War of 1812, Part 25: The Cruise of USS Essex

The New Nation
Written By Tom Hand

The longest cruise of a United States Navy ship during the War of 1812 was that of the USS Essex, a frigate built and paid for in 1799 during a wave of patriotic fervor by the citizens of Essex County, Massachusetts, who wanted to help their country and President John Adams build our Navy. Commanded by Captain David Porter, the Essex was ordered to rendezvous off Brazil with a squadron led by Captain William Bainbridge. But, unable to link up with Bainbridge, Porter decided upon a bold venture. Recognizing he must strike the British where they were most vulnerable, Porter sailed for the Pacific Ocean, where dozens of British whaling vessels were plying their lucrative trade. And, because no American warship had yet sailed its waters, there were no Royal Navy ships in the Pacific, leaving the British whalers relatively unprotected.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses what happened during the cruise of the USS Essex and why it still matters today. 

 

Images courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command, Museum of Fine Arts - Boston, National Gallery of Art, National Portrait Gallery - Smithsonian Institution, Library of Congress, U.S. Army, Wikimedia.

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Tom Hand
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War of 1812, Part 24: Don’t Give Up the Ship