Soon after America declared war on Germany in April 1917, the Secretary of the Navy established the Naval Experimental Station in New London, CT, on the grounds of Fort Trumbull. The mission was to create technologies to counter the U-boats that prowled the Atlantic and Mediterranean. In a coordinated effort to exploit a submarine’s vulnerability — they were all very noisy — the civilian staff and naval personnel at the Station developed “listening devices,” precursors to modern passive sonar. The presentation covers the development of these devices and also includes the role of the Newport Torpedo Station.

Please join us at the March Varnum Continentals Members Meeting as author and engineer Roy R. Manstan, shares this story. Manstan retired from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport, RI, and previously was the diving officer for the NUWC Engineering and Diving Support Unit (EDSU). Manstan is the author of two non-fiction books about naval technology in wartime: “The Listeners: U-boat Hunters During the Great War” and “Cold Warriors: The Navy’s Engineering and Diving Support Unit”.

Please RSVP by 5:30 pm Friday, March 8 to Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or by email at scott@ritemps.com.

MEETING DATE: Monday, March 11
TIME: 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 (dinner followed by presentation)
LOCATION: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI
DINNER MENU: Traditional Irish Dinner of corned beef and cabbage, all the sides, and a fabulous dessert
FEE: $20/person