IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: HMS Speedy

•Type: British Gunboat / Schooner

•Year Built: 1798

•Built at: Cataraqui (modern-day Kingston), Ontario, Canada

•Material: Wood

•Length: Not explicitly recorded

•Tonnage: 80 tons (old style)

•Propulsion: Sail, with two masts

•Last Known Location: Off Presque Isle, Ontario, Lake Ontario

•Depth: Unknown

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Speedy was a wooden-hulled Schooner originally built as a gunboat for the British Navy. Designed for patrolling and defense in the Great Lakes, it was later adapted for non-military functions, including the transportation of officials and civilians. Small but swift, the vessel’s design made it agile, an essential characteristic for its naval duties and its later administrative responsibilities.

HISTORY

Commissioning and Early Service:

The Speedy was commissioned during a period of increased British efforts to secure naval dominance over the Great Lakes. Built at Cataraqui in 1798, it played a role in ensuring British control over these strategic waters. Initially armed for military purposes, the vessel was integral to the protection of trade routes and the transportation of troops and supplies during its early service.

Judicial Mission and Final Voyage:

By 1804, the Speedy was employed for broader governmental duties. On October 7, 1804, it was tasked with transporting legal officials, witnesses, and a prisoner from York (now Toronto) to Presque Isle for a landmark murder trial. The ship carried several prominent figures essential to the case, underscoring its importance to the judicial system of Upper Canada.

As the vessel approached Presque Isle on the night of October 8, it encountered a sudden and severe storm. Despite attempts to guide the ship to safety with bonfires onshore, the Speedy vanished in the gale, taking with it all onboard—believed to be approximately 20 people.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Speedy was lost during the storm, reportedly after striking a submerged rock. Despite several attempts to locate the wreck and the alleged rock, neither has ever been definitively found. The disappearance of the ship remains one of Lake Ontario’s enduring mysteries and a significant maritime tragedy in Canadian history.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) exist for the Speedy wreck site due to its undiscovered status.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the Speedy has not been located. Several expeditions have sought to uncover its resting place, but it remains elusive, contributing to its legendary status among maritime historians.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck’s condition is unknown but is presumed to be highly deteriorated due to over two centuries submerged in Lake Ontario. Its location remains inaccessible to divers and researchers until it is discovered.

RESOURCES & LINKS

1.Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History Link

2.Canadian Shipwrecks Database: Canadian Shipwrecks

3.Historical Collections of the Great Lakes: Great Lakes Ships

KEYWORDS

•Speedy Shipwreck

•Lake Ontario

•British Gunboat

•Schooner

•1798 Shipwreck

•Canadian Maritime History

•Presque Isle

ANALYSIS

The Speedy exemplifies the hazards faced by early mariners on the Great Lakes, where sudden weather changes and limited navigational aids posed significant risks. The ship’s disappearance highlights the fragility of maritime ventures in this period and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in navigating these inland seas.

The loss of the Speedy also holds historical significance beyond its maritime role. It underscores the reliance of early Canadian governance on waterborne transport, particularly for legal and administrative operations. The ongoing fascination with locating the Speedy reflects the broader interest in uncovering the hidden narratives of early Canadian history and the perils endured by those who helped shape it.

The search for the Speedy continues to captivate maritime historians, divers, and enthusiasts, keeping alive the hope of one day unraveling the mystery of its final resting place.