HMS Detroit (1812) facts for kids

Adams shortly after she was captured by British forces at Detroit.
Quick facts for kids History
United States
Name	Adams
Builder	River Rouge Military Shipyard
Laid down	1798
Launched	18 May 1799
Fate	Captured on 16 August 1812
United Kingdom
Name	Detroit
Acquired	Captured on 16 August 1812
Fate	Captured and burnt on 9 October 1812
General characteristics
Type	6-gun brig
Tons burthen	125
Sail plan	brig
Armament	6 × 6-pounder guns

The Detroit was a small warship, called a brig, built in the United States in 1798. It was first named Adams. During the War of 1812, British forces captured the ship. They renamed it Detroit and added it to their navy, called the Provincial Marine. The Detroit sailed on Lake Erie, helping the British control the lake. Later, American forces briefly took the ship back. However, it got stuck in shallow water and was heavily attacked. The Americans had to leave the ship, and it was set on fire and destroyed.

Building the Adams

After General Anthony Wayne took control of Detroit in 1796, the United States Army ordered a new ship. This ship, the Adams, was built at the United States Shipyard on the River Rouge. Construction began in 1797. The ship weighed about 125 tons burthen.

The Adams was meant to carry supplies for the U.S. Army. It would transport goods between American outposts on the upper Great Lakes. This included places like Fort Mackinac on Lake Huron. The ship also carried private cargo for people.

The Ship's Story

When the War of 1812 began, the Adams was the only American government ship on the upper Great Lakes. It had six 6-pounder cannons and was based in Detroit.

Capture by the British

On August 16, 1812, British forces attacked Detroit. General William Hull surrendered the city after a siege. The Adams, which was in Detroit, was also surrendered. The British took control of the ship and renamed it Detroit. It then joined the British Provincial Marine fleet on Lake Erie.

Recapture and Destruction

The Detroit's time with the British was short. On October 8, the Detroit and another British ship, the Caledonia, were anchored near Fort Erie. Lieutenant Jesse Elliott, who led the United States Navy forces on Lake Erie, saw the ships. He planned a surprise attack to capture both brigs.

A group of 100 American sailors left Buffalo Creek in the dark. They successfully captured both British ships. The Americans then tried to sail them to safety at Black Rock. The Caledonia made it safely. However, the Detroit got stuck on the southern tip of Squaw Island. The wind died, and the ship became hard to control. British artillery then began firing at the stranded ship.

The British sent a force to try and get their ship back. But Lieutenant Elliott's crew fought them off. To prevent the British from recapturing the ship, Elliott ordered the Detroit to be burned.

See also

• Bibliography of 18th–19th century Royal Naval history
• List of ships captured in the 19th century