John B. Montgomery, USN-- Part 3

From American Military Leaders A-L by John Fredricksin.

JOHN B. MONTGOMERY

(November 17, 1794-March 25, 1874)

John Barrien Montgomery is best-known for raising the U.S, flag over what became San Francisco in the Mexican War..  A religious, Bible-quoting officer, he completed fifty years of service without  a single incident or  controversy to mar his  reputation.

Montgomery was born in Allentown, New Jersey, the second of three brothers.  All three joined the U.S. Navy just before the War of 1812 and enjoyed  distinguished careers.  Montgomery became a midshipman in June 1812 and ventured to Sackets Harbor as part of Commander Isaac Chauncey's Lake Ontario Squadron.

Attached to the schooner Hamilton, he participated in the November 10, 1812,  bombardment of Kingston, Ontario, before transferring to the brigs Madison and General Pike.  In this capacity, Montgomery fought during the capture of York (now Toronto), Ontario (Upper Canada at the time), in April 1813 and Fort George, Niagara,  the following month.

--Brock-Perry

John B. Montgomery, USN-- Part 2: War of 1812 Service

From Wikipedia.

He was born in New Jersey and entered service in the US Navy as a midshipman during the War of 1812 where he served during the attack on Kingston, Upper Canada, in Novenber 1812 and in the capture of York in April of the following year.

For gallantry and distinguished service aboard the USS Niagara at the Battle of Lake Erie, he received a vote of thanks and a sword from Congress.

In 1815, he served in Stephen Decatur's squadron in the Second Barbary War in the Mediterranean Sea.

From Geni.

He was also involved in the capture of Little York, Fort George and Newark.  In 1814, he was at the blockade and attack on Mackinaw Island in August.

--Brock-Perry

Alexander Macdonell-- Part 5: Becomes Catholic Bishop of Upper Canada

A central figure in the religious and political life of the Crown Colony of Canada, Macdonell was appointed vicar general in 1807 and vicar apostolic in 1820 and was  consecrated bishop or Regiopolis in 1826.

During his tenure thousands of Irish immigrants arrived, and by 1840, there were 34 priests and  48 parishes in  Upper Canada (today's province of Ontario) for which Macdonell had secured financial assistance from the local and British governments.

A firm conservative, Macdonell was a legislative counsellor  from 1831, and soon came under fire from the Reform Movement.

He died while in Britain attempting to secure funds for the Regiopolis College and recruiting more Catholic emigrants.  Alexander Macdonell was buried at  St. Margaret's Convent in Edinburgh, Scotland, but his remains were removed to  St. Mary's in Kingston in 1861.

--Brock-Perry

About Canada's First Catholic Bishop, Alexander Macdonell-- Part 2

Before he came to Canada, Alexander Macdonell  raised a Catholic regiment to defend British interests during the Irish Rebellion in 1798.  The regiment would be disbanded and its men left destitute, but Macdonell  persuaded the Crown to give them land in Upper Canada in return for their loyalty. 

Macdonell first settled in Glengarry near Kingston.  He went to the Upper Canada capital in York in 1806 and found that Catholics were few and far between.  The town had a population of 200 of whom less than a quarter were Catholic.  In all of Upper Canada, there were only three Catholic churches and three Catholic priests.

Macdonell reported to his superiors on what he had seen at York and was given the task of acquiring more land for churches in the town.  (Of course, York eventually became Toronto.)

A plot on George on present-day Adelaide would be set aside "for the purpose of erecting a chapel for public worship."  But, it was destroyed by fire during the War of 1812.  (Likely burned by American troops when they torched the town.)

--Brock-Perry

Canada's Coloured Corps-- Part 11: Black Canadians in the British Service

In addition to serving in militia units, other black Canadians enlisted in the regular British forces defending Upper Canada (Ontario).

One of the most common roles they fulfilled was that of percussionist in military bands.  An officer of the 104th Foot recalled the regiment's bass drummer, Private Henry Grant, accompanying his regiment's epic march through the snow from New Brunswick to Upper Canada between February and April 1813.

After reaching Kingston, he and his regiment took part in the Battle of Sackets Harbor on 29 May 1813, in which several band members were killed.

Other British  regiments garrisoned in Canada for long periods of time recruited black Canadian  musicians in a similar manner, including the 100th Foot, whose cymbal player was Black.

--Brock-Perry

Not To Get the British Prince Regent Ships Confused

From Wikipedia.

There were two ships in the British service by the name of Prince Regent.  The one I mentioned in the last post was the Provincial Marine's Prince Regent which i will write about in the next post.

There was also another HMS Prince Regent.  This one was a Royal Navy ship and was launched in 18 46-60 guns.  It was built at Kingston, Upper Canada and took part in the raid on Fort Oswego.

It was later renamed HMS Kingston in 1814 and was sold in 1832.

--Brock-Perry

William Moodie Bell-- Part 2: Kingston Dockyard

Afterwards, he served at the Kingston Dockyard on Lake Ontario.

