U.S. Navy in War of 1812-- Part 3: That Impressment Thing and Other Affronts Lead to War

The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, as it came to be known, enraged the American public and embarrassed the Navy.  President Jefferson levied a big embargo against the British and the British Admiralty recalled the Leopard's commander and admitted the error.   The situation deescalated  and soon was replaced with Vice President Aaron Burr's  conspiracy and trial for treason.

Actually, the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair didn't end until 1820, when the disgraced American commander of the Cheasapeake, James Barron, challenged American naval hero Stephen Decatur to a duel stemming from it and killed Decatur.

But, impressments continued.  Since 1800, Great Britain had captured 917 American ships and impressed 6,257 American seamen.

On June 1, 1812, President James Madison spoke before Congress, citing British impressment of American sailors, disregard for American sovereignty and plundering of American commerce, and asked that a state of war be declared.

With support from the War Hawks, who were seeking to gain control of Canada, Congress declared war on June 18, 1812.  Ironically, the British had rescinded the Orders in Council two days earlier.

--Brock-Perry

Mr. Jefferson's Gunboat Navy-- Part 2

President Thomas Jefferson had two alternatives at this point.  Either it was to be war or an economic embargo.  There was no way the United States was ready for a war with the most powerful country in the world (nor were we in 1812).  So, cessation of trade with any countries interfering with American trade was the order of the day.  In December 1807, the Embargo Act was passed.

Jefferson believed that a suitable naval force for the young country should consist of small gunboats to defend coastal waters so he ordered a cutback in construction of major vessels like frigates (the USS Constitution).  Small gunboats were built.  After all, they had been effective at Tripoli in the Barbary Wars.

These gunboats mostly just carried a number and were 50 feet long, 18 feet wide and shallow draft for use in coastal waters.  These were not offensive weapons.  The ships had different riggings and could be either powered by sail or oars.  A crew of twenty manned the boat which carried 2-3 guns: 18-to 24- pound swivel mounted or 32-pounders mounted on travering carriages weighing 7,000 pounds.

These ships would not fare well in rough seas or against a heavy enemy warship.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

Hell's Gate, Vermont

Definitely an interesting name that I came across when writing in my Civil War Navy blog concerning the capture of  a blockade-runner at Hell Gate, Georgia.  I'd never heard of it so had to do some more research. Turns out, it is a channel near Savannah.  Then, I found out the captured runner became a US Navy ship on blockade duty and also towed a monitor to South Carolina.  Its first commander went on to become a rear admiral and commanded the monitor USS Saugus at the Battles of Fort Fisher.

Well, anyway, back to this Hell's Gate in Vermont.  Turns out it is a name that a Vermont town is called and that it got that name from the War of 1812.  I'd never heard of a Georgia, Vermont.

From the Hell's Gate Vineyard site.

Georgia, Vermont was given that during the War of 1812.  An embargo on Canadian goods was established. The war was not popular among New Englanders in general.  Vermonters began a substantial trade with Canada in spite of the embargo.

The citizens of Georgia, however, chose to support it and created a blockade to stop the illegal trade causing the smugglers to give the town the name "Hell's Gate."  That name stuck for many years, even after those who remembered why it came to be were gone.

Today, the town, located in Franklin County and bordering Canada, has a population of 4,375.

Civil War General George J. Stannard was born there and cmmanded Vermont troops.  After the war, he served as Doorkeeper to the US House of Representatives.

Stuff You Didn't Know.  --Brock-Perry