Sea Fencibles

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Sea Fencibles


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dates= 1798–1810
country= United Kingdom
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branch= Royal Navy
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role= Coastal defence
size= 20,000 men
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The Sea Fencibles was a naval force that worked to protect the United Kingdom from invasion by France during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

The Sea Fencibles were formed in early 1798 by order of the Admiralty to act as an anti-invasion force in coastal waters. It was made up of Naval officers and volunteer seafaring men.

The Sea Fencibles organisation was divided into districts covering a stretch of coast, each commanded by a Post-Captain, with three to six Lieutenants depending on the size of his command.

The volunteers were trained in the use of arms, and manned watch and signal towers, fixed and floating batteries along the coasts and ports, as well operating a fleet of gunboats. A member of the Sea Fencibles would spend one day a week training. They were also allowed to choose their own Petty Officers at the rate of one per 25 men. Most importantly all Sea Fencibles gained a certificate which gave them protection from impressment into the Navy.

By 1801 the Sea Fencibles were operating along the entire south and east coasts of England from Cornwall to Yorkshire.

During the Peace of Amiens in 1802–1803 the organization was disbanded, but on the outbreak of war it was quickly reformed and expanded, and by the end of 1803 was re-established from Portsmouth all the way to St Abb's Head in Scotland.

The Sea Fencibles fleet was composed of small vessels such as colliers and coasting vessels adapted to act as gunboats. The owners were expected to pay for the fitting of slides, ring and eye bolts for the installation of guns, usually two forward and two aft, and in smaller craft to fit sweeps for use in calms. The guns, ammunition and powder were provided by the Admiralty, though the ship owners were required to keep close and regular accounts of their use. They were under orders to co-operate with the Royal Navy, and the owners were entitled to payment of compensation, according to the size of their ships, and the amount of time they were required.

A senior Post-Captain of a district was paid £1 15s a day, junior Post Captains were paid £1 10s, and Lieutenants 8s 6d. Petty Officers received 2s 6d for each day they assembled, and the Ordinary Seamen 1 shilling and provisions (food and drink), or 2 shillings if no provisions were available. [ [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=131&CATLN=3&accessmethod=5&j=1 National Archives. Sea Fencibles Pay Lists ADM28] ]

In February 1810, when it became clear that the threat of invasion by Bonaparte had passed, the Sea Fencibles, which by then numbered some 20,000 men, were disbanded.

United States Sea Fencibles 1813-1815

: "... within the five cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Norfolk, there are a large number of seafaring men, who from their hardihood and habits of life, might be very useful in the defense of the seaboard, particularly in the management of the great guns....": (Report, U.S. Senate Naval Affairs Committee, June 1813)

On July 26, 1813, during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom, the United States Congress passed "An act to authorize the raising [of] a corps of Sea Fencibles ... not to exceed one year [service] , and not to exceed ten companies who may employed for the defense of the ports and harbors of the United States..."

At Baltimore, two companies were raised under the command of Captains Matthew S. Bunbury and William H. Addison. Though generally mariners by trade, the Sea Fencibles were equipped and organized under the authority of the War Department. Officers received the uniform, pay, and rations of the Army, while the balance of each company (boatswains, gunners, and privates) received the uniform, pay, and rations of the Navy.

A company consisted of 107 officers and enlisted men.

Both companies at Fort McHenry were considered part of the regular garrison. Records indicate that Captain Bunbury's company was quartered at Fort McHenry while Addison's men were quartered at Fort Covington. Their duties consisted of manning the barges, maintaining the chain-mast boom, providing guard duty, and manning the great guns of Fort McHenry's water batteries. On February 27, 1815, the act establishing the corps of Sea Fencibles was repealed.

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