Contact: Emily G. Prigot, 508-996-4095 x 6105 Historian and librarian George Ripley will speak from 5:30-6:30 PM as part of the "New B Under the Sea" series, a campaign focusing on underwater archaeology projects. Mr. Ripley will present "The Stone Fleet", on the New Bedford whale fleet used to blockade the Confederacy during the Civil War. The Stone Fleet consisted of a fleet of aging ships (mostly whaleships purchased in New Bedford and other New England ports,) loaded with stone, and sailed south during the American Civil War by the Union Navy for use as blockade ships. New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established by Congress in 1996 to help preserve and interpret America's nineteenth century whaling industry. The park, which encompasses a 13-block National Historic Landmark District, is the only National Park Service area addressing the history of the whaling industry and its influence on the economic, social, and environmental history of the United States. The National Park visitor center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. It is open seven days a week, from 9 AM-5 PM, and offers information, exhibits, and a free orientation movie every hour on the hour from 10 AM-4 PM. The visitor center is wheelchair-accessible, and is free of charge. For more information, call the visitor center at 508-996-4095, go to www.nps.gov/nebe or visit the park's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NBWNHP.
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Last updated: February 26, 2015