CMA Collection of Famed Waters

Academy Starts Collection of Famed Waters

Seeing the waters of the Dead Sea, Baffin Bay, the Grand Canal, the Straits of Magellan, Waikiki, the South Seas, or any other spot the world without leaving the shadowy rim of beautiful Lake Maxinkuckee in Indiana will soon a reality if the development of the Marine Museum at the Culver Military Academy c ontinues its present growth.

The plan is outlined in a timely article, "It's in the Bottle," written by John Fraser Roos, of Winnetka, Ill., and an instructor the Culver Summer Naval School, which appeared in the April issue of the Culver Alumnus.

Although the Marine Museum has existed for several years and contains various interesting items, naval paraphernalia, and momentoes of Culver, it was not until 1934 that the idea of a collection "Waters of the World" was devised by Commander 0. W. Fowler, head of the Naval School and one of his instructors, Mr. Roos.

It was planned with the idea of spot-lighting the museum with some collection in which all midshipmen, their friends, and any one else interested in the project, would take an interest and to which they could conveniently contribute.

Waters Coming In

Waters from all over the world are gradually finding their way to the shelves of the museum where they are placed in half-pint bottles, labeled with the name of the donor and any descriptive data, and kept for posterity.

Waters from wells, creeks, rivers, falls, oceans, and seas in the United States and throughout the world are being sought by the collectors, and water from any source is most welcome, it was pointed out.

Included among the waters already on hand are specimens from Tom Sawyer's fishing hole at Hannibal, Mo., and James Whitecomb Riley's "Old Swimmin' Hole" at Greenfield, Ind.

Great interest is being shown not only by cadets and midshipmen at the Academy, but by patrons and friends of Culver who are continually bringing and sending specimens to the museum.

One alumnus has promised to bring water from the sea of Galilee this summer; a cadet is going to gather water from the Rubicon where Caesar made his famous crossing; another promises to bring waters from the Falls of Minnehaha.

Possibilities Unlimited

The opportunity for contributing is limitless, it was pointed out, and all are urged to send waters from whatever source.

Every stream and creek has its legends.

The waters of the Tippecanoe River, Boulder Dam, the Little Big Horn, the Great Lakes, and other bodies all hold -romantic lore for the collector and all such waters are being sought for the unique collection.

In discussing the origin of "Waters of the World" idea, Commander Fowler, a retired naval officer, who has just returned to the Academy to coach the varsity crews, said that the original idea came from the practice of certain Indian tribes in the Southwest who used waters from the sea in certain of their ceremonials.

Each year at Culver King Neptune holds his court on Lake Maxinkuckee, and outstanding seamen are initiated into the exclusive organization, "Pilots of Maxinkuckee." Old King Neptune uses "Waters of the World" in his ceremony.

Drops of water from each of the bottles are placed in one large container and are used in the ceremony. Thus the collection has itsimpetua and is growing each year.

As time goes on the Academy hopes to have one of the finest collections of world-wide waters to be found in any one spot

The Culver Citizen May 05, 1937