View source for USS United States (1797)

{{short description|First of the six original frigates of the U.S. Navy}}
{{Other ships|USS United States}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox ship
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
 |image=USSUnitedStates1797.jpg
 |image_caption=USS ''United States'' by 1852
 |image_alt=USS United States
 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career
 |hide_header=
 |country=United States
 |flag={{USN flag|1861}}
 |name=USS ''United States''
 |namesake=[[United States]]<ref name="DANFS"/>
 |ordered=27 March 1794<ref name="DANFS">{{cite DANFS|title=United States|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/u/united-states-frigate.html|access-date=26 May 2010}}</ref>
 |builder=[[Joshua Humphreys]]<ref name="Humphreys390">Humphreys (1916), p. 390.</ref>
 |original_cost=$299,336<ref name="hill199">Hill (1905), p. 199.</ref>
 |laid_down=
 |launched=10 May 1797
 |commissioned=
 |decommissioned=
 |in_service=
 |out_of_service=
 |nickname="Old Wagon"<ref name="Humphreys391">Humphreys (1916), p. 391.</ref>
 |captured=
 |fate=Abandoned 20 April 1861
 |notes=
 }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/career
 |hide_header=title
 |country=Confederate States
 |flag={{flag|Confederate States of America|1861}}
 |name=CSS ''United States''
 |acquired= 20 April 1861<ref name="DANFS"/>
 |commissioned=
 |decommissioned=
 |in_service=
 |out_of_service=
 |renamed=
 |struck=
 |reinstated=
 |honours=
 |captured=
 |fate=Abandoned May 1862<ref name="DANFS"/>
 |notes=
 }}

|section4={{Infobox ship/career
 |hide_header=title
 |country=United States
 |flag={{USN flag|1866}}
 |name=USS ''United States''
 |namesake=
 |acquired=May 1862<ref name="DANFS"/>
 |commissioned=
 |decommissioned=
 |in_service=
 |out_of_service=
 |renamed=
 |struck=
 |reinstated=
 |honours=
 |captured=
 |fate=Broken up December 1865<ref name="DANFS"/>
 |notes=
 }}

|section5={{Infobox ship/characteristics
 |hide_header=
 |header_caption=
 |class=[[Sailing frigate classification|First class frigate]]<ref Name="Register 1825">{{cite journal | title=Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the Navy of the United States, including Officers of the Marine Corps, &c. for the Year 1825|publisher=Way & Gideon| year=1825}}</ref>
 |tons_burthen=1576 tons<ref name="DANFS"/>
 |length=*{{convert|304|ft|abbr=on}} bowsprit to spanker
         * {{convert|175|ft|abbr=on}} [[length between perpendiculars|between perpendiculars]]<ref name="DANFS"/>
 |beam={{convert|43|ft|6|in|abbr=on}}<ref name="DANFS"/>
 |draft={{convert|23|ft|6|in|abbr=on}} aft<ref name="DANFS"/>
 |hold_depth=14 feet, 3 inches<ref>{{cite book |url=https://ibiblio.org/anrs/docs/E/E3/nd_quasiwar_v07.pdf |title=Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France |volume=VII Part 1 of 4: Naval Operations December 1800–December 1801, December 1800–March 1801 |page=370 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |via=Ibiblio |access-date=1 October 2024}}</ref>
 |decks=[[Orlop deck|Orlop]], [[Berth (sleeping)|Berth]], [[Gun deck|Gun]], [[Spar (sailing)|Spar]]
 |propulsion=Sail
 |sail_plan=
 |speed={{convert|11|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on}}<ref name="DANFS"/>
 |complement=400 to 600 officers, enlisted personnel and 50 Marines
 |armament=30 × 24-pounders (11 kg), 14 × 12-pounders (Quasi War),<ref>{{cite book |url=https://ibiblio.org/anrs/docs/E/E3/nd_quasiwar_v07.pdf |title=Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France |volume=VII Part 1 of 4: Naval Operations December 1800–December 1801, December 1800–March 1801 |pages=370 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |via=Ibiblio |access-date=1 October 2024}}</ref> 32 × long 24-pounders (11 kg), 24 × 42-pounder (19 kg) carronades (War of 1812)
 |notes=
 }}
}}

'''USS ''United States'' ''' was a wooden-[[hull (watercraft)|hulled]], three-[[Mast (sailing)|masted]] [[heavy frigate]] of the [[United States Navy]] and the first of [[Six original United States frigates|the six original frigates]] authorized for construction by the [[Naval Act of 1794]]. The name "United States" was among ten names submitted to President [[George Washington]] by Secretary of War [[Timothy Pickering]] in March 1795 for the frigates that were to be constructed.<ref>Pickering, Timothy (14 March 1795). [https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-17-02-0439 Letter to George Washington]. ''Founders Online'', National Archives. Retrieved 25 September 2019</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YcwsOf5Tw9IC&q=USS%20Constitution&pg=PA8|title=Ironsides! the Ship, the Men and the Wars of the USS Constitution|last1=Brodine |first1=Charles E.|last2=Crawford|first2=Michael J.|last3=Hughes|first3=Christine F.|publisher=Fireship Press|year=2007|isbn=9781934757147|page=8|language=en}}</ref> [[Joshua Humphreys]] designed the frigates to be the young Navy's [[capital ship]]s, and so ''United States'' and her sisters were larger and more heavily armed and built than typical frigates of the period. She was built at Humphrey's shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and launched on 10 May 1797<ref>[[#Cooper|Cooper, 1856]] p. 125</ref> and immediately began duties with the newly formed United States Navy protecting American merchant shipping during the [[Quasi-War]] with France.

In 1861, ''United States'' was in port at [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]] when she was seized by the [[Virginia State Navy|Virginia Navy]]. She was commissioned into the [[Confederate States Navy|Confederate navy]] as '''CSS ''United States''''', but was later scuttled by Confederate forces. The U.S. Navy raised ''United States'' after retaking Norfolk, Virginia, but the aged and damaged ship was not returned to service; instead, ''United States'' was held at the Norfolk Navy Yard until she was broken up in December 1865.

