Ships of the War of 1812-- Part 2

SCHOONERS--On of the most elegant and manageable sailing vessels, typically two-masted and a very common ship on Lake Ontario.  These ships were used for transportation and privateers.  The Hamilton and Scourge were schooners.  The Canadian privateer Liverpool Packet, operating out of Liverpool, Nova Scotia, captured 50 American prizes.


FRIGATES--  often as long as a ship-of-the-line.  Three masts and square-rigged, faster and smaller armament (about 28 guns, generally used for patrol or escort.  The HMS Shannon was a famous frigate that captured the USS Chesapeake.

American frigates were less numerous, but stronger and carried more guns of higher caliber and range.  A British frigate fighting an American one was a very one-sided battle.

These would have been the later-day cruisers.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry