THE FRIENDS OF FORT TRUMBULL TO HEAR SPEAKER ON THE “FATHER OF THE AMERICAN NAVY”

At their September meeting, The Friends of Fort Trumbull will welcome one of their members, Jim Gallagher, who will give a presentation on Commodore John Barry-his accomplishments and Port Calls in New London. Commodore Barry, who was first appointed by General George Washington to teach future naval officers in the fledgling American Navy, has now been recognized as the “Father of the American Navy” with an entrance gate at the United States Naval Academy recently having been named in his honor.

Barry’s connections to Southeastern Connecticut included his friendship with Bushnell, the inventor of the one-man submarine –The Turtle- in Old Saybrook. In addition, he made several port calls in New London during the period from the Revolutionary War to the War of 1812. During one of these visits to New London, Barry was forced to quell a mutiny on his ship.

Mr. Gallagher, who was an Oceanographer at the Underwater Sound Lab for 30 years, has also taught Irish History at many Adult education programs in the last two decades. His interest in the Irish people in the Maritime professions led him to his research on Commodore Barry.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2011, at 7 p.m. at the Fort Trumbull Conference Center in New London. The meeting is open to the public with free parking inside the main gate to the Fort. New members are always welcome.