Road to War, Part 2: The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair

The New Nation
Written By Tom Hand

In June 1807, several British sailors deserted from Royal Navy ships stationed near Norfolk, Virginia, and signed on with the USS Chesapeake, a 50-gun frigate commanded by Captain James Barron that was preparing to sail to the Mediterranean. Admiral George Berkeley, who commanded the British fleet in North American waters, was frustrated at the repeated desertions and sent word via the British frigate Leopard, commanded by Captain Salusbury Humphreys, to the British squadron to detain and search the Chesapeake for deserters. On the morning of June 22, Captain Humphreys had a message delivered declaring that there were deserters on board the Chesapeake and requesting permission to inspect the crew. Captain Barron denied the request, and the Leopard then fired two warning shots across the bow of the Chesapeake. Two minutes later, the Leopard poured a full broadside of solid shot and canister at point blank range into the helpless American frigate.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair and why it still matters today.  

 

Images courtesy of the Library of Congress, Naval History and Heritage Command, Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, New York Public Library, Encyclopedia Virginia, Picryl, Wikimedia. 

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Tom Hand
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