Dueling Frigates-- Part 7: Still Negotiating for That Duel

Presumably, had a frigate duel come to pass, with an American victory, at least that frigate would be free of the blockade and able to make its escape, since the rest of the British fleet would be held back from pursuing in the name of good sportsmanship. At least one of Decatur's ships would be free to roam.

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STILL NEGOTIATING FOR A SHIP-TO-SHIP DUEL

British officer Richard Coote, commander of the brig HMS Borer, was sent to Stephen by Thomas Hardy with Hardy's reply.    According to the Connecticut Gazette, the meeting went like this:

"Com. Decatur  offered to dismount (dismount cannons from his ships) until their force was precisely equal; but Captain Coote  replied, that they did not consider two or three guns of any consequence -- 'the difference  was in the men' --  'the crews were everything' -- because battles were commonly won by  boarders swarming aboard the enemy vessel."

--Brock-Perry

Dueling Frigates-- Part 6: Duel Turned Down

It was Decatur's thought that which ever American frigate fought the British one and won, she would be able to escape out to sea as the rest of the British fleet would be held back from chasing in the name of good sportsmanship.

Although the HMS Endymion was the largest and most heavily armed of the British frigates, Thomas Hardy decided not to put her in play as he was afraid it couldn't match the USS United States' fire power and he informed Decatur:  "I must consider it my duty (tho very contrary to the wishes of Captain Hope) to decline the invitation on his part."

But, speaking with naval etiquette, he continued:  "The Captains of His Britannic Majesty's ships under my orders, as well as myself, cannot too highly appreciate the gallant spirit that has led to the communication from you, sir,  and are equally convinced that no personal feelings toward each other can ever influence a laudible ambition to add to the Naval renown of our respective countries."

Of interest, the HMS Endymion engaged the even heavier armed USS President in 1815 and was victorious.

--Brock-Perry

Dueling Frigates-- Part 5: Setting Up a Frigate Duel

However, after the American single ship-to-ship victories in 1812 greatly embarrassed the Royal Navy, the British Admiralty ordered its captains not to engage the enemy ship-to-ship.  To comply with this order, Sir Thomas Hardy stated that he would not permit such action if the challenge were issued by a British commander.

On January 17, 1813, Decatur dispatched Captain James Biddle of the Hornet to issue an invitation to Hardy reading:  "If  Mr. Moran's statement be correct, it is evident that Captains Hope and Stackpoole have the laudable desire of engaging with their ships, the United States and the Macedonian.  --We, Sir, are ready and equally desirous  for such a meeting forthwith."

Hard turned the matter over to his captains, and Captain Hassard Stackpoole of the HMS Statira immediately replied:  "It will afford her Captain, officers and crew the greatest pleasure to meet Capt. Jones in the Macedonian to morrow, next day, or whenever such a meeting may better suit his purpose, let him only be pleased to appoint the day and place; say six or ten leagues [18 to 30 nautical miles] south on Montaug Point, or further if he pleases."

--Brock-Perry

Fort Sullivan, Maine-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Back in my July 11, 2014, blog entry, I posted about the capture of Fort Sullivan in what is today the state of Maine by the British 200 years earlier on that date.

Here is some more information about the fort.

It was also called Fort Sherbrooke and was at Eastport, Maine, opposite New Brunswick, Canada.

British Commander Sir Thomas Hardy captured the fort on July 11, 1814, and renamed it Fort Sherbrooke after John Coape Sherbrooke, governor of Nova Scotia.

It had been built by the U.S. Army 1808-1809, overseen by Major Lemuel Trescott.  It was built on a local feature called Clark's Hill and was a 4-gun circular earthwork with a wooden blockhouse and barracks.

--Brock-Perry

Update on Sandwich, Massachusetts: Sir Thomas Hardy and HMS Ramilles

The Commodore Harty referred to on Tuesday was most likely Sir Thomas Hardy (1769-1839) who served off the New England coast during the War of 1812.  He fought in the Napoleonic Wars and was at the battle of Trafalgar with Nelson before being sent to North America.

A 74-gun British warship was considered a 3rd Rate Ship-of-the-Line, not a frigate which usually didn't have more than 50 guns.

After Trafalgar, Hardy commanded the 3rd rate ship-of-the-line HMS Triumph and later the 3rd rate ship-of-the-line HMS Ramillies.  Most likely the ship off Sandwich was the Ramillies.

Hardy led the fleet that escorted the Army which captured significant portions of coastal Maine, then part of Massachusetts, including Fort Sullivan, Eastport, Machias, Bangor and Castine.

On 10 August 1814, a storming party from the Ramillies was defeated at Stonington Burrough.

--Brock-Perry