geroge_gibsons_schooner.pdf | |
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Then came the tragic loss of HMS Speedy in October 1804, which included the death of their good friend Captain Thomas Paxton, the respected captain of that vessel. Soon afterward, district town status had been wrenched away from the little community of Newcastle and later established at Amherst, in Hamilton Township, later the town of Cobourg. The Gibson and Selleck families had remained on Presqu’ile Point in spite of this debacle. They purchased the courthouse building from the government and, within a few years, they had removed the third level and done major renovations, trying to make a comfortable family home.
The War of 1812 came along less than a decade later. |
Not only were the fleets expanding dramatically, but the ships themselves were growing larger and more powerful. Early in the summer of 1814, two ships carrying about 40 guns each were launched at Kingston that would add to the growth. Around the same time, the keel was laid for HMS St. Lawrence, the largest ship yet built in the Point Frederick Shipyards. This monster (right) was expected to carry 112 guns and become a formidable weapon against the American fleet on Lake Ontario.
The Americans were responding in kind. While George Gibson’s schooner edged closer to launch, spies reported that the Superior was reaching completion at Sackets Harbour. Originally, the plan was for 50 guns, but, when the Americans learned about the HMS St. Lawrence, the plan was bumped to 62 guns. While the impact of one or two ships would not move one side very far ahead over the long run, the launch of certain ships did have the effect of making the authorities feel more confident, making it more likely that they might undertake more aggressive ventures. |
Morale was not a problem for Acting Lieutenant Francis Gregory, the commander of the American raiding party that burned George Gibson’s schooner. As the two gigs dug into the waves of Lake Ontario, Gregory conferred with William Vaughan, the master of one of the boats, while Samuel Dixon, the pilot of the other, led the party back to Sackets Harbour. These three men had worked together several times on successful raids on British transports and gunboats up the St. Lawrence River. Sailors scrambled to become part of a crew under such men and here was another raid that would evolve into legend in the irregular navy on the American side.
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One can imagine that the folks to the east of Presqu’ile Point, at the Carrying Place, would be very concerned about the American raid when they heard about it the next day. Hundreds of soldiers were bivouacked across the narrow isthmus, waiting for their batteaux to be drawn across so they could continue their journey. Asa Weller would be alarmed at the news, but not surprised, since it was common knowledge that George Gibson was building a schooner. Discussions about whether it was for military purposes or not seemed a moot point on the day after the raid
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Lieut.-General Gordon Drummond sent a letter to his boss, Sir George Prevost, on July 7, 1814, a week after the schooner was burned. As almost an afterthought at the bottom of the letter, he wrote: “I am concerned to acquaint Your Excellency, that a Gunboat & a Durham Boat of the Enemy landed a strong party at Presque Isle, on the night of the 1st July, where they burnt the Stone House of a Mr. Gibson, and a small schooner which was building there by him.”
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“The part played by the notorious Bill Johnson in Brighton's history is unforgettable. A description is given of some of his activities.
"During this time (War of 1812) Grandfather Gibson spent the greater part of his time working and building a schooner for one of his sons on the shore in front of his dwelling (should kind Providence spare his boys to return from the War). He had the schooner nearly completed when a report was made to the American Government by spies that were continually coasting along the Canadian frontier that vessels were being built by the Government for war purposes. Consequently, Bill Johnson (the notorious land pirate as he was called) was sent by the American government to burn the boat. He came from Sackett's Harbour in what was called a revenue cutter boat, and with oars muffled, the crew came noiselessly up the shore at night, threw some inflammable substance on the vessel, ignited it and the boat was soon wrapped in flames from stem to stern, burning to ashes while standing on the stocks. While the boat was burning, the cutter was seen with 6 or 8 oars on either side dipping together into the water taking her departure."” |
deposition_of_john_young_archived_document.pdf | |
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Acting Lieut. Gregory wrote a detailed report of the raid for his boss, Commodore Isaac Chauncey (right). In turn, Chauncey wrote to the Secretary of the Navy, William Jones, to describe the operation and hit on the key points of policy and personnel. He made very clear that Gregory’s men had not violated the new orders about abusing civilians and damaging property of no military importance. Yes, the storehouse near the ship had caught fire, but this was accidental and could be seen as a benefit because it contained equipment and materials that would have allowed the ship to be launched very soon. No problem there.
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Lieut. Gregory could put a brave face on it, but his stellar reputation had been tarnished. His boss was supportive, but recognized the error in judgement that led to his capture. As he explained to his boss, Secretary of the Navy William Jones, “The loss of this boat and crew is truly mortifying: Lt. Gregory was an officer in whose judgment and discretion I had the most implicit confidence, but it appears that in this instance he has suffered his zeal to get the better of his judgment.”
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