This date, the highly successful Confederate privateer during the Civil War, the Jefferson Davis, Captain Louis M. Coxetter, ran aground trying to enter St. Augustine, Florida, after having captured nine Union vessels.
You may wonder what this has to do with the War of 1812? The August 26, 1861, Charleston Mercury compared its success to that of the War of 1812 privateer Saucy Jack.
I have written quite a bit about the Saucy Jack in this blog.
So, That's What. --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 Privateer Saucy Jack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Privateer Saucy Jack. Show all posts
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Monday, December 28, 2015
Hurricanes: 1813 St. Marys, Georgia-- Part 5: Fernadina, Fla. Hit Too
"Gunboats ashore shouldn't be too damaged, a few new boats, 3 or 4 cables and anchors-- some canvas and carpenter work.
"The Gun Vessels and almost every Vessel on shore lay in the street.
"No. 6 lost rudder and channels.
"Nos 160 and 165 the ironwork of their rudder.
"The Saucy Jack, Privateer of Charleston, Laying Ready to sail is now laying high and dry on a marsh that must be at least five feet above the line of Low Tide. She draws 14 feet, seven feet being the Common Rise.
"The town has suffered much. Seven inhabited houses blown down but no lives lost.
"Fernadina has 20 houses blown down and every vessel in port drove on shore except a Swedish brig. Considerable amount of mercantile property destroyed."
It Was Sure a Bad One. --Brock-Perry
"The Gun Vessels and almost every Vessel on shore lay in the street.
"No. 6 lost rudder and channels.
"Nos 160 and 165 the ironwork of their rudder.
"The Saucy Jack, Privateer of Charleston, Laying Ready to sail is now laying high and dry on a marsh that must be at least five feet above the line of Low Tide. She draws 14 feet, seven feet being the Common Rise.
"The town has suffered much. Seven inhabited houses blown down but no lives lost.
"Fernadina has 20 houses blown down and every vessel in port drove on shore except a Swedish brig. Considerable amount of mercantile property destroyed."
It Was Sure a Bad One. --Brock-Perry
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Bomb Vessel HMS Volcano-- Part 2
After the Battle of Baltimore, the Volcano served on the Potomac River. On October 31, 1814, while escorting a merchantman to Jamaica, it was nearly captured by the 7-gun privateer Saucy Jack.
It was then sent to the Mississippi River with the bomb vessel HMS Aetna, and the HMS Herald (18 guns), HMS Thistle (12 guns), HMS Pygmy (11 guns). They participated in the bombardment of Fort St. Philip, downriver from New Orleans.
After the retreat from New Orleans, it sailed the Gulf Coast and in the siege of Fort Bowyer by Molbile.
It was sold at Dortsmouth 28 August 1816.
--Brock-Perry
It was then sent to the Mississippi River with the bomb vessel HMS Aetna, and the HMS Herald (18 guns), HMS Thistle (12 guns), HMS Pygmy (11 guns). They participated in the bombardment of Fort St. Philip, downriver from New Orleans.
After the retreat from New Orleans, it sailed the Gulf Coast and in the siege of Fort Bowyer by Molbile.
It was sold at Dortsmouth 28 August 1816.
--Brock-Perry
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Fla.-Ga. Sept. 16-17 Hurricane-- Part 2" A Major Hurricane and the Saucy Jack
The descriptions of the damage, storm surge and wind directions make it clear that this was what has to be classified as a major hurricane, not just a regular one.
It made landfall at St. Marys River and proceeded some distance inland. Its fury was also felt along the Georgia coast.
A letter from Commodore Hugh Campbell, commanding the naval forces at St. Marys to the Secretary of the Navy included: "The Saucy Jack privateer of Charleston, lying ready to sail, is now lying high and dry on a marsh that must be at least five feet above the level of low tide. She draws 14 feet, seven feet being the common rise." This would indicate a storm surge of at least 19 feet above Mean Low Water.
--Brock-Perry
It made landfall at St. Marys River and proceeded some distance inland. Its fury was also felt along the Georgia coast.
