View source for USS Chesapeake (1799)

{{short description|38-gun frigate of the United States Navy}}
{{Other ships|USS Chesapeake}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = [[File:USSChesapeake.jpg|300px|alt=Painting of the USS Chesapeake at sea]]
| Ship caption = ''USS Chesapeake'', painting by F. Muller (early 1900s)
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header =
| Ship country = United States
| Ship flag = {{USN flag|1813}}
| Ship name = USS ''Chesapeake''
| Ship namesake = [[Chesapeake Bay]]<ref name="DANFS">{{cite DANFS |title=Chesapeake |url= https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/c/chesapeake-i.html |access-date=29 March 2011}}</ref>
| Ship ordered = 27 March 1794
| Ship builder = [[Josiah Fox]]
| Ship original cost = $220,677
| Ship laid down = December 1795
| Ship launched = 2 December 1799
| Ship sponsor =
| Ship christened =
| Ship commissioned = 22 May 1800
| Ship motto =
| Ship nickname =
| Ship captured = 1 June 1813
| Ship notes =
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = title
| Ship country = United Kingdom
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
| Ship name = HMS ''Chesapeake''
| Ship acquired = 1 June 1813 by capture
| Ship commissioned =
| Ship decommissioned = 1819
| Ship fate = Sold for timber
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header =
| Header caption = (1813)
| Ship class = 38-gun frigate<ref name=rating group=Note/>
| Ship type =
| Ship tonnage = 1,244<ref name="Teddy48">Roosevelt (1883), p. 48.</ref>
| Ship tons burthen =
| Ship length = {{convert|152.6|ft|m|abbr=on}} [[length between perpendiculars|lpp]]
| Ship beam = {{convert|41.3|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship height =
| Ship draft = {{convert|20|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="DANFS"/>
| Ship hold depth = {{convert|13.9|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="Chapelle535">Chapelle (1949), p. 535.</ref>
| Ship decks = [[Orlop deck|Orlop]], [[Berth (sleeping)|Berth]], [[Gun deck|Gun]], [[Spar (sailing)|Spar]]
| Ship deck clearance =
| Ship propulsion = Sail
| Ship sail plan =
| Ship speed =
| Ship boats =
| Ship complement = 340&nbsp;officers and enlisted<ref name="Chapelle535"/>
| Ship armament = *29&nbsp;× 18-pounder (8&nbsp;kg) [[long guns]]
* 18&nbsp;× 32-pounder (14.5&nbsp;kg) [[carronade]]s
* 2&nbsp;× 12-pounder long guns (5.5&nbsp;kg)
* 1&nbsp;× 12-pounder (5.5&nbsp;kg) carronade<ref name="Teddy181">Roosevelt (1883), p. 181.</ref>
| Ship notes =
}}
|}

'''''Chesapeake''''' was a 38-gun wooden-[[hull (watercraft)|hulled]], three-[[Mast (sailing)|masted]] [[heavy frigate]] of the [[United States Navy]]. She was one of the [[original six frigates of the United States Navy|original six frigates]] whose construction was authorized by the [[Naval Act of 1794]]. [[Joshua Humphreys]] designed these frigates to be the young navy's [[capital ship]]s. ''Chesapeake'' was originally designed as a 44-gun frigate, but construction delays, material shortages and budget problems caused builder [[Josiah Fox]] to alter his design to 38&nbsp;guns. Launched at the [[Gosport Navy Yard]] on 2&nbsp;December 1799, ''Chesapeake'' began her career during the [[Quasi-War]] with France and later saw service in the [[First Barbary War]].

On 22 June 1807 she was fired upon by {{HMS|Leopard|1790|6}} of the [[Royal Navy]] for refusing to allow a search for deserters. The event, now known as the [[Chesapeake–Leopard affair|''Chesapeake–Leopard'' affair]], angered the American public and government and was a precipitating factor that led to the [[War of 1812]]. As a result of the affair, ''Chesapeake''{{'}}s commanding officer, [[James Barron]], was [[court-martial]]ed and the United States instituted the [[Embargo Act of 1807]] against the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]].

Early in the War of 1812 she made one patrol and captured five British [[merchant ship]]s. She was captured by {{HMS|Shannon|1806|6}} shortly after sailing from Boston, Massachusetts, on 1&nbsp;June 1813. The Royal Navy took her into their service as '''HMS&nbsp;''Chesapeake''''', where she served until she was broken up and her timbers sold in 1819. They gave form and structure to the [[Chesapeake Mill]] in [[Wickham, Hampshire|Wickham]], England.

==Design and construction==
{{Main|Original six frigates of the United States Navy}}

American [[merchant vessel]]s began to fall prey to [[Barbary corsairs|Barbary Pirates]], mainly from [[Algiers]], in the [[Mediterranean]] during the 1790s. Congress responded with the [[Naval Act of 1794]].<ref name="Allen1909-4142">Allen (1909), pp. 41–42.</ref> The act provided funds for the construction of six frigates, and directed that the construction would continue unless and until the United States agreed peace terms with Algiers.<ref name="Beach29">Beach (1986), p. 29.</ref><ref name="NA1794">''An Act to provide a Naval Armament''. {{USStat|1|350}} (1794). [[Library of Congress]]. Retrieved 17&nbsp;February 2011.</ref>

[[Joshua Humphreys]]' design was long on [[keel]] and narrow of [[beam (nautical)|beam]] (width) to allow for the mounting of very heavy guns. The design incorporated a diagonal [[scantling]] (rib) scheme to limit [[hogging and sagging|hogging]] (warping) and included extremely heavy planking. This gave the [[Hull (watercraft)|hull]] greater strength than those of more lightly built frigates. Since the fledgling United States could not match the number of ships of the European states, Humphreys designed his frigates to be able to overpower other frigates, but with the speed to escape from a [[ship of the line]].<ref name="Toll4953">Toll (2006), pp. 49–53.</ref><ref name="Beach2930">Beach (1986), pp. 29–30, 33.</ref><ref name="Allen1909-4245">Allen (1909), pp. 42–45.</ref>

