- USS Peacock (1813)
The first USS "Peacock" was a
sloop-of-war in theUnited States Navy during theWar of 1812 ."Peacock" was authorized by Act of Congress 3 March 1813; laid down 9 July 1813 by
Adam & Noah Brown at theNew 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 atSt. Mary's, Georgia . OffCape Canaveral, Florida 29 April, she captured her first prize, the Britishbrig HMS|Epervier, which she sent to Savannah. "Peacock" departed that port 4 June on her second cruise; proceeding to theGrand Banks and along the coasts ofIreland andSpain , she returned, via theWest 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 theIndian Ocean , where she captured three valuable prizes. On 30 June she capturedcruiser "Nautilus" in theStraits 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 HonorableAlbert Gallatin and party aboard. After pulling into Havre de Grâce 2 July, she proceeded to join theMediterranean 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 theWashington 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 atFunda Bay , 28–30 September, capturing severalschooner s. "Peacock" captured schooner "Pilot" 10 April 1823 and another sloop the 16th. In September, "malignant fever" necessitated a recess from activities, and "Peacock" pulled intoNorfolk, 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 ofSouth America , where the colonies were struggling for independence. In September 1825, "Peacock" sailed toHawaii , 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 reachedCallao , 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.
References
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