The United States Part 2/ The War of 1812

This is Part 2 of the USA Article. For Part 1, click here: USA Part 1. This article is also the War of 1812 article.

The War of 1812

Following the independence of the United States in 1776 (and 1783 for Great Britain), it was not easy for the new union. They struggled to trade with other nations due to the Napoleonic Wars, not many nations recognized them yet, and their economy? Trash.

The British Empire believed that any man born before 1783 was still a Brit. And thus, began the British impressment of American sailors. The British were at war with France, and needed a constant stream of fresh recruits to man their 800 ship navy. They used the practice of impressing their own shores, where any able bodied man was forced to join the navy, but their stream of young men was running out. 

The British turned across the Atlantic, more specifically, to the United States. They halted US merchant ships, took their sailors, confiscated cargo, and did not give anything in return. The Americans were outraged.

On June 18th, 1812, the United States declared war on the British Empire. In the following weeks, a few tense naval showdowns began between the original 6 Yankee frigates (the ships USS Constitution, Constellation, President, Chesapeake, United States and Congress) and the British Navy. The United States won most of these engagements.

Some notable engagements were: USS Constitution vs HMS Guerriere (start of the war in 1812), USS United States vs Macedonian, and USS Constitution vs HMS Java. All of these resulted in US wins. 

In 1814, the British blockaded the US coast and burnt buildings such as the White House. The Yankee Frigates, now reduced to 4, were put on harbor duties. However, a few notable commanders would make a name for themselves…

The American Naval Campaigns of the War of 1812

David Porter was one of the best US naval commanders in history. In 1813, he took his little frigate USS Essex around Bermuda and took several British ships and the sloop of war HMS Alert.

Later that year, he went on a cruise that would become famous for ages. David Porter, still in the USS Essex, would capture over 12 British Whalers and would put up a fight that would reach the world before Porter swam to HMS Phoebe. He went around the Strait of Magellan, into the Pacific, wreaked havoc on British merchant whalers, and claimed an island, all within a year. 

During this campaign, he fitted out several merchant ships with guns and sent them out. They also captured several more British ships. In fact, this campaign was so incredible, that David decided that he would simply sell his prizes and live off them.

However, while in a neutral Chilean harbor, he was attacked by HMS Phoebe and HMS Cherub in 1814. His little Essex, which had been fitted with short range carronades before his command, was no match for the larger British ships. She was pounded into pieces, but not before giving the British a beating in return.

  David Porter was captured but returned to the United States not long after. His adopted son, David Faraggut, would go on to make Porter proud when he became the first US admiral. 

James Lawrence had taken the larger HMS Peacock at the same time as David Porter’s Bermuda cruise. He became known far and wide as one of the best naval commanders. He commanded USS Chesapeake in 1813, during which the British were tightly blockading. He slipped out of harbor, only to be met with HMS Shannon. In the resulting battle, the Shannon’s captain was nearly killed. However, James Lawrence WAS killed in the battle. His last words, “don’t give up the ship,” would be known for decades after that. USS Lawrence was named in his honor, but also sunk in 1815.

USS Chesapeake (right) fighting HMS Shannon (left)

Thanks for reading! The Britannica War of 1812 article, Britannic United States article, and the US Battlefields Trust War of 1812 article were used for research.

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