uss frolick

Chapman, another great find! Keep them coming guys ... Did Model Shipways discontinue their Prince de Neufchatel kit? Tim, I like your thoughts on her armament ... "long nines" .... "and twelves" ... ?

Tim, what a great find! Perhaps the Prince de Neufchatel's new captain swapped most of her long guns out for carronades in Boston between the time Hope wrote his report, and the time Sir George Collier wrote his? It might have been done to save weight, perhaps?

I agree in general, Tar, with the great professionalism of the Royal Navy of the period. The British have no greater fan than I! But in this particular case, I look at the draughts of the schooner in question and the height of her sides don't seem unusually great for a brig, and her force doesn't seem to be "very superior" for a privateer, even if she were fully manned, which she was not. One need only look through the pages of James Naval History to see unbelievable boarding actions won by Her Majesty. I sailed those same waters as a kid, and even I known what happens in Nantucket Sound when the tide changes, let alone inshore amongst the shallow shoals. Captain Hope ought to have known the characteristics of the waters he was assigned to blockade. Certainly he knew when the tide was due to change. And surely all the signal shenanigans didn't help with the surprise aspect. But he sent off between a quarter and a third of his crew - not an inferior force by any means - in five boats armed with carronades and swivels, yet he suffered nearly as many casualties at the hands of this gaggle of multinational merchant sailors as did Captain Dacres of the Guerriere at the hands of the Constitution.

No exact disposition of the P de N's guns are known to me other than the above report. The all carronade armament would have been used had the brig been taken into the RN service, but since her frame was built so lightly that her back broke in the British dry-dock whilst taking her lines off, this was not done. So Tim, your disposition of sixteen and two nines and twelves respectively, is probably correct. I can't see her carrying more than two heavy long twelves, especially considering how light her frame would prove to be. The P de N was built in New York by the firm of Adam and Noah Brown. Another of the firm's brig/schooners was the famous Privateer General Armstrong. During her first commission, the General carried 18 long nine pounders and one long 12-pounder. It is not known whether the long twelve was on a pivot or used as a shifting 'long tom'. During her second cruise the General carried six long nines and one massive French 36-pounder on a pivot. See Tucker, Spencer, "Arming the Fleet: US Navy Ordinance in the Muzzle Loading Era", Naval Institute Press, p.136. Note also that the report implies that she had no "channel plates" and so that her chain plates were perhaps flush with the sides so that the British couldn't use them to gain access to the deck.

I can understand the differences between the two reports as being essentially honest. If the official letter had been written before the return of the paroled prisoners, then Captain Hope would have only the reports of those men who failed to gain the enemy's deck to go on. The that privateer was undermanned rings true, as she had already sent in many captured prizes, including manning the nearby Douglass prior to the battle. The description of the British prisoners being kept in their own yawl to prevent an uprising tends to support this. Those men in the boats that got back to the Endymion would not have had a clear estimate of how many men the enemy consisted of, as it was night-time, and they were badly battered by the cannon prior to reaching the brig's side. All they saw was a high brig's side with its boarding nettings and the flash of cannon and small arms. The American claims of multiple drifting boats with no one left alive in them, could be explained. If your oars are shot away, your officers are taken out and the current if pulling you away, your first instinct would be to duck, since you cannot renew the attack, and you lie as low in the gunwales as you possibly can until you are out of range. It would appear to the Americans that everyone was dead in them. The statement that the Endymion's 105 man boarding party was out-numbered by a superior force of 140 multinational privateersmen is a touchy statement that few navy men would dare to make. I think overconfidence and cockiness on the British part, the total lack of surprise, combined with an unfamiliarity of the sudden and vicious currents off Nantucket, doomed the mission. The Privateersmen, whatever their true number also displayed excellent gunnery and small arms skills.

