List of Vessels Employed on British Naval Service on the Great Lakes, 1755-1875

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List of Vessels Employed on British Naval Service on the Great Lakes, 1755-1875

The following list of vessels whose names appear in the accounts of naval and military operations probably is not complete. It was originally published in Ontario History, v. 55 (1963), pp. 173-79. Anyone wishing to supply information concerning other vessels, or additional data pertaining to those listed should cite the source of the information and forward it to Ken Macpherson or Walter Lewis

Name Armament Built Where Type Remarks
Ontario 12 1755 Oswego Sloop Taken by the French, 14 Aug. 1756
Oswego 5 1755 Oswego Sloop Taken by the French, 14 Aug. 1756
George 8 1755 Oswego Schooner June 27 or Aug. 14, 1756
Vigilant 8 1755 Oswego Schooner June 27 or Aug. 14, 1756
London 16 1756 Oswego Brigantine August 14, 1756
Halifax 22 1756 Oswego Snow August 14, 1756
Mohawk 6 1756 Oswego Sloop August 14, 1756
Mohawk 18 1759 Oswego Snow Lost in 1764
Onondaga 22 1759 Oswego Snow Lost in 1764
Mississaga 16 c. 1759 Oswego Snow
Murray c. 1759 Oswego Schooner
Johnson 10 4/1759 Pointe au Baril Barque Ex-French L'Outaouaise, taken at Isle Royale, 1760. Lost Nov. 1764
Williamson 10 4/1759 Pointe au Baril Barque Ex-French L'Iroquoise, taken near Pte. Au Baril, 1760. Lost in 1761
Huron 6 1761 Navy Island Schooner
Michigan 1762 Navy Island Sloop Foundered in Lake Erie, Aug. 28, 1763
Royal Charlotte 10 1764 Navy Island Sloop Last noted in 1770
Boston 6 1764 Navy Island Schooner Burned prior to Nov. 13, 1768
Victory 8 1764 Navy Island Schooner Burned, perhaps at same time as Boston
Gladwyn 8 1764 Navy Island Schooner Last noted in 1770
Brunswick 1765 Oswego Schooner "Worn out" in 1778
Charity 1770 Niagara Sloop Lost in 1777
Hope 1771 Detroit Schooner Wrecked December 1783
Angelica 4 1771 Detroit Schooner Wrecked December 1783
Haldimand 18 1771 Oswegatchie Snow Out of service by 1787
Seneca 18 1771 Oswegatchie Snow Still extant in 1788
General Gage 1772 Detroit Schooner
Dunmore 4 1772 Detroit Schooner Still extant in 1796
Felicity 1773 Detroit Sloop Discarded 1795
Faith 1774 Detroit Schooner Wrecked December 1783
Archange 1774 Detroit Sloop
Caldwell 2 1774 Niagara Sloop Described as sheer hulk in 1790
Wyandot c. 1778 Detroit Sloop
Ottawa c. 1778 Detroit Snow
Welcome c. 1780 Detroit
Adventure 1780 Detroit
Ontario 16 10 May 1780 Carleton Island Snow Foundered 1 Nov. 1780
Limnade 16 1780 Carleton Island s Name means "Lake Nymph"
Mohawk 1781 Carleton Island Out of service by 1787
Cheboygan 2 c. 1790 Detroit Sloop First noted in 1791
Chippewa 6 c. 1790 Detroit? Snow First noted in 1792
Ottawa 6 Snow First noted in 1792 (Lake Ontario)
Rebecca 6 c. 1791 Detroit? Snow First noted in 1792
Nancy 1 24 Nov. 1789 Detroit Schooner Built for North West Co. Burned by US forces, 14 Aug. 1814
Onondaga 6 1790 Raven Creek Schooner Wrecked at York 18 Dec. 1793. Salved 1794
Mississauga 6 1790 Raven Creek Schooner
Caldwell 2 c. 1791 Sloop First noted in 1792
Miamis Gunboat First noted in 1796
Buffalo 1792 Kingston Gunboat
Catherine 1792 Kingston Gunboat
Maria Gunboat First noted in 1796
Sophia 1792 Kingston Gunboat
Tioga Gunboat Sold c. 1799
Mohawk 14 May 1795 Kingston Schooner "Beyond repair" by 1803
Francis 1796 Detroit Sloop
Speedy 1798 Kingston Gunboat Foundered in 7-8 Oct. 1804
Swift 1798 Kingston Gunboat
Toronto Aug. 1799 York Schooner Wrecked and broken up, York 1811
Prince Edward 1801 Prince Edward County Schooner
Camden Snow First noted in 1808. Unfit for use by 1811
Seneca USA Schooner Commandeered at Kingston, June 1812. Sunk by guns of Fort Niagara, 21 Nov. 1812
Lady Murray USA Schooner "Cut out" in Genessee R., 2 Oct. 1812. Retaken by US, 16 June 1813
Duke of Kent 1801 Kingston Snow Receiving hulk by 1812. Still extant in 1816.
