Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Seneca
- Type: Merchant schooner
- Year Built: 1812
- Builder: Ebenezer Hubbard
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Niagara River (below Navy Hall)
- Original Owners: Ebenezer Hubbard (original owner); commandeered by British
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
(Provincial Marine merchant schooner)
Description
The Seneca was a merchant schooner originally owned by Ebenezer Hubbard. It was commandeered by the British at Kingston, Ontario, on June 25, 1812, and likely armed with 2 to 4 guns under the command of the Provincial Marine.
History
On June 25, 1812, the Seneca was seized at Kingston, Ontario, by the Provincial Marine as the War of 1812 began. It was pressed into service on Lake Ontario, possibly armed and crewed by Provincial Marine personnel. On November 2, 1812, it was stationed at York (Toronto) for inventory and stores inspection. On November 21, 1812, while anchored under Navy Hall in the Niagara River, the Seneca came under British/Provincial Marine control and was sunk by cannon fire from Fort Niagara, executed by American forces defending the fort.
Significant Incidents
- November 21, 1812: Sunk by cannon fire from Fort Niagara while at anchor under Navy Hall in the Niagara River.
Final Disposition
The Seneca was sunk by cannon fire from Fort Niagara on November 21, 1812, while at anchor in the Niagara River. The final location of the wreck is believed to be below Fort Niagara in the Niagara corridor. There were likely no recorded losses beyond the vessel itself, and no further details on crew casualties are available.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and accessibility for divers may be limited due to its location in the Niagara River.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”seneca-1812″ title=”References & Links”]
The Seneca serves as a historical reminder of the naval engagements during the War of 1812 and the role of the Provincial Marine in patrolling and supplying the Great Lakes region.
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.
(Provincial Marine merchant schooner)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Year built / commandeered: Commandeered at Kingston, Ontario, June 25, 1812 (Wikipedia, Wikipedia)
- Type: Merchant schooner, likely armed (2–4 guns) under Provincial Marine command
- Builder / Original owner: American merchant vessel owned by Ebenezer Hubbard; commandeered by British at Kingston (Wikipedia)
Final Disposition
- How lost: Sunk by cannon fire from Fort Niagara on November 21, 1812, while at anchor under Navy Hall in the Niagara River
- Final location: Niagara River (below Fort Niagara), Lake Ontario / Niagara corridor
- Losses: Likely none recorded beyond vessel loss; no further details on crew casualties
History & Chronology
- 25 June 1812: Seized at Kingston, Ontario by the Provincial Marine at the war’s outset, pressed into service on Lake Ontario, possibly armed and crewed by Provincial Marine personnel (Wikipedia)
- 2 November 1812: Stationed at York (Toronto) for inventory and stores inspection (Wikipedia)
- 21 November 1812: While anchored under Navy Hall in Niagara River, came under British/Provincial Marine control, was sunk by shore battery fire from Fort Niagara, executed by American forces defending Fort Niagara––her hull was destroyed while at anchor (Wikipedia, Facebook)
Context & Significance
- Provincial Marine service: One of several small schooners commandeered and used by Britain’s Provincial Marine as lake patrol and supply vessels during the early months of the War of 1812
- Battle context: Sunk amid artillery engagements near Fort Niagara; demonstrates the vulnerability of small Provincial Marine craft when contested across the Niagara River during military operations. Fort Niagara’s guns played a key role in sinking Seneca (Facebook, Wikipedia)
Notable Links & References
- Encyclopedia entry summarizing Seneca’s naval service and loss (Wikipedia)
- Fort Niagara historical note confirming battery fire sank Seneca on Nov 21, 1812 (Facebook, Wikipedia)
- Provincial Marine documentation listing Seneca among vessels used during 1812 conflict (Wikipedia)
- Battle of Kingston Harbour and engagements context in 1812 (Wikipedia, Wikipedia)
Research Opportunities & Further Inquiry
- Archival sources to consult: Admiralty & Provincial Marine correspondence, Kingston dockyard service logs, muster rolls, Ordnance Records.
- Harbor mast and settlement charts: to locate likely wreck zone beneath or near former Fort Niagara site.
- Archaeological survey potential: there may be submerged remnants near Navy Hall anchorage zone; hydrographic mapping and magnetometer sweeps could identify possible remains.
Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Seneca (commandeered) |
| Build / Commandeered | Kingston, June 1812 |
| Fate | Sunk by Fort Niagara cannon fire |
| Date Lost | November 21, 1812 |
| Location | Niagara River (below Navy Hall) |
| Role | Provincial Marine schooner |
| Armament | 2–4 guns |