Originally designated as "Frigate D", the ship remained unnamed for several years. Her keel was laid down in December 1795 at the [[Gosport Navy Yard]] in Norfolk County – now the city of Portsmouth in Hampton Roads, Virginia, where [[Josiah Fox]] had been appointed her naval constructor and [[Richard Dale]] as superintendent of construction. In March 1796 a peace accord was announced between the United States and Algiers and construction was suspended in accordance with the Naval Act of 1794. The keel remained on blocks in the navy yard for two years.<ref name="NHFQW">{{cite web |title=Navy History: Federal/Quasi War |publisher=Naval History & Heritage Command |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/biblio/biblio4/biblio4a.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/19970206095004/http://www.history.navy.mil/biblio/biblio4/biblio4a.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 February 1997 |access-date= 27 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="Beach30">Beach (1986), p. 30.</ref>

The onset of the [[Quasi-War]] with France in 1798 prompted Congress to authorize completion of "Frigate&nbsp;D", and they approved resumption of the work on 16&nbsp;July. When Fox returned to Norfolk he discovered a shortage of timber caused by its diversion from Norfolk to Baltimore in order to finish {{USS|Constellation|1797|2}}. He corresponded with Secretary of the Navy [[Benjamin Stoddert]], who indicated a desire to expedite construction of the ship and reduce the overall cost. Fox, always an opponent of Humphreys' large design, submitted new plans to Stoddert which called for utilizing the existing keel but reducing the overall dimensions substantially in length and partially of beam. Fox's plans essentially proposed an entirely different design than originally planned by Humphreys. Secretary Stoddert approved the new design plans.<ref name="Toll289" /><ref name="Allen09-56">Allen (1909), p. 56.</ref><ref name="Beach3031">Beach (1986), pp. 30–31.</ref>

When construction finished, ''Chesapeake'' had the smallest dimensions of the six frigates. A length of {{convert|152.8|ft|m|abbr=on}} [[length between perpendiculars|between perpendiculars]] and {{convert|41.3|ft|m|abbr=on}} of beam contrasted with her closest sisters, {{USS|Congress|1799|2}} and ''Constellation'', which were built to {{convert|164|ft|m|abbr=on}} in length and {{convert|41|ft|m|abbr=on}} of beam.<ref name="Toll289">Toll (2006), p. 289.</ref><ref name="Congress">{{cite DANFS |title=Congress |url= http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c12/congress-iii.htm |access-date=29 March 2011 |link=off}}</ref><ref name="Constellation-I">{{cite DANFS |title=Constellation |url= http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c13/constellation-i.htm |access-date=29 March 2011 |link=off}}</ref> The final cost of her construction was $220,677—the second-least expensive frigate of the six. The least expensive was ''Congress'' at $197,246.<ref name="Teddy48" />

During construction, a sloop named ''Chesapeake'' was launched on 20&nbsp;June 1799 but was renamed {{USS|Patapsco|1799|2}} between 10&nbsp;October and 14&nbsp;November, apparently to free up the name ''Chesapeake'' for "Frigate&nbsp;D".<ref name="Patapsco">{{cite DANFS |title=Patapsco |url= http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p2/patapsco-i.htm |access-date=29 March 2011 |link=off}}</ref> In communications between Fox and Stoddert, Fox repeatedly referred to her as ''Congress'', further confusing matters, until he was informed by Stoddert the ship was to be named ''Chesapeake'', after [[Chesapeake Bay]].<ref name="DANFS" /> She was the only one of the six frigates not named by President [[George Washington]], nor after a principle of the United States Constitution.<ref name="Toll289" /><ref name="Beach31">Beach (1986), p. 31.</ref>

===Armament===
{{See also|Naval artillery in the Age of Sail}}

''Chesapeake''{{'}}s nominal rating is stated as either 36 or 38&nbsp;guns.{{refn|For purposes of this article, ''Chesapeake'' is listed as a 38-gun ship since the majority of references use that number. Stating 36&nbsp;guns are Allen,<ref name="Allen09-56"/> Beach,<ref name="Beach32"/> and Maclay and Smith.<ref name="MaclaySmith158">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, p. 158.</ref> Those stating 38 guns are Calhoun,<ref name="Calhoun6">Calhoun (2008), p. 6.</ref> Chapelle,<ref name="Chapelle128"/> Cooper,<ref name="Cooper134">Cooper (1856), p. 134.</ref> ''Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships'',<ref name="DANFS"/> Roosevelt,<ref name="Teddy48"/> and Toll.<ref name="Toll107">Toll (2006), p. 107.</ref> Fowler does not mention a rating.|name=rating|group=Note}} Originally designated as a 44-gun ship, her redesign by Fox led to a rerating, apparently based on her smaller dimensions when compared to ''Congress'' and ''Constellation''. Joshua Humphreys may have rerated ''Chesapeake'' to 38&nbsp;guns,<ref name="Chapelle128">Chapelle (1949), p. 128.</ref> or Secretary Stoddert may have rerated ''Congress'' and ''Constellation'' to 38 guns because they were larger than ''Chesapeake'', which was rated to 36 guns.<ref name="Beach32">Beach (1986), p. 32.</ref> The most recent information on her rating is from the ''Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships'', published in 2011, which states she was rerated "from 44&nbsp;guns to 36, eventually increased to 38".<ref name="DANFS" /> Her gun rating remained a matter of confusion throughout her career; Fox used a 44-gun rating in his correspondence with Secretary Stoddert.<ref name="Beach31" /> In preparing for the War of 1812 Secretary of the Navy [[Paul Hamilton (politician)|Paul Hamilton]] directed Captain Samuel Evans to recruit the number of crewmen required for a 44-gun ship. Hamilton was corrected by [[William Bainbridge]] in a letter stating, "There is a mistake in the crew ordered for the ''Chesapeake'', as it equals in number the crews of our 44-gun frigates, whereas the ''Chesapeake'' is of the class of the ''Congress'' and ''Constellation''."<ref name="Teddy50">Roosevelt (1883), p. 50.</ref> When sold for scrap by the Royal Navy in 1819, she was rated as a 48-gun ship.<ref name="Gazette1228">{{London Gazette|issue=17494|page=1228|date=13 July 1819}}</ref>

Gun ratings did not correspond to the actual number of guns a ship would carry. ''Chesapeake'' was noted as carrying 40&nbsp;guns during her encounter with {{HMS|Leopard|1790|6}} in 1807 and 50&nbsp;guns during her engagement with {{HMS|Shannon|1806|6}} in 1813. The 50&nbsp;guns consisted of twenty-eight 18-pounder (8&nbsp;kg) long guns on the [[gun deck]], fourteen on each side. This main battery was complemented by two long 12-pounders (5.5&nbsp;kg), one long 18-pounder, eighteen 32-pounder (14.5&nbsp;kg) [[carronade]]s, and one 12-pound carronade on the [[spar deck]]. Her [[Broadside (naval)|broadside]] weight was {{convert|542|lb|kg}}.<ref name="Teddy181" /><ref name="Cooper225226">Cooper (1856), pp. 225–226.</ref>

