WINGFIELD'S LIFE REVISITED IN CARROLL-BAMFORD COLLABORATION
BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER
The members of the Bayfield Historical Society learned a bit about the story of Lieutenant David Wingfield, RN at their most recent meeting on Sept. 28.
Authors, Paul Carroll and Don Bamford are shown looking over their first collaborative effort, “Freshwater Heritage – a History of Sailing on the Great Lakes”. (Submitted photo)
His story is told in the latest work from collaborating authors, Paul Carroll and Don Bamford entitled, “Four Years on the Great Lakes, 1813-1816: The Journal of Lieutenant David Wingfield, Royal Navy.”
Carroll, of Goderich, was guest speaker at the BHS meeting held at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building.
The information for the book has been gleaned from Wingfield’s 68-page, handwritten journal, which is transcribed fully in the book. Wingfield wrote his memoirs of his time in the “Lake Service” while living in England as a half-pay, retired naval-officer. These memoirs were donated to the Public Archives Canada through the Canadian Trade Commissioner in Bristol in 1932 by his daughter, Christiana.
The authors first read the memoirs in 1972. They were of significant value in writing a predecessor-book in which the authors also collaborated, “Freshwater Heritage”.
Wingfield’s story begins with his birth in 1792, in Windsor, Berkshire. It then addresses his initial service from 1806 in the Royal Navy in the Great Belt of Denmark and elsewhere, follows through his Great Lakes adventures, his time as an American POW, his brief role as a lake surveyor, his retirement in Gloucestershire, his family life and the perils of his financial struggles. The book explores and speculates about a number of mysteries in his later life. The authors have traced his location and activity as much as has been possible, up to his death in 1864.
Carroll said, “As time rolls on, we lose so much of our marine history because it does not get written down... As they died off, so also did the history. I am trying to do my small part.”
When asked why local nautical history is his writing subject of choice, Carroll said, “As time rolls on, we lose so much of our marine history because it does not get written down. I have known many ‘old salts’ as I grew up on the waterfront in Goderich, I talked to them, heard the great tales, but did not take the time to explore the details further. As they died off, so also did the history. I am trying to do my small part.”
The book is now available from Natural Heritage Books, of the Dundurn Group, Toronto.
CARROLL TO SHARE STORY OF AN ELUSIVE SHIPWRECK WITH READERS IN SPRING 2010
Could it be that the souls on an old shipwreck have been calling out to author Paul Carroll to share their stories with the world since he was but a ten-year-old boy?
According to his biography, Carroll’s first part-time job was working on the fishing tug Larry John. His first contact with a shipwreck occurred while setting nets somewhere southwest of Goderich in the 1950s. The electro-mechanical depth sounder on the tug provided an almost perfect silhouette in the roll of graph paper streaming out of it.
“I still remember it clearly,” said Paul. “But, for commercial fishermen, these images were places to avoid – and what difference would it make then, to a ten-year-old.”
However, the image, albeit not the location, remained burned in his mind. Today he wonders if it is possible that that early passage over a shipwreck was his initial encounter with the Wexford.
Carroll describes the Steamer Wexford, as a charming ship with her flared bow, tall masts, centre pilot house and her open canvas-sided hurricane deck. Prior to her work carrying cargo across the Great Lakes she saw adventure and romance in the South American trade under both the British and the French.
“The Wexford: Elusive Shipwreck of the 1913 Great Storm” traces her history from her British origins in 1883, through to her transition to a Laker...
On the lakes, her crew was comprised of mostly boys from Collingwood and Goderich. Her final voyage, under the direction of 24 year-old Captain Bruce Cameron, happened as the Great Storm of 1913 raged across Lake Huron. With Orrin Gordon, 16, at the wheel, she fought for hours trying to make port at Goderich, but eventually succumbed to the storm.
In the 87 years that followed she was said to be found several times, always in a different location, but she was finally discovered by sailor Don Chalmers when he caught her image on a simple fish finder as the pros searched the bottom further northward.
Carroll’s book “The Wexford: Elusive Shipwreck of the 1913 Great Storm” traces her history from her British origins in 1883, through to her transition to a Laker. He looks at her crew, the storm, the search and her ultimate discovery in southern Lake Huron as well as the controversy over how she should be protected.
This new offering by Carroll is set to be released by Dundurn Group, Toronto in the spring of 2010.
This will be Carroll’s third book. He has acted as collaborator and co-author-editor with fellow sailor and marine historian, Don Bamford, for two marine books: “Freshwater Heritage – a History of Sailing on the Great Lakes” and “Four Years on the Great Lakes: The Journal of Lieutenant David Wingfield RN.”
Carroll is also a very talented watercolorist and his written words are sometimes enhanced by his art.
With regards to the creative process, Carroll said, “I enjoy all of it. The research chore is endless – there is always something more to find out, some additional mystery to unravel.
“The painting of marine subjects is great fun. It is often done from old BW photos. I can add the color that brings a scene to life. I also find that many people enjoy recounting their local history in a visual form. With a book, such as the one I am completing on the Wexford, I can sometimes incorporate some of my watercolor endeavors.”
Jacket design for "Four Years on the Great Lakes" |
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Front cover of the Wexford– The Last Sighting – oil by Captain C. ‘Bud’ Robinson |
RAFFLE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR BAYFIELD RIVER VALLEY TRAILS
A local art gallery and a renowned artist are offering their resources to support one of our areas greatest natural resources: the Bayfield River Valley Trail Systems.
During the month of October, “Wild by Nature” an exhibition by artist, Robert Bateman, will be held at the Marten Arts Gallery on Main Street in the village.
