Quiz fighting sail captains

It’s not often that you get to meet with the captains of two of the world’s most famous sailing warships. The captains of USS Constitution and HMS Victory will speak in Salem, Mass., on Wednesday, November 7 at 7 pm. While you might sometimes find it challenging to sail your boat and perform a variety of other tasks — like navigation, cooking, etc. — imagine doing it while under fire! Come ask the COs of these two historic ships how it was done.

From the press release: For our next maritime lecture we are very proud to host the commanding officers of two of the most famous sailing warships of the English-speaking world: Commander William Bullard of USS Constitution and Lt. Commander John Scivier of HMS Victory.

This presentation is sponsored by the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and the schooner Fame of Salem.

Commander Bullard is the CO of the world’s oldest commissioned warship, USS Constitution. Built in Boston in 1797 as one of the most advanced frigates of her time, Constitution led US forces against the Barbary privateers and later won undying fame during the War of 1812 by defeating the British frigates Guerriere and Java. “Old Ironsides” is open to the public at the Charlestown Navy Yard.

HMS Victory served as Admiral Horatio Nelson’s flagship at decisive battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Permanently drydocked in Portsmouth, Victory currently has a dual role as the flagship of the Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command and as a living museum to the Georgian navy. Lt. Commander John Scivier, Royal Navy, CO of HMS Victory, is currently visiting Boston and will join Commander Bullard to speak and answer questions.

The presentation will take place November 7, at 7 p.m., at St. Joseph Hall, 160 Derby St., Salem.  This is a free program, and the Hall is handicapped accessible.  For more information, call 978-729-7600 or 978-740-1660.

By Ocean Navigator