Fair American facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
United States
Name	Fair American
Launched	1784
Captured	By Native Hawaiians, 1790
Hawaiian Kingdom
Name	Fair American
Acquired	1790
General characteristics
Class and type	schooner or brig
Tons burthen	26 (bm)
Length	33 ft (10 m)
Beam	8 ft (2.4 m)
Propulsion	Sail
Crew	4

The Fair American was a small American sailing ship. It was either a schooner, a sloop, or a brig. This ship was bought to be used in the maritime fur trade on the Pacific Northwest coast. In 1789, the Fair American sailed from Macau to Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island.

At Nootka Sound, the Spanish Navy captured the ship during the Nootka Crisis. The ship, its young captain Thomas Humphrey Metcalfe, and its four crew members were taken to San Blas, Mexico. They were soon released. Thomas Metcalfe then sailed to Hawaii, hoping to meet his father.

However, Native Hawaiians attacked the Fair American. The ship was captured, and everyone on board was killed except for one crewman, Isaac Davis. The Fair American then came under the control of Kamehameha I. Isaac Davis and John Young, another sailor, became important advisors to Kamehameha. The Fair American, with its new Hawaiian crew, played a big part in Kamehameha's successful efforts to unite the Hawaiian Islands. This led to the creation of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

What Was the Fair American Like?

Descriptions of the Fair American vary a bit. But they all agree it was a schooner, sloop, or brig. It weighed 26 tons. The ship was about 33 feet (10 meters) long. It was also about 8 feet (2.4 meters) wide.

A Small but Mighty Ship

In 1793, George Vancouver described the Fair American. He said it had been a pleasure boat. It was made longer in China. Its side was not much higher than local Hawaiian canoes. Only five people, including a young captain, sailed it. This made it an easy and desired prize for King Kamehameha.

One of Vancouver's officers was very surprised. He wrote that he was "Stuck with Surprize". He couldn't believe such a small ship had traveled so far. It had crossed a huge, rough ocean.

The Journey to Nootka Sound

We don't know much about the Fair American before 1789. Historian Mary Malloy says it was built in New Jersey in 1784.

A Father's Plan

In 1789, an American trader named Simon Metcalfe was in Macau, China. He had a ship called Eleanora. He planned to take tea to New York City. But in China, he heard about making big money. He could trade sea otter furs. So, Metcalfe decided to sail to the Pacific Northwest Coast. He wanted to get furs before buying tea.

An English captain suggested getting a second, smaller ship. This ship could help carry goods. It could also sail easily in narrow fjords. So, Simon Metcalfe bought the Fair American in Macau. He gave command to his son, Thomas Humphrey Metcalfe.

A Young Captain's Challenge

The Fair American was very small. It had only four crew members. Thomas Metcalfe, the captain, was just 18 years old.

The Eleanora (Simon Metcalfe's ship) and the Fair American (Thomas Metcalfe's ship) left Macau in May 1789. They planned to sail together. But a storm in the South China Sea separated them. Thomas Metcalfe had to find his own way across the ocean. His only navigation tool was a compass, which broke. His only map was a copy of one made by James Cook. Cook's map showed the general coast but lacked details.

Thomas sailed the Fair American north. He passed the Japanese archipelago, the Kuriles, and the Aleutian Islands. After 42 days, he stopped at a Russian fur-trade post. It was on Unalaska Island. The Russian commander gave him flour and dried fish. Thomas continued down the Pacific Northwest Coast. He traded for furs with some Tlingit and Haida villages. Then he arrived at Nootka Sound.

Arrival at Nootka Sound

Near Dixon Entrance, he briefly met John Kendrick. Kendrick was sailing the Lady Washington. According to Esteban José Martínez, the Spanish commander at Nootka Sound, the Fair American arrived in bad shape. Its mast was damaged, and its sails were torn. The ship had no food left, only water and 65 otter skins. Martínez also noted that Thomas Metcalfe had no official papers. He only had his diary and a broken compass.

Martínez was an experienced sailor. He was very impressed with Thomas. He wrote that Thomas was "but a boy." He had sailed a very long way under his father's orders. Thomas and his men faced great dangers. They had rough weather and little food. They sailed over 7,700 miles (12,400 km) on the open sea. They also faced many dangers from local people. They needed help, so they sought out the Spanish.

