Gunpowder Plot Reenactment Set For August 16
The Bermuda Pilot Gig Club will host a reenactment of the 1775 Gunpowder Plot at Tobacco Bay on Saturday [August 16] at 6.00pm.
A spokesperson said, “Under the Distinguished Patronage of His Excellency the Governor, The Bermuda Pilot Gig Club will stage a compelling re-enactment to recognize the 250th anniversary of Bermuda’s historic 1775 Gunpowder Plot, a daring heist that forged an unexpected link between the island and the American fight for independence.
“This unique event serves as a heartfelt tribute to the late Maurice Johnson, coxswain, boatswain, and ‘unbelievable’ storyteller of the Gig Club, whose passion for Bermuda’s history and re-enactments inspired this initiative.
“The re-enactment will bring to life the covert operation where Bermudian sympathisers to the American cause stole over 100 barrels of gunpowder from a British magazine in St. George’s.
“The gunpowder barrels were carried by the rebels to Tobacco Bay where they were loaded onto pilot gigs and then rowed out to sloops waiting offshore to carry the gunpowder to Charleston and Philadelphia. This daring heist forged an unexpected link between the island and the American fight for independence in providing crucial support to the Continental Army during the early days of the American Revolutionary War.
“This free, family-friendly event offers a captivating glimpse into a pivotal moment in Bermuda’s history and highlights the significant role pilot gigs played in island life. It’s an opportunity for both history enthusiasts and newcomers to learn about this intriguing local narrative and celebrate the legacy of an ‘unsung hero’ who deeply enriched the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club.”
