Capture of USS Chesapeake

USS Chesapeake

Royal Musuems Greenwich

In New England, the War of 1812 took place primarily on the water, with the British Navy blocking trading ships from accessing ports and coastal towns such as Boston fortifying their defenses in anticipation of an attack. The British and US Navies clashed off the coast in naval battles. One of these clashes became known as the Battle of Boston Harbor, or the capture of USS Chesapeake.

In May 1913, the US Navy reassigned famed Captain James Lawrence to command USS Chesapeake, located in Boston. At this new post, Lawrence met a crew who refused to reenlist until they resolved an issue with the distribution of their pay. Faced with pressure to begin patrolling for British ships, Lawrence grew eager to set off into Boston Harbor. In order to do so, the new commander took on recruits with less experience and set out.

Amid the struggle to obtain control of the coastlines, the commander of HMS Shannon, Philip Bowes Vere Broke, had written a letter challenging the Chesapeake to combat. Lawrence himself never received the letter. However, news of the impending ship-to-ship duel had spread throughout Boston, and most believed that USS Chesapeake would win this duel. When USS Chesapeake approached HMS Shannon in Boston Harbor on June 1,1813, Lawrence decided to attack the frigate, unaware that Broke had already planned to duel. Fairly matched in guns and size, the Chesapeake’s 50 guns were comparable to the Shannon’s 52 guns. The only significant advantage seemed to be the experience of the HMS Shannon’s crew and their training routine. The two frigates exchanged broadsides, and the Shannon compromised the Chesapeake's ability to maneuver almost instantly. Within minutes, Captain Lawrence’s First Lieutenant William Ludlow received a mortal wound. Wounded twice himself, Captain Lawrence announced, "Don’t give up the ship!" before being brought below deck by Acting Lieutenant William Cox. Exposed its target to continuous firing, HMS Shannon took the frigate in less than 25 minutes. HMS Shannon arrived in Halifax four days later with the survivors of the Chesapeake. The captives remained interred at Melville Island Military Prison for the rest of the war.[1]

"Boarding and Taking the American Ship Chesapeake by the Officers and Crew of H.M. Ship Shannon Commanded by Capt. Broke June 1813"

Naval History and Heritage Command

Original reports listed USS Chesapeake as suffering 23 casualties, with HMS Shannon having 24. Captain Lawrence died on June 4, before their arrival in Halifax. First interred at the Old Burying Grounds at Barrington Street, Captain Lawrence was later reinterred at the Trinity Churchyard in Manhattan, where thousands attended the public service. Captain Lawrence continued to be seen as a hero of the battle, even after the war ended.

Burials for the other casualties of the battle occurred on Deadman’s Island and the Royal Navy Burial Ground for the USS Chesapeake and the HMS Shannon respectively. The commander of HMS Shannon, Captain Broke, suffered a serious injury but survived the ordeal. USS Chesapeake became a part of the Royal Navy as HMS Chesapeake, serving until 1819.[2]

This incident did not sit well with many Americans, and conspiracy theories hypothesizing the real reason for the loss began almost immediately. Some faced punishment for their actions on June 1, including Midshipman James W. Forest, who received a reprimand. A Black bugler named William Brown received a punishment of 100 lashes for failing to blow his bugle at a crucial moment. For Acting Lieutenant William Cox, this mentality resulted in a court martial. Accused of "unofficer- like conduct" for bringing Lawrence below deck, the court released Cox from service.

None of these men should have shouldered the blame for the loss of USS Chesapeake. Instead, the defeat can be attributed to the same reasons that gave HMS Shannon the edge. The crew having more experience, being more familiar with their commander, and having different training practices are just some elements that can be attributed to HMS Shannon successfully taking the USS Chesapeake.[3]

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Footnotes:

[1] "The Capture of the Chesapeake, 1 June 1813, and What it Meant," accessed April 23, 2023; "Explaining Defeat: the Loss of the USS Chesapeake," accessed April 23, 2023; "HMS Shannon Vs. USS Chesapeake," accessed April 23, 2023.

[2] "The Capture of the Chesapeake, 1 June 1813, and What it Meant," accessed April 23, 2023; "HMS Shannon Vs. USS Chesapeake," accessed April 23, 2023.

[3] "Captain, USN, (1781- 1813)," accessed April 23, 2023; "Explaining Defeat: The Loss of the USS Chesapeake," accessed April 23, 2023.