USS Peacock (1813)

The first USS "Peacock" was a sloop-of-war in the United States Navy during the War of 1812.

"Peacock" was authorized by Act of Congress 3 March 1813; laid down 9 July 1813 by Adam & Noah Brown at the New York Navy Yard; and launched 19 September 1813.

During the War of 1812, "Peacock" made three cruises commanded by Master Commandant Mr. Peter Storms. Departing New York 12 March 1814, she sailed, with supplies, to the naval station at St. Mary's, Georgia. Off Cape Canaveral, Florida 29 April, she captured her first prize, the British brig HMS|Epervier, which she sent to Savannah. "Peacock" departed that port 4 June on her second cruise; proceeding to the Grand Banks and along the coasts of Ireland and Spain, she returned, via the West Indies, to New York. The sloop captured 14 enemy vessels of various sizes during this journey.

"Peacock" departed New York 23 January 1815 with USS|Hornet|1805 brig|2 and USS|Tom Bowline|1814|2 and rounded the Cape of Good Hope into the Indian Ocean, where she captured three valuable prizes. On 30 June she captured cruiser "Nautilus" in the Straits of Sunda; learning of peace, "Peacock's" commander released the prize and returned to New York, 30 October.

"Peacock" left this port again 13 June 1816, bound for France, with Honorable Albert Gallatin and party aboard. After pulling into Havre de Grâce 2 July, she proceeded to join the Mediterranean Squadron. But for a year of Mediterranean–United States—and return transits, 15 November 1818–17 November 1819, the sloop remained with this squadron until 8 May 1821, when she departed for home; she then went into ordinary at the Washington Navy Yard 10 July.

Pirates were ravaging West Indian shipping in the 1820's and on 3 June 1822, "Peacock" became flagship of Commodore David Porter’s "Mosquito Fleet", that rooted out the pirate menace. "Peacock" served in the expedition that broke up a pirate establishment at Funda Bay, 28–30 September, capturing several schooners. "Peacock" captured schooner "Pilot" 10 April 1823 and another sloop the 16th. In September, "malignant fever" necessitated a recess from activities, and "Peacock" pulled into Norfolk, Virginia 28 November for a breather.

In July, 1823 the sloop was in the Battle of Lake Maracaibo and Mr. Peter Storms decided to join to the Independentist cause, who won their Independence [ [http://www.cheguaco.org/rastrojeo.pdf Rastrogeo Margariteño, (spanish) (pdf) (page 40-41)] ] on 3 August. Later, in March 1824, the sloop proceeded to the Pacific and for some months cruised along the west coast of South America, where the colonies were struggling for independence. In September 1825, "Peacock" sailed to Hawaii, where a treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation was negotiated. From 24 July 1826 until 6 January 1827, the sloop visited other Pacific islands, to protect American commerce and the whaling industry. On the return to South America from Hawaii, the ship was struck by a whale, causing serious damage. Nevertheless, she reached Callao, from which she departed 25 June for New York.

Arriving New York in October 1827, the sloop was decommissioned and was broken up at New York in 1828.

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