Warships of the Royal Navy in Canada in the War of 1812

‍The War of 1812, Battles on the Water.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 2836438)

HMS Shannon carrying by boarding the American Frigate Chesapeake, after a cannonade of five minutes on 1 June 1813.

In the War of 1812, the United States fought Great Britain, in a conflict that would have an immense impact on both sides. Causes of the war included America’s desire to expand its territory, British attempts to restrict U.S. trade, and the Royal Navy’s impressment of American seamen. The British defeated the Americans on a number of occasions, by the combined forces of British, Canadian and First Nations troops over the course of the War, including the capture and burning of the American capital, Washington, D.C., in August 1814. American troops repulsed British invasions in New York, Baltimore and New Orleans. The ratification of the Treaty of Ghent on 17 February 1815, ended the war but left many of the most contentious questions unresolved.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3025705)

War of 1812 print: a Scene on Lake Ontario: United States Sloop of War, General Pike, Commodore Chauncey and the British Sloop of War, Wolf, preparing for Action, 28 Sep 1813.

(Naval History and Heritage Command Illustration)

War of 1812, sea battle on the Great Lakes.