|
256-bit encryption
$500,000 protection
|
USS Oneida (1809)
The USS
Oneida was a brig of war in the United States Navy
during the War of 1812. Oneida was built at Oswego, New
York 1808–1809. Although her displacement was 243 tons
by carpenter's measurement, her draft could compare with
a sloop of 80 tons. This enabled her to enter the rivers
feeding Lake Ontario without fear of grounding.
In June 5 1812, Oneida captured the
British schooner Lord Nelson which was enforcing
the Embargo Act of 1807. On July 19, the British
squadron sailed on Sackets Harbor where Oneida and her
prize were anchored. Failing to gain the open
lake, Oneida anchored again near a bank in a position to
rake the harbor entrance. After two hours of fierce
exchange of cannonade, the British squadron broke off
the engagement and sailed away.
On November 8, USS Oneida, flying the broad pennant
of Commodore Isaac Chauncey, sailed from Sackets Harbor
to intercept British ships carrying supplies to
Kingston. The sloop HMS Royal George was sighted and
chased into the Bay of Quinte and lost sight of during
the night. Sighted again the following morning, the
chase was resumed. Oneida brought up the rear of the
squadron to allow the heavy guns of her schooners to
open way for a close attack. Royal George cut her
mooring cables and attempted to make further headway up
the channel, finally making fast to a wharf under the
protection of troop muskets. Royal George suffered
extensive damage. Oneida had slight damage, but a gale
ended the engagement and the Americans returned to
Sackets Harbor.
On April 25 1813, along with other ships of the
American squadron, USS Oneida set sail from Sackets
Harbor and arrived off York, Canada (now Toronto) on
April 27 with troops under General Zebulon
Pike embarked. Boats were hoisted out and within two
hours the brigade was ashore, capturing York despite the
loss of General Pike. On the night of May 26 she
again embarked troops and artillery and set sail with
the squadron for Fort George, Canada. On May 27 the town
and fort were taken.
Oneida made a second landing at York on July 27,
liberating prisoners and seizing provisions. On 31 July
1814, Oneida made for the Niagara River to blockade
British ships anchored there. She was assisted by the
brig Jefferson and the schooner Sylph, while the
remainder of the American Squadron blockaded Kingston.
The blockade was lifted in September 1814,
and Oneida returned to Sackets Harbor. Ice closed the
lake in November, and peace was declared the following
month.
USS Oneida was sold on May 15 1815, but afterwards was
repurchased by the Navy, laid up at Sackets Harbor, and
finally sold in 1825 to a timber company in the village
of Clayton, New York.
Oneida worked as a timber ship for several years before
sinking in French Creek Bay near Clayton sometime in the
1830s. One of the ship's cannons is currently in
Clayton's Memorial Park, while one of her anchors is
proudly displayed by French Creek Bay Marina.
Learn more about the
USS Oneida here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Oneida_(1809)
|
