War of 1812 Timeline: May 1814

MAY 30TH, 1814, 200 years ago.

A British force under the command of Captain Stephen Popham, consisting of two gunboats, three cutters and 160 sailors and marines is soundly defeated and captured in Sandy Creek, New York, having ventured inland in pursuit of American bateaux (boats) carrying cannons and munitions for Sackets Harbor..

--Brock-Perry

American Privateers Operating Out of Norfolk, Virginia

From History of American privateers.

Six privateers operated out of Norfolk, Virginia.

CHANCE: One-gun schooner, Capt. W. Derick, 84 tons
FOUR FRIENDS:  one-gun schooner, Capt. T. Rooke, 46 tons
FRANKLIN:  2-gun schooner, Capt. J. Glenn, 23 tons
GEORGE WASHINGTON:  three-gun schooner, Capt. S. Sissin

These four didn't accomplish much, if anything according to records.

Also, the privateer Dash with took the first prize of the War of 1812, the British government schooner Whiting.

Then, there was the privateer Roger which was much more successful.  I'll be writing about it tomorrow.  --Brock-Perry

Southern Privateers

From History of American Privateers by Edgar Stanton Maclay.

There were a total of 36 privateers operating out of Southern ports during the War of 1812.  This did not include Baltimore.

These ships sailed primarily from Norfolk, Virginia;  Wilmington, NC; Charleston, SC; Savannah, Georgia and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Probably the most famous was the privateer Decatur which captured a British cruiser.

--Brock-Perry

The Fortuna Tries to Pull a Fast One-- Part 2

"From thence she sailed to Havana, where she arrived on 12 February, 1814; took in cargo of produce of Cuba and left the port of Havana on 25 March, 1814, under protection of a British convoy bound to Bermuda.

"After parting with the convoy, she was captured on 19 April, 1814, in  N. lat. 38 degrees, W long. 60 degrees, by the private armed schooner Roger, and brought into Wilmington, N.C., for adjudication.  The master and all the crew, except the mate and two seamen, were taken out and kept on board the privateer until 4 August, when they were sent in to be examined.

"A claim was interposed by the master for the ship as property of Martin Krause, of Riga, one of the house of trade of M&I Krause of that place."

The ship had been carrying 1520 boxes of sugar and 144 quintals of Campechy wood.  A certificate was found on board that the ship had been built in Finland.

--Brock-Perry

The Fortuna Tries to Pull a Fast One-- Part 1

From the Justa U.S. Supreme Court Center.

The Fortuna--  15 U.S. 161 (1817)  This would be the court case number.

This was on appeal from the Circuit Court for the District of North Carolina.

"The ship, sailing under Russian colors, left Riga on 2 September, 1813, for London, where she arrived and from thence sailed on 18 November, 1813, in ballast on a voyage to the West Indies; took a British convoy at Portsmouth, in England, and proceeded to Barbados and thence to Jamaica.

Didn't Work, Though.  --Brock-Perry

Back to the Snap Dragon

From Archive.org.

"406-412:  Vessels captured on Spanish Main by the Snap Dragon privateer of Newbern (NC) divested of their valuables and burned.  Three others taken by the same, valuable articles removed and given up to release prisoners.

"Sloop, a fine copper-bottomed vessel taken by the Snap Dragon and fitted as a tender and store ship."

So, three vessels weren't destroyed, but after valuables were taken off, used to transport prisoners.  One ship taken was turned into a tender for the Snap Dragon.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Memorial Day

Depending onm the weather, in the next several days I will be driving to Hebron, Illinois, to pick up my boat.

Within the last month, they have erected a marker by the entrance of the cemetery where Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Major Watson is buried.

Two Wars, One Man.  --Brock=Perry

The Ancaster "Bloody" Assize Begins

MAY 23RD, 1864:  By 1812, roughly one half of the inhabitants of Upper Canada were American born.  Many openly supported invading Americans and a few took up arms against the King forming a treasonous regiment, "The Canadian Volunteers," led by three former members of the Legislative Assembly.

Nineteen men from the London and Niagara districts were tried for treason at the Ancaster "Bloody" Assize.  Four were acquitted, and fifteen sentenced to death.

Eight men were executed on 20 July 1814, at Burlington Heights, Upper Canada.  The men were hanged and then beheaded.

Seven convicted traitors were reprieved and of these, three died in jail.  Three were banished and one escaped.

