Schooner Town as a Naval Establishment

Schooner Town as a Naval Establishment. . , Archaeological artifacts help give us a picture of the British occupation and way of life during their time in this location from 1814-17. Items found here included ceramics, glass, clay pipes, gun flints, lead shot, files, beads, spoons, buttons, nails, hinges and faunal remains., War of 18 12 , Despite a brave defence by Lt. Worsley and his crew, the H.M.S. Nancy was destroyed on the Nottawasaga River in August, 1814. However prior to the end of the war, Worsley revenged the British loss with the Capture of the U.S Tigress and Scorpion. , During the winter of 1814-15 an unofficial establishment and wintering quarters for Lt. Worsley, his men and the captures of ‘Surprise’ and ‘Confiance’ was hastily built at Schooner Town. , Official Construction , The original six buildings on the site burned during the summer of 1815. Captain P.S. Hambley was the commanding officer in charge of the second and official establishment known as the Naval Establishment on Lake Huron. It was built in the fall of 1815 for the wintering and repair of vessels to ensure continued transport of supplies and troops stationed on the Upper Great Lakes after the War of 18 12 and to guard the commissary stores at the mouth of the river. , Buildings probably included an officer's mess house, captain's quarters, officers quarters, purser's storeroom, barracks, blacksmith shop and magazine. It is believed at least 66 men were stationed at Schooner Town. A number of natives were also employed as guides or hunters and in carrying military dispatches. During the winter of 1816-17 eight shipwrights and five sawyers worked to build Durham boats named the Wasp, Bee and Mosquito. Located 100 miles from any civilized society there was a feeling of isolation for the men stationed here. , A Short History , Schooner Town did not last long. The unsheltered bay, strong winds and shifting sand bars at mouth of the Nottawasaga River, and lack of suitable dockyard and storeroom facilities all posed problems. , The signing of the Rush-Bagot Treaty in April 1817 limiting the size of vessels on the Great Lakes, led to a general disbanding of the naval squadron on Lake Huron. Schooner Town was abandoned as the squadron and Establishments were transferred to the more suitable harbour at Penetanguishene. , [photo captions] , . Capture of the U.S. Tigress , . Model of Schooner Town at Nancy Island Historic Site , . Musket balls, spike, clay pipe and pottery from Schooner Town site