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Notes on the H M S S Lady Maria
September 27 1776
" Had the pleasure of seeing two of our schooners, the Maria & Carlton, come up to us from St. Johns. Captain Pringle was appointed Commodore of the Lake Champlain and to command on board the Maria, so called after lady Maria Carlton."--Lt. William Digby ¨pox,
October 5 1776
"... About the 5th of October everything being ready, a Fleet consisting of One Ship, Two Schooners, One Radeau, One Gondolas, and 22 Gun Boats, proceeded from St. Johns, up the Sorel River, to the entrance of Lake Champlain, at the Isle Aux Noix 15 Miles from St. Johns. They took in their Guns there being in many places only 8 or 9 Feet water between those places..."-- Lt. James Hadden ‡
"I sailed up in a raddoux [radeau] vessel carrying six 9 pounders commanded by captain Longcroft... The floating battery, Maria and Carlton, sailed with us, and our little voyage was pleasant, the day being fine and the lake now running very broad. General Burgoyne was on board the Maria, who ran aground on a bank, but was towed off without any damage. The vessels were all cleared and ready for action, waiting only for the Inflexible, our largest vessel, which was shortly expected up."--Lt. William Digby
June 19 1777
" Early this morning we sailed with a very fair wind, passed Point au Fer where a Post of 4 Companies was again established for a Depot, (9 miles) we passed Isle au Mot, and I made a sketch of a Range of Mountains, seen from that part of the Lake. We also passed the army encamped on Cummerland head, passed Valcour Island, Point au Sable, Schuyler's Island and some other small Islands called the four Brothers, and in the afternoon came to an anchor at Bouquêt Ferry where the Elite of the Army under Brig'r Gen'l Frazer had taken post on the Eastern shore of the Lake. This day was very fine and the passage pleasant, the Lake affording many beautiful prospects. The rest of the Fleet were now Anchor'd at Split Rock in sight of this Post and Six Miles from it. The Maria Excepted, she remained to bring up the Generals."--Lt. James Hadden ‡
Gen'l Burgoyne came up in the Maria. This day I visited a detached post of the light infantry, two Miles up the River at Galinels [Gilliland's] Farm, this is situate at the foot of a small Water Fall, where a great number of small Salmon were caught. The River is not above 150 yards wide, the Troops at this and the main post of this Corps on the edge of the Lake, were encamped on separate sides of the Bouquet River. I did not learn from what cause this upper post was taken, but the mouth of this River is sometimes called Bouquet Ferry, possibly the above Farm may have communication with the Country & a Ferry across the Lake has been formerly kept here. The soil tho. sandy seems fertile. It may not be improper to remark that there are but few settlements on the Lake (not 20) and those only single Houses.''--Lt. James Hadden ‡
June 20, 1791
Despite the fact that Vermont has been admitted to the union, British forces remain stationed on Vermont (and US soil), and British warships still sail Lake Champlain. Witness this account from the Vermont Gazette (Bennington) [quoted from Taylor]: " 'The post at Point au Fer [New York], formerly garrisoned with a sub-altern's guard, is now augmented to a Captain's, and that on Dutchman's Point (on North Hero) [Blockhouse Point, Vermont] where formerly a corporal and four men were stationed, is reinforced by a sergeant and twelve; the Maria, likewise, which for a long time past, has lain opposite Point au Fer with four guns on board, has received her full metal, together with a company of marines, with her nettings, etc., complete as in time of war. The Maria and the post at Point au Fer is five miles, and the post on Dutchman's Point twelve miles, this side the northern line of Vermont.' "
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