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USS Chesapeake (1799)

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History
US
NameUSS Chesapeake
NamesakeChesapeake Bay[1]
Ordered27 March 1794
BuilderJosiah Fox[1]
Cost$220,677[4]
Laid downDecember 1795[2]
Launched2 December 1799[1][Note 1]
Commissioned1800[1]
Maiden voyage22 May 1800[3]
Captured1 June 1813[1]
History
Royal Navy EnsignUK
NameHMS Chesapeake
Acquiredby capture, 1 June 1813
Commissioned1813
FateBroken up, 1820[1]
General characteristics (1813)
Class and type38-gun Frigate
Displacement1,244 tons[1]
Length152.8 ft (46.6 m) between perpendiculars[1]
Beam41.3 ft (12.6 m)[1]
Draft20 ft (6.1 m)[1]
Depth of hold13.9 ft (4.2 m)[5][Note 2]
DecksOrlop, Berth, Gun, Spar
PropulsionSail (three masts, ship rig)
Complement340 officers and enlisted[1]
Armamentlist error: <br /> list (help)
29 x 18-pounder long guns
2 x 12-pounder long guns
18 x 32-pounder carronades
1 x 12-pounder carronade[6]
For other ships with the same name, see USS Chesapeake.

USS Chesapeake was a 38-gun sailing frigate of the United States Navy and one of the original six frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. Originally designed by Joshua Humphreys, builder Josiah Fox would alter her design plan during construction fueling a life-long feud with Humphreys and helping Chesapeake earn her title of "unlucky ship" and "runt of the litter."

Launched at the Gosport Navy Yard on 2 December 1799 Chesapeake began her career during the Quasi War with France and saw service in the First Barbary War. On 22 June 1807, in what has become known as the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair she was fired upon by HMS Leopard for refusing to comply with a search for deserters from the Royal Navy. During the War of 1812 she was captured by HMS Shannon shortly after sailing from Boston, Massachusetts. The Royal Navy then took her into their service as HMS Chesapeake where she served until her timbers were broken up and sold in 1820. Her salvaged timbers are now part of the Chesapeake Mill.

Construction

Main article: Original six frigates of the United States Navy

The keel of "Frigate D" was laid down in December 1795 at the Gosport Navy Yard in Norfolk, Virginia where Josiah Fox had been appointed her naval constructor and Richard Dale as superintendent of construction. In March 1796, a peace accord was announced between the United States and the Dey of Algiers and, in accordance with the Naval Act of 1794, construction was suspended and the keel of "Frigate D" was left on the stocks for two years.[7][2]

"Frigate D" had been planned as a 44-gun frigate but when her construction resumed in 1798 Joshua Humphreys's original design plan was altered by Fox resulting in "Frigate D" becoming a 36-gun frigate.[7] The reasons for the alteration can be attributed to construction materials that were diverted to complete Constellation and additionally, Fox and Humphreys had disagreed over the design of the six frigates. This perhaps gave Fox an opportunity for making the alterations to his own liking. Regardless, Fox's plan for the redesigned frigate was approved by Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert.[8] The result of the alterations would give Chesapeake the smallest dimensions out of all three 36-gun frigates.[9] A length of 152.8 ft (46.6 m) between perpendiculars would contrast in length of the other two 36-gun frigates, Congress and Constellation which were built to 164 ft (50 m) in length.[10][11]

During construction of "Frigate D", a sloop named Chesapeake was launched on 20 June 1799 but renamed Patapsco between 10 October and 14 November apparently to free up the name Chesapeake for "Frigate D".[12] Further confusing matters was that in communications between Fox and Stoddert, Fox repeatedly referred to "Frigate D" as Congress until he was told the ship was to be named Chesapeake. Out of all of the six frigates, she was the only one not named by President George Washington, or after a principle of the United States Constitution.[8][13]

The Naval Act had specified 36-gun frigates however, at some point the 36's were re-rated as 38's.[14] As a 38-gun frigate, Chesapeake's rating was meant only as an approximation, and she would often carry up to 50 guns at a time.[6] During her engagement with HMS Shannon, Chesapeake was armed with a battery of 50 guns. On the gun deck, she carried twenty-eight 18-pounder long cannon, 14 on each side. This main battery was complemented by two long 12-pounders, one long 18-pounder, eighteen 32-pounder carronades, and one 12-pound carronade on the spar deck. Her broadside weight was 542 pounds (246 kg).[6]

