Both the USS Essex and USS Constitution had many sailors from Marblehead in their crews as did privateers from Salem.
There was a distinct danger to Marblehead from the sea. It was decided at a Town Meeting to reinforce the arsenal and Fort Sewall at the mouth of the harbor which had been neglected and falling into disrepair ever since the Revolution.
To protect Little Harbor, Fountain Park was fortified with a battery of cannons as designated as Fort Washington.
A 42-pounder was placed at Skinner's Head (now Glover's Landing). Smaller cannons were placed at Goodwin's Head and Gilberts Heights. Guards were stationed at Marblehead Neck.
--Brock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
Showing posts with label Marblehead Massachusetts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marblehead Massachusetts. Show all posts
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Marblehead and the War of 1812-- Part 1: Unpopular War, Privateers
From the Dec. 31, 2014,Wicked Local "Marblehead 101: Marblehead and the War of 1812" by Pam Robertson.
The war of 1812 was not popular in the state of Massachusetts or New England. It hurt their maritime business interests with the constant threat of British seizure of their ships.. The town of Marblehead was still struggling with poverty as a result of the Revolutionary War 30 years prior.
However, many of its captains became privateers under letters of marque received from President Madison. This gave them the right to capture foreign ships and confiscate their cargoes.
Some of Marblehead's privateers:
CONCORDIA-- owned by the Blackler family and John Pedrick
ORIENT
BETSEY-- captured off Newfoundland
--Brock-Perry
The war of 1812 was not popular in the state of Massachusetts or New England. It hurt their maritime business interests with the constant threat of British seizure of their ships.. The town of Marblehead was still struggling with poverty as a result of the Revolutionary War 30 years prior.
However, many of its captains became privateers under letters of marque received from President Madison. This gave them the right to capture foreign ships and confiscate their cargoes.
Some of Marblehead's privateers:
CONCORDIA-- owned by the Blackler family and John Pedrick
ORIENT
BETSEY-- captured off Newfoundland
--Brock-Perry
Thursday, February 19, 2015
USS Hannah: First Ship in U.S. Navy-- Part 1
From Wikipedia.
Back on Feb. 4th, I wrote about Glover Broughton who fought during the War of 1812. His grandfather, Captain Nicholson Broughton commanded the Hannah, the first ship commissioned for general Washington in the American Revolution. I'd never heard of this ship so did some fast Wiki research.
The USS Hannah was a schooner commissioned 2 September 1775 and decommissioned in October 1776. As such, it was the first armed American naval vessel ever. It was 78 tons and mounted four 4-pdr. guns. It was owned by John Glover's (Clover Broughton's great grandfather) in-laws of Marblehead, Massachusetts.
It was named for his wife Hannah and tye crew was made up primarily Marbleheaders.
A Sailing We Will Go During the Revolution. --Brock-Perry
Back on Feb. 4th, I wrote about Glover Broughton who fought during the War of 1812. His grandfather, Captain Nicholson Broughton commanded the Hannah, the first ship commissioned for general Washington in the American Revolution. I'd never heard of this ship so did some fast Wiki research.
The USS Hannah was a schooner commissioned 2 September 1775 and decommissioned in October 1776. As such, it was the first armed American naval vessel ever. It was 78 tons and mounted four 4-pdr. guns. It was owned by John Glover's (Clover Broughton's great grandfather) in-laws of Marblehead, Massachusetts.
It was named for his wife Hannah and tye crew was made up primarily Marbleheaders.
A Sailing We Will Go During the Revolution. --Brock-Perry
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Glover Broughton-- Part 2
Glover Broughton and his brother took command of ships before they were 21.
He was a seaman on the privateer America out of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1812, and was captured and sent to the infamous Dartmoor Prison in 1815. This was the main location for American prisoners, many of them Marblehead men.
While there, he drew a map of the circular prison which is still used as a resource today.
Broughton survived Dartmoor and returned to the United States and became a wealthy and successful merchant.
After retirement from the sea, he became very involved with Marblehead. One thing he did was help War of 1812 veterans to get benefits. Back then, pensions and compensation did not come automatically and had to be applied for.
--Brock-Perry
He was a seaman on the privateer America out of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1812, and was captured and sent to the infamous Dartmoor Prison in 1815. This was the main location for American prisoners, many of them Marblehead men.
