If you have ever wanted to name a cannon, you’ll get a chance to do just that at Maine’s First Ship’s annual dinner on May 8. Like virtually every sea-going vessel of the 17th century, Virginia will be armed. In her case, those arms will be two “swivel guns” — small cannons that function like very big shotguns — mounted on the rail. The two bronze guns were purchased through a generous grant from the Salem Van Every Foundation and Tomm Tomlinson. They are currently being cast by Campbell Cannon and Carriage Works of Florida, one of the country's premier cannon makers.

Historically guns such as these would have a name or inscription cast into the barrel. Tomm Tomlinson has named the first gun "Barbari Odio", Latin for “Hated by Barbarians.” The name of the second gun is up for grabs. At this year's annual Maine's First Ship dinner on May 8, we'll be auctioning off naming rights to the second gun. The winning bidder will have the honor of having his or her name, motto or saying permanently cast into one of the guns aboard Maine's First Ship, to be enjoyed for many decades to come. If you are unable to attend the dinner, consider mailing a bid to MFS, P.O. Box 231, Bath ME 04530 by May 8. If you would like to phone in a bid during the auction, please call 207 319-4395 before 5:30 p.m. on May 8. The starting bid is $300.

Because of the need to maintain historical authenticity, there are some stipulations as to the name. It must be a name or phrase that could feasibly have been engraved on a gun of 1607. MFS will be happy to work with the winner on an appropriate name. Mottos are best rendered into Latin. If you would like Latin, but missed or skipped those classes in high school, MFS can help with translation issues.

If naming rights aren’t on your bucket list, dinner guests will also have the pleasure of hearing about the 2017 Benedict Arnold expedition through Maine and Quebec. Featured speaker this year is writer and adventurer Hodding Carter, who recently completed this six-week trip, which re-enacted Benedict Arnold’s Revolutionary War 1775 expedition to attack Quebec City.

In September, Carter, his friend and MFS shipwright Rob Stevens, and other volunteers used the MFS dooryard to build a 24’ bateau similar to what Arnold would have used. The small group of adventurers, including Carter and Stevens, left from the Pittston site of where the original bateaux were constructed. Six weeks and several portages and carries later, the group crossed the St. Lawrence River and climbed the Plains of Abraham to “capture” Quebec.

Join us for MFS’s annual gala dinner and silent auction on Tuesday, May 8 at J.R. Maxwell’s in Bath, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available from the MFS office on Front Street (above Maxwell’s), by telephone 443-4242, or by email mfs1@myfairpoint.net. Tickets are $40 each or two for $75. Ticket seekers might also purchase tickets by stopping by Virginia on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.