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Discovery Harbour and the War of 1812

Discovery Harbour re-creates the days of the British Navy and Military on Penetanguishene Bay, from its beginnings late in the War of 1812 until it was turned over to the Canadian government in 1856.

The Penetanguishene Naval Establishment was a result of the War of 1812, declared by the United States in June of that year, against Great Britain. British Command felt it vital to build a strategic outpost and shipyard to guard the flow of supplies and men north to British outposts and First Nations allies. Eventually, it evolved into a naval and military base to maintain colonial defence.

There were no battles fought with the Americans at Penetanguishene.