Jesse Elliott, USN-- Part 4: Service in Lake Ontario and Back to Lake Erie

Jesse Elliott was then transferred to Lake Ontario where he served under Commodore Isaac Chauncey as captain on the flagship, the USS Madison,  and took part in the Battle of York on 27 April 1813 and the Battle of Fort George on 27 May.

He was promoted to master commandant in July and reassigned to the Lake Erie Squadron, to serve as Perry's second in command.  He felt Perry had insufficient combat experience and was particularly outspoken Perry's decision to use Presque Isle for his shipyard.   

The two me were on collision course at thus time.  No doubt Elliott was still smarting over being replaced in Lake Erie by Perry to begin the problems.

BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE

Then came the famous battle.

During the Battle of Lake Erie against a British squadron under Captain Robert Barclay on 10 September 1813, Elliott commanded the USS Niagara.  Perry commanded the Niagara's sister ship, the USS Lawrence.

--Brock-Perry

John B. Montgomery, USN-- Part 3

From American Military Leaders A-L by John Fredricksin.

JOHN B. MONTGOMERY

(November 17, 1794-March 25, 1874)

John Barrien Montgomery is best-known for raising the U.S, flag over what became San Francisco in the Mexican War..  A religious, Bible-quoting officer, he completed fifty years of service without  a single incident or  controversy to mar his  reputation.

Montgomery was born in Allentown, New Jersey, the second of three brothers.  All three joined the U.S. Navy just before the War of 1812 and enjoyed  distinguished careers.  Montgomery became a midshipman in June 1812 and ventured to Sackets Harbor as part of Commander Isaac Chauncey's Lake Ontario Squadron.

Attached to the schooner Hamilton, he participated in the November 10, 1812,  bombardment of Kingston, Ontario, before transferring to the brigs Madison and General Pike.  In this capacity, Montgomery fought during the capture of York (now Toronto), Ontario (Upper Canada at the time), in April 1813 and Fort George, Niagara,  the following month.

--Brock-Perry

Capt. Thomas Gamble After the War of 1812

From the book "Records of Officers and Men from New Jersey in Wars 1791-1815" by New Jersey Adjutant's Office.

THOMAS GAMBLE (For previous   record see War With Great Britain.  Lieutenant in command of  Brig "Spark" and joined the Mediterranean Squadron, Captain Stephen  Decatur, at New York , New York,  May 1815;  took part in the engagement with and capture of Algerian ship "Mashouda" off Cape  De Gatt, Spain, , June 17, 1815, and the Algerian brig "Estedio" off Cape Palos, Spain, June 19, 1815.

Ordered from New York to report to the Navy department, Washington, D.C., after he should have dismantled Brig "Spark." under his command, December 11, 1815.

Master Commandant , April 27, 1816, in command of Sloop-of-War "Erie,"  Mediterranean Squadron, Captain Isaac Chauncey, January 1, 1817.  Died at Pisa, Italy, October 10, 1818.

--Brock-Perry

Stephen Champlin-- Part 6: At York and Fort George

Stephen Champlin was appointed to the rank of sailing master on May 22, 1812; lieutenant on December 9, 1814; commander on June 22, 1838; captain on August 4, 1840 and commodore on April 4, 1867.

He was sent by Perry to the Great Lakes in 1813, in advance of Perry's main force.  Champlin left with 42 men and 2 officers and traveled by land from Albany, N.Y. to Sacketts Harbor on Lake Erie.  During the winter, he and his men fitted out the schooner Asp in preparation for an attack on Little York (Toronto) during which he was second in command.

After York, he took part in the Battle of Fort George.

After this, Perry ordered Champlin to Boston to try to secure men from the Bainbridge.  Upon return to Sackets Harbor, Chauncey asked him to go to Utica, NY, and collect a $36,000 draft and pay Mr. Van Rensselaer and return with the balance.

Two days after returning to Sackets Harbor, Chauncey ordered him to report to Perry with 3 officers and 71 men at Erie, Pennsylvania.

