Capture of the "Ohio" and "Somers"

and

Capture of the "Somers" and "Ohio"

There are two plaques about these schooners in The Town of Fort Erie.
Both can be seen on this page.

Photos by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted November, 2009

Plaque Location

The Region of Niagara
The Town of Fort Erie
To the right of the gate inside the parade square of Fort Erie

Coordinates: N 42 53.593 W 78 55.419

Plaque Text

On the night of 12 August 1814, as a prelude to a British attack on Fort Erie, an expedition was mounted against three armed American schooners anchored off the fort. Captain Alexander Dobbs, R.N., embarked with 70 seamen and marines in six bateaux which had been portaged from Frenchman's Creek, and by a ruse got close enough to cut the hawsers and board and capture the OHIO and SOMERS. The third vessel, PORCUPINE, escaped. Dobbs' victory was the last naval action fought on the Great Lakes in the War of 1812.

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted August, 2004

Plaque Location

The Region of Niagara
The Town of Fort Erie
In Crystal Beach, on the west side of the park at Queen's Circle

Coordinates: N 42 51.955 W 79 03.696

Plaque Text

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.

Related Ontario plaque
Fort Erie

More
Information

More
War of 1812

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