Canada Commemorates U.S. Sailors in the Scourge and Hamilton

From the August 1, Hamilton paper "Hamilton, Scourge Commemoration Sunday at Confederation Park" by Gord Bowes.

The City of Hamilton, Ontario will commemorate the sinking of two U.S. Navy schooners in Lake Ontario at the Hamilton & Scourge Naval Memorial Garden in Confederation Park.

Fifty-three Americans died early on the morning of August 8, 1813, when a sudden storm sank their ships.  It was the largest loss of life in a single event for the U.S. Navy during the War of 1812.

The ships are still there, 300 feet down and their site has been designated a Canadian National Historic Site and is a designated underwater archaeological site requiring special protection under the Ontario Heritage Act.

The City of Hamilton owns the vessels and is responsible for their stewardship and long-term management.

Thanks, Canada.  --Brock-Perry