The Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association's (CAPCA) monthly educational programs cover a variety of topics about our work and life in the Chesapeake region. Turning toward history and culture this month, our speaker opened the evening with live fiddle music, such as might have been heard in a colonial seaport.
A sailor, musician and colorful personality, Thomas Guay is a familiar local sight. You may have seen him walking through Annapolis as a colonial tour guide, interpreting history at Charles Carroll House, or performing with the Eastport Oyster Boys. His latest accomplishment is the publication of his novel 'Chesapeake Bound,' set in the years leading up to the American Revolution.
The story begins in 1763 when a young man, Michel Shea, flees difficult circumstances in London and sails for the colonies to become an indentured servant, ending up in Annapolis. Shea confronts many hazards on the sea voyage, from sickness to storms to pirates, and still more challenges upon his arrival. Emigrating to America offered the prospect of a better life, but many still faced daunting struggles in the new world.
Guay set the stage for the novel by walking us through the economic, political and cultural history of the colonies and their inhabitants in the decades leading up to the Revolution, helping to explain what motivated these early Americans to risk armed conflict for the sake of achieving a level playing field for commerce. See the author’s website for more information about his engaging book, including where to buy it locally.
If you enjoyed Thomas Guay, don’t miss SpinSheet’s recent interview with him about his passion project to save the Chesapeake Osprey. He wants CAPCA members to know that he’ll be kicking off the 2026 osprey campaign in a couple of weeks and would “love to have some help on the South River. Last year we started tracking osprey nests from the Route 2 bridge down to the mouth, and we charted most of them.” Tom offered to put together simple data sheets and walk anyone through the observation protocol, saying “it’s pretty straightforward, and it’s always more fun with company on the water.” You can email Thomas about your interest in assisting at [email protected].
By Captain Bob Thomson
