American Fifth Rate frigate 'Essex' (1799)

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Essex	2408
Nominal Guns	32	DANFS
Nationality	United States of America
Operator	United States Navy
Launched	30.9.1799	DANFS
Home Port		DANFS
How acquired	Purpose built	DANFS
Shipyard	Salem - Massachusetts	DANFS
Designed by	William Hackett	DANFS
Constructor	Enos Briggs (1746-1819)	BWAS-1793
Category	Fifth Rate	DANFS
Ship Type	Frigate	DANFS
Sailing Rig	Ship Rigged	DANFS
Captured	28.3.1814	DANFS
Becomes	British Fifth Rate frigate 'Essex' (1814) (36)

Dimensions

DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentBWAS-1793
Length of Gundeck138' 7"Imperial Feet42.0671
Length of Keel117' 2 ⅞"Imperial Feet35.6838
Breadth37' 3 ½"Imperial Feet11.2903
Depth in Hold11' 9"Imperial Feet3.5814
Burthen867 ²²⁄₉₄Tons BM
DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentDANFS
Length of Gundeck140' 0"Imperial Feet42.672
Breadth31' 0"Imperial Feet9.4488
Depth in Hold12' 3"Imperial Feet3.6957
Burthen850Tons BM

Armament

1800Broadside Weight = 348 Imperial Pound ( 157.818 kg)DANFS
Upper Gun Deck26 American 12-Pounder
Spardeck16 American 24-Pound Carronade

1810Broadside Weight = 676 Imperial Pound ( 306.566 kg)DANFS
Upper Gun Deck24 American 32-Pound Columbiad
Upper Gun Deck2 American 12-Pounder
Spardeck16 American 32-Pound Columbiad
Spardeck4 American 12-Pounder

Crew Complement

Date# of MenNotesSource
1800300 DANFS

6 Commanding Officers

DatesRankNameSource
7.1799 - 1800CaptainEdward Preble (1761-1807)B1711801CaptainEdward Preble (1761-1807)B1712.5.1801 - 1802CaptainWilliam Bainbridge (1774-1833)DANFS1.12.1803 - 1807CaptainJames Barron (1768-1851)DB00929.10.1810 - 9.1811CaptainJohn Smith (d.1815)1811 - 28.3.1814CaptainDavid Porter (1780-1843)DANFS

14 Commissioned Officers

DatesRankNameSource
8.11.1799 - 1799First LieutenantRichard C BealeDB00928.11.1799 - 1801Second LieutenantDavid PhippsDB0092.12.1799 - 1799LieutenantGeorge Gardiner LeeDB0091.1800 - 1.4.1800Acting LieutenantGeorge Washington Tew (d.1801)OUSNMC1.4.1800 - 4.1801LieutenantGeorge Washington Tew (d.1801)DB0091811 - 1812LieutenantLewis Warrington (1782-1851)W0531812 - 28.3.1814First LieutenantJohn Downes (d.1854)W0551812 - 28.3.1814LieutenantJames P Wilmer (d.1814)†W0551812 - 4.1.1813Acting LieutenantWilliam Bolton Finch (d.1849)W0551812 - 24.7.1813Acting LieutenantStephen D McKnightW05519.5.1812 - 28.3.1814LieutenantJames WilsonW0554.1.1813 - 28.3.1814LieutenantWilliam Bolton Finch (d.1849)W05524.7.1813 - 28.3.1814LieutenantStephen D McKnightW0551814 - 28.3.1814LieutenantJohn G Powell (d.1814)†

15 Warrant Officers

DatesRatingNameSource
2.3.1799 - 10.6.1801SurgeonHector OrrDB00913.11.1799 - 10.9.1801PurserWilliam MumfordDB0092.12.1799 - 1799BoatswainJoseph MartinDB0092.12.1799 - 22.1.1803GunnerSamuel MasuryDB0096.12.1799 - 1799MasterRufus LowDB00928.4.1801 - 4.6.1803MasterRichard ButlerDB0091802 - 20.11.1802Acting GunnerJohn Brewinref:114710.5.1811 - 28.3.1814ChaplainDavid P Adams (d.1823)W0551812 - 28.3.1814SailmakerDavid NavarroW0551812 - 28.3.1814CarpenterJohn S WatersW0551812 - 28.3.1814MasterJohn G CowellW0551812 - 28.3.1814PurserJohn R ShawW0551812 - 28.3.1814BoatswainEdward LinscottW0551812 - 28.3.1814GunnerLawrence MillerW05522.5.1812 - 28.3.1814SurgeonRobert MillerW055

