War of 1812 Celebrations
200 Years of Cross Border Friendship - 1812-2012
This year marks the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, a conflict between the young United States of America and Britain that forged a lasting bond between the USA and the then British colonies. Just a few decades later, those colonies became the nation of Canada and the friendship continued.
Today, Canada and the United States boast the longest undefended border in the world with millions of people crossing from country to country for tourism, trade, business and visiting with family and friends. Both American and Canadian law enforcement and border officials work hard to help ensure a high quality of life and safety for North Americans.
Our commitment to continuing the long standing relationship with our neighbours is evidenced by our progress in efficient wide area surveillance of not only our borders and in land waters but the North American perimeter.
Monitoring activities for threats allows citizens the ability to enjoy freedom and a high quality of life on both sides of the border.
Protecting the Hamilton & The Scourge
The Masthead of the Hamilton
A National Historic Site
The USAS Hamilton and the USS Scourge sank just after midnight on August 8, 1813 in a violent gale off Port Dalhousie in Lake Ontario. The ships were trying to escape British Commodore Sir James Yeo at the time. It was the greatest single loss of life on the lakes during the War of 1812, with 53 sailors drowned and only 13 survivors.
Now the two schooners are owned by the City of Hamilton and lie in preservation under several hundred metres of water. They were discovered in 1973 and are said to be the only completely intact War of 1812 vessels in existence. Because of their preservation, they are a magnet for souvenir hunters. In 2004 City of Hamilton officials decided to protect these bi-national treasures by installing a sophisticated Accipiter® Radar System. Accipiter's radar monitors the lake and automatically alerts authorities when vessels that may be carrying divers enter the area of the wrecks.
For more information on the Hamilton and the Scourge please visit the below:
St. Catharines Standard, Keeping Souvenier Hunters at Bay, July 28, 2004
National Post, Canada Aids Enemy Ships, from 1813, July 27, 2004
Hamilton and the Scourge National Historical Site
