Battle of York

Battle of York
The attack on Fort York, the main garrison of the city of York (Toronto) on April 27, 1813 was launched by the combined force of the United States army and navy.  Their main objective was to capture the Sir Isaac Brock, a 30-gun warship under construction at York, which would be the most formidable fighting ship on the lake when completed.  By seizing this ship, they hoped to gain control of Lake Ontario and turn the war in their favour.

The superior size and strength of the American invaders overwhelmed the British troops, local militia and their First Nations allies, leading to a quick defeat. 

Despite their victory, the Americans were unsuccessful in seizing the Sir Isaac Brock.  Major-General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe, the retreating British commander, ordered the unfinished warship burned to prevent her capture by the enemy.   In addition, local troops blew up all the gun powder stored in Fort York’s main magazine in their retreat to prevent the Americans from gaining valuable supplies.  The resulting explosion killed and wounded scores of Americans, including their commander General Zebulon Pike.