The ships of this era had no permanent battery of guns; guns were completely portable and were often exchanged between ships as situations warranted. Each commanding officer modified his vessel's armament to his liking while taking into consideration factors such as the overall tonnage of cargo, complement of personnel aboard, and planned routes to be sailed. Consequently, a vessel's armament would change often during its career; records of the changes were not generally kept.<ref name="Jennings">Jennings (1966), pp. 17–19.</ref>

==Quasi-War==
{{See also|Quasi-War}}

''Chesapeake'' was [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] on 2 December 1799 during the undeclared Quasi-War (1798–1800), which arose after the French navy seized American merchant ships. Her [[fitting-out]] continued until May 1800. In March Josiah Fox was reprimanded by Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert for continuing to work on ''Chesapeake'' while ''Congress'', still awaiting completion, was fully manned with a crew drawing pay. Stoddert appointed [[Thomas Truxton]] to ensure that his directives concerning ''Congress'' were carried out.<ref name="Toll138">Toll (2006), p. 138.</ref>

''Chesapeake'' first put to sea on 22 May commanded by Captain [[Samuel Barron (1765–1810)|Samuel Barron]] and marked her departure from Norfolk with a 13-gun salute.<ref name="Toll139">Toll (2006), p. 139.</ref> Her first assignment was to carry currency from Charleston, South Carolina, to Philadelphia.<ref name="Cooper139">Cooper (1856), p. 139.</ref> On 6&nbsp;June she joined a squadron patrolling off the southern coast of the United States and in the West Indies escorting American merchant ships.<ref name="Allen-09217">Allen (1909), p. 217.</ref>

Capturing the 16-gun French [[privateer]] ''La Jeune Creole'' on 1 January 1801 after a chase lasting 50&nbsp;hours, she returned to Norfolk with her [[prize (law)|prize]] on 15&nbsp;January. ''Chesapeake'' returned briefly to the West Indies in February, soon after a [[Convention of 1800|peace treaty]] was ratified with France. She returned to Norfolk and decommissioned on 26 February, subsequently being placed [[reserve fleet|in reserve]].<ref name="DANFS" /><ref name="Allen-09217252">Allen (1909), pp. 217, 252.</ref>

==First Barbary War==
{{See also|First Barbary War}}
[[File:(1817) MAP OF THE BARBARY STATE.jpg|thumb|300px|alt=A map of the Mediterranean Sea area depicting the countries that surround it|Barbary States were located in the southern area of the Mediterranean, shown here on an 1817 map.]]

During the Quasi-War, the United States had paid [[tribute]] to the [[Barbary Coast|Barbary States]] to ensure that they would not seize or harass American merchant ships.<ref name="MaclaySmith215216">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, pp. 215–216.</ref> In 1801 [[Yusuf Karamanli]] of [[Tripoli]], dissatisfied with the amount of tribute he received in comparison to that paid to Algiers, demanded an immediate payment of $250,000.<ref name="Allen058890">Allen (1905), pp. 88, 90.</ref> [[Thomas Jefferson]] responded by sending a squadron of warships to protect American merchant ships in the Mediterranean and to pursue peace negotiations with the Barbary States.<ref name="MaclaySmith228">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, p. 228.</ref><ref name="Allen0592">Allen (1905), p. 92.</ref> The first squadron was under the command of Richard Dale in ''President'' and the second was assigned to the command of [[Richard Valentine Morris]] in ''Chesapeake''. Morris's squadron eventually consisted of the vessels ''Constellation'', {{USS|New York|1800|2}}, {{USS|John Adams|1799|2}}, {{USS|Adams|1799|2}}, and {{USS|Enterprise|1799|2}}. It took several months to prepare the vessels for sea; they departed individually as they became ready.<ref name="Allen05105106">Allen (1905), pp. 105–106.</ref><ref name="Cooper155">Cooper (1856), p. 155.</ref>

''Chesapeake'' sailed from Hampton Roads on 27 April 1802 and arrived at [[Gibraltar]] on 25&nbsp;May; she immediately put in for repairs, as her main mast had split during the voyage.<ref name="Cooper158">Cooper (1856), p. 158.</ref> Morris remained at Gibraltar while awaiting word on the location of his squadron, as several ships had not reported in. On 22&nbsp;July ''Adams'' arrived with belated orders for Morris, dated 20&nbsp;April. Those were to "lay the whole squadron before Tripoli" and negotiate peace.<ref name="Allen05113114">Allen (1905), pp. 113–114.</ref> ''Chesapeake'' and  ''Enterprise'' departed Gibraltar on 17&nbsp;August bound for [[Livorno|Leghorn]], while providing protection for a convoy of merchant ships that were bound for intermediate ports. Morris made several stops in various ports before finally arriving at Leghorn on 12&nbsp;October, after which he sailed to [[Malta]]. ''Chesapeake'' undertook repairs of a rotted [[bowsprit]].<ref name="Allen05114116">Allen (1905), pp. 114–116.</ref><ref name="Cooper159">Cooper (1856), p. 159.</ref> ''Chesapeake'' was still in port when ''John Adams'' arrived on 5&nbsp;January 1803 with orders dated 23&nbsp;October 1802 from Secretary of the Navy [[Robert Smith (cabinet)|Robert Smith]]. These directed ''Chesapeake'' and ''Constellation'' to return to the United States; Morris was to transfer his command to ''New York''.<ref name="Allen05117">Allen (1905), p. 117.</ref> ''Constellation'' sailed directly as ordered, but Morris retained ''Chesapeake'' at Malta, claiming that she was not in any condition to make an Atlantic voyage during the winter months.<ref name="Allen05118">Allen (1905), p. 118.</ref>

