USS Spark (1813) facts for kids
Sail plan of USS Spark
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United States |
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| Name | USS Spark |
| Completed | 1813 |
| Acquired | 1814 |
| Commissioned | circa 20 May 1815 |
| Recommissioned | 1 July 1816 |
| Decommissioned | circa 1825 |
| Fate | sold 1826 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Brig |
| Displacement | 310 tons |
| Length | 103 ft (31 m) (between perpendiculars) |
| Beam | 25 ft 4 in (7.72 m) |
| Draft | 12 ft 8 in (3.86 m) |
| Propulsion | brig sail |
| Complement | 90 |
| Armament |
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USS Spark was a strong and fast brig, a type of sailing ship, used by the United States Navy. It was built to fight in the War of 1812 against the United Kingdom. However, the war ended before the ship was ready. Instead, Spark was sent to the Barbary Wars in the Mediterranean Sea.
After helping in those wars, Spark was given a new job: to stop pirates in the Caribbean Sea. The ship was very good at this, catching many pirate ships and their crews.
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Spark was the first ship in the U.S. Navy to have this name. It was built in 1813 in Sag Harbor, New York, as a privateer. A privateer was a private ship allowed to attack enemy ships during wartime. The Navy bought Spark in 1814 in Baltimore, Maryland. They wanted to use it in the war against the United Kingdom.
But the war finished before Spark could join the fighting. On May 20, 1815, Spark left New York City. It sailed to the Mediterranean Sea. There, it joined Commodore Stephen Decatur's group of ships. Their mission was to fight pirates from Algiers.
Fighting Pirates in the Mediterranean
Spark arrived in Gibraltar on June 15. Just two days later, it helped capture a large Algerian ship called Mashuda. This happened near Cape de Gatt. On June 19, Spark also helped other U.S. Navy ships. They chased another enemy ship, Estedio, onto the shore. The crew then boarded and captured it.
Spark stayed in the Mediterranean for the summer. It sailed home on October 6 with a group of ships led by Commodore William Bainbridge. The ship reached Newport, Rhode Island, on November 15. After its long journey, Spark was taken in for repairs.
Back to Sea: New Missions
Spark was put back into service on July 1, 1816. On September 6, it sailed for the Mediterranean again. This time, it carried an important letter from the U.S. President. The letter was for the leader of Algiers. It also carried orders for Commodore Isaac Chauncey and Consul-General Shalter. They were to try and make peace.
Spark stayed in the Mediterranean Sea until 1821. It helped keep the peace and protect American interests.
Chasing Pirates in the Caribbean
In the fall of 1821, Spark had a new captain, Lt. John H. Elton. The ship left Boston, Massachusetts, and headed to the Caribbean Sea. Its new job was to stop pirates there. In January 1822, Spark captured a Dutch ship. This ship had seven pirates on board. Spark brought them to Charleston, South Carolina, for trial.
Spark then went back to the Caribbean. It spent more than three years fighting against buccaneers, another name for pirates. The ship was very successful in its mission. It helped make the seas safer for other ships. Spark returned home in 1825.
In 1826, the USS Spark was sold in New York City.
