1812: The Navy's War (59 page)
During the battle, the
Castillian
had seen the
Avon
’s distress signals and raced toward her. But by the time Braimer arrived, the
Avon
had surrendered, and she was sinking fast. Blakeley had already pulled away to force the
Castillian
to rescue the
Avon
’s crew and to gain some distance while he repaired his ship. The
Castillian
fired at the
Wasp
as she departed but did little additional damage, and then turned to help the doomed
Avon
. Working frantically, Braimer was able to get the
Avon
’s crew off just before she sank. While she did, Blakeley saw two additional warships steering toward the scene, whereupon he threw on all sail and disappeared into the night.
Castillian
had seen the
Avon
’s distress signals and raced toward her. But by the time Braimer arrived, the
Avon
had surrendered, and she was sinking fast. Blakeley had already pulled away to force the
Castillian
to rescue the
Avon
’s crew and to gain some distance while he repaired his ship. The
Castillian
fired at the
Wasp
as she departed but did little additional damage, and then turned to help the doomed
Avon
. Working frantically, Braimer was able to get the
Avon
’s crew off just before she sank. While she did, Blakeley saw two additional warships steering toward the scene, whereupon he threw on all sail and disappeared into the night.
During the next three weeks, the
Wasp
sailed south, capturing three more merchantmen, the last being the
Atlanta
, on September 21, a hundred miles east of Madeira. Blakeley sent her to Savannah, where she arrived on November 4. Midshipman David Geisinger was in command, and he brought Blakeley’s dispatches for Secretary Jones.
Wasp
sailed south, capturing three more merchantmen, the last being the
Atlanta
, on September 21, a hundred miles east of Madeira. Blakeley sent her to Savannah, where she arrived on November 4. Midshipman David Geisinger was in command, and he brought Blakeley’s dispatches for Secretary Jones.
Three weeks later, on October 9, nine hundred miles farther south, the Swedish brig
Adonis
, bound for Falmouth, England, from Rio de Janeiro, encountered the
Wasp.
The brig had aboard two American officers who were anxious to transfer to the American warship
—
Lieutenant Stephen Decatur McKnight and Acting Midshipman James R. Lyman, both from the frigate
Essex.
They were on their way to England to testify in the condemnation proceedings for the
Essex
, which had been defeated in Valparaiso six months before. The chance meeting with the
Adonis
is the last that was ever heard of the
Wasp
; she never returned to port. Blakeley was probably on his way to the West Indies and met with a disaster of some sort, most likely a ferocious storm. It was hurricane season, and one of them probably sank the
Wasp
.
Adonis
, bound for Falmouth, England, from Rio de Janeiro, encountered the
Wasp.
The brig had aboard two American officers who were anxious to transfer to the American warship
—
Lieutenant Stephen Decatur McKnight and Acting Midshipman James R. Lyman, both from the frigate
Essex.
They were on their way to England to testify in the condemnation proceedings for the
Essex
, which had been defeated in Valparaiso six months before. The chance meeting with the
Adonis
is the last that was ever heard of the
Wasp
; she never returned to port. Blakeley was probably on his way to the West Indies and met with a disaster of some sort, most likely a ferocious storm. It was hurricane season, and one of them probably sank the
Wasp
.
IN EARLY JANUARY 1814, Captain Charles Morris sailed the newly converted 28-gun corvette
Adams
to the mouth of the Potomac River and waited for an opportunity to run the blockade at the Chesapeake Capes. On January 18, he saw his chance. A strong northwest wind was blowing with occasional snow squalls. The
Adams
stood out from the river at five o’clock in the afternoon and made a run for it, moving fast with little visibility and poor pilots. As she plunged ahead in dim light, correct soundings were impossible. When the ship approached Middle Ground Shoals at the entrance to the bay, she struck ground once, then twice. The swell, however, pushed her into deeper water, and she was suddenly free. More importantly, she wasn’t leaking. Morris did not know where she was exactly. The pilots disagreed. Unwilling to be imprisoned in the bay any longer, Morris sailed on. At midnight, when he was passing Lynnhaven Bay, he saw two enemy ships, and they could see the
Adams
. But she was traveling at twelve and a half knots and raced by them, passing Cape Henry without seeing the land. By daylight, Morris was well out to sea. He knew he had been lucky.
