Penetanguishene Naval Yard

Penetanguishene Naval Yard was a Royal Navy yard from 1834 to 1856 in Ontario.

The yard was originally located at the Wasaga Blockhouse in Drummond Island after the abandonment of Amherstburg Royal Naval Dockyard. Land was acquired in 1798 and a base finally built in 1813, but it was abandoned in 1815. It was reinstated in 1816 and remained on the island until 1834.

The base was later relocated near the Nottawasaga River at Discovery Bay in 1816 and served as the Lake Huron fleet of the Provincial Marine until 1834. The navy transferred the base to the army and served 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:


 * officers barracks
 * warehouses
 * offices
 * King's Wharf
 * 3 storehouse

Vessels built or stationed here:


 * Bee - gun boat
 * Minos - gun boat
 * Mohawk - steamer
 * Tecumseh - schooner
 * Newash - brigantine
 * Mosquito - gunboat
 * Wasp - gunboat
 * unnamed frigate 1814

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, now known as Discovery Harbour.