LEWISTON – The U.S.S. Canberra Association, in conjunction with area veterans’ organizations, will conduct special services at noon Saturday, April 7, on the down-river side of the James B. Longley Memorial Bridge for “all hands lost at sea” and the 44th anniversary of the sinking of the nuclear submarine U.S.S. Thresher 593.

The service is open to the public, and all interested groups are asked to gather at the rear of Yvon’s Car Wash at 11:30 a.m.

Thomas C. Dow, U.S.N. (Ret.) who was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Recovery ARS 43, which took part in the search for Thresher’s survivors, will give a talk of his experiences.

The Thresher sank on April 10, 1963, 220 miles off the coast of Massachusetts with the loss of all 129 crew members, officers and civilians aboard.

Jerry DerBoghosian, who helped build the Thresher at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, will talk about his experiences in the building process of the Thresher and his relationship with the crew.

The group will then march to the center of the bridge, where the Rev. Douglas Taylor will deliver the invocation. DerBoghosian will sing a hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” and “Taps” will be blown by Richard LeBlanc.

The “Throwing of the Wreath” into the Androscoggin River, a traditional memorial for “all hands lost at sea,” will take place, and the service will conclude with the singing of “God Bless America” by the assembly.

The service will be held rain or shine. For information, call DerBoghosian at 782-5700 or 353-7435.