Sailing Masters commemorate Essex Burning of the Ships

ESSEX — The Essex Burning of the Ships Commemoration Parade and Concert will take place beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14. The parade, comprised of 10 fife and drum corps, starts at Essex Town Hall and wends its way along Main Street to the town landing and grounds of the Connecticut River Museum.

The Commemoration event marks the historic British raid on Essex ships and shipyard on April 8, 1814, during the War of 1812, the largest naval loss that the United States had until Pearl Harbor, according to a news release.

The Sailing Masters continued an oral tradition started by Austin Lay, who witnessed the raid and told the story to school children until his death, at 93, in 1891, according to the Connecticut River Museum.

The Sailing Masters have become the keepers of this small part of US history and annually mark this historic event with a parade and concert at the location of the British raid. The Corps was formed to perpetuate the art and performance of ancient fifing and drumming and commemorate the role of Essex, Connecticut, in the War of 1812, the release said.

The concert begins with the playing of the National Anthem by the Sailing Masters and a tune or short medley performed by each participating corps. The ceremony and concert will be broadcast on iCRV Radio.

The following are participating corps — Ancient Mariners, Guilford; Bluff Point Quahog Diggers Band, New England; Chester Fife and Drum Corps, Chester; Colonial Navy of Massachusetts, Fall River, Mass.; Connecticut Valley Field Music, Marlborough; Moodus Fife and Drum Corps, Moodus; Sailing Masters of 1812 Fife and Drum Corps; Silver Dolphins' Rifle Drill Team, Naval Submarine School, Groton; Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps, Stony Creek; and Westbrook Drum Corps, Westbrook.

The general public is invited to view the parade, gather for the concert, visit the Connecticut River Museum, and patronize the shops and restaurants along Essex's quaint and historic Main Street.

Audience members may visit the Connecticut River Museum (admission required) to learn more about the Essex Burning of the Ships.

For more information, go to facebook.com/SailingMasters.