War of 1812, Part 21: The Great Naval Chase of 1812

The New Nation
Written By Tom Hand

At the outset of the War of 1812, the only ships ready for sea were the President, commanded by Commodore John Rodgers, the United States, commanded by Captain Stephen Decatur, the Congress, and the Argus. The rest were either not seaworthy or struggling to find an adequate crew, as in the case of the Constitution, commanded by Captain Isaac Hull. The Constitution left Annapolis and arrived off the New Jersey coast on Friday, July 17, sighting five distant sails making straight for the ship. Hull realized this was a British squadron under Captain Philip Broke and wisely took flight, thus starting one of the great chases in the age of sail.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses the great naval chase of 1812 and why it still matters today. 

 

Images courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command, National Portrait Gallery - Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, USS Constitution Museum, Wikimedia. 

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Tom Hand
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