Flight of the Royal George: A War of 1812 Naval Re-enactment June 29 - July 1 in Bath & Kingston
5 Tall Ships, 10 Gunboats and 24 Re-enactment Regiments bring history to life with a War of 1812 Naval Re-enactment in Bath and Kingston June 29 - July 1. A St. Lawrence War of 1812 Bicentennial Alliance Signature Event.
Bath, Ontario (PRWEB) June 21, 2012
In November of 1812 a fleet of American ships pursued the mighty Royal George.
At 96 feet in length, the Royal George was Lake Ontario's flagship for the Provincial Marines. Built in Kingston three years before, the Royal George was armed with 22 32-pounder artillery guns and, if caught, was a sizeable prize for the fledgling American navy.
Bringing the dramatic pursuit alive (in warmer weather), The Flight of the Royal George will re-enact the chase of the ship by American vessels from Bath to Kingston.
In the role of the Royal George is the Brig Niagara, a reconstruction of an American ship used during the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813.
Involving five tall ships, 10 gunboats and 24 regiments, the Flight of the Royal George will be the St. Lawrence region's biggest War of 1812 re-enactment for the 2012 season. Re-enactors from across Ontario, Quebec and as far afield as Kentucky will set up camps in the Village of Bath and Fort Henry in Kingston.
The naval action will begin on Saturday, June 30 at noon with the American pursuit of the Royal George. Viewing points are available to the public at Topsy Farms on Amherst Island, as well as Finkle and Centennial Parks in Bath.
Continuing on Sunday, July 1, the British forces will take back the village beginning at 10:30 AM, while the Royal George is pursued by the American fleet at 11:00 AM. Viewing points include Centennial Park and the grounds of Fairfield White House in Amherstview.
The action moves towards Kingston for 11:45 AM, with artillery engaging the American fleet at MacDonald Park, the continued pursuit of the Royal George near the Marine Museum at 12:45, and an American attack on Fort Henry and Fort Frederick at 13:00.
The Flight of the Royal George will also include the grand opening of the new Lafarge 1812 Discovery Centre in Bath on Friday, June 29 at 11:00 A.M.
The event is hosted by the Canadian Fencibles and the Fairfield-Gutzeit Society.
The re-enactment coincides with Canada Day programming in both Bath and Kingston. What better way to celebrate Canada than by commemorating the war that forged a nation?
For more information on the War of 1812 Bicentennial in the St. Lawrence region visithttp://www.celebrate1812.ca