The HMS St. Lawrence was a magnificent ship, the largest warship ever to see the Great Lakes during the Age of Sail. It was built at Kingston, Upper Canada, at the Royal Navy Dockyard and was too large for the Americans to attack and gave the British undeniable control of Lake Ontario.
The Naval Dockyard was established in 1789 as the Provincial Marine and then became the Royal Naval Dockyard at Point Frederick. Warships such as sloops, frigates and gunboats were built there as well as the ship-of-the-line St. Lawrence.
The RMC is now located at the dockyard.
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.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Monday, October 13, 2014
USS Wasp (1814)-- Part 4: Battle With the HMS Reindeer
On 28 June 1814, the USS Wasp met up with and fought the HMS Reindeer some 225 miles west of Plymouth, England. The Reindeer was a Cruizer-class brig-sloop like the HMS Nimrod.
The fight only lasted a hard-fought 19 minutes with both ships exchanging murderous grape and solid shot at short distance. The Reindeer's crew tried to board the Wasp on two occasions, but were repulsed. Then the Wasp's crew did the same and carried the day.
The Wasp received six hits to its hull and had damage to its rigging but was still able to sail. The Reindeer had 25 killed, including its captain, Commander William Manner and 42 wounded. The prisoners were taken on board and the Reindeer set on fire and eventually exploded.
The Wasp then sailed for L'Orient, France and captured the Regulator on July 4th and the Jenny and July 6th.
--Still Another Voyage to Come. --Brock-Perry
The fight only lasted a hard-fought 19 minutes with both ships exchanging murderous grape and solid shot at short distance. The Reindeer's crew tried to board the Wasp on two occasions, but were repulsed. Then the Wasp's crew did the same and carried the day.
The Wasp received six hits to its hull and had damage to its rigging but was still able to sail. The Reindeer had 25 killed, including its captain, Commander William Manner and 42 wounded. The prisoners were taken on board and the Reindeer set on fire and eventually exploded.
The Wasp then sailed for L'Orient, France and captured the Regulator on July 4th and the Jenny and July 6th.
--Still Another Voyage to Come. --Brock-Perry
USS Wasp (1814)-- Part 3: First Raiding Voyage
FIRST RAIDING VOYAGE
The USS Wasp (1814) captured five ships before engaging the HMS Reindeer in a really hard-fought battle.
Captures:
June 2, 1814: Neptune-- burned
June 13: William-- burned
June 18: Pallas-- scuttled
June 23: Henrietta-- put prisoners on board
June 26: Orange Boven-- scuttled
It met and fought the HMS Reindeer on 28 June 1814.
--Brock-Perry
The USS Wasp (1814) captured five ships before engaging the HMS Reindeer in a really hard-fought battle.
Captures:
June 2, 1814: Neptune-- burned
June 13: William-- burned
June 18: Pallas-- scuttled
June 23: Henrietta-- put prisoners on board
June 26: Orange Boven-- scuttled
It met and fought the HMS Reindeer on 28 June 1814.
--Brock-Perry
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Ships By the Name USS Wasp
From Wikipedia.
There have been eleven ships serving in the U.S, Navy by the name USS Wasp. One is still serving. Four of them were in the War of 1812.
** First USS Wasp (1775)-- merchant schooner purchased by the Continental Navy in late 1775. destroyed in 1777.
The USS Wasps of the War of 1812:
** Second USS Wasp (1807)-- Sloop constructed in 1806 and captured by the British.
** Third USS Wasp (1810)-- Schooner built in 1810 and sold in 1814.
** Fourth USS Wasp (1813) Sloop chartered in 1813 and returned to her owners in 1814.
** Fifth USS Wasp (1814) Rigged Sloop-of-War constructed in 1813 and lost at sea in a storm. This is the one I'll be writing about next week.
There have been six USS Wasps since the War of 1812, including two famous aorcraft carriers and there is one still serving.
Altogether, there have been eleven ships in the I.S. Navy to bear the illustrious name.
--Brock-Perry
There have been eleven ships serving in the U.S, Navy by the name USS Wasp. One is still serving. Four of them were in the War of 1812.
** First USS Wasp (1775)-- merchant schooner purchased by the Continental Navy in late 1775. destroyed in 1777.
The USS Wasps of the War of 1812:
** Second USS Wasp (1807)-- Sloop constructed in 1806 and captured by the British.
** Third USS Wasp (1810)-- Schooner built in 1810 and sold in 1814.
** Fourth USS Wasp (1813) Sloop chartered in 1813 and returned to her owners in 1814.
** Fifth USS Wasp (1814) Rigged Sloop-of-War constructed in 1813 and lost at sea in a storm. This is the one I'll be writing about next week.
