HMS Moira (1805) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Moira (or Earl of Moira) |
| Builder | Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard, Kingston |
| Launched | 28 May 1805 |
| Renamed | Charwell on 22 January 1814 |
| Reclassified |
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| Fate | Sold in 1837 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type |
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| Tons burthen | 16859⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 23 ft 8 in (7.2 m) |
| Draught | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan |
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| Complement | 86 (in 1830) |
| Armament |
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HMS Moira (also known as HMS Earl of Moira) was a British warship with 14 guns. It was a type of sailing ship called a schooner. The ship sailed on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River during the War of 1812.
Moira was first built for the Provincial Marine in 1805. This was a naval force that protected Canada's inland waters. The ship took part in many battles on Lake Ontario. In 1814, its name was changed to Charwell. After the war, it became a powder hulk (a ship used to store gunpowder) and then an accommodation vessel (a ship used for living quarters). The ship was sold in 1837.
Contents
About the Ship: Design and Build
Moira was a schooner, which means it had two or more masts with sails running front-to-back. It was about 70 feet (21.5 meters) long overall. The ship was 23 feet (7.2 meters) wide and had a draught (how deep it sat in the water) of 7 feet (2.1 meters).
When it was first launched, Moira had 14 guns. In 1813, it was changed from a schooner to a brig. A brig is another type of sailing ship, usually with two masts and square sails. After this change, its weapons were updated. It then had two 9-pounder guns and fourteen 24-pounder carronades. Carronades were short, powerful cannons. By 1814, its weapons changed again to one 18-pounder gun and twelve 24-pounder carronades.
The ship was built at the Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard in Kingston, Canada. It was launched on May 28, 1805. Moira was named after the 1st Marquis of Hastings and 2nd Earl of Moira.
Ship's Adventures: Service History
Early Days as Earl of Moira
When the War of 1812 began, the British Provincial Marine on Lake Ontario had four ships. This made them stronger than the American forces at first. Earl of Moira was the second oldest ship in this group.
In July 1812, Earl of Moira was part of a group of ships that sailed to Sackets Harbor, New York. On July 19, the British ships appeared off the harbor. The American ship Oneida sailed out to meet them. The British ships tried to cut off Oneida from the lake. However, Oneida turned back and anchored safely near the navy yard. The Americans fired at the British ships, and the British then left.
A few weeks later, Earl of Moira and another British ship, HMS Duke of Gloucester, went to capture American merchant ships at Ogdensburg, New York. An American schooner, Julia, tried to stop them. On July 31, the ships met near Elizabethtown, Canada. Earl of Moira fired at Julia, but caused no damage. The American ship retreated to Ogdensburg. The British ships then blocked the port, keeping the American ships from leaving. This blockade lasted until a truce was made in August.
In November, Earl of Moira was escorting a small ship called Elizabeth when an American schooner, Growler, captured Elizabeth. By the end of 1812, Earl of Moira was not in good shape. In January 1813, it was decided the ship needed major repairs. It was also decided to change its design from three masts to two, turning it into a brig.
Battles on Lake Ontario
The repairs and changes to Earl of Moira took all winter. In April 1813, the ship was ready for action. It was placed at the entrance of Navy Bay in Kingston to watch for American ships. More sailors were added to the ship's crew, bringing the total to 54.
On May 16, 1813, Commodore Sir James Lucas Yeo took command of the British ships on Lake Ontario. He put Earl of Moira under the command of Commander Thomas England. Soon after, England became sick, and Lieutenant Alexander Dobbs took over.
In May 1813, the British learned that the American ships had left their base. Sir James Yeo decided to attack Sackets Harbor. Earl of Moira helped by carrying troops to the battle. The ship did not fight directly in the Second Battle of Sacket's Harbor, but it was important for transporting soldiers.
In June, the British ships carried soldiers to Burlington Heights. On June 7, the British ships found a large American camp. Earl of Moira and other ships sailed to Forty Mile Creek to drop off the troops. The ships then searched for the American fleet. They captured three American schooners and two sloops. They also burned a raft and raided storage buildings along the Gensee River. The British ships returned to Kingston on June 17.
On July 31, the British ships left Kingston again to find the Americans. A week later, on August 7, the two fleets met on Lake Ontario near the Niagara River. Nothing much happened that day. Three days later, the Americans tried to attack, but the British gained the upper hand. Yeo's ships captured two American schooners, Julia and Growler. In September, the two groups of ships fought again. The British ships retreated and returned to Kingston on September 16.
To make his ships stronger, Commodore Yeo changed the placement of guns on his fleet. Earl of Moira had two carronades removed to create more space on its deck. The British ships sailed onto Lake Ontario again and met the Americans on September 28 in Burlington Bay. Earl of Moira was fourth in the line of battle. It fought against the American ships Madison, Oneida, and Governor Tompkins. The British ships had to retreat after their lead ship, Wolfe, was badly damaged. They returned to Kingston on October 7.
In October, Earl of Moira was part of a group of ships sent to help British soldiers fighting American forces at French Creek. Earl of Moira and other ships anchored in a line and fired at the American soldiers. The Americans fired back until it got dark. The next morning, the British started firing again, but the strong American fire forced them to leave. Earl of Moira did not see any more action until winter came and the ships were put away.
Life as Charwell
The ship was renamed Charwell on January 22, 1814. On May 1, the British ships were reorganized. Charwell was still commanded by Alexander Dobbs, who was now a commander. On May 4, 1814, Charwell was part of Commodore Sir James Lucas Yeo's group of ships. They carried 400 soldiers to attack the American fort at Fort Oswego.
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During the attack, Charwell and HMS Star escorted small boats filled with troops. They fired at American positions as they moved closer to the fort. The British captured the fort and took valuable goods back to their warships. The ships returned to Kingston on May 8.
Yeo then ordered a blockade of Sackets Harbor. Smaller British ships carried troops or looked for American ships. After a British defeat at Sandy Creek on May 29, Yeo ended the blockade on June 5. Commander Dobbs left Charwell to command Star, and Lieutenant Henry Spence took over Charwell.
In July, Charwell, along with Star, HMS Magnet, HMS Netley, and Vincent, sailed to the Niagara River. They were there to help transport British soldiers. In August, American ships arrived and blocked them inside the river. The British ships were stuck there for almost two months.
Since they couldn't leave, Commander Dobbs took men from his ships and marched to Fort Erie. The British were trying to capture this American fort. On August 12, men from Charwell and other ships captured two American schooners, Somers and Ohio.
In October, the rest of the British ships sailed to the Niagara area. They carried more soldiers for the British Army. The American blockade was lifted, and the trapped British ships sailed out to rejoin the main group. They transferred the soldiers to shore from the larger ships. After the Americans left Fort Erie, the British ships returned to Kingston on November 10. The war officially ended on December 24, 1814, but the news didn't reach North America until 1815.
After the war, Charwell was no longer used as a fighting ship. From 1816, it became a powder hulk, a ship used to store gunpowder. In 1827, it became an accommodation vessel, providing living space. Charwell was finally sold in 1837.