Adams
to the mouth of the Potomac River and waited for an opportunity to run the blockade at the Chesapeake Capes. On January 18, he saw his chance. A strong northwest wind was blowing with occasional snow squalls. The
Adams
stood out from the river at five o’clock in the afternoon and made a run for it, moving fast with little visibility and poor pilots. As she plunged ahead in dim light, correct soundings were impossible. When the ship approached Middle Ground Shoals at the entrance to the bay, she struck ground once, then twice. The swell, however, pushed her into deeper water, and she was suddenly free. More importantly, she wasn’t leaking. Morris did not know where she was exactly. The pilots disagreed. Unwilling to be imprisoned in the bay any longer, Morris sailed on. At midnight, when he was passing Lynnhaven Bay, he saw two enemy ships, and they could see the
Adams
. But she was traveling at twelve and a half knots and raced by them, passing Cape Henry without seeing the land. By daylight, Morris was well out to sea. He knew he had been lucky.
Morris was more than pleased with the
Adams
’s performance. She had been recently converted to a corvette at the Washington Navy Yard. The work began on August 12, 1813, and was completed on November 18. She had a crew of two hundred fifty and carried twenty-six eighteen-pounders and two twelve-pounders for bow chasers. Morris’s first lieutenant was Alexander S. Wadsworth of Portland, Maine. Morris was from Maine himself, having been brought up in the little backwoods town of Woodstock. Wadsworth had been second lieutenant aboard the
Constitution
when she fought the
Guerriere
.
Adams
’s performance. She had been recently converted to a corvette at the Washington Navy Yard. The work began on August 12, 1813, and was completed on November 18. She had a crew of two hundred fifty and carried twenty-six eighteen-pounders and two twelve-pounders for bow chasers. Morris’s first lieutenant was Alexander S. Wadsworth of Portland, Maine. Morris was from Maine himself, having been brought up in the little backwoods town of Woodstock. Wadsworth had been second lieutenant aboard the
Constitution
when she fought the
Guerriere
.
Morris headed for the Canaries and then the Cape Verde Islands. From there he sailed west to the northern end of the Caribbean. Along the way he captured two small merchant brigs. He then took the
Woodbridge
, a large East Indiaman, in thick weather. He had a crew aboard examining her cargo, when the visibility improved, revealing a twenty-five-ship convoy close by with two large warships for guards. They saw the
Adams
at the same time that she saw them, and they raced after her. Morris got his men off the rich prize quickly and fled, making good his escape, but he was very unhappy to be leaving all that booty behind.
Woodbridge
, a large East Indiaman, in thick weather. He had a crew aboard examining her cargo, when the visibility improved, revealing a twenty-five-ship convoy close by with two large warships for guards. They saw the
Adams
at the same time that she saw them, and they raced after her. Morris got his men off the rich prize quickly and fled, making good his escape, but he was very unhappy to be leaving all that booty behind.
On May 1 Morris was off the mouth of the Savannah River, desperate for food and water. The city was fifteen miles upriver, but the
Adams
drew too much water to get her there. Morris anchored off the lighthouse at the entrance to the river and sent boats to the city for provisions. The day after he arrived, the captured brig
Epervier
appeared, and Morris took whatever stores she could supply. Two days later the
Peacock
arrived, and Warrington, who was more than a little surprised to find Morris there, contributed more to the
Adams
.
Adams
drew too much water to get her there. Morris anchored off the lighthouse at the entrance to the river and sent boats to the city for provisions. The day after he arrived, the captured brig
Epervier
appeared, and Morris took whatever stores she could supply. Two days later the
Peacock
arrived, and Warrington, who was more than a little surprised to find Morris there, contributed more to the
Adams
.
By now the British at nearby Cumberland Island knew of the
Adams
. Aware of his exposure, Morris left on May 8, warping the ship out of the Savannah River in a light wind and beginning another cruise. He looked first for the Jamaica Convoy and found it on May 24, but two seventy-fours, two frigates, and three brigs were escorts, which made cutting out a merchantman nearly impossible. After hanging on the convoy for two days, Morris gave up and sailed to Ireland via the Newfoundland Grand Banks. On the way, he captured and destroyed two brigs. On July 4 he was off the mouth of the Shannon River. From there he sailed north along the Irish coast for five days but did not see a single ship. He then turned back south, and off the Irish Channel he ran into the 36-gun British frigate
Tigris
, under Captain Robert Henderson.
