Monday, October 10^th

The rain that had followed us some three hundred miles seemed to stop just as we set off aboard the armed boat HORNET.  Having willingly taken the King’s shilling, we were intent on carrying the War to the waters of Lake George and to burn, sink or capture any French vessel that attempted passage.  Joe Chrome, Eric Truitte and Harry Greenberger accompanied me on this voyage, the four of us being experienced sailors accustomed to employment during wartime.

We shipped oars and rowed straight into a modest northeasterly wind and made our way toward the south end of Big Burnt Island, taking care not to be seen by the French.  As we approached the channel between Mohawk and Uncas Islands we saw a group of sails some three miles to the northeast.  It was the French fleet.  The glass showed them to be a two-masted vessel, two smaller single-masted boats and at least one canoe.  They were hugging the shoreline north of Black Mountain Point, and without our sails set we were far enough away to be invisible to them.

The southern end of Big Burnt Island proved a fine hiding place.  While camp was set up, crewmen took turns on the north end of the island watching the French fleet as it traveled down the lake.  The enemy continued south past Red Rock and into the bay at Commission Point.  Loud gunfire erupted as British Rangers were already there and repulsed the French as they attempted to land.  Unable to get troops ashore, the French withdrew to occupy the group of islands just off the point.  Sunset was only two hours away, and we were certain that they would remain there for the night.  Only the British high command was aware of our presence on the Lake, as security for this mission was kept in the utmost confidence for a year.  It was nearly time for us to set our plan in motion.

We dined on fresh grilled steak and cranberry bread filling accompanied by a fine Bordeaux.  The French might be the enemy, but to their credit they do make excellent wine.  When we finished our meal we set about emptying all unnecessary gear from the boat.  The swivel gun was loaded, small arms were checked and the boat’s running lights were lit.  Our orders were to rendezvous with the British commander on Little Harbor Island after dark, and it was time to go.  We left a lit lantern on the dock for our return and quietly got under way.

The northeast wind had died down to a light breeze, allowing us to make our destination in under half an hour.  We landed unopposed at Little Harbor Island, and mooring stern first on a dock we sat in the shadows and awaited the arrival of our contact.  Several minutes later a signal shot rang out from the south, and we returned the signal.  Soon a canoe came into view and Captain Kennedy and Lieutenant Goodrich appeared.  I produced a bottle of foxfire and in the dim blue glow we planned a night action against the enemy.  The HORNET was to arrive off the French anchorage at 10:00pm and attack the vessels moored there.  The British land forces were going to gather at Commission Point and launch whatever canoes were available to support the attack.

At precisely 10:00pm we were on station.  Perhaps our running lights made us look like a merchantman, or maybe the French were asleep, but as we approached the anchorage no one could be seen on the docks and no challenge was issued.   We could make out the masts of the French boats in the darkness, and the order was given to open fire.  We coasted to point blank range and firing six salvoes proceeded to riddle each vessel in turn, starting with the large two-master.  Having achieved complete surprise and accomplishing our mission, we set course for the channel in front of Commission Point.   A loud cheer was raised from the British as they toasted their King and their victory. 

The breeze freshened from the northeast, and under jib alone we sailed south.  When we were certain of our course we extinguished the boat's running lights, keeping our final destination a mystery from those we just attacked.  Darkness engulfed us, and as we rounded the southeastern point of Big Burnt Island our lantern-lit anchorage came into view.  We tied-off fore and aft and retired to our camp for a well-earned rest.

Tuesday, October 11^th

We awoke at first light and ate a breakfast of hard-boiled eggs, oatmeal and coffee.  So far the rain had held off, and with a fresh breeze building out of the northeast we readied the HORNET for another mission.  During our meeting the previous night, Captain Kennedy asked us if we could be on station at the French anchorage at 9:00am to see what remained of the French fleet.  If any of the boats were able to put to sea, we would draw them out so that the British might have a chance to launch a raid against the island.

