The Ship's Company of Penetanguishene (SCP) is a year-round organization keeping the region's rich naval history alive.
SCP is made up of about 30 marine heritage enthusiasts who sail the boats twice a week. Then on weekends, they become historical reenactors travelling to festivals, sailing and educating the public about the War of 1812.
Their first stop of the summer was their home port of Penetanguishene on Canada Day.
Known as 'Penetanguishene's Small Tall Ship', their flagship vessel the HMS Badger is a 36-foot replica of an 1812 British Gunboat, representative of similar vessels that were used on the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay during the early 19th century.
"I fire the cannon," says Wendy "Birdie" Roper, who has been with the group since 2010.
At events, the volunteers set up a table of artifacts and answer questions about the naval history of the Great Lakes basin while wearing period costumes.
"Soldiers had uniforms. Sailors didn't have uniforms. We are pretty scruffy. I've got patches on my pants," says Roper.
On the Civic Holiday weekend, they trailered the boats to the Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival in Port Colborne and The Past is Present Heritage Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Then on the Labour Day weekend, they travelled to The Orillia Pirate Party and were an integral part of the fun festival.
"It was very, very windy," says Roper, noting that at times, their boats were the only ones on the water.
And the season isn't over yet.
This month, they have invited the Midland Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corps to come on the boats and literally learn the ropes.
"They are joining us and learning how sailing was in the 1812 war period," says Roper.
Roper said the SCP is looking for new and younger members and Roper says she's hoping some of the cadets will join them.
Heading into the first weekend of October, the group is taking part in the Festival at Fort Willow at the Historic Fort Willow Conservation Area. The area was used by First Nations people as a trade route on the Nine Mile Portage between Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay. It was also used as a supply line during the War of 1812.
The event is open to the public. Tickets are $10 a person or $35 for a family and available on the fort's website.
Throughout the summer, the boats are moored at the Penetanguishene Town Dock and become part of the tourist experience.
"The area has a naval history and we are keeping it going," says Roper, who adds that newcomers are welcome.
The ships sail every Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
After Thanksgiving weekend, the boats are taken out of the water and stored by a building adjacent to the Penetanguishene Centennial Museum. The boat shop is used all winter where repair work is done on the boats, sails, rigging and costumes.
"We also host workshops on rope tying and navigation and have history talks about the War of 1812," says Roper.
The group started in 2000 with five founders, who had been volunteering on The Bee and The Tecumseth at what is now known as Discovery Harbour. When funding was cut for active sailing, they started the SCP.
Original members include Mark Simpson, Francis Forget, Chris Bagley, John LeClair and Mike Thorpe, all of whom are still with SCP.
They have four boats. The Badger is a mini British gunboat. The Lynx is a navy whaler with a schooner rig. The Revenge and the Otter are small boats that would have been used to ferry people and goods from shore to the ship and back.
The SCP built the boats and sails. The first boat built was the Revenge, a 14' British naval skiff, in 2000.
“It was built in a building and then they couldn’t get it out. They had to take the door frame off to get it out,” Roper said.
For more information, go to the organization's website or find them on Facebook: shipscompany There is also a YouTube video.
