HMS Charity (1770)

Vessel Type Description #

The HMS Charity was a two-masted wooden schooner built by the British Navy in 1770 at Niagara, Ontario. Schooners of this type were integral to British naval operations on the Great Lakes due to their speed, maneuverability, and versatility. HMS Charity was specifically designed for the transportation of goods, troops, and crucial communications between British forts and settlements, playing a significant role during the American Revolutionary War. Its robust construction allowed it to face the treacherous waters of Lake Ontario, making it a valuable asset in maintaining British control over the region.

History & Significance #

HMS Charity was part of a broader strategy by the British to assert and maintain their naval dominance on the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Ontario. Built in 1770, the schooner was a critical part of the British fleet, tasked with patrolling the lake, securing supply lines, and ensuring communication between key military posts. At a time when control of the Great Lakes was essential to the British colonial effort, schooners like the HMS Charity were indispensable.

The ship’s importance grew as tensions mounted leading up to the American Revolutionary War. Its role in moving supplies, troops, and strategic messages allowed the British to maintain a foothold in the region, despite the growing unrest in the American colonies. However, the exact details of the HMS Charity’s loss remain unclear. The ship is believed to have met its fate during a storm or due to a collision with submerged rocks near what is now known as Charity Shoal. This shoal, named in memory of the vessel, is notorious for its hazardous underwater rocks that have claimed many vessels over the years.

Though the schooner’s sinking was a significant loss to the British, its story continues to be an essential part of Great Lakes maritime history. Charity Shoal, which marks the site where the vessel likely sank, remains a navigational hazard to this day, reminding modern sailors of the perils that once claimed the HMS Charity.

Final Disposition #

The HMS Charity was lost in the late 18th century, most likely to a storm or collision near Charity Shoal in Lake Ontario. The precise wreck site has not been located, and no remains of the ship have been recovered, leaving the final resting place of the schooner a mystery.

Located By & Date #

•Located By: The precise wreck has not been located.

•Date of Discovery: Not applicable, as the wreck site remains unidentified.

NOTMARs & Advisories #

Charity Shoal remains a well-known navigational hazard in Lake Ontario. Although there are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) directly associated with the HMS Charity wreck, mariners are advised to navigate with caution in the area due to the presence of submerged rocks and shallow waters.

Current Condition & Accessibility #

The wreck of the HMS Charity has not been definitively located, and as a result, its condition remains unknown. The site is not accessible to divers or researchers at this time, although ongoing efforts to explore Lake Ontario’s shipwrecks may one day uncover its final resting place.