The National Maritime Historical Society Honors Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne

Peekskill, NY, September 10, 2015 --(PR.com)-- The National Maritime Historical Society is privileged to announce that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne will be the guest of honor at the 2015 Gala Annual Awards Dinner on October 29, 2015 at the New York Yacht Club.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne will receive the Distinguished Service Award for her diligent support of the maritime heritage of Great Britain and her patronage of the National Museum of the Royal Navy. The Princess Royal’s commitment and influence has been an invaluable asset in saving and restoring critically important historic ships and maritime museums. In particular, her role as Patron of the National Museum of the Royal Navy and of HMS Victory has made a critical difference to preserving Great Britain’s maritime history. Gary Jobson, America’s Ambassador of Sailing, will present the Distinguished Service Award to Her Royal Highness.

Admiral of the Fleet, The Lord Michael Boyce, KG GCB OBE DL, President of the Royal Navy Submarine Museum and chair of the HMS Victory Preservation Company, will accompany HRH and speak about the preservation of the world’s oldest commissioned warship.

National Maritime Historical Society Chairman, Ronald L. Oswald of Wayne, NJ, will receive the David A. O’Neil Sheet Anchor Award for his tireless commitment and support to the Society. He has served on the executive board of the Council of American Maritime Museums, and has spearheaded the project to put a headstone on the unmarked grave of clipper ship designer John Griffiths. He initiated NMHS’s participation in the annual National History Day to encourage 600,000 students to study maritime history. Admiral Robert J. Papp Jr., USCG (Ret.), the 24th commandant of the US Coast Guard and current US special representative for the Arctic, will present the David A. O’Neil Sheet Anchor Award to Mr. Oswald.

Award-winning yachtsman and previous recipient of the NMHS Distinguished Service Award Richard T. du Moulin of Larchmont, NY, will be Master of Ceremonies. George W. Carmany III, of Boston, MA, the 2014 recipient of the NMHS Distinguished Service Award, is chairing this year's event. The US Coast Guard Academy Cadet Chorale, directed by Dr. Robert Newton, will provide the evening’s entertainment.

Funds raised at the dinner will go directly toward the Society’s mission of preserving maritime heritage for generations to come with a portion given to the National Museum of the Royal Navy for their restoration project of HMS Victory.

The National Maritime Historical Society is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to raise awareness of maritime heritage and the role seafaring has played in shaping civilization. The Society publishes Sea History, a quarterly maritime journal, and seeks to educate about extraordinary maritime accomplishments and their continuing relevance for prosperity and cultural vitality. Initiatives encompass publications, educational programs, sail training and preservation of historic ships.

The National Maritime Historical Society is located at 5 John Walsh Boulevard in Peekskill, New York on the Hudson River. For more information about the Society or to become a gala sponsor, call 914-737-7878 or email nmhs@seahistory.org.