American Heavy Frigates 1794–1826

This extracts is taken from the chapter entitled ‘Operational history: The War of 1812.’

Resentment between Britain and the United States over the issues of neutral rights and Royal Navy impressment of United States citizens grew following the end of the Quasi-War with France. War with England became virtually inevitable after Chesapeake, sailing for the Mediterranean, was forcibly stopped by a British warship and searched for Royal Navy deserters. American outrage almost led to war. London, stretched to the limit against Napoleon, defused the situation. Britain eventually released the sailors seized, but the incident poisoned British–American relations. The United States government instituted patrols off the American seaboard to protect its merchant shipping, and the United States, Constitution, and President were recommissioned. They now carried 26 guns on their spar decks. A pair of long 24-pounders on the forecastle served as chase guns. The United States and President filled out the spar deck with 42-pound carronades, whereas the Constitution typically carried 32-pound carronades.

On May 14, 1811 USS President encountered a British warship at night off the New York coast. Initially neither ship knew the other’s identity. Words were exchanged, then shots. A fight ensued. Daybreak revealed a badly battered 22-gun British sloop-of-war, the Little Belt. Commodore John Rodgers expressed regrets and let the sloop crawl back to Halifax. What really happened is still a guess. It is likely that Little Belt’s commander tried a bluff similar to the Maidstone’s, and the pugnacious Rodgers called it. Royal Navy captains vowed revenge, but Rodgers, uncowed, painted the President’s name in large letters on its foretopsail.

On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Britain. The precipitating cause – the Orders in Council to which America objected – had been rescinded earlier, but word had not reached Washington. Despite declaring war, the United States was unprepared. Only six frigates were ready for sea. The three 44s carried the load in 1812.

The war opened with virtually the entire American Navy sailing as a squadron, consisting of the President, United States, the 36-gun frigate Congress, and two sloops-of-war. Led by Commodore Rodgers it swept the Atlantic in search of a British convoy reportedly bound for the West Indies. The Americans instead found the 36-gun frigate HMS Belvidera, whose crew were unaware that their nations were at war. The Americans’ hostile intentions were clear, and the Belvidera sensibly turned and fled.

The slower ships fell astern until only the President was within range of the Belvidera. As the President drew within pistol-shot of the Belvidera’s port quarter a chase gun burst. The explosion killed or wounded 16. Commodore Rodgers was injured while laying the gun. In the confusion the Belvidera evaded its pursuers and returned to Halifax.

A squadron immediately sailed from Halifax in search of the American squadron. Consisting of the Africa (64) and four frigates, it instead found the Constitution. A three-day pursuit of the American frigate followed. The Constitution escaped using a combination of consummate seamanship and luck. Its captain, Isaac Hull, took the ship safely into Boston.