During 1942, national service organizations and associations organized under the SCI’s Central Council knit 12,381 sweaters, socks, and other woolen articles for American merchant seamen. Additionally, the “Women’s Crew” made 5,736 sets of linens for the 1,600 beds at 25 South Street. Christmas boxes, care packages, games, books, and overcoats were also donated to the merchant marine through SCI.

Knitting for seamen during times of war is an SCI tradition that dates back to the Spanish-American War. [see The Lookout 1943 March http://qcarchives.com/sci/items/show/1275, and “Knitting for the Seafarer” http://seamenschurch.org/article/knitting-seafarer-110-year-tradition]