Tribute To A South Jersey Native Who Made History In A Sailboat
GLASSBORO, NJ (CBS) -- Rowan University officially dedicated a rock sculpture in the middle of its Glassboro campus to honor the man who founded their geography department, but is perhaps best known for what he did in retirement more than 30 years ago.
Marvin Creamer took a 36 foot long sailboat around the world. 510 days. 30 thousand miles. And not so much as a compass to help him. Just his knowledge of the earth and sky.
Mind you, he caught a lot of grief before he set sail in 1982.
"I was generally considered crazy or stupid or just out of it," the now 99-year-old Creamer told some 200 people gathered to honor him at the college library.
"How could it happen that somebody could get in that situation? Well, this is how it happened. All very simple. I was taken prisoner by an idea."
The idea developed over time during earlier oceanic sailings he would take as part of his work. Creamer admitted the most difficult part of the plan was to get around Cape Horn in South Africa, an area that has clear skies on the average of one day per month. His research showed that if he timed that part of his adventure for a two week period in December, the twilight would be with him just long enough to make it through.
Turns out he was right.
The 99-year-old Creamer and his wife now live in North Carolina, but he comes back to guest lecture. And he will be forever remembered with the "Endeavor" sculpture.
It features several large rocks placed in such a way as to mirror the Globe Star, the ship he sailed in. At the center is a guidepost with arrows pointing to the farthest reaches of the planet
Creamer says he was deeply moved by the gesture. "I didn't do this to be recognized," he said. "I did it because I had an idea. Ideas are very powerful things."
He will turn 100 in late January.
