Chateaugay Lake Historical Society
New Addition to the Steamboat Pirates Archive
The Pirate Queen’s Last Stand: The Battle of Moffitt’s Island, 1934
Accession Number: CLHS-SP-1934-201
Date Added: June 15, 2024
Archivist: Dr. Scarlett Blackwater
Description: A dramatic aerial color photograph taken from a Curtiss Falcon observation plane on August 17, 1934. The image captures a pivotal moment in the final confrontation between law enforcement and the last remnants of Chateaugay Lake’s steamboat pirate syndicate. The photograph shows a chaotic scene around Moffitt’s Island, with several steamboats engaged in a firefight. Smoke rises from the island, where the pirates’ hidden base is located. In the center of the image, a sleek black steamboat can be seen making a daring escape attempt, believed to be piloted by the infamous Pirate Queen of Chateaugay, Captain Raven “Black Iris” Sullivan.
Analysis: This photograph provides unprecedented visual documentation of the legendary Battle of Moffitt’s Island, which marked the end of organized piracy on Chateaugay Lake. The image confirms many details from eyewitness accounts and reveals the scale of the operation mounted by federal agents to root out the last pirate stronghold.
Historical Context: By 1934, most of the Chateaugay Lake steamboat pirate syndicate had been dismantled following the end of Prohibition. However, a hardcore group led by Captain Sullivan continued to operate, focusing on high-stakes heists and smuggling rare artifacts. This final confrontation was the culmination of a years-long investigation and represents the modernization of law enforcement techniques in the region.
Significance: This photograph is a crucial piece of evidence in understanding the final days of the Chateaugay Lake “steamboat pirate” era. It showcases the transition from local folklore to modern crime-fighting and provides a visual record of a moment long shrouded in mystery and legend. The image also raises questions about the fate of Captain Sullivan, as her ultimate escape or capture remains a topic of debate among historians.
This newly archived photograph provides an extraordinary bird’s-eye view of the final chapter in Chateaugay Lake’s steamboat pirate saga. It brings to life the dramatic confrontation that had previously existed only in written accounts and local legend. The image not only confirms many aspects of the historical record but also introduces new elements that challenge our understanding of the event.
Of particular interest is the clear view of Captain Sullivan’s vessel attempting to break through the law enforcement blockade. This visual evidence has reignited the debate about her ultimate fate. Did she successfully escape, as some local stories suggest? Or was her capture simply not recorded in the chaos of the battle?
We invite historians, criminologists, and aviation history enthusiasts to visit the society and examine this remarkable photograph. It is now the centerpiece of our new “End of an Era: Chateaugay’s Last Pirates” exhibit, which explores the final years of the lake’s pirate activity and its lasting impact on the region.
Note: While this photograph has been authenticated as a genuine artifact from the 1934 operation, the Chateaugay Lake Historical Society acknowledges ongoing debates about the interpretation of certain details. We encourage visitors to consider multiple perspectives and engage critically with the historical narrative. The society is committed to continual research and welcomes new evidence that may shed light on this pivotal event in our region’s history.
What mysteries of Chateaugay Lake haunt you?