The navy of the United States, from the commencement, 1775 to 1853; with a brief history of each vessel's service and fate online

VIPER Schr


Capt. D. Dilharbidc...
Capt. T.N. Williams..
Capt. R. McCleary. . . .
Capt. G. H. Ward, &c.
Capt. J. Resbrough ...






2, .


Ship = $100,000


VIPER 2. Schr










VIRGINIA Schr


Norfolk . .*




3S tons.


VIVID Brig








VIXEN Schr








230 tons.


VOLANTE Ship










WAMPOA ship


Capt. D. Waterman...
Capt. G. Chtmiplin... .

Capt. J. Taylor, &c. . .


New York






356 tons.
P., D. G.,& assorted....
D. G.,&c
Ce.,S.,R.,&c.


WARRIOR Brio-


New York... 1
Portland . .. .


4
1


1
o




WASHINGTON BOM.
WASP J Schr


WASP.. ,..2.. Slnnn






WASP.. ..3. quir,




Philadelphia. . 3


1, 1


....


W.,& $24,000


WAVE . Schr


4
1
4
8
14

1C
7
9
2
14

18
16

5

i


9
20
18
100
60

150
44
85
35
120

160
130

15

65




119 tons.


WATER WITCH Schr








WATER WITCH 2.. Sehr.
WHIG .. a.\, r


Capt. E. Bangs, &c. ..
Capt. T. Venice, &c...
Capt. A. Riggs, &c....

( Capt. 0. Wilson ... )
1 Capt. E. Snow <,








Baltimore ....


2
3

9


5 3
2 4

25 5


3
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Bt.,D.G.,Cl.,F.,Ps.,W.
Variety

$3000000


WILE RENARD gchr


YANKEE ; B r j,,




YANKEE AMERICAN ... Schr






YANKEE LASS Schr.
YANKEE PORTER Sloop














New York






30 tons.
Fs.,Cc., B.,S., Silks ...
D. G., Ordnance, &c. . . .


YORK.., a,,i,r


Capt. E. Staples, &c...

Capt. T. W. Story, &c.
Capt. A. Riker.


Baltimore ....
New York . . .


1
2


4
4


....


1


YORKTOWN \ Ship.


( ! Ship.
YOUNG HORNET Boat.
YOUNG TE4ZER Schr






Capt. W. B. Dobson..


New York . . .


1


1


4


....


F.,0.,R., S.,St


YOUNG TEAZER S GHOST Schr


YOUNG WASP Ship


i 2
10


150
38




Philadelphia* .


2


2


a


2 Ce.,W., Cannon, &c....


ZEBRA Schr




ZEPHYR ! Ship.


Capt. J. Olcutt















CAPTURES. 197



DURING THE WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN, FROM 1812 TO 1815.



One a Brig, of 14 guns ; burnt 7. Was attacked by two armed boats off Long Island ; killed the officer in command, and captured one
of the boats, with 8 men.

Captured by the Iris, at sea, in January, 1813, after a chase of 30 hours.



A Brig, of 10 guns sent to Savannah. The Privateer " Divided we Fall " cruising in company.

Prize to the Privateer Diomede. Captured the L. M. Ship Hero, after an action of 20 minutes ; divested her of valuables, and gave her
to prisoners,



Captured by the Barbadoes, 32, off St. Bartholomews, Feb. 15, 1815.

Captured by the Superb and Pyramus, April 15, 1813. Had sent the prize Ship " Victory," of 12 guns, into Camden, Me.

Also one 0f this name commissioned in Massachusetts, in 1313, of 214 tons, 4 guns, and 17 men, under Capt. N. Barker.

Captured by the Nymphe, at sea, April 90, 1813.

Captured by the Curlew, 18, at sea, March 26, 1813. This cruiser was pierced for 22 guns.

< Prize Ship Francis, 10 guns, 35 men, and 121 convicts, released. One Schooner wrecked. Threw overboard 11 guns to escape from a
\ Frigate, off Fnyal.
The Swedish Brig Janstoff, enemy s goods sent to Plymouth.

When only 13 days at sea, captured by the Schooner Bream, 10, after a chase of 9 hours, June D, 1813.
Schooner Eclipso. Lost on Rockaway Beach. Reported captured by the Poictiers, 74, Nov. 3, 1812. ?