There have been six USS Wasps since the War of 1812, including two famous aorcraft carriers and there is one still serving.
Altogether, there have been eleven ships in the I.S. Navy to bear the illustrious name.
--Brock-Perry
Friday, October 10, 2014
Ships By the Name USS Wasp
From Wikipedia.
There is bound to be some confusion as to my labels for the USS Wasp as there were three other USS Wasps during the War of 1812. I will be using the date of 1814 to delineate this particular one.
Many of the earlier labels refer to USS Wasp (1807) which defeated the HMS Frolic but then was captured by a ship-of-the-line which arrived at the battle. It later became the HMS Loup Cervier and later te HMS Peacock.
--Brock-Perry
There is bound to be some confusion as to my labels for the USS Wasp as there were three other USS Wasps during the War of 1812. I will be using the date of 1814 to delineate this particular one.
Many of the earlier labels refer to USS Wasp (1807) which defeated the HMS Frolic but then was captured by a ship-of-the-line which arrived at the battle. It later became the HMS Loup Cervier and later te HMS Peacock.
--Brock-Perry
USS Wasp (1814)-- Part 2
The USS Wasp was constructed in 1813 in Newburyport, Massachusetts by Cross & Merrill and commissioned in early 1814, commanded by Master Commandant Johnston Blakely.
The ship remained at Portsmouth, New Hampshire until late spring then put to sea May 1, 1814, to cruise to the western approaches to the English Channel to attack British shipping.
--Brock-Perry
The ship remained at Portsmouth, New Hampshire until late spring then put to sea May 1, 1814, to cruise to the western approaches to the English Channel to attack British shipping.
--Brock-Perry
Thursday, October 9, 2014
One Ship, Several Owners
An interesting account from the Niles Register concerning a ship captured by the American privateer brig General Armstrong.
"SHIFTING OWNERS!: The prize schooner to the General Armstrong (lately arrived at an Eastern Port) was formerly the Matilda, American privateer. She was captured on the Brazil coast, some months since, by the Lion. British privateer ship of 28 guns, after severe action, recaptured going into England by the late U.S. Brig Argus, recaptured going into France by a British 74 (74-gun ship-of-the-line), and again recaptured by the American privateer Armstrong."
One Owner, two owner, Four. --Brock-Perry
"SHIFTING OWNERS!: The prize schooner to the General Armstrong (lately arrived at an Eastern Port) was formerly the Matilda, American privateer. She was captured on the Brazil coast, some months since, by the Lion. British privateer ship of 28 guns, after severe action, recaptured going into England by the late U.S. Brig Argus, recaptured going into France by a British 74 (74-gun ship-of-the-line), and again recaptured by the American privateer Armstrong."
One Owner, two owner, Four. --Brock-Perry
200 Years Ago: USS Wasp (1814) Lost at Sea-- Part 1
Canada's historic places site put the Wasp's disappearance at this date, although know one knows for sure when it happened.
From Wikipedia.
The USS Wasp was a sloop-of-war and the 5th ship in the US Navy to bear the name. In the summer of 1814 it had two very successful raids on British shipping and fought and defeated three British warships.
It was lost in the Atlantic Ocean in early autumn 1814, cause unknown. It just never showed up anywhere.
Stats: 509 tons, 117.8 feet long, 31.6 beam, 173 crew. Armament: two long 12-pdr. gins and twenty 32-pdr. carronades.
--Brock-Perry
From Wikipedia.
The USS Wasp was a sloop-of-war and the 5th ship in the US Navy to bear the name. In the summer of 1814 it had two very successful raids on British shipping and fought and defeated three British warships.
It was lost in the Atlantic Ocean in early autumn 1814, cause unknown. It just never showed up anywhere.
Stats: 509 tons, 117.8 feet long, 31.6 beam, 173 crew. Armament: two long 12-pdr. gins and twenty 32-pdr. carronades.
--Brock-Perry
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
USS Growler (1812)
From Wikipedia.
A 112-ton sloop mounting ten 18-pdrs..
Purchased on Lake Champlain in 1812 and captured by Major George Taylor of the 100th Regiment on 3 June 1813, on the Sorrell River near Ile aux Noix on the Canadian side of the lake.
It was taken into the Royal Navy as the HMS Shannon and later renamed the HMS Chubb (or Chub).