==Design and construction==
{{Main|Original six frigates of the United States Navy}}

During the 1790s American [[merchant vessel]]s began to fall prey to [[Barbary corsairs|Barbary pirates]] in the [[Mediterranean]], most notably from [[Algiers]]. Congress's response was the [[Naval Act of 1794]].<ref name="Allen1909-4142">Allen (1909), pp. 41–42.</ref> The Act provided funds for the construction of six frigates; however, it included a clause stating that construction of the ships would cease if the United States agreed to peace terms with Algiers.<ref name="Beach29">Beach (1986), p. 29.</ref><ref Name="NA1794">''An Act to provide a Naval Armament''. {{USStat|1|350}} (1794). [[Library of Congress]]. Retrieved 17 February 2010.</ref>

[[Joshua Humphreys]]' design was deep,<ref>{{Cite book |title=Frigates of the Napoleonic Wars |last=Gardiner |first=Robert |date=2000 |publisher=Chatham |isbn=186176135X |location=London |page=56 |oclc=43456786}}</ref> long on [[keel]] and narrow of [[beam (nautical)|beam]] (width) for mounting very heavy guns. The design incorporated a diagonal [[scantling]] (rib) scheme to limit [[hogging and sagging|hogging]] while giving the ships extremely heavy planking. This gave the [[Hull (watercraft)|hull]] greater strength than those of more lightly built frigates. Humphreys developed his design after realizing that the fledgling United States could not match the navy sizes of the European states. He therefore designed his frigates to be able to overpower other frigates, but with the speed to escape from a [[ship of the line]].<ref name="Toll4953">Toll (2006), pp. 49–53.</ref><ref name="Beach2930">Beach (1986), pp. 29–30, 33.</ref><ref name="Allen1909-4245">Allen (1909), pp. 42–45.</ref>

Originally designated as "Frigate A" and subsequently named ''United States'' by President [[George Washington]],<ref name="Toll61">Toll (2006), p. 61.</ref> her keel was laid down in 1795 at Humphreys' shipyard in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Humphreys was assigned as her constructor and [[John Barry (naval officer)|John Barry]] as its captain and was the first commissioned Captain of the newly established U.S. Navy.<ref name="Allen48">Allen (1909), p. 48.</ref> As Philadelphia was at the time America's capital, many visitors walked through observing her construction as it progressed. Humphreys personally led President Washington and First Lady [[Martha Washington|Martha]] on a tour. The President expressed his admiration of the great size of the ship.<ref name="Humphreys390391">Humphreys (1916), pp. 390–391.</ref> A less desirable visitor, [[Benjamin Franklin Bache (journalist)|Benjamin Franklin Bache]] (grandson of [[Benjamin Franklin]]) was physically assaulted by Clement Humphreys (Joshua's son) allegedly over Bache's opposition to the [[Federalist Party]] and his opposition newspaper, the ''[[Philadelphia Aurora]]''.<ref name="Toll7475">Toll (2006), pp. 74–75.</ref>

Fearing sabotage, Humphreys was concerned about the open nature of his ship yard which allowed anyone to wander in. He requested from the War Department a number of guards which were posted to keep out visitors but to little effect.<ref name="Toll73">Toll (2006), p. 73.</ref>

Construction slowly continued until a peace treaty was announced between the United States and Algiers in March 1796. In accordance with the clause in the Naval Act, construction of ''United States'' was discontinued. President Washington requested instructions from Congress on how to proceed. Several proposals circulated before a final decision was reached allowing Washington to complete the three frigates nearest to completion; ''United States'', ''Constellation'' and ''Constitution'' were chosen.<ref name="MaclaySmithVI161">Maclay and Smith (1898), Vol. 1, p. 161.</ref><ref name="Toll62">Toll (2006), p. 62.</ref>

On 10 May 1797 she was the first American warship to be launched under the Naval Act of 1794,<ref name="hill199"/> and the first ship of the United States Navy.<ref name="Allen48"/> She was fitted out at Philadelphia during the spring of 1798 and, on 3 July ordered to proceed to sea. Relations with the French government had deteriorated, starting the [[Quasi-War]].

===Armament===
{{See also|Naval artillery in the Age of Sail}}

''United States''{{'}}s nominal rating was that of a 44-gun ship. However, she usually carried over 50&nbsp;guns.<ref name="Teddy5556">Roosevelt (1883), pp. 55–56.</ref> ''United States'' was originally armed with a battery of 55&nbsp;guns: thirty-two 24-pounder (10.9&nbsp;kg) cannon; twenty-two 42-pounder (19&nbsp;kg) [[carronade]]s; and one 18-pounder (8&nbsp;kg) [[Naval long gun|long gun]].

Unlike modern naval vessels, ships of this era had no permanent battery of guns. Guns were portable and often exchanged between ships as situations warranted. Each commanding officer modified his vessel's armaments to his liking, taking into consideration factors such as the overall tonnage of cargo, complement of personnel aboard, and planned routes to be sailed. Consequently, a vessel's armament would change often during its career; records of the changes were not generally kept.<ref name="Jennings">{{cite book|title=Tattered Ensign The Story of America's Most Famous Fighting Frigate, U.S.S. Constitution|last=Jennings|first=John |publisher=Thomas Y. Crowell|location=New York|year=1966|oclc=1291484|pages=17–19}}</ref>

