Stephen Champlin-- Part 20: Capture of the Scorpion

Just after dark, the now-captured Tigress anchored about two miles from the Scorpion.  Shortly before sun rise the next day the Tigress raised anchor and moved toward the Scorpion.  When they got within ten yards, the disguised British opened fire with their muskets then swarmed aboard the Scorpion.

The battle only lasted a few minutes.  Champlin was severely wounded by a canister shot through the thigh which shattered the bone, crippling him for life.

He was taken prisoner and held at Mackinac for 38 days before being paroled and being sent first to Erie and later back to Connecticut to die which didn't happen until 1870.

The captured American vessels were renamed.  The Scorpion became the Confidence (do not get it confused with the HMS Confiance which I have seen happen) and the Tigress became the Surprise (which it sure did to the Scorpion).  They remained in British service until 1817 when the Rush-Bagot Treaty was signed banning armed warships on the Great Lakes.

The two ships were then scuttled in Pentantaguishene Harbor.

Like I said, Sneaky British.  --Brock-Perry