At the Battle of Lake Champlain 11 September 1814, it lost its bow and bowsprit and its anchor cable was severed. It drifted into the American line of battle and was captured by the USS Saratoga.
It saw no further action during the war and was sold at Whitehall, New York in July 1815.
Serving Both Sides. --Brock-Perry
A 112-ton sloop mounting ten 18-pdrs..
Purchased on Lake Champlain in 1812 and captured by Major George Taylor of the 100th Regiment on 3 June 1813, on the Sorrell River near Ile aux Noix on the Canadian side of the lake.
It was taken into the Royal Navy as the HMS Shannon and later renamed the HMS Chubb (or Chub).
At the Battle of Lake Champlain 11 September 1814, it lost its bow and bowsprit and its anchor cable was severed. It drifted into the American line of battle and was captured by the USS Saratoga.
It saw no further action during the war and was sold at Whitehall, New York in July 1815.
Serving Both Sides. --Brock-Perry
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Some War of 1812 Ship Clarification: Cruizer Class and USS Adams
CRUIZER CLASS-- This was a class of British brig-sloops, usually mounting 18 guns. The HMS Nimrod was a member of this class.
USS ADAMS-- Not to be confused with the USS John Adams. these were two different ships.
--Brock-Perry
USS ADAMS-- Not to be confused with the USS John Adams. these were two different ships.
--Brock-Perry
The Nimrod and the Salt Works
From "Cape Cod History" printed 1896.
In the early 1800s, New Englanders started a salt industry, making salt from sea water. There were quite a few such salt works at Falmouth, Massachusetts. One of the owners was John Crocker who I wrote about the last several days.
The Nimrod was after the guns captured by Captain Jenkins at Tarpaulin Cove and the frigate Nimrod (actually a sloop) approached the shore near the foot of Shore Street and bombarded the town when the Americans refused to turn the guns over.
Much damage was done including to the Congregational Church, a large house on Shore Street now owned by E.E.C. Short (then occupied by Captain John Crocker and thought to be the governor's residence).
--Brock-Perry
In the early 1800s, New Englanders started a salt industry, making salt from sea water. There were quite a few such salt works at Falmouth, Massachusetts. One of the owners was John Crocker who I wrote about the last several days.
The Nimrod was after the guns captured by Captain Jenkins at Tarpaulin Cove and the frigate Nimrod (actually a sloop) approached the shore near the foot of Shore Street and bombarded the town when the Americans refused to turn the guns over.
Much damage was done including to the Congregational Church, a large house on Shore Street now owned by E.E.C. Short (then occupied by Captain John Crocker and thought to be the governor's residence).
--Brock-Perry
Monday, October 6, 2014
HMS Nimrod Cannons-- Part 4
Considerable damage was done to the town's buildings, but no lives were lost nor were there any injuries.
Captain John Crocker continued: "The greatest sufferer was myself, having eight thirty-two pound shot through my house, some through my outbuildings, and many through my salt works.
"The greatest part of the furniture in the house was destroyed. The other principal sufferers were Elijah Swift, Silas James (Jones0, Thomas Bourn, Jehabad Hatch, Reverend Henry Lincoln, Shubel Hatch Jr., etc."
A Nimrod of An Action. --Brock-Perry
Captain John Crocker continued: "The greatest sufferer was myself, having eight thirty-two pound shot through my house, some through my outbuildings, and many through my salt works.
"The greatest part of the furniture in the house was destroyed. The other principal sufferers were Elijah Swift, Silas James (Jones0, Thomas Bourn, Jehabad Hatch, Reverend Henry Lincoln, Shubel Hatch Jr., etc."
A Nimrod of An Action. --Brock-Perry
HMS Nimrod Cannons-- Part 3
Captain John Crocker of Falmouth, Massachusetts, described the British attack in a letter to the New England Palladium the day after the attack.
Shortly after 10 a.m. the British sent a group to the town under a flag of truce and demanded the town's field pieces (cannons) and a sloop tied up to the wharf. If this was not met, they would bombard the town commencing at noon. In the meanwhile, the American militia assembled and the townspeople moved out.
About noon, the Nimrod opened fire and continued until night. Even after nightfall, an occasional shot would be fired. The Americans estimated the British fired about 300 shots from their 32-pounders.
--Brock-Perry
Shortly after 10 a.m. the British sent a group to the town under a flag of truce and demanded the town's field pieces (cannons) and a sloop tied up to the wharf. If this was not met, they would bombard the town commencing at noon. In the meanwhile, the American militia assembled and the townspeople moved out.
