Royal Kennebecasis Adventurers Society

The Royal Kennebecasis Adventurers Society (RKAS), is a name that refers to several groups, both real and fictitious. Historically, it refers specifically to the "Kanabicases Adventurers Society", a guild of smugglers and privateers founded in Saint John, New Brunswick between the late 18th and early 19th century. However, in modern times it refers to a purported conspiratorial organization which acts as a shadowy power behind the throne, allegedly controlling New Brunswick affairs through present day governments and corporations, usually as a modern incarnation or continuation of the" Kanabicases Adventurers Society". It is unknown at what time, or for what purpose the term 'Royal' was added as a prefix to the society name, however it has been speculated that it was added as a satirical insult to the idea of Crown control within the colony, or to further the conspiratorial notion that the group exerts true control over political affairs as a shadow power. Traditionally, when used as an acronym, the initials RKAS are together pronounced in the same manner as the word ruckus, |ˈrʌkəs|.

Historical Origins

The original "Kanabicases Adventurers Society" is commonly believed to have been formed around the time of the arrival of Loyalist settlers in Saint John in 1783 and achieved its first prominence during the 1790s with great profits made from raiding enemy shipping along the coasts of New England and the Maritime provinces. The groups greatest successes came during the period of the War of 1812, when numerous Saint John privateers captured prizes from American merchant vessels. However, privateering by New Brunswick vessels began prior to the British declaration of war, and required surreptitious gathering of men and letters of marque. The RKAS gained power during this time acting as a sort of recruiter and organizer of expeditions. Calls for men were often concealed in the "New Brunswick Gazette" as ventures against the French, and would use pseudonyms for vessel names, as demonstrated in this recruitment advertisement for the privateer ship "Ruckus" (notably identical to the pronunciation of the RKAS acronym) that appeared in the "New Brunswick Gazette" on July 14, 1812:

Ruckus Privateer.
Commanded by Capt. John Black, Who has been on several cruises, and met with great Success.

All Gentlemen Volunteers; Seamen, and able bodied Landsmen, who wish to acquire Riches and Honor, are invited to repair on board the Ruckus Privateer ship of War, now laying in Saint John Harbour; mounting Twelve Carriage Guns, with Cohorns, swivels, &c bound on a Cruize to the Southward for five Months against the French, and all His Majesty's enemies, and then to return to this Harbour.
All volunteers will be received on board the said ship - or by Captain John Black, at his Rendezvouse at MacPherson's Tavern, along Scotch Row, where they will meet with all due Encouragement, and the best Treatment; Proper Advance will be given.

Debate surrounds the choice of the Kennebecasis River [at the time, spelled "Kanabicases"] for inclusion in the society name, as opposed to the name of the city or river of Saint John or the Bay of Fundy. The Kennebecasis River itself was sparsely populated and seldom utilized up to the late eighteenth century, thus inviting many historians and theorists to speculate that its use within the society title might indicate that many of the islands, coves and inlets of the river could have been frequented by local smugglers and privateers as an in-land refuge away from the heavier population of the nearby city of Saint John. Another similar theory suggests that the mention of the river furthers the belief that the infamous pirate, Captain William Kidd had buried his life's treasure somewhere along the lower Kennebecasis River. This theory argues that some of the United Empire Loyalists who had been granted land along the Kennebecasis River may have uncovered Captain Kidd's treasure while clearing their land for agriculture. These Loyalists then supposedly used the found money to finance Saint John's first generation of privateers during the 1790s.

Modern R.K.A.S.

The speculated influence of the RKAS is wide ranging, from exerting control in modern political elections and "back-door" policy decisions within the province of New Brunswick, to the historical legacy of their activities, such as the ongoing legends of gold being buried on Navy Island in Saint John Harbour. Much like conspiracy theories involving the presence of Illuminati or Masonic imagery in architecture and currency, it has been suggested that the traditional Saint John image of the "Loyalist Man" exists as an icon of RKAS control, even in the form of the current trademark logo of the city. Supporters of this theory point out that the term "Loyalist Man" is an anagram of 'manly to sail' which bears a strong resemblance to the original motto of the "Kanabicases Adventurers Society", "It Takes a Man to Sail". For many this link to the RKAS explains why the image of the "Loyalist Man" has not been replaced by a more contemporary, and inclusive insignia for the City of Saint John, despite years of debate over the relevance of the symbol in modern society.

See also

*Navy Island (Saint John Harbour, New Brunswick)
*Navy Island Gold
*Privateer

References

*Coye, Eliza, "A Ruckus in the Early Morn: The Origin of the R.K.A.S. Mythology". Rum Runner Press, (Fredericton, 1919).
*Kert, Faye, "Prize and Prejudice: Privateering and Naval Prize in Atlantic Canada in the War", Research in Maritime History No. 11, (St. Johns, Nfld, 1997).
*McGunnagle, Daniel,"Privateering in Saint John, New Brunswick During the War of 1812". BA Honours thesis, University College of Cape Breton, 1984.
*Snider, Charles Henry J, "Under the Red Jack: Privateers of the Maritime Provinces in the War of 1812" Martin Hopkinson & Co, (London: 1928).