Heck, even Santa stopped by to check out the ships.
Bands in period costume, added to the excitement, filling the air with the sound of flutes, drums and bagpipes.
I strolled up and down the boardwalk in the baking sun, sucking back on a thermos of water, and marvelling at the growing crowd.
The area was peppered with replica recruitment posters from the time. If flattery, or the offer of excitement was not enough, "Prize Money", was offered to new recruits who were willing to sign on for seven years service
The Government of Canada is spending $28 million of our tax dollars to remind us that it is the Bi-Centennial of the War of 1812. See the pretty red sign ? Without checking with Google or Wikipedia, do you know who won the war of 1812? or what it was all about ?
No, it was not the first war to use giant octopii to conquer enemy fleets.
And "no" that's not Kermit the Frog on the masthead below, though you could be forgiven for confusing the two.
Theodore Tugboat, a working tug, who delights cruise ship passengers, as he meets and assists them with their docking, popped over to Dartmouth to visit a couple of Tall Ships as well as some of his fans.
After their four-day visit, the Tall Ships left today, escorted by a flotilla of smaller craft, a naval escort and a fire boat shooting plumes of water high into the sky.
I hope they come back soon.
Well, if anyone would know anything about the War of 1812 it would be . . . Miss Sadie and the Cowboy! I have read them storybooks all about how the nefarious Americans crept across the Detroit River to attack Windsor. Windsor! Imagine that. Their hearts weren't in it, though. Windsor?!? So the militia kept deserting to go home and tend to their farming and trading and fishing and whatnot. Well, General Hull got discouraged and retreated to the fort at Detroit.
ReplyDeleteAnd then . . . you're not gonna believe this . . . Tecumseh and hundreds of Indians went to Amhersburg to make common cause with the British, and the very thought of being attacked by Tecumseh made Hull weep. He surrendered Detroit!
Windsor has never let Detroit forget this. Never. Whenever the Red Wings beat a Canadian team for the Stanley Cup the chants begin again. "Yeah, but if we'd had Tecumseh in goal they would've forfeited the game."
Thus the octopus. In my next Letter from Michigan I will explain the sacred symbolism of the octopus.
OMG, Theodore was there? How cool is that?
ReplyDeleteTall ships are something I've wanted to see. How cool for you to get to see them. I'd also look forward to Gerry's next letter from Michigan about the octopus!
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to see tall ships in Victoria harbour many, many moons ago. The have a beauty and grace, mystery and history that can't be compared with anything else. You just took me back there. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI am glad Gerry said something about the War of 1812 because, otherwise, I'd have to go Googling. ha ha. We have had a couple of Tall Ships visit our area. They take you back to another era. (P.S. Does Canada have that much money to spend on the Bi-Centennial?)
ReplyDeleteWhen we were in Canada two weeks ago we visited a fort at the mouth of the Niagara River and we heard a whole lot about the war of 1812 and the events surrounding it. Otherwise all I knew was the piece of music that is always played around the 4th of July...
ReplyDeleteHi Sybil: I am writing a book about The Bounty here in Halifax for Formac Publishing. I'd love to ask you a question about these photos! Could you please email me at geoff.deon@gmail.com? THANK YOU!
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