Earl of Moira 14 28 May 1805 Kingston Schooner, altered to brig, 1813 Renamed Charwell in 1814. Used as powder vessel by 1816 and as accomodation vessel by 1827. Sold in 1837.
Sir Sidney Smith 10 Nov. 1806 Kingston Schooner, altered to brig, 1814 Ex-Governor Simcoe, taken into the Marine in 1813. Renamed Magnet, 1814. Burned to avoid capture on 5 August 1814
Royal George 22 July 1809 Kingston Corvette Renamed Niagara in 1814. Used as transport post-war. Sold 1837.
General Hunter 6 1806 Amherstburg Brig Taken by US, 10 Sept. 1813 and renamed Hunter
Duke of Gloucester 6 May 1807 Kingston Schooner Taken by US, 27 Apr. 1813 and renamed York [Note Yeo states that he took a vessel described as York (4) at the same time as Julia and Growler, but it is almost certain that it was not this ship.
Queen Charlotte 16 1809 Amherstburg Ship Sloop Taken by US, 10 Sept. 1813. Sold in 1825.
Cockburn 1812 Schooner Ex-American Commencement, taken 27 June 1812
General Vincent c. 1812
Prince Regent 12 June 1812 York Schooner, altered to brig 1814 Renamed General Beresford, 1813. Renamed Netley, 1814. Sold 1837; repurchased 1838 and renamed Niagara as accomodation vessel at Kingston. Finally sold c. 1843
Lady Prevost 10 13 July 1812 Amherstburg Schooner Taken by US, 10 Sept. 1813. Sold postwar
Detroit 14 4 July 1812 Detroit Brig ex-USS Adams, taken 17 Aug. 1812. Retaken by US, 9 Oct. 1812 and destroyed by fire on same date to avoid recapture.
Hamilton 2 Schooner Civilian Experiment, purchased 1812 by Chauncey and renamed U.S.S. Growler. Taken by British 10 Aug. 1813. Retaken by US, 5 Oct. 1813. [Chapelle says she was again taken by the British, 5 May 1814, but I can find no other evidence for this.
Confiance 2 1812 Oswego Schooner Ex. U.S.S. Julia, taken 10 Aug. 1813. Retaken 5 Oct. 1813
Sauk 2 1809 Black Rock Schooner Ex-U.S.S. Somers, taken 12 Aug. 1814 (Was originally merchant vessel Catherine). In ordinary 1817.
Huron 1 1810 Cleveland Schooner Ex-U.S.S. Ohio, taken 12 Aug. 1814. In ordinary 1817
Sir Isaac Brock 30 building York Frigate Destroyed on stocks 27 Apr. 1813
Little Belt 3 Schooner Taken by US, 10 Sept. 1813. Burned at Buffalo, Dec. 1813
Chippewa 2 1810 Maumee Schooner Taken by US, 10 Sept. 1813. Burned at Buffalo, Dec. 1813
Detroit 18 July 1813 Amherstburg Ship Sloop Taken by US, 10 Sept. 1813. Sold 1825 and was set adrift above Niagara Falls as a "spectacle" in 1841. Broke up in rapids.
