By Peggy Roeske
The luxury liner Morro Castle caught fire just off the Jersey Shore on September 8, 1934, under mysterious circumstances during a major storm. The fast-moving fire eventually burned 90 percent of the ship and took the lives of 137 people.
Historian Gary Crawford of Neptune, NJ, who has written a book about the disaster, will make history come alive at the next membership dinner meeting of the Somerset Sail and Power Squadron (SSPS). The group’s social hour begins at 6 p.m. and the dinner is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, November 12, 2010, at Pheasants Landing Restaurant, 311 Amwell Road, Hillsborough. The event is open to all area residents.
Those wishing to attend the dinner should reserve a place by Monday, November 8, by contacting Marie Hughes at 908-725-2299 or at [email protected]. The cost is $25 for SSPS members and $30 for nonmenbers (including tip).
SSPS is a unit of the United States Power Squadrons. Its slogan is "Boating Is Fun…We’ll Show You How!" Anyone who is interested in joining SSPS should contact the membership chair, Don Roeske, at 732-828-8632 or at [email protected].