American invasion at Fort Point

The re-creation mimics a day in September 1780 during the heart of the American Revolution. That day, two American Privateer vessels, the Surprise and Delight, entered Liverpool Harbour at 4 p.m. with about 50 privateers.

Organizing committee co-chair, Owen Hamlin says, “The fans will be in front of the encampment watching it and the encampment will be acting as the fort area in 1780.”

Hamlin says turning the re-enactment into street theatre has been a successful endeavour and made the event even more entertaining. He adds the site, with the encampment as a backdrop, is historically authentic, and again this year will be tightened so spectators may see and hear all.

The event will open with the firing of a cannon, and end with a musket volley and a final cannon shot.

For the first time, former co-chair David Young is among the missing, but Greg Kenney has stepped forward to try and fill his shoes. Hamlin says Kenney is responsible for many of the new changes, especially in the blocking of the street-theatre’s five distinct scenes.

Hamlin wishes to remind festival-goers the site will be closed from the corner of School and Main streets to the Riverside Drive Fort Point area during the reenactment.

However, vehicles carrying passengers who are unable to walk in for various reasons will be permitted to cross the blockade.

The Liverpool Privateer Days Commission has provided the balance of the historic story.

The American Privateer vessels, led by Capt. Cole and Capt. Lane, rowed ashore and were greeted by a member of the Kings Orange Rangers on night watch. He was also a traitor. The KOR member directed the Americans to the fortress where they captured all members of the King’s Force.

Capt. Cole decided to seek out privateer Captain Bradford and proceeded to the Town of Liverpool. Lane stayed at the fort. Meanwhile, Cameron, a member of the KOR, and Snow, a neighbour of Simeon Perkins, were returning from Dexters’ Tavern and watched what was taking place.

Snow sent Cameron to warn Simeon Perkins of the invasion while Snow kept watch for the Americans. Cole spotted Snow and told his men to shoot him. The Americans fired but missed. Snow managed to escape and went to inform Perkins.

Lieut. MacLeod, of the KOR, heard the shot and came to investigate. He was captured by the Americans and sent back to the Fort. Capt. Cole proceeded to Liverpool but Simeon Perkins had organized the town Militia. A few members of the Militia headed down to Fort Point to head off Cole and were successful in their attempt.

When one of Cole’s men started to run, a shot was fired at him and he stopped. When he heard this shot, Capt. Lane decided to investigate and find Cole. In the darkness, one of the militia thought he saw something or someone and opened fire. The Americans fired back and a small battle erupted. The battle lasted for about 15 minutes until Capt. Ross of the Militia sounded out and informed the Americans they had captured Capt. Cole.

But the troops felt the town’s defenses were weak and could succeed in the invasion. Lane, however, persisted and a truce was called. Lane then met with Simeon Perkins to discuss the surrender. He was told that Perkins only wanted peace restored and if Lane and his men left peacefully, Cole and his men would be released. Lane agreed to the terms, which included leaving Liverpool Harbour peacefully and without revenge.

However, while leaving the harbour, the Americans happened upon a home-based Privateer ship entering and decided to attack. Seeing this, Perkins ordered the battery at Fort Point to fire upon the Americans. The Americans wheeled for the open seas and never returned.