Eliza Was at siege of Fort Meigs, May 1813. Supposed burned near Chatham, 4 Oct. 1813
Colonel Myers Was at siege of Fort Meigs, May 1813. Supposed burned near Chatham, 4 Oct. 1813
Caledonia 2 1807 Amherstburg Brig Ex-North West Co. Taken by US, 9 Oct. 1812. Burned by raiding party, 13 Oct. 1812
Sir George Prevost 22 28 Apr. 1813 Kingston Schooner, altered to brig 1814 Renamed Wolfe, 1813, and Montreal, 1814. Rebuilt as transport in 1815. In ordinary 1817. Presumed rotted and sunk at Kingston, though at first ordered broken up, then ordered sold, in 1831.
Lord Melville 14 20 July 1813 Kingston Schooner, altered to brig 1814 Renamed Star, 1814. Described in 1815 as unfit for anything but transport duties. Sold in 1836.
Confiance 2 1813 Presqu'Ile Schooner Ex-U.S.S. Scorpion, taken 6 Sept. 1814. In ordinary 1817. Ordered broken up in 1831, but sank at Penetaguishene.
Surprize 2 1812 Erie Schooner Originally merchant vessel Amelia. Became USS Tigress, taken 3 Sept. 1814. Subsequent fate as Confiance. Raised in 1928.
Mink North West Co. Taken by US at Sault Ste. Marie, July 1814
Perseverance North West Co. Destroyed by US at Sault Ste. Marie, July 1814
Prince Regent 60 14 Apr. 1814 Kingston Frigate Renamed Kingston, 1814. Ordered solde, 1832
Princess Charlotte 44 14 Apr. 1814 Kingston Frigate Originally to be named Vittoria, but renamed before launching. Renamed Burlington, 1814. In ordinary by May 1816. At first ordered broken up, then ordered sold, in 1831. Probably sold 1833.
St. Lawrence 104 10 Sept. 1814 Kingston Ship Laid up 1814. Ordered broken up, then ordered sol, in 1831. Sold in Jan. 1832 and sank at Kingston, subsequently in use as a firewood hulk.
Psyche 56 25 Dec. 1814 Kingston Frigate Sent in frame from England. Laid up in 1815 and presumed sunk at Kingston.
Black 1 USA Gunboat (Sloop) "In a bad state," Jan. 1814
Black Snake 1 Gunboat (Sloop) Taken by US 19 June 1814
Brazen Gunboat First noted 1794
Buffalo 2 Kingston Gunboat (Lugger) Ex-Syren, sunk by US 10 Nov. 1813. Raised.
Brock 1 Gunboat (Lugger)
Cleopatra 2 Gunboat
Cornwall 1 USA Gunboat (Sloop) "In a bad state," Jan. 1814
Crystler 1 1814 Kingston Gunboat (Lugger)
Glengarry 1 Quebec Gunboat (Sloop) "Serviceable," Jan. 1814
Kingston 1 Kingston Gunboat (Lugger) "Serviceable," Jan. 1814
Lais 1 Gunboat Taken by US, 31 May 1814
Nelly 2 Gunboat
Nelson 2 1813 Kingston Gunboat (Schooner)
Niagara 2 1814 Kingston Gunboat (Lugger)
Quebec 1 Quebec Gunboat (Lugger) "Serviceable," Jan. 1814
Queenston 1 1814 Kingston Gunboat (Lugger)
Retaliation 1 USA Gunboat (Sloop)
Spitfire Gunboat Taken by US, 19 July 1813. First noted 1794
Thunder 1 USA Gunboat (Lugger) "Wanting much repair," Jan. 1814
York 1 USA Gunboat (Sloop) "In a bad state," Jan. 1814
(unnamed) 44 building Penetanguishene Frigate Laid down c December 1814. Suspended Feb. 1815
Newash 4 Aug 1815 Chippawa Schooner In ordinary 1817. Ordered broken up in 1831; ordered for sale in March 1832, but rotted and sank at Penetaguishene
Tecumseth 4 Aug 1815 Chippawa Schooner Same particulars as Newash but raised in 1953
General Drummond Cutter Taken by US, 5 Oct. 1813
Toronto Schooner Wrecked at York 2 June 1817
Beckwith 8 July 1816 Kingston Transport
Brock Apr. 1817 Kingston Schooner
Canada 112 Building 1814 Kingston Ship Frame dismantled in 1832
Wolfe 112 Building 1814 Kingston Ship Frame destroyed in storm, 31 July 1832
Bee Gunboat
Mosquito Gunboat Ordered sold. Penetanguishene, March 1832
Wasp Gunboat
Brock 3 Hired Schooner Hired c 1829; released c. 1838
Cockburn 1 1827 Schooner Paid off in 1834. Sold 1837.
