- USS Torch (1814)
USS "Torch" (1814) was a
schooner -- heavily-armed with guns andcarronade s -- in theUnited States Navy during the early years of the republic. She was built for service in theWar of 1812 , but did not see service until theBarbary Wars when she was sent with the American fleet to theMediterranean to force an end topiracy of American ships.Purchased for the War of 1812
"Torch" -- a
privateer schooner purchased atBaltimore, Maryland , in 1814 and initially commanded by Lt. Wolcott Chauncey -- formed part of the "flying squadron" slated to cruise theWest Indies to wage war on British commerce towards the end of theWar of 1812 . However, the ratification of theTreaty of Ghent on18 February 1815 terminated hostilities before the squadron, then forming atNew York City , could get to sea to undertake wartime operations.Assigned to the Barbary Wars
The kidnapping and piratical activities of the
Algeria ns soon dispelled the hard-won peace which had so recently come to the United States. Only five days after hostilities withGreat Britain ceased, the United States declared war onAlgeria . Subsequently, a squadron under the command of Capt.Stephen Decatur , in "Guerriere", set sail fromNew York City on20 May , bound for theMediterranean . On19 June , the Americans made landfall offCape Gata ,Spain , and soon sighted "Mashouda", thefrigate flying the flag of Algerian Admiral Rais Hammida. Giving chase, theYankee squadron heavily damaged the enemy ship -- decapitating Hammida with a 32-pounder shot in the process -- and forced her to surrender. The remainder of the squadron set out in search of other Algerian vessels while "Mashouda" was sent toCartagena under guard of "Macedonian". Off Cape Palos, Spain, this remainder spotted 22-gun brig "Estido" and bent on sail to make contact. The wily enemy, however, ran into shoal waters where the heavier American frigates feared to go for danger of running aground. "Torch", whose shallower draft permitted her to give chase, joined "Epervier", "Spitfire", and "Spark" in forcing "Estido" aground. The Americans took possession of the enemybrig and 83 prisoners. The successful conclusion of the campaign to force the Algerians to abandon their piratical ways followed thereafter.Post-war decommissioning
"Torch" subsequently returned home to the United States and was sold on
3 April 1816 .See also
*
United States Navy
*War of 1812
*Barbary Wars Reference
*
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