War of 1812 - Artefact of the Week - August 24, 2012

View of Amherstburg, watercolour painting by Margaret Reynolds, 1813

This remarkable watercolour painting features a view of the Amherstburg Navy Yard, and depicts the construction of the HMS Detroit and various other Royal Navy vessels. The Detroit was one of many ships which participated in the defence of the Upper Great Lakes during the War of 1812, and was involved in the Battle of Lake Erie in September 1813. The Amherstburg Navy Yard was very important to British and Canadian efforts during the War of 1812 and served as one of the centres of British Naval presence on the Great Lakes.

The watercolour was painted by Margaret Reynolds in December 1813. It is rumoured that the figures in the foreground are British Major General Henry Procter and Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, both of whom were involved in the defence of that area.

To learn more about Fort Amherstburg (present-day Fort Malden) during the War of 1812, read The Invasion of Canada and Action at the Canard River! in the This Week in History archives. Visit the Parks Canada website for more information about Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada.

View of Amherstburg, watercolour painting by Margaret Reynolds, 1813.
© Parks Canada