After the rough maiden voyage, Meckling took the Marvel to the Booz Brothers Shipyard in Baltimore for repairs. Capt. Meckling was then ready to start his adventure cruises on the Chesapeake. He already had passengers booked for several trips in late summer 1954. But another storm was brewing.
The Coast Guard Captain of the Port of Baltimore had serious concerns about the Marvel and sought to stop Meckling. Captain Alfred Kabernagle, a spit-shined Coastie had 25 years of marine casualty experience under his belt, as head Marine Inspections. His personality was diametrically opposed to Mecklimg’s, who was more of a MacGyver character. Kabernagle, not satisfied with the scope of the repairs, demanded the Marvel stay in port and not carry passengers for hire but Meckling appealed to Coast Guard headquarters and was allowed to proceed because sailing vessels under 700 gross tons were not regulated by the Coast Guard.
Mecklimg was cleared to start business and the old Marvel made its way to Annapolis under sail. In fact, the old ship had been gone over at the shipyard and was certainly serviceable. It was just the vessel for a “dude cruise” to the historic ports of the Chesapeake.
The Marvel sailed from City Dock in Annapolis-photo from early advertising
Levin J Marvel 
The intrigue continues! Anxious to read more!
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