HMS TORONTO (1799)

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	Vessel Name: HMS Toronto Type: Schooner Builder: John Dennis Launched: August 1799 Location Built: Mouth of the Humber River, near Bloor Street, York (now Toronto), Lake Ontario, Canada Primary Function: Government ferry service Armament: 4 cannons

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

HMS Toronto was a Royal Navy schooner designed as a ferry and multipurpose government vessel on Lake Ontario. Constructed at the mouth of the Humber River, near present-day Bloor Street in Toronto, she was armed with four cannons. This armament reflects her dual role in transport and defense, typical of naval vessels of her size and purpose during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

HISTORY #

Built in 1799 by shipbuilder John Dennis, a Loyalist émigré, HMS Toronto served the Royal Navy in Upper Canada. The schooner was primarily tasked with ferrying government officials between York, the new provincial capital, and Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake), the former capital. Her duties likely extended to transporting supplies, official dispatches, and possibly small groups of troops between strategic locations on Lake Ontario.

HMS Toronto was a key component of the early naval infrastructure in Upper Canada, contributing to the administrative and logistical operations necessary for the province’s growth and security. Her construction and deployment were part of the broader efforts by the British government to maintain control over the Great Lakes region following the American Revolution.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

In 1811, HMS Toronto was wrecked near Hanlan’s Point on the Toronto Islands. The vessel sustained significant damage, rendering salvage efforts futile. The decision was made to break up the ship, and her remains were left at the wreck site. This event marked the end of HMS Toronto’s service to the Royal Navy.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck occurred in 1811 off Hanlan’s Point, a part of the Toronto Islands. While the exact location of the wreck is not widely documented, it is believed that parts of the vessel may still lie on the lakebed in this area.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

No specific navigational warnings were issued following the wreck of HMS Toronto, but the vicinity around Hanlan’s Point was known to be hazardous due to shoals and shifting sands.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

CONCLUSION #

HMS Toronto was integral to the early naval operations on Lake Ontario, supporting the governmental and military needs of Upper Canada during a crucial period of its development. Although her career was short, ending with her wreck in 1811, the schooner remains a significant part of Toronto’s maritime history. The story of HMS Toronto highlights the challenges faced by early naval vessels on the Great Lakes and their importance in the region’s growth and security during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.