did the us have navy ships in the chesapeake bay during the war of 1812

Its captain, Salusbury Humphreys, said he had dispatches for the Americans. Barron and Gordon were certainly not expecting any trouble.Īs the Chesapeake tacked to get off shore, HMS Leopard came up and hailed the American ship. Barron had visited the Chesapeake only twice prior to its sailing, and Master Commandant Charles Gordon had actual responsibility for the ship and preparing it for sea. Mediterranean Squadron, departed Hampton Roads for the Mediterranean. On the morning of 22 June 1807, the Chesapeake, under Commodore James Barron, commander designate of the U.S. British authorities were aware of this and complained to American authorities to no avail. The proximity of their ships to land led a number of British seamen to desert, and some found their way aboard U.S. During the previous summer, two French warships had sought refuge in the Chesapeake Bay, and British ships had then taken up station off the coast.

On 22 June 1807, off the Virginia Capes, the Leopard, a fifty-gun ship of the British navy, opened fire on the Chesapeake, a forty-gun frigate of the U.S.

Did the us have navy ships in the chesapeake bay during the war of 1812