John V. Quarstein

VIRTUAL LECTURE

Presented by John V. Quarstein, noted author, historian, and director emeritus of the USS Monitor Center

FREE. Advance registration is required.

Join us for a virtual lecture with author and historian John V. Quarstein, director emeritus of the USS Monitor Center, as he presents on the city of Newport News and its role in World War I. Viewers are welcome to send him any comments or questions during the presentation, and John will answer them following his talk.

About the lecture:
Newport News was designated as a Port of Embarkation immediately after America’s entry into World War I. With its railroad running straight into a highly sophisticated system of piers, terminals and warehouses, along with the shipyard in Newport News to make repairs, it almost seemed that Collis P. Huntington had invented the port for wartime use. The US Army assumed the operation of the C & 0 Piers. Four Port of Embarkation camps were established to facilitate the movement of troops overseas: camps Stuart, Hill, Alexander, and Morrison. Camp Eustis was established for the training of railroad gun crews; Lee Hall Balloon School was also established there. Newport News was like an armed camp – soldiers, soldiers everywhere! The Port of Embarkation sent 261,820 soldiers overseas along with 47,000 horses and mules. The port received 441,146 doughboys returning home from the war.

Viewers are welcome to send John comments or questions, which he will answer following the presentation.

Image credit: Port of Embarkation, Newport News. Ca. 1918. Courtesy of Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.