Macedonian then maneuvered for her opponent’s “larboard quarter” or port side, which brought the ships closer. The American vessel fired first, but the rounds fell short, as did the reply from her adversary’s battery. At 9:00 am, the ships stood a mile apart. To maintain this tactical advantage, Carden steered a long, angling intercept course toward United States. Months later as the two frigates met in battle, Macedonian held the weather gage or windward position. The two officers were said to have wagered a beaver hat on the outcome of a future contest between their ships should they meet in combat. The British captain, however, went ashore and socialized at the home of Stephen Decatur and his wife Susan. Carden allowed his men no liberty, fearing that the American sailors in his ship, especially those pressed into service, would desert once on their native soil.
Earlier in the year, before the commencement of hostilities, Macedonian and United States had shared an anchorage for several weeks in Norfolk, Virginia, where the officers exchanged visits aboard each vessel. Now two warships of the belligerent nations bore down on each other for a duel at sea. Four months earlier, the United States had declared war on Great Britain in the name of free trade and sailors’ rights, thus starting the War of 1812. Carden, was cruising the Atlantic between the Azores and Cape Verde Islands, when a lookout called out, “Sail ho!” The vessel on the horizon was USS United States, a 44-gun frigate commanded by Captain Stephen Decatur, hero of the 1804 raid on Tripoli Harbor. Navy's earliest heroes, achievements, and traditions are part of the six frigates story.Īt dawn on Sunday, October 25, 1812, HMS Macedonian, a 38-gun frigate under Captain John S. The launch of the frigates is a significant moment in both U.S. Navy's six frigates (United States), which began the new United States Navy. Editor's Note: On May 10, 2022, Naval History and Heritage Command will commemorate the 225th anniversary of the launch of the first of the U.S.
0 kommentar(er)