Bullfrog 2 Cutter; yard boat Sold c. 1836. Repurchased in 1838.
Kingston 1832 Kingston Steam Vessel Hired 1838; released c. 1839. Rebuilt for sail in 1848.
William IV 1832 Gananoque Steam Vessel Hired 1838; realesed c. 1839. Abandoned at Garden Island 1860.
Eureka Schooner
Daniel Webster Steam Vessel Hired Nov. 1838; relased 1839
Toronto 4 1833 Black Rock Steam Vessel ex-Sir Charles Adam, ex General Porter. Purchased 1838. Sold 1843.
Cobourg 1833 Cobourg Steam Vessel Hired 1838. Probably released 1839.
Traveller 1835 Niagara Steam Vessel Purchased 1839. Sold c. 1844. Broken up c. 1867.
Experiment 2 1837 Niagara Steam Vessel Storeship. Purchased 1838. Sold c. 1847. Scrapped 1860.
Sir John Colborne 1837 Grand Island, NY Steam Vessel Ex-Milwaukee. Hired Nov. 1838; released Aug. 1839
Queen Victoria 1838 Niagara Steam Vessel Hired 1838; released 1839
? 1839 Niagara Gunboat
Minos 1840 Chippawa Steam Vessel Sold c. 1852
Montreal 3 Schooner Purchased 1839. Off list by end of 1847.
Mohawk 1843 Kingston Steam Vessel Paid off in 1852.
Cherokee 1841 Kingston Steam Vessel Paid off in 1852.
Britomart 2 1860 Newcastle, UK Gunboat Served on Lake Erie 1865-67. Broken up in England 1892.
Heron 2 1860 Newcastle, UK Gunboat Served on Lake Ontario 1865-67. Truck off list at Jamaica, 1879
Cherub 2 1865 Portsmouth, UK Gunboat Served on Lake Huron 1865-67, Sold in England 1890
Note: The following steam vessels were hired or purchased for service during the Fenian disturbances. Most served in 1866 only.
Magnet 2 1847 Niagara Passenger Vessel Renamed Hamilton in 1895. Became a barge in 1910.
Rescue 2 1855 Buffalo Passenger and Freight vessel In naval service as late as 1872. Scrapped 1874.
British American 1856 Sorel Towboat
Gordon USA
Lion 4 1857 Montreal Freighter Ex-St. Andrew, 1866. Blew up in Hochelaga Bay, 1866.
Hercules no. 2 2 1857 Garden Island Towboat Burned at Garden Island, 18 Dec. 1871
Prince Alfred 2 1859 Sarnia Towboat Ex-Michigan, 1866. Sold 8 Dec. 1875. Broken up in 1885.
Lionne 1862 Buffalo Towboat Ex-James Butler
Metamora 1864 Cleveland Burnt at Shawanaga Bay, 30 July 1907
Watertown 2 1864 Kingston Passenger Vessel Renamed Union 1888. Sunk at Fort Erie in 1902.
W. T. Robb 2 1864 Stromness Towboat Scrapped in 1883
Canada 2 1864 Sorel Towboat Scrapped in 1893
Royal 4 1865 Levis Towboat Sunk at Pt. Platon, Que., 16 Sept. 1883
Hercules no. 1 1865 Quebec Laid up, 1879

 

  

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This article originally appeared in Ontario History.