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7th Annual HMS Pickle Dinner
HMS Psyche is pleased to invite you to our 7th annual HMS Pickle Dinner. Dress in your finery and celebrate the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) and the immortal memory of Lord Nelson. HMS Pickle was the smallest vessel in Nelson’s fleet after Trafalgar, and this small schooner was dispatched to England to carry the news of the great victory and the death of Nelson. HMS Pickle landed in Portsmouth with the news on November 4, 1805.
Menu:
-Crispy pickles passed during pre-dinner drinks
-Cream of Watercress soup, fresh rolls, breads and butter
-72 hour Shortrib, spun Yukon Gold potato, roasted vegetables, sauce Bordelaise OR Roasted vegetable and mushroom risotto (vegetarian)
-Spotted dick with sauce Anglaise
-Coffee & tea service
Dress code: military/reenactment best or modern civilian formal.
Price: $87, inclusive of tax and tip. Drinks are extra.
Location: Port Credit Yacht Club, 115 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga, ON.
To participate, e-transfer $87 to Gurth.Pretty.4pc@gmail.com and indicate your choice of entree by Friday, November 1st.
There will be a silent auction of nautical themed items in support of the Society. Payment is possible by cash or card, but there is a service charge of 4.5% to pay by card.
Winterization Work Party
We’ll wrap up the boat for another winter.
Location: Port Credit Yacht Club, 115 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to join the crew for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Mystery Cruise
Enjoy a day cruise at surprise location. Meet at PCYC at 9:00 am. Modern clothes. Free, and no experience necessary.
Location: Port Credit Yacht Club, 115 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Date and time subject to change. If there are changes, we will update this event listing and do our best to reach out to anyone who has signed up.
Engagement at Bradley House
Celebrate Mississauga’s heritage at Bradley House, also the grounds for The Anchorage, the retirement home of Royal Navy Commander John Skynner (1762 -1846). There will be displays of early 19th century material culture, a rousing land battle or two, and of course, our boat!
This is a weekend-long historical reenactment in period kit. Participants are encouraged to attend for the weekend starting Saturday morning. Limited loaner kit is available. Day trippers and supporters welcome throughout the weekend.
Location: Bradley House Museum, 1620 Orr Rd, Mississauga
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to join the crew for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Orillia Pirate Festival
Arrrrr! Join Cap’n Rottingham for a weekend of debauchery an’ plunder at tha Port of Orillia. Bring yer best pirate slops an’ fiercest swords. Tha Lord Mayor be lookin’ fer a show, and a show we shall give ‘im.
This is a weekend-long pirate reenactment in pirate costume. Participants are encouraged to attend for the entire weekend starting Friday night. Want to try being a pirate? Limited loaner kit is available for those who want to sail with us but don’t have a pirate costume. No experience is necessary.
Location: Orillia Waterfront Centre, 50 Centennial Drive, Orillia, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Hamilton & Scourge Memorial Cruise
On the night of August 7-8, 1813, a sudden squall came over the American fleet stationed off Port Dalhousie, causing the schooners Hamilton and Scourge to capsize and sink. 50 sailors were lost. This event was the greatest single loss of life on the Great Lakes during the entire war. HMS Psyche will memorialize the loss of these sailors by firing a salute outside Port Dalhousie.
This is an in-costume (1812 kit) event. Extra costume available if you don’t have any.
Location: St. Catharines Game and Fish Association Boat Ramp, 61 Lighthouse Road, Port Dalhousie (St. Catharines)
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Date and time subject to change. If there are changes, we will update this event listing and do our best to reach out to anyone who has signed up.
Port Colborne Canal Days
Visit HMS Psyche at Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum for a celebration of maritime heritage. We’ll have the boat set up by the museum, musket and blunderbuss demonstrations, and a full display of replica equipment from the early 19th century.
For more info:
Sackets Harbour Grand Tactical
This year’s 1812 Grand Tactical event will be at Sackets Harbour, New York, the American naval base during the War of 1812. There will be a large naval component and Psyche will be there! We will be participating in naval tactical battles, sailing one of the best areas to sail on Lake Ontario, and camping at a historic 1812 battlefield.
This is a weekend-long historical reenactment in period kit. Participants are encouraged to attend for the weekend starting Friday night. Limited loaner kit is available. Day trippers and supporters welcome throughout the weekend.
Location: Sackets Harbour Battlefield State Park, 112 Hill Street, Sackets Harbour, New York.
Links:
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to join the crew for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Toronto Islands
Experience the Toronto Islands by boat! We’ll launch at Humber Bay then motor through the Western Gap. We’ll sail inside the harbour, then row amongst the islands, pulling in to Hanlon’s Island for lunch. We’ll continue our rowing and sailing through the afternoon, then return to the launch point.