Quasi-War

Main article: Quasi-War

Chesapeake was launched without ceremony on 2 December 1799 and her fitting-out continued through May 1800. In March, Josiah Fox was reprimanded by Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert for continuing to work on Chesapeake while Congress was fully manned with a crew drawing pay but still awaiting completion. Stoddert appointed Thomas Truxton to ensure that his directives were carried out towards Congress.[15]

Chesapeake first put to sea on 22 May commanded by Captain Samuel Barron and marked her departure from Norfolk with a 13-gun salute.[3] Her first assignment was to carry currency from Charleston, South Carolina to Philadelphia[16] and on 6 June 1800 she joined a squadron patrolling off the southern coast of the United States and in the West Indies. A sailing contest with her sister ship President[17] during this cruise would result in Chesapeake being soundly defeated.[9] She captured the French privateer La Jeune Creole as a prize on 1 January 1801 thereafter being placed in ordinary.[1][18]

First Barbary War

Main article: First Barbary War

In response to an 1801 demand from Yussif Karamanli, the Pasha of Tripoli, for $225,000 in tribute from the United States, President Thomas Jefferson had sent a group of frigates to defend American interests in the Mediterranean.[19] The first squadron had been under the command of Richard Dale in President and the second was assigned to the command of Richard Valentine Morris in Chesapeake. Morris's squadron would eventually consist of the vessels Constellation, New York, John Adams, Adams, and Enterprise. Some months were occupied in getting the vessels ready for sea; and it was not until September 1802 that the last ship of the squadron would arrive on station.[20]

Chesapeake departed from Hampton Roads on 27 April 1802, bound for the Mediterranean and arrived at Gibraltar on 25 May. Morris had brought along his wife, young son and housekeeper. Midshipman Henry Wadsworth would write that the crew of Chesapeake referred to Mrs. Morris as the "Commodoress"[21] and others would believe that Mrs. Morris was the reason behind Chesapeake's remaining in Gibraltar for months at a time.[22] It was not until July that Constellation was sent as a token gesture to begin the blockade of Tripoli. Captain Alexander Murray would keep Constellation far offshore and led an ineffective blockade; even allowing the American merchant ship Franklin to be captured by the Tripolines.[23]

According to Consul William Eaton, Morris and the rest of the squadron spent time at Gibraltar sightseeing, and "dancing and wenching."[23] In early 1803 Eaton returned to the United States and made his report on the state of affairs in the Mediterranean under Morris. Chesapeake would sail for home on 6 April, as the term of enlistments had expired for her crew. She arrived at the Washington Navy Yard on 1 June and was placed in ordinary.[22] Morris would remain in the Mediterranean until being recalled from duty by Secretary of the Navy Robert Smith.[24]

Chesapeake–Leopard Affair

Main article: Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
Chesapeake fires her only shot upon Leopard

James Barron was ordered to command Chesapeake in January 1807 and prepare her for patrol and convoy duty in the Mediterranean, as her sister ship Constitution had been on duty there since 1803.[25] Barron found Chesapeake in much disarray from her several year period of inactivity and he left Master Commandant Charles Gordon in charge of the preparations.[26] Meanwhile, Lieutenant Arthur Sinclair was tasked with recruiting personnel for Chesapeake and among those he recruited were three sailors who had deserted from HMS Melampus. Barron noted the sailors were indeed from HMS Melampus but that they had been impressed into Royal Navy service from the beginning and therefore refused to release them back to HMS Melampus.[27]

Chesapeake departed Hampton Roads on 21 June 1807 and passed a British squadron, HMS Melampus, HMS Bellona, HMS Leopard operating in the area to intercept French shipping.[28] HMS Leopard followed Chesapeake to sea.[27] There the Captain of HMS Leopard hailed Chesapeake and demanded the surrender of various Royal Navy deserters. When Barron refused, HMS Leopard fired a quick succession of broadsides, killing three men and wounding 18 (including Barron).[29] Barron struck his colors and the British boarded and carried off four crewmen, and declined Barron's offer that Chesapeake be taken as a prize of war.[30] Chesapeake had been completely unprepared to defend herself during the incident. None of her guns had been primed for operation and the spar deck was filled with stores that had not been stowed in the cargo hold.[31] Only one retaliatory shot was fired, after hot coals from the galley were brought on deck to ignite the cannon.[32]