I truncated the American newspaper account, omitting the earlier parts of her cruise and her numerous captures. It seems to be copied from the brig's log book. But it is still a contemporary account. But notice the details they agree upon, 104 vs. 105 British sailors made the attack, and both agreed the contest lasted 20 minutes. Poor James was either in New York or Boston at the outbreak of the war, and being a lawyer, he couldn't help but shoot off his mouth. This quickly landed him in prison, from which he escaped somehow, and hoofed it north to Canada, where he befriended many British Naval officers, chief among them Phillip Brook of the Shannon. He definitely had an axe to grind, and perhaps he was justified, but you can feel this in his writings, particularly in "Naval Occurrences". He is spot on, however, with his material and technical data, and for this reason, his work is the definitive work for the period.

I too treasure my copy of William James's six volume "The Naval History of Great Britain". But old Billy-Jim tends to be a bit of an Ameri-phobe, especially in his first work, "Naval Occurrences ..." published in 1816.

Now for the American version of events. The following comes from the Newburyport Herald and Country Gazette (Massachusetts), of October 18, 1814. "... On the 11th, Nantucket bore north, about a quarter of a mile distant from the land, discovered a frigate off Gayhead which gave chase and came up with a fresh breeze, while we were becalmed. At 3 PM we took a breeze and took the Douglass in tow. The frigate was about four leagues from us At [/} the wind died away calm. At 7 P.M. was obliged to come to anchor, and supposing the frigate would send her boats to attempt to capture us, [we] prepared accordingly. At 8 P.M. a signal was made from the prize that the boats were coming - soon afterwards discovered them - five in number, and in a few minutes they were alongside. The action commenced and continued for 20 minutes, when the enemy were repulsed in every attempt to board, and obliged to surrender. When the launches and barges left the frigate, they had on board 104 souls including the officers. One launch having on board 48 men was sunk with only two men saved; one which had 32 men on board at the commencement of the action was taken possession of, she had 8 men killed 20 wounded and 4 unhurt, the three others drifted from alongside the brig with the current without a man to be seen in them (supposed thy must have been killed or wounded), and had not a boat to go after them, and had only 4 men left not killed or wounded. The barges were two on each side and one under the privateer's stern. The barges and launch were from the Endymion frigate. Kept the launch with their prisoners in it along side all night, not daring to let them come on board, as we had only 8 men left for duty. In the morning permitted Mr. F. Ormond, 2nd lieutenant, 3 midshipmen and one masters mate, to come on board and after they signed a parole, pledging their honor for themselves and the rest of the prisoners (25 seamen and marines) that they would not serve against the United States during the war until regularly exchanged, sent them ashore at Nantucket, not knowing the situation of the place with the British. At The commencement of the action, the Price of Neufchatel had 40 men at quarters, including officers, (and had 37 prisoners on board) of which 6 were killed, 15 severely wounded, 9 slightly wounded and 10 unhurt. The next day sent 17 prisoners on shore, and put them in the hands of the Martial, and also sent on shore all of our severely wounded men. ... On Friday ... saw the Endymion also at anchor in Tarpaulin Cove. She had sent a boat to Nantucket to inquire what had become of her barges and men. ... The boats which drifted from alongside the privateer, at the end of the action, had been picked up by her [Endymion] The report was that nearly all were killed and wounded in them."

