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River's Current Thwarts Crossing

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By REBECCA SANTANA, The Associated Press

Published: December 26, 2007

WASHINGTON CROSSING, N.J. - This George Washington could not make it across the Delaware River.

Ronald Rinaldi III was prepared to play the role of the military leader whose daring Christmas crossing led to a rout of British-led forces and revived the downtrodden Continental forces.

Rinaldi, 45, had taken part in every re-enactment of Washington's crossing of the Delaware since 1976.

But this year, he and his fellow re-enactors were done in by the river's strong currents.

As Rinaldi and hundreds of spectators watched, the first boat that attempted the short voyage from Pennsylvania got carried downstream. A rescue craft had to snare it. Three boats had trained to cross the river this year in the 55th annual re-enactment.

"It wouldn't be a Christmas Day without going down there," Rinaldi said.

Hilary Krueger, director of Pennsylvania's Washington Crossing Historic Park, which hosts the re-enactment, said the decision is usually made before any boats go out, but there have been times when a boat has had to be rescued.

Rinaldi, who was playing the role of Washington for the first time, was chosen by a panel and will portray him for two years.

Prospective George Washingtons are judged on their knowledge of him and the crossing, must have a uniform resembling Washington's and must recite the first two passages from Thomas Paine's "The Crisis."

On Christmas 1776, some 2,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 18 cannons ferried across the cold Delaware River.

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