lac, Wisconsin, becomes the first Ship to adopt Air Scouting as part of their Ship Program. The Ship is now also registered as an Air Scout Squadron.

11/19/42George E. Chronic, Acting Director of Senior Scouting since November 1941 has been made Director of the Senior Scout Program. Ralph H. Mozo, formerly Scout Executive of Tampa, Florida is named Assistant Director of Senior Scouting to especially emphasize the new Air Scout program.

9/43The National Sea Scout Log ceases publication. Henceforth all Senior Scouting (Seniors in Troops, Sea Scouts, Air Scouts, and Explorer Scouts) information will be carried by Scouting magazine.

12/31/43Sea Scouting shows a loss in membership for the first time in the history of the program. The reasons the program's membership figures have slipped is that a high percentage of Sea Scouts and Sea Scout leaders have become commissioned officers in the Navy, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine Service. It is believed that more than 75,000 Sea Scouts and Sea Scout Leaders are now serving in some branch of the Armed Forces. In spite of this news, Sea Scouting still out-numbers Explorer Scouting and Air Scouting: Sea Scouting -- 24,775, Explorer Scouting -- 15,231, Air Scouting -- 9,549

1/14/44The Liberty Ship James A. Wilder is launched at Wilmington, California. Named after the first Chief Seascout, the ship's launching ceremony is attended by representative Sea Scout leaders from Southern California. The James A. Wilder thus joins the Liberty Ships William D. Boyce and Daniel Carter Beard as the third Liberty Ship named after prominant Scout leaders.

5/44William C. Menninger, M.D., formerly Skipper of S.S.S. Kansan (National Flagship in 1931 and 1933), author of Handbook for Skippers, and currently a Colonel in the U.S. Army, is presented with the Silver Buffalo Award, the highest recognition for distinguished service to youth which the Boy Scouts of America can make.

12/31/44Sea Scouting's membership has rebounded a little to 24,951. 

7/45It is announced that forty Ships have become members of the 1944 National Flagship Fleet. The Howard F. Gillette Trophy in recognition of outstanding service in Scouting is presented to S.S.S. Alamitos, Skipper J. K. Waddington, of Long Beach, California.

10/1/45As of October 1, 1945, all boys fifteen years of age or older who are involved in the Boy Scouts of America will now be registered in an Senior Outfit. Fifteen year old boys will no longer be registered in a Troop a Senior Scouts, but will instead belong of Air Scout Squadrons, Explorer Scout Posts, or Sea Scout Ships. They may remain in Troops as regular Boy Scouts without special standing. Additionally, as of October 1st, no Troops may have Senior Patrols, Sea Scout Crews, Explorer Scout Outposts, or Air Scout Flights within the Troop. 

5/46Mr. G. E. Chronic, National Director of Senior Scouting, explains in Scouting magazine that Scouts may not register in more than one Senior Scouting Unit. Since Air Scout rank badges are worn above the pocket, Explorer Scout badges of rank are worn on the pocket, and Sea Scout badges are worn on the arm, Senior Scouts may earn advancement from any branch of Senior Scouting. From here on out, Sea Scout Ships may not have Air Scout Patrols, though Sea Scouts may be members of a Crew devoting much of its activity to aviation.
7/46	It is announced that sixty-three Ships have become members of the 1946 National Flagship Fleet. The Howard F. Gillette Trophy in recognition of outstanding service in Scouting is presented to S.S.S. Polaris, Skipper Harrison H. Johnson, Jr., of Saint Louis, Missouri. The Polaris promoted the development of "War Service Logs" by Sea Scout Ships throughout the country. The Logs were dedicated to former members who services in the Armed Forces.

1/47The Sea Scout Ship Rating Plan is discontinued, to be replaced by the same plan for all Senior Scout Units. The new plan modifies qualifications to be meaningful for non-Sea Scout Senior Units. There will be six degrees, depending upon scores attained: Third Class, Second Class, First Class, Council Standard, Regional Standard, and National Standard.

1/48A new training program called Skippers' Training Course is now available. While the training is aimed at Skippers, Mates, and Committeemen, Crew Leaders and Yeomen may also find it helpful.

9/1/49As of September 1st, 1949, all young men fourteen years of age or over in the Boy Scouts of America, whether in Troops or specialized Units, are now Explorers. Sea Scout Ships will now be known as Explorer Ships and the Skipper will be known as the Ship Advisor. The minimum age for all Exploring programs drops to fourteen. Sea Scouting remains essentially unchanged; the program name ("Sea Exploring") and a few position titles only change. An Explorer, B.S.A. strip will replace the Boy Scouts of America strip on uniform shirts. The Silver Award advancement program will be immediately available. Explorer Scouts working towards Ranger award will have until January 1, 1951 to complete the requirements.

1/1/50The Cabin Boy status is officially discontinued on January 1, 1950.

6/54A new edition (7th) of the Sea Exploring Manual by Carl D. Lane, Skipper of S.E.S. Dauntless of Noank, Connecticut, is now available.

5/66A new edition (8th) of the Sea Exploring Manual by Arthur N. Lindgren is now available.

1968A new BSA Exploring Division is established under the direction of John M. Claerhout. The first full-time Sea Exploring Director since 1935 is named -- William J. Lidderdale. A new National Sea Exploring Committee is also formed with Morgan F. Firth, Jr. as its Chairman.

1968?	The BSA Exploring program, including Sea Exploring, becomes co-educational. Now all Sea Explorer Ships may be either all male, all female, or co-ed. Co-ed Ships must have co-ed adult leadership.

10/71A new edition of Handbook for Skippers by Arthur N. Lindgren is now available.

1971The first regional Seabadge Conference is held in Region XII at the U.S. Coast Guard training facility on Governor's Island, Alameda, California. Seabadge Conferences provide Sea Exploring leaders which a mountaintop training experience intended to sharpen leadership and management skills and strengthen Ships and local council Sea Exploring programs. Seabadge students who successfully complete a personal assignment, or "ticket", are presented with the Seabadge Trident Pin. [Seabadge conferences continue to be held today.]

1984Sea Exploring leaders across America are saddened by the death of Commander Thomas J. Keane. His pioneering efforts on behalf of Sea Scouting extended over sixty years. 

1987A new edition of the Sea Exploring Manual by Commodore Bill Minto of South Central Region and National Sea Exploring Director Don Callenius is available.

1987Sea Exploring celebrates its 75th anniversary. As part of the celebration, National Boatswain Quartermaster Melissa A. "Missy" Marenka presents the BSA Report to the Nation to President Ronald Reagan.

'87-'88	Four Sea Explorers, led by National Boatswain Missy Marenka of Huntsville, Alabama, cruise with 175 Coast Guard Cadets aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle to Australia and back. This cruise to Australia helps the United States pays its respects to Australia on the 200th anniversary of the country's settlement.

1988The pamphlet How to Organize a Sea Explorer Ship, written by National Sea Exploring Director Forrest McVicar and Sea Exploring National Committeeman Bruce Johnson, is available.

8/89Sea Exploring returns to the National Scout Jamboree after a 52-year absence. National Committeeman Bruce Johnson organizes S.E.S. Thomas J. Keane, a hands-on, action exhibit area. Over 400 past and present Sea Scouts attend a "Sea Scout Reunion".