==Quasi-War==
{{See also|Quasi-War}}

''United States'' sailed with [[USS Delaware (1798)|''Delaware'']] to Boston where they were to meet with {{USS|Herald|1798|6}} and
{{USS|Pickering|1798|2}} to form a patrol squadron.<ref name="Allen66">Allen (1909), p. 66.</ref> Shortly afterward Barry sighted a frigate showing French colors. Raising his own French flag, Barry maneuvered closer and when reaching it, hoisted the American colors. As Barry was about to open fire on the frigate, she changed to the English flag and identified herself as {{HMS|Thetis|1782|6}}, narrowly avoiding being fired upon.<ref name="MaclaySmithVI169170">Maclay and Smith (1898), Volume 1, pp. 169–170.</ref> When reaching Boston, Barry learned that ''Herald'' and ''Pickering'' were not ready to sail and he decided to continue without them. ''United States'' and ''Delaware'' departed for the [[West Indies]] on 26 July<ref name="Allen67">Allen (1909), p. 67.</ref>
[[File:John Barry by Gilbert Stuart.jpg|left|thumb|alt=|Portrait of John Barry c. 1801]]
In the ensuing two months two French privateers were captured, ''Sans Pareil'' on 23 August<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ibiblio.org/anrs/docs/E/E3/nd_quasiwar_v01p02.pdf |title=Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume 1 Part 2 of 3 Naval Operations February 1797 to October 1798 |publisher=U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio |accessdate=18 February 2024}}</ref> and ''Jalouse'' on 5 September<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ibiblio.org/anrs/docs/E/E3/nd_quasiwar_v01p02.pdf |title=Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume 1 Part 3 of 3 Naval Operations February 1797 to October 1798 |publisher=U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio |accessdate=19 February 2024}}</ref> and brought into New Castle, Delaware on 20 September.<ref name="Allen69">Allen (1909), p. 69.</ref><ref name="Cooper129130">Cooper (1856), pp. 129–130.</ref> ''United States'' put to sea again on 17 October with orders to cruise along the New England coast and eastward. However, a severe gale arose the following day and ''United States'' was disabled with a sprung [[bowsprit]] and slackened rigging. Emergency repairs had to be made. After the storm passed, she made her way back to Delaware, arriving on 9 November. Barry received orders in December which returned ''United States'' to the West Indies, taking command of the American squadron there.<ref name="Allen69"/> This squadron, in addition to ''United States'', would by early 1799 include: {{USS|Constitution||2}}, {{USS|George Washington|1798|2}}, {{USS|Merrimack|1798|2}}, {{USS|Portsmouth|1798|2}}, ''Herald'' and the [[revenue cutter]]s ''Pickering'', [[USRC Eagle|''Eagle'']], [[USRC Scammel|''Scammel'']], and [[USRC Diligence|''Diligence'']].<ref name="Allen8182">Allen (1909), pp. 81–82.</ref><ref name="MaclaySmithVI175">Maclay and Smith (1898), Vol. 1, p. 175.</ref>

On 13 January 1799 French batteries at [[Deshaies]], [[Guadeloupe]] fired 9 rounds at her, but all missed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ibiblio.org/anrs/docs/E/E3/nd_quasiwar_v02p01.pdf |title=Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume 2 Part 1 of 3 Naval Operations November 1798 to March 1799 |publisher=U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio |accessdate=14 March 2024}}</ref> On 3 February 1799, ''United States'' sighted a French ship and began a five-hour pursuit of the schooner ''L'Amour de la Patrie''.<ref name="Allen90">Allen (1909), p. 90.</ref> After coming in close to the vessel, ''United States'' opened fire; the third shot went completely through ''L'Amour de la Patrie'', sinking her rapidly. Barry sent out his boats to collect survivors of the schooner, and they were taken prisoner.<ref name="MaclaySmithVI175"/><ref name="hill200">Hill (1905), p. 200.</ref> ''United States'' then set a course for [[Guadeloupe]] to arrange a prisoner exchange with the French, but Barry's flag of truce was ignored when [[shore batteries]] opened fire on the boat carrying Barry's envoy. Barry returned to ''United States'' and ordered his gun crews to bombard the batteries in return.<ref name="Allen91">Allen (1909), p. 91.</ref><ref name="MaclaySmithVI176">Maclay and Smith (1898), Vol. 1, p. 176.</ref> On 26 February, ''United States'' pursued the French privateer ''Democrat'', which had recently taken prize of the English ship {{ship||Cicero|1796 ship|2}}. ''United States'' recaptured ''Cicero'' but the pursuit of ''Democrat'' ended when she escaped into shallow water. ''United States'' also recaptured ''Maria'', another one of ''Democrat''{{'}}s prizes, and sent both ''Cicero'' and ''Maria'' into Martinique.<ref>[https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.c3049070?urlappend=%3Bseq=97 ''LL'' №3070.]</ref>

Returning to Guadeloupe, Barry made another attempt at a prisoner exchange. However, Governor [[Edme Étienne Borne Desfourneaux]] told Barry he held no prisoners because there was no war with the United States. Though skeptical, Barry released his prisoners.<ref name="Allen9192">Allen (1909), pp. 91–92.</ref>

On 26 March, ''United States'' took the French privateer ''La Tartueffe''<ref name="Allen90"/> and its prize, the American ship ''Vermont'' southeast of [[Antigua]].<ref name="DANFS"/> Also recorded is the capture of ''Le Bonaparte'' sometime in 1799.<ref name="hill200"/><ref group=Note>Details of ''United States''{{'}} captures during this period are sketchy. [[DANFS]] is the only source to mention ''Vermont''; Allen puts the capture of ''La Tartueffe'' before the prisoner exchange; Hill is the only source to mention ''Le Bonaparte'' but makes no mention of the day it occurred.</ref> In April, Barry turned over command of the squadron to [[Thomas Truxtun]]. ''United States'' sailed for home and arrived at New Castle, Delaware, on 9 May. Barry recruited new crew members to replace the ones whose enlistments had expired while ''United States'' underwent refitting and repairs.<ref name="Allen108109">Allen (1909), pp. 108–109.</ref> She sailed again 1 July with orders to patrol the southern Atlantic coast of the United States. Encountering a storm on the 6th which sprung her [[bowsprit]], she continued on to deliver an artillery company to [[Fort Moultrie National Monument|Fort Moultrie]] and then put into the [[Norfolk Naval Shipyard|Gosport Navy Yard]] for repairs on the 22nd. Returning to patrols on 13 August, ''United States'' experienced an uneventful period and at times sailed in company with ''George Washington'' and {{USS|Insurgent|1799|2}}.<ref name="DANFS"/><ref name="Allen110">Allen (1909), p. 110.</ref>

