War of 1812, Part 23: USS Wasp and Hornet Sting British

The New Nation
Written By Tom Hand

Besides the frigates, of which the American Navy was justifiably proud, there were eight smaller vessels called sloops-of-war that also recorded two notable victories, contributing to the growing respect for our country’s navy. The first was fought on October 18, 1812, between the USS Wasp and HMS Frolic off Cape Hatteras. Four months later, on February 24, 1813, the USS Hornet fought HMS Peacock off the coast of South America. The American ships emerged victorious in both battles, with the British suffering high casualties.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses the smaller sloops-of-war that contributed to the growing strength of the United States Navy.

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

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War of 1812, Part 23: USS Wasp and Hornet Sting British
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Besides the much-heralded frigates, of which the United States Navy was justifiably proud, there were eight smaller vessels that also contributed to the growing respect for our country’s Navy. These were sloops-of-war and roughly half the size of frigates, carrying eighteen to twenty guns and about one hundred thirty sailors. Like their larger brothers, they too went to sea as soon as war was declared on Great Britain and, in the first six months of the year, recorded two notable victories.

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Tom Hand
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War of 1812, Part 22: American Frigates Shock British