Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: FRIEND'S GOOD WILL
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1810
- Builder: William Lee
- Dimensions: Length 60-72 ft (18-22 m); Beam 16-20 ft (5-6 m); Depth of hold 6-10 ft (2-3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 60 tons
- Location: Black Rock, Niagara River
- Original Owners: Privately owned originally; later British and American naval service
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
FRIEND’S GOOD WILL was a small trading schooner operating on the upper Great Lakes, originally used in private commerce and typical of the type used for cargo and passenger trade before the War of 1812.
Description
Launched in 1810 at Black Rock, New York, FRIEND’S GOOD WILL was pressed into war service during the War of 1812. In 1812, she was seized by the British at Mackinaw, fitted with three guns, and renamed LITTLE BELT for use as an armed naval schooner.
In August 1813, American forces recaptured her during the Battle of Put-in-Bay (also called the Battle of Lake Erie), returning her to American control.
To prevent her from falling into British hands yet again after the recapture of Black Rock, FRIEND’S GOOD WILL was burned at her dock on 31 December 1813 during the retreat from the area, effectively destroying the vessel.
History
FRIEND’S GOOD WILL is an important War of 1812 schooner with a uniquely turbulent military history, having served under both British and American flags within a short period. Her loss at Black Rock illustrates the strategic destruction of vessels to deny their use to the enemy — a common practice in early 19th-century Great Lakes conflicts.
Significant Incidents
- Seized by the British at Mackinaw in 1812.
- Renamed LITTLE BELT and fitted with three guns for naval service.
- Recaptured by American forces during the Battle of Put-in-Bay in August 1813.
- Burned on 31 December 1813 to prevent recapture by British forces.
Final Disposition
- Final Location: Black Rock, Niagara River
- Date Lost: 31 December 1813
- Cause: Burned to prevent recapture by advancing British forces
Current Condition & Accessibility
Presumed completely destroyed by the 1813 fire. No known remains.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”little-belt-friends-good-will” title=”References & Links”]
FRIEND’S GOOD WILL is an important War of 1812 schooner with a uniquely turbulent military history, having served under both British and American flags within a short period. Her loss at Black Rock illustrates the strategic destruction of vessels to deny their use to the enemy — a common practice in early 19th-century Great Lakes conflicts.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
FRIEND’S GOOD WILL (1810, Schooner)
Also known as: LITTLE BELT
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: FRIEND’S GOOD WILL
- Alias: LITTLE BELT
- Year Built: 1810
- Built at: Black Rock, New York
- Vessel Type: Schooner
- Hull Material: Wood
- Builder: William Lee
- Ownership: Privately owned originally; later British and American naval service
- Dimensions
- Tonnage (old style): 60 tons
- Length, Beam, Depth: Not recorded in available sources, but typical for schooners of this tonnage would be approximately 18–22 m (60–72 ft) in length, 5–6 m (16–20 ft) beam, and 2–3 m (6–10 ft) depth
Vessel Type Description
FRIEND’S GOOD WILL was a small trading schooner operating on the upper Great Lakes, originally used in private commerce and typical of the type used for cargo and passenger trade before the War of 1812.
History
Launched in 1810 at Black Rock, New York, FRIEND’S GOOD WILL was pressed into war service during the War of 1812. In 1812, she was seized by the British at Mackinaw, fitted with three guns, and renamed LITTLE BELT for use as an armed naval schooner.
In August 1813, American forces recaptured her during the Battle of Put-in-Bay (also called the Battle of Lake Erie), returning her to American control.
To prevent her from falling into British hands yet again after the recapture of Black Rock, FRIEND’S GOOD WILL was burned at her dock on 31 December 1813 during the retreat from the area, effectively destroying the vessel.
Final Disposition
- Final Location: Black Rock, Niagara River
- Date Lost: 31 December 1813
- Cause: Burned to prevent recapture by advancing British forces
Located By & Date
No known modern archaeological discovery.
NOTMARs & Advisories
None noted.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Presumed completely destroyed by the 1813 fire. No known remains.
Resources & Links
- Donald V. Baut
- C. Patrick Labadie
- Steamboat Era in the Muskokas by Richard Tatley
Conclusion
FRIEND’S GOOD WILL is an important War of 1812 schooner with a uniquely turbulent military history, having served under both British and American flags within a short period. Her loss at Black Rock illustrates the strategic destruction of vessels to deny their use to the enemy — a common practice in early 19th-century Great Lakes conflicts.
Keywords: War of 1812, schooner, captured vessel, naval schooner, Lake Erie, Niagara River, burned, Battle of Put-in-Bay
little-belt-friends-good-will 1813-12-31 21:37:00