15 Minutes of Horror - HMS Shannon vs USS Chesapeake

The quintessential frigate duel, fought merely 37km from Boston Harbour.

Join me for this nautical tale of horror, woe and victory.

References:
Dennis, D. L. "The Action between the Shannon and the Chesapeake." The Mariner's Mirror 45, no. 1 (1959): 36-45.

Garbett, H. J. G. "The “Shannon” and the “Chesapeake.”." Royal United Services Institution. Journal 57, no. 424 (1913): 797-802.

Lambert, Andrew. The Challenge: Britain against America in the naval War of 1812. Faber & Faber, 2012.

Roosevelt, Theodore. The naval war of 1812. Lindhardt og Ringhof, 2022.

Toll, Ian W. Six frigates: The epic history of the founding of the US Navy. WW Norton & Company, 2008.

[ErzArt]

"17:22 ...the reserve fleet, also know as the french navy" as a french it hurt, but i can't desagree ;-;

[IbramGaunt]

Gotta love that shot of HMS Trincomalee, oldest British warship still afloat in Hartlepool's National Museum Of The Royal Navy at 3:27

[michaelimbesi]

As has been said by others, this isn’t considered a “Second War of Independence” by anybody I’ve ever met. It was a war over British impressment of Americans (including the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair) and free trade (aka they touched America’s boats). And it’s not a forgotten war here. It’s pretty well remembered both because of USS Constitution and because the British sacked and burned much of Washington DC.

[jackd]

I still can’t believe that no one has made a video about Mad Jack(John)Percival. On the 4th of July in 1813 he broke the British blockade of New York with a fishing boat that was concealing volunteer troops. He tricked the HMS Eagle into approaching as to board and take livestock off of the fishing boat’s deck. When the Eagle approached, Jack yelled out “Lawrence” as the command for the volunteers to fire. The Eagle ended up raising a white ensign and surrendered. Jack then sailed the Eagle into New York harbor as a prize. All on the 4th of July! He’s also credited with saving the USS Constitution from disrepair, then taking command and circumnavigating the world on her. Sadly there aren’t many books on him, but he’s certainly an interesting character.

Additionally, the Schooner Fare Song “Ballad of Mad Jack” is great.

[gottalovebattlefield]

I live locally to Chesapeake Mill. There is a plaque inside dedicated to the dead of both sides from the action.

[lars]

Being from Halifax I need to add that a gun from both HMS Shannon and USS Chesapeake decorate the corners of our Legislative assembly building, Province house.

[Fanatical_Empathy]

I love the deep dives and the personal journal entries from the event. Keep making and telling good stories my friend I wish you good day.

[hunterfalkenberg]

As an American I do feel you somewhat simplified American feelings about the war of 1812, yes many put it simply as the "second war of independence" which is rather misleading as obviously you cant fight for independence from a nation you're already independent of. The best way I find to put it is we Americans see the war of 1812 as the reasertion of our ligitimacy as a state on the world stage, and that despite being a young an fledgling nation could still dance with the great powers of Europe. Do I think the war was all that great an idea, frankly not really, especially with hindsight. However there were many at the time who still held grudges against the British and further felt the revolution unfinished with Britain still on the continent, which is another reason its portrayed as the second American revolution, many at the time thought it to be the natural continuation of the first war in removing Britain from the Americas. Fantastic video and all best from the states.

[TheBullethead]

Very good as usual. And yes, all those topics for future videos would be very welcome.

[deaks]

HMS Trincomalee is a ship definitely worth visiting as she sits afloat in her fully rigged glory, and is the oldest British ship still afloat. Her sister, HMS Unicorn in Dundee is also totally worth the trip as despite celebrating her 200th birthday in 2024, she is around 98% original and despite never being rigged, has a long story of her own. I do think the Leda's are stunning frigates, and a generally excellent design.
I first read about Shannon and Captain Broke in late 2022, and my impression is that the man absolutely knew his craft as well any of the more famous commanders of the day, although I do love that his challenge amounted to the politest "Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough!" I've ever read.

[nounejm]

I'd love to hear more naval stories from you. You could even feature Drachinifel in your video, he has done some cowork on naval subjects ant it always turned out very interesting

[jakethejeweler]

It's pasion like this that corporations suck dry, but in the modern age a necessary evil needed to survive. Glad you didn't get lose hope caught in that web. Another great presentation.

[tannusmasters-dray]

Pls more from you're book. You're history videos are my favourite ones right now

[banditdelta]

IN 1814 WE TOOK A LITTLE TRIP, ALONG WITH COLONEL JACKSON DOWN THE MIGHTY MISSISSIP!

[doltsbane]

How about a video on Stephen Decatur and the Intrepid at Tripoli?

[jeremyhunter]

Yes please the more the merrier 👍
Great channel mate,

[EricDKaufman]

Yeah, this one doesn't work out to well for us. I will watch this along with Long Tan tomorrow.

[MostlyPennyCat]

31:07 Wow, HMS Shannon was broken up on the same year we built HMS Warrior, the 19th century HMS Dreadnaught or Manhattan Project.

[jimtalbott]

20:05 - John Talbot, First Earl of Shrewsberry is a distant cousin of mine - he died in the Battle of Castillon - that battle ended the Hundred Years War, and the Age of Chivalry - but when I see stories like this, or stories of a silver tea service sent from one commander to their opposite number in the aus Civil War, I must question that.

[louiscarullo]

Excellent work as always. The battles of this time are a spot I don’t know much about other than they were brutal as can be with men who’s testicular fortitude could have been used as 9 lbs shot.