THE WAR OF 1812

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4558, 10 April 1942, Page 8

THE WAR OF 1812

INCIDENTS OF U.S.A. NAVAL HISTORY INTERESTING EPISODES (By “ Historian ”) Britain’s naval power in 1812 was reaching its high-water mark. In her continual struggle against the overweening power of Napoleon she had built up a navy of truly gigantic proportions. Over 1000 ships, maned by 144,000 sailors fresh from victories in every part of the world, constituted her striking force. America had barely 20 vessels of considerable size, and her few additional gunboats were required for home defence. The population of the two countries also showed a strong disparity. America’s total in the census of 1810 numbered just over 7,000,000 of all colours and races, while Britain in 1811 approximated to 13,000,000, exclusive of Ireland. There Were several factors which combined to drive America into the second conflict with the Old Country, which has been described as the second war of independence. Prominent among those were the right of search, upon which Britain insisted; the impressment of Americans into the Brit-

ish Navy; acts of aggression committed against American coasts; and the employment of secret agents in an attempt to dismember the Union. The Bill declaring war upon Britain passed the House of Representatives by a majority of 30, and the Senate by a majority of 6. Within less than 10 days England withdrew her arbitrary Orders-in-Council, but the war party in America refused an armistice, and, in spite of the strong peace party within her own borders, America proceeded to fight. Britain was absorbed in the vast continental struggle with Napoleon, but when the Americans invaded Canada they were forced to surrender to an inferior force, and soon the British threatened Ohio. A curious aspect of the naval war developed upon Lake Erie, where, in order to counteract the operations of the British, Commodore Perry built two brigs and several schooners, and in August, 1813, sailed in quest of the British. Discovering them on 10th September, he engaged them, and the result wao a decisive victory for the Americans. This was part of the remarkable series of victories won by the small American Navy during the war, and throws into strong relief the spectacular duel between the Shannon and the Chesapeake, which has become so fahious. Early in the war the British attempted to blockade the whole of the American coast. This formidable task was frustrated by the efforts of the few ships available for service at the opening of hostilities. The fragment of the American Navy that hemained after the retrenching methods

of the previous decade gave a'marvellous account pf itself. Under Captain Porter, the United States ship Essex took the sloop of war Alert (13th of August, 1812). The frigate Constitution took the Guerriere six days later. Two more victories followed, and the British Government stared with amazement. The effort, howeter, was short-lived. Soon the overwhelming power of numbers told, and the blockade was carried out with increasing rigour.

Captain Lawrence, of the sloop of war Hornet, took the British ship Peacock on 24th February, 1813. He was promoted to command the frigate Chesapeake, then lying in the Boston harbour. Outside cruised Captain Philip Broke, in the British ship Shannon, burning • with desire ■ to avenge some of the British losses. “ Come out and fight,” Bfoke wijpte, and within a short space of time Lawrence sailed out, his ship slightly the larger, his men a little more numerous.

They met on Ist June. The fight was short and decisive, for, coming to close quarters after about 15 minutes, the rigging of the Americans was shot to pieces, the magazine blew up, and the British carried the ship by the board. Twice wounded, Lawrence was asked if the colours should be struck. “ No. They shall wave while I live,” was the reply; but the ship was al-

ready in the hands of the British. Lawrence lingered for four days, shouting in his delirium, “ Don’t give up the ship ! ” He was buried with honour at Halifax, Nova Scotia, some of the oldest captains of the British Navy carrying the pall.

On land the war ebbed and flowed, with most spectacular events taking place. Washington was burned by ttye British, but North Point and Fojt McHenry were bravely held by the Americans. Besides the Indians, who were fighting for the British, the tribes of the Mississippi Territory surprised some hundreds of Americans at Fort Mims (August, 181*'- ’ but were routed by General Jackso’n in the following year. The navy reappeared toward the end of the war, which was brought to a close in December, 1814, by the Treaty of Ghent. The news was not received in America until February, 1815, but even after that several more naval duels were won.