Picture courtesy of militaryhistorynow.com
In front of the Stone Frigate
Commemoration
The Navy Yard established in 1789 as a trans-shipment point for the Great Lakes and as the Provincial Marine’s Lake Ontario base was administered by the Admiralty after 1813. During the War of 1812 Commodore James Yeo R.N. commanded a considerable squadron built in these yards including the 112 gun ST. LAWRENCE. This base posed a constant threat to the Americans, who never felt strong enough to risk a direct attack. The Rush Bagot agreement of 1817, which limited armaments on the lakes brought about a decline in activity and by mid-century, the yards were closed.
Background
The St. Lawrence was as large a ship as any in the Royal Navy at that time anywhere in the world. The effort to build it here in the back country of Upper Canada was extraordinary. Yet, a short time later, this vessel contravened the Rush Bagot Treaty and had to be dealt with. It could not sail downriver due to the rapids. (That’s why it had to be built here in the first place.) Instead, it was stripped of all weapons and rigging. The hull was moored near a brewery and used as a warehouse.
Only in Canada do we turn warships into beer fridges.