Heritage

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Volunteers from the Marine Heritage Society and Propeller Club get things done! 

On January 1st, 2012, the 200th anniversary year of the War of 1812 will begin but, at the Bruce County Museum  & Cultural Centre, work for the celebration has already begun.

The H.M.S. General Hunter by artist Peter Rindlisbacher

The General Hunter, a former British war ship from the War, was discovered on Southampton's beach by accident and was then painstakingly excavated by some of the best archeologists in the world who all volunteered for the project.

"It was one of the biggest finds on the Great Lakes," said marine archeologist and project coordinator, Ken Cassavoy.  The ship, which was excavated revealing a wealth of artifacts from three military entities - American, British and a Newfoundland regiment, was also re-buried twice in order to preserve her and, today, she lies once again beneath the sand.   The Hunter was captured in the famous Battle of Lake Erie by Oliver Hazard Perry.

A replica however, is about to be built in the Bruce County Museum complete with one of the masts and  three of the 10 cannon.

The mammoth 32 1/2 ft. mast weighing 1000 lbs was recently raised by a corps of volunteers under the the direction of Mike Sterling who used the principles of Archimedes, the ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, astronomer and inventor of mechanical devices such as the block and tackle that was used to lift the mast into place.

The 32 1/2 ft. mast has been secured.  The main mast of the Hunter would have been more than 70 feet tall.

Rick Smith accurately lines up installation with laser technology

Vertical mechanical lift is a vital key to installation. Volunteers watch as the lift rises to the top of the Museum.  The mast was lifted without electro-mechanical assist.

Wayne Tanner lends vertical lift expertise to secure the mast at roof top height as those below watch carefully

Once in place and held by safety guide ropes kept taught by the volunteers, the Museum's Wayne Tanner on a vertical lift fastened the pole using Sterling's specially designed collar, turnbuckles and chain combined with a series of  clamps securely fastened with the chains to the Museum's broad steel I-beams.  The clamps are massive and grip the beams securely.

Holding the guidelines until secured as Mike Sterling (L) watches carefully

Click the orange arrow to read the second column.

(L) Mike Sterling, project coordinator Ken Cassavoy and Stan McLellan talk over precise details

Volunteers keep guidelines taut until Museum's Wayne   can get into position with vertical lift

The massive girth of the mast was solidly bolted into place using a 350 pound plate and 12 anchor bolts and heavy steel collar built to suit.

Beginning in the new year, construction on the deck of the General Hunter replica will begin with every detail meticulously worked out by ship recording and sailing ship expert Stan McLellan.

"This is a massive undertaking," says project co-ordinator Ken Cassavoy, "but we are very fortunate to have living in this area some of the greatest minds when it comes to detail, historical fact and the ability to bring it all together to make it happen.  There are going to be celebrations all along both sides of the Great Lakes in 2012.  It's going to be exciting and, especially, here in Southampton with our direct tie to the War of 1812."

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Tuesday, December 20, 2011