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An historical re-enactment society dedicated to recreating with accuracy and fidelity the Provincial Marine and the Royal Navy in North America, 1755 to 1815. Statement of Purpose and FunctionPurposeThe Ship’s Company and Landing Party, HBMS Royal George, is a society created for enjoyment and recreation that undertakes the representation, with accuracy and fidelity, of the officers, men, and families of the Provincial Marine and Royal Navy as it appeared in North America, particularly Canada, during the period 1755-1815. The society members seek to enhance their own understanding of this period in history, and to impart it to observors and the public as an educational service to the country, when appropriate. Members of the "Royal Georges" may participate in period encampments, battle re-enactments; recreated social and cultural events, operate small craft in a traditional manner in period dress for historical purposes, and undertake a steady programme of sail training in replica vessels as available, and to the limits of the capacities of the members, all in pursuit of a greater knowledge of the realities of history, and personal enjoyment. MembershipMembers are elected to membership in the society through a process of common agreement centred on meetings of the society’s chapters, with the criteria for acceptance being a welcome and friendly personality, an appreciation for the society’s aims, and a willingness to pursue historical accuracy in his or her clothing, equipment, and participation skills. Chapters shall decide if they wish to require small cash contributions as a condition of membership, to fund activities on a non-pofit basis. Clothing and KitUpon joining, members agree to work toward fitting themselves with seaman’s clothing and kit (or in the case of a female member, the appropriate women’s dress based on either the choice of a respectable seaman’s spouse or the "Portsmouth Polly" sailor’s companion persona), in essentially two forms (1755-1783, and 1812-1815). Participating children are to be dressed with historical accuracy to these two periods as well. The goal of the society is museum-quality accuracy in clothing and kit toward that standard of accuracy, as part of the fun of membership. RankIndividuals will create the uniform of a standard common seaman except in cases where qualified individuals are required to exercise command (masters of the Schooner Bee have been an example in the past) either on land or afloat. Such assumption of rank must have the agreement of all members, and the exacting standards of accuracy for clothing must be applied to Officers’ and Warrant Officers’ as is expected for the seamen’s clothing. Female wives or companions of such individuals are expected to dress to the equivalent social standing as part of the society’s commitment to historical accuracy. Modern IntrusionsSociety members are to make every effort to avoid jarring modern intrusions of clothing or equipment at society events, most certainly when on view to the public, and even if without a public audience, out of respect for other society members who want to be experiencing the past as much as possible. (An example would be the wearing of a baseball cap with period clothing, or anachronistic 20th Century military clothing, or the wearing of a Tilley Hat when sailing a period vessel or small craft.) The blessing of eyeglasses has made possible activities for individuals whose eyesight might otherwise prevent them from full participation in Royal George events. Nonetheless, modern frames and lenses destroy the atmosphere of historial accuracy, and members who do not wish to resort to contact lenses are urged to adopt historical frames for their prescription lenses as part of their commitment to the pursuit of historical accuracy. Modern-made frames of a sufficiently historical look are readily available. As it was known that tinted lenses were worn at the time, such sunglasses are admissable provided they are placed in frames of a sufficiently historical look. Hair Styles And Facial HairWomen are encouraged to wear their hair (admittedly often hidden by mob caps or sweeping straw hats) in period style, depending upon the historical date being re-enacted at the moment in almost all cases this is an unswept, off-the-neck look. Men are encouraged to remember that facial hair was not a feature of the period 1755-1815, and this will clearly be a personal choice situation. Nonetheless, they are encouraged to avoid facial hair if at all possible. Affiliated And Colleague Societies And UnitsThe Royal Georges will seek to encourage close relationships with units such as The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, who clearly share its interests and aims, and link itself when and as appropriate to brother and sister organizations such as the Hamilton Ship’s Company, HMS Detroit, HMS Lizard Gun Crew, and so on, often inviting them to take part in events together with the Royal Georges. Chapters are encouraged as well to establish fruitful relationships with units such as the King’s Royal Regiment Of New York (Museum Of Applied Military History) through whom valued assets such as insurance or event invitations may be obtained. Key EventsThe society will maintain for the present a formal programme of a yearly Sail Training Weekend (which can have an added Encampment) at a site such as Discovery Harbour, where access to a replica vessel such as the Schoonere Bee is possible; at least one major off-site event involving ships or boats, and additional land, water, or encampment events as individual chapters propose. OrganizationsThe society shall function on the basis of "chapters" established (initially) at Penetanguishene/Midland and Ottawa, and elsewhere as may develop. Principal contacts for the chapters as presently existing are:
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