Near Chatham in Chatham-Kent, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Burning of British Ships / American Encampment

Monday, October 4, 1813

— Tecumseh Parkway —

Burning of British Ships / American Encampment Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

1. Burning of British Ships / American Encampment Marker

Inscription. East of the Forks, the Thames River becomes shallower and not navigable for larger ships. With the American forces close behind, the British vessels were threatened with capture. One cargo ship, probably the Miamis, had already been set on fire closer to the Forks. Near this site, two other ships, the Mary and the Ellen, were moored perpendicular to the shore and much of their contents dumped into river. They were then set on fire to block the river to any American gunboats.

The American forces encamped in this area on the night of October 4 and were entertained by fireworks as the ammunition left on the ships exploded as the vessels burned.

Erected by Tecumseh Parkway.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is October 4, 1991.

Location. 42° 26.477′ N, 82° 8.162′ W. Marker is near Chatham, Ontario, in Chatham-Kent. Marker is on River Line (County Route 39) just east of Communication Road (Ontario Highway 40), on the left when traveling east. This historical marker is located in a rural area, on the edge of a farmers field, in a small roadside park, on the north side of the roadway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9775 River Line, Chatham ON N0P, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within 6 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Legend of the Paw Paw (a few steps from this marker); Kent County Court House (approx. 5 kilometers away); The Abolition Movement in British North America (approx. 5.1 kilometers away); John Brown's Convention 1858 (approx. 5.1 kilometers away); Chatham Armoury (approx. 5.5 kilometers away); Tecumseh (approx. 5.5 kilometers away); Chatham Blockhouse (approx. 5.5 kilometers away); British Encampment: Forks of the Thames (approx. 5.5 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatham.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

2. Burning of British Ships / American Encampment Marker

Close-up view, looking east, of the English text side of the historical marker.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

3. Burning of British Ships / American Encampment Marker

Close-up view of a photograph of an early 19th century British gunboat being raised from the Thames River in 1900, that is displayed on the historical marker.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

4. Burning of British Ships / American Encampment Marker

Close-up view of items recovered from early 19th century British gunboat salvaged from the Thames River in 1900, that is displayed on the historical marker.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

5. Burning of British Ships / American Encampment Marker

Close-up view of a photograph of the salvaged early 19th century British gunboat that was displayed in Tecumseh Park in 1900, that is displayed on the historical marker.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

6. Burning of British Ships / American Encampment Marker

Close-up view of the sketch of a vessel similar to the one recovered from the Thames River in 1900, that is displayed on the historical marker.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

7. Burning of British Ships / American Encampment Marker

View, looking east along River Line, of the historical marker situated at a rural roadside park.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

8. Burning of British Ships / American Encampment Marker

View looking west along River Line, of the French text side of the historical marker.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2013

9. Burning of British Ships / American Encampment Marker

View, looking east along River Line, of the Tecumseh Parkway sign used to alert motorists of the presence of the historical marker, seen a short distance further down the road.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 587 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on January 20, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.