EAC’s Sunday Afternoons at the Arts Center series will continue on Sunday, February 6 at 3 pm, when Captain Bob Peacock gives attendees a glimpse into what it takes to bring a Navy ship to Eastport, with a special eye to past and future Fourth of July celebrations. “This year we have several ships that wish to come for the 4th, with officers and crews that were here previously for the 4th on other ships,” noted Peacock. “The commanding officers had such a great experience as junior officers they wish to return. This is a great salute to the citizens of Eastport.”
The Captain’s talk will reveal the extent of local collaboration which makes the ship visits safe and positive, from leaders, politicians, volunteers and organizations to citizens, businesses and visitors. “We do know that a visit has been approved by the Navy, but do not know which ship has been selected,” notes Peacock about plans for 2022. “We also do not know what effect COVID 19 will have on the scheduling process.”

Shown presenting in February 2020 on The Art of Piloting in Passamaquoddy Bay, Captain Bob Peacock will return to the Sunday Afternoons at the Arts Center on March 6! This year’s talk will focus on bringing US Navy ships to Eastport over the years. Photos by Robin Farrin.

Peacock is a native of Lubec, and graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in Castine. He holds extensive First Class Pilotage throughout the United States, and currently serves as harbor and river pilot and docking master for Eastport and the Quoddy Region. He served in the US Navy Reserve for 30 years and retired with the rank of Captain.

The USS Jason Dunham, which visited Eastport in July 2019, is among a lineage of visiting Navy ships which dates back to the mid-1800s. Captain Bob Peacock will present about these visits on February 6.

Sunday Afternoons at the Arts Center programs are held in the Washington Street Gallery, downstairs at EAC. Admission is free; donations are gratefully accepted. The series will run at 3 pm each Sunday through April, skipping Easter Sunday. For more information, and to view the rest of the series lineup, please visit https://eastportartscenter.org/constituent-groups/the-concert-series/. 

Eastport Arts Center is at 36 Washington Street, Eastport and eastportartscenter.org, and is handicapped-accessible. EAC abides by State of Maine CDC COVID guidelines. Additionally, at this time, patrons are required to wear masks when in the EAC building. Weather-related program postponements will be announced by 11 am on the day of the event, on the EAC site and Facebook page, and on the Center’s answering machine: (207) 853-4650.