Adams
. Aware of his exposure, Morris left on May 8, warping the ship out of the Savannah River in a light wind and beginning another cruise. He looked first for the Jamaica Convoy and found it on May 24, but two seventy-fours, two frigates, and three brigs were escorts, which made cutting out a merchantman nearly impossible. After hanging on the convoy for two days, Morris gave up and sailed to Ireland via the Newfoundland Grand Banks. On the way, he captured and destroyed two brigs. On July 4 he was off the mouth of the Shannon River. From there he sailed north along the Irish coast for five days but did not see a single ship. He then turned back south, and off the Irish Channel he ran into the 36-gun British frigate
Tigris
, under Captain Robert Henderson.
She chased him, and she was gaining in a light sea with a headwind as night came on. Morris “let the lower anchors drop from the bows,” otherwise lightened the ship, and towed her during the night, as he had the
Constitution
in 1812, when she escaped from the Halifax squadron. In the morning, a providential breeze allowed him to leave the frigate. The
Adams
made “thirty-one miles in three hours, very close-hauled to the wind,” he explained in his autobiography. He attributed the speed to the absence of the anchors.
Constitution
in 1812, when she escaped from the Halifax squadron. In the morning, a providential breeze allowed him to leave the frigate. The
Adams
made “thirty-one miles in three hours, very close-hauled to the wind,” he explained in his autobiography. He attributed the speed to the absence of the anchors.
On July 19 Morris met two more British frigates, which sped after him. He threw on all sail and managed to stay just beyond gunshot range of the fastest pursuer. The chase lasted for forty grueling hours, during which the
Adams
ran four hundred miles of latitude. A short squall in the middle of the night allowed Morris to change course unseen and finally escape.
Adams
ran four hundred miles of latitude. A short squall in the middle of the night allowed Morris to change course unseen and finally escape.
Scurvy had now become a serious problem aboard the
Adams
. Several deaths had already occurred, and thirty men were unfit for duty. On July 25 Morris headed home. On the way he captured a ship, a brig, and a schooner. By August 16, his sick list had grown to fifty-eight, many of them serious cases of scurvy. It was urgent to get to port right away. Heavy fog enveloped the ship for three days, however, preventing accurate observations for latitude and longitude, but continual soundings made Morris confident he was on course for Portsmouth, New Hampshire. On August 17 the fog was still with them when, at four o’clock in the morning, a lookout suddenly shouted, “Breakers!” Before Morris could react, the forward part of the ship ran up on a slippery rock close to the Isle of Haute off the coast of Maine. By a heroic effort, Morris and the remaining healthy men saved the crippled ship and then struggled to bring her to the mouth of the Penobscot River. Well before they reached it, however, the British brig-sloop
Rifleman
spotted them. Morris knew a frigate or two from Halifax would soon be after him.
Adams
. Several deaths had already occurred, and thirty men were unfit for duty. On July 25 Morris headed home. On the way he captured a ship, a brig, and a schooner. By August 16, his sick list had grown to fifty-eight, many of them serious cases of scurvy. It was urgent to get to port right away. Heavy fog enveloped the ship for three days, however, preventing accurate observations for latitude and longitude, but continual soundings made Morris confident he was on course for Portsmouth, New Hampshire. On August 17 the fog was still with them when, at four o’clock in the morning, a lookout suddenly shouted, “Breakers!” Before Morris could react, the forward part of the ship ran up on a slippery rock close to the Isle of Haute off the coast of Maine. By a heroic effort, Morris and the remaining healthy men saved the crippled ship and then struggled to bring her to the mouth of the Penobscot River. Well before they reached it, however, the British brig-sloop
Rifleman
spotted them. Morris knew a frigate or two from Halifax would soon be after him.
Much worse was in store, however. In a few days General Sir John Sherbrooke’s invasion of eastern Maine commenced, trapping Morris and the disabled
Adams
in the Penobscot. Learning that the British had attacked nearby Castine, Morris moved his ship father up the Penobscot to Hampden, just south of Bangor. He was certain the invaders would come after the
Adams
, and he prepared to defend her. He called for help from the Maine militia, and nearly four hundred unexpectedly appeared, along with thirty regulars under Lieutenant Lewis, who had escaped from Castine. Using the
Adams
’s guns, Morris set up two batteries and made arrangements to destroy the ship, should it be necessary.
