Queen Charlotte (1810 ship)

Battle of Lake Erie, Ballou's Pictorial 1856

At the time of Barclay's arrival, the Americans were constructing larger, more powerful ships at Erie in a bid to wrest control of the lake. Barclay intended to raid Erie and burn the new construction before the vessels could enter service, but was prevented from enacting the plan by the Army, which refused to give him the troops he needed. Barclay instead set up a blockade of Erie, intending to interdict the ships if they launched. Barclay put this plan in motion three days after arriving at Amherstburg. On 30 July 1813, Barclay's squadron lifted the blockade in order to resupply at Amherstburg. During his absence, the American commander, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry launched the ships. Upon his return, Barclay saw the powerful American ships on the lake and the squadron retreated to Amherstburg to await the launch of Detroit.[7]

At the end of July, Perry began his own blockade, preventing the water transport of supplies between Long Point and Amherstburg. This caused shortages in basic provisions among the British, and also prevented the armament and supplies meant for Detroit from arriving. After Detroit was completed, Barclay was forced to shift guns from among his active vessels in order to arm the ship and a spare set of sails from Queen Charlotte were also donated. On 9 September 1813, with Detroit added to the squadron, Barclay sailed from his anchorage in the Detroit River to break the blockade.[8][9]

Queen Charlotte was located fourth in Barclay's line of battle and carried 130 crew aboard, of which fewer than 15 were sailors. Once battle was engaged between the British and Americans, Queen Charlotte faced off with Niagara. However, the distance was too great between the ships for any of the shots to be effective. As the trailing American schooners caught up to the battle, Somers began to fire on Queen Charlotte too. Both American ships concentrated their fire on the quarterdeck which led to the death of Commander Finnis and the wounding of the first lieutenant. Inexperienced Lieutenant Robert Irvine took over command of the vessel. However, he could not move into a better position to take on Niagara and Somers as they were upwind. Instead, he chose to slip around General Hunter which was third in the line and attack Perry's flagship Lawrence.[10]

Three of the British ships now pounded Lawrence, forcing the ship out of battle and Perry to shift his flag to Niagara. Niagara then moved forward to attack Detroit but keeping out of range of Queen Charlotte. As Queen Charlotte manoeuvred to get within range, the vessel nearly collided with Detroit and the two became entangled. Niagara was then free to fire into both ships relatively unmolested. The two British ships became untangled but the damage was done and Queen Charlotte struck her colours, followed by Detroit and the rest of the squadron.[11]

The Americans used their prizes Detroit and Queen Charlotte as hospital ships. A gale swept the lake on 13 September and dismasted both, further damaging the already battered ships. Once the wounded had been ferried to Erie, the two British ships were effectively reduced to hulks.[12] In November Queen Charlotte was brought to Put-in-Bay and was laid up, to see no further action during the war.[13] In 1815, Queen Charlotte, Detroit and Lawrence were all sunk at Put-in-Bay for preservation.[14]

In 1825 Queen Charlotte was sold to George Brown of Erie, who raised her and fitted her out as a merchant ship.[15] Between 1842 and 1844 she was employed in the stave and timber trade. She eventually become a prey to dry rot and the elements until her owners, deeming her no longer seaworthy, left her a dismasted hulk.[16]