72 Petty Officers

DatesRatingNameSource
23.9.1799 - 22.6.1801MidshipmanThomas RandallDB00912.1799 - 1799Gunner's YeomanJohn SmithDB00912.1799 - 1799CoxswainEli DillDB00912.1799 - 1799Carpenter's MateSamuel HazletonDB00912.1799 - 1799CooperJohn DouglassDB00912.1799 - 1799Carpenter's MateStephen StimsonDB00912.1799 - 1799Captain's ClerkSamuel Curren WardDB00912.1799 - 1799Master's MateFrancis BensonDB00912.1799 - 1799Gunner's MateWilliam PattersonDB00912.1799 - 1799ArmourerJoseph NewellDB00912.1799 - 1799Master's MateWilliam B ReedDB00912.1799 - 1799Boatswain's MateWilliam FisherDB00912.1799 - 1799Master-at-ArmsJames WallaceDB00912.1799 - 1799Boatswain's MateJohn HowardDB00912.1799 - 1799CookAndrew KnowlandDB00912.1799 - 1799Surgeon's MateJohn Hancock PerkinsDB00912.1799 - 4.7.1800StewardSimeon F Stewart (d.1800)†DB00912.1799 - 1799SailmakerGeorge PerkinsDB00912.1799 - 1.1800SailmakerSamuel York NowelDB0092.12.1799 - 1799MidshipmanJohn ShattuckDB0092.12.1799 - 1799MidshipmanWilliam ScallonDB0092.12.1799 - 1799MidshipmanJohn RoweDB0092.12.1799 - 1.1800MidshipmanFitch TarbellDB0092.12.1799 - 9.2.1801MidshipmanSamuel StubbsDB0092.12.1799 - 25.2.1801MidshipmanRoyal GurleyDB0092.12.1799 - 6.8.1801MidshipmanSamuel ConantDB00911.12.1799 - 30.4.1801MidshipmanSamuel AllenDB00911.12.1799 - 20.5.1801MidshipmanJames Henry AdamsDB0091800MidshipmanJohn BrownDB00925.3.1800 - 1800Master's MateRichard ButlerDB00925.3.1800 - 1800Master's MateRichard ButterDB0091.1801 - 30.5.1800MidshipmanWilliam H Williams (d.1800)†DB0091.1801 - 26.5.1801MidshipmanJ B HitchbornDB00928.4.1801 - 1801MidshipmanGeorge Merrill (d.1822)DB00928.4.1801 - 1801MidshipmanSimon Smith (d.1806)DB00928.4.1801 - 1801MidshipmanBenjamin B Smith (d.1807)DB00928.4.1801 - 3.3.1803MidshipmanAbner WoodruffDB0099.8.1811 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanDavid G Farragut (d.1870)DB0099.8.1811 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanDavid TittermaryDB0091812 - 28.3.1814QuartermasterJohn Thompson (d.1814)†W0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanHenry GrayW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanWilliam H HaddiwayW0551812 - 28.3.1814QuartermasterRobert DunnW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanGeorge W IsaacW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanRichard DashiellW0551812 - 28.3.1814QuartermasterJohn MallettW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanWilliam W Feltus (d.1814)W0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanJohn CowanW0551812 - 28.3.1814QuartermasterWilliam GardnerW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanThomas Anderson Conover (d.1864)W0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanCharles T ClarkW0551812 - 28.3.1814QuartermasterFrancis Bland (d.1814)†W0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanWilliam OdenheimerW0551812 - 28.3.1814QuartermasterJames RynardW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanHenry W Ogden (d.1860)W0551812 - 28.3.1814MateWilliam P PiercyW0551812 - 28.3.1814Captain's ClerkW W BostwickW0551812 - 28.3.1814Gunner's MateJames SpaffordW0551812 - 28.3.1814StewardThomas ColemanW0551812 - 28.3.1814Gunner's MateGeorge Martin (d.1814)†W0551812 - 28.3.1814CoxswainJohn FrancisW0551812 - 28.3.1814Boatswain's MateWilliam KingsburyW0551812 - 28.3.1814CooperJohn AdamsW0551812 - 28.3.1814Boatswain's MateJoseph HawleyW0551812 - 28.3.1814Master-at-ArmsGeorge KensingerW0551812 - 28.3.1814Boatswain's MateThomas BelcherW0551812 - 28.3.1814Surgeon's MateRichard K HoffmanW0551812 - 28.3.1814ArmourerField BennetW0551812 - 28.3.1814Master's MateJames TerryW0551812 - 28.3.1814Surgeon's MateAlexander M Montgomery (d.1828)W0551812 - 28.3.1814Carpenter's MateJohn LangleyW0551812 - 28.3.1814CookJohn HadenW055

