HMS SHANNON commencing battle with the USS CHESAPEAKE

Lithographer Louis Haghe (Belgian, 1806 - 1885)

Artist John Christian Schetky (Scottish, 1778 - 1874)

Date1828

Object number00004360

NameLithograph

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 395 x 476 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionThe first in a series of four lithographs on the dual between HMS SHANNON and USS CHESAPEAKE in June 1813 during the War of 1812. The lithographs are dedicated to Captain Broke (1776-1841), who had been the captain of HMS SHANNON during the battle and who gained fame and honours through his victory. The lithographs are by Louis Haghe after paintings by marine artist John Christian Schetky. The series were dedicated to Broke by Captain R.H. King of the Royal Navy.HistoryHMS SHANNON, built by Josiah and Thomas Brindley at Kent and launched on 5 May 1806, was a 38-gun Leda class frigate, one of the largest frigates built by the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. SHANNON spent the first 5 years of its career serving in the Napoleonic Wars by patrolling French ports and taking part in Sir Samuel Hood's expedition against Madeira following the French invasion of Portugal. In 1811 HMS SHANNON was ordered to sail for North America as tensions between Britain and the United States escalated over trade restrictions imposed by Britain and an American desire for expansion into the Northwest. This tension eventually culminated in the War of 1812. Under the command of Captain Philip Broke SHANNON captured a privateer schooner WILY REYNARD on 11 October 1812 and on 31 October captured the American privateer brig THORN. In 1813 Captain Broke, eager to defeat one of the American super frigates, issued a challenge to the USS CHESAPEAKE to engage in single ship combat. The USS CHESAPEAKE was a three masted heavy frigate built by Josiah Fox and launched at Gosport Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia on 2 December 1799. It was one of six frigates whose construction was authorised by the United States Naval Act of 1794. CHESAPEAKE'S career began with service in the First Barbary War (1801-1805), a war between the United States and the Barbary States of Morocco, Tripoli and Algiers. On 22 June 1807 the CHESAPEAKE was fired upon by the British vessel HMS LEOPARD for refusing to comply with a search for deserters. At the beginning of the War of 1812, CHESAPEAKE captured five British merchant ships in one patrol. Following Broke's challenge, SHANNON and CHESAPEAKE met at half past five on 1 June 1813, 20 nautical miles east of Boston lighthouse. At a range of about 35 metres the two ships opened fire with the SHANNON scoring the first hit. Further fire from the SHANNON caused the CHESAPEAKE to fall onto the SHANNON'S starboard bow, trapping the ship. The British, led by Captain Broke, charged the CHESAPEAKE and engaged in fierce fighting with the Americans. After 11 minutes the British secured the ship and took the CHESAPEAKE's surrender. The casualties totaling 228 dead or wounded from both sides were extremely high and made the battle the single highest body count between two ships during the War of 1812. Following the victory, the British installed a prize crew on the CHESAPEAKE and it was escorted by SHANNON into Halifax, arriving on 6 June 1813. CHESAPEAKE'S crew was imprisoned at Halifax and CHESAPEAKE was taken into service as HMS CHESAPEAKE by the Royal Navy. CHESAPEAKE was sold in 1820 and broken up. From 1814 - 1826 SHANNON alternated between being laid up and repaired. It was eventually fitted for sea and recommissioned in 1829. Renamed SAINT LAWRENCE on 1844, the vessel was broken up at Chatham on 12 November 1859.SignificanceThis lithograph is significant in representing the battle between the HMS SHANNON and USS CHESAPEAKE in 1813, one of the bloodiest single ship battles in the age of sail.