Morris now had the ships ''New York'', ''John Adams'', and ''Enterprise'' gathered under him, while ''Adams'' was at Gibraltar.<ref name="Allen05118" /> On 30&nbsp;January ''Chesapeake'' and the squadron got underway for Tripoli, where Morris planned to burn [[Karamanli dynasty|Tripolitan]] ships in the harbor. Heavy gales made the approach to Tripoli difficult. Fearing ''Chesapeake'' would lose her masts from the strong winds, Morris returned to Malta on 10&nbsp;February.<ref name="Allen05120">Allen (1905), p. 120.</ref><ref name="MaclaySmith235">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, p. 235.</ref> With provisions for the ships running low and none available near Malta, Morris decided to abandon plans to blockade Tripoli and sailed the squadron back to Gibraltar for provisioning. They made stops at [[Tunis]] on 22&nbsp;February and Algiers on 19&nbsp;March. ''Chesapeake'' arrived at Gibraltar on 23&nbsp;March, where Morris transferred his command to ''New York''.<ref name="MaclaySmith236237">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, pp. 236–237.</ref> Under [[James Barron]], ''Chesapeake'' sailed for the United States on 7&nbsp;April and she was placed in reserve at the [[Washington Navy Yard]] on 1&nbsp;June.<ref name="Allen05121123">Allen (1905), pp. 121–123.</ref>

Morris remained in the Mediterranean until September, when orders from Secretary Smith arrived suspending his command and instructing him to return to the United States. There he faced a [[Naval Board of Inquiry]] which found that he was censurable for "inactive and dilatory conduct of the squadron under his command". He was dismissed from the navy in 1804.<ref name="Allen05133135">Allen (1905), pp. 133–135.</ref><ref name="Beach45">Beach (1986), p. 45.</ref> Morris's overall performance in the Mediterranean was particularly criticized for the state of affairs aboard ''Chesapeake'' and his inactions as a commander. His wife, young son, and housekeeper accompanied him on the voyage, during which his wife gave birth to another son. Midshipman Henry Wadsworth wrote that he and the other midshipman referred to Mrs. Morris as the "Commodoress" and believed she was the main reason behind ''Chesapeake'' remaining in port for months at a time.<ref name="Toll173">Toll (2006), p. 173.</ref><ref name="Fowler73">Fowler (1984), p. 73.</ref> Consul [[William Eaton (soldier)|William Eaton]] reported to Secretary Smith that Morris and his squadron spent more time in port sightseeing and doing little but "dance and wench", rather than blockading Tripoli.<ref name="Fowler7475">Fowler (1984), pp. 74–75.</ref>

==''Chesapeake''–''Leopard'' Affair==
{{Main|Chesapeake–Leopard affair}}
[[File:Onlyshotofchesapeake.jpg|thumb|left|''Chesapeake'' fires her only shot upon ''Leopard''|alt=See caption]]

In January 1807 Master Commandant Charles Gordon was appointed ''Chesapeake''{{'}}s commanding officer (captain). He was ordered to prepare her for patrol and convoy duty in the Mediterranean to relieve her sister ship {{USS|Constitution||2}}, which had been on duty there since 1803. James Barron was appointed overall commander of the squadron as its commodore.<ref name="Toll290">Toll (2006), p. 290.</ref><ref name="Cooper224">Cooper (1856), p. 224.</ref> ''Chesapeake'' was in much disarray from her multi-year period of inactivity and many months were required for repairs, provisioning, and recruitment of personnel.<ref name="Fowler152">Fowler (1984), p. 152.</ref> Lieutenant Arthur Sinclair was tasked with the recruiting. Among those chosen were three sailors who had deserted from {{HMS|Melampus|1785|6}}. The British ambassador to the United States requested the return of the sailors. Barron found that, although they were indeed from ''Melampus'', they had been [[Impressment|impressed]] into Royal Navy service from the beginning. He therefore refused to release them back to ''Melampus'' and nothing further was communicated on the subject.<ref name="Fowler153">Fowler (1984), p. 153.</ref><ref name="MaclaySmith305306">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, pp. 305–306.</ref>

In early June ''Chesapeake'' departed the Washington Navy Yard for Norfolk, Virginia, where she completed provisioning and loading armaments. Captain Gordon informed Barron on the 19th that ''Chesapeake'' was ready for sea and they departed on 22&nbsp;June armed with 40&nbsp;guns.<ref name="Cooper225226" /> At the same time, a British squadron consisting of HMS ''Melampus'', {{HMS|Bellona|1760|2}}, and  ''Leopard'' (a 50-gun [[fourth rate]]) were lying off the port of Norfolk blockading two French ships there. As ''Chesapeake'' departed, the squadron ships began signaling each other and ''Leopard'' got under way, preceding ''Chesapeake'' to sea.<ref name="Fowler153" /><ref name="Toll295">Toll (2006), p. 295.</ref>

After sailing for some hours, ''Leopard'', commanded by Captain [[Salusbury Pryce Humphreys|Salusbury Humphreys]], approached ''Chesapeake'' and hailed a request to deliver dispatches to England, a customary request of the time.<ref name="MaclaySmith306">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, p. 306.</ref> When a British lieutenant arrived by boat he handed Barron an order, given by Vice-Admiral [[George Cranfield Berkeley|George Berkeley]] of the Royal Navy, which instructed the British ships to stop and board ''Chesapeake'' to search for deserters. Barron refused to allow this search, and as the lieutenant returned to ''Leopard'' Barron ordered the crew to [[general quarters]].<ref name="Cooper227229">Cooper (1856), pp. 227, 229.</ref> Shortly afterward ''Leopard'' hailed ''Chesapeake''; Barron could not understand the message. ''Leopard'' fired a [[shot across the bow]], followed by a broadside, at ''Chesapeake''. For fifteen minutes, while ''Chesapeake'' attempted to arm herself, ''Leopard'' continued to fire broadside after broadside until Barron [[Striking the colors|struck his colors]]. ''Chesapeake'' only managed to fire one retaliatory shot after hot coals from the galley were brought on deck to ignite the cannon.<ref name="Fowler155">Fowler (1984), p. 155.</ref> The British boarded ''Chesapeake'' and carried off four crewmen, declining Barron's offer that ''Chesapeake'' be taken as a prize of war.<ref name="Cooper230">Cooper (1856), p. 230.</ref> ''Chesapeake'' suffered three sailors killed and Barron was among the eighteen&nbsp;wounded.<ref name="Toll295298">Toll (2006), pp. 295–298.</ref>

Word of the incident spread quickly on ''Chesapeake''{{'}}s return to Hampton Roads, where the British squadron that included ''Leopard'' was provisioning. Mobs of angry citizens destroyed two&nbsp;hundred water casks destined for the squadron and nearly killed a British lieutenant before local authorities intervened. The fourth death of a "Chesapeake" sailor two days later came in the midst of the growing outrage. The coffin holding the body of Robert MacDonald was transported across the Elizabeth River, which flowed between Portsmouth and Norfolk, amid cannon tributes and ships at half mast and an estimated 4,000 citizens to receive it at the Norfolk wharf.

