First Lieutenant Frédérick Rolette, RN
“French Canadian Sailor, who when the captain of his ship was mortally wounded, assumed command with great skill and gallantry”
Frédérick Rolette was born in historic Quebec city on September 23, 1785. Not much is known about his early years, as historical records dating back to that time are limited. He did join the Royal Navy (RN) at some point in his teenage years and was admitted as a Midshipman. A few things may be inferred – he would have been well educated, bilingual, and from a family with decent social standing to become a “young gentleman” with the RN. He travelled to England for his formal naval training, upon which his service is uncertain. While author John Richardson – himself a veteran of the war of 1812 and likely to have met Rolette at the Battle of Frenchtown – claimed that Rolette was wounded at the Nile in 1799 and served under Nelson’s forces at Trafalgar in 1805, it is uncertain if he indeed was present at these historic engagements. Regardless of his oversea service, Rolette did return home in 1807, taking a post with the Provincial Marine of Upper Canada at the rank of Lieutenant. The Provincial Marine provided protection of coastal areas, including the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River, and Lake Champlain (areas under British control), and took-on roles similar to modern coast guards. While operations were under the RN, most of their vessels were built on the Great Lakes.
As territorial tensions rose between the United States and the United Kingdom, Rolette took command of the 10-gun brig HMS General Hunter, and performed security patrols along the shores of Amherstburg in Upper Canada (present day province of Ontario). On July 3, 1812, war broke out and Rolette seized the opportunity to capture a nearby American ship. That same day, he brought his vessel along the Canadian side of the Detroit river, spotting an American schooner, Cuyahoga Packet. The ship was on-route to meet with General William Hull’s forces at Fort Detroit, sailing along with its flag aloft and flowing in the wind. Aboard were 40 soldiers and personal items belonging to Hull (Hore). The French-Canadian naval officer saw the opportunity and had a longboat lowered with six armed sailors. Joining the small boarding party, Rolette ordered them to sweep towards the American vessel, whose crew was unaware that war had been declared. Captain Luther Chapin noticed the boat vigorously rowing towards them and awaited their arrival. Despite political tensions, relations at the local level had been relatively friendly – it was common for Provincial Marine officers to visit other vessels to socialize and even conduct some trade. As far as Chapin was concerned, the French-Canadian was coming to say “hello” and shoot the breeze as was routine.
As the boat came alongside, Rolette unexpectedly drew his pistol and his men, who’d hidden their muskets beneath the cross beams, raised their weapons, fixing them on the Captain and the few standing along the vessel’s rails.
“Lower your sails,” Rolette ordered.
Chapin stood utterly dumbfounded. He didn’t respond and instead remained frozen in place, struggling to understand. Was this a joke? Feeling the need to make his position plain, Rolette fired a shot into the air, startling Chapin. The captain snapped out of his trance – he knew the officer was being serious.
“Lower your sails,” Rolette repeated. “We are taking control of your ship.”
Chapin had little choice but to comply. However, as Rolette boarded the American vessel, it was his turn to be surprised, for before him stood about thirty soldiers, which he couldn’t see from his boat. He was vastly outnumbered but fortunately not outgunned. As luck would have it, the Americans were unarmed, their muskets stowed in the ship’s hold along with most of their gear. They weren’t at war after all, so why bother lugging cumbersome weapons, especially when Cuyahoga Packet was armed with guns? Additionally, they looked the worst for wear, most suffering from seasickness. They were in no condition to resist (My1812.com).
A stroke of good fortune for the young Lieutenant.
Rolette ensured that the soldiers were secured before inspecting the ship’s hold, discovering that Cuyahoga Packet was carrying musical instruments. He sailed the vessel back to Amherstburg “while the humbled Americans [played] God Save The King.” (My1812.com) Additionally, the ship contained valuable intelligence, including troop movements and supplies which were forwarded to Major-General Isaac Brock with Rolette’s compliments.
His boldness and confidence might very well support Richardson’s assertions regarding Rolette’s previous service.
Worth noting: Rolette’s gambit was the first action of any significance made during the war and would foretell of even greater things to come for the bold French-Canadian Naval officer.
