HMS Chippeway (1812) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
| Great Britain / Upper Canada | |
| Name | Chippawa |
| Namesake | Chippawa Creek |
| Builder | Anderson Martin, Chippawa, Ontario Canada |
| Launched | 1810 |
 United Kingdom |
|
| Name | HMS Chippawa |
| Acquired | 1812 |
| Captured | 10 September 1813 |
 United States |
|
| Name | USS Chippewa |
| Acquired | 10 September 1813 (by capture) |
| Fate | Grounded by storm; burned by British in December 1813 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Schooner |
| Tons burthen |
|
| Length | 59 ft (18.0 m) |
| Beam | 16 ft (4.9 m) |
| Depth of hold | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Schooner |
| Complement | 15; 27 as HMS Chippeway |
| Armament |
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The HMS Chippawa was a small ship that played a part in the War of 1812. It started as a trading ship called the Chippawa. The British then used it as a warship. Later, the Americans captured it and renamed it USS Chippewa. This ship had an interesting journey on the Great Lakes before a storm and British forces ended its service.
Contents
A Ship's Journey Through the War of 1812
From Trader to Warship
The Chippawa was a small trading ship, called a schooner. It was built in Chippawa, Ontario, Canada, in 1810. Its owner, Captain Anderson Martin, used it to trade goods on the Great Lakes. When the War of 1812 began, the Chippawa was busy moving supplies and animal furs.
The British military soon took control of the Chippawa. They added two guns to it and made it part of their Provincial Marine. This was a naval force that operated on the Great Lakes. Lieutenant Rollette was its first commander. In August 1812, during a short break in fighting, the Chippawa even carried General Isaac Brock across Lake Erie.
Captured by the Americans
On September 10, 1813, the Chippawa was involved in the famous Battle of Lake Erie. At this time, it had only one gun and was commanded by Master's Mate J. Campbell. During the battle, the American warship Trippe captured the Chippawa.
The Americans focused their attacks on the larger British ships. The Chippawa came under fire when it tried to help them. As the Chippawa and another ship, the Little Belt, tried to escape, the Americans captured them both. Only one person on the Chippawa, Master's Mate Campbell, was slightly hurt during the battle.
After its capture, the Americans added the ship to their own navy. They renamed it USS Chippewa. Acting Midshipman Robert S. Tatem became its new commander. The ship was then used to carry supplies for American soldiers from Put-in-Bay, Ohio.
The End of the Chippewa
Storm and Destruction
The USS Chippewa's service with the Americans was short. On October 12, 1813, a big storm hit and pushed the Chippewa ashore near Buffalo, New York. Later, on October 25–26, another storm also grounded the Little Belt, Trippe, and Ariel near Buffalo.
Despite efforts to get them back into the water, the ships remained stuck. On December 30, 1813, British forces attacked and captured the Navy yard at Black Rock, New York (which is now part of Buffalo). During this attack, known as the Battle of Buffalo, the British burned the grounded ships, including the USS Chippewa, to prevent the Americans from using them again.
