Recreating the War of 1812

Early one July morning, eight re-enactors dressed as 19th century Royal Navy sailors climb aboard the HMS Ferret in Bath harbor on Lake Ontario. Charles Fitton, the skipper and "commander" guides the gunboat out of the harbor.

Fitton purchased what was originally a 1967 lifeboat and re-fitted it to resemble a War of 1812 vessel. He outlines his strategy to take on the enemy: "As they pass us... we'll have a chance to do one or two shots at each one as they go,” he says.

“And then we'll keep up as best we can until we get to Kingston and from there we'll take it on!"

HMS Ferret role

According to the historical script, the crew's mission is to chase away "invading American ships" and defend the honor of the HMS Royal George, the biggest warship on Lake Ontario, one of North America's inland seas straddling the US-Canadian border. Capturing or sinking the British corvette would be a huge coup for the Americans.

Although, bigger ships have been taking part in the re-enactment, the crew takes great pride in their supporting role. "It was recorded that there was one lone boat ...that came out and attacked the American fleet. We're going to be that boat," says crewmember Sandra Baynes.

Although, the real event known as ''The Flight of The George", happened long ago, the crew have been enthusiastically getting into character all weekend. They have been wearing period dress, cooking over open fires and sleeping in floorless canvas tents, much as they did in early 19th century military encampments.

19th Century 'film set'

The three-day event - which attracted 800 re-enactors from across Canada, the United States and Britain - has transformed the village of Bath into something resembling an early 1800s film set.

Peter MacLeod is the curator of the War of 1812 exhibition at the Ottawa-based Canadian War Museum. He says that the conflict was one of three important colonial wars to shape North America: "The Seven Years war (1756-1763) brings what is now central Canada into the British Empire,” he says.

“It makes Canada a place where the people speak both English and French; the American Revolution divides British North America into a southern part - it becomes the US - and a northern part, which becomes the Dominion of Canada."

"The War of 1812" he said "preserves the outcome of the first two wars."

Britain pre-occupied with Napoleon

Britain's reaction to the US attack on their North American colonies, says MacLeod, could be summed up in two words: "Don't care."

British attention, he said, had been squarely focused on the "life and death struggle for survival with Napoleon's empire."

It didn't matter to the British that their policies had been largely responsible for provoking the US attack. Britain had imposed tough restrictions on US trade and boarded US vessels to remove sailors to press them into service in the Royal Navy.

Meanwhile, America had objected to Britain's support of Native Americans, desperate to halt US westward expansion into their homelands.

America demanded respect - and the nearest part of the British Empire within striking distance was just north of their border.

"For the British, Upper Canada, the place which is most under attack, is a small forest with a few British settlers in it... but it's theirs and they are going to keep it, by God!" MacLeod says.

War of 1812 heroes

Great heroes had emerged from the war. Major General Sir Isaac Brock, known as the "Savior of Canada," died while leading the charge against Americans who had occupied Queenstown Heights.

US Presidential careers were forged on 1812 battlefields. Andrew Jackson and William Henry Harrison later became presidents after winning important War of 1812 battles.

Indeed, the conflict gave the Americans their national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.

Naval supremacy was all-important. "A key part for the battle for Upper Canada is waged on the Great Lakes," said MacLeod.

"Land transport is very limited which means that troops and supplies have to move by way of the water," he said.

Both sides began building ships furiously. Kingston and other lake towns emerged in importance as ports and shipyards.

Catastrophe for Native Americans

The war ended up being a catastrophe for Native Americans. One of their best-known leaders, Tecumseh, managed to organize a grand coalition to fight against the Americans. They had thrown their lot in with the British, as they believed that an alliance with the Crown represented their strongest chance at stopping US encroachment of their homelands.

The Native American cause suffered a huge blow when he was killed in action at the Battle of the Thames. His death led to the collapse of the coalition – and the end of an effective Native American resistance to the United States.

The war had a better outcome for the two warring sides. In 1814, the Treaty of Ghent ended hostilities and returned the border to pre-war conditions. Britain had managed to retain her possessions while the United States had earned the respect of her former imperial master.

Author: Sian Griffiths
Editor: Neil King