Terence Purdom

Interview Outline

  • 00:00:42          What made you choose to attend Cal Maritime?
  • 00:01:42          You had sea experience before coming to Cal Maritime?
  • 00:01:53          During your time at Cal Maritime, did you live on campus?
  • 00:02:18          What were some of the more challenging courses you took at Cal Maritime?
  • 00:02:41          How did your first training cruise compare to working as a wiper before Cal Maritime?
  • 00:03:26          Can you tell us about the two-week indoctrination when you arrived?
  • 00:04:44          Did the indoctrination continue throughout your first year at Cal Maritime?
  • 00:05:29          Did you join any clubs?
  • 00:06:19          Can you tell me about your experience as a master of ceremonies at the Ring Dance?
  • 00:06:51          What was the Ring Dance?
  • 00:07:37          Did you have a significant other during your time here? Where did you meet?
  •  
  • 00:08:17          What does the cartoon picture from your yearbook page represent?
  • 00:08:53          What did you do on the weekends for fun?
  • 00:09:23          Do you still keep in contact with some of the friends you made at Cal Maritime?
  • 00:09:46          As a student at Cal Maritime, how many training cruises did you go on? Where did you go on your training cruises?
  • 00:11:13          What would you do on a typical day during cruise?
  • 00:12:10          What were some of the work assignments on cruise?
  • 00:13:18          How many days would you usually spend at port? What would you do during that time?
  • 00:14:09          Can you talk about the train crash that happened in 1962, in Cali, Colombia?
  • 00:15:33          Were you able to stay on cruise after the train crash?
  • 00:17:05          How did your time at Cal Maritime prepare you for your future career?
  • 00:18:19          Can you tell me about the first job you had after graduating? How did you get the job?
  • 00:19:29          What are some of the other jobs you held after that, including on shore jobs?
  • 00:19:48          How was it working with other graduates from Cal Maritime?
  • 00:20:22          Do you think going to Cal Maritime helped prepare you for your career?
  • 00:20:51          What made you run for first class president? What were some of your duties?
  • 00:22:32          After working for some companies, you decided to work for yourself?
  • 00:24:03          After CMA, did most students choose to go straight into the Merchant Marines?
  • 00:25:03          Can you take us through an average day at Cal Maritime when you were here?
  • 00:27:23          How was it living in the barracks?
  • 00:28:22          Did you enjoy living on the ship more than the barracks?
  • 00:29:06          Did you stand watch?
  • 00:30:02          What was the berthing layout when you lived on the training ship?
  • 00:31:50          Was there just one head in the forward portion of the ship?
  • 00:35:06          What was it like going back to sea as second engineer at 60?
  • 00:36:39          Can you explain these clubs listed on your yearbook page, the Spiffy Club and Laughs Inc?
  • 00:37:42          Was there competition or rivalry between deck and engine when you were here?
  • 00:38:35          What were some of the sports you played? What did you do as water polo manager?
  • 00:39:51          Did the two-week indoctrination frighten you at all?
  • 00:41:30          You mentioned some people failed, were the classes difficult?
  • 00:42:22          Would you talk about your work as a port engineer?
  • 00:45:21          What was it like when you were doing offshore derrick barges in different countries?
  • 00:47:29          Do people contact you directly with job offers?
  • 00:48:15          In the business you have now, you get contracted to lead a project when a ship comes into port?
  • 00:49:16          How is it dealing with the technology of ships now, compared to when you started?
  • 00:50:00          How do you keep up with the changes in the industry?
  • 00:50:47          How has your membership in the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers benefited you?
  • 00:51:43          Are you still part of the Propeller Club?
  • 00:52:46          What did you think about the uniform your first year?
  • 00:53:38          Were there any classmates of yours who were strongly against the uniform standards?
  • 00:54:48          Was there a big equator crossing ceremony?
  • 00:57:23          Did you have a favorite port stop?