Adams
in the Penobscot. Learning that the British had attacked nearby Castine, Morris moved his ship father up the Penobscot to Hampden, just south of Bangor. He was certain the invaders would come after the
Adams
, and he prepared to defend her. He called for help from the Maine militia, and nearly four hundred unexpectedly appeared, along with thirty regulars under Lieutenant Lewis, who had escaped from Castine. Using the
Adams
’s guns, Morris set up two batteries and made arrangements to destroy the ship, should it be necessary.
On the morning of September 2, Captain Robert Barrie of the Royal Navy and Lieutenant Colonel Henry John attacked Morris with three hundred fifty soldiers. They quickly dispersed the Maine militiamen, forcing Morris to burn the
Adams
to keep her out of Barrie’s hands. Morris and his men fled into the Maine woods. He kept the crew together, and they made their way through difficult terrain to Canaan on the Kennebec River, where Morris borrowed money from the Bank of Waterville to feed his crew. He then made his way to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and the welcoming arms of Commodore Isaac Hull at the navy yard. During the entire two-hundred-mile trek, not one man deserted, and none died.
Adams
to keep her out of Barrie’s hands. Morris and his men fled into the Maine woods. He kept the crew together, and they made their way through difficult terrain to Canaan on the Kennebec River, where Morris borrowed money from the Bank of Waterville to feed his crew. He then made his way to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and the welcoming arms of Commodore Isaac Hull at the navy yard. During the entire two-hundred-mile trek, not one man deserted, and none died.
In spite of all his efforts, Morris’s cruise had been an abysmal failure. He did capture ten vessels, but they were of no importance. Of far greater consequence was the loss of one of the country’s few warships and an inordinate number of men as a result of scurvy. Secretary Jones gave Morris a chance to redeem himself, however. Sitting idle near Portsmouth was the abandoned frigate
Congress
. Earlier, Jones had dispatched her crew to Lake Ontario. He now assigned Morris to restore her and be her new captain. Morris eagerly grasped the opportunity.
Congress
. Earlier, Jones had dispatched her crew to Lake Ontario. He now assigned Morris to restore her and be her new captain. Morris eagerly grasped the opportunity.
A HEAVY SNOW storm in January 1814 allowed the 14-gun
Enterprise
(restored after her battle with the
Boxer
), under Lieutenant James Renshaw, to break out from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in company with the 16-gun
Rattlesnake
, under Master Commandant John O. Creighton. The brigs were on a commerce-destroying mission. They were warned to avoid single-ship duels. In his orders Secretary Jones “strictly prohibited [them] from giving or receiving a challenge, to, or from an enemy vessel.—the character of the American Navy does not require those feats of chivalry. And your own reputation is too well established to need factitious support.”
Enterprise
(restored after her battle with the
Boxer
), under Lieutenant James Renshaw, to break out from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in company with the 16-gun
Rattlesnake
, under Master Commandant John O. Creighton. The brigs were on a commerce-destroying mission. They were warned to avoid single-ship duels. In his orders Secretary Jones “strictly prohibited [them] from giving or receiving a challenge, to, or from an enemy vessel.—the character of the American Navy does not require those feats of chivalry. And your own reputation is too well established to need factitious support.”
Sailing together, the brigs reached St. Thomas in the northeastern corner of the Caribbean. They then cruised west along the southern coast of Cuba, around Cape San Antonio at the island’s western extremity, and ran east through the Florida Straits to the Atlantic coast.
While the brigs had been searching the northern Caribbean, Captain Stewart was cruising the southern part in the
Constitution
, neither having much luck. Off Florida, the
Enterprise
and the
Rattlesnake
were surprised when they chased a British privateer and saw more than two dozen of her crew suddenly making for shore in their boats. The privateer’s men thought the brigs were British men-of-war who were going to impress them. They were more afraid of the Royal Navy than they were of the Americans.
Constitution
, neither having much luck. Off Florida, the
Enterprise
and the
Rattlesnake
were surprised when they chased a British privateer and saw more than two dozen of her crew suddenly making for shore in their boats. The privateer’s men thought the brigs were British men-of-war who were going to impress them. They were more afraid of the Royal Navy than they were of the Americans.
