List of freight earned by the Schooner Simcoe in 1812
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Cameron, Chantal
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Abstract
The list of freight earned by the Schooner Simcoe is an account of Forsyth Richardson and Co. with the owners of the Schooner Simcoe, and is dated August 16, 1813. One page of the account lists the names of those owing and the individuals who have been assigned to collect. Robert Grant collects for Queenston, J. Forsyth & Co. of Kingston, James Richardson at Niagara, and Forsyth & Co. in Montreal.
Description
The schooner Simcoe was built in England. It was involved in the action on Lake Champlain on September 11, 1814. It disappeared from lists after the battle and was apparently renamed the Cochrane. (p. 122, Warships of the Great Lakes, 1754-1834 by Robert Malcomson)
The Battle of Plattsburgh in September 1814, also known as the battle of Lake Champlain, was a British campaign to invade upper New York State by land and water. It was largely unsuccessful. The campaign was planned and overseen by Sir George Prevost, the Governor-in-Chief of Canada. Prevost hoped that by occupying Plattsburgh, Lower Canada would have greater security. He planned to have the British lake fleet under the command of George Downie attack the U.S. naval fleet under Thomas Macdonough at Sacket's Harbour. From there, they would attack Plattsburgh's men.
After an aggressive advance by the British troops, Prevost lacked information that would allow the attack to proceed and halted the land invasion. Once he had the necessary intelligence, he once again delayed the attack by waiting for the naval force to join them. He pressed British naval commander Downie to prematurely attack the American naval force. In the resulting attack, Downie was killed and his squadron was lost. Prevost called off the attack and retreated to Lower Canada.