Post by Matthew S. Schweitzer on Sept 19, 2003 16:33:54 GMT -5
Here is an article I came across that I thought other's here might find interesting regarding an archaeological site relating to Lt. Col John Bradstreet's disasterous return from Fort Detroit during Pontiac's War in 1764. Has anyone else got any further information on this site? I grew up near Rocky River, yet I was never familar with Bradstreet's Landing park nor the history of the area. I wonder if any further research has been done here.
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Local historian fired up over possibility of cannons
By DON LADWIG
Staff Writer
June 26, 1997
ROCKY RIVER -- A mystery is building at Bradstreet's Landing, and one local historian is seeking to unearth the truth.
Dr. Daniel E. Marsalek, a dentist and resident of Rocky River, claims historical documents reveal that six lightweight brass cannons were buried by British forces in October 1764 in the park known as Bradstreet's Landing, and it is possible they still may be buried there.
Marsalek said that, when the city renovates the park in late summer or fall, he has asked for permission to search for the cannons.
The legend of the buried cannons traces back to the Oct. 19, 1764 disaster in the area now named Bradstreet's Landing.
Col. John Bradstreet led an expedition from Fort Niagara on the eastern edge of Lake Erie to Fort Detroit on the western side of the lake just after the French and Indian War ended, and there still was American Indian activity in the area.
Bradstreet led 2,300 British regulars, American provincials under Col. Israel Putnam, and American Indians along the American side of Lake Erie, intending to restock Fort Detroit with troops and supplies, and put down rebellions.
"The expedition was initially part of a three-pronged assault to put down Pontiac's rebellion," Marsalek said. "After Indian submission, the mission became one of reinforcement, exploration, retrieval of captives, challenging hostile groups and peacemaking."
Bradstreet's forces consisted of 59 bateaux (large, flat-bottomed boats sized between 34-46 feet in length), and nine birch bark canoes. Marsalek said the bateaux were not sailing vessels, but were powered by rowers and carried about 27 men each.
On the return trip from Fort Detroit, the expedition put in for the night on Lake Erie in the area now known as Bradstreet's Landing.
"It was dark and they were tired," Marsalek said. "You didn't pull these bateaux loaded with supplies very far, because you broke the back of them. They were probably not unloaded when the storm hit."
Marsalek depicted a dangerous scene. A fierce storm, powered by what likely was a weather front, blew off Lake Erie and hammered these boats while the men were in camp. Men tried to wrestle the bateaux in the turbulent waters, but there was a danger of being crushed between the boats, arranged in rows.
"Some of the boats washed out, dumped and overturned," Marsalek said. "Essentially, they were left with about 25 damaged boats. That meant they couldn't carry everything back, and they couldn't bring everyone back by boat. People were sent marching to Fort Niagara."
Marsalek said the remaining boats were damaged and incapable of carrying the six lightweight, 650-pound cannons back. A journal entry from John Montressor, British chief engineer in America, highlighted the burying of the cannons.
The entry read, "At 12 o'clock this night we buried our guns, six lightweight brass six-pounders. The boats rendered incapable of carrying them."
Marsalek quoted a letter from Bradstreet to Sir William Johnson, "Upon the loss of 24 boats, I was obliged to leave six brass, six pounders, about 160 miles this side of Detroit, which were buried and I have given instructions to Lt. Col. Campbell for their being sent to Niagara the later end of May next."
Historical documents suggest that there was an attempt to extract the cannons, but that it failed.
"As it turned out, the schooner Victory was supposed to pick them up," Marsalek said. "It was so rough they couldn't put in. From then on, there is no word on the fate of the cannons. Obviously, they were very valuable, and you would think they would be picked up. We don't know what the communication was. We don't know if these became lost in the shuffle."
Marsalek made it clear that, during this time period, cannons were not something people could readily make or buy. The materials used to make them were valuable commodities. Marsalek believes it likely the cannons eventually were recovered, but can find no record of it.
While Marsalek does not want to reveal the exact location of where he thinks the cannons may be buried, he hinted that 3-inch cannon balls have been found specifically in that area. Other artifacts, like cannon balls and swords, have been found underwater where the disaster occurred, but these specific cannon balls must have been moved to the location in which they were recovered.
Marsalek, concerned that people will try to dig up the park and drill through concrete or pavement to find the cannons, emphasized it is illegal to remove artifacts from a historic area.
