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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Ohio (I)


Schooner:
  • Ohio was a merchant schooner purchased by the Navy in 1812
  • Converted to a war ship by Henry Eckford
  • Commissioned USS Ohio prior to 13 June 1813, Sailing Master Daniel Dobbins in command.
  • Ohio served on Lake Erie in the squadron commanded by Captain Oliver H. Perry during the War of 1812
  • Perry's mission was to take control of the lake from the British
  • Ohio joined Perry's squadron at Erie, 8 July 1813, after breaking free of a British blockage preventing her from entering Lake Erie
  • After searching for the British the squadron anchored at Sandusky on 17 August
  • Ohio returned to Erie for provisions and stores for the squadron, rejoining her sister ships 3 September
  • The same day she set sail for Erie again, and thus was not with squadron when it won the memorable victory over the British at Put-in-Bay 10 September
  • Three days later Ohio reached Put-in-Bay with sorely needed fresh vegetables and meat
  • As soon as the ice cleared early in 1814, Ohio began patrolling between Long Point and Erie to intercept any British movement by water
  • In May she assisted in fitting out prizes Detroit and Queen Charlotte at Put-in-Bay, and convoyed them to Erie
  • On 12 August 1814, Ohio was captured with USS Somers by the British within pistol shot of Fort Erie
    Specifications:
    Displacement 62 t.
    Length unknown
    Beam unknown
    Depth of Hold unknown
    Draft unknown
    Speed unknown
    Complement 35
    Armament one 24-pdr gun
    Propulsion sail

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    Size Image Description Source
    Porcupine I
    098696301
    253k
    Schooners USS SOMERS, USS OHIO, and USS PORCUPINE Attacked by British Boats Near Fort Erie, August 1814

    On 18 August 1814, the three United States armed schooners USS Somers, USS Ohio, and USS Porcupine, each with 35 men commanded by a lieutenant, being stationed close to Fort Erie, then in the possession of the Americans for the purpose of flanking the British army in their approach against it. Captain Dobbs of HMS Charwell, with a detachment of 75 seaman and marines from his vessel and from HMS Netley, LT. C. Radcliffe, lying opposite to Fort George resolved to attempt their capture or destruction. For this purpose, the seamen carried the captain's gig upon their shoulders from Queenstown to Frenchman's Creek, 20 miles. From this spot by the aid of LTCOL Nichol, 5 bateaux as well as the gig, were got across through the woods to Lake Erie, 8 miles. The Somers and Phio were presently carried and the third would certainly have fallen had not the cables been cut which caused her to drift to leeward among the rapids. American losses, 1 seaman killed and 3 officers and 4 seamen wounded. British losses, LT. Radcliffe and one seaman killed and four seaman wounded.
    U.S. National Archives Photo # USN 902811 from the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command collection
    Robert Hurst

    USS Ohio (I)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

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    Last Updated 25 February 2022