In subsequent days, the event would lead to the angry resolutions of town governments on the east coast and into the Midwest. In Pennsylvania, a group representing the state’s First Congressional District declared the attack “an act of such consummate violence and wrong, and of so barbarous and murderous a character that it would debase and degrade any nation and much more so a nation of freemen to submit to it.”

President Jefferson recalled all US&nbsp;warships from the Mediterranean and issued a proclamation: all British warships were banned from entering US&nbsp;ports and those already in port were to depart. The incident eventually led to the [[Embargo Act of 1807]].<ref name="Fowler155156">Fowler (1984), pp. 155–156.</ref><ref name="Toll299301">Toll (2006), pp. 299, 301.</ref> As the first significant conflict between America and Great Britain after the Revolutionary War, it would give energy to what some historians would deem the second Revolutionary War, the War of 1812.<ref>Dickon, Chris (2008) pp. 38–47.</ref>

''Chesapeake'' was completely unprepared to defend herself during the incident. None of her guns were primed for operation and the spar deck was filled with materials that were not properly stowed in the cargo hold.<ref name="Toll294">Toll (2006), p. 294.</ref> A court-martial was convened for Barron and Captain Gordon, as well as Lieutenant Hall of the Marines. Barron was found guilty of "neglecting on the probability of an engagement to clear his Ship for action" and suspended from the navy for five years. Gordon and Hall were privately reprimanded, and the ship's gunner was discharged from the navy.<ref name="Fowler156">Fowler (1984), p. 156.</ref><ref name="MaclaySmith307308">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, pp. 307–308.</ref>

==War of 1812==
[[File:JamesLawrenceATcommons.jpg|thumb|Captain James Lawrence|alt=James Lawrence in his navy uniform]]
{{See also|War of 1812}}

After the heavy damage inflicted by ''Leopard'', ''Chesapeake'' returned to Norfolk for repairs. Under the command of [[Stephen Decatur]], she made patrols off the New England coast enforcing the Embargo Act throughout 1809.<ref name="Toll289310">Toll (2006), pp. 289, 310.</ref>

The ''Chesapeake''–''Leopard'' Affair, and later the [[Little Belt affair|''Little Belt'' affair]], contributed to the United States' decision to declare war on Britain on 18&nbsp;June 1812. ''Chesapeake'', under the command of Captain [[Samuel Evans (naval officer)|Samuel Evans]], was prepared for duty in the Atlantic.<ref name="Toll402">Toll (2006), p. 402.</ref> Beginning on 13&nbsp;December, she ranged from [[Madeira]] and traveled clockwise to the [[Cape Verde Islands]] and South America, and then back to Boston. She captured six ships as prizes: the British ships ''Volunteer'', {{ship||Liverpool Hero|1809 ship|2}}, ''Earl{{nbs}}Percy'', and ''Ellen'', the brig ''Julia'' (an American ship trading under a British license), and ''Valeria'' (an American ship recaptured from British privateers). During the cruise an unidentified British [[ship-of-the-line]] and a frigate chased ''Chesapeake'' but, after a passing storm squall, the two pursuing ships were gone the next morning. The cargo of ''Volunteer'', 40 tons of pig iron and copper, was sold for $185,000. ''Earl Percy'' never made it back to port as she ran aground off the coast of Long Island. ''Liverpool Hero'' was burned as she was considered leaky. ''Chesapeake''{{'}}s total monetary damage to British shipping was $235,675 (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|0.235675|1812|r=1}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation/year|US}}). She returned to Boston on 9&nbsp;April 1813 for refitting.<ref name="Calhoun">Calhoun (2008), pp. 6–8, 14–16.</ref><ref name="Teddy163">Roosevelt (1883), p. 163.</ref>

Captain Evans, now in poor health, requested relief of command. Captain [[James Lawrence]], late of {{USS|Hornet|1805 brig|2}} and her victory over {{HMS|Peacock|1806|6}}, took command of ''Chesapeake'' on 20&nbsp;May. Matters on board the ship were in disarray. The term of enlistment for many of the crew had expired and they were daily leaving the ship.<ref name="Teddy163" /> Those who remained were disgruntled and approaching mutiny, as the prize money they were owed from her previous cruise was held up in court.<ref name="Cooper305">Cooper (1856), p. 305.</ref> Lawrence paid out the prize money from his own pocket in order to appease them. Some sailors from ''Constitution'' joined ''Chesapeake'' and they made up the crew, along with sailors of several nations.<ref name="Teddy178">Roosevelt (1883), p. 178.</ref>

Meanwhile, HMS ''Shannon'', a 38-gun frigate, under Captain [[Philip Broke]] was patrolling off the port of Boston on blockade duty. ''Shannon'' had been under the command of Broke since 1806 and, under his direction, the crew held daily great gun and small arms drills lasting up to three hours each. Crew members who hit their bullseye were awarded a pound (454&nbsp;g) of tobacco for their good marksmanship. Broke had also fitted out his cannons with dispart and tangent sights to increase accuracy as well as degree bearings on the decks and gun carriages to allow the crew to focus their fire on a specific target. In this regard ''Chesapeake'', with traditional gun practice and a crew that had only been together for a few months, was inferior.<ref name="Teddy179180">Roosevelt (1883), pp. 179–180.</ref>

===''Chesapeake'' vs ''Shannon''===
[[File:W Elmes, The Brilliant Achievement of the Shannon ... in Boarding and Capturing the United States Frigate Chesapeake off Boston, June 1st 1813 in Fifteen Minutes (1813).jpg|thumb|270px|An 1813 illustration of the battle between ''Shannon'' and ''Chesapeake''|alt=See caption]]
{{Main|Capture of USS Chesapeake}}
{{multiple image
<!-- Essential parameters -->
| align     = left
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| header   = Contrasting impressions of the taking of ''Chesapeake''
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| image1    = M Dubourg, Boarding and Taking the American Ship Chesapeake, by the Officers and Crew of H.M. Ship Shannon, Commanded by Capt. Broke, June 1813 (c. 1813).jpg
| width1    =
| alt1      =
| caption1  = Broke leads the boarding party aboard ''Chesapeake''
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| image2    = British valour and Yankee boasting or, Shannon versus Chesapeake by George Cruikshank.jpg
| width2    =
| alt2      =
| caption2  = [[George Cruikshank]] portrayed the Americans as hapless and cowardly
}}

