History Channel Visits Fort
February 18, 2008 - 2:38pm — ecooley
Yesterday, Fort Roberdeau was visited but not by the British or Indians. It was not a band of loyalist. It was the History Channel’s Modern Marvels. What was the assignment? To video Bob Emerson, Executive Director of Fort Niagra, and his son Will and his friend Zack. The History Channel’s show Modern Marvels will air a story on Lead. So they decided to shoot a video segment of a colonial soldier making lead bullets at the Lead Mine fort. Bob Emerson was called.
Bob hails from the area and has done a lot of work with Fort Roberdeau. His work has taken him up north to Fort Niagra but he still does some work for Forty Roberdeau. His lead smelting program is quite popular at the fort. He walks you through the entire process; starting the fire, with just flint and steel, preparing the coals, warming the pot, ladle, and mold, melting the lead, carefully pouring the lead into the mold, then knocking the lead ball out of the mold and cutting off the sprew at the end of the ball and finally a shooting demonstration.
It is amazing what these soldiers had to deal with to protect them selves. The cold, finding the resources, keeping everything dry, the waiting, and finally the skill it takes to create a lead ball. Yesterday, Sunday February 18, 2008, it was cold at Fort Roberdeau. There were 3-4 inches of snow, the wind was blowing, and there was occasional rain falling. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to try and make a fire, then to melt a led bar, and then mold the lead into a bullet all while outside in the elements? It is fascinating.
The History Channel show on lead will air in June 2008. How much of what was video tapped will actually be on the show? Who knows? We will find out in June. Special thanks to Bob Emerson, Will, and Zack. Also special thanks to the History Channel team, Jay, Jeff, and Jim for allowing us to capture the moment.
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