Identification & Site Information
•Name: HMS Vigilant
•Type: Armed Schooner
•Year Built: 1756
•Builder: British Navy
•Final Resting Place: Near Oswego, New York, Lake Ontario
Vessel Type Description
The HMS Vigilant was an armed Schooner, a small and highly maneuverable naval vessel commonly used for reconnaissance, patrol, and escort duties during the 18th century. Schooners like the Vigilant were rigged with two or more masts and known for their speed and agility, making them effective in the strategic control of waterways. As a military vessel, the Vigilant would have been lightly armed, although specific details of its armament and tonnage remain undocumented.
History
Construction and Purpose
The HMS Vigilant was built in 1756 at the British naval station in Oswego, New York. It was part of a fleet commissioned by the British Navy to secure control over the Great Lakes, which were crucial for supply routes and territorial dominance during the French and Indian War.
Role in the French and Indian War
The Vigilant operated on Lake Ontario, where it played a vital role in British efforts to counter French influence and secure strategic positions. Its missions would have included patrolling waterways, supporting military campaigns, and escorting supply vessels.
Engagement and Loss
In 1756, the Vigilant participated in a naval engagement near Oswego, New York, against the French Great Lakes fleet under the command of General Montcalm. During this confrontation, the Vigilant was captured by the French, along with several other British vessels, including:
•HMS Oswego
•HMS Ontario
•HMS George
•HMS London
•HMS Halifax
After its capture, the French forces burned the HMS Vigilant, ensuring it could not be reclaimed or reused by the British. This event marked a significant setback for British naval efforts on Lake Ontario and contributed to French dominance in the region during that phase of the war.
Final Disposition
•Year Lost: 1756
•Cause of Loss: Captured and intentionally burned by French forces.
•Location: Near Oswego, New York, Lake Ontario.
•Wreck Status: The remains of the HMS Vigilant have not been discovered or documented.
Related Vessels
The HMS Vigilant was part of a fleet of British vessels lost in the same engagement, all of which were captured and destroyed by the French. These include:
The loss of these vessels represented a major strategic blow to British control over the Great Lakes during the French and Indian War.
NOTMARs & Advisories
•Current Status: No Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories are associated with the wreck of the HMS Vigilant.
•Navigation Hazards: The wreck site poses no known hazards and is not marked on contemporary nautical charts.
Resources & Links
•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive records on shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.
•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Offers detailed accounts of 18th-century naval operations on the Great Lakes.
•Great Lakes Ships: Database of historical vessels, including naval ships like the HMS Vigilant.
Conclusion
The HMS Vigilant played a key role in British naval strategy during the French and Indian War. Its loss, along with other vessels in the same engagement, highlights the challenges of controlling Lake Ontario during this period. While its remains are yet to be located, the story of the Vigilant adds to the rich tapestry of maritime history on the Great Lakes.
Keywords & Tags
•#HMSVigilant
•#FrenchAndIndianWar
•#LakeOntarioNavalHistory
•#BritishNavy
•#18thCenturyShipwrecks
•#OswegoBattle
Feel free to request further details about this vessel or the broader context of Great Lakes naval history!
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