On August 16th, Rolette’s ship accompanied Queen Charlotte in the attack of Detroit. General Hunter’s guns opened on the fort’s defences, while Brock’s forces, with the support of indigenous allies under Tecumseh, besieged the Americans. Before the end of the morning, the fort capitulated, losing “some 2188 men, 39 guns, a large store of shot, flint, powder and supplies, and an unfinished ship, the Adams (soon renamed Detroit).” (Marsh)
Rolette’s tenacity and courage didn’t go unnoticed. Brock noted “I have watched you during the action … you behaved like a lion and I will remember you.” (RCN website) Later in October, Rolette took charge of the now finished Detroit but would soon have the tables turned on him, finding himself ambushed by American raiders that caught him unawares. Outnumbered, Rolette was forced to surrender but not without a spirited fight. Brock would later note that he had the “… character of a brave attentive officer.” (RCN website)
Thankfully for Rolette, his imprisonment wouldn’t be long as he was soon released as part of a mutual exchange of prisoners of war. He would continue to serve in battles throughout the rest of the year, both on land and on ship. In January, he was present at the Battle of Frenchtown, commanding a naval gun group assisting Colonel Procter’s forces in recapturing the town. Rolette moved ashore six sledge-drawn light 3-pounder cannons to serve as Procter’s artillery. During the relief, Rolette sustained a serious injury to his head but refused to be relieved and continued bravely directing his cannons on enemy positions (Richardson).
“I have been selected to work this gun,” he reportedly said when urged to leave the field, “and it would be a lasting disgrace for me to leave it.” (Irving)
After recovering from his wounds, Rolette would serve aboard various vessels throughout the rest of the year, taking part in skirmishes around Canard River and capturing and impressive dozen ships and small boats by the end of the year. If a proper system of gallantry awards had been established, he certainly would have been highly decorated. The commander of the RN squadron on Lake Erie, Commodore Robert Barclay, would note in his dispatches that “as long as he served under me, his [Rolette] excellent conduct deserved my greatest approbation, and I was fortunate in having so good a seaman.” (Irving)
Rolette was made First Lieutenant of the schooner Lady Prevost and was present when, on September 10, 1813, American ships under the command of Olvier H. Perry attacked Barclay’s fleet. During the battle, Lady Prevost’s captain – Lieutenant James Buchan was wounded (later died) and so Rolette took his place and continued to lead the vessel in a spirited fight against the enemy. Despite being surrounded, he issued commands to his gunners with the poise and valour of a true naval officer, refusing to take cover. Eventually, a nearby explosion knocked him down, severely injuring him. Now clear that they couldn’t win the fight, he surrendered to spare the lives of his men and, this time, remained a prisoner of war for the rest of the war.
After his release, he retired from the RN on a medical discharge, taking his pension and moving back home to Quebec City. The citizens honoured their hero, commissioning a smith to construct a fifty-guinea sword which was presented to him in a local ceremony. It was a great honour and he cherished the gift. Rolette lived a quiet retirement, never recovered the wounds he suffered during the war. On March 17, 1831, he passed away at the relatively young age of 46. He was laid to rest in a cemetery in St-Roch, but his remains were later moved to Saint-Charles cemetery in 1858. Ten years later, a town in Quebec was named in his honour.
Rolette’s Awards and Decorations:
As Rolette served in a time where the establishment of official honours had yet to be created by the Crown, he does not have any medals to note. However, he was mentioned in dispatches at various points and gifted with a sword for his service. Had an official award system existed, he certainly would have been decorated numerous times for his many acts of gallantry and service.
Sources:
Hore, Peter (2016). The Trafalgar Chronicle: Dedicated to Naval History in the Nelson Era. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing.
Marsh, James. “The Capture of Detroit, War of 1812” in The Canadian Encyclopedia, edited March 4, 2015.
https://www.mywarof1812.com/battles/120702-cuyahoga-packet.html
https://shipsforcanada.ca/our-stories/who-is-fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9rick-rolette
https://www.canada.ca/en/navy/corporate/fleet-units/surface/harry-dewolf-class/frederick-rolette/biography.html
Prepared By:
Sean E. Livingston, Co-Founder CNTP and Author Oakville’s Flower: The History of HMCS Oakville