''United States'' returned to Newport, Rhode Island, in September and Barry waited for further orders.<ref name="Allen110"/> In October those orders were to deliver [[Oliver Ellsworth]] and [[William Richardson Davie|William Davie]] as envoys to France to negotiate a settlement of the Quasi War.<ref name="MaclaySmithVI188">Maclay and Smith (1898), Vol. 1, p. 188.</ref> ''United States'' departed on 3 November<ref name="Cooper134">Cooper (1856), p. 134.</ref> arriving at [[Lisbon]], Portugal on 27 November, departing for Lorient on 21 December but had to put in to [[A Coruña]] on 11 January 1800 due to bad weather, and returned in early April 1800.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ibiblio.org/anrs/docs/E/E3/nd_quasiwar_v05p03.pdf |title=Naval Documents related to the Quasi-War Between the United States and France Volume  Part 3 of 4 Naval Operations January to May, 1800, April 1800–May 1800 pg. 388 |publisher=U.S. Government printing office via Imbiblio |accessdate=11 July 2024}}</ref> She remained in port for needed repairs until December when Barry was ordered to return to the West Indies.<ref name="Allen220">Allen (1909), p. 220.</ref> The [[Convention of 1800|treaty of peace]] with France was ratified on 3 February 1801 and ''United States'' returned home in April.<ref name="Allen221">Allen (1909), p. 221.</ref><ref name="hill201">Hill (1905), p. 201.</ref> An act of Congress, passed on 3 March 1801 and signed by President [[John Adams]], retained thirteen frigates. Seven of those frigates, including ''United States'', were to be placed in a [[reserve fleet]].<ref name="Allen255">Allen (1909), p. 255.</ref> Ordered to the [[Washington Navy Yard]], ''United States'' was decommissioned there along with {{USS|Congress|1799|2}} and {{USS|New York|1800|2}}.<ref name="Allen258">Allen (1909), p. 258.</ref> In a letter dated 12 November 1802 Midshipman Ralph Izard was ordered to take command with the rank of Sailing Master.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://ibiblio.org/anrs/docs/E/E3/nd_barbarywars_v02p02.pdf |title=Naval Documents related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers Volume II Part 2 of 3 January 1802 through August 1803 |page=314 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |via=Ibiblio |access-date=11 November 2024}}</ref>

==War of 1812==
{{See also|War of 1812}}

''United States'' remained in the Washington Navy Yard throughout the [[First Barbary War]] of 1801–1805 and up until 1809, when orders were given to ready her for active service.<ref name="DANFS"/> On 10 June 1810, now under the command of [[Stephen Decatur]], she sailed to Norfolk, Virginia, for refitting.<ref name="hill201"/>

While she was at Norfolk, Captain John S. Carden of the [[Royal Navy]], commander of the new British frigate [[HMS Macedonian|HMS ''Macedonian'']], wagered Captain Decatur a [[beaver hat]] that his vessel would take ''United States'' if the two should ever meet in battle. [[Ichabod Crane (Colonel)|Ichabod B. Crane]], whose name was appropriated for the main character in ''[[The Legend of Sleepy Hollow]]'', served under Decatur as a lieutenant in the [[United States Marine Corps|marine]] detachment aboard ship.<ref name="Crane">{{cite news|first=Peter J.|last=Malia|title=Soapbox; Ichabod Crane's Namesake? Or Not|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/27/nyregion/soapbox-ichabod-crane-s-namesake-or-not.html
|work=The New York Times|date=27 October 2002|access-date=7 June 2010}}</ref>

The United States declared war against Britain on 18 June 1812. Three days later Decatur and ''United States'' sailed from New York City within a squadron under the command of Commodore [[John Rodgers (naval officer, War of 1812)|John Rodgers]] in {{USS|President|1800|2}}. Other ships of the squadron were {{USS|Congress|1799|2}}, [[USS Hornet (1805, brig)|''Hornet'']], and [[USS Argus (1803)|''Argus'']]; departed on a seventy-day North Atlantic cruise.<ref name="Teddy73">Roosevelt (1883), p. 73.</ref><ref name="MaclaySmith322">Maclay and Smith (1898), Vol. 1, p. 322.</ref> A passing American merchant ship informed Rodgers about a fleet of British merchantmen en route to Britain from Jamaica. Rodgers and his squadron sailed in pursuit, and on 23 June encountered what was later learned to be [[HMS Belvidera (1809)|HMS ''Belvidera'']].<ref name="Teddy73"/><ref name="Cooper244245">Cooper (1856), pp. 244–245.</ref>

''United States'' and the squadron returned to pursuing the Jamaican fleet and on 1 July began to follow the trail of coconut shells and orange peels the Jamaicans had left behind them.<ref name="Teddy77">Roosevelt (1883), p. 77.</ref> ''United States'' sailed to within one [[day's journey]] of the English Channel but never sighted the convoy. Rodgers called off the pursuit on 13 July. During their return trip to Boston, the squadron captured seven merchant ships and recaptured one American vessel.<ref name="Cooper246247">Cooper (1856), pp. 246–247.</ref><ref name="MaclaySmith325326">Maclay and Smith (1898), Vol. 1, pp. 325–326.</ref>

After some refitting, ''United States'', still under Decatur's command, sailed again 8 October with Rodgers but on the 12th parted from the squadron for her own patrol.<ref name="Teddy106">Roosevelt (1883), p. 106.</ref>

