List of Ships Built at Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Buffalo- gunboat, 1792
Catherine--gunboat, 1792
Sophia-- gunboat, 1792

Swift-- gunboat, 1792
HMS Speedy, 1798
HMS Royal George, 1809

HMS St. Lawrence, 1814
HMS Prince Regent, 1814
HMS Princess Charlotte

HMS Duke of Gloucester
HMS Earl of Moira-- brig, 1805
HMS Sir Sidney Smith-- schooner 1806.

More to Come. --Brock-Perry

Conflicting Accounts of the HMS Duke of Gloucester at Battle of York

While looking further into the history of the HMS Duke of Gloucester, I found that digplanet said the ship was captured at York and did not escape as Wikipedia said. It was then taken by the Americans back to Sackets Harbor, New York.

Commodore James Lucas Yeo came to Kingston and took command in early May and immediately set about planning a counter attack on the Americans. On May 29, 1813, his naval force and an Army group attacked Sackets Harbor in what is referred to as the Second Battle of Sackets Harbor, but had to withdraw.

However, Americans, fearful of losing, set fire to the Duke of Gloucester and a heavy sloop of war under construction named the General Pike. After the British withdrawal, the Pike was saved, but Duke of Gloucester a total wreck.

Wikipedia says the British destroyed the Duke of Gloucester.

So, I Wonder Which Account of the Duke Is Correct? ---Brock-Perry

Not To Be Confused With the HMS Gloucester

Looking up the HMS Duke of Blucester, I came across the name of an HMS Gloucester, which was also afloat during the War of 1812.

From Wikipedia.

The HMS Gloucester does not have a lot of information that I could find. It was launched in England 27 February 1812 and was a 74-gun Third Class Ship of the Line. I found no mention of War of 1812 service, despite it being around. It probably served in England's home defense fleet or was involved in the Napoleonic Wars.

In 1832, it was reduced to 50 guns and sold in 1884. One site said it had a very uneventful career and was 177-feet long. It was used for harbor service (perhaps a receiving ship) until 1861.

Don't Be Confused. ---Brock-Perry

Kingston, Canada's Ships: HMS Duke of Gloucester

Earlier I listed and wrote a little about the ships built at the Kingston, Canada, Royal Navy Dockyard, but now will go into more detail about these ships. Quite a few were involved in the War of 1812.

These are taken from Wikipedia.

HMS DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, a ten-gun brig launched at the Kingston Navy Dockyard in 1812. It carried ten 12-pdr. cannons. On July 19, 1812, along with the HMS Growler, it engaged the U.S. schooner Julia at Sackets Harbor, NY.

It was repairing at York, capital of Upper Canada (now Toronto), when the Americans captured the town. It managed to escape, but British commander General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe ordered its sister ship, the HMS Sir Isaac Brock destroyed to prevent capture. Wikipedia referred to the Brock as a frigate, but it couldn't have been if it was a sister ship to the Duke of Gloucester.

The Duke of Gloucester was destroyed by the British 29 May 1813 at the Battle of Sackets Harbor.

---Brock-Perry

Kingston's Royal Navy Dockyard-- Part 2: Ships Built There

HMS DUKE OF GLOUCESTER: Built 1807. A six-gun schooner captured by the Americans 27 April 1813.

HMS ROYAL GEORGE: Built 1809. A 21-gun sloop. In March 1812, it was the largest warship on Lake Ontario. On 9 November 1812, it was attacked by a seven-ship American fleet, but managed to escape back to Kingston. It was renamed Niagara in 1814.

HMS GEORGE PREVOST: Built 1813. A 21-gun schooner renamed Wolfe in 1813. Altered to a brig and renamed the Montreal in 1814.

---Brock-Perry