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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

USS Eagle (II)


Sloop:
  • A merchant ship built by A&H Brown at Vergennes, Vermont on Lake Champlain
  • Purchased in 1812 and fitted for naval service
  • Eagle cruised on Lake Champlain under the command of Sailing Master J. Loomis
  • Eagle served as as a member of Commodore Thomas Macdonough's squadron blockading the British advance from Canada
  • Captured by the British, 3 June 1813, near Ile aux Noix on the Canadian side of the lake
  • Taken into the Royal Navy as HMS Finch
  • During her services as a British ship Finch participated in the expedition that burned the arsenal and storehouses at Plattsburg, N.Y.
  • Recaptured by the Americans during the Battle of Lake Champlain, 11 September 1814
  • Taken back into U.S. Navy service
  • After the war Eagle was sold in July 1815 at Whitehall, N.Y.
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 110 t.
    Length 64'
    Beam 20'4"
    Draft unknown
    Depth of Hold 5'8"
    Speed unknown
    Complement 50
    Armament 11 guns
    Propulsion sail

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    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Saratoga
    098653704
    224k A black and white photo of a watercolor painting by artist ©Warren (attributed)
    "The Battle of Lake Champlain in Plattsburg Bay, September 1814"
    On 11 September 1814, the American squadron, the 26-gun USS Saratoga, Como. Thomas Macdonough, the 20-gun brig USS Eagle, CAPT. Robert Henley, the 17-gun schooner USS Ticondereoga, LCDR. Stephen Cassin, the 7-gun sloop USS Preble, LT. Charles Hicks and 10 boats, were attacked when lying off Plattsburg by a British squadron, the 37-gun HMS Confiance, CAPT. George Downie, the 16-gun brig HMS Linnet, CAPT. Daniel Pring, the 11-gun cutter HMS Chub, LT. James McGhee, the 8-gun cutter HMS Finch, LT. William Finch and 10 gunboats. Having had two anchors shot away Confiance brought up abreast instead of athwart hawse of Saratoga. After a fierce combat, Saratoga, who had suffered severely from Confiance's heavy broadsides, swung around to bring her port battery into action. Confiance, in endeavoring to do the same, hung with her stern towards Saratoga and was so heavily raked that she was compelled to surrender. CAPT. Downie was killed, Linnet being exposed to Saratoga's fire, struck her colors. Finch had surrendered, Chubb was captured, and the battle ended.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # USN 902816
    US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Saratoga
    098653705
    258k Black and white photo of an engraving by B. Tanner after a drawing by H. Reinagle
    "MacDonough's Victory on Lake Champlain"
    MacDonough's Victory on Lake Champlain and defeat of the British Army at Plattsburg by General Macomb, 11 September 1814. Ships shown:
    HMS Finch
    USS Preble;
    USS Eagle;
    HMS Confiance;
    HMS Linnet;
    USS Saratoga;
    HMS Chubb; and
    USS Ticonderoga.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 2258
    US Naval History and Heritage Command

    USS Eagle (II)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 17 December 2021