Isis Quebec 21st October 1776
(Copy)
Sir Having for the space of Six Weeks, attended the Naval Equipment for the important Expedition on Lake Champlain, I (on the 4h instant) saw with unspeakable joy the reconstructed Ship alluded to in former Letters now called the Inflexible and commanded by Lieutenant [John] Schank her rebuilder; sail from St Johns twenty Eight Days after her keel was laid, towards the place of rendezvous ー taking in her eighteen twelve pounders, beyond the Shoal which is on this side the Isle aux Noix, in her way up.
The prodigies of labor which have been effected, since the Rebels were driven out of Canada in creating, recreating, and equiping a fleet of above thirty fighting Vessels of different Sorts and Sizes, and all carrying Cannon, since the beginning of July, together with the transporting over and & afterwards drigging up the two rapids of St Terese and St Johns, thirty Long boats, the flat bottom boats, a Gondola weighing about thirty Tons, and above four hundred Battoes, almost exceeds belief. His Excellency the Commander in Chief of the Army and all the other Generals, are of the opinion that the Sailors of His Majesty's Ships and Transports, (far have beyond the usual limits of their duty) Exerted themselves to the utmost, on this great and toilsome Occasion. Nor has a Man of that profession, uttered a single Words expressive of discontent amidst all the hardships they have undergone so truly patriotic are the motives, by which they are actuated. To Crown the whole above two hundred prime Seamen of the Transports, impelled by a due sense of their Country's wrongs did most generously engage themselves, to serve in our armed Vessels, during the Expedition; and Embarked accordingly. such having then been our unremitting toils, I am happy beyond Expression in hereby acquainting my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the destruction of almost the whole of the Rebel Fleet, in two several Battles on the 11th and 13th instant is our reward as may appear by a Letter of General Burgoyne's of the 12th Instant, and by the Accounts I am this day honoured with, from General Carleton, of which I send you Copies; as also by a Letter from Captain [Thomas] Pringle of the Lord Howe armed Ship who commands the Officers and Seamen on the Lake, and, who bestows the highest Encomiums on their behaviour in both Engagements The Rebels did by no means believe it possible, for us to get upon Lake Champlain this Year; were much surprized at the first sight of the Van of our force but ran into immediate and utter confusion, the moment a three masted Ship m(de her appearance being a phenomenon, they never so much as dreamt of. Thus have His Majesty's faithful Subjects here (contrary to a Crude but prevailing idea) by straining every nerve in their Countrys cause outdone them in working, as much as in fighting.
The Ship Inflexible with the Maria and Carleton Schooners, all reconstructions did the whole of the second days business, the flat bottomed Radeau, called the Thunderer, and the Gondola called the Loyal Convert; with the Gun boats, not having been able to keep up with them: the said Gondola was taken from the Rebels, the day the seige of Quebec was raised The loss we have sustained, considering the great superiority of the Insurgents, is very small consisting of between thirty and forty Men, killed and wounded Seamen, Soldiers, artillery men and all eight whereof were slain outwright, and Six wounded on board of the Carleton; as to further particulars, I must refer you to Lieutenant Dacres, who (in justice due to his merit for the part he bore in destroying the Rebel Fleet) I am happy in sending upon this occasion to their Lordships in the Stag Transport as also in thereby complying with the General's desire, who for the same reason, is pleased to honor him with the Conveyance of his Dispatches.
If any further occurrences happen, which may be worthy of their Lordships cognizance, they shall be the subject of some future Letter. In the mean time, being about to prepare an Express for Lord Howe, and recommending all the Gentlemen, according to the herewith inclosed List, who have had the honor of serving His Majesty in this brilliant Expedition, to that of the present notice, or future protection of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, remain &c
Charles Douglas.
P:S: Presuming that the early knowledge of this great Event, in the Southern parts of Europe, may be of advantage to His Majesty's Service I have written an account thereof to his ambassador at Madrid, by a Ship which is sailed for Barcelona with a fair wind. I hope their Lordships will approve thereof.
[Enclosures]
Copy
Officers & Petty Officers detached from His Magts Squadron in the
River St Lawrence to serve on Lake Champlain
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A List of His Majesty's Naval force on Lake Champlain. |
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Ship |
Inflexible |
Lieut [John] Schank. |
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18 twelve pounder. |
Schooner |
Maria |
Lieut [John] Starke. |
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14 Sixes |
Do |
Carleton |
Lieut [James Richard] Dacres |
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12 Sixes |
Radeau |
Thunderer |
Lieut [George] Scott |
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6 Twenty fours
6 Twelves
2 Howitzers |
Gondola |
Loyal Convert |
Lieut [Edward] Longcroft |
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7 Nines |
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20 Gun Boats |
Each a brass field piece some
twenty fours to nines some with
Howitzers |
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4 Long Boats |
With each a Carriage Gun
serving as Arm'd Tenders |
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24 Long Boats |
With Provisions |
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A List of the Rebel Fleet on Lake Champlain |
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Schooner |
Royal Savage — |
8 Six pounders and 4 fours burnt 11th October at
Valicour [Valcour] |
Schooner |
Revenge |
4. 6 pounders & 4 fours Escaped to Ticonderogo
the 13th October |
A Sloop |
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10 four Pounders, Escaped to Ticonderogo, the
13th October |
Cutter |
Lee |
One 9 pounder in her bow, one twelve pounder
in her Stern, and 2 Sixes in her Sides, Abandon'd
13th October |
Galley |
Congress |
Two Eighteen pounders in her bow, Two 12
poundrs in her Stern, and 6 Sixes in her sides,
run on Shore & Burnt 13th Octr |
Galley |
Washington |
One Eighteen, And one 12 Poundr in her box
Two Nines in her Stern, and Six Sixes in her
Sides; taken the 13th October |
Galley |
Trumble |
Like the Washington, Escaped to Ticonderogo the
13th October |
Eight Gondola's |
Carrying one 8 Pounder in the Bow, and two
nines in the Sides, Some of these had four Guns
in their Sides — One taken the 11[th] One
Sunk the 11th four burnt the 13th — 1 Escaped
And one Missing. |
Schooner |
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Taken from Major Skeene was gone for Provisions |
Galley |
Gates |
Expected to join them in a few days. |
Copy |
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A List of the Seamen detached from His Majts Ships & Vessels in the
River St Lawrence to serve on Lake Champlain |
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Seamen |
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Isis |
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100 |
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Blonde |
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70 |
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Triton |
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60 |
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Garland |
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30 |
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Canceaux |
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40 |
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Magdalen |
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Brunswic |
18 |
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Gaspee |
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Treasury Armed Brig |
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90 |
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Fell |
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30 |
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Province armed Vessels |
lately wrecked |
Charlotte |
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9 |
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Voluntiers from no Ship |
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9 |
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Do from the Transports |
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214 |
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Total |
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670 |
Exclusive of Eight |
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Officers and 19
Petty Officers |