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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # 80-G-K-9451:  Action between U.S. Frigate Constitution and HMS Java, 29 December 1812.  Painting by Charles Robert Patterson

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- "ICONIC" NAVAL IMAGES --

The War of 1812, 1812-1815

Brief text setting theme(s) and basic message for this page. Maximum of about 50-100 words in two or three paragraphs.

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This page features a selection of iconic naval images from the War of 1812 era, 1812-1815.


Click the small photographs to prompt a medium resolution view of the same image, the words "hi-res" to bring up a high-resolution JPG reproduction, and the words "Picture Data" to access the Picture Data Sheet for that image.


A SHOCK FOR THE ROYAL NAVY

Text on the frigate and sloop actions of 1812 --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah!

 U.S. Frigate Constitution escapes from a British Squadron, July 1812:

Photo # NH 85542-KN
Picture Data
HI-RES

 Constitution captures HMS Guerriere, 19 August 1812:



Photo # KN-2781
Picture Data
HI-RES

 Constitution engages HMS Java, 19 August 1812:




Photo # K-9451
Picture Data
HI-RES

THE BATTLES FOR THE LAKES

The Battle of Lake Erie, 10 September 1813:



Photo # NH 43575-KN
Picture Data
HI-RES

However, the warring nations of Europe, especially France and Great Britain began their own attacks on defenceless American commercial shipping. The U.S. set up a Navy Department, with Benjamin Stoddert as Secretary, and resumed frigate construction.

France was particularly aggressive. The U.S. acquired more warships and a sharp undeclared war began in the western Atlantic and the West Indies. In three years, many French warships, privateers and merchantmen were captured. A peace treaty was signed in 1801.

 Battle of Lake Champlain,
11 September 1814:


Photo # NH 51480-KN
Picture Data
HI-RES

THE WAR'S LONG CONCLUSIONS:

 Battle of Lake Borgne, 14 December 1814:



Photo # KN-10881
Picture Data
HI-RES

 Constitution captures
Cyane and Levant,
20 February 1815:


Photo # NH 86692-KN
Picture Data
HI-RES
Text about the first stages of the Barbary Wars, and the appointment of Edward Preble to command. Maximum length about 50 words.

A CONSTELLATION OF HEROS:

Text on the frigate and sloop actions of 1812 --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah! --- Blah!


Photo # KN-10895
Picture Data
HI-RES

(Left): Captain Isaac Hull,
who commanded U.S. Frigate Constitution when she captured
HMS Guerriere.



(Right): Captain Stephen
Decatur, who commanded U.S.
Frigate United States when she
captured HMS Macedonian.



Photo # KN-2779
Picture Data
HI-RES


Photo # 80-G-K-17588
Picture Data
HI-RES

Captain David Porter,
who commanded U.S. Frigate Essex during her campaign against British commerce in the Atlantic and Pacific.






Photo # KN-2783
Picture Data
HI-RES

(Left): Captain Oliver Hazard Perry,
who led the U.S. squadron in the
Battle of Lake Erie.



(Right): Captain Thomas
Macdonough, who led the U.S.
squadron in the Battle of
Lake Champlain.




Photo # K-22707
Picture Data
HI-RES


For more Iconic Naval Images, see:

  • "Iconic" Naval Images, from the American Revolution through the Cold War -- Overview and Special Image Selection.


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want other reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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    Page IN WORK 29 March 2009