Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History

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An Amazing Addition to the Jesse Whaley Collection!

June 6, 2020 By James Mitchell Varnum

Late in 2018, the family of East Greenwich, RI, native and World War I hero, Pvt. Jesse Whaley, chose the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum to be the caretaker of his uniforms and wartime personal effects (including a helmet and gas mask). A German grenade blinded Whaley at Battle of Saint-Mihiel in France on September 21, 1918.

  • Note the healed wound at his temple.
  • Whaley posing with his Braille machine.

Since then, the exhibit has become a favorite during museum tours. Whaley’s is a inspiring story of sacrifice and survival in war. We also appreciate that Whaley’s family has visited the Armory to see their donations on exhibit and to see the rest of our historic artifacts.

Whaley’s son and his family visits the exhibit at the Armory Museum.

But the story doesn’t end there!

Miraculously, we were contacted by a very kind person on Long Island, NY, who collects World War I dog tags. This person noticed Whaley’s actual dog tags (the ones he would likely have been wearing at the time of his injury) were up for sale on Ebay. He had been researching Whaley and his story and saw that we had his uniform on display. So, he reached out to see if we were interested before bidding on them himself. What a generous thing to do!

Whaley's World War I dog tags.
Whaley’s World War I dog tags.

Also, the Ebay seller offered to refund some of the money, knowing that the dog tags would be reunited with Whaley’s other wartime possessions. Also a very kind gesture.

It’s an amazing story of chance and serendipity. And we’re thrilled to have all of these items in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.

  • Private Jesse Whaley
    Private Jesse Whaley
  • Jesse Whaley’s World War I uniform.
  • Whaley exhibit signage at the Armory.
  • The Whaley Collection on display.

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: varnum memorial armory, world war I

Rhode Island Society of Colonial Wars Donates $9,000 to Varnum Armory

June 4, 2020 By James Mitchell Varnum

Irving C. Sheldon presents Maria Vazquez and Patrick Donovan with a $9,000 donation.

Irving C. Sheldon Jr. (President of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Society of Colonial Wars (SCW)) presented the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum with $9,000 towards the conservation and framing of the historic Bristol flags, including this silk 17th-century Colonial American militia flag on the table.

The $9,000 donation includes $5,000 came from the Rhode Island Chapter of the SCW, and the rest was generously donated by the national organization. Also, thanks Ron Barnes for your role in facilitating this amazing donation!

Thank you so much for your support!

Challenge coin presented to Maria Vazquez and Patrick Donovan for their work to preserve Rhode Island history.
Challenge coin presented to Maria Vazquez and Patrick Donovan for their work to preserve Rhode Island history.
Maria Vazquez preserving the fringe on one of our historic flags.
The result of several hours of preservation work.
Maria Vazquez preserving the fringe on one of our historic flags.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

We’re glad you asked! Like so many, the Varnum Continentals have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our museums do not get line-item budgetary support from the Federal or State governments. We rely solely on your generous donations, event rental fees, competitive grant funding, and tour fees to perform all of our preservation work and community outreach. All of those revenue streams have been cut or decreased significantly by this crisis. There are two ways that you can help us continue our valuable work to protect our national heritage and provide educational opportunities to the public.

Make a Donation

We hope that you will invest in the Varnum Continentals’ future and help us to preserve the past! Donations are fully tax-deductible, as allowed by law. You can make a single donation or a recurring contribution. Follow this link to donate!

Join the Varnum Continentals

At only $50 per person annually, membership is a great way to help the organization and keep in the loop about our latest news, events, and museum exhibits. Members get a monthly newsletter that includes Varnum Continentals news, feature articles about local and U.S. history, and in-depth articles about museum items in our collections at the Varnum House Museum and the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum. In the future, we hope to resume our monthly member dinners and exclusive speaker program, which are a huge hit with members and provide great camaraderie within the Varnum Continentals. Follow this link to join!

Filed Under: Historic Preservation, Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: Society of colonial wars, varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] American Revolutionary War Pay Voucher signed by Hopkins, Greene, and Ward

May 9, 2020 By James Mitchell Varnum

At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have an interesting American Revolutionary War period document featuring the autographs of three prominent Rhode Islanders including Esek Hopkins (first Commander in Chief of the US Navy), Governor William Greene Jr., and Samuel Ward Jr. (bios below).

