Shipwreck Report: Gun-Boat BLACK SNAKE

Identification & Historical Overview

•Name: Black Snake (also referred to as Gun-Boat No. 9)

•Type: Armed Gunboat

•Built: Specific details unknown; British service during the War of 1812

•Dimensions: Not documented

•Armament: One 18-pounder gun

•Crew: 18 Royal Marines

•Final Location: St. Lawrence River, near the Thousand Islands

•Date of Loss: July 16, 1814

Incident Summary

The Black Snake was captured during a daring raid by Lieutenant Gregory of the United States Navy on July 16, 1814, as part of covert operations in the St. Lawrence River during the War of 1812. The gunboat, stationed to monitor and secure British communications and troop movements, fell into U.S. hands after an aggressive boarding action.

After the successful capture, the vessel was manned by Gregory’s party and moved upriver. However, a larger and heavily armed British gunboat rapidly pursued the Black Snake, forcing Gregory to scuttle the vessel to prevent its recapture. The Black Snake was deliberately sunk and remains unrecovered.

Vessel Description

The Black Snake was a British gunboat, purpose-built for patrol and defense along critical waterways such as the St. Lawrence River. Its single 18-pounder gun and crew of 18 marines underscored its role in securing British interests in the region. The vessel’s design and armament indicate a focus on mobility and firepower for riverine warfare.

Final Voyage and Loss

•Date of Loss: July 16, 1814

•Cause: Scuttling during pursuit by a larger British gunboat

•Location: St. Lawrence River, near the Thousand Islands

•Cargo: None documented

•Crew Status: All crew and prisoners were safely evacuated by the U.S. forces

Lieutenant Gregory’s decision to sink the Black Snake ensured it could not be recaptured by British forces, preserving the tactical success of the mission.

Historical Context

The loss of the Black Snake highlights the intense and small-scale naval engagements that characterized much of the War of 1812, particularly in the strategically vital St. Lawrence River corridor. Such operations disrupted enemy supply lines and showcased the use of aggressive tactics by smaller, agile forces.

Current Condition and Status

The Black Snake remains unrecovered and its exact location is unknown. No known surveys or recovery attempts have been documented. Given the time elapsed, it is likely that only remnants of the vessel remain, potentially buried in the riverbed of the St. Lawrence River.

Conservation and Research Potential

While its precise location is undetermined, the Black Snake represents a significant artifact of the War of 1812. Discovery of the wreck could provide insights into:

•British gunboat construction and design.

•Naval tactics and logistics during the War of 1812.

•The broader historical context of engagements in the Thousand Islands region.

Keywords

•War of 1812

•Black Snake Gunboat

•St. Lawrence River Shipwreck

•Thousand Islands Naval Engagement

•Lieutenant Gregory

•British Navy

•Naval Warfare History

•Scuttled Vessel

Sources

•Buffalo Gazette (July 12, 1814): Reporting on the raid and escape by Lieutenant Gregory

•Historical analyses of the War of 1812 naval operations

•Accounts from the National Archives regarding British naval activity on the St. Lawrence River