The adventure approaches the Antarctic. Hit and Run History is back on the trail of the Columbia Expedition. And headed south. Read more
The adventure approaches the Antarctic. Hit and Run History is back on the trail of the Columbia Expedition. And headed south.
About this project
We're back at it. Following the first American voyage 'round the world -- the Columbia Expedition. Our pilot episode took us across New England. Our second, to New York and Cape Verde. But now we're faced with the most daunting leg of our journey.
The Falkland Islands. In the depths of the Southern Ocean. We'll visit the site of the original English settlement, and basis of the sovereignty dispute with Argentina, on Saunders Island. A cold, desolate spot with only a handful of residents.
This close to Antarctica, winter begins in May. We're bringing a small crew, shooting in our run-and-gun style. Just enough to get in, talk to local experts, grab our story, and move on. Gumshoe Historians.
We're already arranged our travel to there, so we're asking for funding to simply cover our costs on the ground. Like the short flight for our crew from island to island, very basic lodging, and the living supplies we have bring to Saunders Island. Along the way, we’ll shoot, edit and post a video. When we get back, we'll start post-production on this third full-length episode (40-60 minutes) and next series for WGBH's History page.
This really is the edge of nowhere. To follow Columbia point-to-point around the world we have to go down here. Our next trip to Cape Horn is set for this fall, and everything after is relatively easy: the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, China and Japan. But we can't skip over the South Atlantic. It's the toughest part. This will be our best episode -- and greatest adventure -- yet.
Our story so far... Commanded by Captain John Kendrick, the Columbia Expedition left Boston in 1787, just weeks after the Constitution was drafted. A private trading venture financed and crewed by a few dozen former privateers, slavers, refugees and POW's, this was desperate gamble by a country deep in post-war recession.
Young men in their late teens in early twenties, equipped with the latest technology and weaponry, were sent off to the uncharted and unpoliced other side of the earth, with instructions to bring back a profit for the owners.
This was no Lewis and Clark band of brothers. At their first stop in Cape Verde, swords were drawn in the streets to try to keep men from jumping ship. By the time they approached the Falklands, officers were at each other's throats.
This is a great unknown story, and we've found a great way to talk about it. Episodic documentary. Chapter-by-chapter. Part history, part travel, part adventure, part gonzo journalism.
Get in the car. There's history out there.
Watch our web series on WGBH wgbh.org/hitandrunhistory
Find more photos, videos and events on our Facebook page facebook.com/hitandrunhistory
Charitable Deduction: Hit and Run History is a project of the Cape Cod Community Media Center, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation. All donations are processed through our dedicated account there and are tax-deductible (less the value of the reward pledge).
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
Rewards
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Pledge $1 or more
4 backers Limited (9996 left of 10000)
You'll receive a Penguin Penny from the Falkland Islands (see here http://bit.ly/PenPenny).
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Pledge $5 or more
4 backers Limited (46 left of 50)
You'll receive a bottle cap, matchbook or postcard (your choice) from the Falklands + 5 Penguin Pennies.
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Pledge $10 or more
2 backers
You'll receive a digital download of the completed film when available + 10 Penguin Pennies.
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Pledge $15 or more
5 backers Limited (45 left of 50)
You'll receive a ticket to our wrap party this summer on Cape Cod + 15 Penguin Pennies.
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Pledge $25 or more
18 backers
You'll receive a Hit and Run History T-shirt with our logo and the text "Get Outta My Way, I'm a Historian" + 25 Penguin Pennies.
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Pledge $35 or more
10 backers
You'll receive an actual DVD of the completed film when available + 35 penguin pennies.
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Pledge $75 or more
5 backers Limited (75 left of 80)
You'll receive a photo of your name written in the sand at "The Neck" on Saunders Island in the Falklands (http://www.ladatco.com/fk-sdr.htm) posted to our website and in hard copy + DVD + 50 Penguin Pennies.
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Pledge $125 or more
2 backers Limited (298 left of 300)
A hardcover copy of host Andrew Buckley's novel "The Bostoner" + DVD + t-shirt + 50 penguin pennies. At your option, signed with your own personally-requested inscription by the author (penned at his discretion)
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Pledge $250 or more
2 backers Limited (4 left of 6)
CLAM TRIP! Host Andrew Buckley will take you and up to 3 of your family out shellfishing on the waters of Cape Cod. Includes one non-resident family permit good for the WHOLE YEAR. Subject to weather and tide conditions, availability, our discretion and local rules (see FAQ http://bit.ly/fJEzQ2).
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Pledge $300 or more
1 backer Limited (19 left of 20)
We will come to your school or museum to screen the film and Q&A (limited to within New England and NYC) + DVD + 2 party tickets + 50 Penguin Pennies.
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Pledge $350 or more
0 backers Limited (3 left of 3)
SHARK HUNT! Host Andrew Buckley will take you out on the waters of Chatham, Mass. this summer to search for Great White Sharks. (http://youtu.be/Avc_YYpGaSo) For viewing only and animals will not be harmed. No guarantees for a sighting, but we'll film what we find and you could be a star in the next viral shark video!
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Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers Limited (10 left of 10)
You'll receive a special underwriter "Thank you" with your image (at our discretion) in the credits and on our web site + 4 party tickets + t-shirt + DVD + book + photo + 50 Penguin Pennies.
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Pledge $2,500 or more
0 backers Limited (5 left of 5)
You'll receive credit as an Executive Producer + 4 party tickets + t-shirt + DVD + book + photo + 50 Penguin Pennies.
Funding period
- (30 days)
