The Maritime History of New Jersey

Steve Schwankert, local author and documentary filmmaker, will open the 2026 Atlantic Highlands Historical Society speaker series on May 19. His talk is part of the Society’s series celebrating America 250.

Steve is a popular speaker who has spoken to the Society in the past.  An avid historian and deep-sea diver, he is the author of “The Six” about the Chinese survivors of the Titanic and “Poseidon: China’s Secret Salvage of Britain’s Lost Submarine”.

New Jersey has a rich maritime history. Positioned at the hub of the Revolutionary War, it saw navel action, privateering and commercial shipping from New York Harbor to Philadelphia. In the early years of our country, shipping of all kinds sailed up and down the coast. For many immigrants the coast of New Jersey was their first look at their new country. New Jersey was often in the thick of naval action during wartime protecting the coast from enemy ships including Nazi U-boats during the two World Wars.

The talk will be on Tuesday, May 19 at 7:30 pm. Due to ongoing repairs to damages at the Strauss Museum, this year’s lecture series will take place at the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council Gallery, 54 First Ave,  Atlantic Highlands. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted. For more information go to the Society website:  ahhistory.org