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The 75th anniversary today of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

On July 4th 2001, along with a long-retired US Navy admiral, together we tossed a large commemorative wreath into the waters of Pearl Harbor. The ceremonies were held from the stern of the liner Independence, which, with special permission, had departed the Aloha Pier in Honolulu and then made a short run and special detour into Pearl Harbor. She ranks as the largest liner ever to have done this. Indeed, it was a very moving occasion -- and experience for me.



We had 100 members of the Steamship Historical & World Ship Societies onboard to celebrate another event – it was the 50th anniversary of the Independence, the famed former trans-Atlantic liner. We cruised the Hawaiian islands, topped by parties, celebrations, speeches and of course cakes & candles. Our good friend Tom Chirby was hugely instrumental in organizing the special events and even got the State Government to declare SS Independence Day.



Unfortunately, following the horrifyingly tragic events two months later, on September 11th, the travel & cruise businesses were turned upside down – no one, it seemed, was traveling. American Hawaii Cruises & the Independence were soon bankrupt, never to return to those Pacific waters.