Three days later, after capturing ''Mandarin'', ''United States'' parted company and continued to cruise eastward. At dawn, on the 25th, five hundred miles south of the [[Azores]], lookouts on board ''United States'' reported seeing a sail 12 miles (19&nbsp;km) to windward. As the ship rose over the horizon, Captain Decatur made out the familiar lines of HMS ''Macedonian''.<ref name="hill202">Hill (1905), p. 202.</ref>

===''United States'' vs ''Macedonian''===
{{Main|USS United States vs HMS Macedonian}}
[[File:Thomas Birch - Engagement between the "United States" and the "Macedonian".jpg|thumb|[[Engagement between the United States and the Macedonian|Engagement between ''United States'' and ''Macedonian'']] on 30 October 1812, by [[Thomas Birch (artist)|Thomas Birch]], 1813]]

Both ships were immediately cleared for action and commenced maneuvers at 0900. Captain Carden elected not to risk crossing the bows of ''United States'' to rake her, but chose instead to haul closer to the wind on a parallel course with the American vessel.<ref name="hill202"/> For his part, Decatur intended to engage ''Macedonian'' from fairly long range, where his 24-pounders (11&nbsp;kg) would have the advantage over the 18-pounders (8&nbsp;kg) of the British.

The actual battle developed according to Decatur's plan. ''United States'' began the action at 0920 by firing an inaccurate broadside at ''Macedonian''.<ref name="hill202"/> This was answered immediately by the British vessel, bringing down a small spar of ''United States''. Decatur's next broadside destroyed ''Macedonian''{{'}}s mizzen top mast, letting her driver gaff fall and so giving the advantage in maneuver to the American frigate. ''United States'' next took up position off ''Macedonian''{{'}}s quarter and proceeded to riddle her with shot.<ref name="hill202"/> By noon, ''Macedonian'' was a dismasted hulk and was forced to surrender.<ref name="hill203">Hill (1905), p. 203.</ref> She had suffered 104 casualties against 12 in ''United States'', which emerged from the battle relatively unscathed.

The two ships lay alongside each other for over two weeks while ''Macedonian'' was repaired sufficiently to sail. ''United States'' and her prize entered New York Harbor on 4 December amid jubilation over the victory. Captain Decatur and his crew were received with praise from both Congress and President [[James Madison]].<ref name="hill204">Hill (1905), p. 204.</ref>

===Aftermath===

''Macedonian'' was subsequently purchased by the United States Navy, repaired, and placed in service. After repairs, ''United States''—accompanied by [[USS Macedonian (1810)|USS ''Macedonian'']] and the sloop ''Hornet''—sailed from New York on 24 May 1813. A noteworthy event of this mission is documentation of two women among the crew of ''United States''. Two sailors onboard ''United States'', a Mr. Marshall and Briton William Goodman (who enlisted under the false name John Allen) were encouraged by Decatur to bring their wives, Mary Marshall and Mary Allen, on the voyage as nurses to care for the wounded if the ship engaged the enemy. They are believed to be the first women to serve aboard a United States warship.<ref name=rir>{{cite journal |last=Langley |first=Harold D. |year=1984 |title=Women in a Warship, 1813 |journal=[[Proceedings (magazine)|Proceedings]] |volume=110 |issue=1 |pages=124, 125 |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] }}</ref> On 1 June, the three vessels were driven into [[New London, Connecticut]], by a powerful British squadron which included ships of the line, and ''United States'' and ''Macedonian'' were kept blocked there until the end of the war. Both ships were disarmed and their crews and weapons despatched to the squadrons on the Great Lakes<ref>[[Andrew Lambert|Lambert, Andrew]] (2012) The Challenge – Britain Against America in the War of 1812, (Faber and Faber) {{ISBN|978-0-571-27319-5}}</ref> ''Hornet'' managed to slip through the blockade on 14 November 1814 and escape to sea.<ref name="hill204"/>

Decatur was transferred to the frigate ''President'' in the spring of 1814, and he took some of the officers and crew of ''United States'' with him to his new command.

==Second Barbary War==
{{See also|Second Barbary War}}

Soon after the United States declared war against Britain in 1812, [[Algiers]] took advantage of the United States' preoccupation with Britain and began intercepting American merchant ships in the Mediterranean.<ref name="MaclaySmithVIIP4-5">Maclay and Smith (1898), Vol. 2, pp. 4–5.</ref> On 2 March 1815, at the request of President [[James Madison]], Congress declared war on Algiers. Work preparing two American squadrons promptly began—one at Boston under Commodore [[William Bainbridge]], and one at New York under Commodore Steven Decatur.<ref name="MaclaySmithVIIP6">Maclay and Smith (1898), Vol. 2, p. 6.</ref><ref name="Allen05281">Allen (1905), p. 281.</ref> ''United States'' was assigned under Bainbridge but required repairs and refitting from her period in port for the latter part of the War of 1812. She was not ready for sea when Bainbridge departed Boston on 3 July.<ref name="Allen05292">Allen (1905), p. 292.</ref>

''United States'' finally departed for the Mediterranean two months later under the command of Captain [[John Shaw (navy)|John Shaw]]; arriving at Gibraltar on 25 September. Soon after, Shaw learned that Commodore Decatur had already secured a peace treaty with Algiers.<ref name="Allen05293">Allen (1905), p. 293.</ref><ref name="hill205">Hill (1905), p. 205.</ref> Now part of a large gathering of U.S. Navy ships, ''United States'' was chosen to remain behind with {{USS|Constellation|1797|2}}, {{USS|Erie|1813|2}}, and {{USS|Ontario|1813|2}}. They were later joined by {{USS|John Adams|1799|2}}, {{USS|Alert|1803|2}} and {{USS|Hornet|1813|2}}.<ref name="Allen05294">Allen (1905), p. 294.</ref>