Here's a treat from the stacks. The Endymion was a 40 gun, 24-pounder frigate of the Royal Navy. She would go on to fight the US Frigate president in January, 1815. She mounted twenty-six long 24-pounders on her gun deck, with twenty-two 32-pounder carronades and one shifting brass 18-pounder on her spar deck. From the PRO in Kew, Reference numbers ADMI/507, XC 22779A "[To:] Honorable Alexander Cochrane, K.B. Admiral of the Red, and Commander in Chief, , Etc, etc, Superb at Halifax 15th November, 1814. Sir, It is with extreme regret I do myself the honor to transmit to you herewith, a copy of a letter and its enclosures dated the 11th Ultimo, which I have received from Captain Hope of His Majesty's Ship Endymion detailing the particulars of a gallant but unsuccessful attack made by the boats of that ship under the direction of Lieutenants Hawkins, Armond, and Fanshaw on an enemy privateer, under circumstances so trying and difficult as to reflect the highest credit on the officers and men engaged in the occasion and whilst I deplore with Captain Hope the loss of so many valuable lives it is a consolation to [illegible] the spirit with which the attack was renewed affords an ample proof off the determined coolness and bearing of the officers and men, and that valor of His Majesty's Subjects was ... displayed. ... I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant Henry Hotham, Rear Admiral" Hope's Letter: "Copy, Henry Hotham, Rear Admiral His Majesty's Ship Endymion Off Nantucket, 11th October, 1814. Sir, I have the honor of informing you that yesterday returning to my station, a ship and a schooner were discovered to the Westward of Nantucket nearly becalmed under the low land endeavoring to pass between that island and the southern shoals. From the offing we continued to chase them until evening. The wind then entirely left us as it had previously done with the vessels in shore, who had made no progress whatever. I sent all boats under the command of Lieutenants Hawkins, Armond and Fanshaw. In approaching the ship, an alarm was fired; the boats had been previously rowing up under a shoal and had not felt the effects of a rapid tide which they almost instantaneously became exposed to; the second barge, in taking the station assigned by Lieutenant Hawkins, on the schooner's starboard bow, having her larboard oars shot away instantaneously was swept by the stream athwart the first barge, thereby all the boats became entangled, and it is with extreme concern I acquaint you that the attack was in consequence at the moment was only partially made. Notwithstanding this disadvantage at the first .... and every exertion that human skill and determined bravery could devise was resorted to , to revive the contest and they succeeded in again getting alongside, but not in the positions intended; their failure therefore is to be ascribed in the first instant to the velocity off the tide, the height of the vessel's side, not having channel plates to assist the men in getting on her deck and her very superior force. (A schooner of the largest dimensions, the Prince de Neufchatel, three hundred and twenty tons, eighteen guns, long nine and twelve pounders, with a complement of one hundred and forty men of all nations, commanded by Mons. Jean Ordsonaux) the boats painter now being shot away, they again fell astern without ever being able to repeat the attack, and with great difficulty regained the ship, with the exception of the second barge which I have every reason to believe sunk alongside the schooner. In transmitting this report, I can not help but deplore the unhappy issue of the enterprise, it would be great injustice to the officers and men of the boats if I omitted to say that their bravery and coolness is deserving every praise, I therefore sir beg to impress you with the belief that in no instance could either the officers and men have conducted themselves with greater determination than on the present occasion. I lament exceedingly the deaths of Lieutenant Hawkins, and Mr. Dalzeel, midshipman, who fell early in the action with many other seamen and marines. Enclosed you will find a return of the killed and wounded. the ship that was in company with the privateer is the Douglass at Nantucket on their parole. Signed Henry Hope. From Lieutenant Armond I learn that as much as we have suffered on this occasion, the enemy's loss was still greater, fifteen only of their crew having escaped the well directed and devastating fire from the boats." [Note: then followed a detailed list of the casualties by name, which I will omit.] Total Killed ,17 Total wounded and died of wounds, 45 [including the surgeon, severely wounded!] Total killed and wounded, 62." Note to modelers: the schooner carried "eighteen guns, long nine and twelve pounders" not carronades! Here is the entry of the Captain's log of the Endymion, 11 Oct., 1814, reference ADM51/ 2324 XC1084: "At 4 light airs and variable. Calm and fine. out boats. sent them manned and armed with 105 men and officers in chase of the schooner, which we supposed to be a privateer and her prize and anchored S.W. from the S. end of Nantucket. Burnt blue lights and rockets to send our position to the boats. The enemy opened a fired on the boats which continued 20 minutes. Midnight calm and fine. 3 AM calm and fine. The launch, barge, cutter and gig returned being repulsed by the enemy with the loss of 10 killed and 31 wounded, lieuts Hawkins, Armond, 4 mids and 30 seamen and marines missing with our yawl. Daylight weighed and hoisted in the boats, and made all sail to the westward ..."