Thirty traitors serving with the Americans were also convicted and their property seized.

Not a Glorious Part of the War.  --Brock-Perry

Otway Burns' NC Highway Marker

From North Carolina Historical Markers.

Otway Burns, privateersman, War of 1812, shipbuilder.  As a State Senator he fought for the Constitutional Convention of 1835.  His home was three miles south.

Marker located at NC Highway 24, west of Swansboro, Onslow County./  Erected 1949.

--Brock-Perry

Yet Some More on the Snap Dragon

From the 1813 privateers.org site.

SNAP DRAGON (532) schr. (privateer)  W.R. Graham, master, captured June 30, 1814, by Martin.  Otway Burns also built the first steamboat in North Carolina in 1818

Burns is regarded as one of North Carolina's greatest naval heroes in the War of 1812.with his privateer wealth.  His desk and a model are displayed at the North Carolina Maritime Museum.

After the War of 1812, the U.S. Navy embarked on building a bigger, more powerful navy.  The first of seven ships-of-the-line built was the USS North Carolina, which was launched in 1820 and commissioned in 1824.  It was the largest and most powerful ship in the U.S. Navy at the time and a predecessor of World War II's battleship USS North Carolina.

--Brock-Perry

This Month, 200 Years Ago: Ancaster "Bloody Assize" Commences

MAY 23RD, 1814:  The Ancaster "Bloody" Assize begins.  Upper Canadians accused of treason are put on trial at Ancaster, Upper Canada.

MAY 25-JUNE 24, 1814:  Arrival of British reinforcements at Quebec City, Lower Canada.  The 16th and 17th Regiments arrive as does the Royal Artillery.  British troops and ships continue to arrive as the Napoleonic Wars end.

MAY 29TH, 1864:  During a skirmish at Pungoteague Creek, Virginia, a British force destroys an American battery.

--Brock-Perry

The Snap Dragon in a Bottle

From Cardine's Ships in Bottle site.  "Otway Burns. Snap Dragon."

You can buy a model of the Snap Dragon in a bottle for just $165-220.

The Snap Dragon was 85 feet on deck and carried a crew of between 25-100.  Originally the Zephyr.  The Snap Dragon was a preeminent 1812 Beaufort, NC-based privateer that captured 42 vessels valued at $4 million and even defeated British ships of equal size in battle.

In one engagement, the Snap Dragon fired sail maker needles at the British when their supply of iron shot ran out.

Its owner and commander, Otway Burns, retired a wealthy man after three cruises and later served in the North Carolina state legislature.  Burnsville, NC, is named for him.  He is buried at the Old Burying ground in Beaufort, NC.

The Snap Dragon was captured off Nova Scotia on its fourth cruise and became a British privateer and later a British merchant ship.

All You'd Ever Thought You'd Know About a Ship Named the Snap Dragon.  --Brock-Perry

NC's Otway Burns-- Part 3

Next, Burns and the Snap Dragon encountered five British warships.  One, the HMS Garland, gave a two-hour chase.  Two more British ships were encountered, but the Americans escaped.

Otway Burns went on to make three cruises and had several more encounters with enemy warships.  Many captures were made and Burns became a wealthy man (as did his investors).

From his privateering-acquired wealth he became a shipbuilder.

Two U.S. Navy destroyers have been named after him.  One, the DD-176, fought in World War I and the other, DD-586, fought in World War II.  Plus, the town of Burnsville in North Carolina is  named for him and has a statue.

--Brock-Perry

North Carolina's Otway Burns-- Part 2

Otway Burns then started recruiting a crew in New Bern and was shocked when he found that many civic leaders there considered privateers as being pirates.    Some of the new recruits were convinced by Burns to borrow money from him.  he then had them arrested for debt.

One time, Burns and his crew sank a boat carrying two constables who were going to board the Snap Dragon.  When a local lawyer called him a "licensed robber," Otway Burns rowed to land and threw him in the river.

Burns and his 25-man crew went out on their first cruise and had to outrun a British sloop and frigate before making their first capture, a 14-gun ship.

During much of their cruise, Burns disguised the Snap Dragon as a merchant ship, putting up tattered sails and hiding his guns.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

North Carolina's Otway Burns-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Born 1775-August 25, 1820.  Became famous in War of 1812 as a privateer and later a North Carolina state senator.  Born near Swansboro, N.C..

