Gunboat 81

Jeffersonian Gunboat 81 built in Newburyport MA 1807. Scratch Model 1:64.

On September 18, 1813, the US Sloop of War Wasp was launched from Merrill’s shipyard in Newburyport; she was rated as a 20 gun ship.  Captain Johnston Blakeley who had commanded Enterprise was now in command of Wasp.  From the first day he arrived in Newburyport, Blakeley noted the great vulnerability of his ship and the port in general.  Secretary Jones ordered Bainbridge to send two of his gunboats to the Merrimack to protect Blakeley’s ship from the enemy, and to assist in fitting out and equipping it.

Gunboats No. 81 under Sailing Master (Captain) Cushman and No. 83 under Captain Brown arrived and anchored abreast the sloop of war Wasp at Horton’s Wharf in Newburyport.  Each was armed with a long 24-pounder and a 12 pound carronade and had a crew of 16 men.  Cushman was, apparently, happy to be relieved of the boring duty of guarding Boston and finally free to cruise for contraband.

Many British armed vessels were, from time to time, seen hovering on the coast.  One, the Majestic, a 56 gun razee continued watching the harbor for some time while Wasp was lying at Horton’s wharf.  It was supposed that the crew of Majestic had in mind the capture of Wasp and the gunboats.  It was rumored in town that she had landed a party of thirty men at Plum Island on November 23, 1813, and tried to bribe the keeper of the lights to pilot her up to town.  Although the bar was far too shallow to allow Majestic to enter the Merrimack River, it possessed more than five hundred well-armed sailors and marines.  Majestic had captured a schooner on the day of the alleged landing on Plum Island and could have used it for an attack.

On the evening of November 24, 1813, gunboat No. 81 prepared for action.  From Cushman’s log: “at 10 P.M. fired and scaled the Great Gun, Cannonade & Swivel reloaded the guns and got them in readiness for immediate service.”  Cushman took on board four of Wasp’s best men and then “dropped further to the eastward” down the Merrimack to receive the attack alongside its twin No. 83.  Majestic subsequently made off without crossing the bar and the schooner was left anchored off the beach.