Mandell Rosenblatt Lester Rosenblatt 1903-1966 1920-2003

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     Mandell Rosenblatt              Lester Rosenblatt

             1903-1966                              1920-2003

SNAME Remembers

Mandell and Lester Rosenblatt

The Legacy of Mandell Rosenblatt & Son Endures

through SNAME Scholarships 

At the request of SNAME’s Council and with the 

enthusiastic support of Presidents Robert Kramek, 

Keith Michel and SNAME’s Executive Committee, the 

Society has committed to enhancing its scholarship 

program in the coming years.  SNAME recently 

introduced its “Matching Scholarship Contribution 

Program”, which is intended to stimulate giving to the 

named scholarship funds and encourage new named 

scholarships.  SNAME will match dollar-for-dollar 

donations given by SNAME members to the various 

funds.  Provision is made on the dues notice to 

contribute to these funds, and we hope many SNAME 

members will take advantage of this unique 

opportunity to assist in the development of future 

generations of marine professionals.  For newly 

established scholarship funds, SNAME will match the 

first $50,000 given to the Society.  Thus, donations of $50,000 or more by individuals or corporations 

together with the Society’s matching contribution will provide sufficient funds for a perpetual named 

scholarship, which would be awarded annually.

SNAME’s first named annual undergraduate scholarship, the Mandell and Lester Rosenblatt Undergraduate 

Scholarship, was awarded in 2007.  Beginning in 2008, the Robert N. Herbert Undergraduate Scholarship 

was also designated to be given annually.  As described below in the brief biographies, as two of the leading 

ship designers of their era, Lester Rosenblatt and Robert Herbert were responsible for many outstanding 

technical achievements.  However, when you ask the former colleagues and business associates about the 

most important attributes of these industry leaders, the discussion inevitably begins with their exemplary 

personal integrity, business ethics, and dedication to their profession.  These personal characteristics were 

also instilled in the successful marine consulting firms that these men developed and nurtured over their 

lifetimes.  It is appropriate that the criteria for the two undergraduate scholarships that honor these 

gentlemen include both good scholastic achievement and contributions to professionalism.  Leadership in 

SNAME student sections and/or the SNAME Student Congress, involvement with technical committees of 

SNAME, ASNE or other professional organizations, and contributions to K-12 and university level maritime 

related educational programs are the types of professional contributions that will be considered when 

selecting the recipients of these scholarships.

Mandell Rosenblatt’s inclination  towards  and talents  in the art and science of ship design  were apparent at 

an early age.  When he was sixteen, Mandell entered a design contest sponsored by Motor Boat Magazine 

and  won.    He  honed  his  talents  through  a  life  long  dedication  to  self-study,  and  evening  courses  taken  at 

Columbia  University,  New  York  University  and  City  College  of  New  York.    He  eventually  became  widely 

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recognized  for  his  expertise  in  engineering  and  naval  architecture.    During  the  Depression  era  Mandell 

taught  classes  in  naval  architecture  and  ship  drafting  at  Drake  College,  and  in  subsequent  years  played  a 

key role in the design of numerous wood and steel yachts, as well as commercial and naval ships.

Lester  Rosenblatt  received  his  bachelor's  degree  in  naval  architecture  and  marine  engineering  from  the 

University of Michigan in 1942.  Upon graduation he began his career with the John H. Wells firm, and from 

1944 to 1946 served in the U.S. Navy at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, working on the structural repair of 

damaged warships.

In 1947, Mandell and his son, Lester, formed the firm of M. Rosenblatt & Son, Naval Architects and Marine 

Engineers as equal partners.  The firm was incorporated in 1958 with Mandell Rosenblatt as chairman of the 

board  and  naval  architect  and  Lester  as  president.    Years  later,  Lester’s  son,  Bruce  Rosenblatt,  would 

continue the family tradition by assuming the role as president of the company.

Under  the  guiding  hands  of  Mandell  and  Lester  Rosenblatt,  M. Rosenblatt  &  Son  grew  to  be  one  of  the 

world's  largest  and  most  respected  private  engineering  firms  specializing  in  naval  architecture  and  marine 

engineering.  The company designed a broad range of naval and commercial ships, extending from aircraft 

carriers  and  submarines  to  tankers,  tugs,  oceanographic  vessels  and  high  performance  craft.    Before  the 

sale  of  the firm  in April,  2000,  M. Rosenblatt  &  Son  had  successfully completed  over  25,000  design  tasks.  

Among its earlier designs were the aircraft carrier, Saratoga; the experimental submarine,  Albacore: and the 

oceanographic research sister ships R/V Knorr and Melville.  Its later work included being Litton’s chief naval 

architectural  consultants  for  the  design  of  the  Guided  Missile  Destroyer,  Spruance and  more  recent  work 

included the T-AGS 39 Maury Class Oceanographic Survey Ships.

Mandell  Rosenblatt  was  a  member  of  SNAME  and  served  on  a  number  of  technical  committees.    Lester 

Rosenblatt was an ardent supporter of technical societies and the maritime profession.  His contributions are 

numerous and include serving as president of SNAME, and on the governing board of Webb Institute and the 

advisory  board  of  the  University  of  Michigan.    In  recognition  of  his  accomplishments  in  ship  design  and 

marine  engineering,  Lester  was  honored  in  1967  by  his  alma  mater,  receiving  the  University of  Michigan's 

Sesquicentennial Award.  In 1984 he was awarded SNAME's Vice Admiral "Jerry" Land Medal and in 1987 

he was awarded ASNE's Harold E. Saunders Award.  In 1995 he was inducted into the International Maritime 

Hall of Fame and presented with the coveted Ship's Lookout Award for his dedication and leadership in the 

advancement of the marine industry.

With their belief that a strong navy, coast guard and merchant marine are vital to the well being of the nation, 

Mandell and Lester Rosenblatt dedicated their long and successful careers to professionalism, integrity, and 

technical expertise.  It is most fitting that SNAME’s first named undergraduate scholarship, the Mandell and 

Lester Rosenblatt Undergraduate Scholarship, will be awarded in perpetuity in honor of these two men who 

gave so much to the profession they loved.

The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers

601 Pavonia Ave. Jersey City, NJ  07306  

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