A letter from Commodore Hugh Campbell, commanding the naval forces at St. Marys to the Secretary of the Navy included: "The Saucy Jack privateer of Charleston, lying ready to sail, is now lying high and dry on a marsh that must be at least five feet above the level of low tide. She draws 14 feet, seven feet being the common rise." This would indicate a storm surge of at least 19 feet above Mean Low Water.
--Brock-Perry
Thursday, June 4, 2015
American Privateer Saucy Jack-- Part 6: Unparalleled With Any Southern Privateer
From Carolina Ships-in-Bottle-- handcrafted by Jim "Goose" Goodwin.
You can buy your very own model of the privateer Saucy Jack in a bottle. Price for a hal gallon bottle with a lighthouse is $165 and a hal gallon jug with stand is $180.
Length of the Saucy Jack was 90 feet, 170 tons and 7-13 guns.
After cruises under Thos. Jervey (3 captured vessels) and Captain Peter Sicard on second cruise in April 1813, the Saucy Jack was then commanded by John P. Chazal for the rest of the war. The ship and captain were a good fit.
During several cruises, they captured 5 ships, 4 brigs, 7 schooners and 2 sloops. They often put into Savannah, a safe haven for them. While there on September 21, 1814, its fore mast was struck by lightning and the bolt exited at the stern..
After repairs, the Saucy Jack departed and returned on November 28th with another prize and returned to Charleston on New Year's Eve. When word of the end of the war reached Charleston in february 1815, the Saucy Jack became a merchant ship.
"Her captures, engagements with foreign ships, and narrow escapes were unparalleled with any Southern privateer."
--Brock-Perry
You can buy your very own model of the privateer Saucy Jack in a bottle. Price for a hal gallon bottle with a lighthouse is $165 and a hal gallon jug with stand is $180.
Length of the Saucy Jack was 90 feet, 170 tons and 7-13 guns.
After cruises under Thos. Jervey (3 captured vessels) and Captain Peter Sicard on second cruise in April 1813, the Saucy Jack was then commanded by John P. Chazal for the rest of the war. The ship and captain were a good fit.
During several cruises, they captured 5 ships, 4 brigs, 7 schooners and 2 sloops. They often put into Savannah, a safe haven for them. While there on September 21, 1814, its fore mast was struck by lightning and the bolt exited at the stern..
After repairs, the Saucy Jack departed and returned on November 28th with another prize and returned to Charleston on New Year's Eve. When word of the end of the war reached Charleston in february 1815, the Saucy Jack became a merchant ship.
"Her captures, engagements with foreign ships, and narrow escapes were unparalleled with any Southern privateer."
--Brock-Perry
American Privateer Saucy Jack-- Part 6: Chazal Takes Command
In April 1813, command of the Saucy Jack was turned over to John P. Chazal who commanded her for the rest of the war. he had a crew of 150 and also 1st Lt. Dale Carr, 2nd Lt. Lewis Jantzen and Surgeon Dr. James McBride. Chazal, Jantzen and McBride were all formerly of the Defiance (probably also a privateer).
The Saucy Jack and captain John P. Chazal proved to be a good match and a very profitable one for its owner, John Everingham.
The 19800-1830 census showed that John Everingham lived in Charleston, S.C., and the city directory listed him as a merchant. Court records show he owned or co-owned several ships. Evidently, he was the sole owner of the schooner Doris.
In 1813, he is shown as co-owner of the privateer General Armstrong (but this iwas not the more famous New York registered General Armstrong). Cemetery records list his death as in 1831.
--Brock-Perry
The Saucy Jack and captain John P. Chazal proved to be a good match and a very profitable one for its owner, John Everingham.
The 19800-1830 census showed that John Everingham lived in Charleston, S.C., and the city directory listed him as a merchant. Court records show he owned or co-owned several ships. Evidently, he was the sole owner of the schooner Doris.
In 1813, he is shown as co-owner of the privateer General Armstrong (but this iwas not the more famous New York registered General Armstrong). Cemetery records list his death as in 1831.
--Brock-Perry
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
American Privateer Saucy Jack-- Part 5: First Two Cruises and St. Marys Hurricane
The Saucy Jack's first impressive capture was the brig William Rathbone which had 14 guns anda 40,000 pound cargo. Another capture was the sloop Brothers. On its first cruise, under Capt. Thos. Jervey, the Saucy Jack captured three ships.
