The USS Sea Horse and Battle of Bay St. Louis Unrecognized for Too Long

The Mystic Krewe of the Seahorse in Bay St. Louis, cites four reasons why this particular battle should be better known:

1.  It was a classic "David vs. Goliath."

2.  The battle saved New Orleans and gave Jackson time to prepare its defenses.

3.  It was a precursor of "The Alamo."

4.  It was the last naval battle of the War of 1812 between U.S. Navy ships and a foreign power in U.S. territorial waters.

Now, You Know.  --Brock-Perry

USS Sea Horse-- Part 3: Victory and Scuttling

The British gunboats landed at Pass Christian and attacked the garrison there in the early morning.  Meanwhile, the Sea Horse dropped anchor and its crew was sent to get some sleep.  The British attacked and got in closer than before this time.  The Sea Horse spotted them and the alarm was raised.  The crew opened fire with muskets and drove the British off.

Captain Lockyer decided to move on to his main objective, Lake Borgne and ceased attacking the Sea Horse.

During the action, several British longboats were damaged and there were an unknown number of casualties.

U.S. losses were two killed, two wounded and damage to the Sea Horse.Sailing Master William Johnson sailed to the Ulman Avenue Pier and set fire and scuttled his ship to prevent capture by expected future attacks.

I wonder if the remains of the Sea Horse are still there?

A Brave Little Ship and Crew  --Brock-Perry

USS Sea Horse-- Part 2: Mission to Destroy Supplies Before Capture

On the night of December 13, 1814, British Admiral Alexander Cochrane ordered Captain Lockyer of the HMS Armide  to proceed to Lake Borgne with 42 armed longboats and 1200 sailors and Marines along with 8 to 24-pdr cannons.

The USS Sea Horse, commanded by Sailing Master William Johnson was on a mission at that very moment to Bay St. Louis with orders to destroy weapons and gun powder before the British captured it (as they would be passing by the bay on their way to Lake Borgne.

The ship one 6-pdr. cannon and 14 men.  The USS Alligator was also in the bay at the time as it was stationed there.

The Sea Horse was spotted by Lockyer and longboats were sent to capture it.  A fight ensued and the Alligator was destroyed and Sea Horse damaged.  The Sea Horse retreated to a dock in the bay and continued the fight.  As the British came into range, a U.S. shore battery opened fire as well, forcing the British to withdraw.

--Brock-Perry

USS Sea Horse-- Part 1

From the History of the Mystic Krewe of the Seahorse site.

The Krewe takes its name from the USS Sea Horse and the Battle of Bay St. Louis on December 13, 1814.  It is also called te Battle of Lake Borgne and Battle of Pass Christian.

The British Navy was advancing on New Orleans after engagements at Pensacola and Mobile.  Their plan was to sail through Rigolets and into Lake Ponchetrain, but the USS Sea Horse and the later Battle of Lake Borgne stopped it.

This battle also has an  "Alamo" connection.  Supposedly at the Alamo, one fighter exclaimed "Remember the Battle of the Bay."  This battle pitted a small group of Americans against a much larger group of British.

--Brock-Perry