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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 59556-KN:  USS Chesapeake.  Painting by F. Muller

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Chesapeake (1800-1813)

USS Chesapeake, a 36-gun frigate of 1244 tons, was built at the Gosport Navy Yard, at Portsmouth, Virginia. Commissioned during the first part of 1800, she operated off the southern United States and in the West Indies during the Quasi-War with France, capturing a French privateer on 1 January 1800. During much of 1802 and 1803 she was deployed to the Mediterranean as flagship during hostilities with Tripoli, then was laid up at the Washington Navy Yard, D.C..

In June 1807 Chesapeake, which had been refitted for further active service, sailed from Hampton Roads, Virginia, as flagship of Commodore James Barron. Bound for the Mediterranean after taking on stores and ammunition, she was as yet unprepared for action when the British frigate Leopard stopped her and demanded that she be searched for Royal Navy deserters. When this was refused, Leopard fired on Chesapeake, killing and wounding several of her crew. The essentially defenseless American warship then surrendered, some alleged deserters were taken from her, and she was allowed to return to Gosport for repairs. This affair, which enraged the Nation, was one of the incidents that led, some five years later, to war between the United States and Great Britain.

Following repairs, Chesapeake operated off New England under the command of Captain Stephen Decatur. During the last weeks of December and the first months of 1813, the frigate, which had been refitted for War of 1812 service, cruised in the Atlantic, taking as prizes a number of British commercial vessels. She then returned to Boston to prepare for further service, receiving a new Commanding Officer, Captain James Lawrence, as well as a large proportion of new officers and crewmen. On 1 June 1813, before her complement had been worked into a well-functioning team, she went to sea to engage the British frigate Shannon. The resulting short, violent action resulted in the boarding and capture of the American ship, and the death of Lawrence and many of his crew. Chesapeake was taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where her presence provided a major boost to British Navy morale. She later sailed to England and was sold there in 1820 for breaking up. Much of her material was subsequently used for building construction.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have related to USS Chesapeake (1800-1813).

For other images related to USS Chesapeake, see:

  • HMS Shannon captures USS Chesapeake, 1 June 1813.


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

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

    Photo #: NH 59556-KN (Color)

    USS Chesapeake (1800-1813)

    Painting by F. Muller, circa the early 1900s

    Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 55212

    USS Chesapeake
    (1800-1813)

    Fully rigged model built by Arthur Cheney, circa 1932, based on original plans in the Josiah Fox Collection of Mr. Ernest J. Wesson.

    Courtesy of Dr. Eugene H. Pool.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 105KB; 740 x 625 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 74526

    Action between USS Chesapeake and HMS Leopard, 22 June 1807


    Sketch by Fred S. Cozzens, copied from his 1897 book "Our Navy -- Its Growth and Achievements".
    It depicts Leopard, at right, firing on Chesapeake to enforce a demand that she submit to a search of her crew for British Navy deserters.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 405 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 1899

    Flag of USS Chesapeake
    (1800-1813)

    Which was purchased for $4,250.00 by Mr. William Waldorf Astor and presented to the United Service Institution of Great Britain. It was displayed in their museum at Whitehall, London.
    Photograph dated January 1914.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 109KB; 600 x 715 pixels

     

    For other images related to USS Chesapeake, see:

  • HMS Shannon captures USS Chesapeake, 1 June 1813.


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


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    Page made 21 June 2003
    Link added 6 July 2003