RIHS Welcomes Writer McBurney to Discuss Latest Work
Program to Explore History of Rumrunners in Narragansett Bay
(PROVIDENCE, R.I.) – The Rhode Island Historical Society will host veteran research and writer Christian McBurney on Tuesday, August 1st, at 6 p.m., for a free talk highlighting his latest work, Machine Guns in Narragansett Bay: The Coast Guard’s War on Rumrunners.
McBurney will explore the use of excessive force in Narragansett Bay and other Rhode Island waters during Prohibition against crews that were mostly made up of local fishermen (many from immigrant families) trying to earn extra dollars and fulfill a strong demand for bootleg liquor.
This force included the use of machine guns from wartime coastal forts that did not see action during World War I, but were frequently fired by the US Coast Guard at rum-running vessels from 1929 to 1933, resulting in injuries and deaths among the ship’s crews.
Christian McBurney is the author or co-author of eight books on Rhode Island history. He is the publisher and chief editor of the Review of Rhode Island History at smallstatebighistory.com, devoted to Rhode Island history. He practices law in Washington, DC and he and his wife have a second home in West Kingston, Rhode Island.
About the Rhode Island Historical Society
The Rhode Island Historical Society, the state’s oldest and only state-wide historical organization, is dedicated to honoring, interpreting, and sharing Rhode Island’s past to enrich the present and inspire the future.
Founded in 1822, the RIHS is an advocate for history as a means to develop empathy and 21st-century skills, using its historical materials and knowledge to explore topics of timeless relevance and public interest.
As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible public programming and educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders through its four sites: the John Brown House Museum, the Museum of Work & Culture, the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, and the Aldrich House.
The headquarters of the Rhode Island Historical Society are located at 110 Benevolent Street, Providence, RI 02906. Information: (401) 331-8575. Website: rihs.org.
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