Showing posts with label USS Chesapeake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USS Chesapeake. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Little Known Facts About the First Barbary War-- Part 4: James Lawrence "Don't Give Up the Ship"
JAMES LAWRENCE also rose to great fame during the War of 1812. As commander of the USS Hornet, he captured the HMS Peacock and was promoted to captain. On June 1, 1813, as commander of the 48-gun frigate USS Chesapeake, he fought the HMS Shannon and was mortally wounded. As he lay dying, he told his men: "Tell them to fire faster and not give up the ship, fight her till she sinks!"
In honor of Lawrence, a group of women stitched the words "Don't Give Up the Ship" into a flag and presented it to Oliver Hazard Perry, who flew it on his USS Lawrence named in Lawrence's honor in the pivotal Battle of Lake Erie.
Since then, the Navy has named many ships in Lawrence's honor and his words, "Don't Give Up the Ship" have become the motto of the U.S. Navy.
--Cooter
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
A Look at Some of Hampton Roads' Most Famous Ships-- Part 1: USS Chesapeake
From the January 10, 2014, Stars and Stripes by Mark St. John Erickson of the Hampton Roads Daily Press. Like I said before, he sure gets the good articles to write.
Two of the most famous shipyards are located in Hampton Roads, Virginia, area: Norfolk Naval Shipyard which launched its first U.S. Navy warship in 1799 and the Newport News Shipbuilding which was founded in 1886.
In 1798, the USS Chesapeake, the fourth and smallest of the original "Super Frigates." (The USS Constitution was one of them.) The ship and country were greatly embarrassed when it was boarded by the HMS Shannon off of Cape Henry and the famous "Don't Give Up the Ship" quote came about because of it.
The CSS Virginia, built on the hull of the USS Merimack and fought the famous Battle of Hampton Roads against the USS Monitor.
--Cooter
Two of the most famous shipyards are located in Hampton Roads, Virginia, area: Norfolk Naval Shipyard which launched its first U.S. Navy warship in 1799 and the Newport News Shipbuilding which was founded in 1886.
In 1798, the USS Chesapeake, the fourth and smallest of the original "Super Frigates." (The USS Constitution was one of them.) The ship and country were greatly embarrassed when it was boarded by the HMS Shannon off of Cape Henry and the famous "Don't Give Up the Ship" quote came about because of it.
The CSS Virginia, built on the hull of the USS Merimack and fought the famous Battle of Hampton Roads against the USS Monitor.
--Cooter
Monday, June 1, 2009
"Don't Give Up the Ship"-- Part 2
This information comes from Answer.com which spotlighted the story.
A FOLLOW UP
The timbers of the Chesapeake were bought for 500 British pounds and used to build the Chesapeake Mills in Wickham, Hampshire, England, in 1820 after the ship was broken up. The mill continued operations until 1976 and still stands today.
The Chesapeake's mess kettle and officers chest is located at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Until 1991, the figure head of the Chesapeake was displayed outside the offices of the Olau Line in the Old Royal Naval Shipyard until it was damaged in a move. I'm not sure that it still exists.
In 2000, a piece of the Chesapeake taken from mill renovations was returned to the United States. Of interest, it was mounted on a wooden plaque that came from renovations of the famous British warship HMS Victory.
Captain Lawrence's body was buried in Halifax, where the ship was taken after the battle. It was later returned to the US and reinterred at Trinity Churchyard in NYC.
The HMS Shannon continued service and had its name changed to HMS St. Lawrence (of interest since Lawrence was the US Naval captain) in 1844 and was broken up in 1859.
In 1855, the 51-gun screw frigate HMS Chesapeake was launched and served until the 1870s.
The 196th anniversary. Out of defeat, a slogan.
Like I Said, "Don't Give Up the Ship."
A FOLLOW UP
The timbers of the Chesapeake were bought for 500 British pounds and used to build the Chesapeake Mills in Wickham, Hampshire, England, in 1820 after the ship was broken up. The mill continued operations until 1976 and still stands today.
The Chesapeake's mess kettle and officers chest is located at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Until 1991, the figure head of the Chesapeake was displayed outside the offices of the Olau Line in the Old Royal Naval Shipyard until it was damaged in a move. I'm not sure that it still exists.
In 2000, a piece of the Chesapeake taken from mill renovations was returned to the United States. Of interest, it was mounted on a wooden plaque that came from renovations of the famous British warship HMS Victory.
Captain Lawrence's body was buried in Halifax, where the ship was taken after the battle. It was later returned to the US and reinterred at Trinity Churchyard in NYC.
The HMS Shannon continued service and had its name changed to HMS St. Lawrence (of interest since Lawrence was the US Naval captain) in 1844 and was broken up in 1859.
In 1855, the 51-gun screw frigate HMS Chesapeake was launched and served until the 1870s.
The 196th anniversary. Out of defeat, a slogan.
Like I Said, "Don't Give Up the Ship."
"Don't Give Up the Ship"-- USS Chesapeake
Today marks the anniversary of the lop-sided victory of the 38-gun frigate HMS Shannon over the 38-gun frigate USS Chesapeake June 1, 1813, off Boston Harbor. Chesapeake commander James Lawrence was mortally wounded and while being taken below, urged his men, "Don't give up the ship!"
Unfortunately, within 13 minutes, they were forced to surrender. However, three months later, Captain Oliver Hazard Perry used Lawrence's words on his flag at the American victory at the Battle of Lake Erie. The words are still used in the US Navy today. I have a small military flag set and one of them is blue with those words in white.
The Chesapeake was one of the original US frigates, including the Constitution and Constellation. The Shannon's crew were highly trained and experienced compared to the Americans, a major factor in the battle. I've seen it last as short as 13 minutes and as long as 30.
The action must have been extremely hot and close, as I saw that the Shannon was hit 258 times and Chesapeake 362.
The USS Chesapeake then served in the Royal Navy until it was broken up.
Don't Give Up the Ship! --RoadDog
Unfortunately, within 13 minutes, they were forced to surrender. However, three months later, Captain Oliver Hazard Perry used Lawrence's words on his flag at the American victory at the Battle of Lake Erie. The words are still used in the US Navy today. I have a small military flag set and one of them is blue with those words in white.
The Chesapeake was one of the original US frigates, including the Constitution and Constellation. The Shannon's crew were highly trained and experienced compared to the Americans, a major factor in the battle. I've seen it last as short as 13 minutes and as long as 30.
The action must have been extremely hot and close, as I saw that the Shannon was hit 258 times and Chesapeake 362.
The USS Chesapeake then served in the Royal Navy until it was broken up.
Don't Give Up the Ship! --RoadDog
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