Capture of the USS Tigress and Scorpion -- Penetanguishene
The Lynx is an interpretation of a privateer or naval schooner of the 1812 period.
GPS: N 44° 47' 27" W 79° 56' 02"
Civic Address: 234-280 Fox St., Penetanguishene, Ontario L9M 1E9 (approx)
Directions: Head North on Penetanguishene Rd/County Rd 93 into Penetang; Turn Right at Robert St E; take 2nd Left onto Fox Street. Destination on the left in approx 2.5 km from Fox and Robert.
Description: In the northern-most part of Georgian Bay lies the Detour Passage between Drummond Island and Michigan's upper peninsula. In August of 1814 it was occupied by the armed USS Tigress and Scorpion who were blockading supplies reaching the British garrison at Michilimackinac. The Tigress and the Scorpion were two of the American war ships that has successfully defeated HMS Nancy in the naval engagement at the mouth of the Nottawasaga River at Wasaga Beach. The Tigress was 15 m length and 5.2 m beam with one 32-pounder gun and a crew of 27; the Scorpion was 19 m length and 5.2 m beam with one 32-pounder long gun and one 32-pounder carronade and a crew of 35. Both schooners were launched in 1813 and saw active combat in the Battle of Lake Erie and Battle of the Thames.
Civic Address: 234-280 Fox St., Penetanguishene, Ontario L9M 1E9 (approx)
Directions: Head North on Penetanguishene Rd/County Rd 93 into Penetang; Turn Right at Robert St E; take 2nd Left onto Fox Street. Destination on the left in approx 2.5 km from Fox and Robert.
Description: In the northern-most part of Georgian Bay lies the Detour Passage between Drummond Island and Michigan's upper peninsula. In August of 1814 it was occupied by the armed USS Tigress and Scorpion who were blockading supplies reaching the British garrison at Michilimackinac. The Tigress and the Scorpion were two of the American war ships that has successfully defeated HMS Nancy in the naval engagement at the mouth of the Nottawasaga River at Wasaga Beach. The Tigress was 15 m length and 5.2 m beam with one 32-pounder gun and a crew of 27; the Scorpion was 19 m length and 5.2 m beam with one 32-pounder long gun and one 32-pounder carronade and a crew of 35. Both schooners were launched in 1813 and saw active combat in the Battle of Lake Erie and Battle of the Thames.
Tigress and Scorpion Plaque
In September a British force of seamen, soldiers and Indians under Lieutenants Miller Worsley, R.N., and Andrew Bulger of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment left Michilimackinac in small, open boats to attack the enemy. The Tigress was boarded on September 3 under cover of darkness and after a brief and bloody battle, the British captured the ship in five minutes. Two days later the Scorpion came to anchor nearby and, unaware of her sister ship's capture, allowed her to come alongside. Taken by surprise the Scorpion was captured after a sharp fight.
As a prize of war, the Tigress was renamed HMS Surprise, due to her nature of capture, and the Scorpion the HMS Confiance.
The ships bells remain in the two churches in Penetanguishene. The location of the cairn is suitable for picnics.
As a prize of war, the Tigress was renamed HMS Surprise, due to her nature of capture, and the Scorpion the HMS Confiance.
The ships bells remain in the two churches in Penetanguishene. The location of the cairn is suitable for picnics.