On the night of September 2nd, 1814, the wounded USS Wasp was briefly chased by a former British fireship, HMS Tartarus, following the former's victory over HMS Avon. But by then, the Tartarus had been converted to a heavy sloop of war, as had her sisters, and she was rated at twenty guns. She reportedly mounted twenty-two 24-pounder carronades on her main deck, with eight 18-pounder carronades and two long nines on her upper deck, or thirty-two guns in total. Fortunately for the Americans, the Tartarus sailed off in the wrong direction after the Wasp altered course in the dark ...

If the "watch-keepers bench" is the same as the "Banc de quart", then La Belle-Poule has one. At least Boudroit added one, as its' presence is unclear from the admiralty draught.

Great find, Michael P. ! Now I know where the 1920's restorers got their profile design from.

They are slow growing trees, hence the saying, "Plant pears for your heirs."

Solid hull kits are not easy. They are far from finished. You have to make templates, figure our where the templates go, mark the hull, and then carve the hull to fit the plans. No shortcuts involved if you do it right. I would love to get a perfectly finished solid hull to plank over.

I have an old, unbuilt Model Shipways solid hull Fair American kit. Her hull is the same size as the POB laser cut version, (I compared the two at the old Model Shipways brick and mortar store) and all the fittings are the same size. Yet the old "yellow shoebox" kit is marked 3/16th of an inch scale, while the new one is 1/4 inch scale.

Hey Rafine, the next time the USS Constitution goes into dry dock for repairs, they might request your assistance.

I suggest researching Samuel McIntire, the real Essex's carver. His works were unique for their day. He was known for his eagles (wet chickens) and richly vined scroll work, not so much for figures. His style was more Grandma Moses and less William Rush. The Essex's carvings were much admired for their clean, uniquely American simplicity, and they were said to have inspired the later, post Federalist navy's style: eagles, stars and scrolls. There are several books in print on McIntire's works. He was primarily a furniture and mantlepiece maker. The Essex's Indian looks a lot like the Indian in the then Seal of the State of Massachusetts, IMHO.

The stern carvings are on the NMM draught, and they are quite interesting. Oddly, they are passed over in the otherwise complete and superlative TFFM book series. Has anyone tried to carve them?

Arborus Nonspecificus.

I remember reading years ago a report of Captain John Downes of the US Frigate Potomac, following her return from the first Sumatran Punitive Expedition in 1832, that his ship's stove had been placed on the berth deck as an experiment. The idea was to create a hot air draught that would help circulate air better throughout the lower reaches of the ship. Downes thought the experiment a failure, as it was not worth the obvious difficulties, and asked permission to replace it back on the gun deck.

I'm glad Mr. Crothers is still around and active. I hope he produces more of his Sea Gull Plans series.

Wayne, I have nearly all issues, Vol. 31 - 55, (Jan. 1971 - Winter 1995), should you want an article contained within that range of dates. LMK.

You know, there was a Newbie who posted the question "Who makes the best model ships", over in another thread, and I almost answered "Rafine".

When as a kid - long, long ago - I used to think the wales were a thick bumper to absorb the damage when rubbing against the dock - like tires on the side of a tugboat ! Oh well ... Actually, the wales are a part of a system which include the frames, the clamps on the inside, the hanging and lodging knees and the beams, to prevent the ship from opening up sideways. Think of a frame as a rose. The natural tendency of this pretty flower is to open out or to bloom. In a ship, this would be catastrophic, obviously, and the above system evolved to prevent this. The reason that the 74's gundeck beam is, say, 12 inches molded by 10 inches sided , is not to hold the heavy weight of the cannon, but to secure the sides of the ship in place. Working in a heavy seas stresses the "rose", and in older ships, the knees can pull out of the clamps, the ship opens up, fills and sinks. See Patrick O'Brian's "The Ionian Mission", for when that happens to the "Rotten Old Worcester", and Jack has to cocoon his ship by wrapping his midships tight with his own hawser cable.

But whales taper at the stern ...