(From the Hancock Historical Museum)
The Hancock Historical Museum invites the public to its upcoming Brown Bag Lecture on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at noon. This month’s featured presentation, “The USS Barb: The Submarine That Sank a Train,” will be delivered by Eric Wilkins, veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the Ohio Army National Guard, and current fire inspector with the Findlay Fire Department.
A self-described “war nerd,” Wilkins spent his COVID lockdown immersed in the stories of submarine warfare—and emerged with one of the most astonishing tales of World War II. His presentation will explore the exploits of the USS Barb, one of the most successful American submarines of the war, under the bold command of Captain Eugene Fluckey.
Fluckey and the Barb’s crew changed the nature of submarine warfare in the Pacific. From launching the first submarine-based rocket attacks to employing audacious sabotage tactics ashore, the Barb pushed the limits of what submariners could accomplish. Among its many feats, one stands out for sheer ingenuity: the successful destruction of a Japanese train—making the USS Barb the only U.S. Navy vessel with a train kill to its name.
Wilkins will share how overlooked intelligence, daring leadership, and relentless innovation helped the Barb and its crew leave an indelible mark on the war effort—and why this extraordinary story continues to fascinate historians and military buffs today.
The lecture will last approximately 45 minutes to an hour, with time for questions and discussion. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lunches to enjoy during the program. Admission is free for museum members and $3 for non-members.
The Brown Bag Lecture Series takes place on the first Thursday of every month at the Hancock Historical Museum, located at 422 West Sandusky Street in Findlay. Each lecture highlights topics of historical and cultural significance to Hancock County and beyond.
No registration is required. For more information, please contact the Hancock Historical Museum at (419) 423-4433 or visit www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.