A Brig was also captured by a Whale Boat, and carried into Portland^the latter upon the deck of the former.

This cruiser was also commissioned out of Philadelphia.

Destroyed eight, and converted three into cartels. Had an action with a Packet, of 14 guns, and was chased by an Algerine Frigate.

Sent all in. Was captured at sea by tha Shannon, 50, Oct. 11, 1812. Was first commissioned with only one gun, as the "Wiley Reynard."

The most successful cruiser during this war. Made five cruises ; fought several battles, and sent in most of the prizes to northern ports.
Captured by the Peruvian, 18, off Sembrero, Oct. 2i, 1812, when one month out. Had made a short cruise under Capt. Stanwood.
Captured by the Frigate Severn, at sea, May 1, 1814, when 20 days out.

( Prize Ship Coromandel, 2 guns and 66 men. Do. Brig William, 10 guns and 14 men. Released one, with prisoners, and sent the others

( in. Lost four men, euns and anchors, in a severe gale, on her second cruise.
All armed, with from G to 12 guns each ; 1 = $200,000. Was finally captured by the English squadron, at sea, July 17, 1813, and sent to

Halifax.
Converted into a torpedo boat, March 24, 1814.

Ship Invincible, 1C, and Packet Ann, 10. The former was recaptured the fourth time. This Privateer, while chased by the La Hague, 74,
off Halifax, in July, 1813, was blown up by her 1st Lieutenant, Johnson, who had been taken prisoner in the old Teazer, and 30 out of
37 souls perished. Had previously been chased into Halifax by the Sir J. Sherbroke, and finally escaped by hoisting English colors.

Formerly a Liverpool packet.

One Schooner lost off Ocracoke ; two vessels ransomed. Had a cruise of 170 days, and was absent at the close of the war.

bile on her passage from Franco to the United States was captured by the Pyramus and Belle Poule, at sea, April 20, 1813.
Commission surrendered.

29



CAPTURES OF



U. S. PRIVATEERS.




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AMERICA


Ship


18


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31


ANACONDA


Brig


16


160


Capl V Shaler . . N York






35




BrJo-


12


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Ship.


16


35


ATLAS


Schr


10


100




2


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Ship.


12


15


CHASSEUR


Schr


14


100







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15


St Lawrence H B M


Schr


15


75










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Ship.


14


25


















Bowes ..*..


Bri.


10




COMET


Schr


14


120


























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Dominica .... Packet


Bri.


10






Brig


14


108












Ship


14




DECATUR 2. .


Schr


7


103




1


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1 00




Schr


15


88


DIOMEDE


Schr.


5


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Ship.


16


104




















Ship.


16


30


DOLPHIN


Schr


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Cant W Stafford . . * . Baltimore


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( Three Brothers


Bri.


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Capt J Barnard N York . .










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ARMED VESSELS.



Cargo, and
commanded by.


T3
U




Wounded.


Date.


Position.




2


13


March, 1815
May 14, 1813

Aug. 3, 1813
Feb. 2G, 1815




230 stand of small arms. .


Cape de Verd Isl s.

(Lat. 375 N... )
(Long. 46 W.. j


Capt, Chivers


I 2
15


4
23


Capt. Fritte


Lieut. I. E. Gordon ....





400 tons S., C.,&c..
and tliree others .....



R., S., Cotton, &c.
= 150,000



Capt. EarettC.



Valuable cargo.. .
> Valuable cargo



Valuable cargo
= $100,000 ...



DURING THE WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN, FROM 1812 TO 1815.



Sev



18



The Carnation 137



= 150,000



eral.



43



1812

Jan. 11, 1813

Feb. 6, 1813
1812



At sea

Off Pernambuco .

Off Pernambuco .
At sea



Aug. 5, 1813 , : Lat. 23 N



1814



Northeast coast..



Had 700 shot holes in her hull, spars, and sails. Took out her
armament and gave her to her crew.

Took out $75,000 in specie, and ransomed the vessel for J8,000.
The A. fired into the Schr. Commo. Hull by mistake, wound
ing Lieut. Newcomb, U. S. N. Her Lieutenant was arrested
by Commo. Rodgers, tried, and acquitted.

