Penetanguishene in Simcoe County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
“Tigress” — “Scorpion”
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2024
1. “Tigress” — “Scorpion” Marker
Erected 1935 by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada/Commission des
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1814.
Location. 44° 47.456′ N, 79° 56.034′ W. Marker is in Penetanguishene, Ontario, in Simcoe County. It is on Fox Street half a kilometer south of Broad Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located in Huronia Park, overlooking Penetang Harbour. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 250 Fox Street, Penetanguishene ON L9M 1E9, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Ontario Cottage Country and specifically in Georgian Bay Country. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Huronia Park (within shouting distance of this marker); St. James-on-the-Lines (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Naval and Military Establishments on Lake Huron / Établissements navals et militaires du lac Huron (approx. one kilometer away); Métis Dwelling / Demeure Métis (approx. 1.1 kilometers away); Henry Wolsey Bayfield (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); James Keating (approx. 1.5 kilometers away); C. Beck Manufacturing Company / la société C. Beck Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (approx. 1.8 kilometers away); Penetanguishene Tercentenary Polar Sea Expedition (approx. 2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Penetanguishene.
Related markers.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2024
2. “Tigress” — “Scorpion” Marker & Monument
Looking southwest across Huronia Park; Penetang Harbour is in the background.
Also see . . .
1. Engagements on Lake Huron: Capture of the Gunboats “Tigress” & “Scorpion” (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: In the early hours of 4 September, Worsley's four boats approached Tigress silently. The crew of the gunboat (thirty-one sailors and soldiers under Sailing Master Stephen Champlain) spotted them too late, and their fire missed. Before they could reload, Worsley's and Armstrong's boats were alongside the starboard side of the gunboat, and Bulger's and Raderhorst's boats were to port. The Newfoundlanders and Worsley's sailors swarmed on board the gunboat and overpowered the Americans after a sharp struggle.(Submitted on November 4, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)At dawn on 6 September, Worsley set sail towards Scorpion in Tigress, under American colours and with most of his men below decks or concealed under their greatcoats. The unsuspecting crew of Scorpion could be seen scrubbing the deck. Worsley approached to within few yards of the Scorpion and then fired a volley of muskets and Tigress's 24-pounder cannon. As the vessels came into contact, Worsley's men swarmed aboard the American vessel. The surprised Americans made little resistance.
2. The Capture of USS Tigress and USS Scorpion in 1814.
(by Coleman Carlstein) Excerpt: On the dismally cloudy night of September 3, 1814, Lieutenant Worsely, along with many British men and Indian allies and led by Lieutenant Bulger, approached the anchored USS Tigress silently using oar boats. Once the party reached their target, they boarded the ship and fought for her control, leaving several American men killed and wounded, including the American commander Champlain, who did not surrender until he himself was severely injured. After the USS Tigress was captured, Lieutenant Bulger retained a majority of the boarding party aboard the ship. Lieutenant Worsely had another plan, for which he needed these men and kept the American flag flying above USS Tigress.(Submitted on November 4, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)The USS Tigress, now in the hands of the Royal Navy, approached USS Scorpion two days later on September 5, 1814. Receiving signals from USS Scorpion but returning none, USS Tigress quickly sailed alongside USS Scorpion, allowing the British boarding party to move aboard USS Scorpion. The USS Scorpion was ill-prepared for an engagement at the early hour when this took place, as the crew of USS Scorpion was scrubbing her decks. No American officers were on the deck of USS Scorpion when USS Tigress approached, giving an advantage the British controlled ship. Lieutenant Turner, the leading officer aboard USS Scorpion, was only notified of the attack moments before it was over and USS Scorpion was captured.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
