Maryland author speaks at inaugural WWI symposium

For decades, Marvin Barrash of nearby Stevensville has diligently researched and published work on a topic that runs in his blood and he has become more than familiar with, although it happens long before he was born.

n March 1918, during the First World War, while destined for Baltimore, military transport ship the U.S.S. Cyclops sank in the Caribbean somewhere between Barbados and Puerto Rico. The Cyclops has never been found, with all onboard presumed to have died.

Introduced to his family’s personal connection to the U.S.S. Cyclops at an early age, Barrash’s great-uncle, U.S. Navy Fireman, 2C Lawrence Merkel of Baltimore, was one of the 309 lost with the collier ship.

Dedicated to researching and uncovering as much as he can, Barrash has penned three books concerning the Cyclops.

In addition to sharing the story of his great-uncle and the loss of all on board, Barrash sought for symposium audiences to take away an understanding that more than just battleships contributed to the war effort, with auxiliary vessels providing essential fuel and supplies to the fleets.

The USS Cyclops in 1913. The gigantic collier (coal-hauling transport ship) disappeared in 1918 and its fate remains unknown to this day, (US Naval History and Heritage Command)

“Many people only knew that the Cyclops was a ship that disappeared. Many didn’t know that she and her crews served our country successfully before and during the war. That sometimes such service came with a terrible loss of life,” he said.

The program was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the WWI Memorial and the playing of Taps.

Even after more than 100 years, the legacy and efforts put forth by the generations of WWI are remembered and it was significant to Barrash to meet with so many fellow historians who have researched and studied the varied subject matter about the Great War.

“It was a great honor for me to have the opportunity to speak at such an important forum,” Barrash said.

There are many aspects to the Great War that are lesser known, and giving attendees the opportunity to meet with experts and ask questions, and the symposium was one of many ways to teach and remember, he said.

Bringing in speakers and attendees from many locales, the Doughboy Foundation’s Inaugural WWI Symposium was the first of what Barrash hopes will be more events and speaker series on the many topics of the Great War.