Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812 by Gilbert Collins

Author:Gilbert Collins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dundurn
Published: 2006-08-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Kingston

1. Point Frederick Buildings

2. The Stone Frigate

3. Kingston Navy Yard

4. Point Frederick

5. Rush–Bagot Agreement

CHAUNCEY’S ATTACK ON KINGSTON HARBOUR—

KINGSTON, ONTARIO

After escaping from the American squadron by taking refuge in the Bay of Quinte, the British corvette Royal George continued her flight to Kingston Harbour. She anchored midway between the town and Point Frederick, opposite the point where the “Market Battery” marker is now located. In mid afternoon of November 10, 1812, the American squadron under Commodore Isaac Chauncey bore down into the bay with the objective of destroying the Royal George. In the van were the schooners Conquest, Julia, Pert, and Growler.

Next in line was the brig Oneida, which was Commodore Chauncey’s flagship, and following in the rear were the schooners Hamilton and Governor Tompkins. The American fleet was armed mainly with long guns, except the Oneida, which had only short-ranged carronades. The fleet directed their fire at the Royal George and the shore batteries that had been established at Point Frederick and Mississauga Point (presently the Market Battery Site).

The Royal George’s main armament, much like the Oneida’s, consisted of carronades, and she could do little in reply to the schooners, which kept their distance and maintained a long-range cannonade. After an hour of receiving fire, the Royal George slipped her cable and moved further into the bay. Soon after, the wind began to freshen towards shore, and with sundown approaching, the chances of destroying the Royal George were remote. Commodore Chauncey then hauled his wind and bore the squadron away.

Casualties for such a dramatic affair were light. One of the long guns on the Pert exploded, killing the sailing master and wounding four others, and on the Royal George only one man was killed. This engagement, though small, was important, for the Royal George was the largest vessel on the lake at that time, and her capture could have been serious. Nevertheless, Commodore Chauncey had virtual command of Lake Ontario for the rest of the season, short as that may have been. A plaque erected by the Kingston Historical Society in 1953 commemorates the event and is located in Macdonald Park not far from Murney Redoubt.

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