The War in Real Time: Vigilant Captures the Dart 200 Years Ago Today-- Part 2

On January 25, 1812, John Calhoun was commissioned as a master (captain) in Rhode Island and received command of the Vigilant.

On October 4, 1813, the Vigilant sailed out of Newport, Rhode Island, seeking the British privateer Dart. On board were 28 additional sailors. The Vigilant caught up with the Dart and opened fire. It came alongside, boarded and seized the ship. This was the last armed boarding by a revenue cutter during the Age of Sail.

Then on October 26th, the Vigilant captured a British schooner carrying a cargo of wood.

On June 2, 1814, it towed the fire-damaged brig St. Francis into Newport. It had been en route from St. Bart's with a cargo of molasses and sugar when it had been run ashore by the HMS Nimrod who then torched it.

--Brock-Perry