Photo caption: John Carnes, left, Central Region Administrator for the Maritime Administration, presents a plaque and ship's wheel to Port Director Bill Masters.

John Carnes, Central Region Administrator for the United States Maritime Administration recently honored the Port of Beaumont with the presentation of the wheel of the historic Liberty Ship Jefferson Davis.

The wheel was a gift from the Maritime Administration in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Port of Beaumont Navigation District.

The port will mount the ship's wheel in the lobby of its administration building.

Masters commented on the important relationship between the port and the United States merchant marine.

The presentation took place alongside two ships of the U.S. Ready Reserve Fleet that are in layberth at the port while another RRF ship, the Cape Knox, loaded military cars.