The Nancy

She stood as tall as a light tower
Plank boards glistened and her gleaming cedar hull told a history as long and steady as an Iroquois bow
Never intended for war, she was fashioned for labor in 1789
And was reputed to carry an army’s store of goods and weapons
before she was rallied into service in 1812.

If not for a wood gathering expedition, her whereabouts would ne’r been discovered ~
Protected by a meager force, she faced odds far superior ~
Three ships and 500 men.
‘gainst her 22 Seamen, 23 Indians, and nine French-Canadian Voyageurs.

Unwilling to accept the fate o’ capture
She staked her helm for her final maneuver
And with the grace and beauty of a Russian ballerina
Battle-ready she flanked her footings and braced her shores for war.

It came too.
As did her death.
Timely and quick
She fell to it.
By familiar hands ~

Her mast’s intaking the final willow wisps of air ~
The lakes engulfed her ~
Taming her fires.
Taking her to a watery burial ~
She sank in waters known.
Her final dance on the Nottawasaga river ~
To take her part in history.

R.I.P
The Nancy
1789 - 1814

***
It should be noted that on Sept 3rd of the same year, Lieutenant Worsley, along with 92 men in four row boats returned to avenge the Nancy – capturing the Tigress in a surprise attack at midnight in Detour Passage. The American ship, the Scorpion was also captured soon after.

*Credit notes: Historical details can be attributed to The Friends of Nancy Island Historic site – Wasaga Beach Park, Ontario, Canada