Learn the story of the Battle of Nantucket during Sail Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH - The combination of a sea captain and a troubadour telling the story of an important part of American history is a featured highlight of Sail Portsmouth’s activities happening Aug. 11 through 16.

Donald Peacock, captain of the tall ship Lynx, will collaborate with troubadour Bill Schustik in a story-telling and musical tribute to the 1814 Battle of Nantucket, considered one of the most significant engagements during the War of 1812.

The duo’s presentation will take place on Friday, Aug. 12, 6:30 p.m. at the Sail Portsmouth tent, Commercial Fish Pier, 1 Peirce Island Road, Portsmouth.

Tickets are $11 for Sail Portsmouth members, $12 for non-members. Online ticketing for this event can be accessed at sailportsmouth.org/events.

It is a piece of history that Peacock knows well, given that he captains the Lynx, which is a tall ship replica of the Baltimore designed and built by American privateers that were so successful against British merchant ships in the War of 1812.

“It’s a whole bunch of history that I’ve cobbled together and research that has been done on that particular battle,” said Peacock. “It’s little known, but it is, nevertheless, considered the most significant naval engagement of the entire War of 1812.”

Peacock has been telling the story aboard the Lynx since he’s been its captain the last 12 years. He knew of Schustik from his days growing up on Nantucket.

“We finally connected together. He has a love and a fondness for what we do, and he heard my story, and I told him that I thought that there was room for him,” said Peacock. “We just put it together using our mutual admiration for the period.”

Peacock said he will customize the Sail Portsmouth presentation to include bits of historic Seacoast lore.

“I'm going to change it up a little bit to make it relative to the Portsmouth area, with Fort Constitution and some other fun little anecdotal things that will draw a little bit closer connection to this area,” he said.

Schustik offers this social media description of his work: “Bill travels all over America gathering songs and sowing legends. The tools of his trade include a magnificent baritone voice, a keen sense of drama, a colorful array of folk instruments, and a deep abiding love for traditional American lore.”

The Nantucket Historical Association says of Schustik that he “has spent a lifetime weaving American legend and song into the fabric of history. His performances have ranged from the wind swept decks of tall ships, to countless musical and concert theaters across the country, and on to command performances at the White House; from intimate gatherings in almost sacred historical settings to literally millions at a seventh game of the World Series.”

The Battle of Nantucket was a sea fight between the American privateer, Prince de Neufchatel, and the British man-of-war ship, Endymion.

The Egan Maritime Institute, a collaborator with the Lynx, describes the Prince as “notorious, pernicious, and uncatchable.” Using the fog to its advantage, the out-gunned American vessel defeated the larger British man-o-war in a battle that, according to the institute, “only lasted 20 minutes. It was full of bloodshed, intense violence, and death. Despite the great discrepancy in numbers of men, the British surrendered after they lost 49 people. 37 of their men were wounded, and 30 were taken as prisoners. The Americans suffered seven deaths, and 15 were severely wounded.”

Each of the tall ships that is visiting Portsmouth for the August 11 Parade of Sail represents American history, according to Sail Portsmouth chair Phil von Hemert.

"We are particularly excited to have three ships visiting this year that help tell the story of the birth of our nation. The original Kalmar Nyckel brought the first Swedish settlers to present-day Delaware to found the New Sweden colony. Lynx and Spirit of Bermuda represent two tall ships of distinctly different designs,” said von Hemert.

He noted that the Lynx and Spirit of Bermuda are authentic replicas of vessels used on either side of the War of 1812.

While the Lynx was modeled after the American government privateers that regularly raided British cargo ships, the Spirit of Bermuda is a replica of the crown’s answer to the privateer,  Bermuda sloops with marconi rigged sails. The Spirit of Bermuda is captained by Peacock’s son, Alex Peacock.

“Although the designs are radically different, the end result was fast, easily maneuvered vessels that could sail in relatively shallow water with relatively few crew,” said von Hemert.

For more information about upcoming Sail Portsmouth events and tickets for day sail excursions are at sailportsmouth.org.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Learn the story of the Battle of Nantucket during Sail Portsmouth