While there, he drew a map of the circular prison which is still used as a resource today.
Broughton survived Dartmoor and returned to the United States and became a wealthy and successful merchant.
After retirement from the sea, he became very involved with Marblehead. One thing he did was help War of 1812 veterans to get benefits. Back then, pensions and compensation did not come automatically and had to be applied for.
--Brock-Perry
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Glover Broughton (1796-1869) of Marblehead, Massachusetts-- Part 1
From the Jan. 29, 2015, Wicked Local Marblehead "Marblehead 101: Clover Broughton (1796-1869" by Pam Peterson.
Glover Broughton was the grandson of Captain Nicholson Broughton of the Hannah, the first ship commissioned for general Washington's fleet in the Revolutionary War. Also, his great grandfather, General John Glover, was a hero of the Revolution.
His father enlisted in the Continental Army at age 13 and was a merchant and privateer after the war. He was captured several times by the British and died in Martinique in 1804 at the age 40.
Glover Broughton and his brother John sailed on their father's ships from an early age.
More to Come. --Brock-Perry
Glover Broughton was the grandson of Captain Nicholson Broughton of the Hannah, the first ship commissioned for general Washington's fleet in the Revolutionary War. Also, his great grandfather, General John Glover, was a hero of the Revolution.
His father enlisted in the Continental Army at age 13 and was a merchant and privateer after the war. He was captured several times by the British and died in Martinique in 1804 at the age 40.
Glover Broughton and his brother John sailed on their father's ships from an early age.
More to Come. --Brock-Perry
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Three Important War of 1812 Marblehead Men
From yesterday's blog entry from the Marblehead Reporter.
ELBRIDGE GERRY-- U.S. Congressman, governor of Massachusetts, vice president under James Madison 1813-1814. His name applied to the political process known as gerrymandering.
JOSEPH STORY-- U.S. Congressman, U.S. Supreme Court from 1811 until 1845. He was 32 when appointed, the youngest-ever supreme court justice.
SAMUEL SEWALL-- U.S. Congressman and Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court and for whom Fort Sewall named.
Seems Like Marblehead Sure Had a Lot of U.S. Congressmen. --Brock-Perry
ELBRIDGE GERRY-- U.S. Congressman, governor of Massachusetts, vice president under James Madison 1813-1814. His name applied to the political process known as gerrymandering.
JOSEPH STORY-- U.S. Congressman, U.S. Supreme Court from 1811 until 1845. He was 32 when appointed, the youngest-ever supreme court justice.
SAMUEL SEWALL-- U.S. Congressman and Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court and for whom Fort Sewall named.
Seems Like Marblehead Sure Had a Lot of U.S. Congressmen. --Brock-Perry
The USS Constitution in Marblehead, Massachusetts
From Wikipedia
Yesterday, I mentioned the USS Constitution entering Marblehead Harbor and the guns of Fort Sewall protecting the ship from British pursuit. Here's a follow-up.
At the time, the Constitution was under the command of Captain Charles Stewart who took command of the ship in Boston in 1813 and made two cruises.
On the first, the ship sailed from Boston Decemeber 31st for the West Indies and captured five merchant ships and the 14-gun HMS Pictou. It chased the HMS Columbine and Pique, but both ships got away.
Off Bermuda, it was discovered that the mainmast had split and in need of immediate repair. The ship headed for Boston. On April 3rd, two British frigates, the HMS Junon and Tenedos sighted the Constitution and gave chase.
To gain speed, Stewart had the drinking water and food thrown overboard as he redirected the ship to Marblehead The very last item thrown overboard were the ship's spirits.
The citizens of Marblehead assembled what cannons they had at Fort Sewall and the British ships withdrew. Two weeks later, the Constitution made its way to Boston where it was blockaded for eight months.
Back on July 21, 1997, the USS Constitution sailed for the first time to Marblehead Harbor.
A Close-Call for the Constitution. --Brock-Perry
Yesterday, I mentioned the USS Constitution entering Marblehead Harbor and the guns of Fort Sewall protecting the ship from British pursuit. Here's a follow-up.
At the time, the Constitution was under the command of Captain Charles Stewart who took command of the ship in Boston in 1813 and made two cruises.