Lawrence, advised that ''Shannon'' had moved in closer to Boston, began preparations to sail on the evening of 31&nbsp;May. The next morning Broke wrote a challenge to Lawrence and dispatched it to ''Chesapeake''; it had not arrived when Lawrence set out to meet ''Shannon'' on his own accord.<ref name="Cooper304">Cooper (1856), p. 304.</ref><ref name="Teddy182">Roosevelt (1883), p. 182.</ref>

Leaving port with a broad white flag bearing the motto "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights", ''Chesapeake'' met with ''Shannon'' near 5&nbsp;pm that afternoon. During six minutes of firing, each ship managed two full broadsides. ''Chesapeake''{{'}}s first broadside was fired while the ship was heeling, causing most shots to strike the water or  ''Shannon''{{'}}s [[waterline]], causing little damage; although carronade fire caused serious damage to ''Shannon''{{'}}s rigging.<ref>Andrew Lambert, ''The Challenge: Britain Against America in the Naval War of 1812'', Faber and Faber (2012), p. 172</ref> A second round of fire was more effective, landing hits on ''Shannon''{{'}}s 12-pounder shot locker. ''Chesapeake''{{'}}s 32-pound carronades punished ''Shannon''{{'}}s forecastle, killing three men, wounding others and disabling ''Shannon''{{'}}s nine-pounder bow gun.<ref>Lambert, p. 173</ref> ''Chesapeake'' suffered far more heavily in the exchange, as accurate British fire caused heavy losses among American gun crews, and crippling losses to the men and officers on ''Chesapeake''{{'}}s [[quarterdeck]]. A succession of [[Helmsman|helmsmen]] were killed and her [[Ship's wheel|wheel]] was destroyed. At the same time, her foretopsail [[halyard]] was shot away causing the ship to lose maneuverability.<ref name="Teddy182183">Roosevelt (1883), pp. 182–183.</ref>

Unable to maneuver, ''Chesapeake'' "[[luffing|luffed up]]" and her port stern quarter caught against the side of ''Shannon'' amidships and the two ships were lashed together.<ref>Padfield, pp. 167–171</ref> Confusion and disarray reigned on the deck of ''Chesapeake''; Captain Lawrence tried rallying a party to board ''Shannon'', but the [[bugler]] failed to sound the call.<ref name="Cooper306">Cooper (1856), p. 306.</ref> At this point a shot from a [[sniper]] mortally wounded Lawrence; as his men carried him below, he gave his last order: "Don't give up the ship. Fight her till she sinks."<ref name="Cooper305-307">Cooper (1856), pp. 305–307.</ref><ref name="Teddy184">Roosevelt (1883), p. 184.</ref> There are varying historical accounts of what Lawrence may actually have uttered.<ref>Dickon, Chris (2008) p. 66</ref>

[[File:ShannonStadaconaHalifaxNovaScotiaCanada2.JPG|thumb|right|Gravestones for the casualties of ''Chesapeake'' (left) and ''Shannon'' (right) in Halifax, Nova Scotia|alt=Gravestones set to honor the dead in Halifax, Nova Scotia]]

Captain Broke boarded ''Chesapeake'' at the head of a party of 20&nbsp;men. They met little resistance from ''Chesapeake''{{'}}s crew, most of whom had run below deck. The only resistance from ''Chesapeake'' came from her contingent of marines. The British soon overwhelmed them; only nine escaped injury out of 44.<ref name="Teddy185">Roosevelt (1883), p. 185.</ref> Captain Broke was severely injured in the fighting on the forecastle, being struck in the head with a sword. Soon after, ''Shannon''{{'}}s crew pulled down ''Chesapeake''{{'}}s flag. Only 15&nbsp;minutes had elapsed from the first exchange of gunfire to the capture.<ref name="Teddy186187">Roosevelt (1883), pp. 186–187.</ref><ref name="Cooper307">Cooper (1856), p. 307.</ref>

Reports on the number of killed and wounded aboard ''Chesapeake'' during the battle vary widely. Broke's after-action report from 6&nbsp;July states 70&nbsp;killed and 100&nbsp;wounded.<ref name="lg1330">{{London Gazette |page=1330 |issue=16750 |date=6 July 1813 }}</ref> Other contemporary sources place the number between 48 and 61&nbsp;killed and 85–99&nbsp;wounded.<ref name="MaclaySmith459">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, p. 459.</ref><ref name="Beach110">Beach (1986), p. 110.</ref> Discrepancies in the number of killed and wounded are possibly caused by the addition of sailors who died of their wounds after the battle.<ref name="Toll415">Toll (2006), p. 415.</ref> The counts for ''Shannon'' have fewer discrepancies with 23&nbsp;killed and 56&nbsp;wounded.<ref name="lg1329">{{London Gazette |page=1329 |issue=16750 |date=6 July 1813 }}</ref> Despite his serious injuries, Broke ordered repairs to both ships and they proceeded on to [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]], Nova Scotia. Captain Lawrence died en route of his wounds and was buried in a Halifax cemetery with full military honors. The dead crewmen were buried on [[Deadman's Island (Nova Scotia)|Dead Man's Island]] in [[Nova Scotia]]. Captain Broke survived his wounds and was later made a [[baronet]].<ref name="Teddy187">Roosevelt (1883), p. 187.</ref><ref name="Cooper308">Cooper (1856), p. 308.</ref>

==Royal Navy service and legacy==
[[File:Chesapeake Mill - geograph.org.uk - 178198.jpg|thumb|[[Chesapeake Mill]] at [[Wickham, Hampshire]], England|alt=The Chesapeake Mill. The USS Chesapeake's timbers became a part of it.]]
[[File:Chesapeakeflag.jpg|thumb|left|''Chesapeake''{{'}}s flag on display in London, 1914|upright|alt=A black-and-white photo of a battle-worn flag suspended from the ceiling of a museum]]
[[File:ChesapeakeCanonProvinceHouseNovaScotia.JPG|thumb|left|Cannon from ''Chesapeake'' outside [[Province House (Nova Scotia)|Province House]] in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]]|alt=A cannon from the Chesapeake positioned next to a brick wall]]