In addition, because brass is not magnetic, the cannons will be searched for using ground-penetrating radar, with guidance from the city. No digging will be required until after the cannons are located -- if they even exist in the park.
"I'm not looking for a lot of recognition," Marsalek said. "I am doing it to satisfy my curiosity. I'm not about to lay claim to the cannons because I might know where they are, but I'd like to have some say where they ultimately go."
If the cannons are recovered, Marsalek said he would like the city or the park to claim one. He said it is likely the other cannons would go to museums or other historical agencies.
Marsalek became interested in Rocky River history, and in particular the story of Bradstreet's disaster, because of differing rumors he heard. He said everything from a traitorous French guide to a storm that killed hundreds of men has been recanted.
According to Marsalek, there wasn't a French guide leading the men to their doom, and documents suggest only two men perished on the expedition. These deaths were not at the site of the disaster.
Another mystery of the Bradstreet expedition is why they choose to put in at Bradstreet's Landing, instead of the shores of the Rocky River.
Marsalek has documents showing the expedition camped on the Rocky River on the voyage to Fort Detroit, and that the site was laden with rocks, making a return to the camp difficult for the men. Because it was night and the men were tired from rowing, Marsalek believes the beach of Bradstreet's Landing was more appealing. He said that if the expedition had made camp on the Rocky River, they would have been protected from the storm.
Marsalek also is interested in Rocky River history because he believes the troops were on his property.
"Certainly on the way to Fort Detroit, and afterwards, they stopped in Rocky River," Marsalek said. "They were on the west channel, which meant they were on my property. I heard so many rumored stories and I wanted to find out what really did happen."
Marsalek's research has paid off. Because of what he has gathered from historical documents, Marsalek's presentation to City Council in 1984 was successful in having the name Lake Edge Park changed to Bradstreet's Landing.
"I would hope that, if anything comes out of this -- and I don't expect anything -- it will make people a little more aware of history; Rocky River history, in particular," Marsalek said.
If the cannons are found buried where Marsalek believes they are, he'll be able to watch the unearthing with great pride. When dirt on the cannons is wiped from the king's emblem, molded on the barrel of the brass cannons, Marsalek will know he again gave the city a piece of its history.
But, right now, it's still a treasure hunt, complete with the likelihood that nothing exists except a mystery.
© Copyright 1997 Sun Newspapers
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Local historian fired up over possibility of cannons
By DON LADWIG
Staff Writer
June 26, 1997
ROCKY RIVER -- A mystery is building at Bradstreet's Landing, and one local historian is seeking to unearth the truth.
Dr. Daniel E. Marsalek, a dentist and resident of Rocky River, claims historical documents reveal that six lightweight brass cannons were buried by British forces in October 1764 in the park known as Bradstreet's Landing, and it is possible they still may be buried there.
Marsalek said that, when the city renovates the park in late summer or fall, he has asked for permission to search for the cannons.
The legend of the buried cannons traces back to the Oct. 19, 1764 disaster in the area now named Bradstreet's Landing.
Col. John Bradstreet led an expedition from Fort Niagara on the eastern edge of Lake Erie to Fort Detroit on the western side of the lake just after the French and Indian War ended, and there still was American Indian activity in the area.
Bradstreet led 2,300 British regulars, American provincials under Col. Israel Putnam, and American Indians along the American side of Lake Erie, intending to restock Fort Detroit with troops and supplies, and put down rebellions.
"The expedition was initially part of a three-pronged assault to put down Pontiac's rebellion," Marsalek said. "After Indian submission, the mission became one of reinforcement, exploration, retrieval of captives, challenging hostile groups and peacemaking."
Bradstreet's forces consisted of 59 bateaux (large, flat-bottomed boats sized between 34-46 feet in length), and nine birch bark canoes. Marsalek said the bateaux were not sailing vessels, but were powered by rowers and carried about 27 men each.
On the return trip from Fort Detroit, the expedition put in for the night on Lake Erie in the area now known as Bradstreet's Landing.
"It was dark and they were tired," Marsalek said. "You didn't pull these bateaux loaded with supplies very far, because you broke the back of them. They were probably not unloaded when the storm hit."
