Kingston's Royal Navy Dockyard-- Part 1: Naval Warship Race

From the Explore Naval Historic Sites, City of Kingston.

The Royal Navy Dockyard in Kingston, Ontario, was established on Point Frederick in 1789 for the Provincial Marine to provide transports and armed ships to the colonial government.

It was transferred to the Royal Navy of Britain in 1813. During the War of 1812 it built warships as part of the naval arms race with the United States who had a fleet based at nearby Sackets Harbor, New York. 
This was for the control of Lake Ontario.

--Brock-Perry