Hamilton & Scourge Memorial

About 40 people are on board a Canadian Coast Guard ship headed to the exact spot where two ships sunk 200 years ago during the war of 1812.

It was the largest loss of personnel for the U.S. Navy on Lake Ontario during that war.

53 American soldiers died when the Hamilton and Scourge sunk on August 18th, 1813.

The ceremony on-board the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Ggriffon is also about celebrating the peaceful relationship between Canada and the U.S that has developed since then.

Earlier today, 53 red and white carnations were tossed into the water as a symbol of the blood and sacrifice of the fallen soldiers.

The ceremony will form the centre piece of a documentary film entitled “On the Water.”

It will premier at a free event at Dundurn National Historic site on September 21st.