HMS Wolfe (1813) facts for kids
A scene on Lake Ontario – United States sloop of war Gen. Pike, Commodore Chauncey, and the British sloop of war Wolfe, Sir James Lucas Yeo, preparing for action, 28 September 1813
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Wolfe |
| Ordered | 14 December 1812 |
| Builder | Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard, Kingston |
| Launched | 22 April 1813 |
| Renamed | Montreal in 1814 |
| Reclassified | Rebuilt as transport in 1815 |
| Honours and awards |
War of 1812 |
| Fate |
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| General characteristics | |
| Type | Sloop-of-war, altered to brig in 1814 |
| Tons burthen | 426 23⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 30 ft 10 in (9.4 m) |
| Draught | 11 ft 0 in (3.4 m) |
| Depth of hold | 4 ft 6 in (1.4 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Complement | 224 |
HMS Wolfe was a 20-gun warship that played an important role in the War of 1812. It was built in Kingston, Upper Canada, and launched on April 22, 1813. The ship was named after the British general James Wolfe. Later, in 1814, it was renamed HMS Montreal. Wolfe was the main ship, or flagship, of the British fleet on Lake Ontario for a time. It took part in many battles on the lake and helped with land attacks. After the war, the ship was put into storage and eventually sold in 1832.
Contents
Building a Warship: HMS Wolfe
Why Was HMS Wolfe Built?
The War of 1812 started, and the British needed more warships. The Governor General of Canada, Sir George Prevost, ordered new ships to be built. These ships would help fight against American ships on the Great Lakes. One ship was to be built in Kingston, and another in York (now Toronto).
Who Built the Ship?
The job of building Wolfe was given to James Morrison in Kingston. However, progress was very slow. Morrison was replaced by Daniel Allen, and then by George Record. Record finally got the construction moving faster.
How Was the Ship Launched?
The ship was ready to be launched on April 22, 1813. They tried a new way to launch it, but the ship got stuck! After three days, they moved it back. On April 25, they tried again using the traditional method, and this time it slid into the water successfully.
What Was the Ship's Original Name?
The ship was first named Sir George Prevost, after the governor. This was a response to an American ship named after their president. But Governor Prevost didn't like it. So, the ship was renamed Wolfe, after the famous British general. Wolfe had a sister ship called Sir Isaac Brock, which was built in York.
What Were Wolfe's Features?
Wolfe was a large ship for its time, measuring about 107 feet long (32.6 meters). It was about 30 feet (9.4 meters) wide. The ship had two decks and was designed to hold many cannons. When it was first launched, it had 18 small cannons (18-pounder carronades) and two larger cannons (12-pounder long guns). Over time, its cannons were changed to even bigger and more powerful ones. The ship needed a crew of 224 sailors and officers to operate it.
HMS Wolfe's Battles and Adventures
Taking Command on Lake Ontario
In May 1813, James Lucas Yeo arrived in Kingston. He was a British naval officer who took charge of the ships on the Great Lakes. Yeo made Wolfe his main ship, or flagship. On May 27, the fleet sailed from Kingston with soldiers. Their mission was to attack Sackett's Harbor, New York, an important American naval base.
Attacking Sackett's Harbor
The British ships arrived at Sackett's Harbor on May 28. They unloaded soldiers for the attack. While Wolfe and other ships didn't directly fight in the battle, their presence helped. The American naval yard was burned, which was a partial success for the British. After the attack, the ships gathered the soldiers and left.
Patrolling and Raiding the Lake
Throughout June 1813, Wolfe and the fleet continued to patrol Lake Ontario. They transported troops and supplies. They also captured American merchant ships and raided towns along the shore. This helped the British control parts of the lake.
Clashes with American Ships
In July and September, Wolfe and the British fleet had several battles with the American fleet led by Commodore Isaac Chauncey. These fights were often undecided. On August 10, Wolfe and two other British ships captured two American schooners (smaller sailing ships) called Julia and Growler.
Damage and Repairs
On September 28, Wolfe was badly damaged by the American ship General Pike. Its masts were partly broken. Wolfe managed to escape to Burlington Bay and later returned to Kingston for repairs. The ship stayed in Kingston for the winter to be fixed.
HMS Montreal: A New Name, New Missions
Why Was Wolfe Renamed?
During the winter of 1813–1814, Wolfe was repaired and given new, more powerful cannons. In January 1814, the British Royal Navy officially took over the ships on the Great Lakes. To avoid having two ships with the same name in the Royal Navy, Wolfe was renamed HMS Montreal on January 22, 1814.
Attacking Fort Oswego Again
As Montreal, the ship continued its service. On May 4, 1814, the fleet sailed to attack Fort Oswego again. The next day, Montreal and another ship got very close to the fort. On May 6, they opened fire, starting the Battle of Fort Oswego. Their powerful cannons helped the British soldiers capture the fort and town.
Blockading Sackett's Harbor
After the victory at Fort Oswego, the British fleet, including Montreal, blockaded Sackett's Harbor. This meant they tried to stop American ships from leaving or entering the harbor. During this time, many of Montreal's crew were captured or killed in a small battle at Sandy Creek. Because of this loss, the blockade was lifted.
End of War Service
Later in 1814, a very large British ship called St Lawrence was launched. This new ship helped the British gain full control of Lake Ontario. Montreal continued to transport troops. After the war ended, Montreal was put into storage. It was finally sold on January 1, 1832.
Where Is HMS Montreal Now?
A shipwreck found in Kingston Harbour in 2002 is believed to be Montreal. It's known locally as "Guenter's Wreck." Experts have studied the wreck, but they haven't officially confirmed it's Montreal yet.
See also
- HMCS Montreal