The Royal Navy repaired ''Chesapeake'' and took her into service as HMS&nbsp;''Chesapeake''. She served on the Halifax station under the command of Alexander Dixie until 1814, and, in April, was sighted in the Chesapeake Bay, off the coast of Virginia’s Eastern Shore.<ref>Dickon, Chris (2008) p. 77</ref>
Later that year and under the command of George Burdett she sailed to Plymouth, England, for repairs in October of that year. Afterward she made a voyage to [[Cape Town]], South Africa, until learning of the [[Treaty of Ghent|peace treaty]] with the United States in May 1815.<ref name="Beach11213">Beach (1986), pp. 112–113.</ref> Later that year a report was made concerning ''Chesapeake''{{'}}s performance in British service. Her captain observed that she was strongly constructed, but criticized the excessive overhang of the stern. He concluded that she was not a suitable ship to serve as a model for copying. Her speed under sail was not impressive: {{convert|9|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on}} [[close-hauled]] and {{convert|11|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on}} large.<ref>Gardiner, p. 147</ref>

In 1819, the "Chesapeake", constructed in Portsmouth, Virginia, was sold for £500 to Joshua Holmes in Portsmouth, England, and her various components were offered for sale in ""The Telegraph and Sussex"", published in Hampshire County as a “very large quantity of OAK and FIR TIMBER of most excellent quality, and well worth the attention of any person.” <ref>Dickon, Chris (2008) p. 79</ref> Large, unbroken portions of the ship were bought by John Prior to build a new [[watermill]] at [[Wickham, Hampshire]].<ref name="CMill">{{cite web|title=The Chesapeake Mill&nbsp;– history |publisher=The Chesapeake Mill |url=http://www.chesapeakemill.co.uk/historypdf001.pdf|access-date=22 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030083543/http://www.chesapeakemill.co.uk/historypdf001.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2008 }}</ref><ref name="Beach113">Beach (1986), p. 113.</ref> The Chesapeake Mill would play a significant role in the agricultural economy of Hampshire County until it became increasingly obsolescent in the 1970s. After failed attempts to preserve the mill as a historical center through the early 2000s, it was given over to commercial operators and operated as an antique mall in 2021.

As a watermill, the ""Chesapeake" may be the most originally preserved of the original six frigates of the U.S. Navy. Interpretation of the USS Constitution, preserved in Boston harbor, suggests original wood or components from 0% <ref>[http://The%20Antique%20and%20Classic%20Boat%20Society  https://acbs.org/acbs-boat-classifications-judging-classes/]</ref> to 15%.<ref>[http://USS%20Constitution%20Museum https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/2018/04/13/rebuilt-preserved-restored-uss-constitution-across-the-centuries/]</ref> The Chesapeake Mill is constructed of largely intact and unaltered components of the original ship – timber configuration, lintels, stairways, the five main spine beams to each floor, the floor joists, the roof timbers, other wood – some appearing to show the grapeshot of battle. The wood has been preserved within a five-story building with walls and beneath a roof for 200 years.

In 1996 a timber fragment from the Chesapeake Mill was returned to the United States. It is on display at the [[Hampton Roads Naval Museum]].<ref name="TVP2">{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Clancy |title=The Little Warship That Never Quite Could |work=The Virginian Pilot |page=B3 |date=17 June 2007}}</ref>

Almost from her beginnings, ''Chesapeake'' was considered an "unlucky ship", the "runt of the litter" to the superstitious sailors of the 19th&nbsp;century,<ref name="TVP1">{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Clancy |title=Frigate Chesapeake Lives On In Old Mill |work=[[The Virginian-Pilot]] |page=B3 |date=16 November 2008}}</ref> and the product of a disagreement between Humphreys and Fox. Her unsuccessful  encounters with HMS ''Leopard'' and ''Shannon'', the [[court-martial|courts-martial]] of two of her captains, and the accidental deaths of several crewmen led many to believe she was cursed.<ref name="Toll289" /><ref name="Beach32" /><ref name="Calhoun6" />

Arguments defending both Humphreys and Fox regarding their long-standing disagreements over the design of the frigates carried on for years. Humphreys disowned any credit for Fox's redesign of ''Chesapeake''. In 1827 he wrote, "She [''Chesapeake''] spoke his [Fox's] talents. Which I leave the Commanders of that ship to estimate by her qualifications."<ref name="Toll472-473">Toll (2006), pp. 472–473.</ref>

Lawrence's last command of "Don't give up the ship!" became a rallying cry for the US&nbsp;Navy. [[Oliver Hazard Perry]], in command of naval forces on Lake Erie during September 1813, named his [[flagship]] {{USS|Lawrence|1813|2}}, which flew a broad blue flag bearing the words "{{not a typo|Dont}}<!-- this is correct in context --> give up the ship!" The phrase is still used in the US Navy today.<ref name="BGHalstead">{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2013/05/18/the-real-shameful-story-behind-don-give-ship/AVYGogGB9gtXrydeyRx1BP/story.html |title=The real, shameful story behind 'Don't give up the ship!' |first=Tom |last=Halstead |date=19 May 2013 |work=The Boston Globe |access-date=25 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914181507/http://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2013/05/18/the-real-shameful-story-behind-don-give-ship/AVYGogGB9gtXrydeyRx1BP/story.html |archive-date=14 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Chesapeake''{{'}}s battle-damaged ensign was sold at auction in London in 1908. Purchased by [[William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor|William Waldorf Astor]], it now resides in the [[National Maritime Museum]] in [[Greenwich]], England, along with her signal book.<ref name="NYT">{{Cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10D11FF3D5517738DDDAD0A94DC405B888CF1D3 |work=The New York Times |date=24 April 1908 |title=Chesapeake's Flag Stays in England |access-date=29 April 2011}}</ref><ref name="NMM">{{cite web |last= Tomlinson |first= Barbara |title= Don't give up the ship |publisher= National Maritime Museum |date= 21 April 2009 |url         = http://blogs.rmg.co.uk/collections/2009/04/21/dont_give_up_the_ship/ |access-date= 18 September 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130927181812/http://blogs.rmg.co.uk/collections/2009/04/21/dont_give_up_the_ship/
 |archive-date = 27 September 2013 |url-status= dead }}</ref> The [[Maritime Museum of the Atlantic]] in Halifax, Nova Scotia, holds several artifacts from the battle including the mess kettle, and an officers chest from ''Chesapeake''.<ref name="conlin">{{cite web |url=http://marinecurator.blogspot.ca/2013/05/an-artifact-from-heart-of-deadly-war-of.html |title=An Artifact From a Deadly War of 1812 Battle  |first=Dan  |last=Conlin
 |date=1 June 2013 |publisher=The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic  |access-date=25 September 2013  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928024242/http://marinecurator.blogspot.ca/2013/05/an-artifact-from-heart-of-deadly-war-of.html |archive-date=28 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> One of the [[18-pounder long gun|18-pounder guns]] from ''Chesapeake'' is mounted beside [[Province House (Nova Scotia)|Province House]], the Nova Scotia Legislature.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/thenovascotian/1134485-defined-by-how-we-remember?from=slidebox&slidebox=title  |first=Keith |last=Mercer |title=Defined by how we remember |work=Halifax Chronicle Herald |date=7 June 2013 }}</ref>

