More on the "Sir Robert Peel"

The more research I do, the more I discover about the sinking of the steamer Sir Robert Peel. In-depth stories on the Sir Robert Peel previously appeared in Thousand Islands Life in 2013 written by Dr. John C. Carter. It’s one of the most popular topics for describing British and American skirmishes in the area. [see Dr. Carter's list of references below]

It is also one of the most important dive sites in the Thousand Islands. Through the years there have been many plans announced to raise or seriously study the remains of this vessel which is near the south shore of Wellesley Island, where it was burned by “Pirate” Bill Johnston on May 29, 1838. Such plans go back to at least the early 1940s.

The first article I wish to introduce was written in 1838, describing the sinking of the Sir Robert Peel. This will be followed by an article written in 1943, describing the dive site. Both provide information not previously shared. If you have a Sir Robert Peel story to add to this, please let me know.

1838 The Sinking of the "Sir Robert Peel"

[This article regarding the steamer was discovered in the Mohawk Courier of Little Falls, New York on June 28, 1838.]

To the Editor of the New York Courier and Enquirer, dated Pattison’s Landing, near French Creek, June 11, 1838: -

We have just arrived here from Oswego, and made fast to wood, at a spot nearly opposite the wooding place where the Sir Robert Peel was attacked and burned by a band of pirates under the command of a desperado by the name of Bill Johnston, of French Creek. While we were making our vessel fast, a light long boat of a dark blue and lead color, shot out from behind an island on the opposite shore, a little astern of us.

The boat was in sight for a few moments, having put in a little bay out of our view. In a short time four of the crew were partially seen through the bushes, walking in Indian file, each having a large pistol in his right hand. They came up nearly opposite to us and then retreated back to their boat.

A boat put off from our wharf for them with two acquaintances of Johnston’s who supposed the craft to be one of his. When they heard them upon the opposite shore, the long boat dashed out and was along side of them. It proved to be Johnston, with four expert Canadians as oarsmen, in a twelve boarded cutter, about forty feet long, with about eight feet of the after part decked, upon which sat Johnston upon a red carpet bad steering the boat with an oar.

After lying to a few minutes they pulled for the wreck of the Sir Robert Peel, which lay about eighty rods ahead upon the opposite shore. While on their way to the wreck, within 15 rods of us, and upon one of our passengers waving a white handkerchief, Johnston very majestically raised up and drew from the carpet bag under him the colors of the 'Sir Robert Peel', which he held up to the breeze and again returned to the bag.

They boarded the wreck of the Sir Robert Peel and remained some 10 or 15 minutes, put off, passed again by us, within short pistol shot, and made for the main land, near French Creek. There were about fifty persons on board our steamer, and not the least movement was made to molest them. We had no arms aboard.

The two gentlemen who went out in the small boat are of respectability, and from having been long and intimately acquainted with Johnston observed to them that his family and himself had been injured by the British government’s having confiscated his property to a large amount during the late war. He had now fully avenged himself against them, as well for his own losses as for the destruction of the Caroline; that he well knew great efforts were making to arrest him, and particularly by our government.

But it would not be easy to take him, and one thing we might rest assured of, that he would never be taken alive; and that he was a fair mark to shoot at, but he was not the man to dangle in the air; he had two other boats well manned and armed, within signal view; that he sat upon the colors of the Sir Robert, and meant to sit upon them till they rotted.

Their boat was stowed with muskets and small arms.

He said further that the steamboats need have no fears of him and his party, and he had no disposition to molest them. On being told that one of the steam boats was to wood at the wharf of his son, at French Creek, he seemed quite affected, and replied, 'I am glad to hear it, or of anything else that can benefit my family.'

He is a robust athletic man, perfectly fearless, about 60 years of age, quite grey headed, and is altogether a hard looking veteran. He is represented as a very warm friend, but has never been a terror to his enemies.

He has a daughter about 19 years of age, very handsome, and said to possess equal courage with himself. She often gets into a boat alone, armed, and seeks her father with supplies of provisions. I saw her this morning at French Creek an hour before seeing the old man. She is certainly a very noble looking girl, and, I should judge, fully equal to the description of her.

