Page 40 - Rukert - 100th Anniversary

agents. In April 1961, a freighter carrying 6,000 tons of fishmeal from Peru to England caught fire near Bermuda. The fire, which was attributed to spontaneous combustion of the fishmeal, took a week to put out. The fishmeal was no longer wanted in England, but since Rukert Terminals was known for handling this cargo, a cable of inquiry was sent to Baltimore. Cap’s cable back was emphatic. “Bring it to Baltimore because we can, and we will handle it.” The charred and wet fishmeal, which had a ghastly smell, was eventually sold “as is.” Stories like these illustrate Rukert Terminals’ “can-do” approach to business and reputation for doing difficult and dirty work.
In addition to bringing business to Baltimore, Cap enjoyed highlighting the historical significance of his waterfront properties in Fells Point and Canton. At his terminals in Fells Point, several 18th and 19th century cannons pulled from the water doubled as bumper posts to keep trucks from hitting the warehouse walls. In 1957, Cap had
one weighing almost 1,000 pounds (and which
shot four-pound cannonballs) removed and sent
to Aberdeen Proving Ground to be authenticated. After restoring it, Cap moved the cannon to his Lazaretto Terminal and mounted it on a large pedestal with a bronze marker commemorating the defense of Lazaretto Point during the War of 1812.
Cap was often photographed next to the historic cannon, which was also proudly featured in company brochures. The old cannon at newly- modernized Lazaretto Terminal symbolizes Cap’s reverence for the port’s maritime heritage as well as his pioneering commitment to maritime progress. Cap’s cannon was the first of many restoration projects and nods to history proudly initiated by multiple generations of the Rukert family.
On April 18, 1958, Mabel Nichols retired after 30 years at Rukert. She had faithfully served the
FOURPOUNDER CANNON COMMEMORATING LAZARETTO BATTERY
THE CANNON PICTURED HERE, WHICH EVOKES THE STORIED HISTORY OF THE PORT OF BALTIMORE, IS ADORNED WITH TWO BRONZE PLAQUES THAT READ:
“Four-pounder cannon commemorating Lazaretto battery of Baltimoreans stationed near this spot September 12-14, 1814, when the British attacked Fort McHenry. Battle inspired Francis Scott Key to compose our national anthem. Typical of armament of Baltimore Clippers sailing as privateers to raid British shipping. Later to serve as bumper posts at our Jackson’s and Brown’s Wharves.”
“Restored and mounted by Captain W.G.N. Rukert, Founder and President of Rukert Terminals Corporation, whose long business career centered around the historic wharves of Fells Point and Canton and whose abiding faith in the future of our great port is reflected in the development of these facilities at Lazaretto Point. 1957”
ABOVE: Cannon installed at Lazaretto. In attendance were Cap, Norman Sr., Jimmy Hickman and others from McLean Contracting.
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