Next, William Allen was given command of the brig USS Argus, a two-masted, 95 1/2 foot ship mounting eighteen 24-pounders and two 12-pdr. guns.
Naval historian Ira Dye, in his book, "The Fatal Cruise of the Argus: Two Captains in the War of 1812," wrote that Allen sailed his ship to the British Isles and in the summer of 1813, attacked 20 vessels, burning, sinking and destroying all but two. This was more victims than any other U.S. ship of its size during the War of 1812.
On August 14, 1813, the Argus fought the much larges HMS Pelican under the command of Captain John Maples. The Argus was beaten and 97 prisoners captured. Twelve Americans were killed and Allen was badly wounded, but didn't die until four days later.
He was given a huge military funeral in Plymouth, England, and buried at St. Andrew's Churchyard.
Allen's family wanted the body brought back to Rhode Island like Perry's body was brought back from Trinidad in 1826.
--Bock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
Showing posts with label Allen William Henry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Allen William Henry. Show all posts
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Captain William Henry Allen, Rhode Island Naval Hero-- Part 2
On William Allen's first cruise, he went from Philadelphia to North Africa on the USS George Washington to carry tribute to the Dey of Algiers to keep him from attacking American shipping.
In June 1807, in the Chesapeake Bay, he allegedly fired the only shot at the HMS Leopard when it was impressing American seamen from the USS George Washington. This even caused President Jefferson to enact his December 1807 Embargo against Britain.
In early 1812, Allen was 1st Lieutenant on Captain Stephen Decatur's frigate USS United States in its victory over the HMS Macedonian and then he took command of that ship and sailed it into Newport, Rhode Island, as a prize on Dec. 6, 1812.
--Brock-Perry
In June 1807, in the Chesapeake Bay, he allegedly fired the only shot at the HMS Leopard when it was impressing American seamen from the USS George Washington. This even caused President Jefferson to enact his December 1807 Embargo against Britain.
In early 1812, Allen was 1st Lieutenant on Captain Stephen Decatur's frigate USS United States in its victory over the HMS Macedonian and then he took command of that ship and sailed it into Newport, Rhode Island, as a prize on Dec. 6, 1812.
--Brock-Perry
Friday, December 5, 2014
Captain William Henry Allen, Rhode Island Naval Hero-- Part 1
From the January 115, 2013, Providence (RI) Journal by Patrick T. Conley.
Sunday is the 200th anniversary of William Henry Allen's death in battle and that day he will be inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.
Allen sailed out of Providence and is far less known than Rhode Island's Oliver Hazard Perry.
William was born in Providence on Oct. 21, 1784, the son of Sarah Jones, sister of the state's pacifist and anti-war governor, and William Jones. His grandfather, Major William Allen of Providence, had been a Revolutionary War soldier and later brigadier general of the state militia and sheriff of Providence County.
Young William wanted a naval career, so his influential family got him an appointment by U.S. senator Ray Greene as a midshipman. At age 15, he was on his first cruise.
--Brock-Perry
Sunday is the 200th anniversary of William Henry Allen's death in battle and that day he will be inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.
Allen sailed out of Providence and is far less known than Rhode Island's Oliver Hazard Perry.
William was born in Providence on Oct. 21, 1784, the son of Sarah Jones, sister of the state's pacifist and anti-war governor, and William Jones. His grandfather, Major William Allen of Providence, had been a Revolutionary War soldier and later brigadier general of the state militia and sheriff of Providence County.
Young William wanted a naval career, so his influential family got him an appointment by U.S. senator Ray Greene as a midshipman. At age 15, he was on his first cruise.
--Brock-Perry
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