Jesse Elliott, USN-- Part 3: A Remarkable Feat and Replacement

On 8 October 1812, he and Army Captain Nathan Towson captured captured the British brigs HMS Caledonia and HMS Detroit, anchored near the British Fort Erie in the upper reaches of the Niagara River (the Detroit was the former American USS Adams).

The Caledonia was loaded with furs and managed to make it to an American port.  The Detroit, on the other hand, was swept down the Niagara River into range of the British guns at the fort.  Elliott battled the fort until he ran out of ammunition and then beached his ship on Squaw Island and fled to the American side of the river.

British and American guns then destroyed the ship.  Elliott and Towson were later commended  for this action by Congress.

However, in February 1813, Elliott was replaced as commander of the Lake Erie American fleet by Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry.

(This very likely led to the problems between the two men at the Battle of Lake Erie later that year.)

--Brock-Perry

Amherstburg Royal Navy Dockyard-- Part 3: Seven Ships Built There

Ships built at the Amherstburg Royal Navy Dockyard:

GENERAL HOPE--  schooner

EARL OF CAMDEN--  schooner

HMS CALEDONIA--  brig 1807

HMS GENERAL HUNTER--  brig 1809

HMS QUEEN CHARLOTTE--  1810  Ship/Sloop

HMS LADY PREVOST--  schooner 1812

2ND HMS DETROIT--  1813  Ship/Sloop

--Brock-Perry

Another HMS Detroit-- Part 3: Recaptured By the Americans

On 9 October 1812, an American boat expedition led by Lt. Jesse D. Elliott captured both the HMS Detroit and Caledonia while they were anchored right under the guns of British Fort Erie.  They were able to successfully get the Caledonia away and back to the American base at Black Rock, New York.

But the larger HMS Detroit, owing to light wind was swept down the Niagara River's strong current and under British guns.  Elliott and his men manned the Detroit's guns until they ran out of ammunition.  They cut the cable and drifted down the river.

The ship grounded by Squaw Island within range of both American and British guns, whereupon Elliott and his men abandoned ship.  A force of British troops then boarded the ship only to be driven off with heavy losses.

Both sides fired at the battered hull until it caught fire and burned.

--Brock-Perry

Another HMS Detroit-- Part 2: The Former American Brig Adams

From Wikipedia.

Launched 1798 by the United States.  150 tons.  Built at U.S. Shipyard on River Rouge near River Rouge.  Begun in 1798 and launched 18 May 1799.

Officially named President Adams.  The commissariat at Fort Shelby in Detroit used the ship to transport troops and supplies to Fort Mackinac and Fort Dearborn.

The Adams was in drydock in Detroit when the War of 1812 began and was back at sea 4 July 1812, but was surrendered along with the American troops by General William Hull on August 16, 1812.

The British Navy took her and renamed the ship the HMS Detroit.  Along with the HMS Caledonia, they effectively controlled Lake Erie and the Upper Great Lakes.

--Brock-Perry

200th Anniversary of the Capture of HMS Caledonia and HMS Detroit

From Wikipedia

This took place during the night of October 8-9th.

The Caledonia was a brig built by the Canadian North West Company in Upper Canada in 1807 for use in the fur trade on the Great Lakes.  In 1812, it was taken into military service by the British and commissioned the HMS Caledonia and played a major role in the capture of Fort Mackinac by transporting artillery.

After the surrender of Detroit, the Caledonia and brig Adams which had been captured there and renamed HMS Detroit were busy transporting troops and supplies from Detroit and Amherstburg to the Niagara River where an American attack was expected.

On October 8th, the two ships were anchored near Fort Erie at the head of the Niagara River.  The Caledonia had two 4-pdr. guns on pivot and a crew of 12 as well as ten American prisoners along with a cargo of furs worth $200,000, when an American boarding party under Lt. Jesse D. Elliott and soldiers under Capt. Nathan Towson captured both brigs.

The Detroit ran aground and was set afire to prevent recapture and the Caledonia taken to the navy yard at Black Rock, New York and later became an American ship.

One sailor was killed and four wounded.  The 12 Canadians on board were made prisoner.

An American Victory.  --Brock-Perry