BLACK SNAKE – Recovered

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Capture and Scuttling of the Gun-Boat BLACK SNAKE

BACKGROUND: #

Date of Event: July 16, 1814
Location: St. Lawrence River, near the Thousand Islands
Primary Figures: Lieutenant Gregory (U.S. Navy), Captain Owen (British Navy)

INCIDENT OVERVIEW: #

In July 1814, during the War of 1812, Lieutenant Gregory of the United States Navy conducted a covert operation in the Thousand Islands, a strategically critical area in the St. Lawrence River between Kingston, Ontario, and Prescott, Ontario. The mission involved reconnaissance and potential capture of enemy vessels to disrupt British communications and troop movements along the river.

THE RAID: #

Lieutenant Gregory, with his small party, covertly positioned their boats onshore and concealed them, observing British movements along the river. The British were well-prepared, with gunboats stationed at regular intervals and telegraph lookouts on high islands, ensuring rapid communication across the region.

On the morning of July 16th, around 9 to 10 AM, Gregory’s party was discovered by a British gunboat. Seizing the opportunity, Lieutenant Gregory launched a bold attack, successfully boarding and capturing the vessel, identified as the BLACK SNAKE or Gun-Boat No. 9. The BLACK SNAKE was a well-armed boat, mounting an 18-pounder gun and crewed by 18 Royal Marines.

THE PURSUIT AND SCUTTLING: #

After taking control of the BLACK SNAKE, Gregory and his men manned the captured vessel and began moving up the St. Lawrence River. However, their success was short-lived as they were soon pursued by a much larger British gunboat, heavily armed and manned, with over 40 oars, allowing it to quickly close the distance.

Recognizing that they could not outrun or outgun the approaching British force, Lieutenant Gregory made the difficult decision to abandon the BLACK SNAKE. After transferring all prisoners to their own boats, Gregory’s men scuttled the gunboat, ensuring it would not fall back into enemy hands. The BLACK SNAKE sank quickly, and Gregory’s party managed to escape despite being heavily loaded with prisoners.

AFTERMATH: #

Lieutenant Gregory returned safely to U.S. territory with all his prisoners, marking the mission as a tactical success despite the loss of the captured vessel. This daring raid demonstrated the aggressive and opportunistic tactics employed by both sides in the naval theater of the War of 1812, particularly in the strategically vital St. Lawrence River corridor.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: #

The incident highlights the challenges of naval warfare in the confined and heavily monitored waters of the St. Lawrence River during the War of 1812. It also underscores the role of small boat operations in disrupting enemy activities and gathering intelligence, even in the face of overwhelming odds.