The Naval War of 1812: A Documentary History Volume II 1813 Part 3 of 8 Naval Historical Center Department of the Navy Washington, 1992 Electronically published by American Naval Records Society Bolton Landing, New York 2011 AS A WORK OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THIS PUBLICATION IS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. JANUARY-DECEMBER 1813 167 166 ATlANTIC THEATER the Signals are so changed, as to make them compleatly unintelligable to the close of the Session of Congress, that I have been drawn off from some objects, Enemy by their having the late ones- in your quarter, that will now, I trust, receive notice. Master Comdt. Parker will I recommend the Day and night Signals, to be in one Book-and only one command the Siren, which vessel you will, when repaired, prepare for a cruise of Signal Book to be allowed to each Vessel and that to be kept always in the Cap­ as long duration, as her capacity for provisions, water and stores will admit, without prejudice to her sailing. tains Possession. I also send by Lieut. Parker (a most worthy officer, who was my first Lt. in the .ltJ..s a little extraordinary, that, North of the Delaware, there is not a Boring Action with the Java-and whom I have the honor of recommending particu­ Mill and Foundery fit for Naval purposes, which is a serious objection, in time larly to your Notice) the flags taken from the British Frigate Java after her sur­ of war, to extensive Naval building and equipment in the Eastern States; and if render to the U.S. Frigate Constitution under my command. I have the honor they had the Foundery and Machinery, the iron must still be brought from Jer­ Sir, to be with the greatest respt. yr obt. St. sey, and it is as easy to send the guns as the iron. We shall be under the necessity Wm Bainbidge of sending the 24 pd. Carronades, for the Siren, from this place or Baltimore, through Delaware, Jersey, and the Sound, if clear, or to New Haven, and from P.S. For some time past Lt. Parker has been by my orders, superintending the thence by land. I shall send you the Drawings, proportions, & minute descrip­ tion of Carronade carriages, of various sizes, and of the Iron work, attached building of the Sloop of war I near this Yard- thereto, which, if you have it not already, will be useful to you. NB. I enclose a Card of the old flags, and one as I have altered them. I did not It is probable I may send 10 or 12 of the carronades ready mounted, but of put the new ones in the Signal Book. presuming that you would send i!. to have this you shall soon be informed. new Books printed by it- And if you should. the leaf that has the drawing of The new sloops of war are to be armed with 20. 32 pd. carronades, and two the Night Signals ought to be taken out previously so that neither the flags or long 18 pounders; for which you may prepare the carriages. The carronades Shapes of Lights should be seen at the printing office- I also enclose a brief will soon be ready and sent on. If you have the long 18 pounders it will save so code of Fog Signals which I recommend to be written in the Signal Book Confi­ much expense of transportation. I am, very respectfully, Your Obedient Servant, dentially at the Department in preference of being printed- W.Jones. LS, DNA, RG45, MLR, 1813, Vol. 4, No. 167 (M124, Roll No. 56). LB Copy, DNA, RG45, SNL, Vol. 11, pp. 32-33 (M149, Roll No. 11). 1. George Parker was promoted to master commandant on 24July 1813. I. Wasp. 2. A copy of this signal book may be found in DNA, RG45, Signal Books, 1813-June 1865. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY JONES TO COMMODORE WILI.IAM BAINBRIDGE British Naval Strength in North America Commodore W. Bainbridge, Navy Department Charlestown Massachusetts. Augt. 1st 1813. When the United States declared war on Great Britain, the Royal Navy had eighty-three Sir, vessels of all types in the western Atlantic and Caribbean. I While this was more than Master Commandant Parker I is charged with a packet to be delivered to you, enough force to counter the threat of the infant republic's navy, it was adequate neither for containing the General and Private Signals now prescribed for the use of the blockading the American coast nor for combating