As the world's 14th largest lake Ontario has claimed many ships due to its east-west wave-building fetch of nearly 200 miles. What we experienced with an east wind was really nothing compared to what the lake is capable of with a westerly. As the hours passed and we entered the Thousand Islands, conditions improved and we glided comfortably into Sacket's Harbor in the early afternoon.
During the War of 1812 Sacket's Harbor was the center of U.S. naval shipbuilding on the great lakes and military headquarters for the northern army. It opposes Kingston, Ontario situated on the northeastern shore of Lake Ontario and the center of British naval shipbuilding. While Kingston was well fortified in 1812, Sacket's Harbor was not. Yet, American forces successfully repelled two British assaults on Sacket's Harbor during the war. Kingston was never attacked. The very presence of an American naval and military force across Lake Ontario however, changed the course of Canadian history as we will discover later.
Today, Sacket's Harbor is a well-kept waterside town with summer concerts and patio dining. Our stop here made the harrowing risk of braving the inland recreational waterways of northeastern America all seem worthwhile.
