Joe Curtin (1915-2000) was a hobo, a deep sea diver, a steam fitter, a pile-driver, a self-educated man, an adventurer and, in his words, "A Construction Stiff." His memoirs bring to life the arduous times of the Depression along with a great appreciation for an honest work ethic.
A Washington, D.C. native of Irish descent, Joe worked on the first Chesapeake Bay Bridge, the St. Lawrence Seaway, The Raeburn Legislative Office Building, and scores of other jobs, including the building of a necessary supply line in Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam.
Any hard working American would appreciate all that Joe accomplished.
Anyone not knowing him, would probably think this book is fiction.
In Chapter 2 - "I had read many stories about travel and 'hoboing.' I finally told my mother I was leaving and went to Alexandria Railroad Yards where I climbed onto a Southern Railroad freight headed South. I made it through one division point. A brakeman saw me trying to hide down by the wheels and showed me better places than that."
In Chapter 8 - "This was after the war, and as war surplus, Eddie Kalinowski, Bob Grant, and I bought a complete set of diving gear. The sets listed at $1,200, but vets got 25% off. So we bought one. There wasn’t much use for divers in this area, especially when the Navy School of Diving could send a boatload of divers who were going to the Navy Diving School at the Navy Yard, to any spot in the river where they were needed – FREE.
We couldn’t do anything with the Navy’s School of Diving when the Bolivian P38 knocked the Eastern Air Lines plane into the water at the south end of Washington National Airport. It was ruled an emergency, and the Navy furnished all the diving needed. It was the only emergency I ever heard of that started at 7:30 every morning and stopped at 4:00 PM each evening!"
About James T. Terrill
James T. Terrill is a retired teacher, principal, supervisor, and educational administrator from Montgomery County Public Schools. He holds degrees from the University of Maryland and The George Washington University. Mr. Terrill has been a life-long advocate of "Teaching the Child" above the curriculum. He lives in Ellicott City, Maryland.
Joe Curtin (1915-2000) was a hobo, a deep sea diver, a steam fitter, a pile-driver, a self-educated man, an adventurer and, in his words, "A Construction Stiff." His memoirs bring to life the arduous times of the Depression along with a great appreciation for an honest work ethic.
James T. Terrill is a retired teacher, principal, supervisor, and educational administrator from Montgomery County Public Schools. He holds degrees from the University of Maryland and The George Washington University. Mr. Terrill has been a life-long advocate of "Teaching the Child" above the curriculum. He lives in Ellicott City, Maryland.