About noon, the Nimrod opened fire and continued until night. Even after nightfall, an occasional shot would be fired. The Americans estimated the British fired about 300 shots from their 32-pounders.
--Brock-Perry
Saturday, October 4, 2014
HMS Nimrod Cannons-- Part 2
The HMS Nimrod was built in Ipswich, England, in 1812 and fitted out in Sherness. It arrived off New England some time in 1813 and was part of a squadron of British ships under Commander Paget of the HMS Superb and HMS Recruit which captured the American ship Retaliation. The Nimrod began "preying" on American shipping and coastal towns in early October along Cape Cod.
On December 6, 1813, the Nimrod captured the schooner Hitta Franklin and, shortly afterwards the Chili with 1240 barrels of whale oil.
The British squadron was stationed at Tarpaulin Cove in Naushon Island, a place well-known by whalers and privateers. There was an inn there owned by a Mr. Slocum. On Jan. 13, 1814, he overheard the crew of the Nimrod discussing an upcoming attack on Falmouth, Massachusetts, to capture two brass cannons reported to be there. He alerted Falmouth.
--Brock-Perry
On December 6, 1813, the Nimrod captured the schooner Hitta Franklin and, shortly afterwards the Chili with 1240 barrels of whale oil.
The British squadron was stationed at Tarpaulin Cove in Naushon Island, a place well-known by whalers and privateers. There was an inn there owned by a Mr. Slocum. On Jan. 13, 1814, he overheard the crew of the Nimrod discussing an upcoming attack on Falmouth, Massachusetts, to capture two brass cannons reported to be there. He alerted Falmouth.
--Brock-Perry
HMS Nimrod Cannons-- Part 1
From the Plymouth Archaeological Rediscovery Project (PARP).
I have always thought the name Nimrod was an interesting choice. It turns out the ship was named for the great hunter named Nimrod from the Bible's Old Testament.
In 1814, the sloop HMS Nimrod ran aground at Buzzard's Bay and cannons were thrown overboard to lighten the ship. Over 150 years later a team of archaeologists and historians have discovered the location of the ship's grounding and its cannons. The cannons will be eventually raised from the depths and distributed to several southern New England historical groups for long-term curation.
However, now there is some question as to whether these cannons were thrown overboard from the Nimrod. There is the possibility that they might have been from a British ship from the Revolutionary War.
The HMS Nimrod sailed the waters of coastal New England for a year and was involved in most every action that took place in the region.
--Brock-Perry
I have always thought the name Nimrod was an interesting choice. It turns out the ship was named for the great hunter named Nimrod from the Bible's Old Testament.
In 1814, the sloop HMS Nimrod ran aground at Buzzard's Bay and cannons were thrown overboard to lighten the ship. Over 150 years later a team of archaeologists and historians have discovered the location of the ship's grounding and its cannons. The cannons will be eventually raised from the depths and distributed to several southern New England historical groups for long-term curation.
However, now there is some question as to whether these cannons were thrown overboard from the Nimrod. There is the possibility that they might have been from a British ship from the Revolutionary War.
The HMS Nimrod sailed the waters of coastal New England for a year and was involved in most every action that took place in the region.
--Brock-Perry
Friday, October 3, 2014
Some More on Fort Norfolk, Upper Canada
Not to be confused with the American Fort Norfolk in Virginia.
From the Canada's Historic Places Site.
Nothing remains of the former fortifications known as Fort Norfolk, despite several archaeological surveys to find any. The fort was located at the entrance to the Turkey Point Provincial Park golf course. The site is marked by a stone monument with a plaque.
It was designated a national historic site in 1925 because of the British military and naval bases located at the site from 1814-1815. In 1795, the site was selected for a fort and stockade and then it became very strategically important in the War of 1812.
In 1814, British General Henry Proctor ordered a blockhouse built there and a partial wooden palisade fence on the slope above Turkey Point.
The project was abandoned at the conclusion of hostilities and by 1826, the fort was so decayed that the military post was relocated to Grand River.
--Brock-Perry
From the Canada's Historic Places Site.
Nothing remains of the former fortifications known as Fort Norfolk, despite several archaeological surveys to find any. The fort was located at the entrance to the Turkey Point Provincial Park golf course. The site is marked by a stone monument with a plaque.
It was designated a national historic site in 1925 because of the British military and naval bases located at the site from 1814-1815. In 1795, the site was selected for a fort and stockade and then it became very strategically important in the War of 1812.
In 1814, British General Henry Proctor ordered a blockhouse built there and a partial wooden palisade fence on the slope above Turkey Point.
