35 Facts About Harry Manning

Vice Admiral Harry Manning was an American master mariner, aviator, and an officer in the United States Navy Reserve.

Harry Manning is most noted for his heroic role in the rescue of 32 crew members from Italian freighter Florida and for commanding the SS United States on her record-breaking maiden crossings of the Atlantic.

Harry Manning was among those honored in two ticker tape parades: the first in 1929 as a crew member of the America and again in 1952 as master of the SS United States.

Harry Manning was born as Harry Luelker in Hamburg, Germany on February 3,1897.

Harry Manning responded to the taunts by engaging in fistfights, and even took boxing lessons.

Harry Manning enrolled in the New York State Nautical School which at that time was based on the training ship Newport and taught grammar school subjects in addition to seamanship, graduating in 1914.

Harry Manning next went to the Pacific where he used his experience with sail on board the bark Dirigio.

Harry Manning next served on Army transports and on freighters of the Isthmian Steamship Company.

Harry Manning joined the United States Lines in 1922 and advanced up the officer ranks on the liners George Washington and Leviathan.

Harry Manning received his first command in 1927 as master of the President Roosevelt.

Harry Manning came to national attention in 1929 when the report of his role in the rescue of the crew from the Italian freighter Florida appeared on the front page of The New York Times.

At that time celebrity endorsements were common in tobacco advertising but Harry Manning reputedly was a non-smoker.

Harry Manning was returning from her transatlantic crossing as a passenger on the President Harding and Manning was the master.

Harry Manning made extensive preparations for the flight which began on March 17,1937 from Oakland, California.

In one account, Harry Manning was unable to extend his leave of absence and had to return to the United States Lines.

Harry Manning suffered fractures to both legs, his skull and chest injuries.

Harry Manning was on the bridge of the liner Washington, off the coast of Europe, when a German U-boat surfaced and immediately signaled for him to abandon ship, which would then be torpedoed.

Harry Manning's replies identified his ship as flying the neutral United States flag.

Harry Manning was made captain of the America but his tenure was cut short when the United States Lines ended all commercial service and its ships were refitted for war time transport.

Harry Manning was named Commodore and resumed his duties as master of the America after that vessel's return to commercial passenger service.

Harry Manning was already preparing for her first crossing in 1951 when he met with representatives from the ship's designers and the US Lines in his captain's quarters on the America.

Harry Manning followed his plan to use a bit more power each day: 34.11 knots, 35.60,36.17 and then 36.21.

Harry Manning had to slow the ship through fog and heavy traffic patterns yet still averaged 34.51 knots.

Harry Manning clashed with designer William Francis Gibbs regarding the operation of the ship.

Management was furious over Harry Manning appearing to be racing against Cunard's Queen Elizabeth.

Harry Manning would make only a few relief trips after that.

Harry Manning was brought back for the official presentation of the Blue Riband Hales Trophy on November 12,1952.

Harry Manning was retained as a consultant to the US Lines and retired as commodore for the United States Lines and as a Vice Admiral in the US Navy Reserve.

On January 30,1940 Harry Manning married Florence Isabella Trowbridge Heaton.

Harry Manning was regarded as an excellent dancer and the ship stewards sent him the best dance partners.

Harry Manning was however uncomfortable in making small talk but did learn the social graces needed to host the captain's table.

Harry Manning had a reputation for being hot-tempered and very self-assured.

Harry Manning retired to a quiet and private life of lecturing and consultant work.

Harry Manning died at his home in Saddle River, NJ on August 1,1974.

Harry Manning was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with the rank "Captain, US Navy", his rank at the end of WWII.