USS Alligator (1820) facts for kids
Alligator
|
|
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Name | USS Alligator |
| Builder | Boston Navy Yard |
| Laid down | 26 June 1820 |
| Launched | 2 November 1820 |
| Commissioned | March 1821 |
| Fate | Wrecked, 23 November 1822 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Schooner |
| Tonnage | 198 |
| Length | 86 ft (26 m) |
| Beam | 24 ft 7 in (7.49 m) |
| Depth | 10 ft 4 in (3.15 m) |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Speed | 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) |
| Armament | 12 × 6-pounder guns |
The USS Alligator was a fast sailing ship called a schooner in the United States Navy. It was the third ship to have this name.
The Alligator was built at the Boston Navy Yard. Its construction started on June 26, 1820. The ship was launched on November 2, 1820. It officially joined the Navy in March 1821. Lieutenant Robert F. Stockton was its first commander. In 1996, the place where the Alligator sank was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
First Mission: Fighting Slavery
When the Alligator left Boston, Massachusetts on April 3, 1821, it had two important jobs. Lieutenant Stockton was chosen to command the ship because he worked hard to convince the United States Secretary of the Navy, Smith Thompson, to let him lead this mission.
One goal was to patrol the west coast of Africa. The ship's mission was to stop the illegal trade of enslaved people. The other goal was to find and buy land in Africa for the American Colonization Society. This group helped formerly enslaved Americans move to Africa.
Finding a New Home in Africa
The Society had tried to start a colony before. But the first location was unhealthy, and the colony failed. So, they asked Stockton to help find a better place.
After picking up more crew in New York, the Alligator sailed to Africa. It patrolled from Cape Verde south to the equator. The ship captured several ships involved in the slave trade. These included the schooners Mathilde, L'Eliza, and Daphne.
Perhaps the Alligator's biggest success was finding and helping to buy the land around Cape Mesurado. Dr. Eli Ayers, a representative from the American Colonization Society, was on board for this purpose.
Meeting with King Peter
Negotiations with the local leader, King Peter, were dangerous. His people were known for being involved in the slave trade. The first talks went well. But King Peter did not show up to finish the agreement. Instead, he went about 20 miles inland. He challenged Stockton to follow him "if he dare."
Stockton and Ayres accepted the challenge and went inland. Their efforts led to the purchase of the coast around Cape Mesurado. This land later became the start of the Republic of Liberia.
After this important mission, the Alligator sailed back to the United States. It arrived in Boston in July and stayed there for a few months.
Second Mission: More Anti-Slavery Patrols
On October 4, 1821, the Alligator left Boston again. It was heading back to the west coast of Africa. On November 5, it saw another ship. This ship was flying a distress flag, which means it needed help. The Alligator went closer to offer assistance.
Unexpected Battle at Sea
However, when the Alligator got within gun range, the other ship suddenly opened fire! It also raised the Portuguese flag. The enemy ship had guns that could shoot farther than the Alligator's guns.
Lieutenant Stockton had to be clever. He ordered his crew to lie flat on the deck. He then steered the Alligator closer to the enemy ship. The wind was light, so it took several hours. The Alligator was hit many times and some crew members were injured.
Once the Alligator was close enough, the battle ended quickly. Its first shots sent the enemy crew hiding below deck. The American ship fired many more times for about 20 minutes. Then, the other ship surrendered. Its captain claimed it was a Portuguese privateer, a ship allowed to attack enemy ships.
Pirate or Privateer?
This ship was known as either Mariano Faliero or Marianna Flora. Stockton believed it was a pirate ship. He put a small crew on board and sent it back to the United States. He wanted a court to decide its fate. However, the ship was later returned to its owners because the Portuguese Government asked for it.
During the rest of this trip, the Alligator captured several more ships involved in the slave trade off the coast of Africa. Then, it returned to Boston.
Third Mission: Fighting Pirates
In early 1822, the Alligator sailed from Boston to the West Indies. Its new job was to fight the many pirates in that area. In April, it captured the pirate schooner Cienega near Nuevitas, Cuba. The Alligator stayed in the West Indies for the rest of its time in service.
A Final Battle
In November 1822, while at Matanzas, the Alligator received news. Pirates had captured an American schooner and a brig (another type of ship). These ships were about 45 miles east of Matanzas. The Alligator took the captain and first mate of the captured schooner on board. Then, it sailed to get the American ships back.
At dawn on November 9, the Alligator found the pirates. They had one ship, two brigs, and five schooners. The Alligator launched small boats with armed sailors. These boats chased a heavily armed schooner. The schooner opened fire, starting a battle.
The boats from the Alligator bravely attacked. They quickly caught up to the schooner and boarded it. In the short but fierce fight, the Alligator lost its commander, Lieutenant William H. Allen. He was badly wounded by two musket balls and later died.
Soon after, the Alligator's boats captured all the pirate ships except one schooner that got away. Most of the pirates ran ashore. On November 18, 1822, the Alligator left Matanzas, leading a group of ships for protection.
The End of the Alligator
Before dawn the next morning, the Alligator ran hard aground. It hit what is now called Alligator Reef off the coast of Florida. The officers and crew tried very hard to get the ship unstuck. But it was no use.
On November 23, 1822, they set fire to the Alligator. The young but brave warship soon exploded.
The wreck of the Alligator lies at 24°51.079′N 80°37.103′W / 24.851317°N 80.618383°W.
Images for kids
-
Overhead view of USS Alligator's wreck on Alligator Reef.
