IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The USS Sylph was originally constructed as a schooner at Sackett’s Harbor, New York, in 1813, under the supervision of the renowned shipbuilder Henry Eckford. Designed to enhance the United States Navy’s capabilities on the Great Lakes during the War of 1812, the vessel was part of a broader strategy to counter British naval power. During the winter of 1813-1814, Sylph was rerigged as a brig and rearmed, significantly increasing her firepower and versatility in naval engagements.
HISTORY #
The USS Sylph was a significant naval vessel constructed in 1813 at Sackett’s Harbor, New York, during the War of 1812. Originally built as a schooner under the direction of the esteemed shipbuilder Henry Eckford, the Sylph was part of the United States Navy’s strategic efforts to strengthen its presence on the Great Lakes and counter British naval power. The USS Sylph was designed to provide the U.S. Navy with enhanced capabilities in the contested waters of Lake Ontario, a key theater of operations during the war. In the winter of 1813-1814, the vessel underwent significant modifications, including rerigging as a brig and rearming with 2 × 9-pounder guns and 16 × 24-pounder carronades, which substantially increased her firepower and versatility in combat.
The USS Sylph played a crucial role in several engagements during the War of 1812, beginning shortly after her launch in August 1813 when she joined Commodore Isaac Chauncey’s squadron on Lake Ontario. Her first major engagement occurred on September 11, 1813, in a running battle with the Royal Navy off the Genesee River. Although the battle was indecisive, it underscored the importance of naval control over the Great Lakes. Later that month, the Sylph participated in a confrontation in York Bay, where she supported American efforts to engage retreating British vessels. In October 1813, the Sylph was part of a successful operation that captured several British ships, including the former American vessels USS Julia and USS Growler. These victories enabled Chauncey’s squadron, including the Sylph, to blockade the British fleet in Kingston, Ontario, until the end of the navigation season.
In the spring of 1814, following the British capture of Oswego, New York, and the blockade of Sackett’s Harbor, the Sylphand the American fleet returned to action, engaging in operations that further challenged British naval dominance on the Great Lakes. One notable operation resulted in the scuttling of the British brig Sir Sydney Smith. Despite these successes, the conclusion of the War of 1812 with the Treaty of Ghent in 1815 brought an end to the USS Sylph’s active service. The vessel was laid up at Sackett’s Harbor, where she gradually decayed. By 1823, the USS Sylph was reported sunk, and her remains were eventually sold before 1825, marking the end of her service in the United States Navy.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The USS Sylph was laid up at Sackett’s Harbor after the War of 1812. By 1823, the vessel had decayed and was reported sunk. Her remains were eventually sold, and no significant parts of the ship have been recovered.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
Located by: Not specified; the exact location of the vessel’s remains is not documented.
Date of Discovery: Not applicable.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the USS Sylph wreck site. The exact location of the wreck is unknown, and it is not marked on navigational charts.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The remains of the USS Sylph have not been definitively located. Given the passage of time and the fact that the vessel decayed and was reported sunk by 1823, it is unlikely that significant parts of the ship remain intact. The site, if it exists, is not accessible to divers or researchers.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Provides detailed historical context and data on the USS Sylph and similar vessels.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: A comprehensive resource for researching shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, including the USS Sylph.
- Great Lakes Maritime Database: Offers extensive information on historical vessels that operated on the Great Lakes, including the USS Sylph.
- Marine Review (Cleveland, OH), 27 Apr 1905 & 12 Jan 1899: Historical articles that provide insights into Great Lakes maritime history.
- By Paddle-Wheel, Sail, and Steam: A detailed account of the Neff family’s maritime history, offering context for the era of the USS Sylph.
CONCLUSION #
The USS Sylph was a significant naval vessel during the War of 1812, contributing to the United States’ efforts to control Lake Ontario and counter British naval power. Despite her success in several engagements, the end of the war marked the decline of her service. The vessel’s eventual decay and sinking at Sackett’s Harbor reflect the fate of many wartime ships that were no longer needed in peacetime. The Sylph’s history offers a glimpse into the challenges and strategies of early 19th-century naval warfare on the Great Lakes.
KEYWORDS #
uss sylph, war of 1812, lake ontario naval history, sackett’s harbor shipwreck, henry eckford shipbuilding, great lakes maritime history, 19th-century naval engagements