Here’s a transcript:

State Rhode Island &c

The General Assembly at August Session 1782 orderd the sum of sixty pounds to be paid William Greene out of the General Treasury

£60..0 witness Sam Ward Dy Secy

[endorsement by Greene:] January 6th 1783 / Received the contents / ? W. Greene

[endorsement by Hopkins:] His Excelly Wm Greene / £60 / G 19 / audt febr 6, 1783 E. Hopkins

[docketing:] William Greene / Govr ordr £60.0.0

BIOGRAPHIES:

Esek Hopkins

— Esek Hopkins (1718-1802) was born in the colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations into a prominent family. He went to sea at age twenty and became an accomplished sailor and trader. He commanded a privateer during the French and Indian War and served as a deputy in the Rhode Island General Assembly. His brother Stephen Hopkins served as colonial governor for nine years in four terms between 1755 and 1768 and signed the Declaration of Independence. In October 1775, Esek Hopkins received an appointment as brigadier general to command all Rhode Island military forces. In December 1775, the Continental Congress appointed him the only Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy. His duty was to protect American commerce. In March 1776, he raided Providence (Nassau) in the Bahamas and captured munitions and three ships from the British. As the war began, Hopkins found it difficult to compete with privateers for sailors, and the Continental Congress censured Hopkins in August 1776. His fleet remained blockaded in Narragansett Bay by a superior British fleet until Congress relieved him of command in January 1778. Hopkins served in the Rhode Island General Assembly through 1786, then retired to his farm.

Governor William Greene Jr. grave medallion

— William Greene Jr. (1731-1809) was born in Rhode Island into a prominent family. His father served eleven terms as colonial governor of Rhode Island. William Greene Jr. served as deputy to the General Assembly (1773-1777), as justice (1774-1777) and chief justice (1777-1778) of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, and as the second governor of the state of Rhode Island (1778-1786).

Samuel Ward Jr.

— Samuel Ward Jr. (1756-1832) was born in Rhode Island and graduated from Brown University in 1771. He was the son of Samuel Ward, twice colonial governor of Rhode Island in the 1760s. In 1775, he received a commission as captain of a company in the 12th Regiment. He rose in rank to the command of lieutenant colonel before retiring in January 1781. After the war, he became a merchant and served as a delegate to the Annapolis Convention of 1786.
No photo description available.

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: featured exhibit, revolutionary war, varnum memorial armory

[FEATURE ARTICLE] What Happened to Submarine S-51 Off Block Island?

May 5, 2020 By Brian Wallin

S-51 at sea.
S-51 at sea

Submarines carry both a unique danger and special mystique to their volunteer crews. Although there have been instances of submariners escaping or rescued from their boat when it sank either by accident or in combat, usually, when a submarine ran into trouble, it meant a one-way trip to Davy Jones’ locker. However, it was the sinking of USS S-51 (SS-162)  ninety-five years ago off the coast of Block Island, RI, that started a chain of events leading to modern submarine rescue techniques. This story goes back to the night of 25 September 1925 and brings together several men who would make major contributions to the U.S. Navy in the ensuing decades.

Simon Lake
Simon Lake

S-51, commissioned in 1922, was the fourth boat of her class and was built in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It was one of twenty-six boats built for the U.S. Navy by Simon Lake during and after World War II. He was an innovative naval designer, who also built submarines for Germany, Russia, and the Austro-Hungarian Navy. Lake was a fierce competitor of the larger Electric Boat Company, which eventually emerged as the Navy’s builder of  choice (where it remains to this day). But Lake, who died in 1945, continued to advise the Navy on undersea weaponry right up to the time of his death.

During World War I, the Navy saw the potential of underwater warfare. It ordered thirty-eight, 240-foot-long S-class boats. At 930 tons, 240 feet in length, and capable of 14.5 knots surface speed, they were coastal vessels, smaller and far-less sophisticated forerunners of the Fleet boats of World War II. Five of Lake’s boats survived to serve in World War II, in early combat and later in training crews. The last to be decommissioned — in June 1946 — was S-15 (SS-120). 

