USS Falmouth (1827) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
Name	USS Falmouth
Builder	Boston Navy Yard
Launched	3 November 1827
Decommissioned	24 May 1859
Fate	Sold, 1863
General characteristics
Type	Sloop of war
Displacement	703 long tons (714 t)
Length	127 ft (39 m)
Beam	33 ft 9 in (10.29 m)
Draft	16 ft (4.9 m)
Propulsion	Sail
Complement	190 officers and enlisted
Armament	24 × 24-pounder guns

The USS Falmouth was a special kind of sailing ship called a sloop of war. It served in the United States Navy in the middle of the 1800s.

Meet the USS Falmouth

The Falmouth was built at the Boston Navy Yard. It was launched, meaning it touched water for the first time, on November 3, 1827. By January 19, 1828, it was ready to sail, with Commander C. W. Morgan in charge.

Early Voyages and Repairs

From 1828 to 1840, the Falmouth went on several important trips. It sailed twice with the West Indies Squadron and twice with the Pacific Squadron. A squadron is a group of warships. Between these long journeys, the ship would be "in ordinary." This means it was taken out of active service for repairs and updates. These repairs usually happened in New York or Norfolk.

Joining the Home Squadron

On December 16, 1841, the Falmouth was ready for sea again. It joined the new Home Squadron, which protected American interests closer to home. This squadron sailed from the cold waters near Newfoundland all the way down to the mouth of the Amazon River. It also patrolled the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Protecting American Interests

The Falmouth spent most of its time in the Gulf of Mexico. Its jobs included carrying important messages and government officials. It also helped protect American ships and people in Mexico. Sometimes, it would escort Army ships carrying soldiers to Texas. From September 1845 to March 1846, the Falmouth was the "flagship." This means it was the main ship for the squadron's leader, Commodore David Conner.

During the Mexican-American War

When the Mexican–American War began in April 1846, the Falmouth played a role. It helped blockade Mexican ports, which means it stopped ships from entering or leaving. This lasted until September 1846, when the ship sailed north for more repairs. It stayed "in ordinary" in Boston from November 22, 1846, until it was ready to sail again on April 26, 1849.

Pacific Adventures

On May 16, 1849, the Falmouth set sail for the Pacific Ocean. Its mission was to protect the new American settlements on the west coast. It also traveled to many different Pacific islands. After these adventures, it returned to Norfolk on January 29, 1852. Once again, it was taken "in ordinary" for repairs from February 4, 1852, until November 18, 1854.

Search and Diplomacy

From December 16, 1854, to August 1855, the Falmouth cruised through the West Indies. It was looking for news of another ship, the Albany, which had been missing since September. Unfortunately, the search was not successful.

After returning to New York, the Falmouth was "in ordinary" until January 12, 1857. Then, it was recommissioned for service on the Brazil Station. This meant it would patrol the waters off Brazil.

The Paraguay Expedition

Late in 1858, the Falmouth joined the Paraguay expedition. This was a special mission to Paraguay because relations with the United States were tense. The ship sailed on the Paraná River and the Río de la Plata until the problems were solved. The Falmouth sailed back into New York Harbor on May 19, 1859. Just a few days later, on May 24, it was decommissioned, meaning it was taken out of active service for good.

Final Role and Sale

The Falmouth was then set up as a stationary storeship. This means it was used to hold supplies and equipment. On April 1, 1860, it left New York for Aspinwall, Panama, a port now known as Colón. It served there as a floating supply base for ships operating in the Gulf of Mexico. The old Falmouth was finally sold in October 1863.