USS Rattlesnake

From Wikipedia.

As mentioned in the last post, it was captured on June 22, 1814, 200 years ago.

Fourteen-gun brig built in Medford, Massachusetts as a privateer and purchased by U.S.Navy in 1813.  Sailed from Portsmouth, New Hampshire 10 January 1814 under Master commandant John O. Creighton and sailed with the USS Enterprise to the Caribbean and took three prizes before being forced to split up and run for it ny a British frigate.

It put into Wilmington, North Carolina.

It was back to sea under Lt. James Renshaw and captured eight more merchant ships along the Atlantic coast.  On May 31st it was again chased by a British frigate and managed to escape after throwing all but two guns overboard.

Its evading luck ran out on June 22, 1814, when it was captured by the HMS Leander off Cape Sable, Nova Scotia.  The Leander's captain reported that the Rattlesnake had 22 cannons aboard, but had thrown all overboard during the chase and it had a crew of 131.

The British Admiralty recorded the USS Rattlesnake being captured on July 7. 1814, however, and that is considered to be most likely the capture date.

It was purchased by the British Navy, but no further records of the ship have been found.

When Chased, Throw Those Heavy cannons Overboard.  --Brock-Perry