Photograph, Lynn Baggett "Miss Maritime Day"

Photograph, Lynn Baggett "Miss Maritime Day"

Baggett, Lynn
Maritime Service

"Lynne Baggette, Warner Bro[ther]s featured played in 'Pillow to Post,' was selected by the editors of Maritime Murmurs, Merchant Marine publication at Catalina Island as 'Miss Maritime [Day].' She will review 4000 trainees at the island training base today (Saturday) and on Tuesday will participate in the celebration of National Maritime Day in Los Angeles."

The cited National Maritime Day celebration took place on Tuesday, May 22, 1945. This photograph is one of a set taken at Catalina Island by Walter Sanders of LIFE magazine. Other training stations had models and starlets chosen as their version of “Miss Maritime”; e.g.: in February 1945, Lauren Bacall was dubbed “Miss Maritime Girl” by the public relations branch of the U.S. Maritime Service.

This publicity photograph is of interest since other "Miss Maritime Day" received scant attention by the national press. The United States Maritime Service Training Station, Avalon, Catalina Island happened to be near Los Angeles and Hollywood; hence the photographs done by a noted LIFE photographer and attendant publicity.

"Lynne Baggette" was the stage name of Ruth "Lynn" Baggett - a starlet known for her tumultuous personal life.