I nominate Capt. Solomon McCherry Ebanks for the above-indicated category of Early Pioneer because my grandfather, began his career in seafaring, in 1918 at the age of 17. A profession that spanned for over half a century, 55 years in total, and over 47 of those years were spent as a Captain in the area of Turtling. He climbed through the ranks, and became Captain at age 24, in the year 1925. During his career, he also earned the honorary title of Pilot (Marine). His various positions held, in order of his advancement through the ranks were: Watchkeeper, Deckhand, Chief Mate, Captain, and Pilot. The ships he sailed on were - The X-Ray, The Antaris, The Albian, The Misma, The Omoa, The Caymanian, The Merco, The Merit Well, The Petro Sea, and The Robin Hood (a historical ship, that caught afire and had to be abandoned by her crew, while at sea. My grandfather was on board). The Ships he Captained were - The Caymanian, The Antaris, and The Albian. Uploaded, in support of this nomination is a 1980 Nor'wester interview with my grandfather, featuring some of his seafaring history, and pictures of his personal Sextant, Barometer, and first pair of Binoculars that he purchased in 1918 when he first began his career as a Seafarer. He also personally owned 2 Catboats which were instrumental in his Turtling career, as he would load these 2 Catboats on board the larger ships that he Captained, for multiple purposes, first, as lifeboats in the event that something happened to the large ship, and secondly when they had reached their destination, the Catboats could be used maneuver in the ocean safely to set various nets for their turtling and to go to shore, while the large ship they had sailed on, was anchored in deeper waters. Uploaded in support of this application, is various documentation and details of his life and career.

I nominate Capt. Solomon McCherry Ebanks for the above-indicated category of Early Pioneer because my grandfather, began his career in seafaring, in 1918 at the age of 17. A profession that spanned for over half a century, 55 years in total, and over 47 of those years were spent as a Captain in the area of Turtling. He climbed through the ranks, and became Captain at age 24, in the year 1925. During his career, he also earned the honorary title of Pilot (Marine). His various positions held, in order of his advancement through the ranks were: Watchkeeper, Deckhand, Chief Mate, Captain, and Pilot. The ships he sailed on were - The X-Ray, The Antaris, The Albian, The Misma, The Omoa, The Caymanian, The Merco, The Merit Well, The Petro Sea, and The Robin Hood (a historical ship, that caught afire and had to be abandoned by her crew, while at sea. My grandfather was on board). The Ships he Captained were - The Caymanian, The Antaris, and The Albian. Uploaded, in support of this nomination is a 1980 Nor'wester interview with my grandfather, featuring some of his seafaring history, and pictures of his personal Sextant, Barometer, and first pair of Binoculars that he purchased in 1918 when he first began his career as a Seafarer. He also personally owned 2 Catboats which were instrumental in his Turtling career, as he would load these 2 Catboats on board the larger ships that he Captained, for multiple purposes, first, as lifeboats in the event that something happened to the large ship, and secondly when they had reached their destination, the Catboats could be used maneuver in the ocean safely to set various nets for their turtling and to go to shore, while the large ship they had sailed on, was anchored in deeper waters. Uploaded in support of this application, is various documentation and details of his life and career.