--Busy Guy.  --Brock-Perry

Burlington Heights Markers-- Part 2:

More markers on the Heights"

MARCH TO STONEY CREEK  (about 180 meters away from first marker).

"Theses ramparts were erected by British troops during the War of 1812-1815.  From this place on the night of June 5th 1813, 700 men  under the command of Lieut. Colonel Harvey, marched to Stoney Creek where they surprised and routed an American force of 3,750 men ridding the Niagara Peninsula of the invaders."

THE BURLINGTON RACES  (about 180 meters from the first one).

"On the morning of September 28, 1813, a powerfully-armed United States fleet comprising  ten ships under the command of Commodore Isaac Chauncey appeared off York (Toronto) .  The smaller fleet of six vessels, commanded by Commodore Sir James L. Yeo, was in the harbour, but on the approach os the enemy set sail to attack.

After a sharp engagement, the British squadron was forced to withdraw toward Burlington Bay where it could take refuge under the batteries on the adjacent heights.  A close chase ensued (hence, the Burlington Races), but by skillful seamanship, Yeo was able to bring his ships through the shallow channel in the sand-bar to the safety of the bay."

--Brock-Perry

HMS St. Lawrence-- Part 3: The Power on Lake Ontario

The St. Lawrence cost the British government 500,000 pounds.  It immediately became Commodore Sir Francis Lucas Yeo's flagship.This ship gave the British Navy unmatched domination of Lake Ontario.  The day of the launch, the American fleet under Isaac Chauncey showed up off Kingston and offered battle, hoping to engage the St. Lawrence before the crew was properly trained.

But, the British declined.

The St. Lawrence put to sea October 19 and was struck by lightning with a mast damaged and several deaths.  Later, there was an American attempt to destroy the St. Lawrence with a "torpedo" in Kingston Harbor.

Nothing came of it.

--Brock-Perry

The Armament of the USS Constitution Had Four Chambers Repeating Guns-- Part 2

In 1812, Joseph G. Chambers of Philadelphia produced a .75 caliber, seven barrel 7-shot repeating gun.  He received a patent for it in 1813 and that same year Secretary of the Navy Jones ordered ten for testing. Commodore William Bainbridge of the Boston Navy Yard conducted the tests and he considered them successful.

He reported this to Jones who then ordered a quantity of the new technology.  In April 1814, George Harrison of the U.S. Navy Depot in Philadelphia received instructions from Jones to send 15 of them "together with their apparatus" to Isaac Chauncey at Sackets Harbor.

Mr. Chambers and his two sons were hired to go along as instructors and trouble shooters.

--Brock-Perry

Machine Guns in the War of 1812-- Part 11: Never Used in Battle

But Chauncey's repeated attempts to bring his fleet to action with the British were hampered by shortages of equipment, weapons and men.  he was finally able to sail at the end of July.  The British, under Commodore Sir James Yeo had also found reasons to be inactive and the sailing season largely passed without confrontation.

Chauncey, now with the upper hand in the naval ship race on Lake Ontario, alternated his time between watching the British naval base at Kingston, Ontario, and waiting and guarding Sackets Harbor.

The season ended in the first week of November and with it, the naval war on the Great Lakes.

Chambers' marvelous repeating arms had never fired a shot in battle.

--Brock-Perry

Machine Guns in the War of 1812-- Part 10: Arming the Lake Ontario Ships With Chambers' Guns

On June 9th, 1814, Chauncey responded that: "The repeating Swivels and Muskets sent by Mr. Harrison shall receive a fair trial-- I have the highest opinion of their utility and effect upon the Enemy."

His new flagship, the frigate USS Superior, had been launched on May 1st and was then completing its fitting out.

Chauncey sent four each of the swivels to the Superior, frigate Mohawk and corvette General Pike.

--Brock-Perry

Machine Guns in the War of 1812-- Part 9: "A Truly Astonishing and Potent Weapon"

Joseph Chambers finally completed production of the immediate order and forwarded the arms to Sackets Harbor the next month, so that on May 27th, Secretary Jones was able to write to Commodore Chauncey that:  "Mr. Harrison has ... forwarded to you a number of repeating Swivels, Muskets and Pistols, with prepared ammunition and persons acquainted with the art of preparing the ammunition and loading the arms....