The British Admiralty appointed Thomas Strickland as Master Shipbuilder in Upper Canada and that displaced Bell from that position.  In 1814, he was appointed as Strickland's assisted.

Strickland died in 1815 and Bell became the Acting Master Builder in Upper Canada until the end of 1816 when the Naval Shipyards at Kingston was reduced and then William Bell returned to Scotland.

--Brock-Perry

John Dennis, Master Shipbuilder-- Part 3: York Shipyard

John Dennis became the master shipbuilder of the government dockyards at Kingston.  He received that appointemnt in 1803 and held it for ten years.

In 1812, after the war began, Dennis transferred back to York to complete a ship under construction there.  When the Americans captured York in April 1813, they destroyed the ship.

Provincial Marine officials decided to close the vulnerable York Shipyard and to transfer John Dennis back to Kingston, but the Royal Navy had by then taken it over.  Dennis did not want to subordinate himself to British personnel and was dismissed.

--Brock-Perry

HMS St. Lawrence-- Part 4: A Short-Lived Career

The arrival of the HMS St. Lawrence on Lake Ontario gave the British unchallenged domination of Lake Ontario.

But, it was short-lived as the war soon ended and the ship no longer needed.

After the war, the St. Lawrence was decommissioned.  In 1832, the hull was sold to Robert Drummond for 25 pounds.  Between May and August, the hull was towed out to Navy Bay.  It later formed part of the pier attached to Morton's Brewery in Kingston and was  used as storage for cordwood and other materials.

It later sank in 30 feet of water where its remains have since rotted away but the keel and ribs remain and are a favorite dive site.

The wreck of the St. Lawrence, along with those of the Princess Charlotte and Prince Regent were designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2015.

--Brock-Perry

HMS St. Lawrence-- Part 2: Just Ten Months to Build

The St. Lawrence was built by master shipbuilder John Dennis and nearly 200 shipwrights in just ten months.  It was not designed for ocean voyages so a considerable amount of space was saved in its construction.

The keel was laid 12 April 1814.  The 74-guns ships of the line HMS Ajax, Centaur and Warsprite were essentially stripped of all things in Montreal and the material brought with much difficulty to Kingston for the St. Lawrence.

Original plans for the ship had it being launched in June, put off to July, then August.  It was finally launched 10 September 1814.

--A fast Build.  --Brock-Perry

HMS St. Lawrence-- Part 1: "Monster" Ship of the Lake

From Wikipedia.

Since I am on the subject of shipwrecks off Kingston, Ontario, on Lake Ontario, I will now turn attention to the "Monster" ship of the lake, the HMS St. Lawrence.

Stats:  2,304 tons, 184'2" length, 52'7" beam.  Crew of 700.  Mounted 112 guns:  thirty-two 32-pdrs. carronade, thirty-six 24-pdr. long guns, twenty-eight 32-pdr. long guns.

It was the only Royal Navy ship of the line ever launched on the Great Lakes.  Its arrival ended all naval action on Lake Ontario as the American fleet dared not challenge it.  Britain had won the naval arms race.

As powerful as it was, the St. Lawrence never went into battle.  It was laid up after the war and finally sold in 1832 to private interests and later sunk and is now a popular dive site.

--Brock-Perry

HMS Prince Regent-- Part 2: Flagship of British Lake Erie Fleet

It became the flagship of Commodore Sir James Lucas Yeo and gave him the edge in the naval race so he immediately used it.  The British squadron departed Kingston 4 May 1814 to attack Fort Oswego, New York, which involved a landing operation.  The fort and town of Oswego were captured May 6.

On May 19, they set up a blockade of the US Navy at Sackets Harbor, New York.  After the defeat at Sandy Creek, they abandoned the blockade June 5 and returned to Kingston.

With the launch of the first rate ship-of-the-line HMS St. Lawrence, Yeo transferred his flag to that ship and once again he had naval superiority

--Brock-Perry

Kingston's Fort Henry-- Part 2: Involved in the Royal George Fight

From Wikipedia.

At the beginning of the War of 1812, local militia erected a blockhouse and battery at Point Henry, Kingston.  On November 10, 1812, the battery was involved in turning away several American warships attacking the Provincial Marine sloop Royal George as it was taking refuge in Kingston Harbor.

Because of this, it became evident that a stronger fortification was needed and the militia and regular army began a more permanent fortification in 1813.  It was one of several defensive structures built in and around Kingston during the war.

In 1820, Fort Henry consisted of earth and stone ramparts, demi-bastions, redans, ditches, magazines, barracks, signal towers and support batteries.

It was determined that a much strong fortification was needed.

--Brock-Perry

Shipwrecks To Be Marked With Plaques in Kingston, Ontario-- Part 1

From the October 19, 2017, Kingston, Ontario Whig by Ian MacAlpine.

Three Kingston underwater treasures will be marked in a ceremony to be held Wednesday at Fort Henry Discovery Centre.  Officials from Parks Canada and Historic Board of Canada announced that three War of 1812 shipwrecks at the bottom of Lake Ontario will be marked with plaques.