‘S-51″ at left alongside ‘S-50’

The new S-51 sailed with the Atlantic Fleet from Navy Base Groton as a member of Submarine Division 4. She was a frequent visitor in New England ports, including Newport and Providence, RI, and also sailing the Caribbean as far as Panama.

SS City of Rome
SS City of Rome

On that chilly, clear night in September, S-51 was riding low on the surface of Block Island Sound under peacetime conditions (with her running lights illuminated). Shortly after 10:00PM (2203), a lookout on the merchant steamer City of Rome, sailing to Boston from New York, spotted a single white masthead light about five miles to starboard and assumed it was a rum runner (a common sight during Prohibition). The brightly lit steamer thought the other vessel could see her and would alter course, especially since rum runners didn’t encourage company.

The City of Rome’s Captain, John H. Diehl had come on the bridge shortly after the light was sighted and (realizing the light shown by the unknown vessel was drawing closer) ordered a course change. S-51 had spotted the larger ship’s masthead and green (starboard) sidelight, but held her course under the maritime Rules of the Road (the Navy crew thought they had been recognized as a military vessel and so expected the right of way). At the last minute, the City of Rome spotted the submarine’s red (port) sidelight and realized the two vessels were on a collision course. The City of Rome sounded a danger signal with her whistle and both ships took evasive action, but too late. 

Twenty-two minutes after first spotting the submarine’s masthead light, the steamer rammed S-51 and tore a thirty-foot hole just forward of the conning tower. The steamer then drove the sub underwater. The ocean poured into S-51. Since it was not under battle conditions, the boat’s watertight compartments were open to the in-rushing sea.

Lt Rodney Dobson, USN
Rodney Dobson

Only three of the submarine’s 36 men (Dewey Kile, Michael Lira, and Alfred Gerier) were able to abandon ship and were picked up by the steamer’s launch. The survivors told investigators there had been no panic aboard and they had seen other crewmen helping each other escape through open hatches. A handful of men, including the commanding officer, Lt. Rodney Dobson, managed to get out but, lightly clad, most quickly drowned in the chilly waters. The S-51 went down in less than a minute (her clocks were found stopped at 2225 hours), coming to rest in 132 feet of water fourteen miles off Block Island. 

The City of Rome was not badly damaged. The captain radioed the ship’s owners for help. A ship’s boat rescued several survivors, but the captain (for some reason) did not realize he had sunk a submarine and there might stll be survivors below. The Navy did not get word of the sinking until they were notified via Western Union telegram at 1:20 am. Ships were dispatched but initially to the wrong location. Air bubbles and an oil slick were spotted by a search aircraft at 10:45am and ships moved quickly to the scene. Arriving on scene, the Navy destroyer USS Putnam, found a makeshift buoy suggesting there might be men still alive in the sunken sub.

A U.S. Navy sailor with a cutting torch during the ‘S-51’ salvage mission.
Navy sailor with cutting torch during S-51 salvage

Divers descended on the wreck some fifteen hours after the collision but, although tapping sounds had been initially heard from within the wreck they soon ceased (when the crew’s air supply would have run out). When the rescue ship USS Falcon and other ships reached the site, their work was confined to salvage. Hard hat divers began working under adverse conditions through the following months. Falcon had served as a minesweeper during World War I and participated in postwar mineclearing operations in the North Sea. Reclassified as a salvage vessel, she began salvage operations on the S-51 using a number of determined and ingenious efforts, sometimes combatting uncooperative seas and weather conditions.

Finally, using large pontoons, S-51 was raised on 5 July 1926 by a team led by Lt Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Edward Ellsberg whose book “On The Bottom” recounts the sinking and salvage operation. Ellsberg, aboard Falcon, worked the operation from the day after the sinking until the S-51 was brought to the surface. He was promoted to Commander and awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his efforts. Ellsberg left active service shortly after only to be recalled to duty several times, gaining further fame during World War II. He retired in 1951 as the Navy’s principal salvage officer. Over the years, Ellsberg wrote numerous books about his adventures.

