Four Years on the Great Lakes 1813-1816

Heritage

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Local Author-Historians Team Up for Second Book: Four Years on the Great Lakes, 1813-1816: The Journal of Lieutenant David Wingfield, Royal Navy

Paul Carroll, Central Huron, has once again teamed up with Don Bamford, London, to co-author a second Canadian history book, this time, based on an intriguing aspect of the War of 1812. The book has just been released by the Natural Heritage books of the Dundurn Group. It tells the fascinating story of Lieutenant David Wingfield, R.N., a junior office who was sent to serve in the Great Lakes from 1813 - 1816.

As well as his employment in the 'Lake Service', Wingfield spent nine months as a prisoner of war in the north-eastern United States, was promoted to a Lieutenant following exemplary service on Lake Ontario, and was then sent to Lake Huron & Georgian Bay to assist with naval operations between Nottawasaga and Mackinac Island. He also assisted Fitz William Owen with important survey work to create the first nautical charts showing the entrance to Georgian Bay from Lake Huron. The small natural harbour, Wingfield Basin, at Cabot Head, near Tobermory, was named to honour him.

The book was developed around the full transcription of Wingfield's handwritten, 68 page journal which recounts his adventures in Upper Canada while he was here. The journal was donated to the then-Public Archives Canada, through the Canadian Trade Commissioner in Bristol, in 1932, by Wingfield's youngest surviving daughter.

Says Carroll, "The memoirs have been read and used by various historians, professional and amateur, but have not yet been presented to the general public. Most historians have made only passing reference to Wingfield's adventures. This, the only account of the War of 1812, as seen through the eyes of a young, adventurous seaman, provides a fascinating snapshot of people and places in a time that represents a major turning point in the history of the Great Lakes region."

The authors first read the memoirs in 1972. They were of significant value in writing a predecessor-book in which the Bamford & Carroll collaborated, Freshwater Heritage: A History of Sailing on the Great Lakes. Now, for the first time, these memoirs are being offered to the public in book form, in their entirety, set in the historical framework of the relevant events from the War of 1812.
 

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30/06/2009 10:55 PM

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With the assistance of the Wingfield Family Society, a comprehensive genealogy of David Wingfield and his family also has been researched and written. The book explores and speculates about a number of mysteries in his later life, including the question of whether he was ever promoted to the rank of Commander.

The manuscript and extensive endnotes have been published in a highly readable fashion with numerous illustrations, maps and a colour plate section. Several helpful glossaries and a time line have been included. The foreword has been written by the distinguished historian, Dr. Barry Gough. Cover art was prepared by the internationally acclaimed maritime artist, Peter Rindlisbacher.

Paul Carroll is a life member of the Huron County Historical Society and has written numerous articles as editor for the Huron County Historical Notes on several occasions. He was the editor for the re-publication of the Gavin Green chronology called The Old Log School, as assisted with research and visuals for The Canada Company & the Huron Tract by former Goderich resident Bob Lee. He is currently working on the second volume of a travelogue based on his recent sailing adventures to Mexico, Belize and Guatemala - and intends yet to complete a history of the steamer Wexford, a well-known ship lost on the Great Storm of 1913.

Don Bamford is a long time sailor and marine historian who has travelled extensively on his boat on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. He has written and published hundreds of articles about cruising on a sailboat and has authored two books on the subject in addition to his more recent ventures in marine history. His book on Anchoring - All Techniques for All Bottoms was a sellout in the boating community. His major accomplishment was as primary author for the recent book Freshwater Heritage: A History of Sailing on the Great Lakes.

Four Years on the Great Lakes can be purchased at Fincher's of Goderich, or at the Village Book Shop, Bayfield.

For more information, contact Paul Carroll 524 8303 or thesolsean@aol.com