Battle of the Chesapeake program in Dover Oct. 13
The Old State House at 25 The Green in Dover will offer a multimedia presentation titled Battle of the Chesapeake at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13. Historic-site interpreter Tom Welch will lead the program on this decisive naval engagement of the American Revolutionary War in which a French fleet under Adm. de Grasse paved the way for the surrender of British Gen. Cornwallis at Yorktown and the ultimate American victory in its struggle for independence from Great Britain.
Admission to the program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 302-744-5054.
The Battle of the Chesapeake, also known as the Battle of the Capes, took place near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay Sept. 5, 1781. During the mêlée, the French succeeded in preventing a British fleet from entering the bay to relieve Cornwallis’ army that was besieged at Yorktown, Va., by a combined Franco-American army under generals Washington and Rochambeau. Deprived of reinforcements and much-needed supplies, Cornwallis surrendered to Washington on Oct. 19, 1781, effectively securing independence for the 13 colonies.
Welch has served as a historic-site interpreter for the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs since 2007 after a 27-year career as an administrator for Wesley College in Dover.
