Fort Mifflin
Another great event from the Olde Fort Mifflin Historical Society. Thanks to Ed Kane and all the folks who fed us Saturday and Sunday.
We had a great time. That goes without saying. We bunked with the Continental Marines and are exploring brigading with them at events where we are not otherwise occupied with artillery. Makes perfect sense for Marines and the PA Navy to work together.
This was our last scheduled event for the season, but things do pop up unexpectedly and some unit members will attend The Christmas Crossing and the Battle of Trenton. Throughout the year we will continue with our support of endangered state battlefields and parks, particularly Brandywine Battlefield.
Some great photos and video have been posted of the CL/BB National event held at Brandywine Creek.
Darryl W. Moran’s Flickr Photostream
The 2nd Virginia has posted video of the Saturday battle. At the beginning of the video you can see the wall gun and Defiance being fired.
The 2nd Virginia’s Flickr Photostream
Mistress Smith
The past 2 weeks have been busy ones for the PSN. On September 25-26, Defiance and the PSN artillery crew fielded at that National CL/BB event at Brandywine Creek. Despite the soaring temps on Saturday, and the drizzling rain on Sunday, we had a fabulous time. Cheers to Jim Stinson and Proctor’s Artillery for all their help in moving Defiance on and off the field. And thanks to the Crown Forces, 62nd Foote, for taking good care of Defiance when she fell into their hands during Saturday’s tactical.
[We love the little note you left behind. 
]
October 2nd was the Battle of Germantown. Always a favorite. A fun tactical, a good lunch, and a block of chocolate. What could be wrong with that?! Our next event will be Fort Mercer on October 17th when we will again be in battery with our fellow Continental Line artillery units.
The weekend of September 25-26, 2010, the PSN will be participating at the Brandywine Creek Continental Line/British Brigade event at Brandywine Creek State Park in Delaware as part of Philadelphia Campaign 1777.
Members of the Continental Line Artillery Battalion include:
The Pennsylvania State Navy
Proctor’s Artillery
Coren’s Artillery
The 1st Virginia Regt.
The 7th Virginia Regt.
The Carolina Brigade
Battalion Commander is Jim Stinson of Proctor’s Artillery. His Adjutant is Billy Meyers of Coren’s Artillery.
What do Tiger Woods, Bon Jovi, Boyz 2 Men and the Pennsylvania State Navy all have in common? They were all part of the opening ceremony for the AT&T National PGA Golf Tournament! We fired the cannon shot to open the tournament.
It was a terrific experience. Not only to see such a large scale event in full motion, but to be a part of it. We were barraged by still photographers and television cameras at every move — CBS Sports, the PGA, Comcast Sports, all the local and national news outlets from print and television. A great opportunity for us to spread the word about the Pennsylvania State Navy and its role in the American Revolution.
A big thank you to the Tiger Woods Foundation for making this such a seamless and fun event. We appreciate all the effort. And a special thanks to the Philadelphia Fife and Drum Corps.
The Pennsylvania State Navy will be participating in the Continental Line/British Brigade National Event at Brandywine Creek in Delaware on September 24-26, 2010. For anyone that wishes to come and pay us a visit, we will be located in the Continental Line Artillery Park with Defiance. This promises to be a great event in our home territory and the members of the PSN are looking forward to participating and supporting the Continental Line.
Defiance & Crew
On May 7, the PSN participated in the biennial “Colonial Days” at Makefield Elementary School in Bucks County where 4th and 5th graders spend the day learning about various aspects of 18th century life. Defiance thrilled the kids (and the adults!) with all her noise and smoke. As the different classroom groups made their rounds, the members of the artillery crew explained the basics of 18th century artillery, firing procedures, and most importantly, the history and context of the Pennsylvania State Navy during the Defense of Philadelphia in 1777.
The organizers were gracious hosts and happy for our participation. The feeling was mutual and the PSN looks forward to working with Makefield Elementary at their next Colonial Days program.
Princeton University campus
On March 27, the PSN participated in the annual Princyclopedia event at Princeton University. Each year the Cotsen Children’s Library chooses a book to bring to life. This year the book was “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson. With over 4,000 attendees at the event we had a constant stream of visitors anxious to learn about 18th century artillery, firearms, foodways, and navigation.
The event featured approximately 30 exhibitors including the Philadelphia Zoo, the Trenton Barracks, and the Princeton Fencing Club just to name a few.
Dana Sheridan, Cotsen Library
In the months leading up to the event we worked closely with the event organizer, Dr. Dana Sheridan, Cotsen Education & Outreach Coordinator, to tailor our presentation to the needs of the event. Dana and all the Princyclopedia staff could not have been more gracious hosts and we thank them for all their efforts in making this event so much fun for us as a group and such a success for Princeton University and the surrounding community.
Defiance was of course, in demand and true to expectations we had a constant barrage of questions from young and old alike about the gun herself and 18th century artillery in general.
Our only disappointment was that it was a one time event. The featured book changes each year and Princyclopedia 2011 will be focused on “The Lightning Thief”.
The PSN would like to thank John Mills of Mott’s Artillery for referring us to the Princeton organizers.
