Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: USS Superior
- Type: Frigate
- Year Built: 1814
- Builder: Henry Eckford
- Dimensions: ~180 ft (55 m) × 43 ft; registered at ~1,580 tons
- Registered Tonnage: 1,580 tons
- Location: Navy Point, Sackets Harbor, New York
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
- Heavy war frigate for Lake Ontario, carrying:
- 30 × medium 32-pound Columbiads
- 2 × long 24-pounders
- 26 × 42-pounder carronades
- Crew complement ~500 officers and enlisted
Description
The USS Superior was a heavy war frigate launched on May 2, 1814, at Sackets Harbor, New York. Designed by Henry Eckford, she was approximately 180 feet long and 43 feet wide, with a registered tonnage of around 1,580 tons. The vessel was armed with a combination of Columbiads and carronades, making her a formidable presence on Lake Ontario during the War of 1812.
History
During the summer of 1814, the USS Superior served under Commodore Isaac Chauncey’s squadron, blockading Kingston, Ontario. Commanded by Lt. John H. Elton, she played a crucial role in transporting troops and supporting U.S. Army operations on Lake Ontario and the Niagara frontier in late 1814.
Significant Incidents
- Laid up ‘in ordinary’ at Sackets Harbor following the War of 1812 armistice.
- By 1823, the USS Superior had sunk and decayed in situ, listed among several Eckford-built warships similarly abandoned.
- Sold on March 23, 1825, to Robert Hugunin for disposal or breaking.
Final Disposition
The USS Superior was abandoned and left to decay in the shallow anchorage at Navy Point, Sackets Harbor. Archaeological surveys indicate that her remains, likely hull fragments, are buried in sediment, with no known formal excavation conducted.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is unexcavated, with likely hull fragments buried in sediment. Similar decay has been observed for sister ships like Jefferson and Mohawk. Archaeological surveys of Lake Ontario ship remains noted widespread sinking and decay of War of 1812 vessels by the early 1820s.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”uss-superior-1814″ title=”References & Links”]
The USS Superior remains a significant historical artifact, representing early U.S. naval capabilities during the War of 1812. Her remains contribute to an underwater cultural landscape that reflects the transition from wartime to peacetime naval operations.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →