HMS Asia-- Part 2: Took Part in the War of 1812 at Baltimore and New Orleans

The Asia was off the Chesapeake Bay in the United States in July 1814.  The Royal Marine Artillery Company of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Marines were ferried from Bermuda to the Chesapeake aboard the Asia, via the HMS Tonnant. 

During the bombardment of Fort McHenry, guarding Baltimore, the Asia was anchored off the city along with the Seahorse, Surprise and Severn.

Later, the Asia was one of Admiral Cockburn's fleet at New Orleans  at the start of 1815 in support of the attack on Andrew Jackson's position.  Some 107 Royal marines disembarked from the ship to assist in the attack.

In 1819, the Asia was renamed the HMS Alfred.  From 1822 to 1829, the Asia was reduced  to a 50-gun fourth rate frigate and was eventually broken up in 1865.

--Brock-Perry

Stephen Champlin-- Part 20: Capture of the Scorpion

Just after dark, the now-captured Tigress anchored about two miles from the Scorpion.  Shortly before sun rise the next day the Tigress raised anchor and moved toward the Scorpion.  When they got within ten yards, the disguised British opened fire with their muskets then swarmed aboard the Scorpion.

The battle only lasted a few minutes.  Champlin was severely wounded by a canister shot through the thigh which shattered the bone, crippling him for life.

He was taken prisoner and held at Mackinac for 38 days before being paroled and being sent first to Erie and later back to Connecticut to die which didn't happen until 1870.

The captured American vessels were renamed.  The Scorpion became the Confidence (do not get it confused with the HMS Confiance which I have seen happen) and the Tigress became the Surprise (which it sure did to the Scorpion).  They remained in British service until 1817 when the Rush-Bagot Treaty was signed banning armed warships on the Great Lakes.

The two ships were then scuttled in Pentantaguishene Harbor.

Like I said, Sneaky British.  --Brock-Perry

USS Tigress-- Part 5: After the War

Both the HMS Surprise (USS Tigress) and HMS Confiance (USS Scorpion) served with the Royal Navy until the end of the war and since there were no other American vessels on Lake Huron, gave the British Navy superiority.

They were laid up after the war and allowed to sink at their moorings in the Grand River.

One of the wrecks was recovered from the Penetanguishene Bay in 1953 was not the Tigress as thought, but the HMS Tecumseth which is now the Tecumseth Center at the north end of Discovery Harbor,

--Brock-Perry

USS Tigress-- Part 4: The USS Scorpion Captured As Well

The survivors of the USS Tigress were sent ashore as prisoners of war.  The majority of the British stayed on board the Tigress and kept the American flag flying in hopes of luring the other American ship, the Scorpion close enough to capture.

The Scorpion arrived September 6 and anchored two miles away from the Tigress.  British Lt. Worsley got the Tigress under way and ran it alongside the Scorpion and captured her as well.

Both ships and their captured crews were taken to Mackinac Island where the ships were renamed the HMS Surpise (Tigress) and HMS Confiance (Scorpion).

--Brock-Perry

HMS Surprise: Captured Capt. Nichols

From Wikipedia.  Frigate commissioned in September 1812 under the command of Sir Thomas John Cochrane.  150.4 feet long. Mounted 38 guns.

Captured the 12-gun privateer Decatur 16 Jan. 1813, which was under the command of Captain William Nichols.

Took part in the attack on Washington and the attack on Baltimore.  Converted into a prison hulk in 1822 and sold in 1837.

There is a replica HMS Surprise built in 1970 in Nova Scotia, but it is based on the HMS Rose, a 20-gun 6th rate frigate.

--Brock-Perry