The senior American naval officer in the region, Captain Shaw became commodore and commanded the squadron consisting of ''Constellation'', ''Java'', ''Erie'' and ''Ontario'' until Commodore [[Isaac Chauncey]] arrived 1 July 1816 and took overall command. Nevertheless, ''United States'', despite losing her position as [[flagship]], continued to serve in the Mediterranean until she sailed for home in the spring of 1819 and reached Hampton Roads on 18 May. The frigate was decommissioned on 9 June 1819 and laid up at Norfolk.<ref name="hill206">Hill (1905), p. 206.</ref>

==Squadron duty==
''United States'' returned to duty in November 1823 under the command of Commodore [[Isaac Hull]]. After repairs and preparation she sailed on 5 January 1824, to relieve Commodore [[Charles Stewart (1778–1869)|Charles Stewart]] in the Pacific. Accompanying Hull was his wife and sister-in-law Jeanette Hart.<ref name="Grant320321">Grant (1947), pp. 320–321.</ref>

''United States'' made a stop en route to the Pacific at Rio de Janeiro and reached Valparaiso, Chile by 7 March. Commodore Hull found that Chile was now independent and had been acknowledged by Spain, though hostilities still continued with Peru; [[Callao]] was held by the Spaniards and blockaded by the Peruvian fleet. The United States' position was one of strict neutrality in the war and Hull's orders contained the main objective of overseeing and protecting American commerce. ''United States'' sailed for Callao, arriving on 4 April. Commodore Stewart, in command of {{USS|Franklin|1815|2}} was relieved by Hull and sailed for home. Under Hull's command, a squadron of US Navy ships consisted of {{USS|Vincennes|1826|2}}, {{USS|Peacock|1828|2}}, and {{USS|Dolphin|1821|2}}.<ref name="hill206"/><ref name="Grant321322">Grant (1947), pp. 321–322.</ref>

''United States'' remained in the vicinity of Peru and her duty there was mostly uneventful. In the autumn of 1825, Hull placed Lieutenant [[John Percival]] in command of ''Dolphin'' and tasked him with searching for mutineers from the American whaling ship [[Globe (1815 whaleship)|''Globe'']]. Percival found only two of the mutineers but discovered an uncharted island that he named "Hull's Island"; now known as [[Îles Maria]].<ref name="Grant322">Grant (1947), p. 322.</ref><ref name="Gapp103">Gapp (1985), p. 103.</ref> Percival continued on to [[Hawaii]] and reportedly caused discontent with the tribal chiefs and missionaries. Hull placed [[Thomas ap Catesby Jones]] in command of ''Peacock'' and dispatched him to Hawaii to ascertain the behavior of Percival. However, upon Jones' arrival, Percival had already departed.<ref name="Gapp104105">Gapp (1985), pp. 104–105.</ref> With Hull's tour of duty now expired, ''United States'' departed from Callao on 16 December 1826 and arrived at the [[New York Navy Yard]] on 24 April 1827.<ref name="Grant323">Grant (1947), p. 323.</ref>

She put into the [[Philadelphia Navy Yard]] in 1828 for extensive repairs and remained there until 1830 when she was placed in reserve at the New York Navy Yard. The frigate remained at New York through 1832 and was thoroughly modernized.
On 3 July 1832, she sailed under Capt. J. B. Nicholson to join Commodore Patterson's squadron in the Mediterranean, returning to New York 11 December 1834.
From 1836 to 1838, under Capt. J. Wilkinson, the United States was again in the Mediterranean, and from 1839 to 1840 she was in the [[Home Squadron]] under Captain Lawrence Kearney.<ref name="hill206"/>

===Capture of Monterey===
{{Main|Capture of Monterey}}
''United States'' was repaired at Norfolk in 1841 and was designated the new flagship of the Pacific Squadron of Thomas ap Catesby Jones, now a commodore. On 9 January 1842 she sailed from Norfolk via [[Cape Horn]] under Captain James Armstrong. On the night of 6 September 1842, while lying in Callao, the British frigate {{HMS|Dublin|1812|6}}, flagship of Rear Admiral [[Richard Darton Thomas]], appeared off the port, and, seeing the American fleet, at once put to sea. The suspicions of Commodore Jones were immediately aroused, and, having heard that war was about to be declared between the United States and Mexico, the Commodore suspected ''Dublin'' intended to run up the coast and take possession of California, a country that England had long had her eye upon. ''United States'' got under way, and in company with {{USS|Cyane|1837|2}} Jones hastened north. They [[Capture of Monterey|captured]] Monterey on 16 October when Jones demanded a surrender. The next day he realized that the United States and Mexico were still at peace, so tried to make amends for his action.<ref name="hill206"/>

While waiting for further orders, Jones heard British Captain [[George Paulet (Royal Navy officer)|Lord George Paulet]] had claimed the [[Hawaiian Islands]]. He sailed there, arriving on 22 July. Admiral Thomas arrived a few days later, and restored the government of the [[Kingdom of Hawaii]].<ref>Gapp 1985 pp. 101–121</ref>

===Herman Melville===
[[File:Herman Melville 1860.jpg|thumb|right|upright|alt=Photograph of Herman Melville|Melville c. 1860]]
[[Herman Melville]], the future author of ''[[Moby-Dick]]'', enlisted as an ordinary seaman on board ''United States'' at [[Honolulu]], Hawaii, on 18 August 1843.<ref name="RL117">Robertson–Lorant (1998), p. 117.</ref> In ''[[White-Jacket]]'', the graphic portrayal of flogging is based on his own direct observation which began his first morning (18 August 1843) aboard. The official log entry simply states, "Commenced with moderate breezes from the Nd & Ed. and clear. Shipped Herman Melville. "O.S". and Griffith Williams "O.S". ... at 9 a m . mustered the crew at Quarters, Punished Jno Hall, "O.S" with 12 lashes with cats for striking sentry on Post. Geo Clark "OS" with 12 of cats for smuggling liquor, Bos. C. B. Stanly "App" with 12 lashes with Kittens for fighting and Wm B Ewing "App" with 6. for using provoking language. Suspended the Boatswain from duty for disrespectful – conduct to the Officer of the Deck, – by replying when ordered by same through – Midn [Midshipman] Key, to call all hands stand by their washed clothes “ that he would 'receive no more orders in this Ship", or words to that effect." The next day 19 August 1843 the log states "Punished Geo Davis, Wm Stewart and Antonio Guavella "Bandsmen" with 12 lashes each for drunkenness." Melville fictionalized these brutal events (chapters 33–35) by changing the seamen's names slightly and setting the punishment musters at sea.<ref>John G.M. Sharp ”The Ship Log of the frigate USS United States 1843 1844 and Herman Melville Ordinary Seaman" 2019, pp. 16–17 accessed 12 May 2019 http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/portsmouth/shipyard/usunitedstates-hmelville</ref>

