HISTORY

May 28, 1814
Ontario Blockade Running

On Lake Ontario the British fleet had its American counterpart trapped in port through numerical superiority . . . and since the main supply line to build new ships was based on water transportation, the American fleet was pretty well cooked. At sunset on May 28 the Americans at Oswego tried to sneak past the British with nineteen boats heavily laden with supplies. The flotilla went out of the harbor at dusk, carrying the supplies and 130 riflemen.

Unable to sneak past the blockade, the boats hid in Big Sandy Creek. Confident of their ability to capture the whole flotilla, and unaware of the riflemen, the British ships lay off the mouth of the creek all night, and entered it early in the morning.

May 30, 1814
Battle of Big Sandy Creek

Hidden for the last two days in the waters of Big Sandy creek American forces were still trying to deliver naval supplies to Sackett's Harbor on Lake Ontario, but the British were blocking traffic into that port. The British began by shelling the flotilla and landing troops on the shores of the creek to capture the boats and their contents on May 30.

At 10AM, however, the British were attacked by American troops that were travelling with the supplies. So unexpected was the assault that the British surrendered within ten minutes.

The cannon and supplies were landed safely from the flotilla, and transported by land sixteen miles to Sackett's Harbor.