From the Encyclopedia of North Carolina.
The privateer Wasp was a sloop commanded by North Carolinian Capt. Johnston Blakely and mounted 20 carronades and 2 long 12-pounders built in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Blakely hired a crew of 173 and received orders to sail May 1, 1814, and inflict damage to British shipping in western Europe and then attack English allies along the Spanish coast and return to New Orleans. He was to destroy all prizes inswtead of depleting his crew to sail them back. Under no circumstances was he to engage British warships.
From May to July 6, the Wasp destroyed six commercial vessels. One, the Reindeer, put up a fight and damaged the privateer., causing it to limp into the French port of L'Orient.
More to Come. --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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