Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

Ontario I

Lake Schooner:
  • Built circa 1812 as as a merchant ship on Lake Ontario
  • Purchased in October 1812
  • Placed in service in 1813, Sailing Master Joseph Stevens in command
  • Ontario was part of COMO. Issac Chauncey's Lake Ontario squadron protecting upstate New York from a seaborne British and Canadian invasion
  • Ontario supported an attack on York, Canada, 27 April 1813. General Zebulon Pike landed 1700 troops to raid the town while the U. S. squadron destroyed large quantities of stores and burned a schooner under construction
  • Ontario cooperated with troops attacking Fort George 27 May, forcing a British evacuation of the Niagara Frontier
  • She then patrolled the Lake against British warship and merchantmen movements into the summer
  • From 7 to 11 August, Ontario, fought a running engagement with British CAPT. John Yeo's 6 ship group
  • Losing 2 ships on the 8th to heavy weather, the squadron had 2 more captured during the inconclusive exchange of fire on the 10th
  • A further sea fight on the 11th brought no more results but finally, a battle off York 28 August succeeded in damaging two British ships and forced the enemy to flee into Burlington Bay
  • For the next year and a half, Ontario remained on Lake Ontario on patrol against any British invasion attempts
  • Laid up in ordinary following the end of the War of 1812
  • Sold 15 May 1815 and returned to merchant service
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 81 t.
    Length unknown
    Beam unknown
    Depth of Hold unknown
    Draft unknown
    Speed unknown
    Complement unknown
    Armament two guns
    Propulsion Sail
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 SizeImage Description Contributed
    By
    There are no images of Ontario (I) available at NavSource
    Ontario I
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Old Navy" Steam and Sail Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
    Last Updated 16 December 2022