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Print ready photograph of Norris van den Berg
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Waterman: The Patriot and the Great Cannon Train, - An Historical Fiction Novel about the Revolutionary War by Norris van den Berg
Annapolis, Maryland – This historic colonial city, thriving today as the capital of the State of Maryland, is the primary setting of this first novel by native Norris van den Berg.Mr. van den Berg spent much of his youth sailing the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis. His waterside view of eighteenth century seaports and plantations gave him a lasting appreciation of the importance of transportation by sea in the economy of those times. And inspired by the self-reliance of the early patriots, Mr. van den Berg has studied this maritime aspect of the colonials.
His recent novel captures these times highlighting a lesser known, but critical event that was key to the eventual success of the American Revolution. In the dead of winter of 1775-76, a few patriots, inspired by Colonel Henry Knox retrieved 59 cannon from Fort Ticonderoga and transported them 300 miles over lakes, snow and ice to Boston to give General Washington the missing artillery he desperately needed. The cannon were entrenched overnight on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston forcing the retreat of the British to Halifax within three days.
There is little information about this heroic transport available from Colonel Knox’ diary. Mr. van den Berg has filled this void by giving us a marvelous action packed story and the introduction of a resilient and heroic young Marylander who guided the cannon to their destination despite attacks by British spies and ferocious weather.
The young hero, Continental Navy Lieutenant, Dan Saunders and his extraordinary compatriot, Paul Williams, a former slave and pirate, are courageous and inspirational in this their first saga. We can fully expect to see them in ongoing struggles throughout the Revolutionary War.
The Waterman has been enthusiastically endorsed by a number of accomplished Americans including Admiral Ray Smith, USN retired, former Chief of the Navy Seals and Scott Van Pelt, ESPN Anchor.
When not in Annapolis directing the lives of these heroes, Mr. van den Berg makes his home with his wife in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. What time remains from his passion for history is spent fly-fishing in the Florida Keys or Montana, often in the company of his three sons and eight grandchildren.
May 2009 Interview with the Author
Q. Why do you find the Revolutionary War era so inspiring?
A. It is the people, certainly. Our forbearers had conquered this wilderness on their own with little interference or help from any government. They developed a self-reliance, an independence that in is bred in us to this day. This devotion to independence gave them the will to persevere to victory. I hope we never lose this trait .
Q. You describe nautical things in detail that is not familiar to most of us. Were you concerned that might put the reader off?
A. I was worried about that, but I hoped the context of the descriptions would help folks get through it, and maybe give some insight on the mechanics of the times. These days we use much technology, cell phones, the internet, cars etc. Those folks 200 years ago were no less intelligent than we are today and their intellectual energy developed ingenious ways to deal with sailing vessels as an example.
Q. You seem fascinated by the watermen and the technology they used. Where did you learn about this?
A. From my father without a doubt, a remarkable man. At one point he hand-built his own sloop, a Chesapeake 20, a wide beamed centerboard sailboat, well suited to the shallow Chesapeake Bay. I was young when he did this but I would spend time gathering his tools and listening to him explain things, most of which eluded me, except for the romance of it all.
Q. Our principals in the book, Dan Saunders and Paul Williams, have intrigued us and they are still very young men. Can we hope for further adventures?
A. Absolutely, we will see them in the major battles in the War, in very difficult situations through which they will hopefully survive and mature.
Q. And romantic adventures?
A. No doubt about it. These are virile young men. And, in the next adventure Paul also will find some interesting situations.
Q. So does Dan pick Rachel or Sally or someone else?
A. You wouldn’t want me to tell you, would you, that would spoil all of the fun.