Barron was later found guilty of "neglecting on the probability of an engagement to clear his Ship for action" and was suspended from the Navy for five years.[33] Chesapeake returned to Norfolk for repairs, and then with Captain Stephen Decatur in command, cruised off the New England coast enforcing the laws of the Embargo Act of 1807. During this period Decatur would declare Chesapeake to "Sail uncommonly dull."[9]

War of 1812

File:JamesLawrence.jpg
Captain James Lawrence
Main article: War of 1812

The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair and later the Little Belt Affair were two incidents of prelude for the United States to declare war on Britain 18 June 1812.[1] Chesapeake was prepared for duty in the Atlantic and beginning on 13 December under the command of Captain Samuel Evans,[34] she ranged from Madeira and traveled clockwise to Cape Verde Islands to South America and then back to Boston. She captured four British ships,Volunteer, Liverpool Hero, Earl Percy, and Ellen, one American ship trading under a British license, brig Julia, and one American ship recaptured from British privateers, Valeria, as prizes. During the cruise, she was chased by an unknown British ship-of-the-line and frigate, but after a passing storm squall, the two pursuing ships were gone the next morning. The cargo of Volunteer was 40 tons of pig iron and copper, which sold for $185,000 (1813 dollars). Earl Percy never made it back to port as she ran aground off the coast off Long Island and Liverpool Hero was burned as she was considered leaky. Chesapeake returned to Boston on 9 April 1813 for refitting.[6][35]

Captain James Lawrence took command of Chesapeake on 20 May but found affairs in poor condition.[36] The term of enlistment for many of the crew had expired, and they were daily leaving the ship. Those who remained were sullen and drunk[37] as some of the prize money from her previous cruise was held up in court. In order to appease the remaining crew, Lawrence began paying out the prize money due to them from his own pocket. Some sailors from Constitution joined Chesapeake and together they filled the crew with sailors of all nations.[36] Lawrence had recently commanded Hornet during her victory over HMS Peacock and he was eager to put to sea and challenge Shannon to a battle.[37]

The port of Boston was under blockade by HMS Shannon and HMS Tenedos. Congress and President had slipped out of the Harbor using heavy fog as a cover but Chesapeake and Constitution remained behind undergoing repairs.[37] HMS Tenedos departed for Halifax, Nova Scotia on 25 May to replenish her drinking water leaving HMS Shannon the lone ship on blockade duty.[38] HMS Shannon had been under the command of Captain Philip Broke since 1806 and under his direction, the crew held daily gun and weapon drills lasting up to three hours.[39] Broke awarded a pound (454g) of tobacco to any crew member who could hit their bullseye.[36]

Chesapeake vs Shannon

Main article: Capture of USS Chesapeake

On the evening of 31 May, Lawrence was advised that Shannon had moved in closer to Boston and he began preparations to sail. The next morning, Broke wrote a challenge to Lawrence and dispatched his message to Chesapeake but it did not arrive before Lawrence had set out to meet Shannon on his own accord.[40]

Captain Broke leads the boarding party aboard Chesapeake

Leaving port with a broad white flag, bearing the motto, "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights" Chesapeake met with Shannon near 5pm that afternoon. During six minutes of firing, each ship managed two full broadsides. Chesapeake was struck by 362 shots, while Shannon was hit by 258. Chesapeake suffered early in the exchange of broadsides, having her helm shot away so she lost maneuverability. Lawrence ordered the crew to prepare a boarding party to Shannon but the failure of the bugler to sound the call left the crew in disarray.[36][41]

Lawrence himself was then mortally wounded and carried below giving his last order: "Don't give up the ship. Fight her till she sinks." Broke then ordered a boarding party from Shannon which soon overwhelmed the unorganized sailors of Chesapeake and hauled down her colors. Captain Broke was severely injured in fighting on the forecastle of Chesapeake and was not expected to survive.[36][41]

Out of Chesapeake's crew 61 were killed or mortally wounded and 85 severely or slightly wounded. Chesapeake and her crew were taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia where Captain Lawrence was buried with military honors and the rest imprisoned. Captain Broke survived his wounds and was later made baronet.[6] Chesapeake was repaired and taken into service by the Royal Navy as HMS Chesapeake where she served until being sold at Portsmouth, England in 1820 and broken up. Surviving timbers of Chesapeake were used to build the Chesapeake Mill where they can be seen and visited to this day.[42]