privateers. Over the next twelve months, Navy of the U.S. until countermanded. ~ the Admiralty acted to increase this force with a steady infusion of ships and men, so that The System is, with some exceptions, that devised by, and received, a short fly the summer of 1813 British naval strength in North America stood at one hundred time since, from yourself. Capt. Morris had prepared a set, upon nearly similar and twenty-nine vessels. The Royal Navy s growing strength spelled greater difficulties for principles; but instead of one common number, as in yours, he had a varying the U.S. Navy and additional economic hardship for the nation. number for each day of the week, which, as it would burthen the memory more than yours, the latter was preferred. 1. FUT a listing oj these vessels and the stations to which they were attached, see Dudley, Naval War of 1812, The old flags are retained, but with different values, and will save the expense Vol. 1, pp. J 79-82. and trouble of new ones. You will observe some other minor alterations and substitutes in the New Code. You will please furnish the Commanders, on your station, with copies; under the strictest injunction of caution and care, to confine the mental key to them­ selves, until the approach of danger, shall render it indispensible to communi­ cate it to their first Lieutenants, only, with like confidence and precaution. My attention has been so engrossed, by important public measures, toward the , ....... 0'> SHIPS IN SEA PAY 00 [Extract) Admiralty Office} The present disposition of His Majesty's Ist.July 1813. Ships and Vessels in Sea Pay When sailed No. of When Commanders Commissd. from England Rate Ships Guns Men Leeward Islands Rear Admiral Sir Francis Laforey Bart: ~ 26 Jany. 1811 31 Feb. 1813 Cressy 74 590 C. Dashwood 3 17 Sep. 1807 3 ApI. 1813 ~ Bedford 74 590 Jas. Walker 8 Jany. 1810 2 Sep. 1812 :J Grampus 50 343 F. A. Collier n 4 30 July 1807 3 Oct. 1808 ,.., Statira 38 315 H. Stackpoole 5 19 Sep. 1812 19 Dec. 1812 ::r: Surprize 38 315 Sir T. J. Cochrane t"'1 17 June 1809 3 ApI. 1813 Rhin 38 315 C Malcolm 22 Aug 1809 24 Nov 1809 ~ Orpheus 36 284 H. Pigot t"'1 9 Aug. 1811 22 Sep. 1813 :;0 Pique 36 284 Hon: A Maitland 24 Sep 1808 24 Dec. 1812 Venus 32 270 K. MacKenzie 24 Nov 1804 15 Nov 1812 Circe 32 215 E. Woolcombe 25 Mar 1807 2 Feb 1812 Lightning 20 121 B. C. Doyle 6 25 June 1810 6June 1813 North Star 20 121 T. Coe 8 May 1812 14 Dec 1812 Coquette 20 121 J Simpson 19 Mar 1805 15 Dec 1808 Surinam 18 121 J. E. Watt Sloop 18 Feb 1809 23 June 1809 Charybdis 18 121 J Clephane " 13 Sep 1809 29 Sep 1812 Crane 18 121 J. Stuart 7 Sep 1812 22Jany. 1813 Espiegle 18 121 J. Taylor Peruvian 18 121 Geo. Kippen Jany. 1813 23 Mar 1813 Epervier 18 121 Rd. Wales Rifleman 18 121 J. Pearce 12 Sep 1809 23 Mar 1813 Indian 18 121 Hy.Jane 6 Feb. 1813 Persian 18 121 C. Bertram 27 May 1809 3 ApI. 1813 Heron 18 121 W. McCulloch 16 Nov. 1812 28 Mar. 1813 Eclipse 18 121 H. Lynne 4 Sep 1809 6 Feb 1813 Musquito 18 121 J. Tomkinson 26June 1811 24 ApI. 1813 Arachne 18 121 C. H. Watson 16 May 1808 9 May 1809 Childers 18 121 J. Bedford 20July 1812 29 Sep 1812 Arab 18 121 R. Standley 17Sep1812 13 Dec 1812 Vautour 16 100 P. Lawless 20 Sep 1810 22Jany.1813 Bustard 16 90 C. B. Strong 12 ApI. 1808 3 ApI. 1813 t...., Spider 14 85 F. G. Willock ~ Dominica 14 62 G. W. Barrette 29 May 1811 23 Nov 1811 C Opossum 14 76 Tho. Wolrige 24 Nov 1808 13 Oct. 1809 Gun Brig Mornefortunee 14 55 Lt. J. Steele Commissd. abroad ~I t:' " Elizabeth 10 55 " E. F. Dwyer Do. Do. t"'1 Ballahou 4 20 " N. King Do. n Do. t"'1 Schooner Swaggerer 10 50 " Guise Do. Do. ~ Maria 10 " Dickson I::!l 50 Do. Do. t"'1 Cutter Liberty 10 60 " Senhouse :;0 ....... 00....... Jamaica (.):) Rear Admiral Brown 3 Vengeur 74 590 T. Dundas 1 Sep. 1810 22 Jany. 1813 Asia 74 590 G. Scott 29Jany.1812 22 ApI. 1813 5 Argo 44 340 C. Quinton 17 July 1802 22Jany.1813 6 Carland 22 175 R. P. Davies 23 Mar 1807 II Nov 1807 Cossack 22 175 F. Stan fell 24 Sep 1803 7 June 1812 Cyane 22 175 T. Forrest 25 Mar 1807 Fawn 20 121 T. Fellowes 25 Mar 1807 ...... 0'> Herald 20 121 C. Milward 12 Mar 1807 4July 1812 to r ...... -...J No. of When When sailed 0 Rate Ships Guns Men Commanders Commissd. from England Sloop Moselle 18 121 G. Mowbray 21 Nov 1807 16 Jany.