Adams (Brig), aground, 9 Oct 1812

GALLANT and DARING EXPLOIT
About 1 o'clock on Friday morning last, three armed boats with I02 men, crossed from this shore to Fort Erie on the opposite side, for the purpose of attacking two British vessels, the Brig ADAMS of 6 guns and the schooner CALEDONIA of 2 guns, at anchor near that place - one boat containing about 50 men, another between 40 and 50, and the third 6 men - the first under the immediate direction of Lieutenant Jesse D. Elliott, of the U.S. Navy, the second under that of Lieut. Watts, sailing master, and the third commanded by Captain Cyrenius Chapin of this village. Owing to delay occasioned by the darkness of the night, the attack did not commence until about 8 o'clock; both vessels were boarded at nearly the same time and captured after a resistance of a few minutes. The cables were immediately cut and the vessels taken down the river. The CALEDONIA anchored near the Rock. The Brig was carried by the current to the west side of Squaw Island, (about half a mile from Black Rock) and run aground at a short distance from the shore. When opposite the Rock, a heavy cannonading commenced from the batteries and flying artillery on the other shore, which was soon followed by a return from the vessels. The Brig from her situation was much exposed. Those on board were notwithstanding safely landed on our own shore. The ADAMS was sone after retaken by the British, but the destructive fire of musketry from the Island and our artillery on shore, soon compelled them to abandon her. There is good reason to believe they lost a number of their men before they got off. About evening of the same day she was taken possesion of by some soldiers of the U.S. Regiments, who found on board three men whom their comrades in their hurry to get home again had forgotten to take along with them. It being thought impracticable to keep possession of the Brig,( a very hasty conclusion however we fear) she was set on fire and burnt to the water's edge.
      Buffalo Gazette
      Tuesday, October 13, 1812
     
NOTE:-- The brig ADAMS had been renamed as the British DETROIT