Cargo, coffee, cotton, sugar, &c. The A. had all her port shrouds
shot away. The first was carried into port; the second was
recaptured off the Delaware.

Formerly the Atlas, above. Had several passengers on board.
Was much cut up. Made a cartel of her. Declared the coast
of Great Britain in a state of blockade.

With a valuable cargo, from Surinam for London. Sent to

Baltimore.

: Engaged the Ship George, 14, and Brig Gambier, 10; also the
Portuguese Brig-of-wor " Was," (convoying,) at the same
time killing her Commander, 1st Lieutenant, and several men,
and obliging her to put back to Pernambuco.

Exchanged broadsides ; H. B. M. Brig Swaggerer in chase at the
time.

Her Captain among the killed. Was chased by the Constitu
tion, Commo. Hull, and threw overboard 12 guns, and soon
after rearmed herself from the prize Bark Duke of Savoy, 8 guns.

After a severe action, carried by boarding, her Captain, Master,
and Purser among the killed. The prize was fitted out with 4
guns and 36 men, and subsequently captured by the Majestic,
May 23, 1814.

After a sharp resistance. This vessel, with her prize crew, cap
tured Ship Hero, and brought her in.



1312 i Cape St. Vincent. . After a sharp resistance. Engaged both at the same time.



1813



At sea .



107



10



sev i



Mails, &c

Mails and 60,000, gold

Valuable cargo

A Privateer

Capt. Wells )

Capt. Miller )

Valuable cargo

1



Principally Coffee. . . . Sev eral.



Sev eral.



Sev eral.



Valuable..
Mails, &c.



2 8
1 8



, 1813 Atsea

Mar. 11, 1813 Off Surinam.
Sept. 26, 1814 Port Fayal..



1812



Nov. 3, 1813



At sea ,



Off Madeira.



1813 , Off Portugal
1813 At sea



Feb. 22, 1813 At sea.

5 July 21 & ) I ( Double Headed i
I 22, 1812 J j i Shot Key ... \



After a desperate resistance. Was subsequently recaptured.

After a desperate resistance. Captain and first officer killed.

WHS subsequently wrecked off Nantucket.
Cnpt. C. among the wounded. Both vessels badly cut up. The

G. A. glad to haul off.
Sunk three boats, and, after one of the most desperate defences

upon record, was finally scuttled by her own officers, who then.

deserted her, when she was boarded and set fire to by the enemy.
The enemy s Captain wounded ; 2d Lieutenant of the Globe

killed. Carried by boarding.

The largest Brig struck ; but the G. was too much disabled to take
possession, having lost her 1st and 2d Lieuts., and the Captain
being severely wounded ; the M. also lost her Comdr. & Surg n.

December, 1814; was one hour and a half under the fire of a
Frigate, losing 3 killed, and 5 wounded.

This prize was soon after recaptured by the Privateer Caledonia.
Two days subsequently fell in with and engaged both, and re
captured the ship, the Privateer escaping. Carried the priza
into St. Mary s.



1815



Dec. 3, 1815



1815



Northeast coast. , .



Engaged both at same time, two days,
other surrendered.



Boarded one, when th.8



Sent into Boston.
Captures.



The cruiser Was lost after tho peace. Sea



f ! Engaged this fleet while sailing in close company, all of which.

Lat. 31 N I j struck their colors after a short contest. The Brig Only Son

( Long. 76 W. . | . and Schr. Cossac subsequently escaped, and the Ship Rosabella
was lost on Charleston Bar. Cruise of six days.



At sea.



1815 ! At sea,.



Subsequently divested and abandoned upon the approach of an

enemy.

Sent into Wilmington, N. C. The Kemp, when first commis*
I oioned in 1812, under Capt. W. Burton, carried C guns & 36 men,



200



CAPTURES OP ARMED VESSELS.



U. S. PRIYATEEBS.





g




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Commanded by


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vessels.




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MACDONOUGH


Brig.
Schr.
Schr.
Schr.

Schr.
Brig.
Schr.

Schr.
Schr.


16
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15
1

11
12
12
3

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140
50
70
30

104
75
85
100


Capt Wilson


Bristol ....