The second cruise was under Captain Peter Sicard who took over on October 31st. It captured four vessels on that cruise. In December 1812, with the privateer Two Brothers out of New Orleans, it captured the brig Antrim. Then on January 19, 1813 they captured the Mentor. Both prizes reached New Orleans safely and were reportedly worth $150,000.
Money in the pocket for the Saucy Jack's crew.
In September 1812 (might be 1813), Capt. Sicard and the Saucy Jack entered the St. Marys River and were at St. Marys, Georgia, with two prizes. This might have been when I read that the Saucy Jack was driven ashore by the Georgia-Florida Hurricane of 1813 (September 17th) struck. It then headed for Charleston, which it reached April 12, 1813.
Along the way home, it encountered the Spanish ship La Vincinte with ten long guns and 40 men. A fight ensued and two men were wounded.
Again, these are confusing dates.
--Brock-Perry
The second cruise was under Captain Peter Sicard who took over on October 31st. It captured four vessels on that cruise. In December 1812, with the privateer Two Brothers out of New Orleans, it captured the brig Antrim. Then on January 19, 1813 they captured the Mentor. Both prizes reached New Orleans safely and were reportedly worth $150,000.
Money in the pocket for the Saucy Jack's crew.
In September 1812 (might be 1813), Capt. Sicard and the Saucy Jack entered the St. Marys River and were at St. Marys, Georgia, with two prizes. This might have been when I read that the Saucy Jack was driven ashore by the Georgia-Florida Hurricane of 1813 (September 17th) struck. It then headed for Charleston, which it reached April 12, 1813.
Along the way home, it encountered the Spanish ship La Vincinte with ten long guns and 40 men. A fight ensued and two men were wounded.
Again, these are confusing dates.
--Brock-Perry
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
American Privateer Saucy Jack-- Part 4: Launched With Much Fanfare
From the Everingham Family History Record 2014 "The Saucy Jack, An Everingham owned American Privateer Schooner: Legal Pirate of the War of 1812."
Privateer schooner,, 90-foot deck, 24-foot beam, 170 tons, mounted anywhere from six to thirteen guns at various times during the War of 1812. Its third commission list shows it had nine 12-pdr guns and a crew of 150. Some logs also show that at times it had two long guns.
The Saucy Jack was Charleston-based and launched with much fanfare August 6, 1812 by Pritchard and Shrewberry Yard on the Cooper River in Charleston. Its first captain was Thos. Jervey.
It was by far the most successful privateer to operate out of Charleston. It was painted black with a white streak along her side to give a very formidable look.
--Brock-Perry
Privateer schooner,, 90-foot deck, 24-foot beam, 170 tons, mounted anywhere from six to thirteen guns at various times during the War of 1812. Its third commission list shows it had nine 12-pdr guns and a crew of 150. Some logs also show that at times it had two long guns.
The Saucy Jack was Charleston-based and launched with much fanfare August 6, 1812 by Pritchard and Shrewberry Yard on the Cooper River in Charleston. Its first captain was Thos. Jervey.
It was by far the most successful privateer to operate out of Charleston. It was painted black with a white streak along her side to give a very formidable look.
--Brock-Perry
American Privateer Saucy Jack-- Part 3: Owned by John Everingham
A comment was written to the article in the last post I made.
It said the Chazal family never owned the Saucy Jack. John Everingham owned the ship. Thomas Jervey was its first captain and then John Chazal took it over for the rest of the war.
Captain Chazal had captured the Amelia and Kingston Packet on his first voyage as a privateer in the Mary Ann and took them into Charleston.
--Brock-Perr
It said the Chazal family never owned the Saucy Jack. John Everingham owned the ship. Thomas Jervey was its first captain and then John Chazal took it over for the rest of the war.
Captain Chazal had captured the Amelia and Kingston Packet on his first voyage as a privateer in the Mary Ann and took them into Charleston.
