U.S. Gunboat No. 168-- Part 2: First, Last and a Hurricane

I am unable to find out any more about the battle between the Sappho and 168, however.

From NC1812.

Gunboat No. 168 was built at Wilmington, N.C., one of three Jeffersonian gunboats built there to defend the state as fears of war with Britain grew.  In March 1808, the U.S. Navy issued contracts to shipbuilder Amos Perry to build three gunboats.  They were Nos. 166, 167 and 168.  Jeffersonian gunboats were only numbered and no names given to them (other than 166 which later became known as the USS Alligator).

On March 13, 1812, so, you could say that it fired the first naval shots of the War of 1812.  It is also given credit for firing the last shots of the naval war as well on 16th March 1815.

In 1813 it was driven ashore by a hurricane.

--Brock-Perry