Joe C Combs 2

From a very early age I have had a strong interest in ships and art. In 1980 I became a plank owner on joining my first ship, while it was under construction at the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. It was during this time that I began learning ship navigation and extended my nautical interest to include marine architecture. First qualifying as a helmsman and lookout, I ended my career as a sonar supervisor and work center supervisor. While on my last ship in addition to my supervisory responsibilities, I was also assigned to the sonar navigation chart for the maneuvering watch and for battle stations. I have sailed the major oceans and seas of the world, including a circumnavigation of the world in 1984. Having first hand experience during emergencies and casualties at sea has given me a rare insight into ship disasters. As a small boy my first interests were sailing ships, during the past 40 years that has expanded to include ancient as well as modern ships. My research has included such ships as the May Flower, the Marigold, USS Maine, USS Thresher, USS Scorpion, R.M.S. Oceanic, R.M.S. Olympic, S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald and others.

In addition to making frequent donations to museums, from 1989 to 1993 I did volunteer work at a maritime museum. I began as a tour guide, became president of the advisory board and then moved on to become a member of the board of trustees. In 1988 I became a certified scuba diver and have dived sites from New England to the Caribbean.

Since leaving the navy I has worked as a field engineer and electronics laboratory technician. Currently I works for a major automobile company in central Ohio, where he lives with his wife and daughter.

Most of my writing is nonfiction, history,and current affairs. Look for more work from me in the future.