 It turned out they were French, and on board was a scout Vaudreuil had sent downriver on 19 September to watch for the British fleet.The scout reported finding the wreckage of seven ships and an estimated 1,500 bodies.Although locals were already plundering through the wreckage, the colony organised a formal salvage operation that recovered items like anchors, chains, tents, and cannons; the items recovered were auctioned.