Jesse Elliott, USN-- Part 5: Honors and Major Controversy

HONORS

On January 6, 1814, both Perry and Elliott received Congressional Gold Medals and the Thanks of Congress.  This was in recognition of the first-time ever capture of an entire British squadron at the Battle of Lake Erie.  In addition, each man received an equal portion of the prize money ($7,140 apiece)  

In recognition of Perry's position as commodore of the squadron, Congress gave him an extra $5,000.  This became a bone of contention with Elliott.

CONTROVERSY

Even before the medals were awarded, Elliott and Perry became embroiled in a 30-year battle over their respective conduct and fault in the battle.  This extended even beyond Perry's death in 1819.  Perry claimed that Elliott had failed to offer timely support; Elliott decried there was a lack of communication and signals on Perry's part.

In 1818, Perry drew up a list of charges against Elliott, but was evidently dissuaded by the Secretary of the Navy against formally filing them.

And it still wasn't over, even in death.

--Brock-Perry

Jacob Lewis Writes Sec. of War Monroe About the N.Y. Flotilla-- Part 2

"Gunboats hitherto have been held in the utmost contempt, owing to a false prejudice the inhabitants of  this vast City now begin to believe, that the City cannot be defended without the Auxillary force of this floating defence."

He has gotten many requests from the First masters of New York ships to joining his flotilla and that he could have a hundred of them if he chose.

Plus, he feels their is a "prejudice of the Navy against G Boats" because the Navy Department means that appropriations to the gunboats mean there is less for regular warships like frigates.

"Gun Boats take the place of Frigates in the defence of harbours therefore frigates instead of being employ'd for that purpose go on the bosom of the Ocean and Cruize for Glory & pelf."

In case you're wondering, pelf means money.  In the case of frigates that would be prize money from captures of British ships and shipping. (I had to look it up myself.)

--Brock-Perry

Maine's Privateers-- Part 2: Building, Buying and Outfitting the Hyder Ali

After the battle between the USS Enterprise and HMS Boxer, the Boxer was auctioned off as a prize for $11,674. Of that, $9755 was put into three lots including the Boxer,  its guns and 36 tons of kentlage (iron ballast).  The prize money was shared between Captain Burrows' heirs received $1,115 prize money and each seaman $54.31.

The Boxer was auctioned to Thomas Merrill, Jr. for $5600 and wet to sea under Captain William McLellan as a merchant ship. Although her final fate is unknown, she did see service one more time on the American side during the War of 1812.  In August 1814, she put in a short stint protecting the city of Portland, Maine.

The Hyder Ally was built in Portland by shipwright Samuel Fickett at a dock near the foot of Park Street.  William Goold who gives the most complete account of the Hyder Ally in his history of Portland says "she was not especially built to be a privateer but was so constructed to carry a battery (of cannons), as no vessel was then safe on the high seas without one."   She was built for speed.

The ship's keel was laid before the declaration of war in June 1812. There was no market for ships at the time, but Fickett continued her construction and after awhile, he found a buyer.  The merchants Bryant and Sturgis of Boston bought her.

They also purchased the Boxer's armament at the auction and must have added some cannons as well  for privateering.  Ten 18-pound and two 6 pound cannons were brought on board.  The final count of weapons was twelve 18 pounder  carronades, two long 18 pounders and two long nines.

--Brock-Perry

HMS Boxer-- Part 4: Prize Money and the Privateer Hyder Ali

The HMS Boxer was sold at auction in Portland, Maine, to Thomas Merrill, Jr. for $5,600.  Her guns and ballast were sold at the same time, the whole proceeds amounting to $9,755.  Lt. Burrow's heirs received $1,115 and each seaman's share at $55.

Some of her spare spars and rigging were used on the Mercator.  The Boxer's guns went to arm the Maine privateer Hyder Ali.  But this ship didn't have a lot of luck either.  After capturing two prizes that the British retook before they reached the safety of Maine, the privateer was captured herself in May 1814 near the Nicobar Islands by the frigate HMS Owen Glendower.

But, what of the Boxer herself?

You Know Those New Englanders and Their Privateers.  --Brock-Perry