Bill Bleyer, author of “Long Island and the Sea: A Maritime History,” will deliver a PowerPoint presentation on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Community Church of East Williston, 45 East Williston Ave., covering the history of whaling on Long Island, from the Native Americans who hunted whales offshore in canoes to the first American whaling companies in Southampton; the rise of industrial-scale whaling in Sag Harbor, Greenport, and Cold Spring Harbor; the famous whaler Mercator Cooper and his trip to the closed society of Japan; the demise of the industry from the Gold Rush; the Civil War and the discovery of oil in Pennsylvania.
Bleyer is a retired Newsday reporter who has also written books on Sagamore Hill, the Fire Island Lighthouse, and Long Island and the Civil War (co-author). Copies of his book, “Long Island and the Sea,” will also be available for purchase and signing.
In the event of snow, the backup date will be Feb. 23 at the same time and location. Guests are welcome. Light refreshments to follow the program.
Submitted by the Nassau County Historical Society