Became a merchant captain and sailed along the east coast of the United States to Maine. At the onset of the War of 1812, he and his financial supporter Edward Pasteur, a physician and political leader from New Bern, purchased the Zephyria in New York City for $8.000 with intentions of using it  as a privateer along the New England coast.

The ship was 147 tons, built in 1808 on West River, Maryland.  It had a length of 85.5 feet, beam of 22.5 feet, drew 9 feet of water and was armed with one pivot gun and 5-7 other guns.

They renamed it the Snap Dragon and obtained a Letter of Marque in New York August 27, 1812, then sailing back to New Bern where they sold 50 shares for $260 each to eight other investors.  (Already, they made a quick $5,000 on their investment).

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

Canadian Privateer Hare

From the 1812 Privateers.org-- Canadian Privateers.

The sloop Hare, of St. John, New Brunswick, November 29, 1813 (Probably Letter of Marque).  Mounted two 6-pdr. guns and a crew of 25.

James Reid, who afterwards commanded the Snap Dragon, took the Hare to New England in mid-winter and captured prizes.

Evidently, the American privateer Snap Dragon was captured.

--Brock-Perry

Building the Privateer Snap Dragon

From On the Water--  Maritime Nation.

The SNAP DRAGON was classified as a pilot boat/privateer, built in Maryland in the early 1800s with an 85 and 1/2 foot length.

Original Builder's Model, 1808

Half-hull model, shipbuilder model for only one side of the hull since the ship was symmetrical.  To build a ship, the model's shape was measured and drawn full scale on a wooden floor.

Then, the ship's frames were cut to fit the floor lines.  The finished frames were hoisted and set along the keel in the shape.

The Privateer Snap Dragon was built from this model.  In the War of 1812, it captured 19 prizes.

--Brock-Perry

British Attack on Sackets Harbor in 1813

From the May 28, 2013, YNN (NY) "The War of 1812, 200 years after the British invade Sackets Harbor" by Brian Dwyer.

Sackets Harbor played a crucial role throughout the war, but none so much as in 1813.  It was the only site where Americans could operate a naval force on Lake Ontario (and build one).

On May 27, 1813, a British fleet left its home port at Kingston, Upper Canada (Ontario) and arrived at Sackets Harbor the following day.    This was their second attack on the place.  One big reason for this new one was the American force  from Sackets Harbor  attacking  York, the capital of Upper Canada.

Some of the supplies from York were now stored at Sackets Harbor.  Plus the main American Army was gone as was the fleet.  Mostly only militia remained to protect the harbor.

Fortunately for the Americans, the wind died on May 28th and stopped the attack.

Very Good Fortune for the Americans.  --Brock-Perry

Follow Up On Fort Cassin

The North American Forts site says that Fort Cassin (1813-1815) was a seven-gun earthwork located at the mouth of Otter Creek near Kingsland Bay State Park.  No remains, no marker.  Too bad as there should really be a marker there.

I thought I recognized  the name Cassin from the famous picture of Pearl Harbor at the dry dock with two destroyed destroyers and the battleship USS Pennsylvania.  The USS Cassin (DD-372) was named for Stephen Cassin.  It and the other destroyer, the USS Downes were essentially destroyed, but parts used later to build a new ship by the same name.

--Brock-Perry

Vermont's Battle of Fort Cassin 200 Years Ago-- Part 2

The British, fully aware of the American buildup, determined to strike first.  In early May 1814, Captain David Pring sailed south, intent on either entering Otter Creek to smash the American fleet or blocking the entrance to pen up Macdonough's fleet.

On May 14th, the British fleet appeared at the mouth of Otter Creek and encountered the hastily construction American fortifications at Fort Cassin, named for Macdonough's key subordinate, Lt. Stephen Cassin.

A battle ensued for two hours before the British fleet withdrew back to Ile aux Noix with the loss of one sailor.  The Americans had just one wounded casualty.

The American victory at Fort Cassin saved Macdonough's fleet.  The British returned to their base and redoubled their shipbuilding effort, finally launching a 37-gun largest-ever ship on Lake Champlain, the HMS Confiance.  The two fleets would meet again in just a few months in September at the decisive Battle of Plattsburgh Bay, or Battle of Lake Champlain as it is also called.

--Brock-Perry

Vermont's Battle of Fort Cassin, 200 Years Ago Yesterday-- Part 1

From May 13, 2014, Vermont Public Radio "Coffin: Fort Cassin" by Howard Coffin.