H.M
1 30




Ship.
Brig.
Brig.
Ship.

Ship.

Ship.
Ship.
Schr.
Ship.
Schr.
Boats

Schr.
Ship.
Brig.

Ship.
Brig.
Schr.
Brig.
Ship.
Ship.
Ship.
Ship.
Ship.
Ship.
Cutter
Ship.
Brig.
Ship.
Ship.

Ship.
Ship.
Ship.
Ship.
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14

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14
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18
16
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6

5
8
12

18
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10
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165

14
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10
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8

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34


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17
120

200?
60?
20
30
104

70
30
60

50

* *

40
35

250

50
26
33

26
28

25

100
86

30
ed..
50


MARENGO


Capt. Ordronaux
Capt. J. Ingersol


N. York...
N. York...
Charleston

Philadelphii


\"


Pelican H.B.M.
Leonidas


MARS


MARY ANN


MATILDA




Se ve
4 13
3 8


ral..
1 00
3 20
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MONTGOMERY




An armed


NONSUCH




Baltimore .
N. York . .




PAUL JONES


Capt. J. Hazard




PERRY


Balaboo H.B.M.
Eodymion s . . . .five

Highflyer.... H.B.M.
Princess Amelia. .Pk t


PRINCE NEUFCHATEL.
RODGER


Brig.

Schr.
Schr.
Brig.

Brig.
Brig.

Schr.

Schr.
Schr.
Schr.
Schr.
Schr.
Schr.
Brig.

Brig.
Brig.

Schr.

Schr.
Ship.


n

10

11

16

4
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6

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7
2
6
14
15

16
16

14

1
20


100

120
95
130

116

100

100

110

120
80
30
100
60
110

110
150
120

42
150


Capt. J. Ordronau
Capt. R. duarles


N. York . .


1 723


30


ROSSIE


Baltimore .
f

N. York .

f

Charleston !

Philadelphir


j 3


8

1

7


50
1 15


f
SARATOGA <j


! Capt. C. Wooster, )
f or Aderton )

Capt. J. P. Chazel
Capt J Taylor




1

SAUCY JACK


{ Swiftsure
( James

Sir J. Shcrbroke


! 2

;

: 3


3
9

1

\:

ia


20
2 00
1 00

I 00

nig i
1 00


Pelham


Amelia
( Volcano T.


SHADOW


( Golden Fleece. .. .T.
May L M


SURPRISE




Star


SYREN


Capt. J. D. Daniels....
Capt. W. Dobson
Capt T Wilson










TEAZER .".


N. York . .
Baltimore . .
Boston . . .

Bristol... 4


C
I "


2

10
2


1 00




TOM


Townsend. . . .Packet
An armed
Royal Bounty.. L.M.


WILE RENARD


Capt. W. Lane, &c. ..

Capt. 0. Wilson, &c. .
Copt E Staples


f
YANKEE \


!

YORK
















Lord Somers T .
i Grenada


YOUNG EAGLE


Capt. F. Bcaufon


N. York..
Philadelphic


1
J 1


1

S


1 30


YOUNG WASP











CAPTURES OF ARMED VESSELS.



201



Cargo, and
commanded by.


"3
3


Wounded.


Date.


Position.


DURING THE WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN, FROM 1812 TO 1815.




;


?


Jan. 31, 1815
1812


Off Teneriffe


Drawn battle ; both vessels considerably injured.
After a severe engagement, and carried her into New York.
After a short resistance, by boarding. Sent into Savannah.

The Prize crew, under McKever, gallantly beat off the boats of
the Southampton Frigate, off Havana, killing many, and finally
arrived safe at Charleston.
The M. was carried by boarding. Recaptured by the U. S. Brig
Argus. Re-recaptured by the Revolutionaire, 74, and re-re-re
captured by our Privateer Gen. Armstrong.
A drawn battle, after the vessels had been lashed together nearly
an hour.

A drawn battle, after a severe engagement.