--Brock-Perr
American Privateer Saucy Jack-- Part 2: 40+ Prizes
Jean Pierre Chazal was the captain of the Saucy Jack for most of its career and during its career, the privateer captured over forty British vessels. Lots of prize money for the captain, officers and crew. Thomas Hall Jervey (1778-1846) commanded the ship on its first cruise.
The Saucy Jack's signal book recently came up for auction and consists of ten pages. One page had nine hand-drawn and colored signals and 90 separate instructions for combinations of those flags. One is for "rendezvous in Savannah," another "rendezvous in Wilmington" and yet another for "engage the enemy on her weather bow."
--Brock-Perry
The Saucy Jack's signal book recently came up for auction and consists of ten pages. One page had nine hand-drawn and colored signals and 90 separate instructions for combinations of those flags. One is for "rendezvous in Savannah," another "rendezvous in Wilmington" and yet another for "engage the enemy on her weather bow."
--Brock-Perry
Monday, June 1, 2015
American Privateer Saucy Jack-- Part 1: Charleston-Based
In the last entry I mentioned that the HMS Sappho, which captured a prize of the Saucy Jack and also engaged Gunboat No. 168 at Fernadina, Florida, before war was declared and also was at St. Marys when the Hurricane of September 17, 1813 struck and was run aground by the surge.
I decided it was time to find out some more about this, what turns out, was one of the more successful privateers in American service.
From Foundery site "The Saucy Jack -- American Pirate Ship." Most likely calling the Saucy Jack a pirate ship would indicate a British source.
The Saucy Jack was owned by the Chazal family and operated out of Charleston, South Carolina. It was one of dozens of privateers operating from that port. The Chazals were from Santo Domingo and were refugees to Charleston in 1794 because of the slave rebellion there.
Jean Pierre Chazal captained the Saucy Jack.
A Pirate's Life for Me. --Brock-Perry
I decided it was time to find out some more about this, what turns out, was one of the more successful privateers in American service.
From Foundery site "The Saucy Jack -- American Pirate Ship." Most likely calling the Saucy Jack a pirate ship would indicate a British source.
The Saucy Jack was owned by the Chazal family and operated out of Charleston, South Carolina. It was one of dozens of privateers operating from that port. The Chazals were from Santo Domingo and were refugees to Charleston in 1794 because of the slave rebellion there.
Jean Pierre Chazal captained the Saucy Jack.
A Pirate's Life for Me. --Brock-Perry
Saturday, May 30, 2015
HMS Sappho Takes Saucy Jack's Prize
I missed this bit of information on the Sappho.
On July 17, 1813, the Sappho recaptured the Eliza, which had been captured three days earlier by the American privateer Saucy Jack. It took the Eliza to Jamaica.
This is the privateer that was wrecked at St. Marys by the September 17, 1813 hurricane that did so much damage.
The Sappho also captured the Sisters near Totugas.
--Brock-Perry
On July 17, 1813, the Sappho recaptured the Eliza, which had been captured three days earlier by the American privateer Saucy Jack. It took the Eliza to Jamaica.
This is the privateer that was wrecked at St. Marys by the September 17, 1813 hurricane that did so much damage.
The Sappho also captured the Sisters near Totugas.
--Brock-Perry
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
The Georgia-Florida Hurricane of 1813-- Part 2
The 16-17 September 1813 hurricane was part of an especially bad hurricane season in 1813. Hurricanes were particularly active along the North Atlantic and two really bad storms hit the coasts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. The other one hit 27 August of that year.
The Hurricane of 16-17 approached landfall from the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea and pounded north Florida and south Georgia.
The renowned Charleston privateer Saucy Jack was at St. Marys, Georgia, with the gunboats and was in the process of preparing to sail. It was hit and driven into the marsh and left high and dry five feet above the low water mark.. And, it had a draft of 14 feet.
--Brock-Perry
The Hurricane of 16-17 approached landfall from the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea and pounded north Florida and south Georgia.
The renowned Charleston privateer Saucy Jack was at St. Marys, Georgia, with the gunboats and was in the process of preparing to sail. It was hit and driven into the marsh and left high and dry five feet above the low water mark.. And, it had a draft of 14 feet.
--Brock-Perry
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