USS United States vs HMS Macedonian

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=USS "Constitution" vs HMS "Macedonian"
partof=the War of 1812


caption="Naval Battle Between the United States & The Macedonian on Oct. 25, 1812 by Thomas Birch, 1813"
date=25 October 1812
place=Atlantic Ocean
result=American Victory
combatant1=
combatant2=Flagicon|UK United Kingdom
commander1=Stephen Decatur
commander2=John Surnam Carden
strength1=1 Frigate
428 Crew [Borneman p.91]
strength2=1 Frigate
301 Crew [Borneman p.91]
casualties1=7 killed
5 wounded [Borneman p.91]
casualties2=43 killed
71 wounded
1 Frigate captured [Borneman p.91] The capture of HMS "Macedonian" was a naval action fought near Madeira on 25 October 1812 between the frigates USS|United States|1797|6, commanded by Stephen Decatur, and HMS|Macedonian, under the command of John Surnam Carden. The American vessel won the battle, and the "Macedonian" was captured.

Background

On October 8, 1812, a fleet under the command of John Rodgers left Boston, in search of British vessels. However, the USS "United States", soon parted from the rest, and went its separate way. [Borneman p.90] The "United States" sailed eastwards across the Atlantic Ocean.

Battle

The United States declared war on the United Kingdom on 18 June 1812. "United States", the frigate USS|Congress|1799|2, and the brig USS|Argus|1803|2 joined Commodore John Rodgers' squadron at New York City and put to sea immediately, cruising off the east coast until the end of August. The squadron again sailed on 8 October 1812, this time from Boston. Three days later, after capturing "Mandarin", "United States" parted company and continued to cruise eastward. At dawn, on 25 October, five hundred miles south of the Azores, lookouts on board "United States" reported seeing a sail 12 miles (19 km) to windward. As the ship rose over the horizon, Captain Decatur made out the fine, familiar lines of HMS "Macedonian".

Both ships were immediately cleared for action and commenced maneuvers at 0900. Captain Carden elected not to risk crossing the bows of "United States" to rake her, but chose instead to haul closer to the wind on a parallel course with the American vessel. For his part, Decatur intended to engage "Macedonian" from fairly long range, where his 24 pounders (11 kg) would have the advantage over the 18 pounders (8 kg) of the British, and then move in for the kill.

The actual battle developed according to Decatur's plan. "United States" began the action at 0920 by firing an inaccurate broadside at "Macedonian". This was answered immediately by the British vessel, bringing down a small spar of "United States". Decatur's next broadside had better luck, as it destroyed "Macedonian's" mizzen top mast, letting her driver gaff fall and so giving the advantage in maneuver to the American frigate. "United States" next took up position off "Macedonian's" quarter and proceeded to riddle the hapless frigate methodically with shot. By noon, "Macedonian" was a dismasted hulk and was forced to surrender. She had suffered 104 casualties as against 12 in "United States", which emerged from the battle relatively unscathed.

The two ships lay alongside each other for over two weeks while "Macedonian" was repaired sufficiently to sail. "United States" and her prize entered New York Harbor on 4 December amid tumultuous national jubilation over the spectacular victory. Wherever they went, Captain Decatur and his crew were lionized and received special praise from both Congress and President James Madison. "Macedonian" was subsequently purchased by the United States Navy, repaired, and had a long and honorable career under the American flag.

After repairs, United States -- accompanied by USS|Macedonian|1810|6 and the sloop USS|Hornet|1805|2 -- sailed from New York on 24 May 1813. On 1 June, the three vessels were driven into New London, Connecticut, by a powerful British squadron, and "United States" and "Macedonian" were kept blocked there until the end of the war. However, Decatur was transferred to the frigate "President" in the spring of 1814, and he took the officers and crew of "United States" with him to his new command. "Hornet" managed to slip through the blockade on 14 November 1814 and escaped to sea.

Aftermath

After the surrender, the "Macedonian" was sailed across the Atlantic to Newport Harbor. It was renamed the USS "Macedonian".

Footnots

References

*cite book|last=Borneman|first=Walter R. Borneman|authorid=Walter R. Borneman|title=1812: The War That Forged a Nation|location=New York|publisher=Harper Perennial|year=2004|isbn=ISBN 9780060531126