FRIEND’S GOOD WILL (1810, Schooner)
Also known as: LITTLE BELT

Identification & Site Information

  • Name: FRIEND’S GOOD WILL
  • Alias: LITTLE BELT
  • Year Built: 1810
  • Built at: Black Rock, New York
  • Vessel Type: Schooner
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Builder: William Lee
  • Ownership: Privately owned originally; later British and American naval service
  • Dimensions
  • Tonnage (old style): 60 tons
  • Length, Beam, Depth: Not recorded in available sources, but typical for schooners of this tonnage would be approximately 18–22 m (60–72 ft) in length, 5–6 m (16–20 ft) beam, and 2–3 m (6–10 ft) depth

Vessel Type Description

FRIEND’S GOOD WILL was a small trading Schooner operating on the upper Great Lakes, originally used in private commerce and typical of the type used for cargo and passenger trade before the War of 1812.

History

Launched in 1810 at Black Rock, New York, FRIEND’S GOOD WILL was pressed into war service during the War of 1812. In 1812, she was seized by the British at Mackinaw, fitted with three guns, and renamed LITTLE BELT for use as an armed naval Schooner.

In August 1813, American forces recaptured her during the Battle of Put-in-Bay (also called the Battle of Lake Erie), returning her to American control.

To prevent her from falling into British hands yet again after the recapture of Black Rock, FRIEND’S GOOD WILL was burned at her dock on 31 December 1813 during the retreat from the area, effectively destroying the vessel.

Final Disposition

  • Final Location: Black Rock, Niagara River
  • Date Lost: 31 December 1813
  • Cause: Burned to prevent recapture by advancing British forces

Located By & Date

No known modern archaeological discovery.

NOTMARs & Advisories

None noted.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Presumed completely destroyed by the 1813 fire. No known remains.

Resources & Links

  • Donald V. Baut
  • C. Patrick Labadie
  • Steamboat Era in the Muskokas by Richard Tatley

Conclusion

FRIEND’S GOOD WILL is an important War of 1812 Schooner with a uniquely turbulent military history, having served under both British and American flags within a short period. Her loss at Black Rock illustrates the strategic destruction of vessels to deny their use to the enemy — a common practice in early 19th-century Great Lakes conflicts.

Keywords: War of 1812, Schooner, captured vessel, naval Schooner, Lake Erie, Niagara River, burned, Battle of Put-in-Bay