Heritage

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(L-R)Marine Archeologist Ken Cassavoy, Museum Director Barbara Ribey, Curatorial Assistant Laura Leonard and Exhibit Designer Chris Irvine

Marine Archeologist, Ken Cassavoy explains the history behind the flag

A rare treasure that has not left the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland U.S. for 200 years is now at the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre in Southampton, Bruce County.

It is the original flag that flew on the H.M.S. General Hunter, a British warship, during the War of 1812 on the Great Lakes and it was carefully unveiled Wednesday January 18 (2012) at the Museum by Marine archeologist, Ken Cassavoy.

H.M.S. General Hunter in the Battle of Lake Erie as painted by artist Peter Rindlisbacher

The General Hunter has a close affinity with the Museum and Southampton in that she was accidentally discovered shipwrecked beneath the sands of Southampton Beach 11 years ago.

Marine Archeologist, Ken Cassavoy, headed up two archeological excavations of the ship and, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, a detailed replica of the ship is being constructed in the Bruce County Museum, complete with masts, sails, cannon and now ... the flag.

A British brig, the General Hunter was captured by the Americans in 1813 during the Battle of Lake Erie and, subsequently, turned into a supply ship, until being wrecked on the beach in the summer of 1816.

"The discovery of the shipwreck," says Cassavoy, "is an historic treasure as it is probably the only warship that still exits on the upper Great Lakes and, now, having the flag here is momentous."

Ken Cassavoy pleased with the prized addition to the exhibit

Cassavoy travelled personally to Annapolis to retrieve the flag after approximately a year of negotiations with the Naval Academy.  The flag is one of 700 at the Academy.  "It is on loan for at least one year," he explained, "with a possible extension into 2013."

Carefully unfolding the flag

Protective gloves are a must when handling the historic article

"It's a little worse for wear," says Cassavoy, "but after 200 years and having gone through battle, it really is in remarkable condition!"

The flag is 13.4 ft. x 7.5 ft. and has been preserved under the Amelia Fowler method of preservation.  Fowler was a renowned flag preservationist who also restored the original Star Spangled Banner.

Unveiling the flag

"We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to have this piece (flag) of history at our Museum," says Director-Curator, Barbara Ribey.  "This whole endeavour to commemorate the War of 1812 and, especially, the General Hunter, could never have been undertaken without the many volunteers involved."

Volunteers from the local Marine Heritage Society and Propeller Club have been working tirelessly toward having the General Hunter completed for the Grand Opening in June.   The finished brig will be shortened from its 60 feet to approximately 40 ft. long with a 33 ft. mast, erected in early December.

"This will give the public more insight as to what a 19th century warship was actually like," explains Cassavoy. "Complete with replica real-size cannon, designed and built by Mike Sterling, a mast with 'crow's nest platform' and an operable tiller, visitors will have a clearer understanding of life at sea on the Great Lakes."

During Cassavoy's explanation, he said that, "If the wind had not shifted during the Battle of Lake Erie, the outcome would have been entirely different as the British were winning up until that point."

In history, it's always ... "if only..."

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Thursday, January 19, 2012