Location: Humber Bay Park West Boat Ramp, 225 Humber Bay Park Road West, Etobicoke, ON
Free, no experience necessary.
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event by June 28. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Date and time subject to change. If there are changes, we will update this event listing and do our best to reach out to anyone who has signed up.
PCYC Sail Past
Join us for this annual tradition of saluting the yacht club’s Commodores. Our host, Port Credit Yacht Club, puts on a grand celebration with good food and good friends. We’ll be out sailing with most of the yacht club’s fleet. To top it all off, we salute by firing our cannon!
9:00 am: Meet at PCYC, rig and launch
11:00 am: Ceremony starts on the lawn behind the clubhouse
11:30 am: Skipper's meeting and Garden Party Luncheon for all participants
1:00 pm: Fleet leaves harbour
2:00 pm: Sail Past begins (with ample time for sailing)
4:00 pm: Recover boat and down-rig
5:00 pm: Head home
Free, no experience necessary.
Location: Port Credit Yacht Club, 115 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event by May 31. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Row the Humber
Experience the City in a whole new way! We will be rowing up the Humber River, pausing for lunch on a shore only accessible by boat. See bucolic natural scenes, waterbirds, and lush vegetation in the middle of the 4th largest city in North America. Get some exercise and fresh air and enjoy great company. We did this in 2022 and 2023 and it is a very memorable expedition.
We launch from Humber Bay Park and motor to the mouth of the river, pass under a series of bridges, then row up to almost Bloor Street. Then we turn around and land at a secluded spot for lunch before rowing down the river back to the launch point.
Location: Humber Bay Park West Boat Ramp, 225 Humber Bay Park Road West, Etobicoke, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Date and time subject to change. If there are changes, we will update this event listing and do our best to reach out to anyone who has signed up.
Spring Opening Work Party
Come get hands-on with the boat crew as we open the boat for the season and work on our new rig.
Location: Port Credit Yacht Club, 115 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Date and time subject to change. If there are changes, we will update this event listing and do our best to reach out to anyone who has signed up.
HMS Psyche Membership Call
The 2024 sailing season is about to start and HMS Psyche Canadian Maritime Heritage Society has a great line-up of activities planned. Join in on the fun by becoming a certified Member of the Society. Members of the Society pay annual dues and participate in a lot of the decision-making and hard work that you see going into our activities. Psyche still needs good people to assist with work parties, committed crew to sail her, and funds to maintain her and keep her going through the year.
For a $65 membership, you get first right of refusal to join cruises, access to the next round of official Psyche merchandise, nifty 2024 membership tokens, and a say in decisions regarding the boat and the Society. Members will also get their photos and profiles posted on our website, get to attend membership social gatherings, and attendance at our Annual General Meeting and other decision-making meetings. Additional benefits include an invitation to the exclusive Society Boat Crew Facebook group page, priority access to loaner costume kit for re-enactments, eligibility for year-end awards, and opportunities to participate in paid events, when available. Your membership dues go towards ongoing maintenance of the boat, boat insurance, gas, black powder, and website hosting, so we can continue our adventures and our presentations. Check our website (www.hmspsyche.ca/events) for our full schedule.
We think this is a compelling offer and provides year-to-year continuity for our Society.
We also welcome those who may not be able to sail with us, but still want to support the Society by purchasing a social membership for $30. Involvement in any way still helps us continue to offer great adventures and interesting content.
For full membership, please e-transfer $65 to hmspsyche@gmail.com along with a separate email with your contact information, prior to April 30, 2024. For Social membership, please e-transfer $30 to hmspsyche@gmail.com along with a separate email with your contact information, prior to April 30, 2024. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Memberships will be valid from May 1, 2024 until April 30, 2025.
We hope you will join us this year for fun, learning, and adventure!
Naval Skills Training
Join the crew of HMS Psyche for a day of training in various nautical and reenacting skills. The training will take place inside the Stone Frigate (Lakeview Cheese Galore) and will feature several interactive sessions on interesting topics and some cheese selected by ship’s cook Gurth Pretty from his store. Attendees from the reenactment community are encouraged to wear 1812 kit. We’ll close out the afternoon with a pint at Stonehooker Brewery next door (not included in price).
Location: Lakeview Cheese Galore, 848 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga, Ontario
Price: $10, by e-transfer to hmspsyche@gmail.com
Please RSVP by January 25 to hmspsyche@gmail.com. Please note that replies from our email sometimes go into junk so if you do not hear back within 24 hours, please check your junk folder.