Two hundred years ago, there was no busier place than Vergennes, Vermont, where the U.S. Navy was shipbuilding at a fever pace.

One of the many battlefronts of the War of 1812 was on the 120 mile long Lake Champlain.  For the past two years there had been minor clashes as British ships prowled the lake from the Richilieu River and Ile aux Noix in the northern part.

In December 1813, the U.S. navy department ordered a massive increase in its Lake Champlain fleet.  The flotilla was commanded by Thomas Macdonough, 29, and already a veteran of Tripoli.    He chose Vergennes because of its surrounding supply of timber and iron.  The place already had forges, furnaces and sawmills powered by the falls of Otter Creek.

Knowing that the British were busily strengthening their fleet, he ordered non-stop work on his.  One of his projects was the 140-foot long, 26-gun USS Saratoga.  He also built six 75-foot row galleys mounting two cannons each.

--Brock-Perry

Underwater Archaeologists Discover Wrecks of USS Linnet, Allen and Eagle

The Poultney River runs through New York and Vermont and enters the south end of Lake Champlain.

In 1981, divers in the lower Poultney River found the wrecks of War of 1812 warships USS Eagle and USS Linnet (formerly HMS Linnet)  Then the wreck of the row galley USS Allen was discovered near the Eagle.  The Allen was one of five row galleys built at Vergennes, Vermont,  in the spring of 1814.

At the conclusion of the war, the Navy tried to sell the row galleys, but kept possession of them because of low bids.  The rest were sunk in the lake for preservation, but the Allen was kept in service for patrol and survey duties until 1825 when it was laid up in ordinary at the mouth of the Poultney River with other War of 1812 vessels.

Essentially, only the bottoms of the ships remain.

--Brock-Perry

Naval Arms Race on Lake Champlain

From the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, History: War of 1812.

Thomas Macdonough had quite a naval shipbuilding program underway during the winter of 1813-1814 at Vergennes, Vermont.  He had six 70-ton row galleys constructed armed with one 24-pdr. and one 18-pdr. cannon.  They were the Allen, Boxer, Burrows, Centipede, Nettle and Viper.

In late spring 1814, the 26-gun ship USS Saratoga (143-feet) was built in just in just 40 days.  Then, he had a steamboat hull converted into the  120 foot long schooner USS Ticonderoga (17 guns).

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Timeline: May 1814

MAY 12TH:  The American schooner USS Ticonderoga (17 guns) is launched at Vergennes, Vermont, to strengthen the Lake Champlain squadron.

MAY 14TH:  Failed British attack on American naval yard at Otter Creek )Vergennes, Vermont).  The expedition had left the British base at Ile aux Noix, Lower Canada, on May 8th.

MAY 14-16, 1814:  American forces under Colonel John Campbell raid and burn Port Dover, Charlottesville, Patterson's Creek and Long Point, Upper Canada.

MAY 18TH, 1814:  Lt. Col. Robert McDouall relieves Fort Mackinac.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Timeline: May 1814

APRIL 25-MAY 30TH, 1814:  British extend blockade to the New England states.

MAY 1ST, 1814: American General William Clark and troops leave St. Louis headed for Prairie du Chien in Wisconsin Territory.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Fort Oswego-- Part 2

The British force for the expedition consisted of 550 soldiers, 400 Marines and 200 sailors along with eight ships, including the two frigates.  Arranged against them were 242 regulars, 25 sailors and 200 New York militia commanded by Major George Mitchell (mentioned in an earlier post this week).

The British left the main British base on Lake Ontario at Kingston on May 3rd and arrived off Oswego on the 5th.  Bad weather delayed landing the troops until the next day.  Major Mitchell had his 200 militia at Fort Oswego and manned five small cannons.  He was seriously outgunned.

The HMS Prince Regent, HMS Princess Charlotte and six sloops engaged the fort while the troops landed.  A soon as they got to the fort's walls, the Americans hastily abandoned it.  Casualties:  BRITISH:  17-18 killed, 63 wounded.  AMERICAN:  6-21 killed, 38 wounded and 69-119 captured.

The British captured a large amount of supplies and a few small schooners, including the USS Growler, which had been previously captured by the British in 1813 and then recaptured by the Americans.  It was carrying seven badly-needed cannons for Chauncey's fleet at Sackets Harbor.  The fort and anything of value that could not be carried off was destroyed the next day when the British withdrew.