  • Edward Ellsberg
  • USS Falcon (AM-28)
    USS Falcon (AM-28)

The S-51 tragedy also included a number of interesting convergences. Responding to the sighting by the search aircraft, the submarine S-1 (SS-105) confirmed the location of the wreck by the oil slick. S-1 was commanded by Charles B. “Swede” Momsen, inventor of the Momsen Lung and co-inventor of the McCann rescue diving chamber used to rescue survivors of the submarine USS Squalus that sank off New Hampshire in 1939. Squalus, was raised, repaired, and re-commissioned as the USS Sailfish (SS-192) serving through World War II.

The S-51 salvage operation was under the overall leadership of Captain (later Fleet Admiral) Ernest J. King, who was commanding officer of the Groton Submarine Base at the time. He would go on to become the Navy’s World War II Commander-in-Chief.

  • S-51 salvage operation
    S-51 salvage operation
  • Raising the S-51
    Raising the S-51

The S-51 hulk, supported by large pontoons, was slowly towed down Long Island Sound to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for dry-docking. Along the way, bad luck continued when it ran aground in the East River, delaying its return by another 24 hours. Eleven bodies had been removed by divers during salvage efforts. The rest of the remains were recovered at the Navy Yard. S-51 went into dry-dock and remained on view until it was decommissioned and sold for scrap in 1930.

  • S-51 in drydock
    S-51 in dry dock
  • Closeup of the damage to the S-51
    Closeup of the damage to the S-51

A court of inquiry was convened by the Navy and it laid the blame on the captain of the merchant vessel. But, the federal courts, hampered by few clues, also sought to determine blame for the sinking. However, Captain Diehl was found ‘not guilty’ on civil charges of negligence and failure to stand by the sunken submarine. Eventually, civil authorities found each vessel partly at fault: City of Rome for not reducing speed when in doubt as to the movement of S-51, and for not signaling her course change; and the S-51 for having improper lights. The Navy argued unsuccessfully that submarines were unique craft and as a special type of warship should not be required to conform to the letter of the law and the maritime rules of the road. But, the courts said if that were to be accepted, then submarines should stay out of sea lanes used by other ships (which sort of goes against the whole idea of a submarine as a naval weapon).

Rhode Island’s waters are known to be exceptionally dangerous places. Nearly three thousand shipwrecks have been documented since records were kept beginning in the 17th century. The S-51 is one more statistic within that tragic number. A reminder of the loss can still be found at the Submarine Force Museum in Groton, CT, where the bell of the S-51 is on exhibit.

Bell of the S-51 (SS-162)
Bell of the S-51 (SS-162)

— END —

Filed Under: Feature Article Tagged With: block island, submarine, world war I, World War II

[FEATURE ARTICLE] An Army in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum

April 7, 2020 By Brian Wallin

Toy soldier grouping at the Varnum Armory

Growing up, how many of us played with toy soldiers? Some were metal. Many were green plastic. But all gave us hours of enjoyment as we fought mock battles on sandpiles and in the grass. Prominently displayed in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, however, is a collection of tiny soldiers representing a broad swath of history. They reside in a well-lit glass display thanks to Howard Vernon Allen, a founding member of the Varnum Continentals and its commanding officer for some 55 year. “H.V.”,  or “The Colonel” as he was known (and he was a Lieutenant Colonel of the State and then R.I. National Guard for many years), was an inveterate collector of artifacts representing military and maritime history. Many of the rare artifacts displayed in the museum were acquired by him over his many decades of leadership. But he had a special area of interest: toy soldiers.

H.V. Allen and his toy soldiers

For many years, the majority of the collection now displayed in the museum resided in orderly rows on shelves in his stately 18th century home, the Captain Oliver Gardiner House, at 4451 Post Road in Warwick, RI. Although he had a special area of interest in the American Revolution, the collection contains examples of soldiers from many eras, from the Crusades to the 20th century.

  • 1911 coronation of King George V
  • British Royal Coronation Coach

There is the British Royal Coronation Coach representing the 1911 coronation of King George V (with the King and Queen Mary seated in the coach) escorted by a full military guard. There are German Hessians, Arabs, Egyptians on camels and even representatives of historic Rhode Island chartered militias, including the Newport Artillery, the Kentish Guards, and the Bristol Train of Artillery. Proudly standing amongst their fellow miniature military men are representatives of the Varnum Continentals (more on that in a moment). There are figures from the American Civil War, both World Wars and the collection includes soldiers from both American and English manufacturers, in metal and plastic. Quoted in a Providence Sunday Journal article from June 20, 1948, Colonel Allen said that, in his opinion,

“The English make the best toy soldiers for not only are their color schemes authentic, but the detail is far better than that of those made in other countries.”

