HMS Highflyer-- Part 1: American Privateer, British Warship

Wikipedia.

On an earlier post, I wrote about ships on the British blockade of the Chesapeake Bay and I also wrote about the HMS Poictiers.  One of the ships mentioned as being on the blockade was the HMS Highflyer.  I'd never heard of it.

The Highflyer was built in 1811 in Dorchester County, Maryland.  During the War of 1812, it carried five cannons as an American privateer and captured about ten ships before it was captured January 9, 1813, by the HMS Poictiers (which also captured the USS Wasp and Frolic) and taken into the Royal Navy.

It joined Warren's blockade fleet April 13, 1813 and soon afterwards, pursued four schooners up the Rappahannock Riverin Virginia.  When the river depth got too low for the Highflyer, boats were sent out and captured them.  Three of these were also taken into the Royal Navy.

April 28th, there was an expedition up the Elk River to destroy American ships, stores and a cannon factory at French Town.  This took until May 3rd.  On the way back, they were fired on by batteries at Havre de Grace.  A landing party destroyed the battery and most of the town.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry