JOHNNY CANUCK AFLOAT--SPLENDID SERVICE ON BOARD THE GUNBOATS--THE
BEGINNING OF THE CANADIAN NAVY--ARRIVAL OF BRITISH TARS.
Concurrent with the mustering of troops to act on land, the need of
naval forces to patrol our lakes and rivers was fully realized, so
preparations were quickly made in that direction. The Toronto Naval
Brigade, commanded by Capt. W. P. McMaster, was a very efficient and
well-disciplined corps of brave and hardy men, who were among the first
to respond to the call of duty. The Government chartered the powerful
steam tug "Rescue," which being properly armed, was placed in commission
as the first boat in the Canadian Navy. She was manned by the Toronto
Naval Brigade, and sailed out of Toronto Harbor on June 4th under sealed
orders. She arrived at Port Dalhousie the same evening and proceeded
through the Welland Canal and Lake Erie to Windsor, where trouble was
expected. Her officers and crew were a resolute and able lot of men, who
were patriotic to the core, and were keen to get into action with the
enemy. It had been rumored that a Fenian fleet was being fitted out on
the Upper Lakes to assist in Gen. Sweeny's programme, therefore all on
board the "Rescue" were vigilant and expectant that they would have
an opportunity to meet a Fenian gunboat on Lake Erie and prove their
mettle.
The roster of the Toronto Naval Brigade on this expedition was
as follows: Captain. W. F. McMaster; Lieutenant, Alex. McGregor;
Sub-Lieutenant, E. B. Vankoughnet; Surgeon, N. McMaster; Gunner,
John Field; Boatswain. R. Montgomery; Chief Engineer, J. Nicholson;
Midshipmen, R. Wilson and A. Miller; Paymaster. Joseph Fletcher;
Quartermaster, George Wyatt; Assistant Engineers, James Findlay and John
Young; Gunner's Mate, James Morrison; Boatswain's Mates, James Ford
and Richard Ardagh; Carpenter, Joseph Smith; Carpenter's Mate, John
Clendinning; Armorer, Fred Oakley; Seamen, Thos. G. Cable, George
Mackay, Wm. A. Wilson, John Bolam, Harry Sewart Crewe, George Fox,
Wm. W. Fox, George Poulter, Samuel Crangle, Ed. Metcalfe, Fred Walker,
Samuel Mountain, Charles Corin, Wm. Miles, Ed. Scadding, Joseph Fetters,
Thos. Hutchinson, James Humphrey, Wm. Dillon, Wm. Maclear, Chas.
Callighan, R. Y. Ellis, Joseph Bywater, John Graham, James Ferguson,
Fred Yates, Harry Y. Young, George Mutton, Edward Turner, Wm. Pedlow,
Samuel Pettigrew, W. J. McClure, Ben. Cope, Thos. Spence, James Craig,
Clarence Cooch, W. Cooch, T. Mulholland, Sam. Parker, E. J. Hobson, J.
G. Hutchinson, Thos. Lunday, Geo. Williams, George Oakley; Powder Boys,
F. H. Moulson and Gus Ellis.
Mr. E. B. Vankoughnet (a Toronto boy, who was then serving as a
midshipman on board Her Majesty's warship "Aurora," lying at Quebec, and
who was home on a visit at the time) wired his commanding officer for
leave to join the "Rescue," and being granted permission, reported for
duty to Capt. McMaster and was attached to the Toronto Naval Brigade as
Sub-Lieutenant on board the "Rescue" before she sailed.
As an example of the alacrity which marked the men of the Toronto Naval
Brigade, it may be mentioned that when they received orders to go on
board the "Rescue" on Sunday morning, June 3rd, and fit her up for
service, they responded so promptly that before evening they had put 67
tons of coal on board, besides transforming the boat from a peaceful tug
to a veritable gunboat by making such alterations as were necessary for
that purpose. All were workers, and "handy men" either ashore or afloat,
and that night everything was so snug and secure that they took up their
quarters on board, fully provisioned for a cruise. Early next morning
the "Rescue" steamed up to the Queen's Wharf and took on board her
armament and ammunition. A large 32-pound gun was mounted on the main
deck, in a position available for service in any direction required,
while the projectiles were placed in pyramidal piles near-by, so as to
be convenient for quick action.
On the afternoon of the 5th of June, while proceeding up Lake Erie, a
suspicious-looking steamer was seen approaching from the west. Heavy
clouds of black smoke belched forth from her funnels, and she appeared
to be heading for the "Rescue" under full speed. As rumors of a Fenian
flotilla on the Upper Lakes had prevailed, it was conjectured that this
strange craft might be one of the enemy's gunboats, and consequently its
appearance caused some excitement on board the "Rescue." The men were
called to quarters, the 32-pounder loaded and charged with chain-shot,
and every preparation made to give battle in case the approaching
steamer should happen to be a foe. As it came nearer it was seen that
she was a side-wheeler, and was evidently crowding on all steam. Jack
Fields (an experienced gunner) took charge of the 32-pounder, which
he carefully trained on the stranger, and remarked: "We will take that
walking-beam out of her." All were now expectant, and ready for action,
awaiting orders to fire. But as the steamer approached closer it was
learned that she was the United States revenue cutter "Fessenden," which
was on patrol duty on Lake Erie, on the look-out for Fenians also, and
her commander had intended to overhaul the "Rescue," as he likewise
thought her suspicious-looking. After a friendly "hail" and mutual
explanations, both steamers proceeded on their way.
At about 12 o'clock that night, when about off Port Stanley, a heavy
storm of wind and rain arose, and the crew of the "Rescue" experienced a
very rough time. The boat pitched and rolled in the trough of the heavy
seas, and she sprang a leak. The big gun threatened to break loose from
its lashings, and had to be thoroughly secured by cables. The round
shot, which had been built up in pyramids on the deck, got away from
their base-frames and were rolling in every direction, while the high
waves swept over the bulwarks, deluging the men with water. During the
whole of the night and part of the next day the men were kept constantly
at the pumps, and by dint of hard work succeeded in keeping the boat
afloat until the gale subsided and they entered calmer waters. The crew
were pretty well worn out with hunger and fatigue when they reached
the mouth of the Detroit River on the evening of the 6th of June. They
arrived at Windsor about 8 o'clock on the same night, weary, but none
the worse of their experience in a Lake Erie storm, which is said by old
sailors to be the worst that can rage on any sea.
As matters looked serious along the Detroit River and Upper Lakes,
it was decided to strengthen the naval force at Windsor by equipping
another boat for service. Therefore the staunch ferry steamer "Michigan"
was chartered and details of British tars from Her Majesty's Ship
"Aurora" were brought up from Quebec to form her crew, and also to
relieve the Toronto Naval Brigade from duty on the "Rescue," as Capt.
McMaster had received orders to transfer his command to the "Magnet"
and cruise the lakes. Both the "Michigan" and the "Rescue" were then
efficiently armed and equipped for the naval service required, and
went into commission under British officers and crews. Each boat had
an armament of two Armstrong ship guns (9 and 12-pounders), with full
supplies of ammunition, and were manned by one Lieutenant, one Second
Lieutenant, and midshipmen, doctors, carpenters, etc., with about 90
seamen, 22 marines and seven other officers, all armed with rifles,
cutlasses, revolvers and dirks. Lieut. Fairlie, R.N., and Lieut. Heron,
R.N. (both of the British man-of-war "Aurora"), were placed in command
of the "Rescue" and "Michigan," respectively.
On being relieved from duty on the "Rescue" by the British seamen,
Capt. McMaster and his men proceeded to Toronto to fit out the steamer
"Magnet" for lake service. They had just completed this arduous work
and were awaiting sailing instructions, when an order came that their
services were not needed for the present. In relieving them from further
service they were specially thanked by Gen. Napier for the creditable
manner in which they had done their duty, in the following order:
Assistant Adjt.-General's Office. Toronto, June 10. 1866.
Sir,--I am directed by Maj.-Gen. Napier, C.B., commanding Her Majesty's
forces and volunteers, Canada West, to express to you his thanks for
the efficient services rendered by the Naval Brigade under your command,
particularly recently, when required to take charge of and convert the
steamer "Rescue" into a gunboat, in discharging her cargo and getting
the necessary armament on board in a very short time and in a highly
creditable manner; and, when relieved from the charge of the "Rescue."
in performing similar good services when placed in command of the
steamer "Magnet." And the Major-General will not fail to again
avail himself of the services of the Naval Brigade afloat should an
opportunity occur, and will have great pleasure in bringing before the
notice of His Excellency the Governor-General the important and valuable
services which they have rendered.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Capt. McMaster,
Commanding Naval Brigade, Toronto.
W.M. S. DURIE,
Lt.-Col., A.A.G.M.
On the St. Lawrence River the necessity for a patrol of gunboats
was also very manifest, and the Government fitted out the steamer
"Watertown" for such service. She was placed in command of Lieut.
French, and was employed in cruising the upper part of the St. Lawrence
and the lower portion of Lake Ontario, making her port of rendezvous at
Kingston.
The gunboat "St. Andrew," commanded by Lieut. Spencer Smith, R.N., and
manned by a detachment of British man-of-warsmen, patrolled the St.
Lawrence between Brockville and Gananoque. She carried five guns, and
her crew were armed with the usual fighting equipment of seamen in the
British navy.
The steamer "Wabuno" was armed and placed in commission to cruise on
the Georgian Bay, in which waters her crew performed active and vigilant
service on patrol duty for several weeks.
On the Niagara River and Lake Erie the steamer "W. T. Robb" was retained
in commission and fitted up for service as a cruiser. In addition to
the Dunnville Naval Brigade, a detachment of the St. Catharines Garrison
Battery (under command of Lieut. James Wilson) was placed on board
with two guns, a 9-pounder and a 12-pound howitzer, and the necessary
complement of small arms. The wheel-house and cabins were covered with
boiler plates, and the bulwarks strengthened by heavy planking for the
protection of her crew, so that she was soon converted into a formidable
craft and admirably fitted for the work she was detailed to do. This
boat was kept busy patrolling the Niagara River and the lower portion of
Lake Erie, and her crew did excellent night and day service during the
time she was so employed.
At Montreal the gunboat "Royal" was fitted out and despatched through
the St. Lawrence Canals and River. She was armed with an Armstrong
12-pounder and a brass howitzer forward, and a 12-pound Armstrong gun
aft. Her batteries around bows and stern were cased with iron for the
protection of the men working the guns, and her wheel-house protected
with sand-bags, making her secure against rifle fire. The gun-boats
"Hercules" and "Canada" were also put in commission at Montreal and
thoroughly outfitted for service on the lakes and river.
To aid in the protection of Montreal harbor H. M. ship "Rosario" (Capt.
Versturme) was despatched from Quebec to that point. She was a steam
screw sloop of 673 tons and 150 horsepower, with an armament of eleven
guns, and had a full complement of British sailors and marines.
At Hamilton and Port Stanley the Naval Brigades stationed at these
points performed shore duty, and did it well. Danger hovered everywhere,
and the utmost vigilance was necessary to guard every point. The country
was overrun with Fenian spies and emissaries, and arrests of suspicious
characters were numerous. Even at home there were traitors who needed
watching, as there were some who were ready to give countenance and
support to the enemy. Thus the companies who remained at their local
headquarters, and the Home Guards who were enrolled for home protection,
did remarkably good service along those lines.