HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-07-02, Page 18Paul Carroll, Central Huron, has
once again teamed up with Don
Bamford, London, to co-author a
second Canadian history book, this
time, based on an intriguing aspect
of the War of 1812.
The book has just been released by
the Natural Heritage books of the
Dundurn Group. It tells the fascinat-
ing story of Lieutenant David
Wingfield, R.N., a junior office who
was sent to serve in the Great Lakes
from 1813 - 1816.
As well as his employment in the
‘Lake Service’, Wingfield spent nine
months as a prisoner of war in the
north-eastern United States, was
promoted to a Lieutenant following
exemplary service on Lake Ontario,
and was then sent to Lake Huron &
Georgian Bay to assist with naval
operations between Nottawasaga
and Mackinac Island.
He also assisted Fitz William
Owen with important survey work to
create the first nautical charts show-
ing the entrance to Georgian Bay
from Lake Huron. The small natural
harbour, Wingfield Basin, at Cabot
Head, near Tobermory, was named
to honour him.
The book was developed around
the full transcription of Wingfield's
handwritten, 68 page journal which
recounts his adventures in Upper
Canada while he was here. The jour-
nal was donated to the then-Public
Archives Canada, through the
Canadian Trade Commissioner in
Bristol, in 1932, by Wingfield's
youngest surviving daughter.
Says Carroll, "The memoirs have
been read and used by various histo-
rians, professional and amateur, but
have not yet been presented to the
general public. Most historians have
made only passing reference to
Wingfield's adventures. This, the
only account of the War of 1812, as
seen through the eyes of a young,
adventurous seaman, provides a fas-
cinating snapshot of people and
places in a time that represents a
major turning point in the history of
the Great Lakes region."
The authors first read the memoirs
in 1972. They were of significant
value in writing a predecessor-book
in which the Bamford & Carroll col-
laborated, Freshwater Heritage: A
History of Sailing on the Great
Lakes. Now, for the first time, these
memoirs are being offered to the
public in book form, in their entirety,
set in the historical framework of the
relevant events from the War of
1812.
With the assistance of the
Wingfield Family Society, a compre-
hensive genealogy of David
Wingfield and his family also has
been researched and written. The
book explores and speculates about a
number of mysteries in his later life,
including the question of whether he
was ever promoted to the rank of
Commander.
The manuscript and extensive end-
notes have been published in a high-
ly readable fashion with numerous
illustrations, maps and a colour plate
section. Several helpful glossaries
and a time line have been included.
The foreword has been written by
the distinguished historian, Dr.
Barry Gough. Cover art was pre-
pared by the internationally
acclaimed maritime artist, Peter
Rindlisbacher.
Carroll is a life member of the
Huron County Historical Society
and has written numerous articles as
editor for the Huron County
Historical Notes on several occa-
sions. He was the editor for the re-
publication of the Gavin Green
chronology called The Old Log
School, as assisted with research and
visuals for The Canada Company
and the Huron Tract by former
Goderich resident Bob Lee.
He is currently working on the
second volume of a travelogue based
on his recent sailing adventures to
Mexico, Belize and Guatemala – and
intends yet to complete a history of
the steamer Wexford, a well-known
ship lost on the Great Storm of 1913.
Bamford is a long-time sailor and
marine historian who has travelled
extensively on his boat on both sides
of the Atlantic Ocean. He has written
and published hundreds of articles
about cruising on a sailboat and has
authored two books on the subject in
addition to his more recent ventures
in marine history.
His book on Anchoring – All
Techniques for All Bottoms was a
sellout in the boating community.
His major accomplishment was as
primary author for the recent book
Freshwater Heritage: A History of
Sailing on the Great Lakes.
Four Years on the Great Lakes can
be purchased at Fincher's of
Goderich, or at the Village Book
Shop, Bayfield.
PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN,THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009.
Opening night
The Art of Function, featuring the work of eight of the best ‘functional’ potters, opened at the
Blyth Festival Art Gallery on Friday night. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Slip!
on clothing
Slop!
on sunscreen
SPF 15 or
higher
Slap!
on a hat
For more information call the
Canadian Cancer Society at
1 888 939-3333 or take our
SunSense quiz at www.cancer.ca.
Local historian,author team up
404 Queen St.,
Blyth
519-523-4792
541 Turnberry St.,
Brussels
519-887-9114
We have many wonderful books available at...
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