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 HackettAmerican Designer Ship Builder	DANFS
Constructor	Enos BriggsAmerican Ship Builder Service 1746	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) 1814-1837 British 36 Gun 5th Rate Frigate

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 Ship Commanders

DatesRankNameSource
7.1799 - 1800Captainref:2341801Captainref:2342.5.1801 - 1802CaptainDANFS1.12.1803 - 1807CaptainDB00929.10.1810 - 9.1811Captain1811 - 28.3.1814CaptainDANFS

14 Commissioned Officers

DatesRankNameSource
8.11.1799 - 1799First LieutenantDB00928.11.1799 - 1801Second LieutenantDB0092.12.1799 - 1799LieutenantDB0091.1800 - 1.4.1800Acting LieutenantOUSNMC1.4.1800 - 4.1801LieutenantDB0091811 - 1812LieutenantW0531812 - 28.3.1814First LieutenantW0551812 - 4.1.1813Acting LieutenantW0551812 - 24.7.1813Acting LieutenantW0551812 - 28.3.1814Lieutenant†W05519.5.1812 - 28.3.1814LieutenantW0554.1.1813 - 28.3.1814LieutenantW05524.7.1813 - 28.3.1814LieutenantW0551814 - 28.3.1814Lieutenant†

15 Warrant Officers

DatesRankNameSource
2.3.1799 - 10.6.1801SurgeonDB00913.11.1799 - 10.9.1801PurserDB0092.12.1799 - 1799BoatswainDB0092.12.1799 - 22.1.1803GunnerDB0096.12.1799 - 1799MasterDB00928.4.1801 - 4.6.1803MasterDB0091802 - 20.11.1802Acting Gunnerref:114710.5.1811 - 28.3.1814ChaplainW0551812 - 28.3.1814CarpenterW0551812 - 28.3.1814GunnerW0551812 - 28.3.1814BoatswainW0551812 - 28.3.1814PurserW0551812 - 28.3.1814MasterW0551812 - 28.3.1814SailmakerW05522.5.1812 - 28.3.1814SurgeonW055

72 Petty Officers

DatesRatingNameSource
23.9.1799 - 22.6.1801MidshipmanDB00912.1799 - 1799Gunner's YeomanDB00912.1799 - 1799ArmourerDB00912.1799 - 1799Master's MateDB00912.1799 - 1799Master's MateDB00912.1799 - 1799Surgeon's MateDB00912.1799 - 1799Captain's ClerkDB00912.1799 - 1799CooperDB00912.1799 - 1799CoxswainDB00912.1799 - 1799Boatswain's MateDB00912.1799 - 1799Boatswain's MateDB00912.1799 - 1799Gunner's MateDB00912.1799 - 1799Carpenter's MateDB00912.1799 - 1799Carpenter's MateDB00912.1799 - 1799CookDB00912.1799 - 1799Master-at-ArmsDB00912.1799 - 4.7.1800Steward†DB00912.1799 - 1799SailmakerDB00912.1799 - 1.1800SailmakerDB0092.12.1799 - 1799MidshipmanDB0092.12.1799 - 1799MidshipmanDB0092.12.1799 - 1799MidshipmanDB0092.12.1799 - 1.1800MidshipmanDB0092.12.1799 - 9.2.1801MidshipmanDB0092.12.1799 - 25.2.1801MidshipmanDB0092.12.1799 - 6.8.1801MidshipmanDB00911.12.1799 - 30.4.1801MidshipmanDB00911.12.1799 - 20.5.1801MidshipmanDB0091800MidshipmanDB00925.3.1800 - 1800Master's MateDB00925.3.1800 - 1800Master's MateDB0091.1801 - 30.5.1800Midshipman†DB0091.1801 - 26.5.1801MidshipmanDB00928.4.1801 - 1801MidshipmanDB00928.4.1801 - 1801MidshipmanDB00928.4.1801 - 1801MidshipmanDB00928.4.1801 - 3.3.1803MidshipmanDB0099.8.1811 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanDB0099.8.1811 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanDB0091812 - 28.3.1814Quartermaster†W0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanW0551812 - 28.3.1814QuartermasterW0551812 - 28.3.1814MidshipmanW0551812 - 28.3.1814Quartermaster†W0551812 - 28.3.1814QuartermasterW0551812 - 28.3.1814QuartermasterW0551812 - 28.3.1814QuartermasterW0551812 - 28.3.1814Captain's ClerkW0551812 - 28.3.1814Boatswain's MateW0551812 - 28.3.1814Surgeon's MateW0551812 - 28.3.1814Boatswain's MateW0551812 - 28.3.1814Surgeon's MateW0551812 - 28.3.1814Gunner's Mate†W0551812 - 28.3.1814Gunner's MateW0551812 - 28.3.1814Carpenter's MateW0551812 - 28.3.1814ArmourerW0551812 - 28.3.1814Master-at-ArmsW0551812 - 28.3.1814CooperW0551812 - 28.3.1814CoxswainW0551812 - 28.3.1814StewardW0551812 - 28.3.1814CookW0551812 - 28.3.1814MateW0551812 - 28.3.1814Master's MateW0551812 - 28.3.1814Boatswain's MateW055

20 Crewmen

DatesRatingNameSource
12.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerDB00912.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerDB00912.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerDB00912.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerDB00912.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerDB00912.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerDB00912.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerDB00912.1799 - 1799Quarter GunnerDB00917.12.1799 - 31.12.1799Able SeamanDB0091812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerW0551812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerW0551812 - 28.3.1814Quarter Gunner†W0551812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerW0551812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerW0551812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerW0551812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerW0551812 - 28.3.1814Quarter GunnerW0551812 - 28.3.1814Boatswain's YeomanW0551812 - 28.3.1814Gunner's YeomanW0551812 - 28.3.1814Carpenter's YeomanW055

12 Marines

DatesRankNameSource
12.1799 - 1.1800Marine First LieutenantDB0091800 - 1.1800CorporalDB0091800 - 1.1800CorporalDB0091800 - 1.1800CorporalDB0091800 - 1.1800SergeantDB0091800 - 1.1800SergeantDB0093.5.1802 - 20.8.1802Marine Corporalref:11441812 - 28.3.1814CorporalW0551812 - 28.3.1814CorporalW0551812 - 28.3.1814SergeantW0551812 - 28.3.1814SergeantW0551812 - 28.3.1814Marine LieutenantW055

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
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 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
29.4.1813Took the British Whaling ships Barclay, Montezuma, Georgiana and PolicyDB009
29.4.1813Took the Packet E-WIKI
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 and
28.3.1814Taken by at Valparaiso
28.3.1814Taken by at Valparaiso

Fleets
Dates	Fleet	Fleet Commander	Source
1801-1802	American Mediterranean Squadron 1801-1802	Richard DaleAmerican Naval Sailor Service 1798
1804-1805	American Mediterranean Squadron 1804-1805	Samuel BarronAmerican Naval Sailor Service 1749-1810
1805-1806	American Mediterranean Squadron 1805-1806	John RodgersAmerican Naval Sailor Service 1798-1837

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