HMS Toronto was a schooner of the Royal Navy, built in August 1799 by John Dennis at the Humber River and Bloor Street in Toronto (then known as York) on the shores of Lake Ontario, Canada. The vessel was primarily intended to serve as a ferry, transporting government officials from York (Toronto) to Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake), which was the former capital of Upper Canada (now Ontario).
Armed with four cannons, HMS Toronto was likely used for various government functions, including transporting officials and supplies between the two important settlements in Upper Canada. However, her career was relatively short-lived as she met her fate in 1811.
In that year, the unfortunate event occurred when the ship wrecked off Hanlan’s Point, which is part of the Toronto Islands archipelago in Lake Ontario. The ship’s hull was damaged beyond repair in the accident, leaving it stranded and unable to be salvaged.
As a result of the severe damage, HMS Toronto was subsequently broken up, ending her service in the Royal Navy. The ship’s wreck likely remained on the lake bottom at Hanlan’s Point, becoming a part of maritime history in the region.
The loss of HMS TORONTO served as a reminder of the risks and challenges that early naval vessels faced on the Great Lakes, especially during adverse weather conditions or navigational difficulties. Despite its relatively short existence, the ship played a role in the maritime history of the Toronto area and its former capital, Newark, providing transportation and support to government officials during the early years of Upper Canada’s development.
