IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: HMS London

•Other Names: None

•Type: Armed Schooner (British Naval Vessel)

•Year Built: 1756

•Builder: British Navy

•Built at: Oswego, New York

•Final Resting Place: Near Oswego, New York, Lake Ontario

•Official Number: Not applicable (vessels of this period did not have official registry numbers)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

HMS London was a wooden armed Schooner constructed by the British Navy during the mid-18th century. This class of vessel was compact, fast, and maneuverable, designed for reconnaissance, patrolling, and combat in the confined waterways of the Great Lakes. Schooners like HMS London were critical in asserting naval dominance, especially during the French and Indian War (1754–1763).

While specific dimensions of HMS London are not recorded, it is presumed to have shared characteristics with other contemporary armed schooners, likely featuring two masts, light armament, and accommodations for a small naval crew.

HISTORY

HMS London was built in 1756 at Oswego, New York, a strategic British outpost during the French and Indian War. This vessel was part of a fleet deployed to protect British interests in the Lake Ontario region, counter French naval activity, and secure supply and troop transport routes between British forts.

The Schooner played a defensive role in the British Navy’s operations to counter French advancements. However, the Great Lakes were a contested theater of war, and Oswego’s position as a key stronghold made its fleet vulnerable.

FINAL DISPOSITION

In the summer of 1756, the HMS London met its fate during the Siege of Fort Oswego, a major confrontation in the French and Indian War. French forces under General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm launched a decisive attack, targeting both the British fortifications and their naval assets.

HMS London, along with other British vessels (HMS Oswego, HMS Ontario, HMS George, HMS Vigilant, and HMS Halifax), was captured by the French. Rather than incorporating the vessels into their fleet, Montcalm’s forces set them ablaze to prevent any chance of British reclamation. This deliberate destruction represented a significant loss for the British, both strategically and symbolically.

LOSS OF LIFE

Records do not indicate any casualties directly associated with the capture or burning of HMS London. However, the broader siege resulted in heavy British losses, with many defenders killed, wounded, or captured.

CARGO

HMS London was not carrying commercial or supply cargo at the time of its destruction, as it was actively engaged in military operations.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of HMS London has not been definitively discovered or identified. Its remains, if any, likely lie in the waters near Oswego, New York, where the naval engagement took place.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck of HMS London. The area around Oswego is a known historical region, and any potential artifacts from this vessel would be subject to protection under heritage laws.

RELATED VESSELS

HMS London was part of a fleet destroyed by the French at Oswego, including:

•HMS Oswego

•HMS Ontario

•HMS George

•HMS Vigilant

•HMS Halifax

These losses underscored the challenges of naval operations on the Great Lakes and the shifting control during this pivotal conflict.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Research database on Great Lakes shipwrecks.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Detailed accounts of naval and commercial vessels in the region.

•Great Lakes Ships: A repository of information on the Great Lakes’ maritime history.

CONCLUSION

The HMS London symbolizes the fierce contest for control over the Great Lakes during the French and Indian War. Its construction, operational role, and eventual destruction reflect the high stakes of naval warfare in North America’s inland waters during the 18th century. While its wreck remains undiscovered, the HMS London and its fate continue to serve as a compelling chapter in the history of Lake Ontario and the broader struggle for dominance in colonial North America.