On the first, the ship sailed from Boston Decemeber 31st for the West Indies and captured five merchant ships and the 14-gun HMS Pictou. It chased the HMS Columbine and Pique, but both ships got away.
Off Bermuda, it was discovered that the mainmast had split and in need of immediate repair. The ship headed for Boston. On April 3rd, two British frigates, the HMS Junon and Tenedos sighted the Constitution and gave chase.
To gain speed, Stewart had the drinking water and food thrown overboard as he redirected the ship to Marblehead The very last item thrown overboard were the ship's spirits.
The citizens of Marblehead assembled what cannons they had at Fort Sewall and the British ships withdrew. Two weeks later, the Constitution made its way to Boston where it was blockaded for eight months.
Back on July 21, 1997, the USS Constitution sailed for the first time to Marblehead Harbor.
A Close-Call for the Constitution. --Brock-Perry
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Marblehead's Fort Sewall
From the Town of Marblehead site.
Now a peaceful park on what was originally known as Gale's Head and renamed for Marblehead native Samuel Sewall, a Massachusetts supreme court justice.
It biggest battle took place on April 3, 1814, when it provided cover for the USS Constitution which had been pursued by two British frigates into the harbor.
The fort was deeded by the federal government to the town in 1922 and is on the NRHP. It still has bunkers and underground rooms once used for prisoners.
From Wikipedia.
Located on Fort Sewall Promontory and originally founded in 1646 as breastworks, then enlarged in 1742 as defense against the French and again in 1794. In the War of 1812, a company was mustered into service there and in 1814 renamed for Samuel Sewall.
Brock-Perry
Now a peaceful park on what was originally known as Gale's Head and renamed for Marblehead native Samuel Sewall, a Massachusetts supreme court justice.
It biggest battle took place on April 3, 1814, when it provided cover for the USS Constitution which had been pursued by two British frigates into the harbor.
The fort was deeded by the federal government to the town in 1922 and is on the NRHP. It still has bunkers and underground rooms once used for prisoners.
From Wikipedia.
Located on Fort Sewall Promontory and originally founded in 1646 as breastworks, then enlarged in 1742 as defense against the French and again in 1794. In the War of 1812, a company was mustered into service there and in 1814 renamed for Samuel Sewall.
Brock-Perry
Unable to Find Out Anything About Marblehead's Fort Washington
Did a search, but nothing came up about Marblehead's Fort Washington at today;s Fountain Park other than it was also a fort during the American Revolution.
I wonder what happened to it?
By the way, any of you wondering what a "head" would be by the sea, it is a piece of high land, a promontory.
I did find out a little about Fort Sewall, however, and will write about that next.
Brock-Perry
I wonder what happened to it?
By the way, any of you wondering what a "head" would be by the sea, it is a piece of high land, a promontory.
I did find out a little about Fort Sewall, however, and will write about that next.
Brock-Perry
Marblehead's Role in the War of 1812
From the August 15, 1812, Marblehead (Mass) Reporter "Two talks to highlight Marblehead's role in War of 1812."
The two talks will be held August 18th and 19th at Marblehead, Massachusetts's Fountain Park.
Fountain Park, overlooking the Atlantic and Marblehead's two harbors, was the site of a fort on Baily's Head, whose name was changed to Fort Washington during 1812. The larger fort across from it on Gale's Head was renamed Fort Sewall after Marblehead's Samuel Sewall.
This weekend also marks the 200th anniversary of the USS Constitution's victory over the HMS Guerriere. The British ship had been a French frigate until captured in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars.
Out of a 6,000 population in Marblehead in 1812, some 1,000 men and boys served against the British Navy.
Getting Into the Act. --Brock-Perry
The two talks will be held August 18th and 19th at Marblehead, Massachusetts's Fountain Park.
Fountain Park, overlooking the Atlantic and Marblehead's two harbors, was the site of a fort on Baily's Head, whose name was changed to Fort Washington during 1812. The larger fort across from it on Gale's Head was renamed Fort Sewall after Marblehead's Samuel Sewall.
This weekend also marks the 200th anniversary of the USS Constitution's victory over the HMS Guerriere. The British ship had been a French frigate until captured in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars.
Out of a 6,000 population in Marblehead in 1812, some 1,000 men and boys served against the British Navy.
Getting Into the Act. --Brock-Perry
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