Pirates weigh anchor at the Yarmouth County Museum

The exhibit is on loan from the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and explores the facts and fiction about piracy with a look at current acts going on in the world today.

During Seafest, on Saturday, July 25, the museum’s Kids Saturday Morning Club will meet at 10 a.m. and work at making a “Sailor’s Valentine”. “Maties” can design their own treasure maps. There will be no fee for this event.

The exhibit includes a “dead” pirate, Spin the Ship’s wheel pirate game, interpretive panels, and a Bible from the Saladin, a ship taken over by pirates off Nova Scotia.

On February 8, 1844, the Saladin, with Captain MacKenzie at the helm, left South America for England with a crew of twelve and two passengers, a Capt. Fielding and his 15-year-old son George. Fielding had just been released from prison in Peru and managed to secure passage with Capt. MacKenzie.

On April 14, Fielding, with the help of two crewmembers, killed the first mate and tossed him to the ocean. He was soon followed by the second mate who happened to come on deck at the wrong time. The second mate called the alarm and roused the captain who, as he rushed to help his mate, was struck on the head and killed. At this point, Fielding and his murderous crew of four went after the rest of the crew. Only two were spared.

Having gained command of the Saladin, Fielding was double crossed by his crew and both he and his son met the same fate as Capt. MacKenzie. The mutineers ran aground on the shores of Country Harbour, Guysborough County. The authorities were called to investigate and out of the six men arrested, four were publicly hanged.

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