Last updated 17:05, Wednesday, 04 June 2008

Margaret Crosby reports on our connections with the United States

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memory: Capt David Dittmer meets Ron and Edna Gale, desendents of Muriel Gale, the grandmother of George Washington, at last year’s ceremony in St Nicholas Gardens

THE notorious young sea apprentice from Whitehaven would surely be smiling to see his daring exploits of more than 220 years ago being marked in a speech in front of Her Majesty the Queen.

In recent years John Paul Jones has been forgiven and commemorated in a colourful ceremony marking the Freedom of the Harbour offered to the United States, his adopted country.

Whitehaven’s ties with the USA, and in particular its Navy, are regularly strengthened in harbourside ceremonies in a formal renewal of the 1999 Freedom declaration which allows one man o’ war per year from the US Navy to enter Whitehaven free of charge.

It also pardons the 1778 actions of John Paul Jones and his men who tried to set fire to the Whitehaven coal ships in a night-time raid on the harbour during the time of the American War of Independence.

Evidence of the strong ties between Whitehaven and the United States came at last year’s Maritime Festival when a Consul and Deputy Consul to the United States Navy were sworn in.

Sellafield director Steve Morgan – himself a former Admiral in the US Navy – is our consul, with Rob Romano, one of the Whitehaven town criers, as his No.2.

Rob Romano said: “Relationships such as the one that exists between the United States and Great Britain are not the exclusive property of presidents and prime ministers but belong to us all.”

The two “ambassadors” pledged to do everything they can to strengthen Whitehaven’s ties with the United States “and to continue to build on a fabulous friendship”.

On the harbourside last year, in a formal event full of pomp and ceremony but with some informal touches of humour too, townspeople gathered to welcome Captain David Dittmer and the four-man US naval colour-party who carried the Stars and Stripes and the flag of the American navy.

Sea cadets of the Whitehaven unit TS Bee provided a guard of honour – as they will for Her Majesty this year.

This year a framed facsimile of contemporary newspaper reports of John Paul Jones’s exploits will be presented by Her Majesty to Captain Jeff Miller, the US Naval attache to the United Kingdom

At last year’s ceremony, Captain Dittmer said Whitehaven and America had a shared ancestry, history and friendship, “continued not only by prime ministers and presidents but in events such as these, which are part of the fabric that binds us together’’.

Jones’ famous quote “I have not yet begun to fight’’ on being asked to surrender in a sea battle off the Yorkshire coast was one which still inspired the US Navy, he said.

John Paul Jones was born at Kirkbean, just over the Solway. Once a cabin boy in Whitehaven, he went on to be recognised as founding father of the American Navy – and indeed the Russian navy too!

Not that Paul Jones is our only link with the United States. An engraved stone to the memory of Mildred Warner Gale, paternal grandmother of George Washington, first president of the United States, can still be seen in St Nicholas Gardens in the heart of the town.

It had been installed in the grounds of St Nicholas’ Centre in a project undertaken by the Heritage Group who felt there was a need to acknowledge the presence of Mildred Gale’s last resting place.

Capt Dittmer said: “The ties between Whitehaven and the USA that bind us together are strong and long lasting, sometimes turbulent but most of the time very friendly and very strong.’’

He noted that the Gales were a leading family in the town’s history. A friend of his, the Secretary of State for Nebraska, was one John Gale, he said.

The plaque was dedicated by Rector of Whitehaven, the Rev John Bannister, who said the parish was conscious of the history and heritage entrusted to it.

“We see ourselves as a partnership with organisations such as the Heritage Group and Copeland Council in treasuring that heritage and using it to enhance the town, the life of its citizens and relationships outside this town.’’

St Nicholas’ gardens provided a focus both for the local community and visitors, including those from America, who gravitate there, he said.

“It is important we remember and treasure that connection, especially in these difficult times of world fears and that we focus on the goodwill we share together and hope that the relationship between Whitehaven and the USA and between our two countries will blossom and bring about good for the peace and goodwill of all humanity.’’

Today’s Royal visit is the icing on the cake for celebrations to mark the 300th anniversary of the town and harbour.

The port had existed before 1708 (the oldest part of the harbour, for example, dates from 1634), but 1708 was the year in which an Act of Parliament established a Board of Trustees to govern the harbour and town of Whitehaven.

Gerard Richardson, chief executive of the Whitehaven Festival Company, said: “It really doesn’t get any sweeter than this. We hope they get a right Royal welcome.”

This is the Queen’s first visit to Whitehaven since she visited the Marchon works – in a blizzard! – in 1980. Not surprisingly it has got the town buzzing.

Copeland’s first citizen, Mayor Coun Keith Hitchen, said: “This is a tremendous honour for Copeland, and every one of its 70,000 residents. It is a particularly momentous and fitting occasion that we are able to welcome the Royal Party here to open the Beacon, Copeland’s museum, which is packed full of this area’s rich history.

“I hope that they love the town and surrounding area as much as we all do.”

No celebration could be complete without the presence of at least one tall ship. One of the town’s regular favourites, the Zebu, sailed into harbour this week for a three-day stay.

Entertainment throughout the summer will mark the 300th anniversary, with the highlight being the live concert by Status Quo, the world’s biggest-selling band, at Whitehaven rugby ground on August 2.

On June 20 (6pm) there will be the “Opening of the Gift” from the large container which has sat on the harbour at the Bulwark Quay since June 2007 when it arrived in style as part of a 20-truck convoy of Eddie Stobart haulage lorries. Inside is a gift to the town as a thank-you from the festival organisers.

On Thursday, June 19 for three days the popular Continental Market will once again return and on Saturday, June 21 26 town criers from all over the UK arrive for a national Town Crier convention. It is intended for the event to take place outdoors, in St Nicholas Gardens, together with a Georgian fair and market.

On July 5 Whitehaven carnival (organised by Whitehaven Lions) will take place and on July 13 at 3pm this year’s Sea Sunday open-air service will be held on the harbour and dedicated to the tercentenary.