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Capture of HMS Caledonia and HMS Detroit
Part of War of 1812
Date October 9, 1812 Location Fort Erie, Ontario Result American Victory
Belligerents
	United States
Commanders and leaders
Frédérick Rolette	Lieutenant Jesse D. Elliott
Strength
66	100
Casualties and losses
2 killed 5 wounded 64 captured	2 killed 13 wounded (4 mortally)

On October 9th, 1812 100 American sailors and soldiers crossed the Niagara River to capture two British vessels anchored near Fort Erie. The Americans stormed the decks and successfully captured the ships and their cargo.

Background

On the night of October 9th, 1812 the British ships HMS Detroit and HMS Caledonia, were anchored off Fort Erie in the Niagara River. Detroit had been captured by the British during the Siege of Detroit in August. The ships had been doing supply runs between Niagara and the British Fort Amherstburg. Lieutenant Jessie Elliot had only recently arrived at Buffalo and almost immediately started gathering troops for a raid on the ships.

Action

Elliots' force departed the Black Rock, Buffalo Navy Yard at midnight in two boats, one commanded by Elliot and another by Captain Townson. When Towson's boat gets close to Caledonia the Britsh crew notices them and opens fire. The Americans throw grapnels over the deck of the ship, only one holds but it's enough. Within two minutes of the American boarding the ship surrenders. The British sailors on Detroit were distracted by the action on the Caledonia allowing Elliot's men to easily take the ship by surprise. The Americans try to bring the ships to the American shore but soon become grounded. British artillery from Fort Eire fires at the ships with little effect. American artillery from Black Rock then began bombarding Fort Erie and Elliot moves all of the Detroits guns to the side of the ship to fire at Fort Erie. Calendonia meanwhile beaches on the American side of the river. Detroit runs ashore on Squaw Island. Smaller American boats bring the American sailors and British prisoners to shore. Soon after a British force of 40 headed by boat to the beached Detroit. They briefly gain control of the ship but cannon fire from Black Rock drove them away. The Americans determine the cannon fire has wrecked Detroit beyond saving. A small American party burnt the ship lest it falls into British hands.

Aftermath

Issac Brock arrived at Fort Erie with a much larger force than the Americans had across the shore. He wanted to cross the river but George Prevost had given him orders not to conduct offensive actions. Aboard the Detroit 52 British sailors were taken captive and another 32 American prisoners on the ship were released. On Caledonia, 12 British sailors were taken captive and 10 more American prisoners were released. The two ship's cargo included 200 muskets, $200,000 worth of fur, and so much pork destined for Fort Amherstburg that the British there had to go on half rations.

Sources

• Cruikshank, Earnst (1902). The Documentary History of the campaign opun the Niagara. Welland Ontario: Lundys Lane Historical Society.
• Hanning, Bud (2012). The War of 1812:A Complete Chronology with biographies of 63 General Officers. McFarland and Company Inc.