The project was abandoned at the conclusion of hostilities and by 1826, the fort was so decayed that the military post was relocated to Grand River.
--Brock-Perry
British Construct Fort Norfolk in Upper Canada
AUTUMN 1814. The British construct a blockhouse and battery at Turkey point, Upper Canada, which become known as Fort Norfolk.
The site was also intended to become a Navy yard for Lake Erie, but the war concludes before any work on the yard can commence.
--Brock-Perry
The site was also intended to become a Navy yard for Lake Erie, but the war concludes before any work on the yard can commence.
--Brock-Perry
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Fort Wood
Last week, I wrote about American Col. Eleazor Wood, who was killed at the sortie from Fort Erie on Sept. 17, 1814. I mentioned that the fort at the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor was named after him.
From Civil War Talk.
Fort Wood was completed before the War of 1812 but saw no action since the British never attacked New York City.
Prior to the end of the war, the fortification was given the name Fort Wood in honor of the fallen colonel.
Originally it was simply known as the "Works on Bedloe's Island."
--Brock-Perry
From Civil War Talk.
Fort Wood was completed before the War of 1812 but saw no action since the British never attacked New York City.
Prior to the end of the war, the fortification was given the name Fort Wood in honor of the fallen colonel.
Originally it was simply known as the "Works on Bedloe's Island."
--Brock-Perry
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Halifax Lighthouse on Sombro Island
The Halifax Lighthouse, also called the Sambro Island Light, is at the entrance to Halifax Harbor, Nova Scotia, and is the oldest surviving lighthouse in North America. It was built during the 7 Years War between 1758-1759.
During the War of 1812, the American privateer Young Teazer captured two vessels at night off the Sambro Island Light and was pursued and trapped by British warships near Chester, Nova Scotia, where the crew blew the American ship up with heavy loss to prevent its capture.
During both world wars, German U-boats torpedoed Allied ships in the area.
In 1920, the Norwegian freighter Romsdals Fjord struck a ledge near and and sank with no loss of life.
--Brock-Perry
During the War of 1812, the American privateer Young Teazer captured two vessels at night off the Sambro Island Light and was pursued and trapped by British warships near Chester, Nova Scotia, where the crew blew the American ship up with heavy loss to prevent its capture.
During both world wars, German U-boats torpedoed Allied ships in the area.
In 1920, the Norwegian freighter Romsdals Fjord struck a ledge near and and sank with no loss of life.
--Brock-Perry
Stephen Cassin, USN
From Wikipedia.
Stephen Cassin (1783-1857)
Earlier, I wrote about his father, John Cassin, and was wondering if the destroyed so massively damaged at Pearl Harbor had been named after him. It wasn't, but it was named for Stephen Cassin. Stephen Cassin also fought during the War of 1812.
Became a U.S. Navy midshipman in 1800. Served on the USS Philadelphia in the West Indies and later participated in the Quasi-War with France.
Commanded the USS Ticonderoga at the Battle of Lake Champlain and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for bravery at it. Gold medals were also given to Captain Macdonough and Captain Robert Henley.
Served on the USS Peacock and the West Indies Squadron battling pirates. Between September 28-30, 1822, he captured five pirate vessels.
Buried in Washington, D.C. and later moved to Arlington National Cemetery and buried at Section W. Div. Site Lot 299. His wife, Margaret Cassin died June 14, 1830 and is buried beside him in lot 298.
Two U.S. Navy destroyers have been named for him and Fort Cassin in Vermont as well.
--Brock-Perry
Stephen Cassin (1783-1857)
Earlier, I wrote about his father, John Cassin, and was wondering if the destroyed so massively damaged at Pearl Harbor had been named after him. It wasn't, but it was named for Stephen Cassin. Stephen Cassin also fought during the War of 1812.
Became a U.S. Navy midshipman in 1800. Served on the USS Philadelphia in the West Indies and later participated in the Quasi-War with France.
Commanded the USS Ticonderoga at the Battle of Lake Champlain and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for bravery at it. Gold medals were also given to Captain Macdonough and Captain Robert Henley.
Served on the USS Peacock and the West Indies Squadron battling pirates. Between September 28-30, 1822, he captured five pirate vessels.
Buried in Washington, D.C. and later moved to Arlington National Cemetery and buried at Section W. Div. Site Lot 299. His wife, Margaret Cassin died June 14, 1830 and is buried beside him in lot 298.
Two U.S. Navy destroyers have been named for him and Fort Cassin in Vermont as well.
--Brock-Perry
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)