HMS Pickle Dinner
The annual HMS Pickle Dinner hosted by HMS Psyche. Dress in your finery and celebrate the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) and the immortal memory of Lord Nelson. HMS Pickle was the smallest vessel in Nelson’s fleet after Trafalgar, and this small schooner was dispatched to England to carry the news of the great victory and the death of Nelson. HMS Pickle landed in Portsmouth with the news on November 4, 1805.
Location: Port Credit Yacht Club, 115 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga, ON
Cost per participant is $85, taxes and tip included. Alcoholic drinks not included.
Payment to be e-transferred to Gurth.Pretty.4pc@gmail.com by noon on Friday, November 3rd.
Choice of vegetarian or carnivore main course. Advise to the above-noted email address.
Dress code is military/reenactment best or modern civilian formal.
Arrival 6:30 pm for pre-dinner cocktails (beverages to be paid by credit or debit card).
Crispy pickles passed during pre-dinner drinks
Dinner to be served at 7:15 pm
Cream of Watercress soup
Fresh rolls, breads and butter
Roast strip loin of Angus beef, spun Yukon Gold potatoes, roasted vegetable, sauce Bordelaise.
Vegetarian option: Roasted acorn squash stuffed with wild rice, dried fruits, nuts, seeds and goat’s cheese
Spotted dick with sauce Anglaise
Coffee & tea service
Engagement at Bradley House
Celebrate Mississauga’s heritage at Bradley House, also the grounds for The Anchorage, the retirement home of Royal Navy Commander John Skynner (1762 -1846). There will be displays of early 19th century material culture, a rousing land battle or two, and of course, our boat!
This is a weekend-long historical reenactment in period kit. Participants are encouraged to attend for the weekend starting Saturday morning. Limited loaner kit is available. Day trippers and supporters welcome throughout the weekend.
Location: Bradley House Museum, 1620 Orr Rd, Mississauga
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to join the crew for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Sail Training - Oakville to Bronte
Get on the boat and learn to sail. No experience necessary. Participants will learn the basics of traditional sailing with hands-on instruction while sailing from downtown Oakville to Bronte and back.
Location: Oakville Marina Boat Launch, 99 Forsythe St., Oakville, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Date and time subject to change. If there are changes, we will update this event listing and do our best to reach out to anyone who has signed up.
Work and Rigging Party
Join the crew of Psyche in the hallowed tradition of boat maintenance. There’s lots of painting, repairs, and rigging work to be done. We will also start the process of converting the rig to a lugsail rig as seen in the photo. This is a great opportunity to learn ropework and rigging on traditional vessels. It is also an opportunity to come out and meet the crew if you haven’t been out with us.
Location: Port Credit Yacht Club, 115 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Orillia Pirate Festival
Arrrrr! Join Cap’n Rottingham for a weekend of debauchery an’ plunder at tha Port of Orillia. Bring yer best pirate slops an’ fiercest swords. Tha Lord Mayor be lookin’ fer a show, and a show we shall give ‘im.
This is a weekend-long pirate reenactment in pirate costume. Participants are encouraged to attend for the entire weekend starting Friday night. Want to try being a pirate? Limited loaner kit is available for those who want to sail with us but don’t have a pirate costume. No experience is necessary.
Location: Orillia Waterfront Centre, 50 Centennial Drive, Orillia, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Battle of Humber Bay 2
HMS Psyche will take on other reenactment vessels in a tactical naval battle of wits and firepower in Humber Bay. Can the well-trained Psyches win the day? Join to find out.
This event is in period kit. Limited loaner kit is available.
Location: Humber Bay Park West Boat Ramp, 225 Humber Bay Park Road West, Etobicoke, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Date and time subject to change. If there are changes, we will update this event listing and do our best to reach out to anyone who has signed up.
Port Colborne Canal Days
Visit HMS Psyche at Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum for a celebration of maritime heritage. We’ll have the boat set up by the museum, musket and blunderbuss demonstrations, and a full display of replica equipment from the early 19th century.
For more info:
Beach Day
Experience sailing, rowing, anchoring and beaching the boat. Oh, and there might be some free time to explore a secluded beach! Wear your swimsuit and shoes you don’t mind getting wet.
Location: Port Credit Yacht Club, 115 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Thunder on the Reach
Celebrate the landing of the Loyalists following the American Revolution (1783) at the United Empire Loyalists Museum in Adolphustown.
This is a weekend-long historical reenactment in period kit. Participants are encouraged to attend for the weekend starting Friday night. Limited loaner kit is available. Day trippers and supporters welcome throughout the weekend.
Location: United Empire Loyalist Heritage Centre and Park, 54 Adolphustown Park Road, Bath, ON
Links:
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to join the crew for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
PCYC Sail Past
Join us for this annual tradition of saluting the yacht club’s Commodores. Our host, Port Credit Yacht Club, puts on a grand celebration with good food and good friends. We’ll be out sailing with most of the yacht club’s fleet. To top it all off, we salute by firing our cannon!
