U.S.Navy in War of 1812-- Part 6: Three Objectives in the War

The U.S. Navy began the War of 1812 with three objectives:  defend the maritime frontier,  capture enemy warships and merchantmen,  and maintain naval superiority on the Great Lakes.

Defending the maritime frontier meant defending American ports with gunboats, barges or other small craft.  This consumed about half of the Navy's personnel, even that was not adequate to man every vessel.

Early in the war, Congress authorized another $2 million to this area of operations.  These warships, however, were entirely ineffectual against the British unless supported by land-based defenses.  They would occasionally discourage small British vessels from entering harbors or landing.  But, if an entire British squadron attacks, they were useless.

--Brock-Perry