It is very much to be regretted that the frontier difficulties should have the effect to deter many from visiting these waters, as there can be no more desirable tour than through Lake Ontario. For fine steamers and gentlemanly masters, these waters cannot be excelled, and the most timid need have no fears of any further troubles on board these steamers. Travelers that I have met upon these waters has been highly increased by the introduction of fine regiments of soldiers at the garrisons along the Lakes.

The "Sir Robert Peel's" Dive Site in the American Channel

The Oswego Palladium-Times of December 7, 1943, published story:

WATERTOWN - Robert L. Crary, a diver, who claimed 35 years’ experience along the Great Lakes and Atlantic coast, declared today that he has been given financial backing for raising what remains of the hulk of the historic 'Sir Robert Peel', Crary resides at Jerry’s hotel, city.

The 'Sir Robert Peel' was the Canadian steamship which was burned and sunk off Wellesley Island in the south channel of the St. Lawrence River by ‘Bill’ Johnston and his outfit May 30, 1838 during the Patriot War.

On that date. the Sir Robert, bound from Brockville, Ont., to Toronto with 20,000 pounds of English specie, pay roll of the British troops of Upper Canada, docked at McDonnell’s wharf on the south shore of Wellesley Island to take on fuel.

She was a wood-burner, about 135 feet in length, and hardly had she tied up to the dock when Johnston, hero of the Thousand Islands, and a force of twelve confederates. painted and disguised a Indians, boarded with bayoneted muskets, yelling Remember the Caroline.*

It was night and the 19 passengers were asleep in their bunks, Johnston and his outfit awakened them and ordered them ashore along with members of the crew. As the last one left the boat, moorings were cut and the Sir Robert was set afire an drifted to the foot of Kate Island, where she went down in about 35 feet of water.

A flaming pyre, the superstructure was burned to the water line before the steamer settled to the bottom. There the ruined hulk has remained for 105 years and from time to time her charred skeleton has been viewed from the surface by interested persons, who claim that on calm days the remains can be plainly seen through the clear St. Lawrence River.

The sinking was effected, not by the burning, but the opening up of the sea cocks. Besides the English specie, the Sir Robert is said to have carried a cargo of rum, but Mr. Crary is of the opinion that this has long since seeped out and been replace by St. Lawrence River water.

His stated plan is to wait until January or February when the ice has formed on the channel, and then begin his raising operations, which he estimate will require about two weeks. Once above the surface, the 'Sir Robert' will be towed ashore and rebuilt for historic exhibition.

Nothing more can be found on the results of this proposal. Today the dive site is still visited annually by experienced divers.

*Also known as a the "Caroline Affair", this was a diplomatic and military incident between the United States and the United Kingdom that began in December 1837 and unfolded over several years. It began when William Lyon Mackenzie made his abortive attempt to overthrow the government of Canada and set up a separate republic. His followers were defeated in a brief skirmish on the outskirts of Toronto, and on December 11, 1837, Mackenzie crossed to Grand Island, making his way to Buffalo. Mackenzie found allies in many Americans, who were sympathetic to his fight for government reform and more freedom from British rule. While regrouping with his supporters on Navy Island on the Niagara river near Buffalo, Mackenzie chartered the American steamer "Caroline" to bring supplies to the rebels. In an attempt to hinder the rebels' efforts, Commander Andrew Drew of the Royal Navy led a group of the Upper Canada militia to Fort Schlosser on December 29, 1837, where the "Caroline" was moored. A brief skirmish with the Americans ensued, during which an American citizen, Amos Durfee, was killed. The "Caroline" was then set on fire and cut loose, drifting down the River towards the Falls.

Note: For more articles about Pirate Bill Johnston see articles by Shawn McLaughlan. For more articles about the Rebellion of 1838, see articles written by Dr. John C. Carter, prior to June 2019 or after June 2019.

By Richard Palmer

Richard Palmer is a retired newspaper editor and reporter, and he was well known for his weekly historical columns for the “Oswego Palladium-Times,” called "On the Waterfront." His first article for TI Life was written in January 2015, and since then, he has dozens of articles and more. He is a voracious researcher, and TI Life readers certainly benefit from his interests.

Editor's Note:  11 Articles published before June 2019, and 29 articles printed in the new format. Note: Richard suggests if you have another story about the "Sir Robert Peel", please let us know. The more the better!