LEWISTON — Joel W. Eastman, Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Southern Maine, will be the guest presenter at USM Lewiston-Auburn Senior College “Food for Thought” 11:30 luncheon on Friday, Oct. 11. His topic is “Anchors Aweigh: The U.S. Navy in Casco Bay” on PowerPoint. The historical images cover the years from 1939 to 1947.
Casco Bay became a Fleet Anchorage and the home port for Destroyers Atlantic in 1941, making it the most important naval base in the continental United States. Convoying to Iceland began in September, 1941, and the destroyer USS Greer became the first American ship to fire on an enemy three months before the U.S. officially entered World War II.
In October, 1941, the USS Reuben James was the first U.S. ship sunk by a submarine in the war, with the first American casualties. After the Pearl Harbor attack in December, anti-submarine nets and mines were installed in Portland harbor, and Casco Bay became a U.S. Naval Station with facilities to support the Atlantic Fleet.
Eastman attended the University of Maine at Portland and earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in history at the University of Maine in Orono, and his Ph.D. at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He returned to Portland and accrued 33 years of teaching at USM. Eastman has taught, lectured and published on a multitude of Maine history topics, including Portland’s role in World War II.
Senior College, now in its 15th year, presents the monthly 11:30 luncheon program in the Function Room 170 at USM LAC. The public is invited. The cost, which includes lunch, is $7 with advance reservation or $8 at the door. Reservations must be made by noon on Oct. 10 by calling 753-6510. Any late callers will be considered “at the door.”
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