The Pig War: Standoff at Griffin Bay

Images of America: Washington

by Mike Vouri

In 1859 Great Britain and the United States almost went to war over the Northwest boundary when an American farmer shot a British pig. That July, U.S. Army Captain George E. Pickett looked down the gun ports of two British warships from his camp on San Juan Island. He knew he needed help, and the sooner the better. The future Confederate general had been ordered there to protect the rights of U.S. settlers from the might of the British Empire. First published in 1999, Mike Vouri's lively account of the Pig War crisis has been revised and expanded into a definitive new edition. Additional photographs, maps, and drawings are combined with new material providing fresh insights into the boundary dispute that confounded diplomats of three nations, but never quite descended into a shooting war.

Mike Vouri is the chief of interpretation and historian for San Juan Island National historical Park. He lives on San Juan Island, Washington.

360 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2008

Reviews

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most likely to be interesting for those who have an affinity for the San Juan Islands or obscure diplomatic conflicts - this is not an action packed thriller with immense make or break consequences. Even at the time it occurred, both London and Washington DC took the position of “do not concede, but do not provoke” and it’ll get sorted. There is a long cast of characters to track and in my opinion, instead of “the Pig War” the event could equally be described as a “boundary definition exercise” or “someone needs to check the Colonels ego.”

The book itself is intensely researched, well settled background, and the author offers occasional humorous quips. Despite the military footing in SJI, much of the action occurred elsewhere.

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike Vouri is the chief interpreter ranger at San Jaun Island National Park in WA state. Knows his subject well and is a dynamic speaker when talking about the events that was really a potentially bad international incident over a water boundary.

[Clay Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book answered a lot of questions I had about the incident.

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding, highly detailed history of a small event in 1855 that, if it were up to some involved, would have brought the US and England to war over a disputed island in the Pacific North West.

Back when they drew the boarder between what is now the US and Canada, the language of the treaty was not clear, so both the US and Britain claimed San Juan Island in what is now Washington State. The island was settled by the Hudson Bay Company and used to raise sheep (they also imported Hawaiians as shepherds). US Settlers began to squat on the island and build small farms. One day an American found his neighbor's pig rooting his garden and he shot and killed the animal. The pig belonged to one of the British (Canadian) farmers who sought redress and wanted the American arrested. The American fled and sought the assistance of the US Army. Over the next two years both sides moved ships, soldiers and cannon in to the area. Eventually, cooler heads prevailed and the only known casualty of the war was the pig - So it's appropriate that the war was named after it.

This book covers, in great detail, the problems of limited, and slow, communications. The problems of local politicians and soldiers with personal agendas and the great lengths both sides went to in the effort to protect their sovereignty. Civil War buffs will be interested to know that the commander of the US garrison placed on San Juan island was then Captain, later General, George Pickett of Gettysburg fame...this book provides some fascinating insight into his character.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Vouri does a great job with this subject. It is clear that he knows what he is talking about. He has also managed to take a little known and possibly dry historical event and weave it into a very well done book. Not only does the book portray the events on the island, but it puts them in the context of the times.

[W Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very solid account of the border dispute between the United States and Great Britain over San Juan Island. It nearly came to war when a British pig was killed by an American settler. If you know nothing about this, this book is a great place to learn. Well researched and written.