Arriving at the designated time, we were soon met by the large two-masted Frenchman coming out of the anchorage.  The French must have worked all night to repair the damage caused by our attack the night before, and with only three men on board she was hard pressed to engage us.  It seemed the other French boats were less fortunate. 

We quickly out-sailed our adversary to windward and took the weather gauge.  When she came within range we fired first, and for the next ten minutes we sailed around her, exchanging heated volleys.  Rangers and Frenchman alike lined the shore to watch the engagement.  The Frenchman’s two-masted sprit rig wasn’t well suited for making to windward and we were able to outmaneuver the larger boat.  The enemy vessel soon disengaged and ran for port with the HORNET in pursuit.  When it was clear that the French boat had retired, we initiated a blockade of the French anchorage before turning to land at Commission Point where we met up with the entire British force.

The French were trapped.  They couldn’t land at Commission Point because of the British protecting it, and they couldn’t row north because the wind had strengthened from that direction.  The sky spoke of fowl weather, and if war was going to be waged in the rain, the French needed to make landfall somewhere on the mainland.  With this in mind, the British commander initiated a parley with the French, and when it was over the British graciously afforded the French the use of Commission Point beginning at noon. 

While the parley was being held, a small contingent of Frenchmen was spotted on the mainland just south of Commission Point.   A short time later we learned that several Rangers had been killed.  The crew from the HORNET was dispatched to hunt down the rogue Frenchmen, and a short time later they returned with Mr. Chrome credited with one confirmed kill.

It was now 11:00am, and with our mission accomplished we set sail for our base camp at the southern end of Big Burnt Island.   On the way we noticed a lone French canoe that must have belonged to the French raiding party.  We approached the shoreline cautiously and when we were within range we shot it to pieces with a blast from the swivel, leaving a death card for good measure.

After mid-day vittles we set about breaking camp.  The French were about to make their move to Commission Point, and we were going to meet up with the main British force in Paradise Bay.  We loaded up our gear between the boat and the canoe, and with two of us in each vessel we set off.  But while we were preparing to leave, the wind greatly intensified out of the north.  The canoe set off along the island's eastern shore while the HORNET worked into the east channel.  The wind backed to the southeast just long enough to put the boat in irons.  With a good speed difficult to maintain, she lost way and began to drift.  We shifted our ballast, but it just wasn’t enough.  We couldn't tack, so we jibed instead.  The vessel turned to run with the wind and was blown nearly two hundred yards before we were able to make our way west.  Ducking under the lee of Watch Island allowed us to put things to rights, and we sailed back to Big Burnt Island where we met up with our canoe.  Mr. Greenberger & Mr. Truitte had returned as well, being unable to navigate around the northeastern point of the island because the wind was so severe. 

If we couldn’t get to windward, then for certain neither could the French.  We set up a new camp on Big Burnt Island and continued our watch of Commission Point.   Some rain clouds moved into the area, but where we were situated much of the bad weather was stopped by the canopy of the forest above us.  We knew that when the weather broke the French would make their move northward.  It’s what we would do if we were them.  The rain continued into the evening and we took turns bailing out the HORNET, ate a simple dinner of sausage and cheese, and got another good night’s sleep.

Wednesday, October 12th

We awoke at dawn to the sound of gunfire on Commission Point.  From the sound of things, it was a heated battle.  We ate a breakfast of pancakes and bacon, and when the wind died down by late morning our lookout reported that the French were breaking camp.  If they were going to make a run for it, we would be there to intercept them.

The HORNET was already cleared for action, and we set off north rowing along the eastern shore of Big Burnt Island.  We made it to the island where the enemy had camped on Monday night and we sat in wait for the French vessels to pass.  A canoe led the way, followed by the two-masted PLAGUE RATT.  We opened fire and moved in to break the French line.  After exchanging a number of shots with the PLAGUE RATT we set course for the two dories that were following her.  They were heavily loaded with men & gear, making them difficult to maneuver into the fight.  We fired at the first dory and then steered a course directly to the second one, which we engaged in earnest.  The vessel soon struck its colors and we turned to pursue the rest of the French.  We overtook a canoe and fired on it, sinking it and killing its two occupants.  The other dory was next, and for several minutes we exchanged shots until we fell back, crossed its stern and raked it.  We kept up a steady fire until their gun fell silent.  Finally we turned to the PLAGUE RATT, which we followed in close pursuit for a quarter mile, firing round after round into its stern without our receiving a single shot in return. 

