USS Spitfire (1803) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 United States |
|
| Name | USS Spitfire |
| Completed | 1803 |
| Acquired | 25 April 1805 |
| Commissioned | 25 April 1805 |
| Decommissioned | 3 August 1806 |
| In service | July 1807 |
| Out of service | December 1807 |
| Fate | broken up at the Norfolk Navy Yard in 1820 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | bomb ketch |
| Displacement | 92 tons |
| Propulsion | Ketch sail |
| Complement | 25 |
| Armament |
|
The USS Spitfire was a special kind of ship called a bomb ketch. It started as a regular sloop (a type of sailboat). This ship helped the U.S. Navy a long time ago, when the United States was a very young country. The Spitfire carried important supplies like ammunition for other Navy ships. These ships were fighting against the Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean Sea. Later, the Spitfire was part of an event called the Little Belt affair. This event happened just before the War of 1812.
Contents
The Spitfire's Early Years
The Spitfire was the second ship in the U.S. Navy to have this name. It was built in Connecticut in 1803 as a merchant sloop. The Navy bought the ship in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 25, 1805. On the same day, it officially joined the Navy.
Becoming a Bomb Ketch
After being bought, the Spitfire was changed into a bomb ketch. This work was done at the Boston Navy Yard. A bomb ketch is a ship designed to carry and fire large mortars. These mortars could launch heavy bombs.
Journey to the Mediterranean
Under the command of Midshipman Daniel McNeill, Jr., the Spitfire set sail for the Mediterranean Sea. It left on June 23, 1805. The ship arrived in Gibraltar on August 1.
Service in the Mediterranean
The Spitfire spent time in the Mediterranean Sea. Its job was to support American ships fighting against the Barbary powers. These were groups of pirates and rulers in North Africa. They would attack ships and demand money. The Spitfire helped by carrying ammunition for the U.S. Navy's warships.
Returning Home
After its service, the Spitfire began its journey back to the United States. It left the Mediterranean on June 3, 1806. The ship reached Charleston, South Carolina, on July 19. Later, on August 3, 1806, it was put out of active service in Norfolk, Virginia.
Later Years and Important Events
The Spitfire was brought back into service in July 1807. Midshipman F. Cornelius de Kroff was its commander. However, the ship stayed in Norfolk and was put out of service again in December of that year.
The Little Belt Affair
An important event happened on May 1, 1811. The Spitfire was near Sandy Hook, New Jersey. A British warship, HMS Guerriere, stopped it. The British ship took John Diggio, an apprentice sailing master from the Spitfire. He was a citizen of Maine. This act was called impressment. It meant the British forced American sailors to join their navy.
This incident led to a bigger problem 15 days later. Two frigates, USS President (American) and HMS Little Belt (British), had a fight. The American ship President thought the Little Belt was the Guerriere. The President was trying to get John Diggio back. This fight became known as the Little Belt affair. It caused a lot of anger between the United States and Great Britain. This tension was one of the reasons for the War of 1812.
End of Service
The USS Spitfire was eventually taken apart. This happened at the Norfolk Navy Yard in 1820.
