ONTARIO Armed Schooner

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #


	Vessel Names: ONTARIO Location: Near Oswego, Lake Ontario, New York, USA Date of Engagement: 1756 GPS Coordinates: Exact coordinates are not available due to the historical nature of the engagement.

Vessel Names: ONTARIO
Location: Near Oswego, Lake Ontario, New York, USA
Date of Engagement: 1756
GPS Coordinates: Exact coordinates are not available due to the historical nature of the engagement.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

ONTARIO: The ONTARIO was an armed schooner serving as a British naval vessel in the 18th century. Built by the British Navy in Oswego, New York, in 1756, the ONTARIO was intended to bolster British naval presence on Lake Ontario. The schooner was captured by French forces led by Montcalm during the same naval engagement in 1756 and was also burned by the French. Like the MOHAWK, the ONTARIO’s specific dimensions and characteristics are not well-documented in the available historical records.

HISTORY #

In 1756, the British and French were embroiled in the French and Indian War, a conflict that extended into the Great Lakes region. Lake Ontario was a critical battleground as both powers sought control over the strategic waterway. The British, attempting to assert their dominance, built and deployed several vessels, including the MOHAWK and ONTARIO, to patrol and secure their interests on the lake.

In the summer of 1756, a significant naval engagement occurred near Oswego, New York, between the British fleet and the French forces under the command of Montcalm. During this battle, the MOHAWK, ONTARIO, and several other British vessels, including the OSWEGO, GEORGE, VIGILANT, LONDON, and HALIFAX, were engaged in combat with the French Great Lakes fleet.

The French, having superior numbers and strategy, managed to overpower the British vessels. Both the MOHAWK and ONTARIO were captured by the French and subsequently burned, rendering them total losses. The MOHAWK was destroyed after its capture, and the ONTARIO met the same fate. This loss significantly weakened British naval power on Lake Ontario and marked a turning point in the control of the Great Lakes during the war.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The MOHAWK and ONTARIO, along with the other British vessels mentioned, were destroyed by the French forces following their capture. The vessels were burned, and no remnants were left for recovery. The exact number of casualties and the details surrounding the cargo or other valuable assets aboard these ships at the time of their destruction remain undocumented in the historical records available.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

Due to the historical nature of the event, there are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the loss of the MOHAWK, ONTARIO, or the other British vessels in this engagement. However, the area near Oswego, New York, is recognized as a site of significant historical importance due to these events.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The specific wreck sites of the MOHAWK, ONTARIO, and other vessels from this engagement have not been located, and it is unlikely that they will be discovered due to the destructive nature of their loss.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

Given that the vessels were burned and lost over 250 years ago, it is presumed that little, if anything, remains of the MOHAWK and ONTARIO. The exact sites of their destruction are not accessible for diving or exploration, and any remaining debris would be difficult to identify.