On August 16, the JIBBOOM CLUB is pleased to have former NUSL employee, 1968 - 1972, Walter Banzhaf, to present 'We are Very Likely to Die: The Incredible True Story of the Sinking of the R/V Sea Survivor' -- in fact, Wally lived to tell the tale!

Walter Banzhaf initially contacted us because he is looking for a document: Seeking to locate a Coast Guard report on the sinking of Electric Boat's research vessel Sea Surveyor on January 7, 1969 in a gale. 12 men survived a 26-hour ordeal in a 15-person life raft, and were rescued shortly before they succumbed to hypothermia by a Norwegian ore carrier that saw their tiny light at midnight in 20-foot seas. Can you help? Contact Walter Banzhaf.

If you'd like to learn more, the talk is at the Custom House, followed by coffee & treats. Sponsored by the Maco Family Fund. Please come and bring a friend! FREE.

Photo: Walter in the life jacket he wore in Jan. 1969, 'during 27 hours on the life raft bouncing around in the North Atlantic Ocean during a gale. During that time the seas grew from 15-feet to 25-feet, the wind increased so much it finally capsized the raft, tossing 6 or 8 men into the ocean (I was one who was immersed). It was this life jacket (with kapok flotation) that kept all men safely floating while we righted the raft.' Adds Walter, 'The life jacket appears to have shrunk over the intervening 53 years; it fit better when I was 22 years old.'

This summer, the New London Maritime Society joined the Thames River Heritage Park. As a benefit to us, 100% of the profit from your ticket purchase to this Friday's 5:30-6:30 PM 'Happy Hour' river tour benefits the NL Maritime Society! Please sign up today!

Enjoy a delightful start to your weekend aboard the Water Taxi (a navy utility boat). NLMS director Susan Tamulevich will provide some treats. You bring your beverage of choice (alcohol permitted)! We'll cruise past the many islands, lighthouses, forts, and ships that comprise our wondrous waterfront.

This is the rare first-ever opportunity to land at Little Gull Island and explore inside the Little Gull Lighthouse (est. 1802, current tower 1867) all the way up to the lantern. Working with David Henry, director of the Little Gull Light Foundation, we now are offering four, two-hour trips out of New London, CT, aboard the high-speed Silver Eel. As of Sunday morning, we have added a 4 PM Saturday trip (16 open seats), and there also are six tickets left for the Sunday 10 AM tour. Photo: Little Gull light and outbuildings ca. 1930.

Please make your reservation at least THREE DAYS in advance of the trip, i.e. by midnight on August 16. Children must be age 7 or older.

Only 18 seats per trip. Register now!

​OpenMic meets from 6-9 PM on the last Sunday of the month. It's co-hosted by Doc Frazier and Christina Corcoran.

Our monthly open mic welcomes performers of all kinds. Share your music, poetry, prose, stand-up, or just say what is on your mind. Bring your instruments, perform, or just sit back and enjoy!

Photo: at June's OpenMic.

Dear Lighthouse Inn lovers, we now have our absolute final date!

Please join us on Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 3-5 PM, for a 'Sparkling Wine & Cake Toast to the new Lighthouse Inn'. This occasion celebrates the restoration of the Lighthouse Inn and honors both Alwyn Christie, the Inn's owner, and Ned Hammond, the former Economic Planning Director of the City of New London, each of whom worked for years to bring the Inn back to life. As Economic Planning Director, Ned Hammond made sure potential buyers of the property appreciated what a remarkable place the Inn had been and the important role it played in the life of the Community. For new owner Alwyn Christie, the restoration of the Inn became a labor of love -- and a trial that now has gone on for seven years to reach this point.

In addition to the sparkling wine, light hors d'oeuvres, elegant cake, and silent auction, guests will have the opportunity to tour the Inn's ground floor. They will be introduced to Chef Michael Dei Maggi, who began his culinary education almost two decades ago at the Inn, only to return last month after years of studying and cooking abroad.

