The U.S. Navy in the War of 1812: Winning Battles, But Losing the War-- Part 1: Government Incompetence

From the November 18, 2019, CIMSEC  by William J. Prom.

Many popular histories of the war like to point out the victories of individual U.S. ships (though often against a single overmatched British ship) against the world's most powerful Navy.  But, there were huge failures on the part of the U.S.Navy.   Also, the big U.S. fleet battle victories at the Battle of Lake Erie and Battle of Lake Champlain are extolled.

Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, however, summed up the war thusly:  "Although  relieved by many brilliant incidents, indicative of the real spirit and capacity of the nation, the record upon the whole is one of gloom, disaster, and government incompetence, resulting from lack of national preparation, due to the obstinate  and blind prepossessions  of the Government, and, in part, of the people."

--  Brock-Perry