Capture of the "Somers" and "Ohio"
Text from the plaque
On the night of August 12, 1814, seventy seamen and marines, led by Captain Alexander T. Dobbs, R.N., embarked in this vicinity to attempt the capture of three armed U.S. schooners lying off American-held Fort Erie. One of the six boats used had been carried some 40 km from Queenston, while the others were brought overland from Frenchman's Creek. Masquerading as supply craft, the force boarded and seized the "Somers" and "Ohio", the "Porcupine" alone escaping. Two of the attackers, including their second-in-command, Lieutenant Copleston Radcliffe, R.N., were killed. This daring exploit was the last naval action fought on the Great Lakes during the War of 1812.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The Region of Niagara
The Town of Fort Erie
In Crystal Beach, on the west side of the park
at Queen's Circle
Also recorded for this place: The Region of Niagara
N 42 51.955 W 79 03.696
Recorded August 2004. Check current access before visiting.
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Where it stands
Visitors' notes
August 15, 2014
This week marks the bicentennial of this daring capture. The inscription calls it "the last naval action" on the Great Lakes in the War of 1812. Yet two days later, HMS Nancy was attacked in an engagement that involved three US warships (Battle of Nottawasaga Bay). And on Sept. 3 and 5, 1814, the Tigress and Scorpion were captured by the British, the latter vessel after "a sharp fight". See the related pages on this website. -Wayne