With the unconditional surrender of Japan, the war finally was over. The October 1945 issue of The Lookout describes the scene at 25 South Street:

“From the hostess in the clubroom comes this interesting report of New York harbor after the news came through that Japan would surrender. A dance was scheduled for eight o’clock, but many of the seamen and hostesses arrived early to listen to the radio. ‘When the big news broke,’ she wrote, ‘The Institute’s engineering instructor, Chief Russell, invited us all to go up on the Flying Bridge of the Merchant Marine School. What a sight! It was still daylight, and we could see planes circling over the Statue of Liberty. As the light darkened, we saw rocket flares shooting up in the sky, and pennants and flares flying from all the ships in the South Street piers, just 14 stories beneath us. Whistles from harbor tugs and from freighters and tankers were deafening. The din was terrific, but thrilling.’

Vice Admiral Emory S. Land, head of the War Shipping Administration, declared: "For our armed forces the fighting is over, but the Merchant Marine still faces a mighty task. Upon the men who sail our ships depends the welfare of our troops all over the world. They must be supplied where they are until they can be brought home. Troops must be rotated. Occupational forces must be sustained, the wounded and ill cared for. World shipping must go on into the peace.” [See The Lookout 1945 October http://qcarchives.com/sci/items/show/1322]