Newcastle's maritime past adrift but seafarers see a landing place on horizon

FUTURE PAST: Veteran seafarers John "Tich" James and Fred Krausert outside the former Wickham School of Arts building, which they believe could house the city's maritime museum. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

A GROUP of veteran seafarers wants the historic Wickham School of Arts building to be turned into a home for Newcastle's maritime museum.

"I think this is the ideal building and position for the maritime museum," said Fred Krausert, a retired seafarer and the national president of the Veterans' Association of the Maritime Union of Australia.