Lecture: “War Under Sail in WWII” by John Wilbur

A presentation on the use of private sailing yachts in Government service, both with the US Navy and Coast Guard. Serving far off shore in good weather and bad, through all the seasons, as lookouts, rescue boats, and primarily anti-submarine patrol. A unique and remarkable story of the Front Lines of the Battle of The Atlantic, from the most unlikely of sources. (Image: CGR-3091 the schooner SERVA LA BARI on antisubmarine patrol off Long Island during WWII)

John Wilbur grew up in Noank, CT like generations before him, and graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1984. He sailed in tankers in coastwise and world service for 14 years after graduation, and holds an Unlimited Ocean Master's license for steam and motor vessels. Since 1999 he's worked in Long Island Sound for Cross Sound Ferry, where the run is shorter, but the cargo’s more demanding. His research into the use of sail in WWII has been ongoing since 1989.