National Maritime Day
On May 22, 1819, the S.S. Savannah left its home port of Savannah, Georgia, on its way to Liverpool, England. The ship ‘put to sea with steam and sails’ and reached Liverpool, in 29 days and four hours, becoming the 1st steam-ship to cross the Atlantic. While the steam engine performed faultlessly, it was not the only means of propulsion; historians have estimated that the Savannah was under sail 80% of the time. Nonetheless, it was an impressive achievement, one that signaled the beginning of the era of steam, and American technological leadership.
The Captain of the Savannah was Moses Rogers, a native of New London, CT. By a Joint Resolution passed on May 20, 1933, Congress declared May 22nd to be National Maritime Day.
On National Maritime Day, we honor merchant mariners for their dedication to promoting commerce and protecting our freedom.
The New London Maritime Day Ceremony is being held online this Friday, May 22, 2020, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time
Meeting ID: 857 5272 8621
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As another way to celebrate National Maritime Day, please visit the McGuire Library’s illustrated online exhibition about New London’s Capt. Moses Rogers and his famous crossing of the Atlantic in 1819 with the steamship Savannah. New Londoners can take pride in this historic achievement by one of our early mariners and his First Mate, Stevens Rogers, whose gravestone in Cedar Grove Cemetery bears a carved image of the Savannah. –Brian Rogers, Online Exhibitions Curator.
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Due to Covid-19, the Custom House Maritime Museum will be closed for an eleventh week. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Also highly contagious
kindness, patience, love, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.
Don’t wait to catch it. Be the carrier.
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Custom House Maritime Museum
150 Bank Street, New London, CT, 06320
