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

Captain Hassard Stackpoole, Royal Navy

From the New London (Ct.) County Historical Society  "British Royal Navy Figures."

HASSARD STACKPOLLE (1769-1814)

Born in Limerick, Ireland, and joined the HMS Termagent in 1783.  He was promoted to lieutenant in 1795 and was in command of the HMS Iphagenia when she burned  at Egypt in 1801.

He was promoted to captain in 1802.  While serving on the HMS Tonnant in 1810, Lieutenant Thomas W. Cecil remarked that Stackpoole  "drew a long bow" (lied).

Stackpoole was in command of the HMS Statira by 1811 and served off New London 1813-1814, and was involved in setting up and arrangement for a "duel" between the former sister ships USS Macedonian  (former HMS Macedonian) and Statira in January 1814.

That didn't come to pass.

Stackpoole later encountered Lt. Cecil (from the HMS Tonnant) in Jamaica and challenged him to a duel.  The usually sure-shot Stackpoole  was killed by Cecil (who had no dueling experience) in one of the most notorious examples of dueling in the British Navy.

--Brock-Don't-Shoot Perry