  • First Rhode Island Light Artillery’s Battery B
  • Egyptian Toy Soldiers

Although he said he did occasionally take the figures out and arrange them in appropriate formations, he was quick to point out that his collection was not meant to be played with because of their relatively delicate construction and decoration. He told his interviewer that during the American Revolution, there were colorful uniforms, but then there was a period when soldiers dressed in rather drab attire, except for their dress uniforms. And, the Varnum Armory collection has some of the most colorful. Colonel Allen explained that many military units were influenced by Napoleon Bonaparte who once said, “A soldier must learn to love his profession, must look to it to satisfy all his tastes and sense of honor. That is why handsome uniforms are useful.”

The H.V. Allen Collection includes toy soldiers that were handed down through several generations of his family and many are of European manufacture. As a collector, the colonel paid special attention to every detail including the exact configuration and even color match of the original uniforms. The wrong shade, even on a toy soldier, would have put the tiny military man out of the colonel’s favor.

Allen used to enjoy taking his soldiers out of their display case and arranging them in various battle formations to demonstrate particular military encounters. Some are in action poses and there are several dioramas including a World War I medical unit and U.S. Civil War artillery. There are even several miniature cannons acquired by the colonel over the years.

As mentioned, Colonel Allen was a military miniature collector, not a military model maker or painter. Many of his figures came from Great Britain manufacturers. Long-time Varnum member and museum curator, the late Don Marcum was an avid model painter. The Varnum’s own Col. Larry McDonald is member of the latter fraternity. “I’ve donated a couple of sets to the Varnum collection,” he told this writer. “When I first started collecting and painting, I had the opportunity to acquire a couple of sets of figures done by another Jamestown resident. One was a boxed set of the Continentals guard produced for the 1936 Rhode Island Tercentenary Observance”, he noted. “H.V. had some individual figures but this was a full set of an officer and four men. It was quite a find.” Larry has also donated a Civil War cannon set representing the First Rhode Island Light Artillery’s Battery B to the collection. “Don had portions of the set and I was able to complete it with purchases at flea markets and from dealers”, he said.

Following Don Marcum’s passing, Larry acquired most of his unpainted collection of figures from his widow. “There are a number of figures in the Varnum collection done by Don who was an award-winning painter,” he said. Larry added that Marcum was particularly interested in the figures representing the American Revolution and that he has a number of unpainted figures that Don had acquired but never completed. Many of these were manufactured in the 1960s and 1970s by the American company Imre/Risley. “They are probably the best American-made figures,” he noted.

Toy soldier case at the Varnum Armory

There are a number of dealers specializing in painted and unpainted figures ranging in size from a small as one inch in height to three inches or so, in plastic and metal. They cover every era in human history. Antique toy soldiers made from tin or lead are of particular interest to collectors but require special care to preserve them from deterioration (lead has been banned in the manufacture of toy soldiers since 1966). Plastic has become popular among collectors and modelers. Hard plastics can be painted and then assembled in action poses as opposed to soft plastic pieces which represent a large percentage of models currently sold.

For those interested in more information, try going online to toysoldierco.com. An informative book is “Collecting Toy Soldiers in the 21st Century” by James Opie and published in England by Pen & Sword Books Ltd. in 2011

The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum collection display case includes information cards so that viewers can identify the various figures. Among the many rare artifacts on display in our museum, the toy soldier case in the Commander’s Office is well worth the time to visit.

Filed Under: Feature Article, Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: feature article, featured exhibit, toy soldier, varnum memorial armory

Varnum Continentals’ COVID-19 Precautions

March 30, 2020 By James Mitchell Varnum

In response to the national emergency and recommendations from the CDC, the Varnum Continentals are not offering tours of our two museums until further notice.

With regard to facility rentals, we are in touch with renters regarding our currently scheduled events and working with them on a case-by-case basis. At this time, you can still inquire about facility rentals, but please understand that the proximity of your tentative event to this national emergency will affect our ability to accommodate you.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. If you have questions, please email business@varnumcontinentals.org. You’re message will be forwarded to the most appropriate person for a quick response.

