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Photo # NH 51624:  Commodore Isaac Chauncey.  Portrait by Gilbert Stuart, circa 1818

Online Library of Selected Images:
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Commodore Isaac Chauncey, USN (1772-1840)

Isaac Chauncey was born in Black Rock, Connecticut, on 20 February 1772. He entered the merchant marine as a young man and received his first command while only nineteen years of age. In 1799, Chauncey was appointed a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and served at sea during the Quasi-War with France. In 1802, he went to the Mediterranean for operations against the Barbary powers, serving with distinction over the next two years. During some of this time, he commanded the frigate John Adams. Promoted to the rank of Captain in 1806, he was furloughed to take command of the merchant ship Beaver on a voyage to China, and there again demonstrated his bravery in the face of a British warship's efforts to examine his crew for possible impressment.

In 1807, after returning to the United States and resuming his Naval service, Captain Chauncey took command of the Navy Yard at Brooklyn, New York. When war began with Great Britain in mid-1812, he was sent to the Great Lakes to expand and command U.S. Naval forces there. Chauncey personally superintended the construction of a fleet on Lake Ontario and led it in action against the British on several occasions, among them an amphibious operation that captured York (later Toronto), Ontario, in April 1813. He subseqently engaged in an extensive shipbuilding program in order to maintain the American position on the Lake.

After the war ended early in 1815, Chauncey was placed in charge of the Portsmouth Navy Yard, at Kittery, Maine. In 1816-1818 he commanded the Mediterranean Squadron. Service in the Nation's Capital on the Board of Navy Commissioners during 1821-1824 was followed by another tour as Commandant of the New York Navy Yard. He returned to the Board of Navy Commissioners in 1833 and became its President in 1837. Commodore Isaac Chauncey died at Washington, D.C., on 27 January 1840.

Three U.S. Navy ships have been named in honor of Commodore Chauncey, including: USS Chauncey (Destroyer # 3), 1902-1917; USS Chauncey (Destroyer # 296), 1920-1923; and USS Chauncey (DD-667), 1943-1974.

This page features all the views we have related to Isaac Chauncey.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: KN-10889 (Color)

Commodore Isaac Chauncey, USN (1772-1840)

Oil on wood, 26" by 21.5", by Gilbert Stuart (1775-1828). Painted circa 1818

Painting in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum Collection. Transferred from the U.S. Naval Lyceum, 1892.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

Online Image: 58KB; 575 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-KN-10889.

 
Photo #: NH 51624

Commodore Isaac Chauncey, USN
(1772-1840)

Portrait by Gilbert Stuart, circa 1818

Painting in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum Collection.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 113KB; 580 x 765 pixels

Note:
See Photo # KN-10889 for a color reproduction of this painting.

 
Photo #: NH 51626

Commodore Isaac Chauncey, USN
(1772-1840)

Drawing by Albert Rosenthal, 1920. The original artwork was presented to USS Chauncey (DD-296).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 126KB; 600 x 765 pixels

 


The following artworks depict some of Commodore Chauncey's actions and activities:

Photo #: NH 75733-KN (color)

Naval Action on Lake Ontario, 10 August 1813

"A view of the night action of one hour and 43 minutes between part of the U. States fleet under command of Comodore Isaac Chauncey, and the British fleet commanded by Sir James Yeo, on Lake Ontario the 10th of August 1813".
Color-tinted drawing by Masters Mate Peter W. Spicer, who served on board USS Oneida during this action.
Ships depicted are listed in Photo # NH 75733-KN -- complete caption.
The British fleet is shown sailing between the parts of the American fleet.

Courtesy of Mrs. Donald Spicer, President-General of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 1972.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 115KB; 740 x 600 pixels

Note:
Photo # NH 75733 is a black & white view of this artwork.

 
Photo #: NH 75734-KN (color)

Naval Action on Lake Ontario, 11 September 1813

"A view of the running fight of 3 hours & 40 m. between the U. S. fleet under command of Comdr. Isaac Chauncey, and the British fleet of a superior force commanded by Sir James L. Yeo, on Lake Ontario, the 11th of September 1813".
Color-tinted drawing by Masters Mate Peter W. Spicer, who served on board USS Sylph during this action.
Ships depicted are listed in Photo # NH 75734-KN -- complete caption.
The fleets are in two parallel lines, with the American fleet above.

Courtesy of Mrs. Donald Spicer, President-General of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 1972.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 490 pixels

Note:
Photo # NH 75734 is a black & white view of this artwork.

 
Photo #: NH 65198

USS Washington
(1815-1843)

Page from the ship's log book for 30 August 1816, while she flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron under Commodore Isaac Chauncey. At the time, she had just completed a visit to Naples, carrying the Honorable William Pinkney on a special mission to adjust the claims of American merchants against the Neapolitan authorities.
Sketches on the lower half of the page show the squadron's order of sailing in line ahead and line abreast. Ships are USS Washington (ship of the line), USS United States (frigate), USS Java (frigate), USS Constellation (frigate), USS Ontario (sloop of war) and USS Erie (sloop of war).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 96KB; 465 x 765 pixels

 

Additional images:

1: A portrait in oils of Isaac Chauncey, by John Wesley Jarvis, is owned by the City of New York. This painting depicts Chauncey in uniform, probably after the War of 1812. He is seen facing the artist, looking slightly to the left, from the waist up, holding a document in his left hand. His left coat lapel is folded over from about the third button from the top. He is not wearing a hat.

For additional information on this item, the availability of reproductions and usage rights, contact the New York City Art Commission.


2: An engraved portrait of Isaac Chauncey is owned by the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York. This 19th Century stipple engraving by D. Edwin, after J. Wood, depicts Chauncey in uniform, probably after the War of 1812. His pose is very much like that seen in Photo # NH 51626, but showing all of his shoulders and somewhat more of his torso.

For additional information on this item, the availability of reproductions and usage rights, contact the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 31 August 2002
Additional information added 6 September 2002