Marsalek depicted a dangerous scene. A fierce storm, powered by what likely was a weather front, blew off Lake Erie and hammered these boats while the men were in camp. Men tried to wrestle the bateaux in the turbulent waters, but there was a danger of being crushed between the boats, arranged in rows.
"Some of the boats washed out, dumped and overturned," Marsalek said. "Essentially, they were left with about 25 damaged boats. That meant they couldn't carry everything back, and they couldn't bring everyone back by boat. People were sent marching to Fort Niagara."
Marsalek said the remaining boats were damaged and incapable of carrying the six lightweight, 650-pound cannons back. A journal entry from John Montressor, British chief engineer in America, highlighted the burying of the cannons.
The entry read, "At 12 o'clock this night we buried our guns, six lightweight brass six-pounders. The boats rendered incapable of carrying them."
Marsalek quoted a letter from Bradstreet to Sir William Johnson, "Upon the loss of 24 boats, I was obliged to leave six brass, six pounders, about 160 miles this side of Detroit, which were buried and I have given instructions to Lt. Col. Campbell for their being sent to Niagara the later end of May next."
Historical documents suggest that there was an attempt to extract the cannons, but that it failed.
"As it turned out, the schooner Victory was supposed to pick them up," Marsalek said. "It was so rough they couldn't put in. From then on, there is no word on the fate of the cannons. Obviously, they were very valuable, and you would think they would be picked up. We don't know what the communication was. We don't know if these became lost in the shuffle."
Marsalek made it clear that, during this time period, cannons were not something people could readily make or buy. The materials used to make them were valuable commodities. Marsalek believes it likely the cannons eventually were recovered, but can find no record of it.
While Marsalek does not want to reveal the exact location of where he thinks the cannons may be buried, he hinted that 3-inch cannon balls have been found specifically in that area. Other artifacts, like cannon balls and swords, have been found underwater where the disaster occurred, but these specific cannon balls must have been moved to the location in which they were recovered.
Marsalek, concerned that people will try to dig up the park and drill through concrete or pavement to find the cannons, emphasized it is illegal to remove artifacts from a historic area.
In addition, because brass is not magnetic, the cannons will be searched for using ground-penetrating radar, with guidance from the city. No digging will be required until after the cannons are located -- if they even exist in the park.
"I'm not looking for a lot of recognition," Marsalek said. "I am doing it to satisfy my curiosity. I'm not about to lay claim to the cannons because I might know where they are, but I'd like to have some say where they ultimately go."
If the cannons are recovered, Marsalek said he would like the city or the park to claim one. He said it is likely the other cannons would go to museums or other historical agencies.
Marsalek became interested in Rocky River history, and in particular the story of Bradstreet's disaster, because of differing rumors he heard. He said everything from a traitorous French guide to a storm that killed hundreds of men has been recanted.
According to Marsalek, there wasn't a French guide leading the men to their doom, and documents suggest only two men perished on the expedition. These deaths were not at the site of the disaster.
Another mystery of the Bradstreet expedition is why they choose to put in at Bradstreet's Landing, instead of the shores of the Rocky River.
Marsalek has documents showing the expedition camped on the Rocky River on the voyage to Fort Detroit, and that the site was laden with rocks, making a return to the camp difficult for the men. Because it was night and the men were tired from rowing, Marsalek believes the beach of Bradstreet's Landing was more appealing. He said that if the expedition had made camp on the Rocky River, they would have been protected from the storm.
Marsalek also is interested in Rocky River history because he believes the troops were on his property.
"Certainly on the way to Fort Detroit, and afterwards, they stopped in Rocky River," Marsalek said. "They were on the west channel, which meant they were on my property. I heard so many rumored stories and I wanted to find out what really did happen."
Marsalek's research has paid off. Because of what he has gathered from historical documents, Marsalek's presentation to City Council in 1984 was successful in having the name Lake Edge Park changed to Bradstreet's Landing.
"I would hope that, if anything comes out of this -- and I don't expect anything -- it will make people a little more aware of history; Rocky River history, in particular," Marsalek said.
If the cannons are found buried where Marsalek believes they are, he'll be able to watch the unearthing with great pride. When dirt on the cannons is wiped from the king's emblem, molded on the barrel of the brass cannons, Marsalek will know he again gave the city a piece of its history.
But, right now, it's still a treasure hunt, complete with the likelihood that nothing exists except a mystery.
© Copyright 1997 Sun Newspapers