The Captain of the H. killed. The Privateer completed her ar
mament from this prize to 1C guns.
The P. was frequently chased. This prize was also chased by a
vessel that struck on the Pan Shoal, and soon after disappeared.
The commanding officer of this expedition was killed ; one barge
and 80 men captured ; one sunk, and the three remaining left
complete wrecks, and deserted.
In passing the Capes in the night. Left the enemy repairing
damages.
The Commander and Sailing Master killed. Was frequently
chased, and exchanged shots with men-of-war.
The Captain and all his officers, but the 2d Mate, killed. Re
ceived a salute at Laguayra. Upon another occasion of being
chased threw overboard 10 guns, and soon after supplied her
self from the prize Ship Vesta.
The S. had just previously thrown overboard 12 of her guns,
while chased by a Frigate ; and carried this prize, after an ob
stinate resistance, by boarding.
In company, resisted. Taken without loss. Cruise of 110 days.

The "Peruvian," Sloop-of-war, in chasing this cruiser, ran on
the Silver Keys, and was lost.
Valuable cargo. Finally carried by boarding. Her Captain
mortally wounded, and the 1st Lieutenant of the S. J. killed.
Burnt. This Cruiser shipped a crew of 130 men, at Charleston,
in six hours.

The enemy lost a Lieutenant. The S. J. was glad to haul off,
having been deceived.

A drawn battle. Capt. T. killed, and vessel severely handled.

This prize arrived at N.York. The cruiser exchanged salutes with
the French Admiral at Brest, and made several narrow escapes.
After a severe action. Run a prize Brig, of 12 guns, on shore,
to prevent capture.
After a protracted action. No one killed. The T s crew having
been reduced to 30.
After a protracted action. Enemy crippled, and ransomed for
$6,000.
After a severe engagement, reported to have sunk the enemy,
with all on board.
A running fight. Enemy much cut up. Had 158 shot holes in
the mainsail.
Likewise several other vessels, armed wilh from 8 to 14 guns.
The Schr. Alder, of 6 guns and 21 men, resisted, and had her
Captain and G men killed by the blowing up of her quarter
deck. The G. W. was lost on Charleston Bar, with 58 souls.
One Ship that resisted, and finally struck, proved a Spaniard.
A drawn battle.

Engaged and captured both at the same time, killing the Captain
of the Schooner.

The prize had only 14 guns mounted. This cruiser had two
other battles.


$80,000




R., S., Coffee, &c




]




P. Wine










Sev
Sev
7
1


era],
era).
16
1


July, 1813
Dec. 6,1812
Sept. 28, 1812
1812


Off St. Salvadore. .




j




$:200 000






1814




1st Lieut, of the E....
Lieut. R. N


33

G
3
34

2


37

9
10

n.

5


October, 1814

May, 1812
Sept. 1C, 1812
Dec. 10, 1812

Sept., 1813
1814


Off Nantur.ket....
Off Cape Henry . .




D. G. $75 000


Off Laguayra . .. .


Capt. Cunningham
> Fish, &c




Oil, &c


2
4
4

3

Sev
1


5
11
5

2

cral.
1


1813


At sea


Capt. Boyd


April 30, 1814
October, 1814

Oct. 3, 1814

Aug. 4, 5, 1812
Jan. 28, 1815
July, 1814
1812


C. Nicola Mole...
West Indies


D. G., &c






Capt. Affeck




$300,000


<Lat. 24 N )
{ Long. 36 W.. 5




Bt 500 tons










8


in.


1813






1813


English Channel. .




2


7


Aug. 1, 1812
1813












5th cruise, 1814
April 18, 1814

1812






6


12
3
2




700 tons C Ce S .






1


. ... ... 1815

















DATES OF REFERENCE,



AND



EVENTS IN AMERICAN NATAL HISTORY.



1302 The mariner s compass invented by Flavio John de Gioja, a
Neapolitan.

1372 The first mention of cannon having been used on board of
ships, although they were used on shore about the com
mencement of the thirteenth century.

1492 Aug. 3, Columbus sails from Spain in search of a Western

continent.
Oct. 12, Columbus first discovers land in the West Indies.

1497 Sebastian Cabot, an Italian, first discovers the variation of the

magnetic needle.
June 24, the Cabots discover the continent of North America.

14U8 Aug. 1, Columbus discovers the continent in his third voyage.

1537 Papul bull declaring the American natives to be "rational be
ings."

1607 April, first permanent colony established in Virginia.

1613 First maritime and colonial expedition against the French in
Nova Scotia.

1G14 First decked vessel built on the continent, at New York.