Capture at Nootka Sound

In 1789, both Simon Metcalfe and his son Thomas were involved in the Nootka Crisis. This happened at Nootka Sound. More and more trading ships were visiting Nootka Sound. So, Spain decided to claim the Pacific Northwest Coast. In early 1789, a Spanish force arrived. It was led by Martínez. They built Santa Cruz de Nuca and Fort San Miguel.

The Ship is Seized

Thomas Metcalfe sailed the Fair American into Nootka Sound. This was on October 20, 1789. The Spanish quickly seized the ship and arrested the crew. Martínez left Nootka for the Spanish naval base at San Blas, Mexico. This was on October 31, 1789. He sailed with several ships, including the captured Fair American. The Fair American was put under the command of John Kendrick Jr..

On the way to San Blas, a storm forced the Fair American to stop. They found shelter at Monterey, California. Thomas Metcalfe and his crew were in prison in Monterey for about ten days. Then they continued south. They arrived at San Blas on December 6, 1789. There, Metcalfe and his men were imprisoned again.

Release by the Viceroy

The Spanish viceroy, Juan Vicente de Güemes, 2nd Count of Revillagigedo, was worried. He feared an international problem. Three British merchant ships and the Fair American had been seized. He decided to focus only on Britain. So, he ordered the immediate release of Thomas Metcalfe, his men, and his ship. Later, the viceroy thought it would be better to escort the Fair American back to Nootka Sound before releasing it. But by the time this news reached San Blas, Thomas Metcalfe was already sailing the Fair American to Hawaii.

Events in Hawaii

The Metcalfes had planned to spend the winter in the Hawaiian Islands. These islands were independent. Outsiders were only just starting to visit them. After being released from San Blas, Thomas Metcalfe sailed the Fair American to Hawaii. He hoped to meet his father there.

A Tragic Encounter

Thomas Metcalfe reached the Island of Hawaiʻi. He brought the Fair American into Kawaihae Bay. Shortly before, his father Simon had caused trouble with Chief Kameʻeiamoku. The chief had sworn revenge on the next ship.

On March 16, 1790, Kameʻeiamoku's men easily captured the Fair American. They killed everyone except Isaac Davis. Davis was badly hurt but survived. Kameʻeiamoku took the ship, its guns, ammunition, and other valuable items. He also took Isaac Davis. At the time, no one knew that the captain of the Fair American was Simon Metcalfe's son. Simon Metcalfe's ship Eleanora was anchored about 30 miles (48 km) away.

The Fair American Becomes a Hawaiian Ship

King Kamehameha I took control of the Fair American. The ship became the first foreign-style vessel in Kamehameha's war fleet.

A New Role for the Ship

After the Fair American was captured, Simon Metcalfe was nearby. He had recently caused a lot of trouble for Hawaiians. Kamehameha had the Fair American hidden. He also stopped any contact with Simon Metcalfe's Eleanora. After a few days, the elder Metcalfe sensed danger or got frustrated. He left and sailed for China. He never learned about the attack on the Fair American or his son's fate.

These events changed Hawaiian history. John Young and Isaac Davis were very important. They helped Kamehameha in his military plans. They also helped him unite Hawaii. Young and Davis became respected translators and military advisors. Their gunnery skills, along with cannons from the Fair American, helped Kamehameha win many battles. This included the Battle of Kepaniwai later in 1790. In that battle, the forces of Maui were defeated.

Battles and Continued Importance

In response to the invasion of Maui, Kahekili II and his brother Kaʻeokulani led a fleet of 700 war canoes. They attacked the north coast of Hawaii. Kamehameha met them with his own fleet. This fleet included the Fair American. He drove them off after a long naval battle. This happened off the shore of the Waipio Valley. The battle became known as the Battle of Kepuwahaulaula. This means "Battle of the Red Mouthed Guns." It was named for the use of cannons and firearms by both sides. This battle probably happened in April or May 1791.

The Fair American continued to be an important ship in Kamehameha's navy. In 1794, a fur trading ship called Jefferson met the Fair American in Hawaii. Captain Josiah Roberts wrote that the ship was "navigated altogether by natives." He also said its captain was a Native Hawaiian.