Yeo, however, missed another 21 cannons which were just 12 miles away at the Oswego Falls as he sailed away to put Sackets Harbor under blockade.  The Americans later tried to get the cannons to Sackets Harbor which led to the British defeat at the Battle of Sandy Creek May 29-30, 1814.

--GreGen

Battle of Fort Oswego, NY (Battle of Oswego)-- Part 1: Naval Arms Race on Lake Ontario

From Wikipedia.

I have been referring to this as the battle of Oswego.

The article considered the British attack on the American fort and village as "partially successful."  The battle led directly from the naval arms race on Lake Ontario.  Both the Americans and British were building two frigates apiece as 1814 opened.  The two British frigates (HMS Prince Regent and HMS Princess Charlotte) were finished at Kingston, Upper Canada, in April.

British commander James Yeo knew that the American frigates were stronger and quickly nearing completion, so he decided to strike while he had the edge.  His first thought was the main American naval base at Sackets Harbor, NY, but he did not have enough troops and Canada's Governor General, Lt. Gen. George Prevost refused to give him any more soldiers.

So, he and Drummond decided to attack the weaker Fort Oswego and village of Oswego farther down the Lake Ontario shore.    It was a major American staging point and still had importance.

--Brock-Perry

General William Hull's Court Martial: Sentenced to Be Execiuted

From the May 5, 2014, War of 1812 Blog.

From the May 5, 1814 Maryland Gazette and Political Intelligencer.

General Hull had surrendered Detroit without much of a fight in the first year of the war and because of his action, had been court martialed.

GENERAL HULL:  "The court, in consequence of their determination respecting the second and third charges, and specification under those charges exhibited against the said brig. General Wm. Hull, and after due consideration, do sentence him to be SHOT to death, two thirds of the court concurring in the sentence."

However, they added:  "The court in consideration of brigadier general's revolutionary service, and his advanced age, earnestly recommend  him to the mercy of the president of the U.S.."

Signed, Henry Dearborn, Maj. Gen.  President of the Court April 25, 1814.

James Madison: "The  sentence of the Court is approved, and the execution remitted."

--Brock-Perry

Report From Sackets Harbor About Attack on Oswego-- Part 2

Then, General Brown continued:  "A letter by him yesterday says 'the British fleet are now at this place.'  A cannonading in the afternoon for three hours, and again this morning, was distinctly heard here, hence I conclude there have been two attacks.

"Mitchell and his detachment will do their duty, but as the naval ascendancy of the enemy enables him to bring his whole force upon the place, the issue must be held doubtful.

"The commodore [Chauncey] has not ascertained that the new ships of the enemy are out."

In other words, Brown did not think Oswego had much of a chance at defeating the British.

--Brock-Perry

Report From Sackets Harbor About Attack on Oswego-- Part 1

From the War of 1812 Blog.May 6, 2014 "Extract of letter to War Department from Sackets Harbor May 6th, 1814." Published in the Raleigh Register and North Carolina Gazette, May 27, 1814.    This is a  great source of War of 1812 primary source materials.

The blog did not mention the author, but it was probably written by Sackets Harbor commander Major General Jacob Brown.

"My letter of the 4th advised you that the British fleet had made their appearance on the Lake, and that I suspected Oswego was their object, as the many navy stores, necessary for the large vessel was believed to be there...."

He had then alerted Colonel Mitchel of the 3rd Artillery at Oswego.

And, Oswego was captured by the British on May 6, 1814.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago: British Capture Oswego, New York

MAY 6TH, !*!$:  Denied reinforcements by Governor General Sir George Prevost for a large-scale attack on Sackets Harbor, NY, Lt. Governor Gordon Drummond and Commodore Sir James Yeo decided instead to capture Oswego, a less fortified but important transhipment port on Lake Ontario from which the U.S. Navy obtained supplies and ordnance.

The British used eight warships and three gunboats to bombard the village and Fort Ontario as well as cover the troop landing.

The British suffered many casualties but were rewarded with a bounty of provisions, artillery and ammunition, as well as several vessels.

The victory put a temporary strain on supplies for the Americans and delayed Commodore Isaac Chauncey's ship-building at Sackets Harbor but otherwise did not deal the Americans a decisive blow on Lake Ontario.
--Brock-Perry

Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay Commemorate the War of 1812

From the March 8, 1813, Eye on Annapolis "Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay Celebrate War of 1812 Bicentennial."