[[File:Log of the USS United States August 18 1843 entry of Herman Melville O S as crew.jpg|thumb|Log of USS ''United States'' 18 August 1843 record of entry of author Herman Melville O. S. as crew]] [[File:USS United States Log entry for May 29 1842 re John Jack Chase captain of the maintop in White Jacket.jpg|thumb|USS ''United States'' Log entry for 29 May 1842 re John Jack Chase "captain of the maintop" in White Jacket]]

His novel ''[[White-Jacket]]'', published in 1850, while fictionalized is based on his experiences on board with many actual members of the crew e.g. his hero Jack Chase Captain of the Maintop, Seaman John J.Chase (chapter 4. and thumbnail). Melville though is highly critical of others such as the captain of ''United States'' and of naval customs in general.<ref name="RL120">Robertson–Lorant (1998), p. 120.</ref> Melville observed that Armstrong often appeared on deck intoxicated.<ref name="RL117"/> From Hawaii, ''United States'' (which Melville refers to as USS ''Neversink'') proceeded to the Marquesas Islands and lost a man overboard en route. From the Marquesas she visited Valparaiso, Chile; Lima and Callao in Peru.<ref name="RL120"/>

''United States'' remained at Callao for 10 weeks and the crew was denied shore leave while Commodore Jones was in port with his flagship {{USS|Constellation|1797|2}}.<ref name="Constellation">{{cite DANFS|title=Constellation|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/c/constellation-i.html|link=off|access-date=23 October 2009}}</ref> Jones inspected every ship under his command during the 10 weeks expecting formal ceremonies at each inspection. The only break in the crew's boredom came when ''United States'' challenged ''Constellation'' and the British ship {{HMS|Vindictive|1813|6}} to a race out of the harbor. ''United States'' handily defeated both of them.<ref name="RL122">Robertson–Lorant (1998), p. 122.</ref>

Setting a course back home in mid-1844, ''United States'' arrived at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for resupply.<ref name="RL122"/> Departing 24 August for Boston she challenged and won a race with the French sloop ''Coquette''. ''United States'' arrived in Boston on 2 October<ref name="RL123">Robertson–Lorant (1998), p. 123.</ref> and decommissioned there on the 14th.

She was recommissioned there on 18 May 1846 and detailed to the African Squadron to suppress the illicit slave trade under command of Captain J. Smoot as the flagship of Commodore [[George C. Read]]. ''United States'' joined the Mediterranean Squadron in 1847 and served in European waters until ordered home late in 1848. She returned to Norfolk on 17 February 1849, was decommissioned on 24 February and placed again in ordinary.<ref name="hill207">Hill (1905), p. 207.</ref>

==Civil War==
[[File:Destruction of norfolk navy yard.jpg|right|thumb|alt=Norfolk Navy Yard burned an abandoned|Norfolk Navy Yard burns.]]
{{See also|American Civil War}}

''United States'' deteriorated in Norfolk until 20 April 1861 when the navy yard was captured by [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] troops. Before leaving the yard, Union fire crews failed to burn the vessel along with other abandoned ships,<ref name=NYTimes>{{cite news|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=24 April 1861|title=Burning of Gosport Navy-Yard; Eleven Vessels Scuttled and Burned, The Steam Tug ''Yankee'' Tows the ''Cumberland'' to Sea, Norfolk Not on Fire.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1861/04/24/archives/burning-of-gosport-navyyard-eleven-vessels-scuttled-and-burned-the.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|location=New York City|access-date=2 August 2022|quote=The Government vessels had been scuttled in the afternoon before the [[USS Pawnee (1859)|''Pawnee'']] arrived, to prevent their being seized by the Secessionists … The following are the names of the vessels which were destroyed: [[USS Pennsylvania (1837)|''Pennsylvania'']], 74 gun-ship; steam-frigate [[USS Merrimack (1855)|''Merrimac'']], 44 guns; sloop-of-war [[USS Germantown (1846)|''Germantown'']], 22 guns; sloop [[USS Plymouth (1844)|''Plymouth'']], 22 guns; frigate [[USS Raritan (1843)|''Raritan'']], 45 guns; frigate [[USS Columbia (1836)|''Columbia'']], 44 guns; [[USS Delaware (1820)|''Delaware'']], 74 gun-ship; [[USS Columbus (1819)|''Columbus'']], 74 gun-ship; '''''United States''''', in ordinary; brig [[USS Dolphin (1836)|''Dolphin'']], 8 guns; and the powder-boat … [plus] line-of-battle ship [[List of ships of the line of the United States Navy|''New-York'']], on the stocks … Large quantities of provisions, cordage and machinery were also destroyed—besides buildings of great value—but it is not positively known that the [[Drydock Number One, Norfolk Naval Shipyard|[dry] dock]] was blown up.}}</ref> thinking it unnecessary to destroy an older ship. The Confederates, pressed for vessels in any condition, pumped her out and commissioned the frigate CSS ''United States'' (though they often called her ''Confederate States'') on 29 April. On 15 June, she was fitted out as a receiving ship with a deck battery of 19 guns for harbor defense.