9:00 am: Rig and launch
10:30 am: Flag raising
10:45 am: Blessing of the Fleet
11:30 am: Garden Party Luncheon for all participants
12:30 pm: Skipper’s Meeting
1:15 pm: Fleet leaves harbour
2:00 pm: Sail Past begins (with ample time for sailing)
4:00 pm: Recover boat and down-rig
Location: Port Credit Yacht Club, 115 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Sail Training
Get on the boat and learn to sail. No experience necessary. Participants will learn the basics of traditional sailing with hands-on instruction.
Location: Port Credit Yacht Club, 115 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Date and time subject to change. If there are changes, we will update this event listing and do our best to reach out to anyone who has signed up.
Row the Humber
Experience the City in a whole new way! We will be rowing up the Humber River, pausing for lunch on a shore only accessible by boat. See bucolic natural scenes, waterbirds, and lush vegetation in the middle of the 4th largest city in North America. Get some exercise and fresh air and enjoy great company. We did this in 2022 and it was one of the most memorable expeditions to date.
Location: Humber Bay Park West Boat Ramp, 225 Humber Bay Park Road West, Etobicoke, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Spring Opening Work Party & Meet & Greet
Join the crew of HMS Psyche for our traditional spring opening work party. Meet the crew and get to know us, and get a sense of the boat from land. We will take down the winter cover, clean out the boat, inventory equipment, and undertake some minor repairs.
Location: Port Credit Yacht Club, 115 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga, ON
Email hmspsyche@gmail.com to sign up for this event. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
HMS Psyche Membership Call
The 2023 sailing season is about to start and HMS Psyche Canadian Maritime Heritage Society has a great line-up of activities planned. Join in on the fun by becoming a certified Member of the Society. Members of the Society pay annual dues and participate in a lot of the decision-making and hard work that you see going into our activities. Psyche still needs good people to assist with work parties, committed crew to sail her, and funds to maintain her and keep her going through the year.
For a $65 membership, you get first right of refusal to join cruises, access to the next round of official Psyche merchandise, nifty 2023 membership tokens, and a say in decisions regarding the boat and the Society. Members will also get their photos and profiles posted on our website, get to attend membership social gatherings, and attendance at our Annual General Meeting and other decision-making meetings. Additional benefits include an invitation to the exclusive Society Boat Crew Facebook group page, priority access to loaner costume kit for re-enactments, eligibility for year-end awards, and opportunities to participate in paid events, when available. Your membership dues go towards ongoing maintenance of the boat, boat insurance, gas, black powder, and website hosting, so we can continue our adventures and our presentations. Check our website (www.hmspsyche.ca/events) for our full schedule.
We think this is a compelling offer and provides year-to-year continuity for our Society.
We also welcome those who may not be able to sail with us, but still want to support the Society by purchasing a social membership for $30. Involvement in any way still helps us continue to offer great adventures and interesting content.
For full membership, please e-transfer $65 to hmspsyche@gmail.com along with a separate email with your contact information, prior to April 30, 2023. For Social membership, please e-transfer $30 to hmspsyche@gmail.com along with a separate email with your contact information, prior to April 30, 2023. Note that emails from us have been reported going into junk folders so if you do not see a reply from us, check your junk folder.
Memberships will be valid from May 1, 2023 until April 30, 2024.
We hope you will join us this year for fun, learning, and adventure!
Naval Skills Day
Enjoy an afternoon of skills training at the stone frigate - the back of house of Lakeview Cheese Galore - along with some delicious cheese. 848 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga.
$10 for supplies and snacks.
Proposed itinerary
Class 1 – Whippings
Create your own practice rope
Provided: 2-3 ft of raw 3-strand rope
Waxed thread
Whip the ends of the rope
Class 2 – Key Knots
Using the practice rope:
Figure 8
Reef knot
Bowlin
Class 3 – Monkey’s Fist
Make monkey fists with attachment loops
4 ft of 3-strand rope
Best 4 monkeys fists will be used for Psyche's mooring lines!
Rotating Classes
Class 4 – Manual of Arms with Muskets for sailors
Bring your own musket, or few are available to borrow.
Class 5 – Points of Sail and Sail Trim
Orientation and exercises.
Class 6 – Interacting with the Public - Ideas for displays, engagement, example talking points.
Class 7 – Making quills and charges for the cannon (intert)
Heaving contest – Try out your monkey’s fist!
Optional: Beer/food at Stonehooker Brewery
Psyche Society Members and Naval Establishment members encouraged to appear in kit.
To register, please e-transfer $10 to hmspsyche@gmail.com by January 15 2023 so supplies can be purchased.