TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Great Lakes 2013
(War of 1812 Tall Ships Tour)
by Gary McWilliams (aka Festival Nomad)
A number of years ago, before the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, Judi and I decided that we would visit and promote War of 1812 Re-enactments.
To do this we created our War of 1812 Celebrations website.
Our first 1812 Re-enactment, the Battle of Stoney Creek, was held at Battlefield House Museum and Park in Stoney Creek.
After that first re-enactment we visited as many “1812 Battles” as possible.
We did this all the way through 2012.
By that time the War of 1812 Tall Ships Tour had been announced.
Judi and I decided to visit as many of the Tall Ship destinations as possible.
The Tour’s first destination was to Toronto Harbourfront at the Redpath Waterfront Festival.
The Redpath Waterfront was the launching point of the Tall Ships Tour (called TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Great Lakes 2013)
The next destination that we visited was at Discovery Harbour (a Huronia Historical Parks facility)
Wonderful opening ceremonies were held.
Once the ceremonies were over, we went to the docks to visit the Tall Ships.
I had the opportunity to talk with one of the ship captains.
Judi and I explored the ships and were amazed how sailors and soldiers could live in such cramped quarters!
Many visitors to the event took advantage of a “Tall Ships” cruise.
We took one last look at the tall ships in the harbour as we set off for next “Tall Ship” adventure.
Our next “Tall Ships” destination was the the harbour in “close-by” Penetanguishene.
There were crowds of people exploring the ships.
We joined the “crowds“.
The docks in Penetanguishene were quite a bite larger than at Discovery Harbour.
Our perspective of the “tall” ships was enhanced!
I was in “awe” when I looked up at the top of the main mast to see sailors standing there!
Out in the bay other tall ships were sailing off. For me, it was a “surreal” scene!
Our final destination was to the Midland Harbour.
It was interesting to see the “Tall Ships” docked amongst modern day boats!
In the park located beside the harbour an 1812 “Military Band” marched and played.
This was the last Tall Ships Tour Judi and I could attended, but our “photographer extraordinaire” friend, Ron Clifford was able to visit the Tour in Owen Sound. Below is a sample of some of the photos Ron was able to take.
Tall Ships moored along the main Owen Sound anchorage.
Another view of the Tall Ships at anchor.
Tall Ship captain.
Exploring tall ship “Pride of Baltimore“.
Ron’s close-up view of a Tall Ship’s rigging.
Tall Ship cannon.
Ron capturing the “moment“!
The above article is about the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Great Lakes 2013. Fortunately for us, Tall Ship Tours return to the Great Lakes every few years. When Tours are announced, we will list them in our Ontario Event Directory (https://directory.ontariovisited.ca/)
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