"They are a truly astonishing and potent weapon....  Two of those swivels on each Top, to be fired in succession upon the decks of your adversary, would not fail to clear to clear it entirely in five minutes."

High Praise for This New Technology.  --Bock-Perry

Machine Guns in the War of 1812-- Part 8: A Delay in Shipment

On 20 March, Secretary of the Navy Jones wrote to Joseph Chambers telling him that when the 50 swivels and 200 muskets were ready for shipment to Isaac Chauncey, he intended to appoint Chambers' son a gunner and have him accompany the weapons to Sackets Harbor to train squadron personnel in their loading and firing.  He also added 100 repeating pistols to the order.

Chambers responded on the 26th that he probably would have 30 swivels and 150 muskets ready by 1 May, and perhaps all the pistols.  But Chauncey wrote to Jones again on 30 March asking for "a few of those Seven barrel Swivels and Muskets that are preparing in Philadelphia."

A testy Jones sent a letter to Harrison to have 15 swivels, 50 muskets, and 50 pistols "put up immediately ... and forward [ed] forthwith" to Commodore Chauncey.

A Real Interest in These Machine Guns, But, What Was the Delay?  --Brock-Perry

Machine Guns in the War of 1812-- Part 5: Isaac Chauncey Wants Some for His Lake Ontario Fleet

On late 1813, Commodore Isaac Chauncey returned to his former command, the New York Navy Yard, to arrange more materials and supplies for his Lake Ontario squadron.,  At the time, the United States and Britain were hotly engaged in naval building programs for control of Lake Ontario.

While there, he visited Philadelphia and watched a demonstration of Chambers' weapons and was immensely impressed.  On 27 January 1814, he requested that 20 of the swivels and 100 muskets be sent to his squadron's base at Sackets Harbor, New York.

Secretary Jones went even further and directed a letter to Navy Agent Harrison to learn if 50 swivels and 200 muskets could be sent there.

--Brock-Perry

Back to Lawrence Rousseau-- Part 4: The USS Jefferson, Finally Some Action

The USS Jefferson finally received her cannons and sailed on 31 July and blockaded Niagara with the USS Sylph and USS Oneida, while the rest of Isaac Chauncey's fleet went to Kingston to blockade that British base.  After a month the Jefferson sailed to join Chauncey at Kingston.

A severe storm on September 12 almost sank the Jefferson which was almost swamped.  Ten guns had to be thrown overboard.

Back at Sackets Harbor, it was laid up for winter in November where it stayed as peace was declared early the next year.  The USS Erie's crew and Charles Ridgely returned to their ship.  It remained in ordinary until it was sold 30 April 1815.

--Brock-Perry

Back to Lawrence Rousseau-- Part 3: The USS Jefferson

From Wikipedia.

This is the second ship Lawrence Rousseau served on after he was on the USS Erie.

The USS Jefferson was a 117-foot long brig with a crew of 160 mounting sixteen 42-pdr. carronades and four 24-pdr. long guns.

It was built at Sackets Harbor for service in Commodore Isaac Chauncey's fleet on Lake Ontario.  It was launched 7 April 1814, and manned by the crew of the USS Erie which was laid up in Baltimore because of the British blockade there.  Its commander was Charles G. Ridgeley (Ridgely) who also commanded the Erie.

Most of its guns were not yet at Sackets Harbor when the British fleet arrived offshore on 19 May and started their blockade.

--Brock-Perry

Henry Eckford-- Part 5: Building Ships--Fast

The USS Madison, actually listed as a corvette, took only nine weeks from the cutting of the timber and 45 days from the laying of its keel to launch on November 26, 1812.  In November 1814, it took only five weeks to launch the frigate USS Mohawk and the schooner USS Sylph took just 21 days from keel to launch.

That Eckford could sure slap them together fast.

On May 1, 1814, U.S. Army troops on sentry duty at Sackets Harbor shot and killed a carpenter after the launch of the USS Superior.  An ensuing confrontation between them and shipyard workers  led to a threatened strike.  Eckford joined Commodore Chauncey of the Navy and Major General Jacob brown in diffusing the situation.

