Penetanguishene Naval Yard was a Royal Navy yard from 1834 to 1856 in Ontario.
| Penetanguishene Naval Yard | |
|---|---|
| Penetanguishene, Ontario | |
| Type | Shipyard, dockyard |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Royal Navy (Provincial Marine) |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1813 |
| In use | 1813–1856 |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | Lake Huron base for Provincial Marine/RN 1813-1834; British Army base 1834-1856 |
Land was first acquired in 1798 near Penetanguishene and a base finally built in 1813, but it was abandoned in 1815 at the end of the War of 1812. It was reinstated in 1816 and remained in naval service until 1834.
The base served as the headquarters of the Lake Huron fleet of the Provincial Marine until 1834. The navy transferred the base to the army and continued until 1856. The base also served northwestern supply routes and provided general surveillance of the upper Great Lakes.
The navy base and army depot comprise 15 buildings, including:
Vessels built or stationed here:
The base is now rebuilt as part of the Penetanguishene's Historic Naval and Military Establishment. B. Napier Simpson Jr. 1925–1978, a restoration architect in Ontario devoted his professional life to raising public awareness of the importance of heritage conservation including the Penetanguishene's Historic Naval and Military Establishment. project,[1] now known as Discovery Harbour.[citation needed]