Battle of Port Gamble, Washington
In the annals of Pacific Northwest history, the Battle of Port Gamble, Washington, stands as a brief but significant encounter during a period of heightened tensions between settlers and indigenous populations. Occurring in November 1856, this event, though small in scale, reflects the larger conflicts and anxieties that characterized the Puget Sound War and the broader westward expansion of the United States. The Battle of Port Gamble, Washington, offers a glimpse into the volatile dynamics of the era, highlighting the clash of cultures, the struggle for resources, and the ever-present threat of violence.
The year 1856 was a turbulent one in the Washington Territory. The Puget Sound War, a series of skirmishes and raids between various Native American tribes and American settlers, was raging. Fueled by land disputes, broken treaties, and cultural misunderstandings, the conflict created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty throughout the region. Settlers lived in constant anticipation of attack, while indigenous communities struggled to defend their ancestral lands and way of life.
Against this backdrop, a raiding party of Haida Indians, a seafaring people originating from the islands off the coasts of present-day British Columbia and Alaska, entered Puget Sound. The Haida were known for their skilled craftsmanship, particularly their canoes, and their prowess in warfare. Their presence in the Sound, far south of their traditional territory, was not uncommon, as they frequently engaged in trade and raiding along the coast.
In November 1856, a force of seven Haida canoes, carrying an estimated 300 warriors, made their way into the Sound. Their initial target was the town of Steilacoom, a small settlement located south of present-day Tacoma. The Haida’s intentions were unclear, but their arrival caused immediate alarm among the settlers. Faced with a potential attack, the residents of Steilacoom sent a desperate plea for assistance to the U.S. Army.
Lieutenant Colonel Casey, the commanding officer of the local army detachment, received the call for help. Recognizing that the situation involved a seaborne threat, Casey determined that it fell under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Navy. He promptly notified U.S. Navy Commander Swartout, the captain of the steam sloop Massachusetts, a warship stationed in the area. The Massachusetts was a formidable vessel, equipped with cannons and a steam engine, making it a powerful deterrent against any potential attack.
While awaiting the arrival of the Massachusetts, the Haida, for reasons that remain unclear, decided to abandon their plans to attack Steilacoom. Instead, they paddled north, eventually approaching the sawmill at Port Gamble on November 19th. Port Gamble was a bustling industrial town, centered around the Puget Mill Company, a major producer of lumber. The mill attracted workers and their families, creating a small but growing community on the Kitsap Peninsula.
The arrival of the Haida canoes at Port Gamble caused immediate panic. Josiah Keller, the superintendent of the mill at Teekalet (a nearby location), was among the first to spot the approaching vessels. Realizing the potential danger, Keller quickly sounded the mill whistle, a loud and piercing signal that served as an alarm for the entire community.
Upon hearing the whistle, the mill employees and their families reacted swiftly. They knew that the presence of a large group of Haida warriors could mean only one thing: a potential raid. Gathering their guns, ammunition, and other valuables, they fled to a two-story wooden blockhouse that had been constructed for defensive purposes. The blockhouse, a sturdy structure designed to withstand attack, provided a safe haven for the residents of Port Gamble.
Inside the blockhouse, the settlers braced themselves for the worst. They waited anxiously, peering out through the gun ports, expecting an imminent assault. However, to their surprise, the Haida did not attack. For reasons that remain a matter of speculation, the Haida warriors remained offshore, their canoes bobbing in the water. Perhaps they were assessing the town’s defenses, or perhaps they had changed their minds about attacking. Whatever the reason, the residents of Port Gamble were spared an immediate confrontation.
The following day, November 20, 1856, the Massachusetts finally steamed into Gamble Bay. The arrival of the warship dramatically altered the situation. The sight of the Massachusetts, with its imposing cannons and armed crew, sent a clear message to the Haida: any attempt to attack Port Gamble would be met with force.
It was then, upon the arrival of the Massachusetts that the Battle of Port Gamble, Washington erupted. The exact sequence of events is somewhat unclear, but it appears that shots were exchanged between the Haida warriors and the crew of the Massachusetts. The cannons of the warship unleashed a barrage of fire upon the Haida canoes, while the Haida warriors responded with their muskets and other weapons.
The fighting lasted for two days, a chaotic and deadly melee of gunfire and explosions. The superior firepower of the Massachusetts took a heavy toll on the Haida. The natives, caught in the open water, were vulnerable to the warship’s cannons. According to historical accounts, approximately 26 Haida warriors were killed in the fighting.
The Massachusetts also suffered casualties. One sailor, named Gustave Englebrecht, was killed during the battle. Englebrecht’s death marked a somber milestone: he was the first U.S. Navy man to die in battle in the Pacific. He was buried on a bluff overlooking the mill, in what would later become the Buena Vista Cemetery in the town of Port Gamble. His sacrifice is a reminder of the human cost of conflict and the dangers faced by those who served in the military during this turbulent period.
After two days of fighting, the Haida, having suffered significant losses, decided to withdraw. They gathered their remaining canoes and paddled north, back towards their home territories. The Battle of Port Gamble, Washington had come to an end.
While the Battle of Port Gamble, Washington was a relatively small-scale engagement, it had a significant impact on the region. The Haida, having lost their chief in the fighting (according to some accounts), vowed to return the following August for revenge. This threat kept the residents of Port Gamble on edge for months, forcing them to maintain a heightened state of alert.
Ultimately, the Haida did not return to attack Port Gamble. However, the incident served as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions and the potential for violence between settlers and indigenous populations. The Battle of Port Gamble, Washington became a symbol of the anxieties and uncertainties that characterized the Puget Sound War.
The legacy of the Battle of Port Gamble, Washington lives on in the history of the region. The Buena Vista Cemetery, where Gustave Englebrecht is buried, serves as a memorial to the sacrifices made during this period. The town of Port Gamble itself has preserved its historic character, offering visitors a glimpse into the past. The story of the Battle of Port Gamble, Washington is a reminder of the complex and often tragic history of the Pacific Northwest, a history shaped by conflict, displacement, and the enduring struggle for land and resources.