USS Caledonia (1812)

USS Caledonia (1812)

USS "Caledonia" (1812) was a brig captured by the U.S. Navy during the War of 1812 and then placed in service under the American flag. "Caledonia" – with her long range 24-pounders -- then played an important role in continued sea warfare on the Great Lakes, and was sold at war’s end.

"Caledonia" was the first warship in the U.S. Navy to carry that name.

Caledonia captured

"Caledonia" was built by the British at Maiden, Ontario; captured off Fort Erie, Ontario, 8 October 1812 by a boarding party of American sailors under Lieutenant Jesse D. Elliott,

The "Caledonia" carried two 4-pounders on pivots, and had a crew of 12 Canadian-English men, plus ten American prisoners and a very valuable cargo of furs, worth approximately $200,000, a considerable sum of money at the time. During the boarding one American sailor was killed and four seriously wounded by a volley of musketry. The twelve Canadian crew members were made captive.

"Caledonia" was purchased by the Navy at Black Rock, New York, 6 February 1813 and was outfitted with two long 24-pounder guns and one 34-pounder carronade. This, in effect, gave "Caledonia" an impressive broadside capability of 80 pounds of shot.

Service in the War of 1812

Commanded by Lieutenant Daniel Turner, "Caledonia" played a key role in the operations of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's squadron on Lake Erie during 1813 and 1814. In the decisive Battle of Lake Erie (10 September 1813), which sundered British control of the Great Lakes, gallant little "Caledonia's" long guns were the only ones of the fleet which could reach the enemy's three heaviest units as they pounded the American flagship "Lawrence".

"Caledonia" also took part in the expedition to Lakes Huron and Superior (July-September 1814).

Post-war disposition

The brig was sold at Erie, Pennsylvania, in May 1815.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c1/caledonia-i.htm

*cite book
last = Roosevelt
first = Theodore
authorlink =
coauthors =
year = 1999
chapter = pages 148, 158-160, 174, 221, 239, 242-249, 334, 336
title = The Naval War of 1812
publisher = Da Capo Press
location = New York
id = ISBN 0-306-80910-9

See also

* U.S. Navy
* War of 1812


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