Saturday, June 25, 2011

Last Days of the Success


Success sunk in the ice at Sandusky, Ohio, about 1944.

If you are in the Port Clinton, Ohio, area next Saturday, July 2nd, drop by the Ottawa County Museum and hear my talk on the last days of the ship. Here's the press release out by the museum:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On the afternoon of July 4th, 1946, Port Clinton residents and visiting tourists alike witnessed a most unusual  fireworks display when the old convict ship Success, which had grounded offshore the previous summer, went up in flames. On July 2nd, Rich Norgard, a Port Clinton writer and historian who has spent the last 40 years researching the history of the legendary ship, will present “Last Days of the Success” at the Ottawa County Museum, 126 West 3rd Street, Port Clinton.
The presentation will cover the prison ship’s fascinating and controversial career, with emphasis on the months and days leading up to the ship’s final demise. Mr. Norgard’s fascinating talk will be accompanied by a lively slide presentation featuring dozens of rare photographs and videos, as well as artifacts from the ship itself. The talk will be followed by a question and answer session and time to view the photographs and artifacts.
The presentation will begin at 2pm on Saturday, July 2nd, at the museum, located at 126 West 3rd Street, Port Clinton. Ample parking is available across the street at the Ida Rupp Public Library.
Mr. Norgard, who is the world’s authority on this historic vessel, is completing a book on her history. He maintains a website about the Success at www.shipsuccess.com and blogs about the ship at www.shipsuccess.blogspot.com. He has also written an Alaskan mystery novel.
The Ottawa County Museum will be open on July 2 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission is free.