U.S. Revenue Cutter Surveyor-- Part 1

From the U.S. Coast Guard site.

A follow-up to the Bits of War entry earlier today.

June 12, 1813, just over 200 years ago now, was a rainy and foggy night and the USRC Surveyor was anchored in the York River near today's TC (Coast Guard Training Center) Yorktown in Virginia.  It was manned by fifteen men and attacked by 50 British sailors and Marines under the command of  Lt. John Crerie.

They approached in launches using muffled oars.  Unbeknownst to them, Captain Samuel Travis of the Surveyor had been alerted to their approach and determined to resist them.  Unable to bring his guns to bear, he issued his men two muskets apiece and held his fire until the enemy was close enough and opened up on them.  The English climbed aboard and a serious hand-to-hand fight took place until the American crew was overwhelmed.

The Surveyor was captured.  Five Americans had been wounded.  British casualties were 7 wounded and 3 killed.

The following day, Lt. Crerie returned Travis' sword for his stubborn and courageous defense of his ship.

The Surveyor then served the British the rest of the war, but its fate after that is not known.

Now, You Know.  --Brock-Perry