Andrew Jackson Higgins, “The Man Who Won the War For Us”
Click Here for Flyer

On Saturday, March 26, 2011, the Erie Maritime Museum Speaker Series presents a talk about Andrew Jackson Higgins and his boats, given by Dave Bierig.  The presentation starts at 2:00 p.m. in the Hirt Auditorium at Blasco Library, and will include vintage film footage of Higgins’ boats and factories.

In 1964, Dwight D. Eisenhower called Andrew Jackson Higgins “the man who won the war for us”.  Without Higgins’ Land Craft Vehicle Personnel (better known as the Higgins Boat), the strategy of World War II would have been much different, and winning the war much more difficult.  During the war, Higgins Industries of New Orleans produced over 20,000 boats for the war effort.

Higgins, the man, was colorful, brash, and a visionary.  He had the foresight to risk purchasing and stockpiling materials that the War would put in short supply, and the character to fight with the Navy itself to use his own design specifications, knowing that his designs were the best.  His factories were able to manufacture world class boats in record time, and his employment practices were ahead of their time.  He employed men and women, with no regard to their race, and paid them all equally.

In addition to the vintage film, Bierig’s talk will also include rarely seen footage of an unsuccessful test drop of the Higgins Airborne Life Boat.

The talk is open to the public free of charge, donations appreciated.