History on Tap: A Tale of Two Revolutionary Shipwrecks: The Tea Ship William and the Mighty HMS Somerset

Join Ron Petersen, Chair of the Orleans Historical Commission, for a captivating look at two dramatic Revolutionary War events off the shores of Cape Cod: the wreck of the William, a tea ship bound for Boston, and the 1779 wreck of the HMS Somerset, a massive British warship.

Discover how the Somerset's ill-fated end led to the stunning capture of 400 British soldiers, who were marched by Patriots from Truro to Boston as prisoners of war.

About the Speaker:
Ron Petersen is Chair of the Orleans Historical Commission and has been researching and sharing Cape Cod history for over a decade. His work has been published in regional journals and featured by the Cape Codder, New England Historical Society, and Plymouth 400. A frequent lecturer across the Cape, Ron is active in several historical committees and holds a BA in History from the University of Bridgeport.