Brockport Navy Club to celebrate the Ship’s 20th anniversary and 200th anniversary of War of 1812
This year is a momentous time for the local Navy Club of Lake Ontario, Ship 1812, Inc. It is the 20th Anniversary of the commissioning of Ship 1812. It is also the Bicentennial (200th Anniversary) of the War of 1812. The Navy Club’s Ship number “1812” was chosen in recognition of Rochester and Lake Ontario’s historical prominence and involvement in the War of 1812. The War of 1812 began on June 18, 1812 as a result of the United States first declaration of war on a foreign nation, Great Britain, by President James Madison.
The Navy Club, Ship 1812 (a 501c non-profit organization incorporated on March 20, 1996) is located at 21 Clinton Street, Brockport. Ship 1812 was commissioned on March 14, 1992 by its parent organization, the Navy Club of the United States of America (NCUSA), a Sea Service Organization of active, reserve and veteran servicemen and women from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Service personnel from the other armed services (US Army and US Air Force), as well as outstanding civilians from the surrounding communities are eligible for Associate membership in Ship 1812. Initially commissioned by 62 charter members, otherwise known as “Plank Owners” in Navy tradition for a ship commissioning, Ship 1812 currently has approximately 100 members and associate members.
Ship 1812’s clubhouse on Clinton Street has a refreshment bar, a meeting room and an adjoining Naval History Museum, containing plaques and photographs from many active and decommissioned ships, several ship and airplane models, as well as other pieces of military memorabilia. The ship’s prize possession is a 15 Star US Flag (the number of states at time of the War of 1812) which was flown over the frigate USS Constitution, the oldest active US Navy Ship. The USS Constitution, nickname “Old Ironsides” due to the enemy cannon balls bouncing off it sides, engaged and captured the British ship (HMS Guerriere) and several other ships in War of 1812 naval battles in the Atlantic.
The Navy Club will celebrate is 20th Anniversary on Saturday, March 17, 2012 with a Navy traditional cake cutting ceremony for club members and associates. The Navy Club is planning a public celebration and open house for the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 to coincide with the Brockport Arts Festival in August 2012. Details are not yet firm, but a historic reenactment may be included in the anniversary celebration.
The Navy Club’s clubhouse and museum (open to the public) is open daily from 4 p.m. The Club’s Commander, Robert Currier, Hamlin, and the Club’s membership invite the public to stop by and tour the museum. For information about the Navy Club and its community support activities, visit www.ship1812.org.
