Continuing a bit further with my August 24th post. This ship was wrecked in the Louisiana hurricane of August 19, 1812, according to Wikipedia. I came across the Navy Department Library while researching this ship. They have letters from naval officers in New Orleans about the hurricane, and strangely, there was no mention anywhere of a USS Louisiana (which apparently was the most powerful ship in the squadron). And, no mention of it sinking.
Strange to be writing about an 1812 hurricane at the same time a new hurricane is pounding New Orleans and environs, coming on the 6th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Hurricanes were not named back in 1812.
That would be kind of strange that a capital ship like that would sink and there would be no mention of it.
News of the US declaration of war against Britain reached New Orleans July 9, 1812, (not the last time news reached the city late) the naval station here being the farthest one from Washington, DC. Captain John Shaw, USN, the station commander, had 400 officers and men on two brigs and 11 gunboats. He hurriedly put the station on war footing, figuring it would be a prime place for a British attack.
The August 19th hurricane set those efforts back considerably. There was great damage and loss of lives.
But, significantly, his report did not mention any USS Louisiana.
So, Was There a USS Loisiana or Not? I Think I Have an Answer. --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.
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