Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: HMS Elizabeth (later USS Asp)
- Type: Wooden schooner (armed)
- Year Built: 1808
- Builder: Mississauga, Ontario
- Dimensions: Unknown
- Registered Tonnage: Unknown
- Location: Off Salmon River, Mexico Bay, near Oswego, New York
- Coordinates: Unknown
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Original Owners: U.S. Navy until 1815; later private merchant ownership
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The HMS Elizabeth, later renamed USS Asp, was a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1808 at Mississauga, Ontario. Compact and versatile, she was initially fitted as an armed British naval vessel and later refitted under U.S. control.
Description
As USS Asp, she served in naval operations during the War of 1812 before conversion to a commercial schooner after the war. The vessel was known for transporting troops and engaging British shore positions during key operations.
History
War of 1812 Service: Captured by the American vessel Growler in 1812, HMS Elizabeth was taken into the U.S. Navy and renamed USS Asp. She supported key American operations, including the attack on York (Toronto) and the Battle of Fort George.
Post-War Commercial Use: Sold out of naval service in 1815, the vessel was based primarily out of Niagara and adapted for merchant use, transporting bulk goods such as lumber and staves along Lake Ontario trade routes.
Significant Incidents
- Captured by the American vessel Growler in 1812.
- Lost in a storm on 9 October 1820, resulting in 9 fatalities and 2 survivors.
Final Disposition
Asp was a total loss. No salvage or recovery efforts are recorded, and the wreck has not been conclusively identified underwater. The vessel likely broke apart or became buried in sediments of Mexico Bay.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck has not been discovered. No sonar or diver verification exists as of 2025. No official hazards associated with the wreck site are recorded.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”uss-asp-hms-elizabeth” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As divers, it is essential to respect the site of the USS Asp. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories. If you encounter any debris or garbage, consider removing it to leave the site better than you found it.
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.
Lead Image
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Description
The HMS Elizabeth, later renamed USS Asp, was a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1808 at Mississauga, Ontario. Compact and versatile, she was initially fitted as an armed British naval vessel and later refitted under U.S. control. As USS Asp, she served in naval operations during the War of 1812 before conversion to a commercial schooner after the war.History
War of 1812 Service: Captured by the American vessel Growler in 1812, HMS Elizabeth was taken into the U.S. Navy and renamed USS Asp. She supported key American operations, including the attack on York (Toronto) and the Battle of Fort George, transporting troops and engaging British shore positions. Post-War Commercial Use: Sold out of naval service in 1815, the vessel was based primarily out of Niagara and adapted for merchant use. She transported bulk goods such as lumber and staves along Lake Ontario trade routes during a time of growing cross-lake commerce.Final Voyage
On 9 October 1820, Asp was voyaging across Lake Ontario when she encountered a violent storm near Long Point. The schooner sprang a leak and capsized. Of the eleven aboard, only two—a lady and a gentleman—survived. Captain Prosser and eight others perished, their bodies lost to the lake. The wreck settled near the Salmon River, Mexico Bay, in Oswego County, New York.Final Dispositions
Asp was a total loss. No salvage or recovery efforts are recorded, and the wreck has not been conclusively identified underwater. The vessel likely broke apart or became buried in sediments of Mexico Bay.Located By & Date Found
The wreck has not been discovered. No sonar or diver verification exists as of 2025.Notmars & Advisories
No official hazards associated with the wreck site are recorded.Dive Information
Access: Wreck not located Entry Point: Not applicable Conditions: Unknown Depth Range: Unknown Emergency Contacts: U.S. Coast Guard (District 9, Oswego sector) Permits: Not applicable Dive Support: Not availableCrew & Casualty Memorials
Captain Prosser (lost) Nine crew members (lost, unnamed in accessible records) Two survivors (lady and gentleman, unnamed) Additional memorial research recommended via Find A Grave and regional newspapers.Documented Statements & Extracts
“The schooner Asp, formerly HMS Elizabeth, was lost near Salmon River during the gale of October 9, 1820. Eleven were aboard, only two survived; Captain Prosser was swept away and drowned.” — Oswego Herald, October 30, 1820 (contemporary report).
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Originally commissioned as HMS Elizabeth (Royal Navy, 1808). Captured and renamed USS Asp in 1812. Sold in 1815 into merchant service. No surviving registry or insurance papers are available online; potential records may exist in U.S. Navy archives or Canadian maritime collections.Site Documentation & Imaging
No documented underwater survey exists. Wreck remains unconfirmed.Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Thousand Islands Life
References
- Oswego Herald, October 30, 1820 – report of the loss.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – vessel records.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File (USACE archives).
- Great Lakes Ships Database (Bowling Green State University).