Legacy

Chesapeake's flag on display in London 1914

To the superstitious sailors of the 19th century Chesapeake, almost from her beginnings was considered an "unlucky ship." As the "runt of the litter" and the product of a disagreement between Humpreys and Fox. Her ill-fated battles with HMS Leopard and Shannon to several accidental deaths of crewmen led many to believe she was cursed. Parties defending both Humphreys and Fox regarding their long standing disagreements would go on for years. Humphreys disowned any credit for the design of Chesapeake and in 1827 wrote: "She spoke his talents. Which I leave the Commanders of that ship to estimate by her qualifications."[9][43][Note 3]

Lawrence's last command of "Don't give up the ship!" would become a rallying cry for the US Navy. Oliver Hazard Perry in command of naval forces on Lake Erie during September 1813, would name his flag ship Lawrence and fly a broad blue flag with the words "Don't give up the ship!"[44] The phrase is still used in the US Navy today as displayed on the USS Lake Erie.[45]Chesapeake's blood stained and bullet ridden American flag was sold at auction in London in 1908. Purchased by William Waldorf Astor it now resides in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England along with her signal book.[46][47] The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax also holds several artifacts of the battle.[48]

Notes

  1. ^ Chapelle claims 20 June 1799 perhaps mistaking the launch date of the renamed Patapsco with Chesapeake.
  2. ^ DANFS claims 20.1 ft (6.1 m) which has likely been confused with the draft measurement.
  3. ^ "She" and "her" refer to Chesapeake and "his" to Fox.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Chesapeake". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 29 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  2. ^ a b Beach 1986, p. 30
  3. ^ a b Toll 2006, p. 139
  4. ^ Roosevelt 1882, Chapter II
  5. ^ Chapelle 1949, p. 266
  6. ^ a b c d e Roosevelt 1882, Chapter V
  7. ^ a b Fowler 1984, pp. 21, 22
  8. ^ a b Beach 1986, p. 31
  9. ^ a b c d Toll 2006, p. 289
  10. ^ "Congress". DANFS. Retrieved 29 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  11. ^ "Constellation". DANFS. Retrieved 29 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  12. ^ "Patapsco". DANFS. Retrieved 29 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  13. ^ Toll 2006, p. 61
  14. ^ Chapelle 1949, p. 128
  15. ^ Toll 2006, p. 138
  16. ^ Cooper 1856, p. 139
  17. ^ "President". DANFS. Retrieved 29 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  18. ^ Fowler 1984, pp. 151, 152
  19. ^ Toll 2006, p. 169
  20. ^ Abbot 1896, Volume I, Part I, Chapter XVI
  21. ^ Fowler 1984, p. 73
  22. ^ a b Toll 2006, p. 173
  23. ^ a b Fowler 1984, p. 75
  24. ^ Fowler 1984, p. 81
  25. ^ Toll 2006, p. 290
  26. ^ Fowler 1984, p. 152
  27. ^ a b Fowler 1984, p. 153
  28. ^ Toll 2006, p. 291
  29. ^ Toll 2006, p. 297
  30. ^ Toll 2006, p. 298
  31. ^ Toll 2006, p. 294
  32. ^ Fowler 1984, p. 155
  33. ^ Fowler 1984, p. 156
  34. ^ Toll 2006, p. 402
  35. ^ Calhoun 2008, pp. 6–8, 14–16
  36. ^ a b c d e Abbot 1896, Volume I, Part II, Chapter IX
  37. ^ a b c Poolman 1962, p. 47
  38. ^ Poolman 1962, p. 56
  39. ^ Poolman 1962, p. 60
  40. ^ Cooper 1856, p. 304
  41. ^ a b Cooper 1856, pp. 305–308
  42. ^ "The Chesapeake Mill - history" (PDF). The Chesapeake Mill. Retrieved 22 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  43. ^ Toll 2006, pp. 472, 473
  44. ^ Abbot 1896, Volume I, Part II, Chapter VII
  45. ^ "History". USS Lake Erie. Retrieved 22 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  46. ^ "Chesapeake's Flag Stays in England". New York Times. 24 April 1908.
  47. ^ Tomlinson, Barbara (21 April 2009). "Don't give up the ship". National Maritime Museum. Retrieved 24 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  48. ^ "The Exhibits of The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic". Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. 11 January 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)

Bibliography

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