Hope (Schooner), 1772

" Mr. Grant was given permission to build a small fleet of schooners and sloops to be employed in transporting merchandise over the lakes. Two of these were built at The River Rouge and named the HOPE and FAITH, while the third, and largest, built near Fort Niagara, for the navigation of lake Ontario, was named CHARITY. A small sloop, named the ANGELICA, was also built at the River Rouge and, with the sloop CHIPPEWA, was owned by Grant, who, at the same time, had been entrusted by General Gage "with the direction of all the vessels upon the several lakes."
      Memorials of Fort Erie and Early Navigation of Lake Erie
      by Colonel Cruckshank p13.
     
     
     
      Alexander Grant was summoned to a consultation with the Governor and on the 12 th June, 1775, he prepared a statement at Montreal, in which he said that the GENERAL GAGE, of 120 tons and sixteen guns was employed in navigating lake Erie, while the EARL OF DUNMORE of 90 tons and 12 guns was usually engaged in the navigation of Lake Huron. These were the only serviceable ships belonging to the King on the Upper Lakes. The merchant ships were the schooner HOPE, of 60 tons and six small guns, and the schooner FAITH of 30 tons, and the sloops ANGELICA of 60 tons and CHIPPEWA of 50 tons. Two other sloops, of 30 tons were still on the stocks".
      Memorials of Fort Erie and Early Navigation of Lake Erie
      by Colonel Cruckshank p16.
     
     
     
      Before navigation had opened in 1779 Captain Schank made a detailed report on the condition of the ships available for navigating upon the Upper Lakes.
      " The HOPE schooner is reported to me to require considerable repairs before she can navigate - probably not before the latter end of June"
      " The ANGELICA sloop used to be employed to navagate between Detroit and mackinac. The ANGELICA or another vessel must be employed in carrying on the same service."
"The FAITH schooner will probably be employed in carrying up from Little Niagara [Fort Schlosser] to Fort Erie."
      A list of merchant's vessels on Lake Erie and Huron and Superior was appended.
      Name Owner Rig Tons
      ADVENTURE Messrs. Macombm Sloop 16
      PERIAGUA McBeath & Co. " 10
      ARCHANGEL McBeath & Co. " 10
      WELCOME Mr. John Askin " 15
      PERIAGUA Mr. John Askin " 8
      Memorials of Fort Erie and Early Navigation of Lake Erie
      by Colonel Cruckshank p.26.
     
     

A tabular return of the Force and Burthen of His Majesty's Armed Vessels on Lake Erie, Huron, and Michigan is dated August 1st. 1782, and signed by Alexander Grant
Aug. 1, 1782: Brig GAGE, of 154 tons, commanded by John Burnet, crew of 27. and 14 guns
Schooner DUNMORE, of 106 tons, commanded by James Graham. Crew of 14 and armed with 4 swivels.
Schooner HOPE, of 81 tons, commanded by henry Ford. Crek of 11 and carries 4 swivels.
Sloop ANGELICA, of 66 tons, commanded by James Underston. Crew of 7 and carries 4 swivels.
Sloop FELICITY, of 55 tons, commanded by Norman Mckay. Crew of 6 and carries 4 swivels.
Schooner FAITH, of 61 tons, commanded by George Andrews. Crew of 8 and carries 4 swivels.
Sloop WYANDOTT of 47 tons, commanded by William Gibson. Crew of 7 and carries 4 swivels.
Sloop ADVENTURE, of 34 tons, commanded by James Cumming. Crew of 8 and carries 2 swivels.
Un-named gunboat, commanded by Joseph Williams,. Crew of 11 and carries 4 swivels.
      Memorials of Fort Erie and Early Navigation of Lake Erie
      by Colonel Cruckshank p44.
     
     
     
     
     
      I am sorry to acquaint your Excellency that this day I received letters of the 10th. Nov., 1783 from capt. Grant informing that the sloop ANGELICA was stranded on the 10th. Oct. on the South side of the lake, six miles to the eastward of the Cayahoga or Grand River. It appears however, that no lives were lost and that there were hopes of saving most part of the cargo, consisting of 211 tierces of flour ans 2 puncheons of rum. I have also this day received a letter from Lieut. Armstrong informing me that the HOPE has had likewise the misfortune to be stranded.
      Memorials of Fort Erie and Early Navigation of Lake Erie
      by Colonel Cruckshank p. 49.