USS Torch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 United States |
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| Name | Torch |
| Laid down | date unknown |
| Acquired | 1814 |
| In service | 20 May 1815 |
| Out of service | 1816 |
| Fate | Sold 3 April 1816 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | schooner |
| Displacement | 260 tons |
| Length | 106' (between perpendiculars) |
| Beam | 26' 0" |
| Draft | 11' 9" |
| Propulsion | schooner sail |
| Speed | not known |
| Complement | 60 |
| Armament |
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The USS Torch was a fast sailing ship called a schooner. It had many guns and carronades (a type of short cannon). This ship was part of the United States Navy a long time ago. It was built for the War of 1812. But it first served in the Second Barbary War. Torch sailed to the Mediterranean Sea to help stop pirates from attacking American ships.
Built for the War of 1812
The US Navy bought Torch in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1814. It was a privateer schooner, meaning it was a private ship used for war. Lieutenant Wolcott Chauncey was its first commander.
Torch was supposed to join a special group of ships. This group, called a "flying squadron," would sail to the West Indies. Their job was to fight British trading ships near the end of the War of 1812. But the war ended before Torch and its squadron could leave New York City. The Treaty of Ghent was signed on February 18, 1815. This treaty officially ended the fighting.
Fighting in the Barbary Wars
Soon after the War of 1812 ended, problems started with Algeria. Algerian ships were attacking American ships and taking sailors. The United States declared war on Algeria just five days after the war with Britain stopped.
A group of US Navy ships set sail from New York City on May 20, 1815. This group was led by Captain Stephen Decatur on his ship, the Guerriere. They were headed to the Mediterranean Sea.
On June 19, the American ships saw an Algerian warship. It was a large ship called Mashouda. The American squadron chased the enemy ship. They badly damaged it and forced it to give up.
The rest of the American ships went to find other Algerian vessels. Mashouda was sent to Cartagena, Spain, with the Macedonian guarding it. Near Cape Palos, Spain, the American ships saw another Algerian ship. It was a brig (a type of sailing ship) with 22 guns.
The Algerian brig tried to escape into shallow water. The larger American ships could not follow without getting stuck. But Torch had a shallower bottom. This meant it could go into the shallow water.
Torch joined three other American ships: Epervier, Spitfire, and Spark. Together, they forced the Algerian brig, Estido, to run aground. The Americans took control of the ship and captured 83 prisoners.
After this, the Americans successfully made the Algerians stop their attacks. Torch then returned home to the United States. The ship was sold on April 3, 1816.
