Probably at some point you have had exposure to history through a school text book.  Regardless of how interested you were, it was static and unmoving.  The hobbyists of the Western Gunboat Flotilla believe that, by recreating people from form the past, history is more interesting to learn and is placed in context.  The smell of a steam engine and the roar of cannon provide a poignant accompaniment for traditional education methods in history.

The Union Naval Historical Society is
different from other reenacting groups in that it believes the best way to teach people about sailors is to be sailors.  Working with boats and naval guns in a realistic manner is what sets us apart from the other naval reenacting groups, and achieving goals have made us the foremost in civil war
naval living history units.

Many students, spectators, and reenactors have enjoyed seeing us in their classrooms and at events.  We look forward to seeing you somewhere soon.

UNHS Wabash

Length:    22'-9"             
Beam:        7'-6"
Capacity: 25 Persons     
Crew:         7 Persons
Gun:  12 Pdr Light Dahlgren     
           Boat howitzer

UNHS Wabash was built in 1951 by the Marine Safety Equipment Company and was fitted to the great lakes steamship, J.L. Mauthe.  The Mauthe was cut down into a barge in 1998 and the boats were acquired by the WGF as a donation from the Interlake Steamship Company.  She entered service at the Fort Gaines, AL, event in 1999.  The sister boat now operates with a reenacting group in Galveston, Texas.