Filed Under: Historic Preservation, Museum Exhibits, Varnum House Museum, Varnum Memorial Armory, Varnum Volunteers

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] VERY RARE 39-Star American Flag

March 30, 2020 By James Mitchell Varnum

At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we now have a rare 39-star American flag, which was in use for … zero days. Period printed parade flags are occasionally encountered, but generally are uncommon. Flags of pieced and sewn construction in this count (39) are extremely rare with likely less than ten known examples. 39 stars is an unofficial count, because of the introduction of North Dakota (39) and South Dakota (40) at one time, instead of as a single state (formerly the Dakota territory).

Despite the fact that the U.S. went from 38 stars to 40 stars in a single event, 39-star flags are actually more common than 40-star flags, which are extremely rare. Since people anticipated a single state, rather than two, manufacturers produced reasonably large numbers of new flags of the 39 star count, only to find that they would never be official.

Very rare 39-star American flag

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: flag

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Cold War Memorabilia: Signature of Soviet Spy John A. Walker

March 30, 2020 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum has acquired a rare piece of Cold War memorabilia. Here’s the signature of the Soviet spy, John A. Walker, who sold U.S. Navy secrets for 18 years in one of the most damaging espionage cases of the Cold War.

Varnum Continentals member, John Fischer, studied under Walker to earn his U.S. Naval School Radioman Class A certificate that is signed by Walker. See below for details on this fascinating story. Thank you, John, for donating this unique piece of Cold War history!

See the images in this post for details on this unique exhibit.

  • Close-up of the signature of Soviet spy John A. Walker.
  • Detailed history of the Navy Radioman’s certificate signed by John A. Walker.
  • Navy Radioman Class A certificate signed by spy John A. Walker.
  • Search and Rescue team for US Antarctic Winter-Over Party 1971-1972. John Fischer was the team radioman (2nd person from left). McMurdo Station Antarctica.

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: cold war, museum exhibit, varnum memorial armory

[CANCELLED] Naval War College Museum and Varnum Armory Special Lecture, “The Lucky Few: The Story of the USS Kirk” with Commander Hugh J. Doyle, USN

March 3, 2020 By James Mitchell Varnum

In light of the ongoing and accelerating spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum and the Naval History and Heritage Command have made the decision to CANCEL the Vietnam War Veterans Day Program on Sunday, March 29.

We hope to reschedule the Vietnam Veterans program once these virus concerns pass.

Thank you, and from all of us at the Naval War College Museum and Varnum Continentals, stay healthy!

“The Lucky Few: The Story of the USS Kirk” with Commander Hugh J. Doyle

On Sunday, March 29, the Naval War College Museum and Varnum Memorial Armory Museum will hold a special program in honor of 2020 Vietnam War Veterans Day. The event will be hosted at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI, 02818. A showing of the documentary, “The Lucky Few: The Story of the USS Kirk” will begin at 3:00 PM and will be followed by a question and answer session with CDR Hugh J. Doyle, USN (Ret.), former Chief Engineer of the USS Kirk during the Fall of Saigon. All Vietnam Veterans will be recognized during the program.

Museum lectures and programs are free and open to the public, and no reservations are required. For details, contact Jessica Fowler, Naval War College Museum, Director of Education and Public Outreach (401-841-7276 // jessica.fowler@usnwc.edu).

Varnum Memorial Armory Museum

Varnum Memorial Armory Open for Tours (1:00 PM to 3:00 PM)

As a special treat, the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum will be open for tours of its extensive military museum prior to the event from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

About the Program

“The Lucky Few: The Story of the USS Kirk” with CDR Hugh J. Doyle
Sunday, March 29, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

USS Kirk (FF-1087)

As the Vietnam War reached its tragic climax in the last days of April 1975, a task force of United States (US) Navy ships cruised off South Vietnam’s coast. Their mission was to support the evacuation of American embassy personnel and military advisers from Saigon as well as to secure the safety of the South Vietnamese whose lives were endangered by the North Vietnamese victory. The Lucky Few recounts the selfless acts of heroism of the 275 Officers and Sailors of the US Navy ship USS Kirk (DE-1087). The crew of the Kirk, trained as warriors, was suddenly forced into an unexpected role in the evacuation of refugees from Saigon. Dubbed Operation Frequent Wind, it was the final act of the Vietnam War.

