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HISTORY

War on the Genesee, 1812

Two of the vessels used in the War of 1812 started life in the Rochester area. Purchased for the Ontario fleet, the Genesee Packet and the Experiment, had sailed from the Genesee River to the St. Lawrence river and back moving goods. Commodore Chauncey, the American naval commander on Lake Ontario had these two vessels equipped for war at the mouth of the Genesee River.

Late in October 1812, the British made a raid on the harbor of the Genesee. While the Royal George stood off shore, two boats with about seventy men came into the harbor, released two American vessels anchored there, and towed them off. One the Lady Murray, was owned by Captain William M'Kinistry of Penfield. This vessel, not complete fitted out, caused the British to return the next day to obtain the rest of her gear.