HISTORY

Sackets Harbor Notables

When the War of 1812 started the US Navy had only one vessel on Lake Ontario, the USS Oneida under the command of Lt. Melancthon Woolsey. The ship spent some time moored at the entrance to Sackets Harbor until the guns were removed to construct a shore battery. Being the largest harbor on the eastern end of Lake Ontario, the site became the command post for the US Navy on the lake.

Jacob Brown would begin his rise to fame in Sackets Harbor, taking command of its land forces in 1813.

Henry Eckford was selected to oversee naval operations at the harbor and to organize the construction of warships. One of the first vessels constructed by Eckford was the USS Madison (20 Guns). The entire ship was built in only 40 days and launched on November 20, 1812.

Lt. Rene De Russy was appointed the engineering task of improving the harbors defenses. He had Ft. Virginia constructed On West Washington Street as well as five other blockhouses n the vicinity. A Marine contingent from Charlestown, South Carolina were assigned to the works and served as the harbor’s defense force.