The
Enterprise
and the
Rattlesnake
were then chased by a frigate, and on February 25 they had to separate. The frigate went after the
Enterprise
. At the end of a long chase, Renshaw slipped into the Cape Fear River and sailed up to Wilmington, North Carolina, where the frigate could not follow. The
Rattlesnake
reached the Cape Fear safely on March 9. The cruise had been a big disappointment for both ships.
Enterprise
and the
Rattlesnake
were then chased by a frigate, and on February 25 they had to separate. The frigate went after the
Enterprise
. At the end of a long chase, Renshaw slipped into the Cape Fear River and sailed up to Wilmington, North Carolina, where the frigate could not follow. The
Rattlesnake
reached the Cape Fear safely on March 9. The cruise had been a big disappointment for both ships.
In early May, Master Commandant Creighton was transferred from Wilmington, where he was refitting the two brigs, to the Washington Navy Yard to superintend construction of the new sloop of war
Argus
. He was Captain Thomas Tingey’s chief lieutenant during the British attack on the capital in August. Creighton was thus spared the disaster that befell the
Rattlesnake
on her next cruise. On July 11, the 50-gun
Leander
, under Captain Sir George Collier, caught her near Cape Sable in a heavy sea and took her to nearby Halifax. The
Enterprise
, although a notoriously slow sailer, was never captured.
Argus
. He was Captain Thomas Tingey’s chief lieutenant during the British attack on the capital in August. Creighton was thus spared the disaster that befell the
Rattlesnake
on her next cruise. On July 11, the 50-gun
Leander
, under Captain Sir George Collier, caught her near Cape Sable in a heavy sea and took her to nearby Halifax. The
Enterprise
, although a notoriously slow sailer, was never captured.
Another brig, the 16-gun
Siren
, under Master Commandant George Parker, slipped out of Boston during February. Parker steered to Madeira and then set his course southward. He passed the Canaries and planned to sail down the coast of Africa to the Cape of Good Hope. Parker had been first lieutenant aboard the
Constitution
when she defeated the
Java
. He was a much admired officer. During that battle, he had taken the place of Charles Morris, who was recuperating from injuries suffered in the fight with the
Guerriere
.
Siren
, under Master Commandant George Parker, slipped out of Boston during February. Parker steered to Madeira and then set his course southward. He passed the Canaries and planned to sail down the coast of Africa to the Cape of Good Hope. Parker had been first lieutenant aboard the
Constitution
when she defeated the
Java
. He was a much admired officer. During that battle, he had taken the place of Charles Morris, who was recuperating from injuries suffered in the fight with the
Guerriere
.
Before the
Siren
reached the Cape of Good Hope, however, Parker died, and Lieutenant Nathaniel D. Nicholson took command. On July 12, off the coast of South Africa, a lookout spotted a large enemy ship. Nicholson did everything he could to get away, jettisoning carronades, anchors, boats, cables, and spare spars, but nothing helped. After a chase of eleven hours, the 74-gun
Medway
, under Captain Augustus Brine, captured the brig. Samuel Leech, a British deserter, was aboard the
Siren
when she surrendered, but his identity went undiscovered. The officers and men of the
Siren
were taken into the
Medway
, where Captain Brine, with a careless disregard for the rules of civilized warfare, allowed his men to plunder them. He also permitted the prize crew aboard the
Siren
to take whatever they pleased. No American captain ever allowed his crew to rob helpless prisoners.
Siren
reached the Cape of Good Hope, however, Parker died, and Lieutenant Nathaniel D. Nicholson took command. On July 12, off the coast of South Africa, a lookout spotted a large enemy ship. Nicholson did everything he could to get away, jettisoning carronades, anchors, boats, cables, and spare spars, but nothing helped. After a chase of eleven hours, the 74-gun
Medway
, under Captain Augustus Brine, captured the brig. Samuel Leech, a British deserter, was aboard the
Siren
when she surrendered, but his identity went undiscovered. The officers and men of the
Siren
were taken into the
Medway
, where Captain Brine, with a careless disregard for the rules of civilized warfare, allowed his men to plunder them. He also permitted the prize crew aboard the
Siren
to take whatever they pleased. No American captain ever allowed his crew to rob helpless prisoners.
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