The TAGS Ship Website

Steve Campbell

Steve Campbell served as a Navy electronics technician from 1968 until 1974 and was an ETR-2 aboard USNS Michelson in 1972-1973. During the latter period, he developed an interest in writing and literature, spending many of his off-duty hours either reading or scribbling notes and working on stories. He earned a B.A. in English after his discharge from the service and has made a career in the automotive magazine business ever since. During 20 years with Petersen Publishing Company, he held positions as editor of 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine, editor of Hot Rod magazine, editorial director of 21 performance magazine titles and, finally, content director of 54 automotive websites. He left Peterson (which by that time had been sold and resold and was part of the Primedia magazine group) to become editorial director of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a nonprofit automotive trade organization. In 2005, he went freelance and has worked as a writer, photographer and editor for a wide range of magazines ever since. He is married and has two children.

Of note, Steve was diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm a couple of years ago. In May of this year (2008, he had it surgically repaired, which entailed having a new Dacron aorta sewn into place. He recommends that anyone who smoked (a 25% contributor to the condition, according to his surgeon) have his aorta checked via ultrasound imaging. It's cheap, painless and can save your life.

Michelson Photo Albums 1972-73

Michelson at Sea

The Crew Aboard Michelson at Sea

The Crew of Michelson in Port

Contemporary Photos

Bar Laptop

This was taken in April 2006 when Steve and his wife chartered a 38-foot catamaran sailboat with another couple in the British Virgin Islands for 10 days. This shot was taken as Steve got a little work done on his laptop in the bar at the Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda.

At Sea

Steve and his wife own this 36-foot Catalina sloop, which they commute to from their home in Simi Valley , California, spend most weekends on and sail throughout the Channel Islands chain off Californiaʼs coast.