At the end of the American Revolutionary War, tens of thousands of Loyalists were evacuated by the British from New York City. The flight ended in disaster for one vessel headed to the Saint John Harbour. Andrew MacLean from Backyard History joins us as a co-host for this episode as we look at one of the worst maritime disasters in an area that is known for maritime disasters. "The Gust" by Willem van de Velde the Younger circa 1680. Sources: Bell, D.G.. Loyalists Ships: The

In 1863, during the American Civil War, a group of Saint Johners were recruited by men professing to be representatives of the Confederate States of America to seize control of a civilian vessel in the United States. The men successfully hijacked the ship and brought it to British North American waters with the United States Navy in hot pursuit. In this episode, we are joined by guest co-host, Troy Middleton, to discuss this incident and its fallout, which risked drawing the

Saint John is known for its love of hard beverages, so it is no wonder the city was quick to get behind bootlegging, rum-running and drinking during prohibition in New Brunswick (1917-1927) and supplying the Americans during their prohibition (1920-1933). In this episode, we are joined by guest co-host, Valerie Emerson, to discuss all the ways the city entered the illicit liquor trade and conducted business. As well, we discuss the evolution of the temperance movement and the

In this episode, we are joined by guest co-host, Peter Gillies, to chat about the 1775 American Privateer Raid on Saint John Harbour. At the start of the American Revolution, privateers were used to disrupt British supply lines, especially to the besiege soldiers who were trying to hold Boston. Before Saint John was Saint John, there were two small settlements around the harbour: Portland Point and Conway. In August of 1775, a British ship named the Loyal Briton arrived at Po