As a sailor I could understand their desire to get northward.  Although we were enjoying a brief reprieve from the weather, the adverse wind could quickly return.   If the French were ever to get off the Lake, they had to make progress while the opportunity presented itself.  That left only one real option, and both the French commander and I knew it was Black Mountain Point.  With three heavily laden vessels, it was the only suitable anchorage for a force the size of theirs.  Ranger Bay was another option, and if the boats could be managed was probably the best defensive camp for the French on the mainland.  No trails led to the point, but there were no docks either.  Regardless, British Rangers were undoubtedly moving northward on the shoreline along with the French, and they would offer a warm welcome to anyone who tried to land. 

We left what remained of the French naval force and entered Paradise Bay where we moored the HORNET and entered Fort Bear Necessity.  Captain Kennedy had traveled south to link up with the 55^th Regiment of Foot, and was due back within the hour.  A detachment of Rangers had already been sent north to intercept the French wherever they landed, and we took our leisure with the garrison at the Fort.

Soon Captain Kennedy returned, and along with Lieutenant Goodrich we headed north on foot to link up with the Ranger detachment sent to Black Mountain Point.  Mr. Chrome and Mr. Truitte were on point, and Mr. Greenberger remained to assist the garrison at the Fort.   Movement was seen ahead on the trail, but it was only our force returning.  They reported that the French had quit Black Mountain Point and were going home.  The sergeant organized a firing detail and a salute was given to the departing French.  A note was recovered written by the French commander, and Lieutenant Goodrich read it to the Rangers when everyone had returned to the Fort.  The French feared for the weather and were cutting their losses.  If bad weather did move in, the French would have a hard time making the four mile journey north to Hewlett’s Landing.  And although this was true, I couldn’t help but think that the French had to be well provisioned for at least three more days, as were the rest of us.  We were prepared to stay, but it was pointless without anyone left to fight.  We never saw the French natives, and there was word that other Frenchmen had remained in the Mother Bunch Islands all week where they stayed out of the fighting.

We spent some time with the Rangers at Fort Bear Necessity, and after it got dark we lit the running lanterns on the HORNET, said our farewells and set a course for our camp on Big Burnt Island.  The rain had stopped, and so did the wind.  The Lake’s surface was like glass, making our trip an easy row.  Back at camp we ate a light supper and again got another good night’s sleep.

Thursday, October 13^th

The night was quiet, and at dawn we awoke to steady rain.  We breakfasted and set about striking camp.  Fortunately the weather cleared somewhat and we were able to load our gear without getting very wet.  Donning our oilskins, we fired a signal to the British camp and marked our departure at 8:00am.  The British camp returned the signal, and the weather graciously held off as we rowed off the Lake.  We arrived at Bolton’s Landing at 9:20am, and left for home after eating a warm meal at a local establishment. 

The journey home was filled with conversation detailing our adventure and how we accomplished our goal of defeating the French naval force.  There were specific things that came to mind: The French left men and natives to the north all week that were never engaged.  The French also never sent out a scout canoe to follow us after our night attack on Monday.  Had they known where we were, and had they the will to fight at night, the weather had cleared sufficiently each night for them to travel the quarter-mile to our island base.  But during the day the weather was no friend to them, blowing steadily from the north in a way that could only hinder their ability to move freely on the Lake.  We learned that the French lost a canoe on the first day, and in taking on added passengers and gear the French armed boats were heavily laden and could not easily clear for action when on the water.  The choice of sail rigs for their batteau limited their ability to maneuver, and it only took one armed boat like ours with an efficient rig to outsail the French fleet and control the action.  The French will undoubtedly learn from their experience and return next year a more formidable adversary.