Posted on 01/09/2010 5:08:19 AM PST by Jacquerie
The Prince de Neufchatel
Adam and Noah Brown's Privateer Schooner
Built at New York in 1813 this ship was one of the fastest and most successful ships of the War of 1812 (6 prizes in 6 days in the English Channel (1814); chased 17 times by men-of-war that summer, but outran them every time).
A large schooner (110' 8", 33.7m length on deck), she was typical in body plan of the American privateers. Very highly thought of by her country (she changed owners in 1814 for $21,000) as well as her enemies. When finally taken, the British copied her.
The War of 1812 was fought over the Merchant Marine. The British were seizing American ships on the high seas, and forcing seamen to join the British navy or merchant navy. In addition, Britain seized vessels bound for Europe that did not first call at a British port. France retaliated, confiscating vessels if they had first stopped in Britain. Together they seized nearly 1,500 American vessels between 1803 and 1812.
The War was fought by merchant ships, because the U.S. had almost no Navy. The battle cry was; "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights!" During the War of 1812, the U.S. Navy and Privateers together captured 30,000 prisoners, while the American army captured 6,000 British prisoners. Privateers captured British prizes worth almost $40,000,000.
Comparison of Navy vs Privateers during War of 1812
..............................U.S. Navy.........Privateers
Total ships..........................23...............517
Total guns on ships............556...............2893
Enemy ships captured........254...............1300
(Excerpt) Read more at orgsites.com ...
The free market was superior to the federal government by the simple measures of ships at sea and enemy ships captured. Private ship owners and their crews assumed all risk. When it came to privateers, the government was able to seriously harass the mightiest navy and merchant marine on earth at no cost to the taxpayer. What a great system. We should use it now to combat Indian Ocean pirates.
Speaking of pirates, try to ignore the skull and crossed swords pirate flag at the link and enjoy the story of a successful American commerce raider, the Prince de Neufchatel. Much of the material there is primary source.
I was wondering if the War of 1812 had any influence on the call to establish a US Naval Academy. While ships like the one mentioned in the article are admirable, I would think that the problems with the British would of been a motivational factor. I know that in 1825 President John Quincy Adams first suggested a Naval Academy but that it wasn’t established until 1845. I do know that the Somers incident in 1842, which showed problems with how they were training Navy personnel, was a factor, but was there still a fear of the Royal Navy left over from earlier years? Perhaps somebody here is a naval historian and could answer that question.
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General Schmierkase, though not a sailor, was fascinated by nautical military history, and first mentioned this. |
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“The Prince de Neufchatel”
One of the most beautiful sailing ships ever built. Stunning.
Yes, yes. You are right. Lithesome, plain beauty, like a ballerina.
“Yes, yes. You are right. Lithesome, plain beauty, like a ballerina.”
I once saw a drawing of her with all sails rigged and she was breathtaking.
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