USS Chesapeake

by Robert Dodd

Title

USS Chesapeake

Artist

Robert Dodd

Medium

Painting - Painting

Description

This view of his majesty's ship Shannon, hove too, & cooly waiting the close approach of the American frigate Chesapeake during the War of 1812. The USS Chesapeake is on the left, approaching HMS Shannon. The Chesapeake is flying a flag that states "Free Trade and Sailors Rights." Painted by Robert Dodd (1748-1815) from the information of Capt.. Falkinir. The United States Congress authorized the original six frigates of the United States Navy with the Naval Act of 1794 on March 27, 1794, at a total cost of $688,888.82. These ships were built during the formative years of the United States Navy, on the recommendation of designer Joshua Humphreys for a fleet of frigates powerful enough to engage any frigates of the French or British navies yet fast enough to evade any ship of the line. Chesapeake was built at the Gosport Navy Yard, Virginia, and was launched on December 2, 1799. The Chesapeake was the only one of the six frigates to be disowned by Humphreys due to liberties taken by her Master Constructor Josiah Fox during construction relating to overall dimensions. The frigate that became Chesapeake was originally planned as a 44-gun ship, but when her construction began in 1798 Josiah Fox altered the original design plan, resulting in the ship's re-rating to 36 guns.

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November 17th, 2021

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