The Royal Engineers Move In The British forces may not have reacted in full force under other circumstances, but with the involvement of the notorious American scoundrel Ned McGowan they took immediate action. Colonel Richard Moody, the commander of the Royal Engineers, set out at once for Yale accompanied by Judge Begbie, Captain Grant, and 25 Royal Engineers. In addition, Governor Douglas promptly dispatched the HMS Plumper with 50 marines to assist the Royal Engineers with any trouble. The Royal Engineers headed up the Fraser aboard the SS Enterprise, but ice on the river made their progress agonizingly slow. Eventually they were forced to stop at Hope when the water became too low to travel any further. Lieutenant Mayne and nine other men from the HMS Plumper joined the marooned Moody and his men. Mayne, Moody, and Begbie then set out for Yale in a whaleboat, while the rest of the force marched over ground. When Moody, Begbie, and Mayne arrived at Yale they quickly discovered the many lies told by Whannell. They were about to leave without having to take any action when McGowan assaulted Dr. Fifer, a man who had originally persecuted McGowan in California. Moody was determined that the incident should not escalate, and sent orders for the Royal Engineers to march on Yale. The next morning the residents of Yale and Hill’s Bar awoke to the Royal Engineers lined up along the riverbank in full uniform, sending a very clear message to McGowan and his followers. NED McGOWAN'S WAR (PART 3) Words and Music . Play Lo-Fi Play Hi-Fi Download .mp3 When Ned McGowan came to town to the court he was arraigned But they quickly dropped the charges as he craftily explained The boys were sworn & deputized when the Justice they'd detained So court adjourned, and they all shook hands and toasted with champagne If you lived to be a hundred, and you roamed the wide world over You'd never live to see the likes of Ned McGowan's war You could sail the salt sea over, to the west, south, east and north You'd never live to see the likes of Ned McGowan's war   “Ned McGowan’s War” was over. The Royal engineers left with the area in peace, Perrier and Whannell had their commissions revoked, and Ned McGowan soon sold his stake and returned to America. No shots were fired and nothing was really won, but British authority had been firmly established over the masses of American gold miners in New Caledonia. [Steamboatin' Jamiesons] [Ned McGowan's War] [Ghosts of Read Island] [John Antle] [Richard Moody] [Spanish Banks] [Auld Lange Syne] [Voyageur!]