It all began when Sadie Thomas Frye, the tourism program officer for the government of Nova Scotia, called to ask what Liverpool was planning to do to recognize the war.
Fralic, who is the chair of Privateer Days, says he’d like to incorporate some of the celebration into the annual event.
“We’ve got a few things on the table that we’re looking at,” he says.
Fralic says the war’s anniversary is something other groups can take part in, and activities can take place throughout the year.
“We’re just getting the ball rolling, really,” he says.
People from across North America have inquired about what Liverpool plans to do to celebrate the historical event, he says.
“So there’s definitely an interest there. We just have to get the interest in our community,” he adds.
The idea is to honour Liverpool’s role in the War of 1812.
Liverpool and 1812
The War of 1812 was a land war along the frontier between the United States and present-day Quebec and Ontario, says Region of Queens Mayor John Leefe.
“In the Maritimes, particularly in Nova Scotia, it was a sea war,” says Mayor Leefe.
The Royal Navy had a large base in Halifax, and British war ships went out regularly.
Nova Scotians played an active role in privateering, says the mayor.
“The most active privateering port of any of those in the Atlantic region was Liverpool,” says Mayor Leefe.
Privateers and privateering
Halifax merchant Enos Collins named the Liverpool Packet in the early 1800s. The schooner arrived in Liverpool Harbour on Nov. 10, 1811. Collins made a bid shortly after.
“The Liverpool Packet was the most successful of all the privateers which ever sailed out of what are now Canadian ports,” wrote Mayor Leefe in his book, ‘The Atlantic Privateers.’
The schooner raided American shipping along New England’s coast during the War of 1812.
Mayor Leefe, in his book, describes privateering as “hard work with brief moments of fun and comradeship.”
He says he thinks the idea of forming a committee is “great.” People in Ontario and Quebec will also be forming groups to celebrate the War of 1812.
It’s an interesting part of Queens County’s history. It’s also a good opportunity to bring awareness to people about Canadian history, says Mayor Leefe.