Eckford's efforts, along with Adam and Noah Brown were a big reason for American success on the Great Lakes.

--Brock-Perry

Henry Eckford-- Part 2: The Choice to Build U.S. Navy Great Lakes Ships

Henry Eckford ran in the big circles in New York City with Mayor DeWitt Clinton and John Jacob Astor.

The first ships he built for the U.S. navy were the Jeffersonian coastal gunboats.  In July 1808, he built the US Navy brig Oneida at Oswego, New York, on Lake Ontario.

During his career, he employed many apprentices who went on to great success.

WAR OF 1812

  Eckford offered his services to the U.S. Navy and Commodore Isaac Chauncey, placed in command of the naval forces on the Great Lakes, had been the master of an Eckford-built ship, the Beaver from 1806 to 1807 and had supervised construction of the gunboats, hired him to build his ships.  Plus, Eckford already had experience building ships along the Great Lakes.  Eckford was the obvious choice for shipbuilder.

--Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago: End of the "Shipbuilders' War"

I would have written about this yesterday, but we had no internet after the storms of Thursday.

American Commodore Isaac Chauncey and General Jacob Brown visit Kingston, Upper Canada.  They visit Commodore Sir Edward Campbell Rich Owen at the site of Britain's main naval establishment on the Great Lakes and home port of the Lake Ontario Squadron.

The trip cumulated with a social gathering aboard the British flagship, the ship-of-the-line HMS St. Lawrence after which Chauncey was honored with a 13-gun salute.

The event symbolized the end of the "Shipbuilders' War" on Lake Ontario and presaged the demilitarization of the Great Lakes formalized by the 1817 Rush-Bagot Agreement which continues to this day.

--Brock-Perry

USS Trippe-- Part 2: Blockade and Break Out

After the USS Trippe became a warship, it and others were bottled up by the British guns at Fort George until they joined troops under U.S. Colonel Winfield Scott and the fort was captured 27 May 1813.  The fall of Fort George also caused the British to evacuate Fort Erie.

With the river open, Isaac Chaucey's ships began passage of the Niagara Rapids on 6 June 1813 and one the 19th joined Oliver Hazard Perry's fleet at Erie, Pennsylvania.  In August they sailed to the western part of Lake Erie and made a base of operations at Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island

Next, the Battle of Lake Erie and the USS Trippe's Role.  --Brock-Perry

The Mosquito That Saved Canada?-- Part 3: Chauncey's Fleet

I read that Chauncey had nine ships at his disposal during this time and found the names of eight of them:

USS JONES:  brig mounting 16 42-pdr carroades, 4 long 24-pdrs
USS JEFFERSON:  same armament as the Jones
USS SYLPH:  schooner mounting 18 24-pdr. carronades and 2 9-pdrs.

USS ONEIDA:  brig mounting 18 24-pdr. carronades
USS MOHAWK:  frigate mounting 28 long 24-pdrs and 16 32-pdr. carronades
USS SUPERIOR: frigate mounting 30 32-pdr. Columbines, 2 long 24-pdr guns and 26 42-pdr carronades

USS GENERAL PIKE:  corvette mounting 28 24-pdrs.
USS MADISON:  corvette/sloop mounting 14 long 18-pdrs. and 8 32-pdr. carronades

--Brock-Perry

The Mosquito That Saved Canada?-- Part 2: Chauncey's Malaria and Slow Movement

Allen Taylor in his "The Civil War of 1812" said that in July 1814, the newly-built U.S. warships gave Lake Ontario's naval supremacy to Chauncey, who wanted the honor of defeating the British under James Yeo, himself.

As such, he wouldn't let a subordinate take the fleet out until he was well enough to do it himself.

Army officers at Sackets Harbor, the U.S. naval base, denounced Isaac Chauncey saying, "There was a time opportunity of fighting and winning the long wished for battle, but lost because the only man in the fleet who was not ready was its commanding officer."

--Brock-Perry