Connecticut - New London

New London was my 3rd area. It was the 13th official city founded in CT. It was a port of entry port and for a long time was considered the best port on the Long Island Sound. In the 19th Century it a big port especially for whaling and that helped the town prosper.

As many people know there are a lot of lighthouses in the New England area. There are two within the mouth of the Sound and Thames River.

Electric Boat a huge contractor for subs and aquatic weapons defense is located just over the river in Groton. the Nautalisc (decommissioned sub) is dock permanently in Groton and is open for tours. New London is home to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Connecticut College which is considered one of the best programs for a Liberal Arts degree. This is probably true since the whole state is liberal and it is the only degree offered at the college.

Phizer has a huge campus there that also houses part of their Research and Development. I knew someone who worked there as a researcher and they dont get paid as much as you would think, but I for one would still like their salary!

During the Revolutionary War the Continential Army had a Fort that protected to Entry to the Sound. Fort Trumbull is at the edge of the sound. Huge cannons and a big costal fortress building are featured. Benedict Arnold found out about the base and reported it's activities to England. He also ordered the city to be burned down. Funny part about it is they still have a house with a plaque saying Benedict Arnold lived here.

On the other end of the spectrum, Nathan Hale lived here. He and a group of men went to Boston to assist with the stand-off and "seige" of the Brit Soldiers there. G. Washington in a effort to boost low moral of the troops there let the men elect their own captains. Nathan Hale was elected. Soon after the Brits vacated Boston by trickery and blessings from God by the weather control, most of the CT men went back home. Hale elected to stay and went to New York with the army. During the fighting in NYC he helped resuce a supply ship for the army. After the Brits took New York he volunteer to work as a spy and reported back on the Brits troops to G. Washington. He was caught by the Brits. Before he was hanged he gave a stirring speak to the men which boosted moral. He quoted from the play Cato and said

"How beautiful is death, when earn'd by virtue!

Who would not be that youth? What pity is it

That we can die but once to serve our country."

Great words from this partiot and honorable many who died for his country. I wish more people were like him today

*This blog author is against whaling of all kinds*