USS Scourge (formerly the Canadian schooner Lord Nelson)

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The USS Scourge was originally constructed as a private schooner named Lord Nelson for the merchant and cargo trade on the Great Lakes. It was a two-masted, wooden-hulled schooner with square sails, typical of early 19th-century vessels designed for both trade and limited naval engagements. The schooner was equipped with modest armament after being repurposed by the United States Navy, transforming it into a warship capable of defending the Great Lakes during the War of 1812.

HISTORY
The Scourge began its life as a private Canadian schooner named Lord Nelson. It was built in Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1811, just a year before the outbreak of the War of 1812. Following the war’s onset, the schooner was captured by the United States Navy on June 9, 1812, and was subsequently renamed USS Scourge. The vessel was armed with four 6-pounder cannons and two 4-pounder cannons, and it became part of the U.S. fleet on Lake Ontario.

The Scourge participated in various naval operations, primarily tasked with patrolling and defending U.S. interests on Lake Ontario. The schooner was under the command of Lieutenant Joseph Osgood, who was tasked with preparing the ship for battle and maintaining its readiness throughout the war.

FINAL DISPOSITION
On August 8, 1813, the USS Scourge and the USS Hamilton were anchored off the coast of present-day Toronto, awaiting orders to engage in an attack. However, a sudden and violent line squall swept through the area. The suddenness of the storm caught both vessels off guard, and their top-heavy construction due to the added cannons made them particularly vulnerable to capsizing.

The Scourge capsized quickly during the storm, and within minutes, it had sunk to the bottom of Lake Ontario, taking with it the majority of its crew. Of the estimated 42 men aboard, only eight survived. The storm claimed the lives of approximately 38 sailors, making it one of the deadliest naval tragedies in the Great Lakes.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) directly affecting the wreck site. However, the site is protected under Canadian law, and diving operations are strictly controlled to preserve the wreck and respect the memory of those who perished.

LOCATED BY & DATE
The wreck of the USS Scourge was discovered in 1973 by a team from the Royal Ontario Museum. The discovery was part of a broader effort to locate historical wrecks from the War of 1812. The site has since been the subject of extensive study and preservation efforts by Canadian authorities.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
The USS Scourge lies at a depth of 300 feet, making it accessible only to experienced technical divers using advanced equipment. The wreck is well-preserved due to the cold, fresh waters of Lake Ontario, which have helped protect the wooden structure from decay. The ship is largely intact, with the masts still standing and many of the cannons still in place.

Diving at the site requires special permission from the Canadian government, as it is a protected war grave. The site is monitored to ensure that it is not disturbed, and unauthorized diving is strictly prohibited.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Side Scan Survey by Canadian Government: [Link to survey results and documentation]
• Diver Magazine: Articles and features on the USS Scourge and its historical significance.
• Hamilton Spectator, August 22 Issue: Coverage on the Scourge wreck and preservation efforts.