20 Crewmen

DatesRatingNameSource
12.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerJames ConverseDB00912.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerHans OlsenDB00912.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerJames OrrDB00912.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerJacob BensonDB00912.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerJohn WestDB00912.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerWilliam TraffordDB00912.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerJohn RobinsonDB00912.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerJohn LessellDB00917.12.1799 - 31.12.1799Able SeamanJohn WilliamsonDB0091812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerLeonard GreenW0551812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerJames SteadyW0551812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerAdam Roach (d.1814)†W0551812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerBenjamin GeersW0551812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerHenry StoneW0551812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerIsaac ValanceW0551812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerEdward SellmanW0551812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerJames MarshallW0551812 - 28.3.1814Boatswain's YeomanThomas BaileyW0551812 - 28.3.1814Carpenter's YeomanBenjamin WaddenW0551812 - 28.3.1814Gunner's YeomanThomas EdwardsW055

12 Marines

DatesRankNameSource
12.1799 - 1.1800Marine First LieutenantS W GeddisDB0091800 - 1.1800CorporalStephen DickensonDB0091800 - 1.1800CorporalJohn AlversonDB0091800 - 1.1800CorporalJoel RussellDB0091800 - 1.1800SergeantWinthrop BraburyDB0091800 - 1.1800SergeantElisha ChapinDB0093.5.1802 - 20.8.1802Marine CorporalWilliam Bryant (c.1779-?)ref:11441812 - 28.3.1814CorporalAndrew MahonW0551812 - 28.3.1814CorporalAbsalom KrewsonW0551812 - 28.3.1814SergeantPierce G SmallW0551812 - 28.3.1814SergeantAbraham van DeezerW0551812 - 28.3.1814Marine LieutenantJohn M Gamble (d.1836)W055

Service History

DateEventSource
6.1.1800Left New York in company with Congress
28.3.1800Doubled the Cape of Good Hope, the first US vessel to do soDB009
27.8.1800Passed the Cape of Good HopeDB009
10.9.1800Arrived at St HelenaDB009
29.11.1800Arrived at New YorkDB009
1.7.1801Arrived at Gibraltar
17.6.1802Sailed from the Mediterranean for homeDB009
22.7.1802Arrived in New YorkDB009
8.1802Arrived at the Washington Navy Yard for repairsDB009
1.4.1803Placed in ordinaryDB009
8.1804Returned to the Mediterranean
27.4.1805Present in the attack on the town of Derne, losing 14 killedDB009
7.1806Returned to Washington and placed in Ordinary
1.5.1807Placed in ordinaryDB009
2.1809Recommissioned
3.12.1811At NewportDB009
3.7.1812Sailed from New YorkDB009
11.7.1812Took British Transport #299 with 197 soldiers on board from a convoy of seven escorted by Minerva (32)
13.7.1812Took the Lamprey brig from a merchant fleet convoyed by the Nimrod (16)
26.7.1812Took the Leander brig with a crew of 5DB009
2.8.1812Took the brig Hero with a crew of 8 and the ship Nancy with a crew of 11DB009
3.8.1812Took the brig Brothers with a crew of 10 and used it as a cartel for prisonersDB009
8.8.1812Took the brig King George with a crew of 10 loaded with coal and saltDB009
9.8.1812Took the brig Mary with a crew of 9DB009
13.8.1812Took the Sloop Alert (16) off Newfoundland
9.1812Returned to New York
27.10.1812Left for a cruise to the south
12.12.1812Took the British Packet Norton (10) with 31 men on boardDB009
29.12.1812Took the schooner ElizabethDB009
14.3.1813Arrived at Valparaiso, Chile
20.3.1813Took the Privateer Nereyda (16)
29.4.1813Took the British Whaling ships Barclay, Montezuma, Georgiana and PolicyDB009
28.5.1813Took the British Whaling ship Atlantic and converted her to a cruiser as Essex Junior (20)DB009
28.5.1813Took the British Whaling ships Greenwich, Catherine, Rose and Hector off the Gallapagos islands. Actually taken by the Whaler Georgina acting as an armed cruiser.DB009
28.5.1813Took the British Whaling ship Charlton (10)DB009
13.7.1813Took the British Whaling ships Charlton (10), Seringapatam and New ZealanderDB009
13.9.1813Took the British Whaling ship Sir Andrew HammondDB009
1.1814Blockaded in Valparaiso Harbour by RN Frigates Phoebe (36) and Cherub (18)
28.3.1814Taken by Cherub (18) at Valparaiso
28.3.1814Taken by Phoebe (36) at Valparaiso

Fleets
Dates	Fleet	Fleet Commander	Source
1801-1802	American Mediterranean Squadron 1801-1802	Richard Dale (1756-1826)
1804-1805	American Mediterranean Squadron 1804-1805	Samuel Barron (d.1810)
1805-1806	American Mediterranean Squadron 1805-1806	John Rodgers (d.1838)

Sources

IDDescriptionAuthorType

DANFSUnknownWeb Site

BWAS-1793Rif WinfieldBook

B171George Henry PrebleBook

DB009 Digital Book

OUSNMCEdward W CallahanBook

W053VariousWeb Site

W055David PorterWeb Site

ref:1147 Book

ref:1144 Book

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