Etna

A volcano in eastern Sicily, whose name occasionally appears in period correspondence as Aetna (q.v.), an alternate spelling.

(Bomb Brig: tonnage 220; armament 2 long 8-pounders, 2 howitzers)

II

The second Etna -- a brig purchased at New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1813 to replace the bomb ketch of the same name lost during the hurricane of 19 August 1812. Her first commanding officer was Sailing Master Jonathan D. Ferriss.

Other than Etna’s seizure of the Spanish schooner Terrible in March 1814 for a violation of the embargo – the ship performed very little service during the War of 1812 owing to her constant need for repairs. That state of affairs ultimately resulted in Etna being pronounced unfit for any purpose other than as a mortar vessel in November 1814.

Offered for sale in 1817, Etna attracted no buyers and was broken up. By July 1823, all that remained at New Orleans was an anchor, a caboose, and some pieces of live oak timber.

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By Alma R. Lawrence, Emma Byrnes