ABOUT THE PRESENTATION:  Do you remember “The Target Ship”? What was the need for a Target Ship and why was it brought to Cape Cod Bay? Perhaps you have your own stories of seeing the SS James Longstreet out in Cape Cod Bay in the '60s, '70s and early '80s. Learn the true story of the ship, discover what it was used for and facts about it that few know. Historian and Cape Codder, Peter Schwind will provide us with all of this information, as well as discuss little known stories about the Longstreet, the ship’s final days, and its current status. You won't want to miss hearing all about this rare and unique fixture of Cape Cod history! 

HISTORY: Built in Houston and launched in October 1942, the SS James Longstreet, a 441 foot Liberty ship, was one of 2,708 cargo ships built to move supplies overseas during WWII. The ship was in active wartime service for less than one year and made three voyages abroad with stops in Australia, India, Ceylon, Liverpool, Halifax and Wales. When back in the U.S. it passed through harbors in Savannah, New York City and Boston.

ABOUT THE PRESENTOR: Peter Schwind was raised in Eastham, Massachusetts. He is the son of Phil Schwind, a well-known fisherman and author. His mother, Helen was a library trustee and maker of the famous bayberry “slicker” and other candle products. Peter attended Eastham Grammar School and Orleans High School, but eventually left the Cape to pursue an Engineering career with Polaroid Corporation. He returned to the Cape in 1978  to start commercial fishing. At the present time, he is a commercial fisherman and lives part-time in the house he built next door to his childhood home in Eastham.