About Commander Hugh J. Doyle, USN (Retired)

Hugh J. Doyle, CDR, USN (Ret.)

Commander Hugh J. Doyle, USN (Retired) served as a Surface Warfare Officer for more than twenty years.  As a young Lieutenant, and the Chief Engineer on USS Kirk (DE-1087) in 1975, he took part in Operation Eagle Pull (the evacuation of Cambodia), Operation Frequent Wind (the evacuation of Vietnam), and Operation New Life (the voyage of 32 vessels of the former South Vietnamese Navy, carrying more than 33,000 refugees from Vietnam to the Philippines). CDR Doyle served as Executive Officer (XO) of the USS Fanning (FF-1076) and was promoted to Commander while attached to the Fanning. He is a graduate of the Naval War College, the former Vice President and the current Historian of the USS Kirk Association; a steam engineering specialty “hard hat” tour guide for the museum battleship, USS Massachusetts; and a weekly volunteer at the Somerset, MA headquarters of the National Association of Destroyer Veterans – Tin Can Sailors. He now resides in Middletown, Rhode Island.  He is the husband of the late Judy Doyle, the father of three, and the grandfather of four wonderful grandchildren.

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Speaking Program, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: speaker program, varnum memorial armory, vietnam war

[MAR. 9 DINNER MEETING] Historian Robert Grandchamp Chronicles Rhode Island’s U.S. Civil War Dead

March 3, 2020 By James Mitchell Varnum

Rhode Island’s Civil War Dead: A Complete Roster

Rhode Islanders participated in nearly every major battle of the American Civil War, firing the first volleys at Bull Run, and some of the last at Appomattox. How many died is a question that has long eluded historians. Drawing on a 20-year study of regimental histories, pension files, letters, diaries, and visits to every cemetery in the state, award-winning Civil War historian Robert Grandchamp documents, in his book Rhode Island’s Civil War Dead, the 2,217 Rhode Islanders who died as a direct result of military service.

At out March meeting, Mr. Grandchamp will talk about his research and findings and tell the story of three Rhode Island men killed in action during the Civil War and whose military artifacts are in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.

About the speaker

Historian Robert Grandchamp

Robert Grandchamp is the award winning author of fifteen books and numerous other works on American military history, including The Seventh Rhode Island Infantry, The Boys of Adam’s Battery G, and Rhody Redlegs. He received his Masters degree in American history from Rhode Island College. Robert is a former National Park Ranger with service at Shenandoah, Blackstone Valley, and Harpers Ferry. Since 2011, he has been an analyst with the U.S. Immigration Service.

Reservations must be received by 6:00 pm Friday, March 6.

PLEASE NOTE: Dinner reservations are mandatory and MUST be received by the RSVP date above. NO WALK-INS ALLOWED!

MEETING DATE: Monday, March 9.
TIME: 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 (dinner followed by program)
LOCATION: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI
DINNER MENU: Corned beef dinner; plus Chicken Marsala, salad dessert.
FEE: $20/person

Filed Under: Speaking Program, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: American Civil War

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[DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster

December 3, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

In December 1917, a World War I ammunition ship blew up in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia. This massive event was listed as the largest man-made explosion in human history prior to atomic weapons and totally devastated the city. Thousands died. Our December speaker, Varnum Member Greg Banner, will describe the background, event, response, and results and discuss aspects of military, nautical, local, and emergency response history.

About the Varnum Continentals

The Varnum Continentals are committed to the preservation of the historic heritage of our community, our state, and our nation. Please take a virtual tour of our museums to learn more about our mission to encourage patriotism. You can participate with us through active membership and/or philanthropic support in our non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Museum tours are welcomed and our facilities may be rented for suitable events.

Our Mission

The Varnum Continentals are committed to encourage patriotism through the Varnum Armory Museum, the Continental Militia, and the James Mitchell Varnum House and thus to preserve, support, and communicate the military history of our community, our state, and our nation.

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