Despite good performance, she was ordered sunk in the [[Elizabeth River, Virginia]], to form an obstruction to Union vessels when the Confederates abandoned the navy yard in May 1862. Shortly after the destruction of ironclad ram [[CSS Virginia|''Virginia'']] on 11 May 1862 and the surrender of the [[Norfolk Navy Yard]] to Union troops, ''United States'' was raised and towed to the yard by federal authorities. She remained there until March 1864, when the Bureau of Construction and Repair decided to break her up and sell the wood. This was delayed until the Bureau ordered on 18 December that the frigate be docked at Norfolk and finally broken up.

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/u/united-states-frigate.html}}

==Bibliography==
{{Portal|American Civil War}}
{{Commons}}
* {{cite book | last = Allen | first = Gardner Weld| title =Our Navy and the Barbary Corsairs| publisher = Houghton Mifflin| location = Boston, New York and Chicago|year=1905| url =https://archive.org/details/ournavybarbaryco00alle| oclc = 	2618279}}
* {{cite book |author-mask=2|last=Allen | first = Gardner Weld | title = Our Naval War With France | publisher = Houghton Mifflin| location = Boston and New York | year = 1909 | url = https://archive.org/details/ournavalwarwith03allegoog | oclc = 1202325}}
* {{cite book | last = Beach | first = Edward L. | author-link = Edward L. Beach, Jr. | title = The United States Navy 200 Years | publisher = H. Holt | location = New York | year = 1986 | isbn = 978-0-03-044711-2 | oclc = 12104038 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/unitedstatesnavy00beac }}
* {{cite book | last = Cooper | first = James Fenimore |ref=Cooper |author-link = James Fenimore Cooper | title = History of the Navy of the United States of America | url = https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_WK3mWOlYYNsC | publisher = Stringer & Townsend | location = New York | year = 1856 | oclc = 197401914}}
* {{cite news |title= 'The Kind-Eyed Chief': Forgotten Champion of Hawaii's Freedom |work= Hawaiian Journal of History|location=Honolulu |publisher=Hawaii Historical Society|oclc=451331453 |volume= 19 |first= Frank W. |last= Gapp |year= 1985 |pages=101–121|hdl = 10524/235}}
*{{cite book|oclc=1116348|title=Isaac Hull, Captain of Old Ironsides; The Life and Fighting Times of Isaac Hull and the U.S. Frigate Constitution.|last=Grant|first=Bruce|publisher=Pellegrini and Cudahy
|location=Chicago|year=1947}}
*{{cite book|oclc=1667284|title=Twenty-Six Historic Ships|last=Hill|first=Frederic Stanhope|location=New York and London|publisher=G.P. Putnam's sons|year=1905|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_aAMKAAAAIAAJ}}
*{{cite journal|last=Humphreys|first=Henry H.|year=1916|title=Who Built the First United States Navy?|journal=The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography|volume=XL|issue=4|pages=385–411|publisher=[[Historical Society of Pennsylvania]]|location=Philadelphia|issn=0031-4587|oclc=1762062
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h4svFsYjflMC}}
* {{cite book | last1 = Maclay | edition =New| orig-year = 1893| first1 = Edgar Stanton | last2 = Smith | first2 = Roy Campbell | title = A History of the United States Navy, from 1775 to 1898 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=3tVCAAAAIAAJ|volume=1| publisher = D. Appleton| location = New York | year = 1898 | oclc =609036}}
* {{cite book|author-mask=2|last1 = Maclay | edition =New| orig-year = 1893| first1 = Edgar Stanton| title = A History of the United States Navy, from 1775 to 1898 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=BthCAAAAIAAJ | volume =2| publisher = D. Appleton|location = New York | year = 1898 | oclc = 609036}}
*{{cite book|isbn=1-55849-145-7|oclc=246192980|title=Melville : a Biography|last=Robertson–Lorant|first=Laurie|publisher=University of Massachusetts Press|location=Amherst|year=1998}}
* {{cite book | last = Roosevelt | first = Theodore |author-link = Theodore Roosevelt | title = The Naval War of 1812| year = 1883 | edition = 3rd | orig-year = 1882 | location = New York | publisher = G.P. Putnam's sons | url = https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Fb1CAAAAYAAJ | oclc = 133902576}}
*{{cite book|isbn=978-0-393-05847-5|oclc=70291925|location=New York|title=Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the US Navy|last=Toll|first=Ian W|publisher=W. W. Norton|year=2006|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/sixfrigatesepich00toll}}

==External links==
*[https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/special/ead/findingaids/1190 USS ''United States'' Logbooks (#1190), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University]
*[https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/man-findingaids/MS_066.EAD.xml Watch, Quarter, and Station Bills of the U.S. Frigate ''United States'', 1817–1818 MS 66] held by Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library at the United States Naval Academy
*[https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/man-findingaids/MS_094.EAD.xml Journal of a cruise on board the U.S.S. ''United States'' from New York to various ports on the Mediterranean Sea, 1832–1942 (bulk 1832–1833) MS 94] held by Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library at the United States Naval Academy

{{USN Original Six}}
{{1862 shipwrecks}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:United States}}
[[Category:Ships of the Union Navy|United States (1797)]]
[[Category:Sailing frigates of the United States Navy|United States (1797)]]
[[Category:Quasi-War ships of the United States|United States (1797)]]
[[Category:War of 1812 ships of the United States|United States (1797)]]
[[Category:Vessels captured from the United States Navy|United States (1797)]]
[[Category:Ships of the Confederate States Navy|United States (1797)]]
[[Category:Ships built in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in May 1862]]
[[Category:Scuttled vessels]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks in rivers]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks of the American Civil War]]
[[Category:1797 ships]]
[[Category:Herman Melville]]
[[Category:Barbary Wars American ships]]
[[Category:Heavy frigates of the United States Navy]]