The HMS Prince Regent and HMS Princess Charlotte were decommissioned after the war and purposely sunk in Deadman's Bay just north of Fort Henry.  (They were sunk for preservation.)  The HMS St. Lawrence, the largest and most heavily armed warship in freshwater is off the Tell Centre.  After the war it served as a dock for the Mortroub Brewery and Distillery into the late 1800s.

--Brock-Perry

Machine Guns in the War of 1812-- Part 11: Never Used in Battle

But Chauncey's repeated attempts to bring his fleet to action with the British were hampered by shortages of equipment, weapons and men.  he was finally able to sail at the end of July.  The British, under Commodore Sir James Yeo had also found reasons to be inactive and the sailing season largely passed without confrontation.

Chauncey, now with the upper hand in the naval ship race on Lake Ontario, alternated his time between watching the British naval base at Kingston, Ontario, and waiting and guarding Sackets Harbor.

The season ended in the first week of November and with it, the naval war on the Great Lakes.

Chambers' marvelous repeating arms had never fired a shot in battle.

--Brock-Perry

Back to Lawrence Rousseau-- Part 4: The USS Jefferson, Finally Some Action

The USS Jefferson finally received her cannons and sailed on 31 July and blockaded Niagara with the USS Sylph and USS Oneida, while the rest of Isaac Chauncey's fleet went to Kingston to blockade that British base.  After a month the Jefferson sailed to join Chauncey at Kingston.

A severe storm on September 12 almost sank the Jefferson which was almost swamped.  Ten guns had to be thrown overboard.

Back at Sackets Harbor, it was laid up for winter in November where it stayed as peace was declared early the next year.  The USS Erie's crew and Charles Ridgely returned to their ship.  It remained in ordinary until it was sold 30 April 1815.

--Brock-Perry

Shipwrecks Designated Historical Site in Kingston

From the August 4, 2015, Kingston (Can) Whig by Julia McKay.

Kingston has historical significance both above and below Lake Ontario.

The War of 1812 had Great Britain and her North American colonies fighting against the United States and led to the expansion of the "Provincial Marine" naval base established at Kingston in 1789.  Many ships were constructed there, especially during the great naval ships race if 1814,.

With the end of the war, many of these ships became unusable.  In 1834, the decision was made to close the shipyard.  The vessels there needed to be disposed.  Some were auctioned off and sold for scrap.

Others were deliberately sunk in Deadman Bay, but clear of the shipping channel.

Three of these are known:  HMS Prince Regent, HMS Princess Charlotte and the HMS St. Lawrence.

The site of these wrecks now has a commemorative designation.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Veterans' Graves in Fredericton Get Plaques

From the July 23, 2015, CBC News.

The graves of seven veterans of the war who fought for Britain now have had their graves marked with special plaques in Fredericton's Old burying Ground.  They were all members of the 104th Regiment stationed in the town during the war.

The 104th Regiment made the epic march from \Fredericton to Kingston in the winter of 1813 also served along the Niagara Frontier that year and returned to winter quarters in Kingston.

Most of these men were veterans of that march which took six weeks under harsh conditions.

Veterans receiving the plaques:

Lt.Col. Harris William Hailes
Capt. John Allen
Lt. William Barry  Phair
Capt. Andrew William Rainsford
Lt. James Augustus MacLauchlan
Capt. John Jenkins
Capt. eorge Shore

Kind of strange that all were officers.

--Brock-Perry

Henry Eckford-- Part 1: Builder of U.S. Ships

From Wikipedia.

Henry Eckfoird (1775-1832)

Built the USS Superior at Sackets Harbor and converted the USS Trippe into a warship.

Scottish-born naval architect, industrial engineer and entrepreneur.  Worked for the U.S. navy and the Ottoman Empire.  Prominent businessman and political figure in New York City 1810 to the 1830s.

In 1791, he began a five-year apprenticeship in Lower Canada on the St. Lawrence River, then moved to Kingston, Canada.

In 1796, he became a master builder and emigrated to the United States, settling in New York City.

1790-1800, opened a shipbuilding business on the East River in Brooklyn.  He sold it in 1802 and moved back to NYC and opened a new shipyard and became a U.S. citizen.

--Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago: End of the "Shipbuilders' War"

I would have written about this yesterday, but we had no internet after the storms of Thursday.

American Commodore Isaac Chauncey and General Jacob Brown visit Kingston, Upper Canada.  They visit Commodore Sir Edward Campbell Rich Owen at the site of Britain's main naval establishment on the Great Lakes and home port of the Lake Ontario Squadron.

The trip cumulated with a social gathering aboard the British flagship, the ship-of-the-line HMS St. Lawrence after which Chauncey was honored with a 13-gun salute.

The event symbolized the end of the "Shipbuilders' War" on Lake Ontario and presaged the demilitarization of the Great Lakes formalized by the 1817 Rush-Bagot Agreement which continues to this day.

--Brock-Perry