On Friday October 29, 2010, 26-year-old Joseph Ruggiero died in an off-road vehicle crash in Roanoke, Virginia while working as a props assistant on the set of a film.
Joe helped found the pirate re-enacting group Sea Rats Atlantic and was a good friend to members of the Henricus Citie Militia.
Joe was a true free spirit and will truly be missed. The flag of the Phoenix will be flown at half mast for the next week in mourning for the loss of Joseph.
Publick Days was a great success with great friends, beautiful weather, thousands of visitors, and the park at its finest.
A new venue was created at the dock with the Phoenix and a River Commerce encampment.
On Saturday the Militia formally christened the Phoenix using the same ceremony as utilized during the 17th century.
The little ship attracted a lot of attention encouraging several park visitors to join the militia.
A few visitors even asked if they could purchase pictures and models of the boat in the gift shop.
Thank you,
Dennis
I’ve come across a very fascinating video on Youtube. A video of the Sea Lion back in 1988 when it was floating in the waters of New York. Depicted in this video is the Sea Lion ship about to set sail on the Chautauqua lake. Thanks to youtube user brampete for uploading this for everyone to see.
Watch a video clip of The Henricus ship; The Phoenix.
To all 17th Century Militia:
The Phoenix has been considered a symbol for resurrection, of rising again, of rising out of the ashes.
Elizabeth I even used the phoenix as a royal badge. The Phoenix, a 31′ replica of a 17th century sailing vessel, was launched by the Henricus Militia on September 13, 2010, and will be at the dock during Publick Days.
See a photo of the figurehead of the Phoenix in the website Gallery or join us at the park for Publick Days and see the whole ship.
If you are interested in the Henricus SeaLion Project please contact me at (804) 334-8140, email me at strawhelm@comcast.net, or come to the dock on Publick Days on September 18-19, 2010 where we will be showcasing the 31″ Phoenix for the first time.
We will be announcing the Henricus Militia-Sea Lion Project to the public with photos of the ship with a video of the original launching and we will even have the ship’s figurehead on display.
Calling all 17th Century Militia:
In keeping with the Militia goal to develop a contingent of period styled watercraft the Henricus Citie Militia has been in talks with the Sea Lion Project to bring the 63′ Sea Lion to Virginia waters to be restored to her former glory (photo in Gallery). The Sea Lion is a replica of a late 16th century English three-masted, square-rigged sailing ship built in the same way ships were built in the 16th century. It was a several year project headed by Ernest E. Cowan of Mayville New York.
I have not seen a prettier ship than the Sea Lion and it should be a great attraction during the Henricus 400th Commemoration and thereafter. The Sea Lion, due to arrive within the next few months, will be restored and re-rigged while being interpreted at the Park. The goal of the Henricus Militia-Sea Lion Project is to sail the ship once again. The Henricus Militia will need all the help and support we can get to make this happen.
If you are interested in this project please contact me at (804) 334-8140, email me at strawhelm@comcast.net, or come to the dock on Publick Days on September 18-19, 2010 where we will be showcasing the 31″ Phoenix for the first time. (we will be announcing the Henricus Militia-Sea Lion Project to the public with photos of the ship with a video of the original launching and we will even have the ship’s figurehead on display).
On Saturday and Sunday, May 29-30, 2010, the Henricus Militia participated in Musket, Sword & Pike demonstrating the tactics, armor and weaponry used by the 17th century soldiers who built and protected Henricus. The event included excellent musketry demonstrations, with the New Amstel Militia firing snaphaunce and wheellock weapons, and artillery demonstrations. Lara Brooks prepared an authentic 17th century styled “soldiers meal” and quite a few militia members spent the night at the park.
We were especially happy to be joined by Rick Orli and three of his militia members who plan to be part of the 400th anniversary celebration of the settlement of Henricus in 2011.
The Henricus Citie Militia has been invited to Jamestown Island on June 12, 2010 on the occasion of the commemoration of the arrival of Lord De La Warr to Virginia 400 years ago. We will be firing our cannon and need at least 4 militia members for this event.
The Henricus Militia has been working on an exciting new project that will elevate our groups reenacting experience to a whole new level. Hopefully details of this project will be available very soon.
On Sunday, May 16, 2010 Lara Brooks, an expert in the history of the settlement of Henricus, provided an excellent program, Interpreting the History of Henricus, for the militia. Militia members in attendance left the training much more prepared to reenact the history of the site and provide the finest entertainment experience to Park visitors.
Our next militia event is the May 29-30, 2010 presentation of Musket, Sword & Pike.
Participate in drills with the Henricus Militia and see demonstrations of tactics, armor and weaponry used by the 17th century soldiers who built and protected Henricus. The highlight of the event includes artillery demonstrations with cannon firings.
The Henricus Militia has been working on an exciting new project that will elevate our groups reenacting experience to a whole new level. Hopefully details of this project will be available very soon.
Since The Henricus Citie Militia’s many new members have expressed an interest in learning as much as possible about the history of the settlement of Henricus a training session will be held on Sunday, May 16, 2010 between 1:00-4:30 pm.
Lara Brooks, an expert in the history of the settlement of Henricus, will be our speaker for this program, titled Interpreting the History of Henricus, that is tailored to providing the essential elements of interpreting the history of the site to our newer members.
Our next militia event is the May 29-30, 2010 presentation of Musket, Sword & Pike.
Participate in drills with the Henricus Militia and see demonstrations of tactics, armor and weaponry used by the 17th century soldiers who built and protected Henricus. The highlight of the event includes artillery demonstrations with cannon firings.
The Henricus Militia has been working on an exciting new project that will elevate our groups reenacting experience to a whole new level. Hopefully details of this project will be available very soon.
Not even the threat of a torrential rainstorm kept visitors away for the Colonial Crafts & Trades event over the April 24-25 weekend. The rain held off for both days while Militia members worked along side park staff sewing sails and demonstrating navigation skills and equipment. Calvin Jenkins, Captain of Musketeers, demonstrated skills he learned working along side a thatcher and began the much needed repair on the roof of the pigpen (see photos in gallery).
Interpreting the History of Henricus is the topic of our next training session. Lara Brooks, an expert in the history of the settlement of Henricus, will be our speaker for this program tailored to providing the essential elements of interpreting the history of the site to our newer members (date to be announced).
Our next militia event is the May 29-30, 2010 presentation of Musket, Sword & Pike.
Participate in drills with the Henricus Militia and see demonstrations of tactics, armor and weaponry used by the 17th century soldiers who built and protected Henricus. The highlight of the event includes artillery demonstrations with cannon firings.