A fictionalized account of the battle between ''Chesapeake'' and ''Shannon'' appears at the conclusion of ''[[The Fortune of War]]'', the sixth historical novel in the [[Aubrey-Maturin series]] by British author [[Patrick O'Brian]], first published in 1979.<ref>O'Brian, Patrick, ''The Fortune of War'' (W. W. Norton & Company 1979), pp. 301–329</ref>

In 2021, The U.S. Navy announced that a namesake USS "Chesapeake" would be constructed as a member of a “Constellation Class” of ships in future years.<ref>[https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2474454/secnav-names-future-vessels-while-aboard-historic-navy-ship/ SECNAV Names Future Vessels while aboard Historic Navy Ship > United States Navy > News-Stories<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

The 1994 television movie ""[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkFpxGPhNpg Master of the Moor]" was set partially in the upper floors of the Chesapeake Mill amid the wood and structural features of the 1799 ship.

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

==Citations==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{commons|USS Chesapeake}}
* {{cite book |last=Allen |first=Gardner Weld |title=Our Navy and the Barbary Corsairs |publisher=Houghton Mifflin |location=Boston; New York; Chicago |year=1905 |url=https://archive.org/details/ournavybarbaryco00alle_0 |oclc=2618279}}
* {{cite book |author-mask=2 |last=Allen |first= Gardner Weld |title= Our Naval War With France |publisher= Houghton Mifflin |location= Boston; New York |year= 1909 |url = https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_n2kSAAAAYAAJ |oclc = 1202325}}
* {{cite book |last=Beach |first=Edward L. |author-link=Edward L. Beach, Jr. |title=The United States Navy 200 Years |publisher=H. Holt |location=New York |year=1986 |isbn=0-03-044711-9 |oclc=12104038 |url=https://archive.org/details/unitedstatesnavy00beac }}
* {{cite journal |last=Calhoun |first=Gordon |title=The Frigate Chesapeake's War of 1812 Raid on British Commerce |journal=The Daybook |volume=XIII |issue=II |publisher=[[Hampton Roads Naval Museum]] |location=Norfolk |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/museums/hrnm/files/daybook/pdfs/volume13issue2.pdf |oclc=51784156 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110508142633/http://www.history.navy.mil/museums/hrnm/files/daybook/pdfs/volume13issue2.pdf |archive-date= 8 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |last=Gardiner |first=Robert |year=2000 |title=Frigates of the Napoleonic Wars |publisher=Chatham Publishing |location=London |isbn=978-1-861-76135-4 |oclc=247335191}}
* {{cite book |last=Chapelle |first=Howard Irving |author-link=Howard I. Chapelle |title=The History of the American Sailing Navy; the Ships and Their Development |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofamerica0000chap |url-access=registration |publisher=Norton |location=New York |year=1949 |oclc=1471717}}
* {{cite book |last=Cooper |first=James Fenimore |author-link=James Fenimore Cooper |url= https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_WK3mWOlYYNsC |title=History of the Navy of the United States of America |publisher=Stringer & Townsend |location=New York |edition=Abridged |year=1856 |oclc=197401914}}
* {{cite book |last=Dickon |first=Chris |year =2008 |title=  The Enduring Journey of the USS Chesapeake |publisher=History Press |location=Charleston, SC |isbn=978-1-59629-298-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Fowler |first=William M. |author-link=William M. Fowler |title=Jack Tars and Commodores: The American Navy, 1783–1815 |publisher=Houghton Mifflin |location=Boston |year=1984 |isbn=0-395-35314-9 |oclc=10277756 |url=https://archive.org/details/jacktarscommodor00fowl }}
* {{cite book |last=Jennings |first=John |title=Tattered Ensign: The Story of America's Most Famous Fighting Frigate, U.S.S. Constitution |publisher=Thomas Y. Crowell |location=New York |year=1966 |oclc=1291484}}
* {{cite book |last1= Maclay |first1= Edgar Stanton |last2= Smith |first2= Roy Campbell |edition=New |orig-year= 1893 |title = A History of the United States Navy, from 1775 to 1898 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3tVCAAAAIAAJ |volume=1 |publisher=D. Appleton |location=New York |year=1898 |oclc=609036}}
* {{cite book |last=Padfield |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Padfield |year=1968 |title=Broke and the Shannon |location=London |publisher=Hodder and Stoughton |oclc=464391714}}
* {{cite book |last=Roosevelt |first=Theodore |author-link=Theodore Roosevelt |title=The Naval War of 1812 or The History of the United States Navy during the Last War with Great Britain |year=1883 |edition=3rd |orig-year=1882 | location= New York |publisher= G.P. Putnam's sons |url= https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Fb1CAAAAYAAJ |oclc= 133902576}}
* {{cite book |last=Toll |first=Ian W. |title=Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the US Navy |publisher=W. W. Norton |location=New York |year=2006 |isbn=0-393-05847-6 |oclc=70291925 |url=https://archive.org/details/sixfrigatesepich00toll }}
* {{cite book  |first=Rif |last=Winfield |title=British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates |publisher=Seaforth |location=London |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-86176-246-7 |oclc=181927614}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Poolman |first=Kenneth |title=Guns Off Cape Ann; The Story of the Shannon and the Chesapeake |publisher=Rand McNally |location=Chicago |year=1962 |oclc=1384754}}
* {{cite book |last=Dickon |first=Chris |year =2008 |title= The Enduring Journey of the USS Chesapeake |publisher=History Press |location=Charleston, SC |isbn=978-1-59629-298-7}}

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{{USN Original Six}}
{{1813 shipwrecks}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chesapeake (1799)}}
[[Category:Sailing frigates of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Quasi-War ships of the United States]]
[[Category:Vessels captured from the United States Navy]]
[[Category:War of 1812 ships of the United States]]
[[Category:War of 1812 ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:United States Navy Maryland-related ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Portsmouth, Virginia]]
[[Category:1799 ships]]
[[Category:Barbary Wars American ships]]