Local History Talk: The Loss of the USS Indianapolis

Description

Local History Talks Albacore Lecture Series The library’s Local History series features authors and experts on local history topics. In March and April, we present a special partner series with the Albacore Park Museum! The Loss of the USS Indianapolis with Bob Begin Tuesday March 24 7-8:30 PM In July 1945, the USS Indianapolis was assigned the Top Secret mission to deliver an atomic bomb to Tinian Island. This was the bomb later dropped on Hiroshima. Once the mission had been completed, the Indianapolis was torpedoed on her starboard side by a Japanese submarine. Approximately 900 men went into the water that night. Due to a series of blunders, the wreck would remain undiscovered for nearly five days and only 316 would survive the harrowing experience. Bob Begin will detail the events before, during, and after the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, including the courts-marshalling of the ship’s Captain, Charles B. McVay III. This is an incredible story of loss due to a breakdown of order and discipline. Bob Begin is a visiting lecturer whose take on historical events often reflects the great challenges and courage put forth by the people who made history. With a focus on the human element in every story, Bob’s lectures span a wide range of topics including Lawrence of Arabia, the USS Quincy, and the Cocoanut Grove Fire of 1942. Bob grew up in the Lewiston-Auburn area and worked as a carrier for the Lewiston Daily Sun and the Lewiston Evening Journal. He graduated from Babson College with a degree in business administration. He and his wife Mary have been married for 48 years, and they have two sons and five grandchildren.