Record load ends legendary longshoreman's career

Translog: Journal of Military Transportation Management, May-June, 2002 by Don Dees

The record-making load on the USNS Dahl closed a chapter in the local lore of longshoremen in the Charleston, S.C., area.

Harry Palmer has stowed his last load.

"If there were a picture of a longshoreman in the dictionary, it would be Palmer," said Roger Haines, of Stevens Shipping and Terminal Co., a stevedoring contractor used by MTMC for many of its Charleston missions.

Palmer has been a fixture at the docks of Charleston Naval Weapons Station as long as anyone can remember--and Palmer will not tell.

Palmer does not say much, In fact, he even declined an opportunity to be interviewed by TRANSLOG.

"He doesn't do interviews," said Haines.

Palmer is even too shy to have his photo taken.

So, how long has Palmer been a longshoreman?

"Forever," said Haines. "I've been here 23 years, and he was already around when I got here."

People speak of Palmer in an almost reverent tone.

"See, he makes it look easy," remarked Clark Chambers, Chief of Cargo Operations for the 841st Transportation Battalion, while watching Palmer direct a heavy equipment transport system into a nook below deck on the Dahl.

Palmer is one of the examples of expert labor needed to make the accomplishment of MTMC's mission possible. MTMC transporters have relied upon Palmer to verify plans, said Chambers.

There were occasional software stowing glitches in the early days of the Integrated Computer Deployment System, said Craig Messervy, a Stow Planner and Marine Cargo Specialist with the 841st.

"When we generated a stow plan, we'd show it to Harry, and if he said it looked OK, we knew we had a good plan."

"He [Palmer] loves his work," said Haines. "This is about the only place left that does the "old-style" stevedore work. Other places just do box work."

Stowing containers on ships doesn't provide the challenge Palmer enjoys, said Haines. "You just stow the containers on the blocked-out footprints--no creativity."

Palmer makes a lasting impression. During his final mission, Chambers introduced him to Lt. Col. Kent Selby, 841st Commander.

"He nearly broke my hand," said Selby, of Palmer's firm handshake.

Palmer will be missed, said Chambers.

But there is a promise for the future.

"He's preparing the next generation," said Chambers, as he pointed out a young longshoreman working nearby.

Chambers was talking about Harry's son, Kevin Palmer, who also works for Stevens Shipping & Terminal Co.

Don Dees Public Affairs Specialist MTMC Headquarters