herakles
23-01-2008, 05:37
The USS Chesapeake was a 38 gun frigate, launched in 1799.
She featured heavily in two separate engagements with the Royal Navy.
In 1807 whilst on patrol, she was challenged by HMS Leopard. They demanded she hand over British deserters. After refusing, Leopard fired broadsides into her, killing some crew and causing her captain, Commodore Barron to strike his colours.
Four deserters were taken off presumably to be hanged and the British captain disdainfully declined taking Chesapeake as a prize of war. The British and Americans were not at war then.
This incident outraged the Americans. They demanded compensation and that the British captain be court-martialed. And that a public apology be made on American soil. None of that happened. This incident undoubtedly contributed to war breaking out between the two counties in 1812.
In 1813 she put to sea from Boston in command of Capt. Lawrence. He was responding to a written challenge from the captain of HMS Shannon which was lying in wait outside the harbour. The battle was short. only taking 15 minutes, despite the excellent fighting abilities of the Chesapeake. Her wheel shot away and her captain dead, she struck her colours. The British were keen to avenge earlier disasters inflicted on them by he Americans.
She was taken to Halifax where her crew were taken off. Taken into service in the Royal Navy she saw out the rest of the war, eventually being broken up in 1820.
An artefact was mounted in HMS Victory and another handed over to the Americans in 2000.
She featured heavily in two separate engagements with the Royal Navy.
In 1807 whilst on patrol, she was challenged by HMS Leopard. They demanded she hand over British deserters. After refusing, Leopard fired broadsides into her, killing some crew and causing her captain, Commodore Barron to strike his colours.
Four deserters were taken off presumably to be hanged and the British captain disdainfully declined taking Chesapeake as a prize of war. The British and Americans were not at war then.
This incident outraged the Americans. They demanded compensation and that the British captain be court-martialed. And that a public apology be made on American soil. None of that happened. This incident undoubtedly contributed to war breaking out between the two counties in 1812.
In 1813 she put to sea from Boston in command of Capt. Lawrence. He was responding to a written challenge from the captain of HMS Shannon which was lying in wait outside the harbour. The battle was short. only taking 15 minutes, despite the excellent fighting abilities of the Chesapeake. Her wheel shot away and her captain dead, she struck her colours. The British were keen to avenge earlier disasters inflicted on them by he Americans.
She was taken to Halifax where her crew were taken off. Taken into service in the Royal Navy she saw out the rest of the war, eventually being broken up in 1820.
An artefact was mounted in HMS Victory and another handed over to the Americans in 2000.