Ghost Ships: Hamilton and Scourge, Historical Treasures from the War of 1812 Era

HAMILTON and SCOURGE are two armed merchant schooners from the War of 1812 on Lake Ontario. Capsized in a squall on August 8, 1813, they lie 300 feet deep, 1,500 feet apart, 6 miles off present-day Port Dalhousie, Ontario. They are world-class archaeological treasures: intact, with all their artifacts in and around them, and perfectly preserved. They belong to the City of Hamilton, Ontario, where an international-level museum will be constructed. A major archaeological dive is planned for April/May, 1987. The HAMILTON-SCOURGE team is now involved in a research project related to merchant activity on Lake Ontario, 1800-1812. It is hoped that this will result in finding the vessels plans or offsets, if these still exist. Many fascinating historical details have been uncovered, some of which are recounted here.