Cannon naming rights, Arnold explorer, on tap at MFS’s Annual Dinner

This year’s auction includes the naming rights to one of two bronze “swivel guns” purchased through a generous grant from the Salem Van Every Foundation and Tomm Tomlinson. The guns are currently being cast by Campbell Cannon and Carriage Works of Florida, one of the country’s premier cannon makers, specifically for the Virginia. Tomlinson has named the first gun “Barbari Odio”, Latin for “Hated by Barbarians.”

The winning bidder will have the honor of having his or her name, motto or saying permanently cast into the other cannon to be mounted on the rail of Maine’s First Ship, and enjoyed for many decades to come. Due to the need to maintain historical authenticity, there are some stipulations as to the name. It must be a name or phrase that could feasibly have been engraved on a gun of 1607. MFS will be happy to work with the winner on an appropriate name. Mottos are best rendered into Latin. If you would like Latin, but missed or skipped those classes in high school, MFS can help with translation issues.

If you are unable to attend the dinner, consider mailing a bid to MFS, PO Box 231, Bath Maine 04530 by May 8. If you would like to phone in a bid during the auction, please call 207 319-4395 before 5:30 pm on May 8. The starting bid is $300.

Featured speaker this year is writer and adventurer Hodding Carter, who recently completed a six-week trip, which re-enacted Benedict Arnold’s Revolutionary War 1775 expedition to attack Quebec City. In September, Carter, MFS shipwright Rob Stevens, and other volunteers used the MFS dooryard to build a 24’ bateau similar to Arnold’s. The adventurers left from the Pittston site of where the original bateaux were constructed. Six weeks, several portages and carries later, they crossed the St. Lawrence River and climbed the Plains of Abraham to “capture” Quebec.

Tickets are available from the MFS office on Front Street (above Maxwell’s), by telephone 443-4242, or by email mfs1@myfairpoint.net. Tickets are $40 each or two for $75. Ticket seekers might also purchase tickets by stopping by Virginia on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 am to 3 pm.

Please join us.