HMS St Lawrence

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: HMS St Lawrence
• Type: First-Rate Ship of the Line
• Year Built: 1814
• Builder: Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard, Upper Canada
• Dimensions: Length 191 ft 2 in (58.3 m); Beam 52 ft 6 in (16 m); Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage:
• Depth at Wreck Site: 9.1 m / 30 ft
• Location: N 44° 12.952′, W 76° 30.269′ (Kingston, Ontario)
• Coordinates: N 44° 12.952′, W 76° 30.269′
• Original Owners: Robert Drummond (after 1832)

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

HMS St. Lawrence was a first-rate ship of the line, a designation given to the most powerful warships of the British Navy. She was a scaled-down version of HMS Victory, featuring three decks of guns and an imposing wooden hull designed for battle.

Description

HMS St. Lawrence was a 102-gun first-rate ship of the line constructed by the Royal Navy during the War of 1812. She was the largest and most powerful warship ever built for freshwater service, launched on Lake Ontario to secure British naval dominance. Despite never seeing combat, her sheer size and firepower ensured that the United States could not challenge British control of the lake.

After the war, HMS St. Lawrence was decommissioned and sold in 1832. What followed was an unusual second life—she was purchased for £25 and repurposed as a storage facility for Morton’s Brewery and Distillery in Kingston, Ontario. Eventually, she was scuttled in shallow waters, where her remains lie today.

Now a well-preserved shipwreck, HMS St. Lawrence offers an extraordinary glimpse into early 19th-century naval engineering and the industrial history of Kingston, Ontario.

History

During the War of 1812, Britain and the United States competed for control of the Great Lakes, and naval superiority was crucial. The British, under Commodore Sir James Lucas Yeo, needed a warship that could dominate Lake Ontario and deter American forces.

Construction began on April 12, 1814, and was completed in just 156 days by 200 shipwrights at the Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard. When HMS St. Lawrence was launched in September 1814, she instantly outclassed the entire U.S. fleet. The Americans, realizing they had no ship powerful enough to challenge her, avoided direct confrontation.

Although HMS St. Lawrence never fired a shot in combat, she effectively ended the naval arms race on Lake Ontario, ensuring British dominance for the remainder of the war.

Significant Incidents

• Decommissioned: 1815
• Sold: 1832 to Robert Drummond for £25
• Repurposed: Converted into a brewery warehouse
• Scuttled: Mid-1800s, near Kingston, Ontario

Final Disposition

By the mid-19th century, HMS St. Lawrence began to deteriorate, and the decision was made to scuttle her in shallow water near the brewery. The wreck remains remarkably well-preserved due to Lake Ontario’s cold freshwater environment. Parts of the hull are still visible, allowing divers to explore a rare example of early 19th-century shipbuilding.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is a popular dive site and is historically significant. Divers should be cautious of sharp objects, low visibility, and entanglement hazards.

Resources & Links

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HMS St. Lawrence was a symbol of British naval dominance on the Great Lakes. Though she never saw combat, her presence alone secured Lake Ontario for Britain. Today, her remains serve as an important archaeological site, offering insight into both military history and early Canadian industry.