Ann (1805 ship) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 United States |
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| Launched | 1800, America |
| Fate | Transferred to UK in 1805 |
 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Ann |
| Acquired | 1805 |
| Captured |
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| Notes | One source confuses Ann with Ann. |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 175, or 180 (bm) |
| Sail plan | Brig |
| Armament |
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The Ann was a sailing ship launched in America in 1800. She later moved to the United Kingdom in 1805. For a few years, from 1810 to 1813, she worked as a special "packet" ship. Packet ships carried mail, passengers, and valuable goods across the seas. The Ann sailed from Falmouth, England, for the Post Office Packet Service. During the War of 1812, American privateers captured her twice in exciting ship battles.
Contents
The Ship's Early Life
The Ann first appeared in official British records, called Lloyd's Register, in 1805. This register kept track of ships and their details.
Becoming a Packet Ship
In 1810, the Post Office decided to use the Ann as a temporary packet ship. Her first captain for this job was John Britton. He started his command on August 6, 1810.
On January 12, 1811, the Ann sailed into Plymouth harbor. She was returning from Cadiz when she had to fight off an attack from a French privateer. A privateer was a private ship allowed by its government to attack enemy ships during wartime.
A Trip to America
Captain Britton and the Ann left Falmouth on March 9 and arrived in Bermuda on April 16. From Bermuda, they sailed on April 21 and reached New York on April 29.
While in New York, Captain Britton noticed many ships arriving from Ireland, Liverpool, and Bristol. These ships carried mostly "emigrant mechanics," who were skilled workers looking for a new life. These men could quickly become American citizens. However, many found it hard to get jobs. Because of this, some joined the US Navy.
Captain Britton visited the American warship USS President. There, he saw several British sailors, including some from Cornwall, England. These sailors had not returned to their own ships in time. He thought they might want to leave the American ship and come back to the Ann. However, he was worried the Americans would accuse him of "harboring their seamen," which meant hiding their sailors.
Two English sailors did try to escape from the President by swimming to the Ann. One was believed to have drowned, but the other made it safely to the Ann. The Ann took him aboard and brought him back to England. This sailor later said that he had been a gunner on the President during an event called the Little Belt affair. He also claimed that about 300 of the President's 500 crew members were English, Scottish, or Irish. He also said that the President had fired the first shot in the Little Belt incident. When he returned to England, this sailor was then made to join HMS Experiment, a British guardship at Falmouth.
On June 8, the Ann left New York. She arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia on June 17. She departed Halifax on June 30 and returned to Falmouth on July 21.
The Ship's Final Adventures
On April 12, 1813, the Ann, with Captain Peter Hill in charge, sailed from Falmouth. She was heading for the Leeward Islands and Jamaica.
First Capture
On April 21, 1813, an American privateer named Yorktown captured the Ann near the Western Isles. The Yorktown was a much larger ship with 16 guns and 180 men. The battle lasted two hours. During the fight, one man on the Ann was killed, and three were wounded. The Americans kept Captain Hill, the ship's doctor, and the steward. The rest of the crew were put on an American ship heading to Lisbon. From Lisbon, another British packet ship, Duke of Marlborough, brought them back to Falmouth.
Recapture and Second Capture
On May 16, 1813, the British warship HMS Hogue recaptured the Ann near Sandy Hook. The Hogue sent the Ann to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
However, on May 23, 1813, another American privateer, the Young Teazer, captured the Ann again! The Ann had a small crew of about 15 sailors and a midshipman (a junior officer) on board from the British Navy. They fought back until two men were slightly wounded, and the ship's sails and ropes were damaged. The chase and battle lasted from 8 AM to 7 PM. The Young Teazer then sent the Ann to her home port of Portland, Maine.
Niles' Weekly Register, a newspaper at the time, reported on June 5, 1813, that the Young Teazer had sent the "packet Ann, of 10 guns," a valuable prize, into Portland.
