USS Asp (HMS Elizabeth)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: HMS Elizabeth (later USS Asp)
• Type: Wooden schooner (armed)
• Year Built: 1808
• Builder: Mississauga, Ontario
• Dimensions: Unknown
• Registered Tonnage: Unknown
• Location: Off Salmon River, Mexico Bay, near Oswego, New York
• Coordinates: Unknown
• Official Number: Not recorded
• Original Owners: U.S. Navy until 1815; later private merchant ownership
• Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The HMS Elizabeth, later renamed USS Asp, was a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1808 at Mississauga, Ontario. Compact and versatile, she was initially fitted as an armed British naval vessel and later refitted under U.S. control.

Description

As USS Asp, she served in naval operations during the War of 1812 before conversion to a commercial schooner after the war. The vessel was known for transporting troops and engaging British shore positions during key operations.

History

War of 1812 Service: Captured by the American vessel Growler in 1812, HMS Elizabeth was taken into the U.S. Navy and renamed USS Asp. She supported key American operations, including the attack on York (Toronto) and the Battle of Fort George.

Post-War Commercial Use: Sold out of naval service in 1815, the vessel was based primarily out of Niagara and adapted for merchant use, transporting bulk goods such as lumber and staves along Lake Ontario trade routes.

Significant Incidents

• Captured by the American vessel Growler in 1812.
• Lost in a storm on 9 October 1820, resulting in 9 fatalities and 2 survivors.

Final Disposition

Asp was a total loss. No salvage or recovery efforts are recorded, and the wreck has not been conclusively identified underwater. The vessel likely broke apart or became buried in sediments of Mexico Bay.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck has not been discovered. No sonar or diver verification exists as of 2025. No official hazards associated with the wreck site are recorded.

Resources & Links

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As divers, it is essential to respect the site of the USS Asp. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories. If you encounter any debris or garbage, consider removing it to leave the site better than you found it.