John Yates Beall and his 19 men came aboard the Philo Parsons as passengers, but soon seized the steamer and took her to Middle Bass Island, between Detroit and Sanduskey. While there, Beall was approached by the unsuspecting steamer Island Queen, which he quickly captured and burned.
He then landed the passengers and cargoes of the two ships and proceeded with his improvised warship to Sanduskey.
Meanwhile, Commander J.C. carter of the USS Michigan discovered what Charles Cole was up to and had him and his assistant arrested. As Beall and his men approached, the pre-arranged signals were not made. Confronted with this development, Beall and his men reluctantly, but wisely abandoned their part in the plan and took the Philo Parsons to Sandwich, Canada, where they stripped the ship and burned it. They then dispersed.
--Old B-R'er
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