Author and Historian Gerald Sandvick Book Signing

Lake Superior Marine Museum Association presents local author and historian Gerald Sandvick in a book signing at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Duluth, Saturday, June 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. He will be signing copies of his latest book, World War II Shipbuilding in Duluth and Superior, as part of a fundraising event with the marine museum. World War II hinged on the Allies having enough ships to fight the enemy and to carry millions of tons of war goods across the world’s oceans. Shipyards on the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts built thousands of vessels, but America’s sometimes forgotten fourth coast, the Great Lakes, built hundreds of ships as well. From 1940 to 1945, warships, cargo haulers, Coast Guard tenders and fleet service auxiliaries of many types were launched from the Twin Ports. Half a dozen shipyards in Duluth-Superior produced more than 200 vessels of 10 main types, up to 338 feet long and 5,000 tons, all having to make close to a 2,400-mile journey to the ocean. The shipyards grew from nearly nothing in 1939 to become industries employing thousands of men and women by 1945 and making a major contribution to the story of America in World War II. A portion of all proceeds from sales of his book that day will benefit the Lake Superior Marine Museum Association. Each year the LSMMA hosts one of the premiere maritime fundraising events: Gales of November, which brings together maritime experts, authors and historians. For more Information, visit www.lsmma.com, or call 218-727-2497.