It will be part of Maryland's Star-Spangled 200.

No major sea or land battles were fought in or near Annapolis.

The United States Naval Academy at Annapolis is opening a 2,500 square foot exhibition April 1, 2013, a part of "Seas, Lakes & Bay: The Naval War of 1812."  It features hundreds of artifacts including the anchor of the USS Constitution and carved wooden figureheads from the USS Chesapeake and HMS Shannon.

A self-guided walking tour of historic War of 1812 sites in Annapolis was unveiled last summer.  It features ten stops: five at the Naval Academy and five in Annapolis' Historic District.  Stops at the Academy: USNA Museum, Mahan Hall, cannon from the HMS Confiance that surrendered at the Battle of Lake Champlain and the HMS Macedonian monument.

In Annapolis:  Chase-Lloyd House where Francis Scott Key got married, St. John's College where Key was educated, St. Anne's Church where he attended services, the Historical Annapolis Museum and the Maryland State House.

Tour guides are available.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Timeline: May 1814:

MAY 6TH, 1814:  A British amphibious force captures Oswego, New York.


MAY 12TH, 1814:  The American schooner Ticonderoga (17 guns) is launched at Vergennes, Vermont, to strengthen the Lake Champlain squadron.


MAY 14TH, 1864:  Failed British attack on the American Navy yard at Otter Creek (Vergennes, Vermont.  The expedition had left the British naval base at Ile aux Noix, Lower Canada, on May 8th.


MAY 14-16, 1814:  American force under Colonel John Campbell raid and burn Port Dover, Charlottesville, Patterson's Creek and Long Point, Upper Canada.

--Brock-Perry

HMS Epervier

From Wikipedia.

On April 29, 1814, the USS Peacock captured the HMS Epervier off Cape Canaveral, Spanish Florida.

The HMS Epervier was an 18-gun Cruzer-class brig-sloop built by Ross at Rochester, England and launched 2 December 1812.  It was commissioned in January 1813.  On August 20, it captured the schooner Lively and later several other American ships and a privateer.

It was captured by the USS  Peacock in 1814 and taken into U.S. service.  The ship disappeared in 1815 while carrying dispatches announcing the signing of the treaty with the Dey of Algiers.

--Brock-Perry

USS Superior

From Wikipedia.

Was a 58-gun frigate mounting thirty Columbiad 32-pdrs., two long 24-pdrs. and twenty-six 42-pdr. carronades.

Built at Sackets Harbor, New York, by Henry Eckford in rapid time.  Laid down February 1814 and launched May 2nd.   Commanded by Lt. John H. Elton.

It joined Commodore Isaac Chauncey's squadron in July and blockaded the fleet of Sir James Yeo at the British base at Kingston, Ontario.  In late September 1814, the Superior escorted General Izzard's 3,000 troops from Sackets Harbor to Genessee, New York.  It then returned to Kingston before returning to Sackets Harbor for the winter.

With peace in 1815, it was put into ordinary and sold sometime before 1824.

200 Years Ago: Launch of the Frigate USS Superior at Sackets Harbor

From historicplaces.ca. site timeline.

MAY 1ST (or MAY 2ND)  Americans launch USS Superior (58 guns) at Sackets Harbor, New York.  This vessel, along with the USS Mohawk (42 guns) launched in June, will help restore naval superiority on Lake Ontario to Commodore Isaac Chauncey over Sir James Yeo's British fleet at Kingston, Ontario, for the summer of 1814.    (Wikipedia had the launch taking place May 2nd.)

A British expedition had attempted to destroy the Superior on April 25th, but had been driven off.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 War Galleys

From the history.navy.mil. site.

The last post I mentioned the Row Galley Allen being launched at Vergennes, Vermont, near the end of April 1814.  I wasn't very familiar with them, but figured with the word row i n it, it probably had something to do with oars for power.

Row galleys were especially advantageous in Lake Champlain because they could be quickly built and relatively inexpensive and perfect for shallow waters.  Their low freeboards made then difficult to hit, especially at distances.  Movement was accomplished by sails or sweep oars.

Row galleys were 75-feet long, 15 foot wide, drew 22 inches of water and armed with a long 24 pdr cannon and 42-pdr carronade.  Forty oars complemented the sail power.

--Brock-Perry