A ship captured, a ship named: the legacy of Frédérick Rolette

Caption

Capture of the Cuyahoga, 1992, Peter Rindlisbacher. Lieutenant Frédérick Rolette can be seen on the right, standing up in his boat and brandishing his pistol. This is the only known painting of him in existence. Private collection.

It was July 3, 1812. The war of 1812 had just broken out the month before. The American schooner Cuyahoga Packet was sailing up the Detroit River unaware of the peril that lay ahead.

In a daring assault, Frédérick Rolette, a newly commissioned Lieutenant in the Provincial Marine of Upper Canada, led a bold capture of the schooner before its crew even knew that war had been declared.

Rolette's attack, executed from a longboard with a small crew of five or six men, forced the surrender of some 40 soldiers and officers at gunpoint. Rolette uncovered crucial war documents that provided the British with vital intelligence on American forces and their deployment.

Three of the people who survived the assault later told Rolette’s son of their admiration for his father’s conduct, and they all agreed that they did not understand how they had been mesmerized by him. “He was so wild-eyed,’ they said, ‘that we looked at him trembling, like frightened soldiers receiving strict orders from their captain.”

Throughout the war, Rolette continued to be an influential soldier, participating in several battles, enduring multiple injuries, and consistently returning to combat with unwavering resolve. Through first-hand documents recently acquired by the Naval Museum of Québec from Rolette’s descendants, we can now share the story of how his courage and valor left a lasting mark on Canada’s maritime history.

It was not common at the time to decorate soldiers for their bravery, but Rolette’s zeal was often mentioned in letters addressed to the commander.

On 22 January 1813, Rolette was fighting in the battle of Frenchtown, near Riviere aux Raisins under Major General Henry Procter, when he was shot in the back of the head by friendly fire. Despite the seriousness of Rolette’s injury, he survived though seriously injured. It appears he once again distinguished himself through his actions, as he was commended by his superiors yet again for his exceptional conduct on the battlefield.

The injury took him out of service until the end of the year. However, as soon as he was back on his feet, he participated in the Battle of Lake Erie on 10 September 1813, during which he once again impressed everyone with his zeal and level-headedness.

He was the First Lieutenant (second in command) of the British schooner Lady Prevost at the Battle of Lake Erie. The battle, also known as the Battle of Put-In-Bay, saw the British flotilla of six vessels, commanded by Commodore Robert Barclay, fight the nine-vessel-strong American forces commanded by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry.

The British ships were equipped with an assortment of guns that were poorly suited to naval combat, as Barclay had not received the cannons he needed. The fighting began and quickly turned to carnage. At the start of the battle, Captain Buchan of the Lady Prevost was grievously injured, and command fell into Rolette’s hands, who continued the fight until being severely wounded and burnt by an explosion of gunpowder, which killed and wounded several of his men.

Rolette fought on until his ship, battered and sinking, was reluctantly surrendered to the Americans. Thus captured, he remained a prisoner of the Americans for some time before he was allowed to return to Quebec City.

His bravery did not go unnoticed. Rolette's peers and the citizens of Quebec City honored him with an honorary sabre, a symbol of his gallantry and unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. This token of appreciation, now safeguarded at the Naval Museum of Québec, stands as a testament to his enduring legacy.

Frédérick Rolette was born on 25 September 1785, in Quebec City. He lived near the Old Port neighbourhood where Royal Navy ships would regularly go to the city. Rolette may have developed an early fascination with them, as he began working on an English ship at a very young age. The city archives show that he was no older than 13 when he joined the Navy. Little is known about his early years at sea.

Frédérick Rolette's life was not without its share of sacrifices. His war wounds, accumulated over years of relentless service, eventually took their toll, leading to his untimely passing on March 17, 1831. Yet, his memory lives on, immortalized in the naming of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Frédérick Rolette, a tribute by the Royal Canadian Navy.

Frédérick Rolette was not only a war hero, but a man of unwavering integrity and fortitude. His journey from the bustling docks of Quebec City to the tumultuous battlefields of the War of 1812 reflects the spirit of those who shaped Canada's rich maritime heritage.

Image gallery

Transcript of Letter from George B. Hall

His Majesty’s Ship Queen Charlotte

Amherstburg, Dec 24th 1812

I do hereby certify that Lieut. Rolette of his Majesty’s Prov. Marine in the Lakes and Frontiers of Canada, was Commander of his majesty’ Brig Genereal Hunter by appointment from His Excellency Sir George Prevost commanding his majesty’s Forces in North America, on the morning of the 3 July 1812 when a part of his Crew [left the dock and] captures the Cuyahoga Packet an american [schooner] with part of the baggage of General Hull’s army on board, and that it was his zeal for the service which induced him to [leave] the General Hunter to perform the above mentioned service in which he served before he received any [appointment] from any other naval force in this Harbour – and it is decidedly my opinion that he is entitled to every emoloument which may arise from said capture to him, as commander of the said Brig Gene. Hunter. […]

George B. Hall, Master & Comd

P.M. Lieut off. Lakes Erie & Huron

Transcript of Letter from Felix Throughton

Sandwich 28 January 1813

Sir,

General Procter having particularly noticed your excellent conduct in the action at Frenchtown on the 22­nd has desired me to return you his most sincere thanks and to assure you that he will lose no opportunity of rewarding you as far as lies in his power according to your merits.

 I have the honor to be, Sir

Your most [obedient humble] servant

Felix Throughton [Provincial Art.]

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