(l-r) Retired Admiral Charles Wurster, USCG and current Commodore US Sea Scouting, Cody Stansky, 16, Jupiter, FL (skipper), Bill Koch, CEO Oxbow Corporation and underwriter of the event, Andrew Britton, 16, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (crew) and Bob Mazzuca celebrate the Centennial; the boys, members of Sea Scout Ship 777 of West Palm Beach, raise the silver William I. Koch International Sea Scout Trophy.
by Angela Olsen
Over 80 young men and women gathered in New London on Friday, August 6th, at the Coast Guard Academy in honor of the fifth William Koch International and United Sea Scout Cup 2010 Regatta Awards Ceremony. Robert “Bob Mazzuca,” the Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America, (BSA) traveled all the way from his headquarters in Texas to address the young men and women. The Sea Scouts are from over ten different countries, including the US!
This year marks the centennial of the BSA, and the Sea Scout program, founded in 1912 is also approaching its centennial in 2012. The Sea Scouting program is under the BSA umbrella, but the focus is to take youngsters out of the camping element and teach them valuable life skills on the water. Bob, who boasts 37 years of service to the BSA as the Chief Scout Executive, speaks of the strong reputation of the Sea Scouts, “That impresses me, but it doesn’t surprise me.”
He went on to say, “Whenever I encounter Sea Scouts on my travels, I see young men and women who are truly passionate about sailing and the lessons it can teach. And I don’t just mean skills like tacking and knot-tying and piloting. I mean skills like teamwork and discipline and leadership, skills that are just as valuable on land as they are on water. Sea Scouts instinctively understand that if they’re not just learning to harness the wind, they’re learning to harness the future. They realize that if they can handle the surprises the sea throws at them, they can handle the surprises that life throws at them!”
Founded in 1912 by Arthur Carey in Waltham, Massachusetts, the intention was to start a Scouting program which used sailing not camping as its primary attraction. Bob says, “He wanted to turn out good sailors, but more importantly, he wanted to turn out good citizens!”
There are marginal costs affiliated with joining this program, but there is also assistance for youngsters who cannot afford those fees. There is a fabulous website at www.seascout.org
After being taken away for restoration two years ago, the Battle of Stonington cannons stand free of corrosion and freshly painted once again.
Author of the book, The Battle of Stonington, James Tertius deKay states, “I wrote this book because I was fascinated with the mystery surrounding the circumstances of the Battle.”
It is the middle of August and Stonington Village is at its best. Colorful flags and flowers accent store fronts and banners extend over Water Street. The mood is happy and festive. Joy abounds and radiates from the residents in town. What is going on?
Ever since 1814 the residents of Stonington gather every August to commemorate the Battle of Stonington; a bit of Stonington history they are very proud of. This year the commemoration of the Battle and re-dedication of the two recently refurbished cannons at Cannon Square took place on August 14.
The two original cannons fired August 9-12, 1814 in defense of the town were taken away two years ago to be restored. They were restored at Texas A&M University while the two carriages were restored at Deschenes and Cooper in Pawcatuck. All corrosion was removed and the cannons were repainted.
I love a mystery, don’t you? There is mystery surrounding the story of the Battle of Stonington which took place during the War of 1812. The Stonington victory over the British naval invasion raises some serious questions.
James Tertius deKay, author of The Battle of Stonington written in 1990, shares with me what he knows and does not know about the battle. “For four days in August 1814, the tiny seaport of Stonington was attacked by a large, heavily armed British Naval Squadron, intent on destroying the town. Every day the village was bombarded with explosive shells, rockets, incendiary missiles and cannonballs. About fifty tons of British ammunition was thrown into the village.”
Continuing his findings James says, “A small handful of Stonington volunteers fought back as best they could, but they were hopelessly outgunned. The British had over 160 cannons, while the village only had two 18-pounder cannons and a brass 6 pounder.”
“I wrote this book because I wanted to solve the mysterious outcome. There were so many questions unanswered; for example Why did British Naval Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy attack Stonington Village? Why were the villagers so recklessly courageous in their response? Why did the British inflict so little damage? Why, with his overwhelming superiority in men and material, did Hardy lose?”
“Captain Thomas Hardy was ordered by Admiral Hotham to attack points along Long Island Sound. Hardy chose Stonington to be a target not because it deserved attack but because it was geographically approachable and would present fewer problems for his ships.”
After four days of fighting the British captain suddenly ordered an end to the bombardment and pulled out of Stonington. Why??!!
“The mystery is still unsolved and probably will never be solved,” James comments. “The witnesses to the battle died. There is no one left to share what they saw and heard. It could be that Hardy’s moral convictions kept him from destroying the village. He faced a group of volunteers bravely and recklessly defending their homes and families in a hopeless situation. Perhaps he just lost his zeal for the battle.”
Copies of the book The Battle of Stonington by James are for sale at the Stonington Historical Society, 860.535.8445. Copies are also sold at Borders and other local bookshops.
(l-r) Emcee Kevin Hogan, News Anchor and New London Bureau Chief, WFSB 3, joins the members of the Poker Run Committee: Tom Dunfee, Committee Chair Chuck Keefe, DDS,Harbor Hill Marina, Scott Bowden, Port Niantic, Tammy Stiephaudt, Boats Incorporated, and Dave Labrie, The Inn at Harbor Hill Marina, at the First Annual Leukemia Cup Power Boat Poker Run on July 31 at the Harbor Hill Inn & Marina, Niantic.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is proud to announce its First Annual Leukemia Cup Power Boat Poker Run on July 31 raised over $18,300 in support of the crucial fight against blood cancers.
The Leukemia Cup Power Boat Poker Run was held in partnership with Harbor Hill Inn & Marina, Boats Incorporated and Harbor Hill Inn & Marina, Boats Incorporated in Niantic. Thirty-nine power boats motored to “card stops” then returned to Harbor Hill Inn for a great party with Emcee Kevin Hogan, News Anchor and New London Bureau Chief, WFSB3, and entertainer Carol Willis. Prizes were awarded to the Top Three Poker Hands, and a fun time was had by all as they helped raise funds to fight blood cancers.
The 2010 Leukemia Cup Series Honored Skipper is 13-year old Kamran, a leukemia survivor who lives with is family in Avon. Kamran was diagnosed with leukemia last Fall, and is recovering from chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant – and looks forward to returning to fishing, sailing and school! LLS thanks all donors for their contributions in his honor.
(l-r) On Monday, August 2nd, Congressman Joe Courtney presented an award to WWII veteran, submariner, and CT Veterans Hall of Famer Ernie Plantz, Gales Ferry. The award is made from granite used to build the National WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. During WWII, Ernie was held captive for 1,297 days by the Japanese. After 10 months recuperating at a Navy hospital near Chicago, he returning to active duty. He retired as a Lieutenant in 1970. He remains an active member of Sub Vets and other organizations.