1620 Dec. 11, the bark May Flower, of 180 tons, landed the Puri
tans at Plymouth.

1G31 A bark of 30 tons built at Mislick, and converted into a
cruiser against the pirates on I he coast.

1633 The 1st ship built in New England that we have any account of.

1636 The first American nautical engagement. See Tables.

1641 A vessel of SOU tons built at Salem, Mass., by Hugh Peters.

1645 A vessel to carry 14 guns and 30 men, built at Cambridge,

Mass.
First regular American naval engagement. See Tables.

1646 A vessel of 150 tons built in Rliode Island, and lost on her

first cruise.
Air guns invented.

16GG Chain shot invented by De Witt.

1678 First decked vessel (10 tons) launched on Lake Ontario by
La Salle.

1679 First decked vessel (60 tons) launched on Lake Erie, and
called the "Griffin."

1GUO The first 74, the Falkland, built in America; launched in the

Piscataqua river.

Colonial expedition of 8 vessels and 800 men against Port
Royal, N. S.

1696 The shipping of New York amounted to 40 square rigged ves
sels, 62 sloops, and GO boats.

1701121 vessels, or 8,000 tons and 2,700 men, employed in the
Newfoundland fisheries.

170G The Spaniards attack Charleston, S. C., and are repulsed.

1714 The first vessel rigged as a sc/ioontr, built at Cape Ann, Mass.

1732 Feb. 22, George Washington born.

1745 Louisburg captured by the combined colonial and British
forces.

1750 The first vessel built of live oak arrived at Charleston, S. C.

1756 May 17, war declared by England against France, hostilities
having already existed on the continent of America nearly
two years.

1763 Feb. lO, peace was signed, putting an end to the "old French
war."

1765 The first Colonial Congress met in New York.

The Stamp act resisted in Massachusetts and Virginia.

1772 The first overt act of resistance on the part of the Colonies.

1773 312 chests of tea thrown overboard from British vessels in
Boston harbor.

J774 The Continental Congress meet in Philadelphia.



1775 Affair at Lexington, Concord, and battle of Bunker Hill.

Then follows the war of Independence and the nautical en
gagements recorded in the Table of Ca| tures.
Oct. 30, a law authorizing the building of the first frigate, to

carry 36 guns.
1776 March 23, letters of marque and reprisal issued by the U. S.

A. against Great Britain.

July 4, Declaiation of the Independence ef the United States.
Nov. 9, a law authorizing the building of l\icJinllint-qf-taHU-

ship, 74 guns.
1777 Feb. 7, letters of marque and reprisal issued by Great Britain

against the Colonies.
1776 February, a treaty of alliance formed between France and the

United States.

July 8, a French fleet, under Count D Estang, arrive in Ame
rica.
1779 Commo. J. Paul Jones s victory in the British Channel ; and

Commo. Saltonstall s defeat in the Penobscot.
1781 Aug. 30, a French fleet, of 28 sail, under Count De Grasse,

arrive in America.

1782 The " America," the first 74 built by (he United States, pre
sented to France.
Nov. 30, preliminaries of peace signed at Paris between the

British and American commissioners.

1783 April 19, cessation of hostilities proclaimed by Gen. Wash
ington.
Sept. 23, definitive treaty of peace with Great Britain, and the

U. S. acknowledged a sovereign and independent Slate.
1785 Algiers commenced open hostilities against the commerce of

the U. States, the latter being entirely destitute ofa navy.
1787 Federal Constitution of the United States adopted.

Aug. 9, the ship Columbia and sloop Washington sailed from

Boston, and m

1790 Returned, being the first American vessels that circumnavi
gated the globe.

1793 Gen. Washington proclaims neutrality, and in consequence of
the depredations upon our commerce by the Algeiine crui
sers, &c., recommends the building of six frigates to protect
the same.
1794 March 26, commencement of an embargo that lasted three

months.
March 27, an act to build 4 frigates, to carry each 44 guns, and

2 to carry each 36 guns.

June 28, caplains, naval constructors, and navy agents ap
pointed for each of the above fiigates.
1795 Oct. 28, a treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation concluded

by Mr. Jay with Great Britain.