Day 18 & 19 Sackets Harbor Battlefield

 Day 18: August 5: The weather continues to be incredible for most of the day, although it's common for a brief thunderstorm to pass through. Yesterday we visited the paid portion (a whopping $2.00 each) of the battlefield area which includes a guided tour of the Commandant's house and the grounds of what was Fort Tompkins. The property overlooks Black River Bay and Canada on the horizon. Our young tour guide kept our attention with his ability to share the account of Sacket's Harbor and the battle that took place here with a storyteller's talent. 

There is too much to share about the entire history but some important highlights should be mentioned. Sackets Harbor became a center of American naval and military activity for the upper St. Lawrence Valley and Lake Ontario following the outbreak of war between the United States and Great Britain in June 1812. In an attempt to destroy the American shipyard at the harbor, the British and Canadian forces launched an attack on May 29, 1813. The British had two objectives in attacking the navy base: destruction of the shipyard and to gain relief from the continued American military pressure on the Niagara frontier. By destroying the American fleet, the British would obstruct the American's efforts to supply troops stationed at Niagara. 

The Americans had been expecting a British attack for months, resulting in them reinforcing the town with various fortifications like blockhouses and artillery. British troops made landfall on Horse Island which is about a mile west of the town. The waiting militiamen managed to push the British back to their ships. However, hearing gunfire, Americans in the shipyard set fire to the naval stores and ships to prevent the British from taking them. Although achieving a victory, the Americans basically helped the British achieve one of their objectives. 

On the grounds stands a very tall flag pole. We noticed it flying the Star-Spangled Banner which has fifteen stars and fifteen stripes, representing the fifteen states of the union in 1795. What we found odd was the size of the flag; it is very small relative to the size of the flagpole. When questioned, our guide told us they used to fly a larger flag but no longer do as it is feared a large flag could damage the lower half of the flagpole which is original. I guess I'll take his word for it! 😊

Given that we are unsure of how long we will be here, we thought it a good idea to order some things like medication and a new prop for the dinghy engine. We received a call from John's doctor's office that the medication prescription had been faxed to a CVS in Watertown. Google Maps showed this to be about 8 miles away. So off John went on the Lectric bike. The trip back and forth ended up being about 20 miles as the GPS sent John in a roundabout way. I'm still laughing thinking about him in 5th gear going about 20 miles an hour, sometimes through a few miles of cornfields as he reported. Of course going that fast for a length of time wears the battery out faster than usual so he just about made it back to the marina, coasting the last mile or so. He won't be ready for another bike ride for a day or two! 

Day 19: August 6: It's a gorgeous day. The sky is bright blue with not a cloud in sight. Many boats left the marina early, looking to take advantage of this perfect summer day. We took a walk around the battlefield, stopping to read the battlefield markers and monuments. 

We noticed a small grandstand being erected in the large grove where a memorial to the soldiers of the War of 1812 has been erected. We and found out there would be a concert later in the day. Attending was now on our agenda for the day. Upon further inquiry we found out that concerts run all summer on Sundays from 3 to 5. Being a large shaded area overlooking the bay, the venue is perfect. The 5 piece band, Hot Club of Saratoga, played what they described as gypsy swing in the spirit of 1930's Paris. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon.

Later that day while sitting on the flybridge a couple cruised toward us. We waved and started up a conversation, eventually inviting them aboard to see the boat as they mentioned they have been  "dreaming" about purchasing a larger boat and perhaps one day doing the loop. It turns out they (George and Ellen) live directly across the harbor in one of the houses along the shoreline. George told us his family has ties to the original settlers of Sackets Harbor. When he told him we were here waiting for replacement of our steering pump, he said he has a good friend who is a Garmin representative and offered to help us try to get what we need if necessary. What nice people; perhaps we will get together for cocktail hour before we leave. 

On another note while looking at the Great Loop facebook page I found a few pictures that Lockmaster Carl Metz took of us as we passed through lock 2 on the Erie a week or so ago. You might remember I wrote about him in a previous post as he is a great friend to loopers and we had a very nice conversation with him while passing through the lock. Oh to be UW again! 😒😒😒(unamused face LOL)