Submarine Building Boom at Portsmouth in World War II

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Something extraordinary occurred at the Portsmouth Navy Yard during World War II. Find out about it on Thursday, February 26, starting at 7:30 pm at BerwickAcademy's JeppesenScienceCenter on Academy Street. The public is invited, and volunteers will serve refreshments. Donations are welcome. (Click title to read more) 

After building fewer than two submarines a year in the 1930s, the yard completed an astonishing 32 fleet boats in 1944 and built a total of 79 submarines during the war, more than any other shipyard. Captain Watterson USN (Retired) will analyze the factors that led to the yard's record setting performance, which resulted in Portsmouth-built submarines sinking 434 enemy ships, totaling 1.7 million tons. Few industrial facilities made a more significant contribution to winning World War II.

Captain Watterson is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy (BS), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MS), and the University of New Hampshire (PhD History). During his naval career, he was primarily involved with shipyards and the design and construction of submarines. He is the author of 32 in '44: Building the Portsmouth Submarine Fleet in World War II (2011) and Whips to Walls: Naval Discipline from Flogging to Progressive Era Reform at Portsmouth Prison (2014).  

For additional information about our programs and the Counting House check our website www.oldberwick.org or call (207) 384-0000.