From Oct. 2 until Nov. 13, raffle tickets will be sold at Marten Arts, and other participating stores, giving people the opportunity to win a valuable, signed publisher's proof Bateman print entitled, “First Arrival – Killdeer.” There are only 20 of these prints in existence. The proceeds from the raffle will go to the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) for trail development. Tickets are $10 each or three for $25.
One lucky individual will win this valuable print by Robert Bateman. It is a signed publisher's proof entitled, “First Arrival – Killdeer.”
The draw will be made at the "Lighting of the Lights" ceremony in Clan Gregor Square on the Friday night of the Christmas in Bayfield weekend.
Members of the BRVTA will automatically be entered in the draw if they renew their Trail Association Membership and fill out the required forms before Oct. 31.
Born in Toronto, Bateman has always been a keen artist and naturalist. In the early 1960s he began to develop the style that would make him one of the foremost artists depicting nature. Since that time he has become a spokesman for many environmental and preservation issues and has used his artwork and limited edition prints in fundraising efforts.
Bateman said in his biography, “I can’t conceive of anything being more varied and rich and handsome than the planet earth. And its crowning beauty is the natural world. I want to soak it up, to understand it as well as I can, and to absorb it. And I’d like to put it together and express it in my paintings. This is the way I want to dedicate my work.”
In conjunction with the Bateman show, Marten Arts will also feature the Heirloom Decoys of Robert Kelly.
“The support of local businesses like Marten Arts ensures that our local trail system will grow and make Bayfield a better place to live and visit now and in the future,” said Dave Gillians, of the BRVTA.
An opportunity to explore one of the trails created by the BRVTA will take place on Oct. 4 when a Fall Colours Hike will be held on the Woodland Trail.
Participants are asked to meet at Clan Gregor Square at 1:30 p.m. for the approximately two hour trek. Following the walk, a social time will be held at the Albion Hotel.
This will be the first hike of the season, others will be held on Sunday afternoons until April.
GOLF TOURNAMENT HELPS LIONS' REALIZE FINANCIAL COMMITTMENTS
The 23rd annual Albion Golf Tournament generated over $3,700 for the Bayfield Lions’ Club. The tournament was held at the Bluewater Golf Course on Sept. 11.
Kim Muszynski, owner of the Albion Hotel, presented Larry Simpson of the Bayfield Lions’ Club with a cheque for over $3,700 at the club’s recent monthly dinner meeting. The money was raised at the 23rd Albion Golf Tournament held at the Bluewater Golf Course on Sept. 11. (Submitted photo)
The tournament winners were Nora West and her son, Gray.
This is the second consecutive year that the owner of the Albion Hotel, Kim Muszynski has invited the Bayfield Lions’ Club to benefit from his charity driven golf tournament. The club is very grateful to have received nearly $14,000 from these two tournaments.
The club members would like to thank the numerous volunteers who helped make both events a success.
The funds will be used for local community projects as well as to help the Bayfield Club realize their financial commitment to the new CT Scanner for Huron County.
Over the course of two decades, Muszynski’s Albion golf tournaments have raised over $100,000 for a variety of area organizations.
MEMBERS SHARE A LOVE OF WRITING
A love of writing is what the members of the village Writers’ Circle have in common. The group recently celebrated their first anniversary.
“I really want to celebrate the people who have made this Writers’ Circle possible. The first year can often make or break groups like these and their dedication has really helped us to gel. Long may we continue,” said Judy Keightley.
Keightley had started a Writers’ Circle when she resided in Petrolia and after moving to Bayfield two years ago; she decided that there was a need for one here.
“All writers seek out other writers as we need that support network,” she said.
The group meets every other Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. in the Bayfield Archives Room. They do some creative writing exercises and anyone who would like some constructive criticism is welcome to share their writing with the group or send it home with another member for critiquing.
“We are also writing a collective novel, we brainstorm and then one person works on a chapter; we are working on Chapter Six at the moment,” Keightley said.
There are currently eight members in the circle who range in age from early 20s to late 60s. They pen both poetry and prose. Half of the group had never written anything when they started.
“Two of these new kids on the writers’ block have now had pieces published,” she said. “I definitely see the potential for future famous authors in our little group.”
Recently the group welcomed a guest speaker from Keightley’s former writing group in Petrolia. This guest has had some success in becoming published and she shared her knowledge on the marketing and publishing side of writing.
There is no cost involved in joining the Writer’s Circle and new members are welcome.
“This first year has been such a rewarding experience,” said Keightley. “I have watched those people new to the writing process blossom, what they are producing has simply bawled me over.”
For more information on the Writers’ Circle please email Judy Keightley at judykeightley@hotmail.com
LIONS’ CLUB
The quest for the heaviest Rainbow Trout will once again take centre stage on the weekend of Oct. 16-18 as part of the Bayfield Lions’ Club’s 31st Annual Rainbow Trout Derby.
Fish may be caught from the Bayfield River only from 6 a.m. on Friday to noon on Sunday. The weigh station will be set up at Rainbow Valley Campground.
The top three prizes are: first, $800; second, $400 and third, $300. The Eric Earle Memorial will be awarded to a contestant age 15 years or under. It consists of a cash award of $100 and a plaque. The Bill Thorpe Memorial will go to a person aged from 16-18 years. It is also a $100 cash prize and a plaque.
All participants will have a chance to win a variety of other prizes graciously donated by local merchants.
Tickets for the derby are available now at the following Bayfield locations: Nip N’ Tuck, Brandon Hardware, Bayfield Convenience and Gary Brandon at Rainbow Valley Campground. They are also available at Goderich Bait and Tackle. Until Oct. 11 tickets may be purchased for $20, after that date they will cost $25.
For more information please call Lion Rusty Brandon at 519 233-3158.