IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: USS Sylph

•Year Built: 1813

•Vessel Type: Schooner (later rerigged as a Brig)

•Dimensions: Not specified

•Armament (Post-modification): 2 x 9-pounder guns, 16 x 24-pounder carronades

•Original Owner: United States Navy

•Final Location: Sackett’s Harbor, New York, 1823 (reported decayed and sunk)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The USS Sylph was initially constructed as a Schooner for the United States Navy during the War of 1812. It was later rerigged as a Brig, increasing its firepower and maneuverability. Designed for combat on the Great Lakes, the vessel embodied the strategic importance of naval power in controlling key waterways during the war. Its transition from Schooner to Brig demonstrated adaptability in response to the operational needs of the American fleet.

HISTORY

Construction and Role

•Built in 1813 at Sackett’s Harbor, New York, under the supervision of Henry Eckford, a prominent shipbuilder.

•Part of the U.S. Navy’s strategic push to strengthen its presence on the Great Lakes during the War of 1812.

Wartime Service

•August 1813: Launched and joined Commodore Isaac Chauncey’s squadron on Lake Ontario.

•September 11, 1813: Engaged in a running battle with the Royal Navy off the Genesee River; no decisive outcome.

•October 1813: Participated in the capture of British vessels, including the USS Julia and USS Growler, enhancing American naval dominance.

•Spring 1814: Re-entered service following repairs, contributing to operations that forced the British to scuttle the Brig Sir Sydney Smith.

Postwar Service

•Following the Treaty of Ghent in 1815, the Sylph was decommissioned and laid up at Sackett’s Harbor.

•By 1823, the vessel was reported decayed and sunk at its mooring.

•Its remains were sold before 1825, marking the end of its naval career.

FINAL DISPOSITION

•Fate: Decayed and sank at Sackett’s Harbor, New York, by 1823.

•Post-1823: Remains sold and likely salvaged for materials; no significant artifacts have been recovered or documented.

LOCATED BY & DATE

•Location Discovery: The remains have not been definitively located.

•Date of Discovery: Not applicable, as the wreck’s location is not documented.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or navigational advisories are related to the wreck of the USS Sylph. Its decay and sinking were documented at Sackett’s Harbor, but the exact location is unknown.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•Condition: The vessel’s remains are presumed to have disintegrated over time. If any remnants exist, they are likely buried or scattered in the harbor’s sediment.

•Accessibility: Not accessible to divers or researchers due to the lack of definitive location or surviving structural elements.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Detailed historical records of naval engagements and vessels like the USS Sylph.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: A valuable resource for locating information on Great Lakes shipwrecks, including early naval vessels.

•Great Lakes Maritime Database: Extensive documentation on the vessels and events that shaped maritime history in the region.

KEYWORDS

USS Sylph, War of 1812, Sackett’s Harbor, Henry Eckford, Lake Ontario naval history, 19th-century naval engagements, Great Lakes shipbuilding, Schooner-to-Brig Conversion, Treaty of Ghent.

CONCLUSION

The USS Sylph stands as a testament to the United States’ naval efforts during the War of 1812. From its construction in 1813 to its pivotal role in several engagements, the vessel highlights the strategic importance of controlling the Great Lakes during this critical period. Though it eventually succumbed to decay and disrepair, the Sylph’s legacy endures in the annals of American maritime history. Its story underscores the challenges and innovations of naval warfare in the early 19th century.