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The Recreated Company of His Majesty's Ship Somerset are a local group of history buffs dedicated to recreating the crew of a British Man of War during the American War for Independence. The Somerset was an actual 64-gun ship that was stationed in Boston Harbor at the start of the Revolution. In the late evening of April 18th, Paul Revere started in famous ride by rowing under the bow of the Somerset.
READY TO JOIN?
Just fill out our Simple Form and someone will contact you shortly. If you are still unsure, come to one of our events or send our web editors an Email. He will be more than happy to speak with you.
Here are some common question about joining:
1.)Why should I join the crew of the Somerset?
We have to admit, there are other groups out there that are easier to join. And we try to be as authentic as possible while still having a great time and being comfortable. (yes, many of us sleep on air mattresses or cots and bring a pillow). While some reenacting units only dress up for parades, the crew of the Somerset is a fighting unit. We work hard and we play hard. And while you do not have to participate in the battles (there are plenty of non-fighting jobs) most of us do. There is nothing like storming a beach with the taste of salt and black powder in your mouth.
Our members truly come from all walks of life. Probably the only thing they have in common is a shared interest in history. This is one of the few hobbies that no matter where you go or what you do you will find that you are constantly learning. It could be the history of the actually event that you are reenacting or meeting someone who is an expert is historical woodworking or cooking, there is never a dull moment.
So, whether you are interested in sailing, period cooking, woodworking, or just looking for an excuse to do some interesting camping - the Somerset is your answer. If you have any questions please do not hesitant to contact us. We will answer any questions you may have.
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2.)Why do you play British?
The American War for Independence was fought by a variety of nations. This includes not only American and British forces, but also men and women from France, Germany, Canada, Spain, and the various groups of Native Americans. In order to properly represent and recreate the time period, it is important that all sides of this struggle be represented.
Playing a British sailor does not mean that the members of the Somerset are not patriotic. We are all Americans and proud of that fact. However, by accurately portraying a British crew of the time period we hope to educate and increase the respect and awareness of the common British sailor and of all parties that participated in the American War for Independence.
Plus - the uniforms just look cool.
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3.)How can I join?
Well the first step is to Contact Us. We have a great group of people dedicated to helping new recruits. They can answer any questions you may have.
We're centered on Boston, but we attend re-enactments in Massachusetts, upstate NY, and less frequently to all of New England, to Canada and the middle east coast, and occasionally abroad. Keep in mind that if you join, you don't have to go to all events, although you should opt for most. Many encampments occupy the whole of the weekend. For those events that are within driving range of Boston you could attend on a daily basis (some of us do that!)
If you wish to portray a specialized role (like that of a sailmaker) we ask that you do the appropriate research into that trade. We'd prefer 18 or older, but we do have some youngsters, in fact we have the position of midshipmen, who in real life was an officer, even though he would have been under 18. Contact us. We also have roles for older men.
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4.)How much does it cost?
Many of the articles of clothes that the crew wears are handmade, so the cost varies. Generally, it will cost you around $200 to get your uniform. The cost of your musket varies and you should check with the Master-At-Arms for current prices. But once you've got yourself armed and clothed, that's it. We encourage you to try us out before you make a commitment, and we have some spare uniforms for just that purpose. We also encourage you to come to one of our events. However, whatever your need is, we have a Quartermaster who can help you out.
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5.)What do I need for equipment?
 If you choose to join as a sailor your equipment will be very basic. As there was no standard uniform for the men at this time (only officers had a uniform) there was a lot of variation. Basically you will need a short coat (preferably of navy blue, but browns and other dark colors are ok), shirt, breeches or trousers, slops (if you want them), and period shoes. All told, about $200-$250. If you would like to join in the battles you will also need a musket at some point, but we have loaners to get you started.
If you have special skills or knowledge you could play a more specialized role, such as a carpenter, gunner, clerk, or purser. Come to one of our events or drop us an email and we can set you up with whatever you need.
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6.)Do I have to be a sailor?
While the lion's share of crew were sailors, there were many jobs on board a British Ship, everything from the carpenter and schoolmaster to the man who tended the goat. We are lucky enough to have this historical diversity and it allows us to find a place aboard our crew for almost anyone. The Purser was commonly a well to do civilian (or would like to be) and dressed and acted the part, while the Jar-Tars of the afterguard were a troublesome bunch of dirty scum. We have members who play both parts. There was even a detachment of Marine's on board the ship. So whatever role you are looking for, we have it.
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7.)Can women join? How about kids?
Absolutely! We have several women currently in the crew. If you want to carry a musket, and do not mind dressing like a man, we would be happy to have you on board.
We are a fighting unit and we work and play hard. While we do have a couple members under the age of 18, they are an exception and received permission from the Lieutenant. If you are under 18 and wish to participate please Contact Us so we can talk to you about what you are looking for. You must be older than 16 to fire the musket- no exceptions.
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