HMS Caledonia (1807) explained
Caledonia was a
British brig which saw service on the
Great Lakes during the
War of 1812.
Caledonia was built in Malden in
Upper Canada for the
North West Company, and launched in 1807. During the early part of the War, the vessel was commandeered by the
Provincial Marine, and played an important part in the
Siege of Fort Mackinac, carrying troops and guns to the island.
[1] On 9 October 1812, Caledonia and (formerly the American armed brig Adams, which had been captured after the Siege of Detroit) were anchored near Fort Erie in the upper reaches of the Niagara River. Both had been transporting troops and materials eastwards, but Caledonia also carried a valuable cargo of furs. An American boat expedition commanded by Lieutenant Jesse Elliott captured the two brigs. Caledonia was taken to the navy yard at Black Rock, but Detroit was swept away by the current and forced to drop anchor within range of British cannons. After an artillery duel, the cable was cut and Detroit drifted down the river, grounding on Squaw Island (today known as Unity Island) where she was abandoned, and eventually set on fire and destroyed.
Caledonia was taken into American service as .
References
- Book: The Sail & Steam Navy List: All the Ships of the Royal Navy 1815–1889 . David Lyon & Rif Winfield . London . 2004 . 1-86176-032-9.
- Book: British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates . Rif Winfield . London . 2005 . 1-86176-246-1.
- Book: The Sailing Navy List: All the Ships of the Royal Navy, Built, Purchased and Captured, 1688–1860 . David Lyon . London . 1997 . 0-85177-864-X .
- Book: Warships of the Great Lakes: 1754–1834 . Robert Malcomson . Annapolis . 2001 . 1-55750-910-7.
- Book: Lords of the Lake . Robert Malcomson . Annapolis . 1998 . 1-55750-532-2.
Notes and References
- Web site: The Ships that Battled for Lake Erie: What Happened to Them? Part 2: The United States Navy – Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial (U.S. National Park Service). 2021-12-02. www.nps.gov. en.
