Wreck Report: HMS Newash

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: HMS Newash

• Type: Naval Schooner (Heavily Armed)

• Builder: Naval Yard, Street’s Farm, Chippawa, Ontario

• Construction Date: 1815

• Dimensions:

• Tonnage: 166 tons

• Length (as per Admiralty plans): Approx. 76 feet overall

• Armament:

• Two long guns, 24-pounders

• Two carronades, 32-pounders

• Location of Wreck: Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada

• Discovery Date: August 29, 1953 (H. C. Osborne’s account dates back another 40 years)

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

HMS Newash was one of two sister schooners built by the British during the War of 1812. Alongside HMS Tecumseth, Newash was constructed to serve as a compact yet formidable warship capable of both long-range engagements and devastating close-quarter broadsides.

• Namesake: Named after Chief Naawash (or Naiwash) of the Ottawa Nation, who played a significant diplomatic role in aligning Indigenous forces with the British during the War of 1812.

• Service: The Newash was deployed on the Upper Great Lakes, reinforcing British naval strength in the region. It was larger and more heavily armed than contemporary American vessels like the USS Scorpion, which was captured and renamed HMS Confiance.

• Role: Designed for both offensive engagements and logistical support in securing control over vital waterways.

DISCOVERY & ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

The wreck believed to be HMS Newash was discovered in Penetanguishene Harbor during a recovery operation on August 29, 1953.

• Key Findings:

• The Keel and forefoot matched precisely with dimensions and structural details from original Admiralty plans dated April 23, 1815.

• Heavy oak deadwood, scarphed and bolted, corresponded with construction specifications for Newash.

• Comparative analysis of wreckage using Admiralty plans confirmed its identity as one of the sister ships.

• Location Context:

• H.C. Osborne previously identified the Newash and Tecumseth wrecks in the same vicinity, near Penetanguishene’s old naval yard.

• Both vessels were scuttled or Abandoned in the area as British naval forces consolidated their position post-War of 1812.

• Coincidence or Historical Overlap?

There is speculation that search efforts aimed at locating the HMS Confiance may have inadvertently uncovered HMS Newash and possibly Tecumseth.

SIGNIFICANCE

HMS Newash represents a pivotal chapter in British naval strategy on the Great Lakes during the War of 1812. Its construction and design highlight the evolution of naval warfare and the importance of regional control in securing the Canadian frontier.

• Archaeological Value:

• The wreck offers insight into early 19th-century shipbuilding techniques and British naval operations in inland waters.

• The remains serve as a tangible connection to Indigenous and British alliances during the conflict.

• Conservation and Legacy:

• The wreckage, studied under the guidance of archaeologist Prof. Wilfred Jury, underscores the need for continued preservation of Canada’s submerged heritage.

• The Schooner symbolizes the resilience of Indigenous and British cooperation during a critical period in North American history.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Admiralty Plans (1815): Detailed ship construction blueprints held by Canadian archives.

• Schooner Days by C.H.J. Snider: Primary narrative on the discovery and historical context.

• Western University Archives: Documentation of Prof. Wilfred Jury’s archaeological findings.

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website: Comprehensive repository of vessel records and wreck reports.

The identification of HMS Newash adds another layer to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history, bridging naval ingenuity, Indigenous alliances, and historical preservation efforts.