Although the main dining rooms will not open until October 20, we have been able to arrange for our guests, only, to be able to make reservations with the Inn for a special dinner (not included with this ticket price) immediately following our event, and which will be held in the Inn's main dining room. Chef Michael Dei Maggi will create a pris fixe menu, with a choice of entrees that both honors treasured Lighthouse Inn favorites while also pointing in the direction the new Inn is headed.

Only 20 tickets are still available for the Toast: https://lighthouseinn.bpt.me.

For those of you who signed up in 2021, your tickets are, of course, good at the original price. If you cannot make the new date, you may cancel up-to September 1 by emailing [email protected].

Under Chef Dei Maggi's supervision, the new Tavern menu launches on September 5. The famous Brunch at the Inn starts on October 16, and the main dining rooms open, with a new menu, on October 20!

Thank you for your steadfastness & support! See you in September.

--Susan 860-447-2501

Become a member 

sign up online.

Photo: Pauline and Russ DeMarco got the Jibboom postcards into the mail last week.

We thank all our sponsors - ARPA - Bodenwein Foundation - Chelsea Groton Foundation - Community Foundation of Eastern CT - CT Humanities - CT Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts - Eleven+ - Frank Loomis Palmer Fund - Maco Family Fund - Robinson+Cole - State of CT - SVOG U.S. Small Business Administration - Veolia / NL Water Authority.

The New London Maritime Society is happy to bring the Arm-of-the-Sea Theater to the CT Maritime Heritage Festival on Sunday, September 11 at 2 PM! https://vimeo.com/364151228 at the Hygienic Art Park! We'll have more about this performance in next week's blast.

Their family-friendly performance is FREE and sponsored by the New London Arts Council! The play presents the history of a Lighthouse & its keeper family!

After the play, at 3:30 Sunday, we will have our last Ledge Lighthouse tour of the season. Sign up now! https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5487828. The trip is for everyone, but special tickets for New London school children & parent are still just $5, thanks to a Veolia/NL Water Authority grant.

SHOP at the MUSEUM

Have fun, find gifts, & support the NL Maritime Society. Our gifts have an extra feel good factor: when you shop with us, your purchases support the museum exhibitions & educational programs. The Shop is open Wednesday through Sunday, 1 to 5 PM, and fr0m 10 AM to 5 PM each Wednesday & Saturday.

Photo: balloons: This Gull tea towel is NEW in the museum Shop!

New London PIRATE FEST

Ahoy landlubbers! Save the date for NL's new community event to celebrate the lore of Captain Kidd and fun of playing pirate. Dress like a pirate and join us on the New London Waterfront park. Enjoy Kalmar Nyckel tours (is that Norwegian for pirate ship?), pirate crafts, and cannon demonstrations. The Custom House's terrific Shop will be open in solidarity with Pirate Fest!

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Sadly, we lost two friends this week -- principled gentlemen, both -- who were strong supporters on the Maritime Society.

American architect, educator, mentor & father, John Ames Steffian was a founding member of the Society. Alongside his wife, Sarah, John was dedicated to community integrity. We send our love & condolences to his family.

Relatively new to the NLMS family, foreign correspondent, father, and lover-of-all things French, Arthur Higbee never missed an opportunity to grab a lobster roll at Capt. Scott's or show his support for NLMS. Our deepest condolences to his early love and final partner Alice Houston.

Seagrass and Society – Underwater Plants as a Critical Resource'

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This spring, we received a Bodenwein grant to improve signage at the front of the museum. This all-weather poster case arrived last week, and this week Tim Jackson installed it on our Bank Street fence. Tim started volunteering with us last spring, when he helped Christina create their splendid St. Patrick's Day float. Tim also just received a 2022 Community Service Award for the work he has done across the river, particularly at the Bill Memorial Library. Thank you, Tim, and thank you to the Bodenwein Public Benevolent Foundation.

Photo: NLMS librarian Laurie Deredita admires our new poster case.

Photo, below: Out fishing Thursday evening, Andy Champaign sent us this picture of the Eagle waiting to dock at City Pier, 8/9/22. See the ship at City Pier on the NL HarborCam.