05/06/2026
, May 6, 1776, Capt. Charles Douglas led 3 ships through the spring ice on the St. Lawrence River landing at Quebec carrying reinforcements needed to fortify the city and defeat the American onslaught.
Quebec was the final obstacle to ending British control of the Richelieu River, gateway to the Hudson and ultimately New York City. The American forces had already paved the way by capturing Forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Maj-Gen Richard Montgomery had managed to occupy Montreal. Congress sanctioned a two-pronged plan to accomplish the mission, one led by Maj Gen Richard Montgomery, marching from Montreal, and the other led by Col Benedict Arnold traveling from Newburyport to Quebec in part by bateaux and then on foot through Maine. The first attack was planned for Dec 31, 1775.
Meanwhile, Maj-Gen Sir Guy Carleton, aware of the Patriot mission, had requisitioned troops and supplies, hoping they would arrive before the St. Lawrence River froze. He managed to sustain the Dec 31 attack but feared the coming winter would delay the promised reinforcements. The Americans had blockaded the city on orders from Congress, but he occasionally sent out a bombardment for show; nevertheless, his forces were starving and too diminished to withstand another attack. What he did not know was that the Patriot army was also starving and had been ravaged by smallpox.
Capt. Douglas was determined to reach his destination. His ships managed to force their way through ice sometimes 10 feet thick. The 100-mile trip through blizzard conditions up the St. Lawrence took nine days. On May 6, his first ship, aptly named “Surprise,” signaled the troops inside the fort. Carlton’s troops rallied at the sight of reinforcements, and Carleton sent an exploratory attack force of 900 men. The already weakened American force had no chance and retreated. Later in the day the other two ships arrived. With the American threat gone, Quebec was fortified and the sailors on the three ships received double pay from the king.
Image: Replica of HMS Surprise courtesy of Tall Ships America.
