Writing About Fort Wool in My Saw the Elephant: Civil War Blog

In my Saw the Elephant: Civil War blog, I have been writing about Fort Wool in Chesapeake Bay.

Built on an artificial island called the Rip Raps, its construction was a result of the ease that British forces were able to control the bay during the War of 1812.  It never approached the projected size and was essentially a summer home for a couple U.S. presidents.

It also played a role in the Civil War, World Wars I and II and was an example of several stages of American homeland defense.

Interesting reading.

--Cooter

Virginia Commemorating 400th Anniversary of Arrival of African Slaves-- Part 1

From the August 23, 2019, Dubuque (Iowa) Telegraph Herald by Bill Finley A.P.

Officials will mark the pivotal moment in American history when enslaved Africans arrived by holding a 'Healing Day.'

Norfolk, Va.  --  Four hundred years after American slavery and democratic self-rule came to what became the state of Virginia, ceremonies will mark the arrival of enslaved Africans and seek healing from the legacy of bondage that still haunts the nation.

Yet, the weekend ceremonies will take place against the backdrop of white supremacism across the country, racist tweets by President Trump and a lingering scandal surrounding Virginia;s governor and a blackface photo.

The commemoration will include Sunday's "Healing Day" on the Chesapeake Bay where two ships traded men and women from what is today Angola for food and supplies from English colonists in August 1619.

A bell will ring for four minutes, while churches across the country are expected to join in.

A Very Unfortunate Event in History.

A Boat's Birthday: Claude W. Somers, Skipjack

The 100th birthday of the genuine Chesapeake Bay skipjack Claude W. Somers is being celebrated today at the Reedville Fishermens Museum in Virginia.

The ship was built by W. Thomas Young of Parksley in 1911 at Youngs Creek, Virginia. He also built the Bernice J.

Wikipedia says the Somers is presently ported in Claiburne, Md, but the museum is in Virginia.

In 1977, it was struck by a squall near Hooper Strait Light and six crew died, including the captain-owner. In 1985, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In case you're wondering, a skipjack is a traditional Chesapeake Bay boat used for oyster dredging.

The Reedville Fishermen Museum web site says that along with the Somers, they also have the deck boat Elva C.

Happy B-Day Claude Somers. --DaCoot